Summary: To Hamuko Arisato, the daily monotony of life drags on without end. However, the school soon turns into a battle ground, a bloody war for the holy grail. As one girl finds herself drawn into the survival game, she must learn that to live or die by the sword is the only way out, and to attain her goal. "Thou Art I, and I art…oops, wrong context. I am thy servant, for whom you called…"

Prologue: The New World's Fool

Boring.

That was pretty much how Hamuko Arisato's life went. It was wake up (but where do I live), take the usual path to school like any other student (I don't remember…), next, she would meet up with her friends (when did I make any friends…?).

Once the bell of Tsukumihara academy starts to sound (like it always does), they would head off to their usual first period for the day (Taiga would trip and fall as she enters). When recess and lunch comes, she would put on that bright smile of hers (like a faker) as she ate lunch with her friends and more random passerbys who wanted to talk with the popular and cute Hamuko Arisato (on the outside I seem).

Of course, that never meant monotony had stopped her from getting a strange vibe from the school.

Something felt strange about the academy. Hamuko always felt an inkling that something was…off, and that things were not exactly as it should be. She could almost grasp that idea, that feeling that as if at any moment, this monotony would slowly break away like glass and something, far more exciting or even life changing would occur to the people she knew (or myself at the very least).

Week: ?

Day: ?

Days left: 2

"Hamu…hey…"

But who am I kidding, she internally sighs as she tries to get over her own self-mulling, as if anything like that would happen. I mean, probably, the only thing interesting that could remotely happen around here was that Rin Tohsaka finally got a boyfrie-

"Once, I dreamt that I was a butterfly. Soon…"

…

"Mikoto, I think she noticed you, you can drop the Chinese literature."

Hamuko rolled her eyes, though a small smile gracing her lips as she lifted her head off the desk, meeting two sets of chocolate-coloured orbs with her own crimson ones. Her two best friends (I think they are) and the only people that really seemed to ease the boredom and drag-like life.

"Oh come on, Aki," the girl Hamuko now recalled (recall?) as Mikoto Kisaragi pouted at the slightly taller, flat haired boy, "this one's my favourite, now shaddup and let me continue with the poem…eh…where did I leave off again?"

"I forgot myself and soon only knew happiness as a butterfly. Soon, I awoke, and was myself again. Did I dream that I was a butterfly, or do I now dream that I'm a man? Yet there is a distinction between myself and the butterfly. It was transformation in the physical," Hamuko finished as she slotted her books neatly in her bag, "and yeah, Akito, its rude to cut your girlfriend when she's reading a poem."

Akito Akagami could only grin sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head, a common habit whenever he got nervous around anyone, "I don't really get literature or any of the stuff like that. I mean, its just a long string of big words right. Next thing you think you'd hear her say is something like thou art I and I art thou, from the sea of thy soul I cometh."

His little gestures to poke fun at his girlfriend were rewarded with a slap on his shoulder by said girl, who went pouting and giving all sorts of reasons why he was being stupid. From the side lines, Hamuko stood up and gave a genuine smile.

Indeed, these were the two people who would make her forget about the daily norms and monotony. If anything, it was amusing to see the two bicker and quarrel like a married couple.

Married…

Hamuko sighs again as she feels another wave of the old teenage negative thought process get to her. Growing up, getting married, settle down and have kids. Yeah, she thinks to herself again, sounds about probably what most of us would do.

She had ever discussed these things with Akito and Mikoto before. The taller and more masculine one would always say its just Hamuko worrying over the unnecessary, while the petite and more feminine one would just tell her that a boyfriend was just what she needed to cheer herself up.

The crimson eyed woman quickly stood up and tugged at her friends as she saw a certain boy with a head full of sky blue hair make their way towards them.

Damn Matou…

Days Left: 1

Hamuko could not concentrate.

The headaches that she was born with (was I now?) kept growing worse with each passing hour. She almost struggles to make it to the school gate that day. Akito and Mikoto seemed to notice it though, but she tried to brush it off as not enough sleep.

"What, spent all night looking at pictures of cute guys again, Hamu?"

"Don't be stupid, Mikoto, I'm not into that. I just was-"

That's right, what was she doing last night? In fact, when at all and what time did she reach her home? The couple could only tilt their head in curiosity as she pushes past them, another one of those smiles plastered on her face and telling them to get to their seats quickly before Taiga came. It was odd, zero recollection of her memories about the day before, the only ones being those of which she spent in school.

Then Taiga walks in and introduces the new kid: Leo –something- Harway. Hamuko doesn't really catch on, for she's too busy staring out of the window.

