Fate/Before Zero: Fragments of Light and Darkness
AN: First chapter finally out! First and foremost, I'd like to thank CyberAngel from Beast's Lair for allowing me to borrow one of his/her Servant ideas. Thanks! I dedicate the first chapter to everyone who was reading my other story, Fate/Phantasmal Light, and those who helped me in the TypeMoon Fanfic Idea thread. I hope everyone enjoys this first chapter!
REGARDING THE SETTING-
According to the wiki, the War was set on the eve of WWII but there is a problem with that information since according to another input in the wiki, the war was set around the 1930s which was the pre-WWII events taking place. So, I decided to set the War on the summer of 1945.
~PROLOGUE~
Evil . . . Evil . . . All that was and is evil. . . everything. . . .
Was ME.
Bound and accursed by the humans who had sought salvation, I was tormented by the ghosts of this so called, "EVIL."
To save the good, one must forsake his existence as EVIL.
Thus, he was chosen. In a ritual on top of a burning temple, his fate was shackled by the confines of darkness.
He, who was a young man who had lived his life working for the benefit of his sisters and brothers and he who had never committed a sin, was selected and omitted from the great Order.
He, who pursued his life to uphold the Goodness in this world, was thrown onto the pits of nothingness to save humanity's conscience.
Maybe, that was why he was chosen.
He was too kind. . .too pure. . .too good-willed and too angelic to be called a "human."
He hoped for everyone's happiness, his family as his utmost priority, yet his desire was never fulfilled—in such that he had never noticed it had been.
As he stood on top of that altar, bound by hot chains, words of curse, hate and anger was thrown at him.
"You are the reason why we are sinners."
"You are the reason why we are evil."
"That is why you were so kind, you were the root of all this EVIL!"
Everyone, who had been helped by the kind-heart of this young man, had thrown him out and cursed him without a heart forever.
Even his family, who he had shared his love as their brother, erased him from their memories as to having felt ashamed to have had a brother who was as evil as he.
"WHY?"
He asked himself.
"WHY?"
He repeated, while looking up at the blood-tainted moon.
What had he have done wrong to have received such a judgment?
It was foolish. It was incorrect.
Was there anyone out there who could hear his screams, his pleas, his cries?
NO ONE WAS.
Until the end of time, until the end of life, until repetitive cycles of reincarnations and destructions, he was forever despised.
As his soul was already cursed to bear the weight of darkness forever, his "self" who was as pure as an angel, lost its wings and had become insane due to anger.
But—he forgave them. Those who had committed such monstrosity to him had long since died.
Yet, no matter how much he tried, he could never love humanity and life once again.
Everyone must be punished. Everyone must die.
Because. . .everyone is evil.
Yes, that is the only truth he knows. The only existence he was supposed to exist to be.
He felt this darkness grew stronger and stronger as centuries passed and the regret he felt to have never fulfilled his dream of making the people he cared for to be happy was then forgotten.
It was sad and quite a shame.
As he, who accomplished the task, was unaware that everyone became happy when he became a sacrifice.
He was not a martyr nor an idol.
He was merely an existence to be hated and feared.
He was and would always be. . . .
A faceless void.
8 Years Ago, Great Britain
It was a decorated room filled with beautiful paintings.
Chandeliers with bright lights and vases with attractive flowers were set on each side of the aisle.
It was a beautiful room and the beauty that these girls had since then known to be theirs.
Owning this beautiful part of a noble mansion is a somewhat royal family in the magi world, the Edelfelts, whose fame and influence had rivaled that of the Three Noble Houses.
This family was truly amazing and to top that, was blessed with twins to carry the bloodline of the family. Normally, it is a taboo to have two or more children in a magi family because only one would inherit the secrets of the family. However, due to this family's unique Sorcery Trait, they were able to share their knowledge with each other.
"Penuvia, where are we going?" asked by the younger of the twin sisters, Juvia, as she held the hand of her older sister who was ahead of her by 32 minutes.
The older sister turned her head towards her little sister and answered with a smile, "We are going to meet Grandfather. He wants to talk to us."
The young Juvia nodded and clenched the hand of her sister tighter after hearing the answer.
"Welcome, my little angels."
