Grand Holy Grail War
Chapter 1
September 7th 2012
Jamaica Estates, Queens
He could see it a vast wasteland somewhere he's never been but looked familiar. He could feel loneliness and dread emanating all over but couldn't tell why. It was until he saw as his perspective changed to look down. It was a girl he never seen before. She had white blonde hair with pale skin almost like snow. Her red eyes shined and looked young. She had a small frame and was crying. He then saw blood plenty of it around her and a pair of daggers stabbed into her chest. The girl hand reached up as she continued to cry. She spoke weakly as she reached up. "It's okay one of us had to die."
Then it was nothing the vision ended and he felt the warmth of his bed. Neil groaned as he kept his eyes closed hoping to get a few more minutes. He could feel the warmth of the blanket as he tried to sleep but felt something unusual next to him. It wasn't a blanket it was sturdy and warm. He shot his eyes open turning around to see a familiar sight. It was a very tanned young woman with her eyes shut. She wore his pajama pants and tank top. Sported very distinct lavender and white hair. "Good morning master how about a few more minutes to ourselves." She said in a sweet seductive voice.
Neil could already discern her manipulative personality after his first day of meeting her and had a low tolerance to her antics because of it. "Get the hell out of here!" He yelled temporarily forgetting the trigger in his household now. A door was kicked open as a large intimating man and a bored looking woman came in each holding a weapon a sword and lance respectively. Then a woman with fox ears and a tail came through the window.
"Is there a disturbance master?"
"Do you need me to kill an intruder?"
"Is my beloved master in danger I'll skin alive whoever troubles you?"
'This is my life now living with these seven psychotic killers'
"You're all interfering with me and master" the girl Neil tossed out if his bed said as she walked back to his bed.
The large man with black hair and a beard laughed as he made his exit for the room as he spoke. "Oh that's the case sorry for interrupting Archer and master. Indulge yourself in women like a captain should!"
The fox eared woman wearing a blue kimono floated over to be in front of Neil to block Archer. "That is not the case Rider! That foul creature was making a move on my love and our master!"
"Know you're place Caster master hasn't declared any love for you!"
"Do you want to fight bow woman?"
Lancer took the opportunity to rush in between both and tossing them out the window. "Damn you Lancer!" both women screamed as they ended up in the backyard.
"This seemed like the best solution master any other issues?"
"No that's all, thanks Lancer." Neil felt a bit unease in his reply because out of all the servants that now stay with him Lancer is the most mysterious and hard to read. He doesn't want to upset her but he just isn't quite sure how to handle her.
"Okay Saber is downstairs with breakfast and Assassin and Berserker are still on that mission you gave them.
It's been a few days since they all moved in but it's not just a social visit between strangers they gathered here to fight for the Holy grail war. Even though they were technically at war the house had a very light hearted vibe. As much as Neil would hate to admit, even with all the dysfunctional chaos that is his life he just simply hasn't been this happy in a long time.
Rider entered the kitchen to see Saber an also almost equally as imposing. He was also tall, pale skin and looked serious like he was about to kill someone. "Hey Saber would it kill you to lighten up every once in a while you look to serious."
"I am calm fool do you see me with my sword out?"
"See your doing it right now!" Rider laughed as he grabbed his gut. He was boisterous and easy going much to Saber's annoyance.
Lancer walked in as she let Archer and Caster in through the side door. "Now everyone the young master said his mother is arriving back from her work trip tomorrow so we need a plan not to expose ourselves to her." Lancer spoke with a calming and relaxed voice. She was probably the most reliable in the house to help keep order.
"You got some nerve pulling a stunt like that Lancer!" Archer drew her pair short swords ready to fight Lancer. She basically had only two modes cold and calculating then there's brash and hot headed with the latter in full effect at the moment.
"You're the one that needs to be taught manners you lowly creature." Caster said while laughing dramatically while partially covering her mouth.
"Please stop this I'm not in the mood today." Neil said as he walked into the kitchen. He stands at just over six feet. He had cocoa skin a bit darker than Archer's. He had short curly hair and a default annoyed look. He was a college student and reluctantly a master in the war. "Classes start back this week so I'll have to manage my time better. So that'll mean my training will have to adjust plus that means I'll be away more so you all will have to stay out of trouble." Archer and Caster had a nervous sweat as they settled down to sit at the dining room table. It was long enough to fit ten people but only needed to fit six today. Neil went for the corner seat as Caster and Archer both tried to take the seat to the right of him.
