Twist of Fate by Wordsworthy
Disclaimer: I obviously own neither The Shin Megami Tensei series since obviously Atlas does nor the Fate series, along with all other references I make during the course of the story. This is, after all, just a fanfiction written for the sole purpose of entertainment and no profit motive whatsoever. So please just enjoy the story and do not sue me for this. If you wish to know more about the series, please support the companies producing them directly and purchase their merchandise if you like.
Chapter 1: The End in Mind
In the depths of the night, beyond the light and the half-light, overarching shadows cast from the tall spires loomed forth and shrouded the courtyard of what should have been a familiar place with a foreboding gloom. An ominous moon hung over the darkened skies, its pallid glow emanating naught but a biting chill that haunted the venue together with a frightful gale that swept across the deserted school from yonder, lending to the ghostly ambience.
Yet, within the intermittent howl of the erratic wind and the piercing silence, something alien stirred nonetheless. A shrill screech, the toil of metal forcefully grinding upon itself tore through the disquiet night with a loud crash. Hollow footsteps threaded themselves through the empty yard before coming to a rest before just before the front of the main building.
The silence resumed its hold on the area for just a moment more before something stirred within the shadows. Four other sets of footsteps sounded from a little beyond the main building where they had been waiting. When they too came to a halt, four figures had stepped into being, revealed quite tellingly by the grim moonlight.
Lined up beside one another, the first of the four consisted of a lanky, unshaven male wearing a baseball cap that was quite mismatched with his otherwise dignified dark-coloured uniform. A heavy two-handed sword resided within his hands, the whites of his knuckles showing from his intense grip.
Next to him was a taller male with a shock of silver-white hair atop his head that seemed to glow in the moonlight. A blood-red vest adorned his otherwise plain white shirt while the remainder of his uniform, the dark-grey jacket was slung quite casually over his shoulders. Lead-lined gloves adorned his hands, a determined gaze his eyes.
Sharing the center-stage was a female of untold elegance and undeniably regal bearing. Her scarlet tresses flowed about her like a fiery shroud while a similar passion smouldered behind her deceptively cool amber pupils. A lace half-glove was pulled into place before coming to rest on the hilt of the thin rapier by her hip.
The last of the group was a brunette with shoulder length hair and a black longbow slung over her shoulder. A white choker and a pink sweater decorated her petite bodice while a full quiver of arrows hung from her side.
It was of no coincidence that the four students were brought together here tonight, not when they were fully armed and prepared for battle. No, they came here for one thing only, one purpose, one person.
The object of their combined attention remained in place right where he had stopped previously, unruffled by the appearance of the four others. Dressed in the similar dark-coloured uniform for male students, a single pale-blue eye shone eerily with an unearthly sheen from beneath a head of midnight-blue while a long fringe totally covered his other. A slight, wry smile slipped out from his otherwise stoic, distant appearance just as a faint beeping sound signalled the advent of midnight.
It begins.
From each of the five students' hands, a single card materialised into being within a plethora of brilliant sapphire and violet particles. Each card was swiftly plucked out of the air by their respective Masters before being cast out with forceful flicks of their wrists with the appropriate calls.
"Come forth my Servant!"
A conflagration of blinding brilliance erupted from each of the five cards before various silhouettes took form and gradually darkened within seconds. Without waiting for the summons to complete however, the lone student broke into a dash while materialising a single curved blade of unadulterated white. He charged forth and precariously past a steel tipped arrow that whizzed just past his cheek and leapt straight into the fray.
There was only one thought within their minds despite the heat of the battle and the series of escalating explosions that went off in their relative background.
The War ends tonight.
A/N: A teaser of things to come.