Good day, my name is Aesma (Fanfiction: Dilost), my friend and I posted a story in fanfiction.net and someone advised me to post it here. I am unsure whether it can live up to Beast's Lair's denizens' standard, but here we go.
Note, I am unsure how to give spaces between paragraph here, if anyone wish to read a more... 'non-wall of text' version, please visit https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1012464...-Canon-Genesis
Dilost & Ame no Kagaseo, presents:
The tale of Deuterocanonical Third Holy Grail War.
It was a Gathering of Heroes, the first step that marked its Descent to Madness. Ruler and Avenger, Radiant Archer and Sabers of Red and Blue. With Heavens as its witness, the curtain rises for the Third Holy Grail War.
Deutero-Canon: Genesis
Day 0 Holy Grail War: Summoning
Deep within the heart of Germany, in Bravaria, the inception of a miracle would take place. A tall castle that reached up towards the heavens, an impenetrable fortress in the ever-snowing land.
The archaic grandfather clock struck midnight, the hour of mischief and darkness.
Jubstacheit von Einzbern stood silently in the expanse of the foyer. One of his many descendants, a young child barely into his twenties had been chosen to fight for the revelation of their lost miracle.
Heaven's Feel; the Materialization of the Soul. The Third True Magic.
The boy begun chanting, and Acht watched with cold blue eyes.
"Das material ist aus Argentum and Eisen.
Der Grundstein ist aus Stein
und dem GroBherzog des Vertrag..."
A ring of candles surrounded the altar, throwing writhing shadows to the walls. Atop the pristine marble, a massive crimson circle had been drawn, comprising of arcane sigils and symbols of power. Freshly spilled blood, still warm and rich in prana was the ink that was used in drawing the summoning script.
"Der Ahn ist mein groBer-
Master Schweinorg.
Schutz gegen, einen heftigen Wind."
In the middle of the circle was an old, leather bound book. Old man Act had to pay a small fortune to acquire it from the Sultan of Turkey, an act which unwittingly consolidated their stand with that fascist fool, Adolf.
"SchlieB alle Tore,
geh aus der Krone,
Zirkulier die Gabelung nach dem König."
They had lost the first and second war, due to the incompetency of the summoned Heroic Spirits.
No more. The Einzbern had waited for nearly two centuries. This time, victory was assured.
For their champion would be a God.
füll, füll, füll, füll, füll
A noble phantasm that existed in the modern world; that was their catalyst.
The Book of Zoroaster; Avesta: Universal Revelation of Inscribed Creation.
"Es wird funfmal wieder holt,
Nur ist es die volle Zeit gebrochen."
A Hero? No, far from it. Their monster was a being tainted in the darkness of humanity, an entity who devours all. The veritable God of Darkness Himself, he who terrorised ancient Persia.
"－Satz."
Being the true owners of the Grail, it was not beyond the reach of the Einzbern to create new systems. The class of Avenger, tailor-made for their Servant like a fine suit of Armor.
The final lines of the aria was spoken by the boy. Nearby, the Homunculi who served as prana sources twitched.
It was coming.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power,
Arrive from the ring of deterrance,
A life of bloodshed, ideals tainted by hatred,
"O Deliverer of Vengeance-!"
The Einzbern master felt, more than saw his Servant come to the war.
An entity that transcended mortality, clawing on his soul to return to the Impure World.
The entity had dark, midnight hair, framed by a crimson scarf tied loosely. It was a male...child. His entire body was a canvas, depicting unspeakable sins of mankind. Pearly white teeth and obsidian eyes stared back viciously.
But...this, child...didn't feel like a god...
"I, am Servant Avenger. You who have called upon me, I ask of you...
...are you my Master?"
Not for the first time in his life, Kotomine Risei wondered what is wrong with the Church.
While he was proud of his belief, and had done many services under the name of God, there were many within the Church who are more experienced than him.
And yet, here he was, inside a church, in the middle of a developing city, Fuyuki, chosen to act as a supervisor in a War to obtain the false Grail of Christ.
And he even had to summon a... 'Servant' for it.
In front of him was a magic circle, made by their... requester, the Einzbern. The family of magus hailing from Germany.
The Einzbern claimed that it would summon Servant that would best suit him.
Shrugging, he decided to try, reading the chants to summon a Servant from the paper Einzbern gave him, he summoned his Servant.
Unfortunately, he was unaware of one fact. The Einzbern has tampered the magic circle.
In their desperation to win the Grail War, the family tried to sabotage other Masters, and being someone who lack knowledge of magic, Kotomine Risei was a prime target.
The changes made in the magic circle insured that the Servant Risei summoned would become a Servant who does not have their 'Class' attribute.
A Servant not among the Seven Classes, neither Saber, nor Archer. Not Lancer or Rider. Not a Caster, but not a Berserker. Not even Assassin.
Still, Kotomine Risei continued the chant, unaware of this.
As he reached the last line of the chant, the church exploded in light.
Risei raised his hands to block the light, and then as the light began to dissipate, he saw his Servant.
A man with tanned skin and white hair. His clothes were black with red coat around his body. But in his hands was a book familiar to Risei, the Bible.
The Servant opened his eyes and watched him with curiosity.
For a moment, neither spoke a single word.
Then the Servant opened his mouth, "A Japanese... priest? Has things progressed that far in the future? Why did you summon me?" His eyebrow raised, signifying his amusement and confusion.