"Caster you'll annoy master with your fleas if you sit to close stay at the end of the table!"
"Archer I will pull your intestines out from your mouth." They both tried to keep a smile as they glared at each other.
Saber stood up and drew his katana stabbing right between them. "Enough neither of you have any table manners this is ridiculous."
"Know what I'll just eat breakfast later." Neil got up and left the room. 'These hardened trained killers all living here and then my mother returning I need away to make her think nothings up.' Neil went to his room and turned on his PlayStation 3. He could see Rider cleared another video game platinum trophy and all! "How in the bloody blazes does he keep clearing games like this, is he really from the 1700s? Oh he just started Assassin's Creed IV I wonder what he's going to say about it? He's in the game after all."
Some time passed until he heard a knock on the door. He turned around to see Caster walk in. "FYI you're supposed to wait for conformation before walking in."
She jumped on to his back poking his cheek. "But why it's not like you weren't going to let me in?" Neil groaned because of his lack of privacy in his house now. 'It's been about two weeks give or take since they been summoned and I've been hitting new levels of frustration. Especially since these women look so god damned good.'
"Master I'm no ignorant woman." Caster started to slowly glide her hand down her masters body. "If you're feeling so tense you should have said something that's what I'm here for my darling."
His heart was racing he was close to giving into temptation but managed to resist. He got up removing Caster from his back. "Listen I appreciate the enthusiasm but I'm not interested."
"You say that but your body seems to think differently." Caster said with a playful smile as she looked down below his belt. "My oh my what they say about men from your country…"
"Please don't finish that sentence. Changing the topic so I'm thinking about you guys hiding out by the park or something during the two days before her vacation."
"The others could do that but I must meet your mother! It would be rude to not."
"No!"
"But I insist I must do!"
"Trust me when I say that's a bad idea."
"But master I have to. You even triggered another flag." She pointed to her back now showing two tails.
"Can we just start my mage craft training already? I'm not having this conversation with you right now."
"Hey Rider I need some healing." Archer said as she looked down at her PSP while lounging on the couch.
"Roger. Where on a roll in this monster hunter aren't we?" He let out another loud laugh like always out of everyone Rider seems to enjoy modern life the most.
"Can you keep it down I'm reading!" Saber yelled from the other side of the room as he read through one of Neil's history textbooks. Archer teleported to grab the book from Saber to her surprise he anticipated her move and tossed her over his shoulder slamming her onto the ground. "What do you think you're doing?" Saber managed to sound calm and hostile at the same time.
"Hoho so this is the strength of Saber the supposed strongest class. Well let's see if I deserve the title as strongest." Archer's switch flipped as she charged at Saber with both her short swords drawn. Saber drew his katana and stabbed straight at Archer. The girl put up both her blades to block it but it was broken easily. He almost got to her chest but she jumped back just enough to get out of range. Her broken swords dropped from her hands as she raised them up in a surrender gesture. "You can lower you're sword you disarmed me."
"Do you know why I never lost a battle? It's because I never dropped my guard. During the Bakumatsu when I was a member of the Shinsengumi I was always on alert."
"Right in that case." Archer projected another pair of her short swords. She dashed at him with blades at ready only to be stopped by a red spear.
"Archer you shouldn't be instigating a fight with comrades especially when the master forbade us from doing battle in the house." Archer put her blades away and walked outside in a pout. "You should know better Saber than to let her antagonize you."
Saber put his katana away but gave Lancer a glare that can kill. "While I understand what you did, if you ever interrupt one of my duels I won't hesitate to cut you down ally or not!" He turned around and headed towards the basement. "I do believe the young master has training with me soon."
"Thanks for stopping that Lancer."
"You should have done something before it started."
"Cut me some slack we were on a boss battle which I soloed by the way."
"Gaming is no excuse what if an intruder stormed the house would you have told him to wait?"
"If he was courteous enough to I would hope so."
"Now feel the mana flow through you. You have more than enough to spare once you learn how to control it all you'll be a splendid mage in no time." Caster was tutoring Neil in the art of mage craft. He doesn't have any formal training so he figured learning under these spirits was the best move. He activated reinforcement magic and punched through solid concrete.
"Wow I'm coming along nicely."
