Chapter 1: Where it all begins
CRASH!
It'd come from the living room – Rin was sure. There was no doubt about it.
But she was confused as well. Where on earth was the Servant she had summoned? What in the world caused that roaring destruction in her living room?
She skidded to a stop in front of the door, not knowing what to expect on the other side. Nevertheless, she firmly grabbed the door knob and turned it. The door wouldn't open though – it was stuck.
As if this is going to stop me!
She blasted the door mercilessly off its hinges and staggered into the room. The cloud of dust had just settled down, and under the light of the moon, her eyes could make out the figure who'd caused all this.
A muscular man was sitting on a pile of broken furniture, her furniture. Though the word 'sit' might be inaccurate. He was leaning back, his toned arms carelessly set on his sides, head held expectantly – a pose that would be more appropriate in a model studio. He had light brown skin and gleaming, combed back white hair, and sported an elaborate tight black armor and brilliant red cloak.
Upon hearing her entry he opened his eyes to cast her a dubious look.
"Well? Who are you?" – Rin asked, with a desire to cross her arms.
"Oh my. Is that your first sentence to me?" – the man retorted, with a tilted head and a broad smirk. "It seems I have been called upon by a stunning master." His voice was deep and smooth, but it was in such a flirtatious tone, laced with sarcasm. He had not shifted from his position at all and looked as though he owned the place. Rin found she disliked his attitude already.
"I meant, are you my Servant?" – she clarified.
"Actually, I'd like to ask you the same thing. What proof do you have as my Master? It was the first time I experienced such a violent summoning and, to be honest, I am still confused." – the Servant spoke lightly.
Rin rolled up her sleeve to show him the red Command spells tattooed on her right arm.
"Here, the Command spells. Do you have any complaints?"
"Hmm, that is indeed a Command spell. However, you're mistaken. What I want to know is whether you deserve to be my Master."
"What?!"
But it wasn't the end of it. This brash Servant's tongue was still loose.
"But since you've shown your Command seal, I shall recognize you as my Master." Those words did not lower her guard. And she was right not to. "However, I wish to make one thing clear: I will not follow your orders."
What? What? WHAT?! Is this for rea-
"…I will take command over all fighting strategies and lead us to battle. Of course, I will formally submit to you. But I will fight by myself. You can hide in the basement of your house and sit there until the War of the Holy Grail is over. Thus, even a child like you can survive in this war." he said, looking at her with scoff, which indicated that he hold me with very little esteem.
She was absolutely speechless. From shock, or from this man's astonishing insubordination, she did not know. Oh, but the nerve of him!
"Are you angry? But, after all, you are my Master. I was called to this world in order to win the War and the Holy Grail. My victory shall be your victory and all the spoils of war will belong to you." He said casually. "I understand that there is no objection?" he fixed his gaze on her coolly.
"Oh?" Something akin to savagery began to coil around her very being. It left her shaking. After all she went through to summon him, he refused to obey her. Father, I can't…
"Yes, in the end, you are much too young. You still do not know how to use the Command spells. All in all, just leave everything to me, and watch from the sidelines, it would be better for you..."
That was the final straw. Rin cut him short, stamping her foot furiously.
"Grggh, enough! Shut up, I'm angry. And since you mentioned the spells, God forbid me, I'll use them! I'll teach you who to obey. Activation!" - I could no longer stand it, and I did not have a morsel of my usual calm to argue with that annoying blockhead!
"H-Hold on. Are you going to use a Command spell?" – A stunned look materialized on his face. – "Have you any idea how important…"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up, you lousy idiot! Vert rag - Ein neu er Nagel Ein neu es Gesetz Ein neu es Verbrechen ...! (These Command Spell – bequeathed to me by the Grail – so that I may have this man, a Servant obey the contract...)" – Rin began to chant the spells furiously.
"I-Idiot! Master, are you serious? Why would you use a Command spell on something so trivial!" – the Servant exclaimed, frantic.
"Shut up! You are my Servant! Listen to what I say!" – she screamed to the heavens.
The Command spells that were imprinted on her arm filled her with pain, like fire searing into flesh. And a bright explosion of light sprang into being within the Tohsaka Manor.
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"Hmm, I admit, that was unexpected." – the white-haired Servant muttered, with a complexion somewhere between vexed and masked calm.
He had stood up by now and, at his height, loomed over Rin – truly tall and intimidating for any other person.
"Be quiet! I didn't think I'd use a Command spell for something so useless either." – Rin sighed, falling down to a chair.
Well, it was too late to shout at her Servant. In truth, Rin never thought that things would turn out this way. Upon realisation, she was so disgusted with herself that she wanted to fall down and die. She could not believe what she'd spent a precious Command spell on such nonsense...
Three command spells. No…One was already gone - the key to winning the entire war, three absolute orders that the Servant have no choice but to fulfill.
