In London, England, within the Clock Tower of the Mage's Association, Lord El-Melloi II sits in a room across from a another person, smoking on his third cigarette.

"Lord El-Melloi, are you listening to me?"

He takes another drag from his cigarette then looks at the man sitting across from him. "I heard every word. Just trying to get my thoughts in order. Repeat it for me please."

"I said, that the Holy Grail War has officially begun it's starting process. The church just declared it."

Lord El-Melloi gave a heavy sigh and started to rub his temples. "How did this happen..."

"This might be the biggest blunder in your entire life Lord El-Melloi. Having the Greater Grail stolen from right under your nose by some rogue mages while you were fighting the Association. Almost like an amateur."

"It wasn't just me that messed up, the Association failed to notice during the conflict as well. Everybody failed in seizing the grail."

The man sitting across from El-Melloi stood up and went to the door. "Doesn't matter who failed or how, the point is there will be another Grail war. And this time, its located in the worst possible place on Earth."

The door shut and Lord El-Melloi was left alone to his thoughts. He took a long drag from the almost finished cigarette. "New York City. The gem of The United States of America. I doubt we are gonna be able to cover this up."

New York City, Long Island

Inside a relatively unknown church, a priest is kneeling before the altar with his hands in prayer. The heavy doors behind him then loudly creak open.

"So, did you notify the church?" A man with a green fedora and blue vest walks into the church. His footsteps resonating like thunder until he plops himself down in one of the many seats.

The priest stands up and releases his hands. "Yes, I have reported to them of the Holy Grail War. Now all we must do is wait."

The man in the fedora gives a wide grin. "Finally, this 20 year hell is gonna end."

"Do you think your plan will work Jesemir? The odds are stacked against you."

"Oh the plan will work. This is the Fuyuki grail after all. It's the only Holy Grail that could even work. I even tinkered with it a little bit so it's definitely gonna work. I just have to be wary of what's gonna happen when this whole thing kicks off."

The priest turned to face the man. "Well, I wish you luck on your endeavor rogue mage." The priest gave a pure smile.

The man jumped off his seat and went for the door. "Be sure to notify me when Masters arrive and they summon their servants." He gave a wave as he left the building.

The priest turned back to the alter, closed his eyes, and put his hands in prayer. "O lord, please have mercy on those of men who wishes for the impossible." He murmured a small prayer to himself.

May 12, 2015

The priest sits in his study writing on a piece of paper.

Forgive me for failing to contact you. The church has been constantly asking for information regarding this grail war and I must notify you that I am being monitored by them. Let me get to the point, since our contact two weeks ago, two masters have arrived in the city and informed me of their participation. One master is directly from the Clock Tower and the other is a freelancer formerly from the Atlas Institute.

May 27, 2015

I regret to inform you that there will be a change in your plan. The church has informed me that they will be sending someone to accompany me as assistant overseer for the grail war. My responses to them have been very vague and they have chosen to take matters into their own hands. Forgive me, but this may be the last letter I will be able to contact you with. Another master has arrived within the city as well, and the two that were here have already summoned the Archer and Caster servants, but you probably already knew that. May we next speak under better circumstances.