"Yes master your talent is amazing!" Caster clapped her hands in amusement.
"Thanks but your just an excellent teacher you live up to the title Caster." She suddenly stumbled over grabbing her chest.
"Two flags in one day you truly are deserving of my love." She sprouted a third tail as she shook her body in excitement. Much to her masters annoyance of her overacting drama.
"Are you done drama queen?"
"My master please for now on call me by my true name in the privacy of us alone." Neil had an uncomfortable look on his face and a nervousness. "What's wrong master please tell me you approve or I'll die!"
"It's not that I actually rather be called Neil myself it's just." His voiced wavered. His eyes darted his face red he forgot her name.
"Could it be my own master forgot me?" Caster hunched over on the floor crying as two of her tails vanished.
"No its not on purpose Caster it was in Japanese and everyone told me theirs besides Archer, I'm sorry!" Caster remained on the floor mumbling something Neil couldn't hear. He leaned in closer to be met with the sensation of warm tender lips.
"Tamamo-no-Mae." She turned around in a triumphant pose as her fourth tail appeared. Her reaction was matched by Neil's annoyance to her act.
"Master Neil shall we continue with your mage training?"
A loud knock was made at the door to the garage. "Master it's time for our training." A feeling of dread overcame Neil remembering the terror that was his Saber! While he did ask to learn combat under him it was something he almost immediately regretted. Saber was furious and unrelenting.
"It's what I asked for so I just got to go through with it. I'm coming now. Caster I may need you're healing magic again."
"But of course, after all our sadistic Saber works very hard to beat you half to death." Saber could hear from outside as he glared from outside the door.
In the basement was where the sword training took place. Although sword training wasn't the right word it was more of Neil desperately trying to avoid getting killed by Saber even though he used a bamboo sword it was lethal in his hands. A thrust tagged Neil in the right shoulder. He faltered back and tried to thrust himself only to get a slash to the leg. He jumped back trying to think of a better attack only to realize Saber already closed the distance standing next to him as he kicked Neil in the side sending him across the room.
"Get up your opponent won't wait for you!" Neil gathered his strength and rushed back at him. He was hit in both kneecaps and hit in the face with a hook knocking him down again. "Come on are you going to die on the battlefield being less than worthless?!" Neil got up again in increasing pain and exhaustion as he went in. He did a down swing knowing full well Saber would block it easily. He did just that as Neil expected. Neil let go of the sword delivering a right hook to Saber. Saber was already ready for the attack he caught it with his free hand since he only used one for all his attacks.
"Only slightly better than yesterday master." Neil was then tossed into a wall. He got up again with his head throbbing as he tried to attack again. The results were the same he attacked Saber anticipated and countered leaving him exhausted and in pain on the floor.
"Saber my head is spinning think I'm done."
"Yes I do believe I knocked you senseless. That would be the correct term now."
The young master was in intense pain as her struggled to pick himself up. "Caster, help please." As soon as she heard the request she was by his side.
"Saber I demand you to not to keep battering and bruising my beloved master." Caster accusingly pointed at Saber.
Saber walked over to look down at the battered master. "He's never going to survive this war if you keep babying him! In war they don't distinguish it's kill or be killed!" Saber usually spoke in a harsh voice always serious but genuine.
Neil managed to pick himself up as he was being healed. "Don't be mad at him Tamamo, Saber may come off as harsh but he talks straight facts. Any bit of holding back can cost you all the war and me my life. So, I'll continue and when the fighting starts I won't be someone to protect but a master to fight alongside with."
Saber smiled something he does so rarely as he handed their master the practice sword. "An excellent speech master one I lived by being in charge of my own squad. I would have been honored for you to fight by our side!"
"Fine but know this master I'll protect you either way. Also Saber I expect you to not let things get that far."
After another two rounds of going at each other they agreed to let Neil take it easy for the rest of the day. He walked in to the kitchen to grab food to see Lancer standing by the front door like usual. 'She always doing that I can't figure out why?' He exhaled in anticipation as he walked over to her. "Hey Lancer may I ask why do you always stand watch at the front door?"
She turned around to look face to face with her master. Her piercing red eyes can stop a heartbeat. "Oh I do that a lot I guess it's just an old habit.".
"Old habit? In what regard to your legend?"
"Yes I told you before I'm Scáthach watcher of the gate. Queen of the underworld. I did nothing but guard a gate for such a long time it's just natural to do."