Risei's eyebrow rose, not unlike his 'Servant', "I am Kotomine Risei, a priest, sent by the Church to supervise the Holy Grail War. And you are the Heroic Spirit I summoned to assist me in my task."
It was strange. The Einzbern said that the Heroic Spirit would already know why he or she was summoned, they should have known about the Grail War. But... this Servant seemed to be different.
The Servant smiled, "I see... the Holy Grail War... Indeed, this must be what they call blessing in disguise. I swore to return in a hundred years, and I did. Worry not Master, I shall assist you, I am Ruler, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada. Let us work together to win the war."
It was a declaration of pure confidence, this spirit in front of Risei was both charismatic and powerful. The way he worded it was not like a Servant, but of a leader who comforted his follower.
Like an Emperor, a Ruler indeed. He recognized the name, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada. Leader of Shimabara Rebellion.
A fifteen years old boy, who some believed to be illegitimate son of Toyotomi Hideyori. The Heaven's Messenger, a boy who was said to be able to perform Miracles not unlike followers of God in the Bible.
He lead his army and managed to held the shogunate army back from invading his castle. Yet, one of his follower betrayed him and sold information to the imperial army, leading to the rebels defeat and massacre.
Amakusa Shirou was executed, his head put on display as an example to other rebels. It is said that his last words were,
'I shall return after 100 years and take my revenge.'
Similar to the words that this Heroic Spirit uttered. And he had no reason to lie.
It appeared that this Hero was truly the Saint to Catholic Christian of Japan, Messenger of Heavenly Kingdom, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.
However...
"...but I'm not here to win the war, you know?" Risei said to his Servant, blinking.
And the youthful face of the saint was transformed into confusion, "...eh?"
Jubstacheit von Einzbern was not pleased.
They made preparations, even manipulated the rules of Heaven's Feel to summon a God, a Servant who would be able to destroy the others without much problem.
But they failed. Instead it summoned a human spirit, a terribly weak spirit that was a shame to the name, Angra-Mainyu.
"Lord Acht, what must we do now?" One of the Einzbern asked him.
"...do what you will with 'it'," He commanded, refusing to dignify this worthless being by calling it by its name.
They have lost their chance in this Holy Grail War. His only hope is that the War would end without winner just like the previous one.
What Jubstacheit failed to realize is that, while the Einzbern managed to successfully temper with the Grail War, the summoning done by Kotomine Risei at the same time caused the Grail to react.
It detected a violation to its rules, an attempt to summon something that was not a Hero. To counteract this breach, it summoned an existence that would be tasked to supervise the Grail War, it replaced the class Rider, with Ruler. Just like how it was made to replace Berserker with an Avenger.
It was an act that marked the end of a pure Heaven's Feel Ritual. And started its descend to madness.
The head of Tohsaka family stood in front of a magic circle, a complicated magic circle with a golden earring at its center.
" Das Material ist aus Silber und Eisen.
Der Grundstein ist aus Stein und dem Großherzog des Vertrag.
Der Ahn ist mein großer Meister Schweinorg."
The black haired man began, his eyes burned with both excitement and desire.
"Schutz gegen einen heftigen Wind.
Schließ alle Tore,
geh aus der Krone,
zirkulier die Gabelung nach dem König."
Finally, the day is here. All of his life, all of his study, all of them, is for this Event, this War.
"Füll, füll, füll, füll, füll."
He will now become a participant of a War.
"Es wird fünfmal wiederholt."
A magus, seeking the Root.
"Nur ist es die volle Zeit gebrochen."
One of Seven, who will sacrifice others for their own ambition.
"－Satz."
A Master.
"Du überläßt alles mir, mein Schicksal überläßt alles deinem Schwert."
And now, with the Golden Earring he found in the deepest tomb in India, he will summon his Servant.
"Das basiert auf dem Gral,
antwort wenn du diesem Willen und diesem Vernunftgrund folgst."
He knew of his Servant's identity from the start. The Demigod of the Sun, the Cursed Warrior of Mahabharata, the Hero of Generosity.
"Liegt das Gelübde hier.
Ich bin die Güte der ganzen Welt.
Ich bin das Böse der ganzen Welt."
The man who could slay Gods with his spear.
The man who chose Loyalty over his own life.
The man who stayed on the side of his friend, even as the world stand against them, even as their army laid in ruins.
Who else could he trust in this War but a Hero such as he?
"Du bist der Himmel mit dreien Wortseelen.
Komm, aus dem Kreis der Unterdrückung,
der Schutzgeist der Balkenwaage－!"
And thus, as light filled the dark room, Tohsaka caught glimpses of a white haired man, his golden armor and earring glowed as bright as the sun within this dark dungeon.
And he knew he had succeed.
The man with golden earring stood, calmly watching his summoner. And then, he spoke.
"I ask you, summoner. Are you my Master?"
The head of Tohsaka could only nod. It is said that the King of Gods, Indra was humbled by the man, the Hero before him. And just from hearing a sentence, he understood what the King felt.
This man's words were neither respectful nor disrespectful. It contained no love or hate. This man simply accepted everything as a fact, as 'life'.
Perhaps it is the meaning of being a 'Hero', it felt as if none he met in his life, even the Master of Clocktower and his own ancestor could match this man.
"Yes, I am your Master," He answered.