As they entered a large spacious room with a single throne-like chair at the far end, they were greeted by a gleeful smile.
"Grandfather!"
Juvia exclaimed with joy and ran towards her grandfather for an embrace.
Penuvia, on the other hand, showed a sour expression, "Grandfather, we are already 13. We are not angels anymore."
"You will always be my angels no matter what."
Their Grandfather pointed out as he embraced Juvia with his large, rough but old arms. He was already 65 years old but has yet to show any sign of weakness due to age. He was truly a man of tenacity. In spite of being the head of an illustrious magi clan, he never forgot, even once, to show a "human side" when dealing with his grandchildren.
"What will you ask of us, Grandfather?" Juvia asked as she kissed him on the cheek. She was truly fond of him.
After hearing that question, she placed Juvia down and gestured at the pair to stand before him.
"This may be. . .surprising for the both of you but I have decided as well as the other elders and your parents, that this is the best time," he said while scratching his forehead with his thumb and index finger.
The twins glanced at each other while wearing a confused facial expression.
"Because of this rare case, the Edelfelt family was blessed to have two suitable heirs, however. . .that is the problem. The family having two heirs is impossible and therefore, in spite of the possibility of having two crests implanted, it is required to only have one head of the clan as it is the overall tradition of the magi world. To cope with this problem, the two of you are needed to be tested."
"Tested?" Penuvia asked while Juvia's body simply shook after hearing what their Grandfather had said.
"Yes, my dear Penuvia. Eight years from now, there will be a battle royale of the Magi in the Far East, in the city known as Japan, supervised by the Tohsaka family.
"Holy Grail War?" Juvia asked with a tilted head.
"You don't know, Juvia? I only heard this as a rumor but it seemed it was all true when I read that manuscript I found in the old library."
"You mean, Father's?"
"Ahem," their Grandfather intently coughed, thereby getting the attention of the twins back to him, "The family wished for the two of you to join the conflict as a pair in possession of a Servant, however, because of the trait of our family, it is possible to have two servants of a single identity."
"So you want us to fight each other and whoever wins gets to take the role of clan head?"
Penuvia crossed her arms and stared at her Grandfather's eyes.
"Yes, that's right, Penuvia," he nodded, "However, that is not the only reason why the elders decided this. We, the Edelfelt family, have decided to use this anomaly as to our advantage and aim for the Root through the Holy Grail."
June 27, 1945, Eve of the Third Holy Grail War
The sky was dyed in crimson blood the stretched across the horizon.
Grayish and black clouds formed above the sky, originating from burning trees and buildings.
The sea, reflecting the burning heavens, was as scarlet as hell's inferno. And, Hell truly described" this place perfectly.
Screaming voices, crying pleas and large, ruckus stomps of running people thundered around the area. It was an understatement to call it simply a panic or chaos. It was a total catastrophe.
As this ensued, buzzing sounds echoed across the blazing sky, swooping down like a raven, giant lumps of metal rained from the heavens.
Falling as fast as a raindrop, the lump of metal crashed to the ground, erasing every inch of concrete, dirt or material in existence other than destruction.
It rained and rained as how much were poured by the buzzing enigmas were equal to how much destruction occurred.
This ongoing ravage was none other than the World War II that plagued the world's corners this very moment.
However, different from the use of guns and explosives, a different war was happening in these very lands.
A war beyond human comprehension; The battle royale of the Magi.
Standing beyond the barren wasteland filled with dismembered corpse lies a champion that stood while holding a sword embedded with azure light.
Wrapped by bluish-silver armor and a dazzling cape with matching color, he stood on the field of the dead unnerved.
He readied his sword, fixed his posture and aimed his eyes straight to his adversary . . . who was an exact mirror-image of him.
The opponent looks like him, with a slight difference of having a darker color in his armor . . .no, that is a mistake. How can two people that are inhumane, if not twins, appear with similar features?
That was a question raised. . .but unneeded. After all, they are the same.
These two people are one personality, one identity. . .one creature.
Heroic Spirits summoned from the Throne of Heroes to be champions of Magi in this battle, they were divided into seven classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin and Berserker.
However, this case was undeniably rare and mysterious.
One heroic spirit summoned in a vessel that produced two manifestations.
