Prologue

In the world know as Terra, there is a sort of tournament that takes place every century or so. It is known as the Holy Grail War. Seven people summon seven Heroic Spirit, called "Servants." One for each of them, then use these Servants to fight for the Holy Grail. Once six of the Servants are defeated and killed, it is said that the Holy Grail will appear and grant the master of the remaining their heart's greatest desire. For a millennia, people have struggled over the grail, but no one has ever obtained.

This story begins with the summoning of the seven Servants, each by a unique master.

Chapter 1: Caster

For five years, Shay Kurosaki has lived in Koura's Imperial Prison; sentenced to spend the rest of his life there as punishment for the murder of his father, Issei Kurosaki.

Shay now sits in his cell, listening intently to two guards gossiping outside his cell. Ever since Shay was sent to this prison at the age of twelve, he has had many fights with both the guards and the other prisoners. On his first day, a group of prisoner tried to take his lunch. They ended up getting their teeth knocked out. Not long after, more prisoners started trying to defeat him. Eventually, all the other prisoners began to fear and avoid him. He is now called the Battle Demon, because in every fight Shay has a wild and happy expression on his face. The cell Shay is sitting in was made especially for him. There are shackles around his ankles and wrists. Food his carefully shoved across the floor of the cell by the guards because they are afraid to get near him. When he needs to relieve himself, he is given a bucket and the guards assigned to him are doubled. Not once has Shay complained about his current living conditions.

Shay has long black hair that is very messy. His hair is long because the prison's warden decided it was necessary to keep any and all sharp objects away from Shay. The boy himself did not care. He knew he did not need a weapon. To Shay, his body was his greatest weapon. His body had been honed through all fights along with his self-imposed training.

Shay has pale skin as a result of lack of sunlight. The cell he lives in has no windows and the only light source is the lanterns outside of his cell. The prison guards do not talk to Shay unless it is necessary to do so. Also, the guards avoid eye-contact with Shay. Something about his gaze makes people tremble. No matter who looks Shay in the eye, they all feel a surge of fear. Some guards refuse to so much as acknowledge his existence, just as the two guarding are.

"Hey, did you hear about what the warden is doing tonight?" One guard asked the other.

"Yes," the other replied. "I heard Ian say that the warden is going to perform the Summoning Ritual for the Holy Grail War. That is probably why he has sealed off the west wing of the prison."

"So, the rumor that the warden came from a highly renowned mage family was true?" The first guard said.

"Ya, seems like it." The other answered. "But I still can't believe anyone would want to take part in that horrendous war. Everyone knows how the last one ended. All the Masters, all the Servants, along with the entire city of Yuyuki were burned to nothing in a horrible blaze. No one even knows exactly what happened because there were no survivors. Who wants to risk that happening again. If you ask me, the Holy Grail War should be forbidden."

"Well, as I understand it, if the no one takes part in Holy Grail War when the grail decides the war is going to take place, the whole world will face total devastation, or so the legend says." The first guard said. "So, I guess all of us who live in the world have no choice but to put up with it. Plus, the prize for winning is pretty tempting. To have your heart's greatest wish granted."

"What was that?" An unfamiliar voice spoke.

For a moment, they were confused before realizing the source of the voice. It was Shay. Just has the turned to him, the door to his cell was thrown off its hinges and into the wall across from it. The guards both fell backwards in shock with terrified expressions on their faces. Then, Shay walked out of his cell; he was calm, as if he were just waking up from a pleasant dream.

"Tell me, is what you just said true?" Shay asked. "That the victor of this "Holy Grail War" has their wish granted?"

"Y-yes!" A guard screamed before running away as fast as he could.

"How did you break the door down?" The remaining guard managed to ask.

"Oh, I kicked it down after amplifying my physical strength a little with magic." Shay replied with a smile.

"Liar." Another guard said as he approached him.

Shay recognized him; towards the end his first year in prison, Shay broke this guards left arm. His name is Hank Rexting, a complete jerk who bullied the weaker prisoners to prove his power over the inmates of this prison. As one could imagine, he missed judged Shay as a lucky punk with no real fighting ability. To Shay, it was a pretty boring fight which only lasted a minute. Since then, Hank has done his very best to make life difficult for him.

"It is true that you come from a family renowned for its mastery of martial arts," Hank said. "However, you know nothing of magic. I will show you true magic."

Hank lifted his wooden staff and aimed one end of it at Shay.

"Burn in hell, scum!" Hank shouted as a large ball of fire burst from his staff.

Shay did not even try to dodge the attack. For a moment, it seemed that Shay was being turned into ash. Hank laughed with cruel joy, until he noticed that Shay had withstood the blaze. He stood there, completely unfazed.

"How?!" Hank shouted as he blasted him with more fireballs. "You can't use magic!"

"Yes, I can." Shay replied.

Then, he ran straight through the flames and kicked Hank in the chest. Already, there were more guards heading in Shay's direction, full armed. At the same time, Shay calmly walked towards of the prison's west wing with a smile on his face. One the way, he grabbed one of the guards' swords and used it to cut his hair.

