FATE/FANTASY
Notes:
1 - This fic is a partnership between Goldfield and Otoshi, and it is the adaptation of a forum RPG. Give credit to both authors in the comments.
2 - Because it is based on an RPG in progress, the chapters can delay a little.
3 – Translated from Portuguese. Sorry for any mistakes.
A flash ... And he feels his body materializing. He opens his eyes slowly, his body capturing the changing on the environment brought on by what seemed a stirred breeze. A young man stood before him, facing him. Noting the location, the just materialized man perceives sees he is in a room all black, with strange symbols painted on the floor, besides the candles and skulls. Something a bit disturbing. The boy was dressed entirely in black, almost camouflaged amidst the appearance of the room.
- Tell me, spirit of darkness! – the boy exclaims, eyes open wide. – What is your name? Was a response to my call?
Saladin looks at the strange place and its appearance. During his lifetime he had witnessed scenes of intense brutality and confrontation, and could not say that those representations pleased him – even though he considered himself a great fighter in battle, if the situation required it. Turning his eyes and then looking at the environment in which he was apparently invoked, as was pre-disposed by the rules of the Holy Grail War, the Arab warrior asked, thinking that the individual's appearance approached much of a heinous Hassassin:
- You are my master, dark craftsman?
The young man laughs, full of joy:
- Master, he called me MASTER!
Paying more attention on the site, Saladin sees inverted crosses and symbols that the ancient Crusaders used to designate Baphomet. Strange devices were also scattered around the room. The boy spoke again, almost crying:
- Tell me, demon servant, tell me your name!
Somewhat troubled by the apparent inexperience and cockiness of his master, Saladin feels even more troubled by the use, by his interlocutor, of the word "devil". Vile beings who had defied the prophets of the past, enemies of religion and faith. Evil creatures that brought pain and despair to the world since its creation. To be mentioned in such a way, the knight could not contain his irritation:
- My honor prevents me from immediately throw the blade of my sword on your neck, my master, because I could only do so after the proper explanations. Why did you call me devil? Who do you think I am? I'm Saladin. Salahad-Din. Champion of the faith in Allah, the Knight of Egypt. If you think I am a demon, then you can only be a creature associated with him and a representation of what I always fought against!
The young man, astonished, then takes a thick book and opens it, confused. After that he says:
- That's wrong ... There's something very strange happening here. Allah? In the name of Satan, how is this possible?
He closes the book and adds:
- Hehe, whatever, Saladin. Will you grant me my wish?
Saladin is getting impatient – a difficult thing to happen to him, and that boy before him had succeeded in triggering it. Taking a deep breath, ran a hand through the sheath that housed his scimitar, and seeking above all to remain calm, speak slowly so that his master would understand it well:
- I am neither a demon nor any entity that grants wishes like the gin of the legends of ancient Arabia. I am a servant, a heroic spirit invoked for you thanks to your skill as a magus and the power granted by the Holy Grail. If you invoked on me by mistake or for other purposes, then I beg you to give up your command spells and let me find another master, because I'm interested in someone who will fight in the Holy Grail War, and I have a wish that I desire to make to that divine piece. Now, if you insist on calling me "devil" and try making me fulfill your dark intentions, despite calling the name of the lord of all evil, I'll have to get rid of my current master by force!
The knight hoped that his words really had effect and that he would not need violence to subdue the boy who, though vile, above all seemed disoriented.
- Hold on then, bearded uncle – protested the young man. – What are you talking about? It's written that I would invoke a demon of the eighth circle, so that he would grant me a wish! And... Command spells? What are you saying?
Clearly he did not know what it was, but showed great anxiety about having his wish granted.
Saladin crossed his arms and tried to explain:
- Look at your right hand. On its back there are now some inscriptions. They represent your command spells, so that means you and me together will fight for the Holy Grail. That is, only if you want to. Like I said, if you are not interested or has something else in mind, let go of them so I can find another master. And I'm not evil or anything. If you still insist on calling me that as well, you will prove of my sword.