The hero nodded with a smile, "Then, I pledge my bow, my spear, and my life to you. I shall fight for your life, your honor, and your goal. I am Archer, Servant of Bow, a pleasure to meet you, Master."
Tohsaka could only nod. To him, this war is already over before it began. For he could not imagine a Hero greater than the one in front of him.
The town of Harjavalta. A quaint, merchant town situated in Southern Finland. It was the residence of many notable families of Finnish merchants. But amongst all these houses and mansions, a single grand castle towered over the rest.
"Are you sure you're ready, my dear children?" asked a middle-aged man with a fancy mustache.
He stood in an empty room of his ancestral home, the Edelfelt castle. In front of him stood two girls; their blonde hair the same shade as his own.
"Of course we're ready, father! Let's begin the damned ritual already!" whined the younger blonde, teenage girl.
The older blonde, a woman in her early twenties held herself in a more demure, aristocratic posture when compared to her younger sibling.
"Patience is a virtue, little sister. Besides, we probably are the first to attempt summoning a servant- not counting those Einzberns of course."
On the floor of the room, numerous arcane symbols congregated to form a perfect circle. Every script had been double and triple-checked. There was no reason to delay anymore.
With a mutual nod, the Edelfelt sisters begun chanting.
"Let silver and steel be thy essence,
Let stone and the arch duke of contracts be thy foundation..."
The head of the Edelfelt watched carefully, as his daughters recited the ten-count aria.
The Edelfelt were a somewhat respectable line of Finnish magi, specializing in Jewel-magecraft and rapid curse casting.
"Let red be the colour I say homage to,
Let rise a wall against the winds that shall fall..."
Recently, they had gotten the miraculous opportunity to participate in the Holy Grail war; the closest method to reach the Root that the modern world has seen in centuries.
But each of the families that took part in the war were ancient, dangerous opponents. Ordinarily, it'd be something like suicide to fight them head on.
The Einzbern. A powerful family of German alchemists who outshone even the noble House of Eltnam itself. The Makiri, an infamous family line that practised horrifying, parasitic familiar creation, and other disgusting branches of magecraft.
"Let the four cardinal gates close,
Let the three forked road from the crown,
reaching unto the kingdom, rotate..."
Then, the Tohsaka. A prodigous line of Japanese magi who also practised Jewel-magecraft and high speed curse casting.
But the Edelfelts had an edge.
Ore Scales. A Sorcery Trait unique to their lineage, that allowed two heirs to inherit the family magecraft instead of a singular one.
Their command seals had appeared a few weeks ago. Two sets; one for each sister.
"Let it be filled again. Again. Again. Again..."
The war was as good as theirs. And the incredible catalyst they had obtained was just the icing on the cake.
In the middle of the circle, a piece of ordinary wood rested.
"Let it be filled fivefold for every turn..."
No, calling it 'ordinary' would be an insult to its origins. This piece of wood bears witness to perhaps, Europe's finest congregation of heroes.
"Simply breaking asunder with every filling.
O keeper of balance, I call upon thee-!"
That piece of wood, once up on a time, was a part of the Round Table- the very core of Arthurian legend.
The younger Edelfelt sister grimaced, as she felt a massive hit on her prana supply.
Slowly, a figure materialized.
It belonged to a woman, having beautifully proportionate curves beneath a crimson and white armor. A menacing, horned helmet served on her head, hiding her identity.
"Hm? I...am Servant Saber." said the Servant in a brash, yet feminine tone. "You, runt. Are you my master?"
The younger Edelfelt was about to reply, but suddenly stopped, staring dumbly at something behind Saber.
With a flourish, a Servant clad in a silver, androgynnous armor with a blue ensemble beneath. A helmet completely identical to that of Saber rested on her head.
"I am Servant Saber...
...I ask of you, milady. Are you my Master?"
The second, Blue servant had an air of royalty and honor that pressed down on everyone in the room- barring the other Servant.
"Oi oi, I'm the one who's Saber." snarled the red Servant. "And that's my helmet."
Slowly, the red Servant unsheathed her blade. The coppery smell of blood filled the air, as if the sword was bloody and rusted. However, the ornate silver blade looked pristine.
"The punishment for impostors...
...is death!" screamed the red Servant, leaping towards her counterpart.
"How rude," spoke the blue clad servant. "And arrogant. To believe that you can kill me... How preposterous."
The Blue clad servant smoothly drew her blade, parrying a blow from her counterpart. The entire room seemed to get a little brighter, as the silver sword glowed faintly white.
The three Edelfelt simultaneously blinked.
This...was a surprising turn of events.
"So we're both the same person..."
"It seems so..."
The two servants were eating at an identical monstrous pace, rapidly destroying the Edelfelt castle's food reserves.
"So, introduce yourselves," said the older Edelfelt sister.
With a nod of affirmation, the Saber clad in blue and silver armor rose. She took off her helmet, revealing her otherworldy beauty. Emerald green eyes and golden blonde hair glowed faintly in the candlelight.
"I am Sir Mordred of the Royal House of Pendragon, son of His Majesty, King Altria Pendragon."
A thick red mist erupted, as the other Saber growled.
"...what the hell did you just say? I dare you... to repeat it..."
"Go and join the Holy Grail War. I do not ask for your victory, merely for the Grail. After locating the Grail, wait for my commands."