In fact, she only snaps out of her trance when Leo prods her with a polite, "Good morning, pleasant weather, isn't it?" in which she only responded with a light smile and nod, returning as much attention as she could be to her class.

"Alright, today we're going to learn about the biography of Doctor Twice H. Pieceman…."

Those were the last words she heard before finally drifting off into her own slumber. Even then, the continuous thoughts infected her mind like a plague

What happened yesterday?

Did I talk to uncle and little cousin at all?

Did I visit mom and dad's grave yesterday?

What on Earth is going on…?

In fact, Hamuko woke up in time for lunch break, thanks to a certain girl who tried to once again wake her with Chinese literature, Akito standing beside her with three boxes of lunch. Taking out one, he slid it across the table and into Hamuko's hands.

"Here, Miko made an extra. She said you could take it if you wanted."

Smiling, she gratefully accepted the lunchbox and joined the lively couple in their lunch at the back of the classroom. Meaningless things were discussed, as how it went on everyday for them.

"Oh hey," Akito suddenly spoke up, moving away from the topic of several fake school rumours, "did you hear? Our current student council president is stepping down now. She said something about not being able to responsibly handle her job and 'thank you for your support'."

"Student council president," Mikoto looked up from her bento, "you mean the famous Mitsuru Kirijo?"

Mitsuru Kirijo, Hamuko frowned slightly at the name. Not that she disliked her soon to be former student council president, but it was just that she seemed so far and distant away from everyone, yet she put on a brave face for everyone to see.

Sounds kind of familiar…

"HEY! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"

A sound rang through the classroom. Turning around, the trio noticed Shinji Matou shouting at a black haired boy who seemed to be scratching his head, laughing in slight embarrassment.

"Well, sorry Shinji, but I really forgot to return that book. I'll do it tomorrow, alright?"

"Damn well you better, see to it quickly."

Man, Hamuko's eyebrow mildly twitched at the scene. That Matou was always an asshole, she did not think she would ever get along with him,

Noticing the glance she was casting in their direction, the black haired boy's eyes lit up slightly. Raising his hand, he begin to wave in their direction, walking toward them.

"Hey Hamuko, Akito, Miko!"

The couple waved back at him, beckoning him to sit down with them. Before long, Shinji was forgotten, and the black haired boy began joining into the conversations.

"Hey, uh-"

Hamuko's words were cut short as she held her tongue. Odd, she thought, I don't know his name?

"Ah sorry," he grinned sheepishly, "we've only been in the same class for awhile, so I don't suppose you remember my name yet."

Funny, Hamuko mused, she was good with names and faces.

"Anyway," he stretched out his hand, "nice to meet you, I'm-"

Days Left: 0

There she was again.

With as much effort as possible, Hamuko Arisato opened her eyes, before her was the entrance to Tsukumihara Private Academy. As usual, students buzzed in and out of the school, weaving in and out like they'd been doing it everyday of their lives.

Issei Ryudou was there once again, checking the attires…

"No. Wait a second, Issei?!"

How could it be? Just…two days ago, Issei was doing the weekly checks as well. It was the same week, no way he could have stood there again.

*BZZZT*

"Ugh…!"

Hamuko felt an overwhelming pain sear in her head, as if something in her mind was forcing itself to come out. No, she chided herself as she tried to remain calm looking, where's Akito and Miko? Don't they always wait for me even when I'm late?

"Ah, lovely weather we're having, eh?"

Issei continued his spiel as always, not noticing Hamuko's fatigue at all.

She knows what he is going to say next, the exact same thing that he had repeated so many times she could recite it herself. To Hamuko Arisato, she felt as if the world was going in an infinite loop. A wave of nausea threatens her, but she holds it back and walks closer to him.

"First, let me check your student ID. Obviously, it should be with you at all times."

Begrudgingly, Hamuko whips out her ID and hands it to Issei, her name and date of birth…everything on that little card

"Great," he nods his head and smiles, "in case of an emergency, it'd be great if you have your student ID."

Hamuko could take no more of it as she shoved past Issei as he proceeded on to do a uniform check on a student that was not even there anymore.

Evening

She attended class only for the first few periods, before excusing herself to leave for the washroom. She does not come back, the exact same lesson that time only adding to her headaches even more. What was more distressing that, she doesn't notice Shinji, Akito or Mikoto and their usual seats.

Sighing as evening finally dawns on her, Hamuko makes her way toward the shoe lockers, hoping to quickly get out of the school and try and clear her head, "Something ain't right with the school…I don't know what, but I better get out of here…"

"Going somewhere?"

What startled her wasn't the voice itself, but it was a shock to hear the familiar voice in such a dry and empty tone. Whipping around, she noticed a familiar mop head of brown and a pair of hands tucked into his school jeans.