- I honestly think that proving someone's sword is kind of too gay – the boy replied with scorn, as he looked at his own hand. – Cool mark ... So what do you mean? Holy Grail? Do you mean the Holy Grail?
Saladin tried to keep his patience. The situation improved slightly at least, and he was not called "demon" at that last phrase. Although he had no idea of what could mean the word "gay", it actually reminded him of Guy of Lusignan, the former Christian king of Jerusalem, and wondered if at that time in the future it had become an insult to refer to the king's name because of the defeat he suffered at the hands of Saladin himself. Ignoring that and keeping his arms crossed, the Arab told his difficult master:
- Yes, the Holy Grail, also known just as The Grail. The one I'm talking about, however, is not the container that collected the blood of the Christian prophet during his supposed martyrdom. It is an older item and much more powerful, and some say it represents the very "truth", the meaning of our pilgrimage in this world. The cup that grants any wish to the master and the servant who remain after the elimination of the other six...
- You mean I'm going to win the right to have one wish granted after killing other living beings? AWESOME! Hey, man... You can count on me on that thing. We will be champions.
Saladin could feel a considerable energy emanating from his master, powerful enough to give the servant skills worthy of a good war. Still with his arms crossed, the Arabic man sighs, still thinking that his master was very unstable and unpredictable. Somehow, it reminded him of Reinald of Chatillon. He hoped that impression would not be a source of problems. But he believed, above all, that people could improve. He witnessed that a lot in war. And perhaps the Holy Grail War was going to mature that boy…
- I hope this is not a very long war... – the knight muttered to himself.
- Nice, Saladin. My name is Henrik Schwartz. I hope we can smash some fools together.
The young man extended his hand with a friendly expression. A bell ringing could be heard in the distance, telling Christians to be six hours, i.e., the time of the celebration at church.
"Schwartz"? A name that referred to Europeans, especially those in the region of the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick Barbarossa. If Saladin's master possessed half the courage that the king had, to the point of dying during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, then they would be good allies. Smiling, Saladin also extended his right hand, holding the boy's on a sincere compliment. Then he said:
- Well, Henrik. From now on I'll be your sword. AllahAkbar!
- COOL. Well... Where do we start?
From the window they could see a stately temple, with huge towers and colossal walls. Maybe there the bells tolled, as Saladin soon deduced. Somewhat confused and curious, he decided to ask his young master:
- Forgive the ignorance on my part, but where are we?
- Germany... Ah, you should not know... Follow me, I'll show you a map.
The boy leaves the room by a door which gave access to a corridor. Outside the look of the house looked completely different: cream-colored walls, simple and tidy furnishings: a lot different from that infernal piece of room Henrik had.
Saladin came with the boy, puzzled. That time seemed a lot ahead from the one the Arabic knight came from, so he needed several explanations. And knowing what was "Germany" seemed to be one. However, deducing that his master was a descendant of the Germans from the past due to his name, one would assume it was the nation where one day Frederick Barbarossa ruled. Continuing to follow Henrik, the warrior was looking forward to the fact of consulting a map.
The young man goes into a kind of office where there was a desk with a computer, dozens of books and a large closet. This room was much brighter than the other one. He moves to the cabinet, opening it and setting aside everything that was inside. Until, finally, breathing relieved by finding a large roll of paper. He took it from the closet and opened it on the desk, revealing a large map. Then points to a territory in Europe where it was written "Germany". Former Holy Roman Empire territory, as Saladin knew.
The Arab found himself glimpsed on the map. He was a big fan of cartographic art, and always enjoyed the territorial representations that some of his best experts had done to him in his previous life. However, the profusion of names, dots and lines on the paper left him confused. That appeared to be a tremendous mess. Somewhat annoyed, he asked the young man:
- Where in Germany are we, more precisely?
We are right here in Barmen! – shows the young man pointing to a state on the west coast of Germany. – City of the famous Friedrich Engels, who you probably do not know. But if you want to know, I got some books on the shelf about it.