"Oh yeah I heard a bit of your legend before. So how did you die I heard you were unbeatable?"
"Your right I never did but your summons brought me here nonetheless." She leaned in giving him a heartfelt hug. "So I thank you for relieving me of that long bleak service."
His palms were sweaty his body hot he quickly leaned back as he couldn't handle Lancers tender embrace. 'That's dangerous especially from her and that night.' Ever since the incident the night after summoning them he'll now only refer to as black Monday he knew Lancer was going to be dangerous in a way more lethal than Caster or Archer.
Neil picked up his phone placing a call to the church of the overseer. "Hey ref question how soon can I expect the war to be in full swing?"
"Oh boy you're curious about the competition well both the sun and moon sides are still getting ready I believe they both have servants summoned already."
"So soon then the war shall begin?"
"The official start date is November 5th still until then prepare yourselves."
"That's what I'm getting ready for."
"I'm curious by the way how is it having seven servants on command?"
"Yeah draining in energy and mentally. You told me in the past a master only summoned one master but I got seven why?"
"Like I said before the grail decided that I'm just selected by it to observe and help maintain order. Speaking of which how are things on that end I imagine a lot of strife between them all."
Neil exhaled in preparation for his answer. "Well starting from the top Saber, himself isn't too bad he's a bit harsh and crude but takes charge of things when he sees fit. Archer well she's different from the others to say the least, manipulative, cold, and hot headed but overall mostly reliable. Lancer the real one in charge so to speak she helps keep order in this mess. Rider now he is at least someone fun to hang out with. Video games, movies, comics, you name it he's into it. If possible, I wish I only summoned him sometimes. Caster well she self-appointed herself as my true love so that's about all I can say about that. Assassin well I guess she's probably the most normal so I'll leave it at that. Finally, Berserker well to be frank he's weird. So that's the run down for the Twilight team."
"Interesting that'll be all for now if you lose your nerve you can surrender and seek sanctuary here."
Neil thought to himself as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "No can do unfortunately they all already counting on me and made a vow to. I never break a promise."
"Fine then you do know most of them will die right." It was something that was on his mind and knew but tried to ignore.
"I know." His voice was weak as the thoughts flooded his call ended but Neil continued to look at his phone he scrolled down looking at a contact. Katrina was the one he thought about calling. It's been a few months since he seen her but was hoping to talk to her. He just couldn't quite build up the nerve and decided against it. He wasn't sure what to say.
At night as his servants gather for status reports and dinner while Neil entered the room to see all seven gathered. They left the head of the table open for him as he approached the table.
"Hey master we got those items off the list you wanted sorry it took so long." Berserker said as he pointed to what looked like a military chest.
"It wasn't easy either but that's why you needed me as well." Assassin said as she took a seat.
Neil walked over opening the chest and smiling at the contents. He quickly pulled out an ACR assault rifle loaded it and aimed at the far wall. "Not bad thanks. The competition better not take me lightly then. We're going to war so they better get ready for the big guns." As his thoughts flashed backed to a childhood with weapons, drugs, and death. He remembered when he put down his gun and left over a year ago. 'I would have thought I left this life behind a long time ago but one more time, one more time.'
Neil Servants list
Saber (Saito Hajime)
Lancer (Scathach)
Archer (Chloe Von Eizenbern)
Rider (Edward Teach)
Caster ( Tamamo no Mae)
Bererker (Sakata Kintoki)
Assassin (Mata Hari)
Well that's chapter 1 so far. It takes place in one of the many alternative universes in the fate universe. If any of you familiar with fate kaleid you know about the alternate earth's which the grails seems to connect. That may be something to keep in mind like what happens in one of those earth's when the grail is just wished away or something like that haha. Anyway for clarification Archer is Kuro from a possible future 8 years later of that story so I figured why not. Next chapter I will still hold off until we officially begin. Which would leave time for introducing some of the other competitors. If your confused about the war set up It'll start to make sense once I do the prologue chapter. For now I have it decided that chapter 2 will be about the moon team and 3 about the sun team. I was quite frivolous with naming it since I didn't want to rip a red and black team but I decided to go with something simple. As for everyone who submitted masters and servants I wasn't able to make some pairings work sorry hopefully this all works out.
P.S. sorry about long waits but working full time and school will do that plus trying to maintain hobbies and social life.