He cursed his luck. Out of all members of Yggdmillennia family, why was he the one sent here, to this battlefield of Heroes?
Why do I have to do this?! He asked himself. But Darnic had given him an order, and he must do it for the honor of his family.
He turned towards the Servant he had summoned, a man wearing black robe on his body and white skull mask.
The Assassin, Hassan-i-Sabbah. He supposed that this was a lucky break for him.
He didn't have to win the war, he didn't have to participate. And Assassin is the best Servant for that. Their stealth was unmatched.
"Follow me," He told the Servant, "We are waiting for the right time to join the war."
The Assassin nodded, but he felt as if the Servant was looking down on him. As if saying 'Obviously, who do you think I am?'
He wondered if he should use his Command Seal to ensure absolute obedience form the Assassin.
Then he decided, no, if Darnic learned that he used his Command Seal just for something like that, he would be... disposed of.
Day 1, Holy Grail War: Beginning
A tall, lean man wearing a red T-shirt and black jeans walked through the morning crowd of Fuyuki. His silver hair glowed in the light of the morning. Golden earrings gently swayed with each step he took.
'The Land of the Rising Sun. Truly, a fitting place for one such as myself.'
Wistfully, the man reached his hands out towards the sky, where the golden sun hung with all his glory.
'Father, can you see me?' he wondered. The sun seemed to shine more brightly for a moment.
Smiling slightly, the Hero of Generosity continued on his silent exploration of the modern world.
The sun was setting. It was time. There was a Servant out there, wandering freely. It was a challenge, Saber knew it.
"Master? We're sitting like dumb ducks because your elder sister said so?" she whined.
After a moment of contemplation, the younger sister gave a frustrated groan. "Ugh, I'm sick of waiting too! That sister of mine... always acting like an old hag." Then she turned towards her Servant, "Saber..." A violent glint appeared in her eyes.
"...go get them!"
With a manic grin beneath her helm, Saber leapt off the boundary of the castle. Her violent temper was already snapping, as every waking moment her mind was occupied with the thoughts of the other Saber.
"I am Sir Mordred, of the Royal House of Pendragon. The son of His Majesty, King Altria Pendragon."
'...the son of His Majesty, King Altria Pendragon...'
With a snarl, Saber kicked a tree, making it explode into a shower of splinters.
Taking deep breaths, the red and white armored Knight controlled her rage. That Servant, the one who was striding around boldly...
...he'd take the brunt of her frustrations.
It was his Master's will, that he wander the battlefield, to draw in a Servant like a moth to flame. That man had given him this opportunity at living in the mortal world once more, however short it may be. He would repay his debt, by bringing the Grail to the Tohsaka.
And now, he would meet his first opponent of the war. A fellow Heroic Spirit, one that transcended death by living on in legend.
"Orraaa!"
Like a stampeding bull, a Servant charged out of the treeline of the park he was in, swinging a broken tree trunk like a club.
The tree trunk smashed into the ground, creating a crater where Archer stood moments ago. In a blur, he reappeared atop the trunk and raced forward, his white hair shifting back in the wind.
"You possess an innate strength, woman. But no grace. Your mind is conflicted with hatred," he spoke calmly, while dancing around furious blows.
"Shut the fuck up! I'll kill you!" growled the female Servant. Her violent expression was hidden by the helmet, but it did not matter to Archer.
Discernment of the Poor, a skill which defined the core of his character. Raised without the corruption of human nature, he could discern a person's character and see the depths of their soul at a single glance. His blunt cold demeanor and blunt honesty in life spurned many; people did not like their faults pointed out at them.
Saber's rage was increasing, as her opponent completely outmanuvered her in hand to hand combat. Despite having stats similar to her, he was overwhelming her with lightning fast blows-which hurt a lot for just C ranked Strength.
"Stay still, damn it!" said the Servant who could only be Saber. She was slowly unsheathing a beautiful silver blade which reflected the light of the moon.
Despite the sword's beauty, its nature as a bloodthirsty monster would be obvious to those who knew how to see such things.
"If you wish for me to stay still, perhaps I can oblige, Servant Saber."
The darkness of the night was washed away, as the man's body glowed with the radiance of the Sun. His red shirt burned away, as light itself took a solid form, defying the laws of nature.
'O Sun, Become Armor...'
His one true possession since childhood, taken away from him by Indra before his death.
The armor that his great father Surya blessed him with, allowing him to battle alone against hundreds and win, unharmed.
"...Kavacha, Kundala."
A golden armor covered his physique. Its shape and beauty were unnatural, beyond anything created by mortal hands. A cape of fire given material form bellowed behind him.
Saber's blade carried the essence of darkness; but darkness cannot exist in the presence of the radiant sun.
The sword bounced of Archer's armor. There was not a scratch. In a fluid motion, the child of the Sun parried Saber's swing with the arm guard of his left hand, and slammed an open palm into her stomach.
'Saber retreat! He's too powerful!'
The female warrior winced, feeling her bruises. There was even a burn mark on her tender stomach. Fighting with this man reminded her of her battles with her graceful Father, who would always overwhelm her eventually.
'...yeah,' she sighed.
With a last hateful glance at the warrior with golden armor, Saber escaped. The battle hadn't lasted even ten minutes.
'Whoever that Servant was...
...he is powerful. We need...the Other Me to fight him,' thought Saber.
'I do not like this...' replied her master.