It seemed to be, with no doubt, something interesting, but unfortunately there was no time. Raising his head and taking one of his hands again to his sheath, Saladin said:
- We have more important issues to be solved. Because you do not invoke me having in mind the Holy Grail War, we need you to visit the referee of this confrontation so that he provides you further explanation. In every war of this kind there is one, usually a member of the Catholic clergy, to my knowledge. Is there any isolated church in this city? A sacred place like of this kind? Those are generally neutral areas where those referees remain and that shelter defeated masters, so they don't get killed by the others.
- There is a church near here... – the boy replied. – But I doubt that Pietro, the friend of the people, know something about it.
- Pietro? – Saladin found that name quite strange. – Well, the masters should not expose their servants to others, nor people can witness fights between servants. So I need you to inquire about the referee resident in this city that, so when we be sure that he is who he seek, we can go out to see him. Besides, you live with someone else in this house?
- My parents. But they are traveling. Time enough to prepare this spell that I found at a book in an old library. My mother is a devout Catholic and hates that kind of thing. As for the referee... Maybe I can find something about it on the Internet.
A devout Catholic? Maybe this caused problems. It was amazing how Saladin always tried to avoid conflict, but they seemed to insist on persecuting him. He did not flinch; exposing once to the boy his opinion on the case:
- There will be problems if your parents see me, and I believe that I, as a servant, I will have trouble in dealing with those people. It would be better if you could move to some other address, at least until the war ends. And what is the Internet?
- Move away from here? Believe me, I'm trying for years. Internet... Well... Internet is a worldwide network of computers, which are machines that compute data from electricity and... Well, what really matters is that works and what I can find almost anything with it.
Looking at the boy now at a brighter room, Saladin could clearly see his appearance. Average height, very pale skin, straight black hair arranged in a transverse fringe on his forehead. He had something in his mouth like small metal objects across his lips – something that to the Arab man seemed painful and somewhat strange, although remembered him of ceremonial adornments or something like that. If he were better informed about that time, he knew that it were piercings. The boy also wore black outfits, consisting of a shirt with words written on it in white calligraphy and a strange sort of a blanket covering his back, which at that time was called "jacket". The legs were covered in pants of the some color tone and his feet wore strange shoes with similar aspect.
Henrik sat in his desk chair and pressed a button on that unsuspecting metal box. There were a few strange noises when lights went on and images appeared in a larger box in front of the young man. He seemed to look at it as it was trivial. Saladin, however, was surprised with the device. In his day it would be nothing but magic, witchcraft, but it seemed that the knowledge of men at that time destroyed the barriers that differed clearly spell from invention. In any case, even if he did not understand how Internet worked (though he was willing to interpret it as a modern version of "crystal balls"), it could be useful to discover the neutral area of the Grail War in that city. Thus, the Arab hero began to wait.
- Hey, look at this, an e-mail! – said the boy after some time. – Magic Association. Never heard of it.
When reading the message, sent by someone in name of that so-called Magic Association, the young magus could understand the scale of the Holy Grail War. In two days, he would have to be embarking to Munich, where he would meet with the first master, and there fight his first battle. He would be staying in a hotel, all costs covered by the same Association. The tickets were already purchased in his name. The sender of the message also wished good luck.
Saladin also read it and understood that they should leave as soon as possible. The young man had to find a way to circumvent the parental control and go to that city of Munich. The Arabic knight, in turn, stood ready for combat. He was willing to do anything for the Grail.
- I believe that this Association is the group that coordinates the war... – he said thoughtfully. – So they really were aware that you was going t invoke me. Well, let's depart as soon as possible. I see you're an inexperienced magus and the prana to keep me in this world will not last forever...
- Inexperienced? HAH! Are you crazy? I invoke things out of nothing since I as a child. Do not get me wrong, but I provoke envy in many bearded boys from the cult.
The young man seemed confident in his words. Saladin could feel enough magical energy emanating from the boy.
