Night had fallen, and the cold wind whispered over the river as Meiyun, Yueru, Omero, Corlys, Tomaso, Shen Zhenwu, the mining workers, and their children gathered around small fires. The flickering flames reflected exhaustion, fear, and a faint comfort of warmth. Guards of House Stark and House Manderly, following orders from Martyn and Medrick, worked tirelessly to construct temporary shelters. Smallfolk assisted, stacking wood, reinforcing makeshift tents, and ensuring the fire would last through the night.
The ambush had forced them to halt before reaching the mountain. Theon, standing near the fire, gave precise orders. "Write the names of everyone who lost their lives in this ambush," he commanded the Stark guards. "By contract, we will send money to their families. The terms will be honored. Even the guards who fell—from Stark or Manderly households—House Stark will ensure compensation."
Medrick hesitated. "I will pay the families myself—"
Theon's voice cut through the cold night, firm yet calm. "Yes, you may. But they died because they came with us. It is my duty to compensate their families. Do not mistake responsibility for excess."
Medrick opened his mouth to protest, but Theon pressed on. "You may think that even with your payment to your household's fallen, it is too much. What is too much is asking their families to bear the weight of death alone. What is too much is dishonoring the dead by haggling over their worth. True warriors fight not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what is behind them—their people, their home, their land."
Medrick fell silent, understanding the depth of Theon's conviction.
The provisions brought from the river and the small food stores were distributed among everyone. Fishes freshly caught from the river and the supplies they had brought were shared, allowing all to eat in quiet relief.
Roderick approached Theon, carrying two bowls of steaming food. "Here," he said, handing one to Theon and keeping one for himself. "Eat."
Theon accepted the bowl with a nod and began to eat.
"How are you feeling, Theon?" Roderick asked after a moment.
Theon looked into the fire and said quietly, "How do you think I'm feeling?"
"You know," Roderick continued, "you killed so many… their leader too… without any visible emotion. You didn't flinch at the blood. You moved like someone who had walked this path before. Sometimes I feel that in a kid's body, an old man is possessed."
You don't know how right you are, Theon thought silently.
"When I killed my first man," Roderick said softly, "I vomited. The way he died—slowly, miserable on the ground—I could not bear it. But in time, I accepted it as the law of nature. If you do not kill the person who seeks to harm you, then you will die. Kill or be killed. That is the law."
Theon nodded. "Yes… like the jungle rule. But the difference is, we live in rules."
"Rules?" Roderick asked.
"Yes, rules," Theon said firmly. "Without rules, we are no better than wild animals."
They sat in silence for a few moments, the fire crackling between them. Then Theon spoke again. "You ask how I feel. Nothing. I feel nothing. No agony, no rage… only cold truth."
"And what is the truth?" Roderick pressed.
"That if I do not kill them today, they will kill us. They are not saints—they are the worst of the worst. I feel no sympathy for them. Their attack has already signed their death warrant."
Roderick nodded slowly. "You are right."
After the meal, everyone settled in for the night. Only the guards and Theon remained awake, sitting near the fire, contemplating the day's events. His mind drifted back to his life as Shirou EMIYA, a naive boy full of hope before the cursed Holy Grail War. He remembered witnessing human cruelty, heroes of legend clashing for masters rather than justice, and the agonizing deaths of friends he could not save.
He recalled Rin Tohsaka, Sakura, Taiga, his sister Illyasviel von Einzbern, and Artoria Pendragon. He remembered how he lost Illya and Sakura, how Gilgamesh had killed his sister ruthlessly, and how he survived thanks to the intervention of Artoria and Rin. He remembered being adopted by Kiritsugu Emiya after the Fuyuki fire, a man who had saved him and raised him with hope, always smiling. He had wanted to be like Kiritsugu—a hero—but he had forgotten the immense sacrifices his father made. The path of heroism was never about glory; it was about unbearable choices and responsibility.
He remembered the First Holy Grail War, the cruel strategies and betrayals, and the Fifth Holy Grail War where Cú Chulainn had been forced into servitude under Kirei. He remembered the orders to kill Rin and how he had refused, defying the Command Spells to save her, ultimately thrusting his spear through Kirei and setting the castle ablaze. He had survived, but at what cost—losing loved ones and realizing the inescapable weight of his fate.
This is why his Counter Guardian self wished to kill his past self, to prevent the suffering that would come. But he could not bring himself to strike, for a part of him still hoped Shirou could find happiness despite the impossible ideals he chose to pursue.
The night air was cold against his face as he sat in silence. He barely noticed Meiyun, wrapped in a fur cloak, emerge from her tent and sit beside him.
"The same goes for you," Theon said.
"Yes," she smiled faintly. "Whenever I try to sleep, I remember what happened. Those monsters… killing innocents, laughing as they tore through families. Humans… they are the most dangerous species. At least wild animals do what they are born to do. Humans… they have greed, pride, jealousy, lust… countless flaws. That is why we are always at war. We can never get enough; we always want more, by hook or by crook."
Theon gave a small, knowing laugh.
"You may look like a kid," Meiyun continued, "but your words… they are like those of a wise sage from our land."
Before more could be said, a guard came running toward them. "My lord! Riders are approaching!"
Immediately, Theon sprang to his feet. "Everyone, protect the civilians! Take positions!"
He barked orders to Roderick, Martyn, Shen Zhenwu, Omero, Corlys, Tomaso, and Yueru.
"Are more bandits coming?" Yueru asked, tension clear in her voice.
"We don't know," Theon replied, "but we must be cautious."
"What do they bring with them?" Omero asked.
"We will fight alongside them," Theon said firmly. "You and the civilians will retreat with Martyn and our guards. Corlys, yes, our numbers are fewer… but we fight to the death. If we fall, we drag them to hell with us."
The sound of hooves grew louder. Stark and Manderly guards braced for combat, their eyes sharp, weapons ready. Theon's gaze hardened, muscles coiled for action.
As the riders drew near, a voice shouted, halting them. The front ranks stopped, and torchlight revealed familiar banners.
At the forefront rode his father, Rickon Stark, and beside him, Lord Desmond Manderly, leading reinforcements.
"Father…" Theon breathed, relief washing over him.
Rickon's eyes softened at the sight of his son. "Theon… you are safe. I feared I would arrive too late."
Desmond's voice carried authority and reassurance. "We bring forces to secure the riverbank and protect these people. Your scouts' warnings reached us in time. You've done well holding them off."
Theon nodded, the weight of responsibility lightened slightly, though the burden of every life lost still pressed upon him. "It was not enough to allow the innocents to fall. We fought for every life here."
Rickon dismounted, cloak brushing the frosty riverbank. "We will reinforce defenses and prepare for the mountain pass. The enemy will find no mercy. The North will stand united."
Theon's lips curved slightly. "Good. Let them come. We will meet them with fire and steel."
Desmond added, "The civilians are safe with our men. You command the warriors, Theon. Tonight is not for celebration. Ambushes will come again. Always again."
Theon's eyes hardened. "Then we fight again. Until our last breath. Those who attack us will pay for every life they've taken."
The riverbank, alive with firelight and vigilance, had transformed into a fortress of resolve. Rickon and Desmond's arrival shifted the tide. The night, though perilous, would pass with the North standing together, ready for the challenges that dawn would bring.
Theon looked toward the treeline, whispering to himself, "Let them come. I am ready."
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