Chapter 1: The Calling

I am a history freak.

I'd have had learned every history that even my teacher didn't know. From the well-known World War to the "didn't even exist" Xia dynasty, I can tell you the details. I managed to memorize entire list of Japan and United Kingdom monarch family tree. Of course, I simply as good as that.

It's in the middle of summer vacation. I did my homework since the beginning of the vacation, because I feel lazy to not enjoy my vacation. Like hell I would to. That's why I'm sitting in my room, completely ignore my friends' messages asking me for help and play my games. I do so till I didn't realize it was midnight.

While I was typing, I suddenly feel a funny, sort of tingling sensation in my back palm. You will say that I am crazy, but I'm sure it glows, and a second later, some weird symbol appeared in there. When I'm trying to figure out what is this symbol mean, I got absorbed, and I know I only have a split second to pray.

Next thing I know, I'm awake in some gruesome landscape. The atmosphere feels like strangulate ones' breath, and the sky color is purplish-red. All around me is rubble of Japanese structure, the roof was lays flat onto the ground. I'm trying to stand up, but I need a great effort to do so cause my back hurts.

I want magical transportation like this have a safety belt, at least.

"Anybody here?" I asked in a loud voice.

"Nobody except us," answer a heavy voice of middle-age man.

I look at my right, a Japanese man without facial hair and a big grin sit in top of broken pillar. He wears hakama and a blue kimono. He also bears a tachi in his left waist. I have seen that outfit before, and his headband also make me more sure of my guess.

"Are you… One of the Shinsengumi?" I asked.

"Oh, you such a smart kid," he said.

"I'm not a kiddo, I am 18 years old."

"Well, you still a kid for me. And yes, I am Shinsengumi, Izami Kondo. I am your Servant, Saber class," he said in a proud voice.

This must be Heroic Realm, the world where deceased heroes and villains become a spirit, and someday will be summoned to fight for Holy Grail. But one intrigued me. Why am I here? I am no Magi, and I am not interested in the Holy Grail. No such thing as omnipotent devices that can grant any wishes to be true can be real. I don't even believe in God.

"Why am I here? I am no Magi, but how can the Grail send me here?"

"I don't know too why you are chosen, kiddo. But let me tell you. There is some sort of… dark magic invaded this realm. Many of Heroic Spirit has been corrupted and sow discord now. Few of us still clean, and the Grail has chosen me to fight," answer Izami.

"What!?"

"There are seven of us. Saber, Lancer, Rider, Archer, Assassin, Caster and Berserker. As I told you, I am Saber."

"I know that, and the protocol. But how could a seven person, no matter how super they are, can beat… What? A hundred? A thousand? A freaking huge army of corrupted Heroic Spirit!?"

He laughs instead of answer my question, "You are to the point, aren't you? You remind me of Hijikata, even your face is sort of same as him."

"You mean, Hijikata Toshizo?"

"Yes! You know him?"

"Of course, I know him," I said, in oddly proud and sentimental voice, "I am his straight descendant. My name is Fujitora, Fujitora Toshizo."

Izami seems quite shocked, but he laughs, harder than before, "I see! I see! Maybe that's why you are paired with me by the Grail!"

"So, back to my question, Saber."

"Just call me Izami."

"Fine, Izami. Can you tell me the six other Servant?"

"I don't know who they are. If we waited here, or search them now, we can find them. Of course, it's up to you. Whatever happen, I will try to protect you, Master Toshizo."

I don't know. I don't want to endanger his life, but I want to explore here, meet everyone from history and asked them directly what happened in their life.

"Let's search them."

It's much fun than I expected. Izami is open to me whenever I asked him what happened back then.

"So, they executed you without a fair trial?" I asked Izami regarding his execution.

"Yeah, they didn't even bother to asked me anything," he answered.

"You didn't grow a resentment toward them? Or at least angry?"

"Of course I am angry!"

"But why you not become Berserker? As I read, Berserker class is people who is at least rampaging once in the battle they had, or straightly insane or die in circumstance of betrayal. How come you be a Saber?"

"Because I choose to. I don't want to let down those who died and live with me by become a madman in afterlife."

He seems a bit sad as he speaks it out. Maybe I should have not ask him about this ever again.

"I see someone in front of us, five hundred meters," said Izami.

"Good. Can you see if he is a man or spirit?" I asked.

"It's seems she is a woman, and not a spirit. But I didn't feel a presence of her Servant."

"Maybe she isn't met her Servant yet. Should we lend a hand?"

We rushed into her, and about 50 meters, she finally notices us. Izami suddenly pull me back, and I'm about to be angry about that if only the person in front of me isn't swinging their scythe on me, almost cut my neck and I will be dead from bleeding.

"Assassin, stop! They aren't our enemy!" said the woman.

The man that attacked me, the Assassin, sheathed his scythe and vanished into shadow.

"I'm so sorry, he really is overprotective. Who are you, young boy?" she helps me to stand up.

I answered, "My name is Fujitora, Fujitora Toshizo. And who are you, madam?"

"My name is Catherine, Catherine Anastashia Zeieshvel. Is he your Servant, Saber?"

"Yes, he is Izami Kondo. Assassin is your Servant, right? Who is he?"

"I don't know. He didn't talk to me since we met, but we understand each other."

"He didn't talk because he doesn't want to," said Izami, "He didn't talk because he can't."

I turned to him, "You know him, Izami? The identity of Assassin?"

"You love history, right kiddo? You should have recognized him by seeing his crest."

The crest. Yes, Assassin have crest in his right arm, some circular shape with two arrow vein inside it.

"But there are 5 of them in history, I don't know which," I frowned.

"There is only one mute according to the legend and folklore," said Izami, "He served Ieyasu Tokugawa, the demon that shed tears. He is Hanzo Hattori Masanari, the head of Iga clan."