- Hmm .. – Saladin stroked his beard with satisfaction. In fact, that young magus really looked very powerful. – Well. How do you want to go to Munich? Is there any magical way of journey at this time? And oh, being a heroic spirit, I can hide myself from others using my spiritual form. I think it would be prudent on our trip.
- Very wise. We'll go flying. In a machine. You'll love it. And due to certain characteristics of your ethnic type, we would have problems even you wore today's clothes. There is some tension here against the Arabs and the Middle East. And you fit well in this ethnic type, warrior of Egypt. But tell me... If there is a battle so big to be fought, and you tell me you're a knight, what are your skills?
Saladin listened to his master, and then just answered in a thoughtful way, part by part:
- Flying? This reminds me of the old legends about magic carpets, but as this world has developed many prodigies, I think it is natural to you... As for the hostility between your people and mine, which you define as "ethnic type", it is natural, after all there has never been peace among the religions of Allah and Jesus, and it is natural to think that they would continue to fight over the centuries. I'll be invisible to the eyes of others, as well.
Regarding the last issue, the servant took a deep breath before answering:
- I will defend you and fight for our interests with my trusty scimitar, my master. Beyond that, I count on my ability to dialogue with the enemy, avoiding unnecessary and often debilitating battles, and the blessings of Allah, who always assists those who honor Him. By the words of the Prophet, the victory will be ours!
- Um, OK – Henrik nodded, convinced. – We can win easily. The deities whom we serve are powerful. But then... What will we while not flying? Ah, my parents come back tomorrow.
Saladin sighed and answered:
- If they are absent, then it is the perfect time for us to begin the journey. So there will be no need to confront their opinions directly. Prepare your things, leave a cordial message to them, and go!
- Our trip is scheduled for two days from now. We can not leave yet, if we're going to respect the decision of that Association! – argued the boy.
The Arab man scratched his beard. The decision of the Association was prejudicing the dynamics of the war. But they would have to bear with it. Thoughtful, he said:
- I will stay in my invisible form, but your parents will be suspicious if they caught you talking to "yourself". Besides, do you think about an excuse to give them about our trip?
- Hmm… I can say it's a trip with friends from college. They always fall on that! – the young man laughs.
- Hmm... - Saladin gave a subtle smile. – Well, I think it could work. Now tell me what your knowledge of magic is. What can you do?
The knight had hoped that his master was strong as his prana led to believe.
- INVOKE – the boy seemed very anxious. – You can ask. Anything. Come on, speak!
- Hmm .. – muttering again, Saladin appeared to have a bit of fear and mistrust. – Water. Ice water.
The boy closes his eyes. The environment around him suddenly gets dark, the magical energy of the atmosphere starting to concentrate in the figure of Henrik. It seemed that all the light was being stolen by him. He opens his mouth and a deeper voice hoarse and pronounces:
- ImNamendieSieBaalbuchstabierenForm, die meinenVerstandimprägniert. DassmeinWillegebildetwird. (In the name of Baal, I conjure the form that pervades my mind. That my will be done).
The light returns to its rightful place. Suddenly two drops of blood fall from the boy's eyes, they soon reaching the floor and turning into two glasses with water. He opens his eyes, picks up one of the containers and offers it to Saladin.
The Arab watched all very stunned. Spell words in German language, that was new to him. They had an impressive tone, even a little aggressive. However, it was certain that the boy's prana was really high. The effect around generated by the spell casting made that clear. Smiling, Saladin took the cup of water and drank the liquid with low temperature that was so hard to get in the sands of desert. But something had left him curious about the abilities of his master... "Baal". He really uttered that name? Anyway, it was necessary to clear his doubts:
- Do you by chance cried for the old Phoenician god? Baal? I ask because you previously called for Satan ... I do not give credit to any of these deities from the infidels, and I believe that your power may have other origins, but... Do you follow any of them in particular?
- Christianity has demonized all the ancient gods – Henrik protested vehemently. – Satan himself has characteristics of ancient gods. We believe that Christianity is the end of magic, the opposite is the culmination of it. That's how our magic works.