Rin came out of the ruined living room, and went to my own sleeping chamber. The, no, her Servant, she reminded herself, appeared in front of me. One would think he had to "fully obey her" now because she'd used the Command spell. However...
"I think I'm beginning to understand your character, Master."
She was reluctant to look at him, but nonetheless forced herself to observe and listen. He said it with more calm in this time, tone more contemplative than mocking.
"If I may ask this question, just to clear my conscience, Master, do you realize how valuable Command spells are?"
"Of course I do. They are absolute orders that restrict servants…Something along those lines." – the girl recited from memory.
"You are correct." – the red-cloaked Servant cleared his throat – "So, listen, Command spells are something like a leash, which entitles Servants to obey orders from their summoners. But they not only serve to limit their actions, they can also be used to temporarily strengthen them. For example, it is not possible for most Servants to teleport somewhere far away. But if I was to be ordered, with the use of a Command spell, to "appear there", then with a accurately phrased statement and adequate amount of mana - it will become possible." – he explained levelly.
"Servants can not ignore the command spells, but these spells can enable us to transcend the limitations of the material world, which can lead to victory in certain circumstances. But you have left only two spells left."
" I ... I know that. It was a fault on my part."
"Pft. Yes, that would often be true. In this case, however, I was wrong. When a Command spell is used on long-term actions, their effects will eventually subside. Orders such as "Protect me" or "Win this fight" can be considered broad and long-term. And even so, if that coercion lasts a long time, some Servants will begin to be affected by the pain. By forcing them to carry out the order, eventually, the Servant will be weakened. On the other hand, orders such as "Strike with all your strength" or "Do not break this cup" are single-stage orders that servants who had disobeyed essentially can not. Do you understand what I mean, Master?"
"Yes. In short, the long-term orders are meaningless. If their effect is weakened, the Servant will no longer submit to it at some point." - A sigh escaped her- "Instead of using the command spells for long-term orders, you need to use them on orders that are guaranteed to be within the confines of reality and the capability of the Servant."
"Exactly. Command spells are intended to help Servants realize actions what they, in their normal state, can not." – there was heavy emphasis in his authoritative tone – "Inexcusable waste of these Spells is stupidity. Your order has been one such waste. If you want me to obey you, just say it out loud, but you will not be able to make sure that I "subject to all that you say", even if you had a hundred Command spells.
Rin buried her face behind her knees, so put off by her shameful impulse.
"Well ... that's usually what happens." – the Servant suddenly added. "But you are very capable Wizard, so here we have the exception."
"Huh? Explain what you mean."- Rin looked up and despite herself, could not help that feeling of hope flowing back, struck by a thought.
He surprised her, or is it the other way around? Her Servant sighed, and his expression became calmer.
"I mean just what I said. You used a Command spell to change my behavior so that I "oblige to your words." Normally that wouldn't work. But now I feel in me that something has prevailed. If I did not obey your orders, my body becomes heavy and it will be difficult to move." – the taller man shrugged exasperatedly.
"So…So, the command spell was not wasted and, on the contrary, was more effective?" Rin asked in wonder. Was it too good to be true?
Apparently not, judging by the way he went on to release sarcastic remarks, it seemed that, at the moment, the Command spell's power was not that much and had potentially been weakened. And anyway, even if he is weakened at default of Rin's order, she still could not beat him, even if he fought against a dozen mages like her.
"It looks like I will have to take back my words, Master. Even though you are young in years, you are an outstanding Mage. I was mistaken for looking down on you as a child and thus, trying to keep you from battle. I apologize for both that and my poor manners." – the Servant straightened to his full height and bowed politely.
"Wait ... Yes, we had a disagreement, but I'm also to blame ..."
"Oh? How fortunate I am to have such an understanding Master who'd admit her mistakes." - he said in a smooth voice.
"Your behavior is changing so rapidly!" - she pointed out in amusement.
"Well, in despite of that, I'm rather happy with the fact that I was wrong." - He shrugged, half smiling. - "Since you are very talented, I need not worry about joining the war with you on the same team. You will be truly splendid indeed." - What's with this guy? He was acting so insolent a moment ago, and now he was acting as if he had met the most powerful Master, showering me with these flattering comments…
"Of course. Although I'm still not quite recovered, after such a violent summoning, but now, we are connected. As a Mage you should feel the bond between us, which seals our contract."
"Contract?" - As soon as I thought about it, I realized that there was something queer about my body. The feeling was as if all those neural circuits, the existence of which I'd never known before, had suddenly opened. When I closed my eyes and focused, I could feel the rhythm of his breathing, the beating of his heart, the firm strength in his muscles. Part of my energy now flows into the body of this man.
"Yes, of course." - I murmured. Servants of the Holy Grail are materialized by the Grail itself, but what keeps them in the real world it's ...