Was such a thing truly possible?
"You stand in my way, little sister."
A voice suddenly called out from behind the first swordsman.
It was a foreign lady in her early 20's wearing a scarlet gown and a drilled blonde hair.
She declared this announcement as she raised her hand in the air and then pointing it at the opponent before her.
"Older sister, no matter how much. . .I admire you. . .I can't let you. . ."
Different from the proud and confident vibe of the former, the one who replied gave an answer filled with hesitation but in possession of a less yet enough of conviction.
"Can't let what?"
"I can't let you have your way!"
She roared as she pointed her finger at her elder sister. Black light was emitted from its end, and fired bullets of a curse filled with enmity.
Gandr, an infamous curse-magecraft originating in Europe.
It was one of the specialties of these two sisters. . .and something the little sister was very adept of.
"You ridicule me little sister with that weak attempt of yours."
The elder sister insulted the former's attack. She threw a green gem that came from her pocket and established itself as a large mirror of jade to defend her against the onslaught of the Gandr.
"Is that all what you can do? Go, Saber! Don't show her any mercy!"
The little sister of the twins, composed herself, and countered the charge of the silver knight with the champion beside her.
"Grant me victory, Saber!"
The two wielders of the Holy Swords clashed under the rain of flames.
They brandished their sword, slashed with force, and defended with might.
"You aren't half-bad, Paladin!"
The 'Saber' of the younger of the sisters grinned while exchanging sword techniques with his opponent that bears the exact image as his.
"You are me, and I am you. This is a truth that cannot be overturned. However—", the Saber of the elder sister discontinued his sentence and launched a wide diagonal cleave to the left of the other Saber. He then continued, "We may share the same blood, chivalry, sword and identity, but, we do not share the same Lord."
"So, you say the outcome of our fight lies with the skill of our sworn Masters?"
The Saber, with the darker armor, which belonged to the younger sister, asked his counterpart. As an answer, the other Saber simply nodded.
"You are the 'me' before."
"Indeed, and I was you when I became a foolish man."
The darker Saber showed a disdained face after hearing the reply of his opponent.
"You, who blindly chased after the love that was never yours, called that desire foolish? I must have been such an blasphemous man!"
He charged forth slamming his blade onto his opponent's. Calmly, without fear, the other Saber took the attack and pushed the aggressor using the force he used to tackle him.
"Have you not learned that furious rage meant only but downfall? Have you not learned that from our friend?"
He meets his gaze with a glare after hearing the questions filled with criticisms.
Indeed, they look similar and sound similar, and truly one creature, but— they have differences that only the two of them could decipher.
"Enough with this chatter Saber! My blade will cleave through you like how the mountains shook upon its light!"
The latter simply accepted his counterpart's words and raised his sword to prove his resolve.
They face each other under the war of death.
Twin blades that was once shared the same sheathe, now clashed with contradicting feelings.
The Saber of the older sister, Saber Alpha, and that of the younger sister, Saber Omega, engaged each other to prove dominance.
Ten Years Ago. . . 1935. . .Fuyuki, Japan
"Kazuki-sama! Kazuki-sama!"
A cry was heard across the corridors of the western-style mansion.
"Where are you, Kazuki-sama!"
It was from a branch member of the magi clan of the Tohsakas, who was instructed to keep an eye on a brat that was meant to inherit the family's secrets.
"Kazuki-sama!"
Repeatedly, over and over again, she exclaims the name but no response was heard or felt coming from the man called Kazuki. The woman sighed as if giving up, left the corridor to move on to the next section of the mansion.
After a while, one of the doors opened and a 12 year old boy went out of it. He had long messy black hair and wore a white long-sleeves and a red shirt inside.
He let out a sigh of relief and checked the corner of the corridor to see if the woman was truly gone from the area before heading towards the exit.
"Finally, some freedom," he said as he stretched his arms and most of his upper body upward while breathing the fresh air.
He noticed the orange sky and seemed to have forgot the amount of time he wasted by hiding in that room.
"Crap, I'm going to be late!"
He shrieked as he let out a small golden clock pendant to check the time. After confirming the time, he ran off out of the mansion's garden and headed upwards the slop, into the meeting place of a person he was acquainted with.