Through his Servant's eyes, the Master of Archer observed the entire battle.
Truly, the sight of Karna's radiance would be one that he would forever remember.
'You are quite the noble man are you not, Master. You held back from ordering me to pursue.'
Tohsaka didn't reply to his Servants mental speech. He merely nursed the glass of wine in his hands.
'Values of honor and goodwill are deeply ingrained in your soul. It is the reason why I heeded your call, after all.'
A touch of respect was present in Karna's usually cold voice.
Tohsaka smiled. It was only the first night of the war, after all. No need to rush...
Servant Ruler sat in a table outside one of the many cafes in the Fuyuki market district. In front of him, his young master slowly sipped on a cup of tea.
"So they even have a Cardinal from Japan at the Vatican?" asked the curious Heroic Spirit.
The modern world wasn't what he expected. It was actually... quite amazing.
The Lord's religion had spread throughout the country, resulting in numerous Churches to be built in various cities.
"Yes, there is a Cardinal from Japan. Many members of the Necessarius hail from our land." replied Risei.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, the young priest looked at Ruler with a speculative stare.
"You're heralded as a Saint you know." spoke the priest in a low voice.
"The teenage leader of the Shimabara rebellion; the one who rose up against the corruption that was the Shogunate. A devout believer of our Lord, blessed with the Lord's miracles. The tragic hero of every Japanese Christian."
Both Master and Servant smiled for a moment.
"It feels nice, to see this world again. The Lord has heard my prayers; and here I am, a century later."
Kotomine Risei settled down the empty cup. He looked at Ruler, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "The Lord works in mysterious ways..."
"Indeed..." trailed off Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, while staring at a small crowd gathering around a foreign man, who seemed to be reciting...poetry?
"I love her, I love her not...
I loathe her, I loathe her not..."
Amakusa's brow twitched. Was that...? No way...
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages."
People cheered and clapped at the man, who had just flawlessly recited one of Shakespeare's plays in perfect English.
Risei followed Amakusa's gaze.
"Oh, that's Mr. Will. He's been coming here since the last week, reciting various plays of Shakespeare. He's quite good huh? Though it's apparent that the Lord forgot some of the screws of his head..."
Amakusa sighed, dragging a hand through his mane of white hair.
He had no idea how, but William Shakespeare had somehow managed to return to the living world as Servant Caster.
"Ooh, I LOVE JAPAN!" shouted the legendary playwriter, as various girls of Homurahara Gakuen's poetry club asked to get into his pants.
'No...I'm not seeing this...yeah, it is all in my imagination', despaired Ruler.
"YES MADAME, LETS DO PAIZURI!"
"Gwaah!" Avenger shouted in pain as he was blown away by his opponent.
"Shouldn't you stop struggling already? You are making this painful for both of us," His opponent, the red robed Servant told him, as if speaking to a child.
"Shut up, bastard!" Avenger shouted, he summoned his Tawrich and Zawrich to his hands.
The other Servant sighed, "Master, this is getting annoying... Do you have any weapon I can borrow?" He asked the Supervisor of the war.
Avenger heard his Master gasp, "Kotomine! You are the Master of this Servant? Call him off!"
The priest shook his head, "Unfortunately, you have chosen me to be this War's overseer. I cannot overlook the presence of your Servant, who seemed to be a violation of the rules. To think that you would summon the God of Evil..." The priest gazed at his Master with eyes filled with disappointment.
The Einzbern winced, "That doesn't matter! Who told you about Avenger's identity?!"
"I did," The white haired Servant facing him answered, "I am Ruler, the judge, jury and observer of this Holy Grail War. Is there a problem?"
"...R-Ruler?" His Master questioned, "There wasn't a class like that! What did you do, Kotomine?!"
Risei sighed, "I simply summoned my Servant, with the circle and chant that you have prepared for me. Perhaps God saw my plight and sent me Ruler to assist my task."
The Einzbern growled, "Avenger! Crush them!"
He stood back up, soon, it would be time for him to reveal his Noble Phantasm.
"Master, weapons?" On the other side, the Servant, Ruler, asked his Master.
The priest threw his Servant two swords, shaped like cross. The Black Keys, the knowledge from the Holy Grail supplied him.
The Ruler nodded, "This should be enough, thanks." Then the Servant turned towards him, "Now then, Servant Avenger, your existence is a breach to the rules of Holy Grail War." The Ruler raised one of the sword, pointing towards him.
"As the Judge of this War, I pronounce your punishment..." The Ruler disappeared.
"Death," The Observer of the War declared, appearing in front of Avenger, swinging his swords.
As the swords began to strike him, Avenger shouted, "Verg Avesta!"
The Ruler ceased his movement, "...I see..." The robed Servant let out a grunt.
Avenger smirked, it worked. His Noble Phantasm, Verg Avesta, possess the ability to reflect any damage he took to the attacker. Since the Servant before him had slashed his right arm, he should have felt the same pain.
It cannot be healed by normal means. It could only be healed when Avenger himself was healed or unconscious.
"...the literal ability of making others see the 'Evils of this World'..." The Ruler began.
Avenger began to sweat, could it be that his opponent managed to figure out his Noble Phantasm that easily?
"A variation of the book, Avesta: The Universal Revelation of Inscribed Creation," Ruler continued.
He knows! In panic, Avenger swung his weapons, but it was blocked by the Black Keys.