"Akito…?" Hamuko could only watch as the boy walked up to the gates of the school building. Suddenly, as if by some magic, Akito's hand shot back, lightning engulfing the door.

"Wha…Akito? What was that?"

"It seems that the school is finally under lockdown…well, I expected it to happen sooner or later anyway, this thing," the boy looked at his hand, clenching his fists slightly, "its finally started. Haven't you noticed it Hamuko?"

Hamuko could only blink back at him in dumb response. Lockdown, started? What was going on?!

"Where's Miko!" Hamuko suddenly realised. The girl wasn't with him anymore, and that was impossible, because neither left each other's side. However, the only thing she earned from Akito was a small smile, one filled with both slight regret and happiness.

"Miko's…moved on first," Akito managed as he turned his back, "it seems you're still in the dark Hamuko. You better hurry, though. If you don't realise what's going on quickly, you'll soon be eliminated. After all, 128 out of 999 of us isn't exactly the largest number. The war is starting."

Like on cue, Akito suddenly sprang forward, running down the corridor toward the left, as if running for his life, leaving a stranded and confused Hamuko alone.

"Akito, what's going on!? AKITO!"

What on earth is happening to the school? Why did Akito act like everything that's going on now is normal…and war? What the hell!?

Without so much as a second thought and with those raring questions in her mind, Hamuko chased after her friend down the hallway. The once familiar hallways suddenly seemed so long as she gave chase, pushing her legs despite her headache that made it hard for her to press on.

Up ahead, the crimson eyed girl could make out the figure of Akito take a turn into the corner. Knowing herself that it would be a dead end, she quickened her pace. As she reached the corner, she turned on her heels and found herself…

…facing a wall.

"…" Hamuko merely stared at the wall, before groaning at the thought.

"You gotta be kidding."

Terminus

If not for the fact that Hamuko Arisato had a headache, and that a strange effigy had been stalking her ever since she entered the wall (gosh she was going insane), she would honestly have enjoyed the sight before her. A beautiful chapel was where she stood, three huge glass panes stood in front of her, with a fourth one rising above the rest.

Though honestly for the most part, it was a little scary due to the deathly silence that followed as she stepped in.

However, as she gazed at the four glass panes, she could feel power, great power exuding from the mirrors. She knew that whatever was behind them was definitely something far beyond her comprehension.

And was it her imagination, or did the two of the panes at the bottom seem rather…dim?

Up ahead, she noticed a familiar figure lying ahead on the ground beside a similar effigy. Squinting as she inched closer, she proceeded to check the body, only to quickly reel back in fear at the familiar face, "Oh my God…"

It was the black haired boy, Shinji's 'friend'.

More than just dead, judging by the pale skin and the shocked look on his face…

Hamuko Arisato knew that the boy was dead.

*CLANG, CLANG*

The sounds of metal clashing quickly shook the frightened girl out of her reverie, only to tumble over the boy's body as the effigy beside him got to its feet. As it slowly began its advance towards her, Hamuko slowly noted that the boy was not the only one.

Surrounding her, lay hundreds, and hundreds of dead bodies, turning gray from what seemed to be virtual decay.

The machine in front clearly wanted her to end up similarly. Before Hamuko could register a thought, her own effigy leapt forward…

…only to be sent reeling by a spinning kick delivered by the other effigy. Wincing as if the machine had hurt her instead, Hamuko tried to process the battle as her effigy once again charged forth, trading blows with the enemy machine.

"BREAK-"

However, her command came too late. The effigy on the opposing end was far too strong. Giving a hard thrust into her effigy's side, the metallic bot came shooting towards Hamuko, knocking her off her feet and sending her tumbling to the ground.

"AGH!"

Before she could try to even move, the effigy that rose stood above her, one of its metal feet planted firmly into her torso.

"Get…off me!" she cried out, grabbing the effigy's legs and trying to wring it off. However, the effort proved unsuccessful as the metal excuse for a foot drove itself into her further, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from the girl.

"Hmm? An anomaly in the system…?"

She could not even register the voice that suddenly came out of nowhere.

"Most unfortunate as it is…we cannot let more participants into this game."

GAME? Hamuko nearly spat out. What sick game involved killing people…?!

"I deeply apologise, but you are off no significance in this. Begin deletion of subject now, and every single one that follows!"

Without a second command, the effigy raised its hands.

*STAB*

With a last thrust, all breath left Hamuko Arisato, her body growing cold and numb.

Uncle…

Naoto…

Those were her supposed last thoughts as the effigy pierced her body, leaving it there to bleed dry.