"It's the energy of their Masters." – he finished her thoughts. – "Servants exist in this world only through the support of the Masters. You supply plentiful energy. Although you lack experience, you are very capable." – he said with seeming praise. - "Usually after the call, a Magus should lay unconscious for several hours. But you still have enough magical energy. And based on the effect of the Command spell and supply of energy, I can conclude that you are a First-class Master."
Rin did not fortify herself well enough to not have choked.
.
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"Well…it's too late to score any points now through flattery." – Rin turned away to hide her embarrassment and surprise, a blush blooming on her cheeks.
Although he was forced to submit to the power of the spell command, he was a Servant, who was a thousand times stronger than any man. Yet he openly acknowledged her as his master.
"So, what class of Servant are you?" - Rin quickly reordered my thoughts, and finally asked the crucial question.
"Oh, Can't you tell, Master?" - his tone reached a new level of arrogance.
She was wrong. He still took her for a fool.
"It's a question from your Master." – Rin steadied herself, she wasn't going to let her Servant get the better of her.
"Well, it seems I am in the Archer category." – he finally complied.
"Archer…huh?"
"What's wrong?" – he asked, noticing something in her.
"No. Nothing. I should have realized that it is so." - She'd messed up the time of the summoning and could not accurately determine the location the Servant would appear. In the end, he struck a roof. Summoning Saber wasn't possible.
"Oh, that's right, I forgot to ask. Archer, what kind of Heroic Spirit are you?"
Archer did not answer right away. His sarcastic smile disappeared, his air of arrogance and teasing also giving way to deep thought.
"Archer, as your Master, I am enquiring the identity of my Servant." – Rin said impatiently.
"... It's a secret."
"What?"
"I can not tell you. And the reason is ..." – he said before she could noisily protest – "… I myself do not know."
Wait a second, what did he just say?!
"What? Do you hold me for a fool? How could you possibly not know who you are?!" - she exclaimed, beginning to feel angry.
"I did not mean to offend you, Master. This is probably a side effect of an unfinished summoning. My memory is not in order. I know I am a Servant and my abilities ...but other things are more blurred." – he sighed, shrugging – "But it does not matter. Do not pay attention to it."
"What do you mean 'don't pay attention'... of course I'll be! If I do not know what kind of hero you are, how can I assess your strength and formulate battle strategies?" – Rin exclaimed exasperatedly.
"This won't a problem, since I'm sure they'll return soon." – her Servant was a contradicting picture of calm.
"Okay, so we'll overlook that. Indeed, to deceive the enemy, you must first fool your friends..." - Oh well, she'd find out my Servant's identity later. In addition, there is now a more important issue...
"Okay, leaving this topic aside… Archer, I'm giving you your first task."
"Already? It seems that my Master is very belligerent indeed. Well, who is to be my enemy?"
I threw him a look. And Archer found a scoop and a broom flying towards him, both if which he easily caught. He wore a puzzled expression, however.
"I fail to understand."
"Clean the living room. You made that mess. So I expect you to make it spotless by tomorrow."
"…Wait a minute. You know what Servants are, don't you?" – he asked dubiously.
"A familiar, am I right? Although your brash behavior annoys me." – Rin said lightly.
"I refuse. This order..."
"Oh, are you saying you're really incapable of it?" - Rin said, painfully teasing. She clearly enjoyed ruffling her Servant's feathers as much as he her. - "Is it not an order from your Master? Do you not find it difficult to move around if you do not obey my orders?" – Then, she tried to be more gentle. – "I'm sure it costs you nothing to do so, Archer. And in your current state, it might be dangerous to fight now, is it not?"
He'd stood there in a stupor for about two seconds ... and then, regaining his inherent coolness, Archer sighed and picked up the shovel and broom with a firm hand. Servant Archer, in a red cloak closed his eyes and pouted:
"As you wish, Master." – he grunted, finally giving in.
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It was already quite late, and she needed time to rest, until the night was over. Rin would decide what to do with this guy when she woke up tomorrow ... I mean today, she corrected mentally, since it was already hours past midnight. This fateful day had come to an end, thankfully. She had acquired a Servant (an unruly and galling one at that) and become a Master and player in this game. Although she had not drawn the card she desired – Saber, she thought she could be proud with her achievement today. She, together with Archer, would be a force to be reckoned with.
Six people including me... she thought. When the one who had not yet become Master had summoned the last - the seventh Servant, The Fifth War of the Holy Grail will begin. And it would all happen in the near future. When that time was come, Rin Tohsaka would be ready for it.
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(Author's note:) Does anyone not agree that in both animes, Archer's summoning was simply glorious?
Disclaimer: Fate/Stay night belongs to Type Moon. No financial gain is made from this transformative work.