"Any wound I inflict, will be reflected to me. It cannot be healed, it cannot be purified. Only by healing you, or eliminating you, can I break this curse," The Servant stated calmly.
Avengers tried to break the deadlock but the Ruler simply swung his swords, sending him flying to the tree.
Being a sacrifice, designated to be the All World's Evil. Angra-Mainyu's body was weak, weaker than most Heroic Spirit. And while he realize that his enemy was not particularly strong, it was enough to overpower him.
"Truly, it is a fitting Noble Phantasm. For a nameless human who was sacrificed to bear All Evils in the World," Ruler spoke as he walked closer towards Angra-Mainyu.
Avenger growled, "Shut u-"
But he was cut off by his opponent, "Your existence is not to be hated, but to be pitied. However, for the sake of mankind's Salvation, your Sacrifice, was necessary." The Ruler stabbed the two Black Keys to both of Avengers arms, wincing as the damage was reflected by the Verg Avesta.
Avenger began to struggle, "If you stab me, you will feel the same pain!" He shouted to the other Servant.
The Ruler smiled, a soft smile that Avenger could easily discern as a fake one.
"Worry not, I do not plan to stab you. Indeed, I will give you a Salvation."
Wha-
"I kill, I give life. I injure, I heal. There are none who escape from my hands. There are none who escape from my eyes." The Ruler began as he closed his eyes, his left hand placed on Avenger's head.
What is he doing?
"May it be so that you are shattered."
Avenger's eyes went shut as he felt strange pain intruding his body.
"I welcome the defeated, the aged. Surrender to me, learn from me, obey me."
And as the rite continued, Avenger felt as if his head was assaulted by multiple pounding headaches.
"May you be at rest."
Avenger screamed. The pain! It grew stronger!
"Do not forget the song, do not forget the prayer, do not forget me. I relieve you of all burdens."
The Ruler opened his eyes and gave him a smile, as if saying 'Is this your limit?' As if mocking him.
"May it be so that there is no deception."
Avenger wanted to scream that the worst liar was in front of him. That the words he uttered was just that, words.
"Retaliation unto forgiveness, betrayal unto belief, despair unto hope, darkness unto light, death unto life."
But then, the pain continued, it grew stronger. Then, the Ruler's eyes grew cold. The robed Servant grabbed his face with his right arm.
"May you rest in my hands. Let there be mark of your sins. Eternal life is found only in death."
The hand glowed, and slowly, Avenger could feel the pain leaving, together with his life.
"Forgiveness is before you, and so my incarnation vows."
He understood. This creature before him, was even more 'evil' than he. Because while he is destructive, he did not heal. This creature before him Devour with his right arm, and Heal with his left hand.
On his enemy, was a face of both Angel and Devil. With his fading consciousness, he barely heard the last words the 'monster' chanted.
"May God have mercy on this soul, Kyrie Eleison."
And with the last words of the Baptism Rite, the Servant Angra-Mainyu, Avenger of the Third Holy Grail War, ceased moving.
"Amen," The Ruler made a motion of praying to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as he stood before Avenger's fading body, as if giving final farewell to the deceased.
And with that, the Holy Grail War claimed its first Soul.
A Soul that marked the start of its corruption.
Kotomine Risei made his way to the front door of the old, archaic mansion.
Truly, the sheer number of secret castles and mansions belonging to various magus families in Fuyuki were amazing.
Still, Risei felt slightly nervous, as the master of Archer had actually invited him into his base of operations- something no other master did.
Knock, Knock.
"...coming!" yelled a distant male voice. Soon, the ornate oak doors parted, revealing reigning head of the Tohsaka family.
"Ah, Kotomine-san. Please, welcome to my humble abode..." said the dark haired Japanese magus.
'...humble abode?' thought Risei. He could observe numerous high grade paintings and ornaments everywhere. Risei's ass felt like it had died and gone to heaven once he sat on the plushy, couch. He caught sight of a photo of the Tohsaka's head, with a woman and a child. 'His wife and child?'
"As you know, I am the Church Supervisor of this war..."
Amakusa Shirou Tokisada leaped from rooftop to rooftop, in search of the elusive Archer. Even though the Servant of the Bow had been the most active and visible Servant in the war, Amakusa had somehow missed him every time he searched. He kept on finding other pairs of master and servants in his stead...
As a Servant of the Ruler Class, Amakusa could easily summon every Servant to his location with the Command Spells accessible to him...
...but where was the fun in that?
Wandering around and meeting other Heroic Spirits in dramatic situations...yes, this certainly was a far better option.
Abovehead, on the top of a billboard, sat the target of his journey. A man with features quite similar to Ruler.
"Hello there... Archer," he greeted.
"Hm...who are you?" asked Archer.
Day 2, Holy Grail War: The Lancer's Fall
Karna's feet skidded on the grass, "...what a powerful blow..." He commented as he watched his opponent. A man wearing Chinese armor and holding a halberd, the Houtengageki. It was a weapon wielded by a certain military general of Three Kingdoms Era.
Lu Bu Fengxian.
While figuring out the Servant's identity was a simple matter, fighting him was not.
Karna was summoned as an Archer, and so, his weapon was a bow. If he was summoned as a Lancer, then he would wield a spear as his main weapon. Then again, if he WAS the Lancer of this war, then he would not face Lu Bu. But as it stands now, he has no close range weapon.