"It is now time. Please begin the deletion."

Deletion…

!

Suddenly, a wave of thoughts came rushing back to her. Familiar yet hazy memories of things she felt she had seen before flashed into her head. Casting a sorrowful look over her face, she could only help but mumble.

"Ah…so I'm really just going to die here, huh?"

*STATIC*

More memories came flooding back to her, this time slightly more clear. She saw herself then, walking down into a dark room and looking at something…though she could not exactly make out what.

*STATIC*

"Ugh…!"

"Can you stand?"

Hamuko's gradually drooping eyelids suddenly shot open at the sound of a second voice. Unlike the first voice, who had spoken with much contempt at her presence, this voice was young and kind, as if he understood her suffering that she felt.

"Do you really want to die here?" the voice continued, "you are here for a reason, and a reason and goal that is yours alone. Are you going to throw all that away, even though you may have forgotten what your true purpose is?"

She could not even remember a goal, Hamuko tried to shout back. What good was trying to get herself to live again if she had no goal, nothing to look to. Would death not be a much better solution for someone like her?

"Would it really?" the new voice mused, as if in response to her thoughts, "do you not fear death at all? Do you want to give up and let it all go now?"

…

The voice struck a chord in her. Death? No, she thought to herself. Not once, not ever had she ever been afraid of death. Unlike others, the idea of death only crossed her mind as a mere curiosity, but as a fear? Hamuko Arisato never comprehended it.

Not once, not ever…

…will she fear death.

"Then farewell…" the first voice spoke this time, "I pray you find peace in your own annihilation."

…

A fist visibly tightened as the words rung hard in the brunette's ears. The searing pain still lingers in her body and it hurt for her to even struggle. Once more she tried to wriggle her body, but only sharp pain greeted her as she was forced back to the ground.

"Why do you continue to struggle in the face of your own deletion? Do you desire to live that much? Is it really death that you fear?"

No, not death, Hamuko ground her teeth as hard as she could. She was afraid, but not off the fear of losing her life.

But the fear of helplessness.

As she lay on the ground, she knew that there was nothing she could do as the world slowly deleted her from existence, no one ever remembering the girl who was known as Hamuko Arisato. If death were to take her, then she would not give it the time of its day. She would fight, she would struggle.

Even with such cheerful thoughts, she could see, the tips of her left finger slowly fade away.

No…

No...

NO!

"I'm not…"

Bearing the weight of all the pain in her body, Hamuko moved her lips, her right fist curled tight and trembling.

"I can't…"

Her breathing became even more ragged before. However, slowly, but surely, she felt some sort of energy burning from within. She felt a presence all around her, something strong and powerful.

"I won't…"

The data deletion on her left hand halted.

And then…she heard a voice, that kind voice that had called out to her only moments ago.

"My master…your decision to live, your decision to pry away from the grasps of death is truly a motivation, even for myself…"

"Now, call me!"

"COME FORTH!"

Raising her fist, Hamuko slammed it against the ground, causing the effigy to now take notice of her again. Suddenly, the ground in front of her was bathed in a light so bright, she had to close her eyes in order to prevent her from going blind.

In the far end of the terminus, the bottom three glasses shattered, leaving the one at the top to shine forth.

Then as if through some form of magic, a being begin to rise from the magic circle before her.

"This form…this power…"

Even though Hamuko knew that never in her life had she seen the person before her, she felt as if she was destined to meet him, destined to do battle alongside him.

Slowly, the young man that had appeared turned around so Hamuko could capture a good look of his features: navy blue locks flittering in the windless terminus. What seemed to be a school uniform messily tucked out of his dark jeans, his black jacket barely hiding it. On his ears seemed to be some form of old fashioned music player, both hands stuck in his pockets.

"Ah…!"

Despite his less-than-ordinary looks, Hamuko could not speak as the young boy who looked no older than her bore his gray orbs into her crimson ones.

"Thou Art I, and I art…oops, wrong context…" the blue haired boy nervously rubbed his head at his not-so obvious mistake, "Well, let's try that again. Sorry to mess up, master." Coughing once into his hands, as if to add dramatic effect, the boy repeated his speech.

"I am thy servant, whom my master has called forth."

Taking a hand out of his pocket, the servant reached out to Hamuko.

"I am servant Caster, and I am ever so pleased to make your acquaintance."

You may shoot me now.

I think what you think I did.

Yes this was rushed, I DEEPLY apologise!

Now uh…before any asks why the quality sucks, this first chapter was done months ago, I just cleaned up some mistakes. Don't worry though! I'll work hard on future chapters, believe it!

Now…*hands out paper*

Reviews help me improve, flames will only fuel castor.