The boy's voice was still hoarse and rough. His expression had suddenly changed ...
Saladin did not agree completely with those words, but had to admit that they made sense. Moreover, his faith never mentioned the Grail and the artifact had clearly demonstrated its power already. He thought it would be better to don't question the boy's magical abilities anymore, at least for now. He was already satisfied with what he saw:
- I understand.
And suddenly, a chill spread through the Arabian knight's body when he heard:
- This body will have much to offer us in the future...
The young magus continued to talk in that strange voice, which now had more than one pitch, as in unison; he looked at himself with a smile that could not be natural to his face.
- You know, we're happy to have someone to talk to. Usually we're lonely when we are here. We're thirst to be in the thoughts and bodies of mortals again.
Another timbre joined the chorus of voices, that were now laughing in a very loud and confusing way.
The servant, who previously only thought that the changed tone of voice of the boy was strange (and believed to be due to the magic he used), was now really worried. Some kind of entity seemed to have got hold of the boy. He had heard many stories when he was a child. Evil spirits, treacherous and chaotic. Taking a deep breath, he saw that the situation required extreme tact, then trying to communicate with whatever it was:
- Who do I speak with?
- Who do you want to talk, spirit commanded by us? – replied the sinister chorus.
- With the entities that took the body of this young man! – Saladin countered firmly.
- We are many, all of us. We are nightmares, dreams, desires and disappointments. We hope too far. We have a desire that the Grail can accomplish. You will assist us in this regard. Our covenant is still standing and firm.
The Arabian knight then found himself in a difficult situation. The presence there was clearly malignant and distorted. An affront to Allah. Worse, manifested itself in the boy when he used magic, taking possession of his body cowardly. Even that going against his honor, there was not much that Saladin would do at the moment. Those gins would simply use their command spells against him if he tried to react. All he could do, then, would comply... But not forever. During that war, he would act against those spirits... He would save the soul of his master!
- I understand.
- Glad you understood. May Allah be praised.
The last sentence was followed by a laugh of a grotesquely large chorus of voices, which reduced its power in a rallentando until it became a hiss. The boy's body was now bound to the ground unconscious.
Saladin moved as soon as that the boy fainted, advancing towards him and picking up his body with his hands before he met the floorboards. With the boy in his arms, he took a moment gazing at his sweaty expression before murmuring:
- Aasef...
Then he looked around, his eyes stopping on the other glass of water on the floor. Taking one of his hands to his clothes, Saladin took a small piece of cloth that he carried with him, immerged it in the cold water and passed it lightly on the forehead of his master, hoping he got up.
The boy was breathing faintly, but when he heard the apology from his servant, smiled in a sinister way. His prana seemed to have increased and become heavier.
- Thanks, Saladin.
His voice was sweet, but weak and tuneless. He had opened his eyes wide, demonstrating distress and an aggressive affliction.
- This never happened before – Henrik said. – Even more for something so trivial.
The voice remained the same as if were natural.
Worried, although relieved to see that the boy had recovered his consciousness – now being himself – Saladin warned:
- Be very careful when casting spells from now on. Those entities can not overpower you so easily. That will prejudice our performance in the war, and, above all, it can affect you irreversibly.
Adding courage to his speech, the knight added, wanting to understand what happened to the boy:
- Tell me... How you began to use magic? Who taught you? How?
- No one taught me. Things were just happening naturally so when I realized, I did magic. I always had ease and interest. And it was almost natural to join my cult. Why the interest?
- Hmm...
Despite not speaking aloud, the boy's sudden progress in magic seemed to be directly connected to the strange evil spirits that had dominated him earlier. The servant would keep that opinion to himself for now. He would act only in the right moment.
- Just curious... – the Arabic said. – Well, what to do while your parents do not come?
- Maybe showing you the city or training combat situations, so we be familiar to each other when it is time to battle.