No, that was not true, there is a weapon he could use, but the sacrifice required to use it is too great.
He was confident in his skill with bow, and he believed that if he could place some distance between them, he would win. The problem is...
A horse's neigh was heard. And a horse with red mane moved beside Lu Bu.
The Lancer mounted it, "Go, Red Hare!"
It was fast, Karna noted as he jumped away, firing multiple arrows towards the opposing Servant. The horse simply moved around his shots.
He wondered if the horse was just naturally fast, or was it the nature of Red Hare as Noble Phantasm.
Seeing the horse growing closer, the Archer changed his strategy.
"God Force: Sweep!" The Houtengageki in Lu Bu's hands transformed, the two side blades rotated itselves into a set of a curved blade.
The General of Repetition swung, and Karna jumped, spinning above Lu Bu's head and firing several arrows, which the Lancer blocked by swinging his transformed weapon.
Karna landed on the ground, "So it seems that you are able to transform your weapon..." He commented. "Impressive," He praised while preparing his bow for another shot.
Lu Bu smirked, "And you are able to evade my God Force, even when I'm riding Red Hare. Not only that, if not for my friend, Red Hare, your arrows would have struck my core multiple times. You are no mere Archer."
Karna laughed softly, "Such a praise, coming from someone who managed to strike the tip of a halberd with an arrow."
The Lancer laughed and ordered his steed to charge once more. His weapon changing once more, the blade moving to a side, creating a one sided sword.
Karna moved his bow to a striking position. If he could avoid the Lancer's slash and fire a Brahmastra immediately, he should be able to win.
However, just as he was about to leap to avoid the Lancer's swing, a sound of steel hitting each other echoed.
"Are you unharmed, Archer?" Mordred asked the white haired Archer.
She was commanded by her Master to observe the battlefield. After watching the two Servants exchange blows, her Master deemed that Lancer is currently more dangerous.
While she was not slow, Archer was more agile than her, and yet, he failed to land a critical blow to the Lancer. That steed was the reason.
The Noble Phantasm, Red Hare. It was a surprising sight to see a class other than Rider summoning a mount.
As long as Lancer possess Red Hare, he has the potential to be the most dangerous Servant in this war.
A great strength, an agile horse, and a versatile weapon.
"Saber?" The Archer seemed to recognize her. Perhaps he met her Other before? But it seemed that he had yet to figure out that she is not the same Saber.
While she disagreed with using trickery to win the war, she should keep her dual nature a secret. And even if she allowed a few things slip, her Noble Phantasm, Secret of Pedigree would make it difficult for Archer and his Master to figure out her identity.
"Indeed, it is I," Mordred nodded, "What do you say for a temporary truce, Archer?"
The Archer smiled, "Your assistance is appreciated."
"I shall parry his assault, Archer, attack when his guard is down," Saber declared.
Lu Bu laughed, "You do realize that I can hear your words, Saber? What makes you think I will let my guard down?"
Saber nodded, helmet obscuring her face, but as Karna met her before, he knew that she was a girl.
Her words were filled with confidence, "I will make you."
She jumped, swinging her silver sword down. Lu Bu raised his God Force, still in 'Slash' form, and met Saber's swing with it.
Karna wasted no time in shooting, making sure to aim at Lu Bu's blind side, he let loose two arrows, one to the Lancer and the other to his steed.
The Red Hare moved, sensing danger to its master, the sudden movement by the horse caused Saber's clash with Lancer to be halted. Unfortunately for the horse, the second arrow continued its course and hit the Red Hare on its leg.
Lu Bu, realizing that Red Hare was about to fall, deactivated his Noble Phantasm, returning Red Hare to where it came from. The Lancer landed on the ground, his eyes narrowing.
"That was quite disappointing, Archer. Why did you not use your Noble Phantasm?" Saber asked him.
Karna's eyebrow arched as he stared at her blankly, "You are my enemy. While we are in a truce right now, I will not reveal my identity that easily."
Saber nodded, accepting his reason, "Very well, at least you have neutralized his mount. Leave the final blow to me. I have a Noble Phantasm I can use without revealing my identity."
Now that was a surprise. Most Sabers' identity would be revealed simply by a sight of their Noble Phantasm. But this Knight told him that she possessed a Noble Phantasm that would not endanger her True Name?
No, what if he is looking at this from the wrong perspective? What if instead of 'not revealing her True Name', she possess something that 'Made her True Name impossible to be read?'
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then," Karna nodded. Then he allowed his bow to disappear into particles of light.
He would think of the Saber's identity later, for now, he should focus on fighting the Lancer.
Karna closed his eyes and summoned his Flames to his own body. He usually covers his weapons with it, but since he is fighting a close range battle and he could not use his spear...
The ground around Karna exploded in flames.
"Come, Lu Bu Fengxian. You shall not pass while I draw breath!"
Prana Burst... Mordred realized as she continued to gather her concentration and energy to use her Noble Phantasm.
The same ability that she and her 'father' possessed. However, while she and her 'father' used it to 'explode' the power gathered in their body, Archer's energy manifested as fire.
And it was no mere fire, she could feel the power it possessed. A Servant with weak magic resistance could easily be burned by it.
"Who is he?" Mordred asked herself.
His armor showed that he is not of her lands, and according to her Master, it seemeed to originate from Eastern country.