"He is late. He is late. He is late!"
The 10 year old girl complained as she checked her wristwatch.
"That Tohsaka!" She exclaimed as she opened her hands and stiffened her fingers.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Kazuki shouted, as he was breathing heavily, while running up the slope.
"LATE!"
The girl before him pointed her finger with a glare that could kill a man.
"I'm sorry, Matou Kaguya-san!"
Kazuki apologized while doing a dogeza in front of the female known as Kaguya.
"I told you to not call me by my full name!"
"I forgot! Sorry, Matou-san!"
He said as he sweatdropped and clapped his hands like prayer while nodding his head repetitively. Although she was younger than him, he was forced to call her with respect due to some. . .weird circumstances.
"Nevermind. Hmp, so, are you ready?"
Kaguya asked while raising her eyebrow at Kazuki.
"Are we really doing it? This is soooo boooring."
The latter complained as he sat on the grassy ground with folded knees overlapping each other.
"You are so lazy Tohsaka-kun. That is why you are always in trouble!"
She said this as she pulled out a large book from her bag.
"What is that, Matou-san?"
"It's a tome of spells I got from my Grandfather's collection."
"Wouldn't he be mad if he learned of you sneaking out a book from his library?"
Kazuki asked while recalling the image of Kaguya's grandfather which brought shivers to his bones. Remembering the first time he met him, it was like meeting boogeyman in the flesh.
With a short pause to think for a reply, Kaguya puffed out her chest with pride and answered, "My Grandfather will never do that to me!," as she reminisces moments of their little Grandfather-Granddaughter time.
"So, what's with this book?"
"It contains basic and complex principles about elemental conversion."
Kaguya proudly answered as if declaring she had read the book's content to Kazuki.
"Oh, as expected of Matou-san. Reading books aren't really my thing. I'd rather look at pictures."
"Tohsaka-kun, you aren't 5 years old anymore."
"I hate boring stuffs."
Kazuki crossed his arms on his chest while looking away.
The girl beside him shook her head and thought, "Is this really the guy that will inherit the Tohsaka clan secrets?" and showed a disbelief face once she looked at Kazuki's face.
"You know, Tohsaka-kun, there will come a day that we will inherit our clan's secrets and be full-fledged Magi."
"Sucks. Why can't I just live like the kids next door? I also want to play kites, set out fireworks and watch the sakura bloom in Spring."
Kaguya raised the large book, effectively getting Kazuki's attention, and threw it at the young boy.
"What was that for!?"
"To wake you up from that disrespectful behavior to your clan. We, the Matous and the Tohsakas, have a very stellar history in our world. . .that was what my Grandfather told me."
Kazuki nodded. He had heard that story many times over from his father and would always be amazed by hearing such tales. However, when things like practicing magecraft and training all day, he'd rather play outside than lock himself inside the workshop.
"So, I take you plan on succeeding your Grandfather?"
After hearing that question, Kaguya was left speechless as if stunned. This was noticed by Kazuki and waved his hand on her eyes.
"Hey, Earth to Matou-san!"
Kaguya slapped Kazuki's hand and whispered, "That is impossible."
Kazuki tilted his head as if confused. Kaguya was a great kid and had always been hard working in practicing magecraft. He knew that if she would continue this pace, she might become someone amazing in their world one day. So, why would she think succeeding the family an impossible fit for such like herself?
"Why. . .you must be asking on your mind."
Kazuki nodded slowly.
"There are simply things not meant for each of us in this world, no matter how much we try to achieve them."
"Is that why you called for me?"
Kazuki asked while staring at Kaguya's teary eyes.
"You know. . .," Kazuki muttered as he slowly tried to stand, "such thoughts are boring and lazy and here you are complaining to me that I am lazy."
As if shy, the young boy spoke in an awkward and nervous tone, "So don't use that as an excuse to not work harder!"
Kaguya, surprised at Kazuki's word, was only able to reply, "Idiot," while smiling.
"Hey, I'm your friend, Matou-san."
"Thank you. . .Tohsaka-kun."
July 3, 1945, Eve of the Holy Grail War
"Tohsaka Kazuki!"
A woman in her 20's roared as she summoned a citadel of rotten corpses. She was wearing a dark violet gown with her short purple hair tied on a knot on her right side.