Saladin liked the idea:
- I believe we can do both. But we should not spend to much time: we both need to rest too, to replenish our energies. Do you have any suggestion of places to visit first?
The Arabic warrior really had no preference. Everything was new to him.
- We can train in a place I like to go to practice magic and relax. I appreciate it greatly because of its discretion and for being away from prying eyes.
- If it is discreet and you're accustomed to it, looks good to me. Let's go! – the knight accepted with a smile.
Name: Saladin (Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub)
Class: Saber
Master: Henrik Schwartz.
Appearance: With a characteristic appearance of a man of the Near East, Saladin has dark skin, curly and black hair and beards, and thick eyebrows. Strong body, but not much. Average height. It is rarely seen without his turban and his suit of armor made of chain mail covering a robe made of fine and rare soft cloth from the East. Brings along with him, also, his two main weapons: a deadly and sharp scimitar with a jeweled handle and an ornate hidden along one of his legs.
History: Born in Tikrit, present-day Iraq, in 1138 AD.
In 1175 he became vizier of Egypt, after having led a courageous campaign to unify the region and restore it to the predominance of Sunni Islam. In the following years also unified and conquered Syria and Mesopotamia.
During this period, along the Mediterranean coast, in the region of Palestine, stood the fragile Christian kingdoms founded by the European combatants at the end of the First Crusade. He refused to attack such territories before consolidating his rule over Syria. During this venture, Saladin was attacked by the shadowy group of assassins from Ismaili, the Hashshashin, which failed to take out his life.
While maintaining peace with the crusader states, Saladin couldn't avoid a few skirmishes with their knights, almost always coming out victorious of them. In 1177, however, at the Battle of Montgisard, was beaten by Christians, forced to sign a treaty with them which lasted until 1179.
Then began a period of successive victories of Saladin, often retaliating Christian attacks on trade routes and Islamic holy places led by the relentless French knight Reinald of Chatillon. The situation culminated in the Battle of Hattin in July 1187, when Saladin beat the crusader armies, condemning the existence of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and Chatillon being captured and executed.
In October of that year, troops of Saladin besieged Jerusalem. Through negotiations with Balian of Ibelin, amnesty for most of the city population was guaranteed and the people was escorted safely to the shore, the Holy City being taken over without bloodshed.
The fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem served as a trigger to the Third Crusade. More European kings headed for Palestine with the objective to free the holy sites of Christianity, including the English king Richard the Lionhearted. Acre was taken, the Christian armies fighting major battles with Saladin's. He continued to show himself, however, to be a master strategist and a spotless knight. He respected their rivals, especially King Richard, even sending him a doctor on one occasion and two horses on other, when the Englishman lost his. Amid the conflict in that land, Saladin almost always showed himself more sensible and noble then the enemy commanders.
In 1192, Saladin and Richard came to an agreement about Jerusalem: the city remained in the hands of Muslims, but would be open to Christian pilgrimages. Shortly after Saladin died in Damascus, 1193. There were not sufficient funds for his funeral: he had donated everything to charity.
Although he lived in a setting of holy war and battles often of great savagery, Saladin was, by the end of his life, a most honorable knight.
Skills:
NOBLE PHANTASMS:
Concept: "Knight of Egypt" - No servant can attack him without talking, while the magical energy of Saladin can hold the ability activated.
RANK A
Physical: "Scourge of Infidels" - His scimitar gives him greater strength and ability when Saladin faces Christian servants.
RANK C
COMMONSKILLS:
Magic Resistance: Can not cancel spells, but their effects have minor consequences on the servant.
RANK E
Charisma: Skilled in commanding armies and inspire courage.
RANKB
Militarytactics: A great military strategist.
RANK A
ProtectionofAllah: Allah protects Saladin when he claims his name, especially seconds before becoming unconscious, taking over his body and using supreme skills.
RANK A
Salah: When Saladin pray to Allah at least twenty-five minutes per day on five different occasions, he receives bonuses in combat and a better clarity of thoughts.
RANK C
To be continued…