He possessed Flame Prana Burst, showing that he was familiar with magecraft or at least, able to use magecraft. Could it be that he is a demigod of a Fire God or Goddess?
Then, when Lu Bu's weapon that is now in the form of a blunt weapon met Archer's fist, the shockwave snapped her out of her thought.
"Saber, are you not ready yet?" Archer asked as he avoided the God Force. Without waiting for her reply, he punched Lu Bu's stomach.
Then, to her and Lancer's surprise, the part of Chinese armor that Archer struck was melting.
"This flame... are you an offspring of Zhurong?" The Lancer asked the white haired Servant.
"Unfortunately, you are mistaken. I am not a child of a Fire Deity," Archer replied calmly.
That crossed a few possible names on her list. Who could he be? But outwardly, she answered, "My preparation is complete, step aside!"
Mordred dashed, using her own Prana Burst to blast her towards Lancer. She took out her sword.
Realizing that she was about to attack, Lu Bu transformed his God Force into a bow. He readied the 'arrow'.
For the 'other' her, the use of this Noble Phantasm requires a price. The removal of Secret of Pedigree. This seemed to be caused by the 'other' Mordred's need to hide her identity from her 'father'.
However, for her who was accepted by 'father', who was recognized as the heir to the throne, there was no such penalty.
"Gate Halberd Shot!" Lu Bu released the 'arrow', and the bow fired a red beam of pure energy towards Mordred.
"For the Honor of My Beautiful Father," Mordred declared her weapon's name, her Birthright, "Clarent Knight Arthur!"
With a single swing, a surge of white energy was released from Clarent, the sword that her father gave her.
It was the proof of her blood. The proof of 'his' recognition. The symbol of Honor that she proudly carried with her.
Clarent, the Sword of Peace, cleaves through the God Force and struck Lu Bu without mercy.
Then, as suddenly as it happened, the light dissipated.
Both Saber and Archer watched as Lancer stood silent.
"That was an excellent attack..." Lu Bu began, "It's a pity that the two of you didn't live in my era. Perhaps, if someone like you were to fight with me..."
The General of Repetition, Lu Bu was someone who betrayed and killed his masters multiple times. Boasting his power, he lived without care of human rules and code of honor.
A beast, they called him. A monster.
Perhaps he was, his might in the battlefield was without equal. And that caused him to feel solitude.
He was alone, no one could stand with him in the battlefield.
So... why should he care of their rules? Of those weaklings' rules?
In the end, summoned into the Holy Grail War, facing opponents who could match him was perhaps the best gift Heaven could give him.
He finally found that he was not alone, that there were others who could stand on the same battlefield as him.
He recalled the words he uttered when he was alive, he smiled.
"Can anybody provide me with a decent challenge?" He asked, and then answered himself, "Yes, both of them can..."
With those last words, Man Among Men closed his eyes, in peace for the first time in his life.
The Servant of Lance, Lu Bu Fengxian has fallen.
"Damn, I'm too late!" Mordred, the Blood Soaked Knight, growled as she entered the clearings.
In front of her were the fake Saber and that bastard Servant with golden armor.
"...another Saber?" The only male Servant there questioned. "How curious..."
"You!" Mordred took out her sword, now that the 'other' her was here, it was the perfect chance to take down that Servant.
"Stand down, he is not our enemy, for now," That... bitch actually had the gall to order her. The fake wearing her face commanded her in a way that reminded her of her father.
"Shut up!" She shouted.
Throughout this, the white haired Servant simply watched with a curious eyes, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I see... same sword, same armor. And yet, completely different personalities. It is as if you are different sides of a same coin. Either this is a Noble Phantasm or..."
Then he stopped speaking, his body language relaxing as he spoke with someone who was not here.
"Yes, I agree. Very well..." The Servant returned his attention towards them, "While it would be interesting to battle you right now, my Master has commanded me to retreat. I am Archer, may we meet again."
"Don't run!" Mordred leaped, moving to cut the Servant before he could escape. The Archer smiled.
"On guard!" The 'fake' shouted, and she instinctively raised her sword to a defensive position.
Just in time to see the fields around Archer exploding in flames. By the time Mordred's eyes returned to the white haired man, he was already gone.
"Two Sabers, Master. And it seems that they were both the same Hero," Karna informed Tohsaka.
His Master nodded, "And if your deduction is correct, then they possess an ability that hides their identity from us. What can you recall about the blue Saber's Noble Phantasm?"
"Clarent Knight Arthur," Karna answered. "A silver sword with beautiful ornaments. It seemed to be more of a symbol than a weapon."
Tohsaka's eyes narrowed, "I know of a sword named Clarent. And it mentioned, Arthur, who I assume is King Arthur."
Karna smiled, "Does that mean you know their identity?"
To his surprise, his Master shook his head, "No, and that is the problem. I know that I recognize the sword, but my mind can't recall any information about it. She is most likely a member of Knight of the Round Table, but that is all we know. This might be the ability you mentioned..."
Hearing that, Karna let out a sigh, "How unfortunate. I assume that researching or learning anything from our information will end in the same result, then?"
His Master nodded, "Most likely. Archer, focus on the other Servants first. Facing two Sabers is dangerous, we might need your Spear to defeat them. And I would rather use your Spear in the last battle of the War. It's too costly."
Karna nodded, "Understood, Master. I will continue my patrol then."
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Originally Posted by shiningphoenix