Meanwhile, the warden Reiji Akanaba, was finishing his preparations for the Summoning Ritual. He had drawn the magic circle in pig's blood. He memorized the incantation necessary to summon a Caster Class Servant. He even had some of the prison guards set to prevent anyone from intervening. Reiji is a chubby man at the age of twenty-three. His family had given him the position of prison warden on his eighteenth birthday. That was the same day they declared that his little brother would become the family heir.

Reiji's family believed that he was inferior to his brother, Reira. Reira was born with incredible talent. That has been obvious since he began studying magic. By the time he was eight, Reira had surpassed Reiji in the art of magic. Even though Reira is only sixteen years old, he has already graduated from the same magic academy that Reiji did not even get to attend until he was sixteen. These days, there is only one thing that Reiji cares about. Which is surpassing and then defeating his little brother. Since his brother would also be participating in the Holy Grail War, it would be a perfect opportunity to show Reiji's superiority.

Suddenly, he heard a loud sound. A second later, a nearby wall collapsed. When the dust cleared, Shay stood there and behind him were at least a dozen unconscious guards on the ground. Shay, himself, was completely unharmed. Reiji ordered the guards to deal with him. They charged at him all at once, however Shay easily countered all of them with nothing but his fists. Shay's punches were so fast, it was impossible to see how many blows he landed or where.

"Damn," Reiji cursed. "I guess as the saying goes, if you want something done right, don't entrust the task to incompetent weaklings."

"I wonder if you really can beat me." Shay replied with a smirk. "Sure, you're stronger than the rest of the prison staff, but I have never seen you fight. I am curious about your capabilities."

"I could care less about your curiosity, murderer." Reiji said. "I read your file. Someone who would kill their own crippled father could never defeat me. Now, I'll give you a chance to return to your cell. Unless you take it, I will have to kill you."

"You know, it has been a while since I felt this emotion." Shay replied. "I am very … angry!"

Shay then leapt forward at Reiji with a fierce expression on his face. In response, the warden activated a hidden magic trap he had set-up earlier. A magic circle appeared around Shay's feet and chains shot up out of it, then wrapped around Shay. He was almost instantly restrained.

"Just wait there a moment," Reiji said. "I just had a great idea. I will have my Servant put an end you for me. I perfect chance to see the capabilities of the Caster class."

Shay simply stayed silent. He did not even look Reiji in the eye.

Reiji began the Summoning Ritual. "Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill your mind, body and soul with nothing but your heart's truest desire. Come forth, so that we may slay our enemies and each obtain our greatest dream. Now, I order you, appear before me!"

When he finished chanting, there was a quiet crackling sound that slowly grew louder. Purple lightning formed inside the circle. Then a cloud of blue smoke burst from the center. Once the smoke cleared, a figure now stood in the circle. It was a beautiful woman with long red hair, soft brown eyes, smooth skin, and well built body. Her clothing consisted of a black cloak, sandals, a long gray skirt, and in her hands she held a locked book.

"I ask you," Her voice was like a melody. "You who manifests me in the class of Caster, are you my master?"

Reiji felt a surge of joy with this accomplishment. He had summoned a Servant. With this Servant at his side, Reiji planned to defeat his brother and win the Holy Grail War. Soon, everyone would have to acknowledge his greatness.

"I am-" Reiji started to say, but before he could finish, someone behind him grabbed his throat.

"Sorry, but I will be the Master of this Servant." Shay said.

Impossible, Reiji thought. Those chains should have been able to hold back a rampaging dragon for hours, yet this guy had broken them in just a few mere seconds?! What is he?!

"Good-bye, warden." Shay said. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Then, Shay stabbed him in the heart with his own dagger. Instant death.

"Are you my Master?" The woman asked Shay.

"Yes, I am." Shay replied.

At that moment, a red symbol appeared on the back of his right hand. For a second, Shay felt an odd warmth fill his body. It reminded him of something, but he could not recall what.

"Hey, what is your name?" Shay asked.

"Huh?" The woman responded. "Why do you ask? I am simply a tool for you to use to obtain the Holy Grail. Why do you need to know my name? Oh, I see. That man you just killed is the one who summoned me and he did not tell you who I was. So, you wish to know to formulate a proper strategy."

"Actually, I just wanted to know because calling you "Servant" makes me uncomfortable." Shay replied. "Besides, you are not a tool. You are obviously a person."

The woman made an odd expression, like she was confused and happy simultaneously.

"Truthfully, I'd like it if you just called me Caster; my servant class." She said. "My name is … well, it isn't something I-"

If your don't want to tell me your name, then don't." Shay said. "If you want me to call you Caster, then I will. But in exchange, you call me Shay, not Master."

"Agreed." Caster replied. "If that is what you want."

"Now, let's get out of this foul place." Shay said.

"Very well," Caster replied with a smile. "Allow me, Shay."

The two of them then disappeared in a flash of light.