"Matou. . .Kaguya. . ."
A man in his early 20's whispered the name of the woman that summoned the foul citadel. He was wearing a dark red long-sleeve with a white shirt inside that was fixed by a black necktie.
It was ironic for the two of them.
They stand on top of a hill at the intersection near their homes.
It was a place memorable for them. . .at the same time the place they could call, 'escape.'
Ten years ago. . .it was truly a magnificent memory.
For him and her, those days were irreplaceable.
"You will die here, Tohsaka!"
The woman screamed the man's name as the citadel gleamed and from it, a swarm of vampiric insects came forth.
"I don't desire to kill you, Matou!"
The man, Tohsaka Kazuki, brought out a khakkhara with a large and striking circular red jewel at the tip. On the handle of the wooden staff attached were gems of variety in color and quality.
"But, I do not plan on dying either!"
"Fight me. . .Tohsaka. . .Don't look down on me just because you are better!"
Better. . .to him that never occurred to his mind.
He, not once, had ever thought to be superior than her.
He had always looked and seen her from behind.
Always admiring this woman's intellect and hardwork, he never once hated her.
Yet, in spite of that. . .
"What has shedone to you, my friend?"
"Friend? Don't force such an idea to me, Tohsaka!"
She raised her right hand and pointed it at Kazuki, and as if in sync, the swarm of vampiric insects flew straight at the latter.
Kazuki raised the Jewel Khakkhara and waved it to form a magic circle, creating a barrier between him and the swarm.
"Such a barrier. . .with only a single-action !? You . . .you . . . just because you have talent!"
"Matou Kaguya, snap out of it!"
He needed to wake her up. He needed to free her from that.
This engagement was inevitable; After all, they were both participants of this bloody battle royale.
Still, this was not the sort of fight he had looked forward to coming into this Holy Grail War.
He had always wanted to show to her that she was amazing and that someone like him, who had talent but lack passion, could never stood toe-to-toe against someone like her.
That was what he had sought for; what he thought would be a satisfying duel of aspiring magi.
All those thoughts were shaken by an enemy he must defeat.
"Archer, do you hear me?"
Kazuki called his Servant, his companion in this war, through his mind.
"Yes, Master. I can certainly hear you but—"
As his Servant responded, Kazuki could hear roaring thunder and the sound of trees being brought down and sounds of exploding earth.
"—Rider is a powerful foe. I cannot converse with you attentively."
"I don't want to hurt her like this. . ."
There was a long pause before Archer was able to reply.
Kazuki could understand if his Servant's reply would be a, "it's impossible due to my current situation," but, he truly do not wish for him to kill his friend or fight her while her mind is in such a state.
"Master, is that woman really precious to you?"
"Yes. She is my one and only friend."
Twenty Years Ago. . . 1925. . .Clock Tower, London
"Good Afternoon. . .Lord Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia!," a group of students greeted a man with long dark aquamarine hair in his early to mid-20's.
"Hello, my dear students. Have you all finished your report on the political standing of Great Britain?"
He asked with gaze as frightening as a snake.
"Ah. . .sir we are on our ways to the Library to make it!"
The students, in unison, nervously answered the question of their teacher.
However, the teacher known as Darnic seemed unamused and asked his students, "But my dear students, the Library is opposite of your way, are you all perhaps, lost?"
The students tried to answer back but all produced merely stuttered responses.
Darnic raised his eyebrow and winked an eye, "Then should I, as your adviser, redirect you to the proper path?"
One of the students exclaimed in a rather scared tone, "Lo—Lord Darnic! We apologize but we must leave for our Spiritual Evocation class!"
With that, he pulled all the students behind him and left.
"Take care, Archibald."
After seeing his students off, he walked like a refined noble while carrying a staff and headed towards the Library.
"Greetings Miss Librarian," Darnic whispered to the lady sitting behind a wide desk. It was a voice as sweet as chocolate, one that would set a lady's heart a flatter.
"What can—I do to you, Lord Darnic?" And as expected, the lady's composure was out of balanced due to being flustered.
