Aha.
So, this may die prematurely, or go along really, really slowly. Just a warning.
So, this is, as can be expected, a adaptation of the Fuyuki Holy Grail War.
But without Angery Manyew in the 3rd War.
Ye-ah, this is going to be a weird experiment. Have fun.
(LeSpellBinder, this is on you. Somewhat.)
Prologue:What Came Before
[Clocktower, London]
"Does anyone know the history of the Fuyuki Holy Grail?"
Silence from the lecture hall. One could literally hear a pen drop; he knew that since one of his students had chosen to drop one, the sound followed by fumbling and hushed apologies.
Thankfully, this wasn't the first time he had to start the ball rolling.
"The Fuyuki Holy Grail War. A event started and upkept by the three families of Magus in Fuyuki, its 5th incarnation approaching in... 30 years. Can anyone tell me their names?"
Again, silence.
"No one?"
"The Tohsaka, Einzbern, and the Matou."
His eyes flicker to the girl, all nobility and pride even as she was the picture of attentiveness. Unmistakable.
"Yes, very good, Edelfelt. The ritual began, so they claim, as a way to reach the Root, by obtaining a single wish, an omnipotent wish if I may. To obtain this wish, much prana and spiritual energy was and is required. Do you understand this much?"
A hand, hesitant, from the back. Ashtana... Nishiki?
"So... Sensei, they made a... Wish granter?"
"Yes: The Holy Grail. But it could only manifest if enough energy was provided. Thus, the Lesser Grail and Greater Grail systems, and of course the Servants." He tugs at the red and gold cloak draped upon his shoulders "Familiars at their base, but they'd be more accurately described as heroic legends that have been stored in the Throne and then brought to life. Heroic Spirits- from every era, every legend possible. Well, mostly."
"Mostly, Sensei?" The Edelfelt again.
"Well, it's been a limitation established from the start, but, with an unusual exception in the 4th War, only Heroes, in the sense of the word, can be summoned. Assassins can only be forms of Hassan-i-sabbah, the Old Man of the Mountain.. Other than that, anyone can be summoned, provided one has a catalyst or compatibility. For one to call forth a Servant, one must first be a Master; to be a Master requires the Grail to choose you, which in turn means you must be in the general proximity of Fuyuki."
Some of the students are already nodding off as he looks up. Just as well, time's nearly up.
"Well, I guess that's it for today. Tomorrow we delve into the intricacies of the Grail's systems as well as their loopholes, as explained by the Einzberns' documentation."
He turns to pack up his notes as the students file out-
"Sensei?" That student- Ashtana approaches, hesitantly making his way towards the podium.
"Mmm?"
"You... participated in the 4th Holy Grail War, right? You remember what happened?"
"That I did." The memory of that man once again entered his mind. A giant redhead of a man, brave and charismatic, clad in regal cloak and majesty. A man who rode his gleaming chariot into battle over and over again, a servant with his own world, one that contained an army fit for a King… a King of Conquerors.
"Do you know what... The winner wished for?"
Saber. The knight clad in blue, wielding her sword of golden light. It was a sight that he could never, would never forget. As amazing as Rider's reality marble was, nothing could be compared to the breathtaking sight of that sword. A golden beacon towards the sky, flakes of gold falling upon the water; a sight so beautiful it would forever be imprinted in his mind. He could still see, hear the King of Knights raise the blade and declare its name before a single strike decided the field.
Her master, too. The man he later found out to be the infamous Magus Killer...
"The Master died before he could make his wish. The Servant supposedly wished for a better king to take her place."
"Her? What happened?"
"Her wish could not be fulfilled, for there was no better King than her available. It's said she still remains in pursuit of the Grail, however."
"The Servant... What was her name?"
That golden blade, the Sword of Promised Victory. No one could have mistaken it for anything else.
"King Arthur. Arthur of Camelot."
[?, Fuyuki]
"-ah, hah, shi-"
He runs. Runs as fast as he can, as far as he can. Wouldn't do well to have himself captured now, after all.
He ducks into a corner, flattens himself against the wall- like a rat. Soon the flashing lights blaze past, bright and blinding and he slips back to his alleys and streets. His makeshift lab awaits in the abandoned industrial building, running on siphoned electricity.
How far he had fallen.
"Damn."
That old man had some valuable books, but he'd only managed to take one before the worms saw and the enthralled law came for him.
Old, tattered. Belonged to a collection, probably. As long as it helped him become…
"Yes, this will do. Just the materials… all I need..."
[Einzbern Castle]
"Berserker. Let's go."
2 months since the wolves.
She still flinches, shamefully, whenever she hears the unnatural, deafening roar.
[Clocktower Archives, London]
"The King of Knights, Great and Destined King of Britannia..."
He gingerly places the tome back on the shelf, sits back on the floor.
"The King who could not understand her people."
The dream which could not be realised.
"I want to know more. I… what if…?"
[?, Fuyuki]
The pull of the Throne..?
He wonders who would bother summoning him.
A broken hero. A person with nothing to his name, best forgotten. Whoever this person who called him was… He almost felt sympathy.
No one in their proper mind would want him. And it would be a sad thing, for a human to be compatible with him.
Pain. Not a feeling he is unused to. He forces the sensation away, as the light swallows him.
The World-
Grinding-grinding-grinding. There was a sound of grinding in his head. Why-why couldn't he think properly? The rushing- invisible- air was cool on his face, nothing like what that world-world-world was, his oh so broken-broken-broken world.
"Nngh."
His body- was.
"E-eh?
A- voice. Familiar. Female.
"You..."
He shakes his head, clear his vision; it's... her. "Tohsaka..."
"Who are you...?"
"I am..." The- was the- sword. "Am... Avenger."
"... Shit. You aren't Saber."
The girl looks like her worst nightmare has arrived.
Some part of him thinks to himself how accurate that is.