"Nothing except by ignoring anything I do and read like always," Darnic whispered before kissing the lady on her cheek. It was a "suggestion ", a spell that would normally be ineffective against those who practiced magecraft like himself. But, for the man infamously known as the Eight-Forked Tongue , making use of sweet words and controlling the heart to enhance the spell's effectiveness even against magi is but a piece of cake.
Darnic went on to take a few books from the shelves, those that were probably a century old.
He had been visiting this place numerous times and had lost count on how many times ever since he had entered the Clock Tower. He had reached the rank of a Grand Magus, and was assigned as a second-lecturer under the Elemental Conversion class. This was all for the purpose of his clan who had diminished to nearly rubble for the past decade.
"For my family," he whispered to himself as he flipped the pages of an old book he came across to. This was a piece of literature, a recording of the past, that he miraculously and luckily stumbled upon after taking out a thousand of books from this library.
"Holy Grail War. . ."
He murmured. It was a grand ritual created by the Three Houses: the Einzberns, Makiri and the Tohsakas, to reach the Root. However, their cooperation ended up being a bloodshed against each other. Unfortunately, even after a century, none was able to claim the Third Magic: Heaven's Feel.
This was Darnic's goal, his objective and what would be a fruit to his efforts.
That's why. . .the preparations had already started.
"Fuyuki City. . ." He utters the name while looking at a map of the world.
"Japan. There, where my clan's future lies."
He said to himself before letting out a satisfied grin.
July 1, 1945, Eve of the Holy Grail War
Crawling like a beggar, that was something he never thought he would do in his entire life.
Torn clothes, untreated bruises and cuts, burnt hair, his body was like that of someone who came out of war.
And, yes, he was.
He mustered all his remaining strength to pull his body as his legs had already retired for this evening. . .no, probably for the rest of his life.
His eyes were almost blind but he tried his best to keep his eyesight pasted onwards.
His senses were nearly out of capabilities to persist but he pushed them to their utmost limits.
He will not allow himself to die.
He will not allow himself to be defeated.
He will not allow himself to have his family be disgraced.
His life was nothing compared to his and his family's pride.
Yes, he would sacrifice an entire city, or even his life, for the sake of victory, he would very well sell his soul to the devil.
His vigor, motivation and dedication was as fiery as that of an immortal flame of the Chimera.
Nothing could blow it out.
It was everlasting as long as he was alive.
That was why he was striving to live.
Death here means the end for everything.
The dream he had believed in. The family he had lived with. The knowledge he had learned. The love he once knew to be real. The humiliation and pain he had suffered. The things he had lost that was precious to him. The sacrifice he made to pursue the only hope for his clan, their only salvation.
He recalled them and took the answer from the depths of his heart.
"I WILL NOT DIE!"
He roared as he crawled pitifully in a destroyed earth by bombs and flames.
More than a week had passed since he had entered this bloody war, and in spite of having experienced both the sweet and sour taste of victory and defeat, he would not let himself waver even for a moment.
"I WILL NOT PERISH IN THIS WRETCHED LAND IN THIS ACCURSED STATE!"
He growled as he tried to push his shoulder upwards but lost the strength midway.
Up 'til here, he could still hear the sound of clashing blades and thundering roars.
It must be Saber and Rider clashing against each other . . .and Archer, whose brilliance still ever shining.
He had thought of this as he tried his best to escape, to live and to fight again.
"No. . .NO!"
He shouted in his mind as his eyes were starting to feel numb.
His senses were slowly fading. He had lost too much blood.
"I want. . .I want to win. I don't want to lose. For the sake of my dream, for my family. . .I!"
"Fufufu, do you not wish to live?"
A sweet and serene voiced whispered to his ears.
He felt like it was familiar and had heard such a tone a few nights ago.
"You push yourself to fight but not to live. Is your life nothing but mud compared to your ideal?"
The voice asked him. He was already nearly out of breath, out of sight and out of feelings.
The answer to this would be his final words.
He will die. He will perish. He would leave this world as a mark that would signal the end of his prestigious clan.
He regretted everything.
"My life had always been for the sake of my family's reclamation of power."
He said them, the words he had always buried deep in his heart.
And, as his life was to fade, the sweet voice echoed like in dream, "What a foolish but admirable man. . ."
PROLOGUE END~