Author's notes: Hello! I realize I have been away for awhile, but before I say anything, I want to make it clear that I am in no way abandoning the Demon of Zero, for anyone who was reading it. In fact, the next chapter is almost complete! I have, however, always wanted to write something set within the Nasuverse. Particularly; Fate. I absolutely love the endless potential for new, exciting stories that could take place within a world where you can summon heroes from any place or time! I'm sure, for anyone familiar, could already see the massive influences in the Demon of Zero. In any case, here's the beginning of my attempt at borrowing on Nasu's ideas for a new story. I've tried to be really diverse with the "Heroic Spirits" I've brought into this story. This is, in fact, a crossover. But I didn't label it as such, since it's a LOT of crossovers in one, and I don't want to spoil the names of the Servants that way! See if you can figure out who they are!
This is the beginning. Three different Masters origin stories within the sixth Holy Grail War. What drives them? What is their purpose? Read and find out!
Oh, and of course, I do not own Fate/Stay Night or any other copyrighted IPs or characters that may or may not show up in this story. They are property of their respective creators etc.
And, as always, I encourage your input! Telling me where I suck helps me be better!
ANYWAY!
Without further adieu, I bring you, Fate/Cursed Grail!
Chapter 0.
Fate/Beginning
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
The sound of her first heart beats in the outside world can be heard. A child so small, it could be held within the palms of your hands. Such a beautiful thing; the beginning of life. They hold endless possibilities within their arms. They could be anything.
However, the wheels of fate are not always so kind.
"Very good", an old, ignoble voice says as he walks over to the unconscious mother and places the child in his hands. "She is a good one!", he says as he places his finger on her stomach and affectionately tickles her. "Yes, Lukas, come and share your thoughts", he says his words directed at the sickly man in a wheelchair, hooked to several assisted-living devices.
"Yes, brother", he says as he places his weak had on the child's head. "This one… is the one. We've waited so many years, brother, for the perfect homunculi", he says with a crooked smile.
"Yes, Lukas. The Grail has begun to manifest. We must make haste if we wish this child to be fully prepared", he says as he hands the child to the maid who was watching over the mother. "Leysfritt, your duty is now transferred to this one".
"Yes, Lord Einsbern", she says with a polite bow.
"Now, as for you", he says as he looks down on the beautiful mother with fair skin and beautiful white hair. "You were a failure, but not a complete one. You managed to give birth to this child, so I shall reward you promptly, homunculi", he says as he places his wrinkled, cold hands upon her throat.
Crack.
The sound can be heard in an echo; the sound of her slender neck – laden with her snow white hair - breaking.
"A reward fit for a life no longer worth living", he says as he looks upon the no longer breathing body. "Leysfritt, bring the child to the chambers we prepared for it. We will give you 10 minutes to feed and clean the child before we will begin the training", to which she nods and exits the room.
"Training… Brother…", the sickly man calls out. "Is it not… too soon?".
"Haha. She is not human, Lukas. Have no worries, she is just a weapon. We need only that it is a powerful magi and a superior Master", the man says with a devilish glow.
"Y… yes, brother", the man says as he exits the room behind the maid.
"This time… Victory will be, without question, ours…", the elderly man says as he looks out the window.
*scene*
Five years later.
Time has no meaning in a room with no light. Time has no meaning to a weapon, whose only existence is that of death and pain. Brachial plexus; strike. Stun. Cerebellum; strike. Kill. Jugular; cut. Kill. Heart; pierce. Kill. Lungs; pierce. Kill. Radial nerve; strike. Stun. Thigh; cut. Kill. Knee; strike. Stun.
Kill.
Victory.
Kill.
Victory.
Kill.
Purpose.
This word has become law. This word has become her very existence. She doesn't know what it means, but that doesn't matter. She just knows that is her purpose, and that's all that matters.
"HUUUUAAAAAAAAAAGGGGNNNNNN", she shouts at the top of her tiny lungs as her Magical Circuits are overloaded and burnt out.
"Yes, scream, child", the old man says as he fiddles with his tools. "Your screams are the symphony of our future", he says as takes the sharp tool in his hand and places it upon her chest. "Now, scream again, little one. Scream so I know you are alive", he says with a grin.
"AAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGG", she screams as tears fill her eyes as the elderly magus does his work.
"Makiri may have been a fool in the end, but his techniques were not entirely without merit", he says grabs a large, squirming insect from an object to his side.
"Brother... Are you sure she is ready?", Lukas says to the man standing over a tortured girl's body.
"Of course, Lukas", he says as he turns to him with a smile. "This creature is beyond what Makiri could create… but so is the child. She is strong, and she has been ordered to survive. This is our last chance, Lukas. If we do not make her stronger, we will never obtain the Holy Grail. You know this, my brother. You know it well", he says as he looks upon the contraptions that Lukas is attached to.
"I… I do understand, brother… It's just that, if she dies here, then it was all for-", he is interrupted by a powerful amount of force. His brother has struck him with a powerful wind spell. He has be thrown all the way across the dark room and no longer hold onto his consciousness.
"Stupid fool", he says as he turns back to the girl with the open chest. "As if the weak could understand us. Right, my Lily?", he asks the heaving child. Responded to only by the terrifying cries she makes as he places the creature in the wound.
*scene*
Thirteen years later.
Never once did the girl beg. Never once did she beg the man to stop with his insidious 'training'. Never once did she complain. Eventually, she even stopped screaming, as well. Only lying motionless as the man did his work.
She is perfect.
A killing machine without equal. In her eyes, there is no emotion. In her heart, only blood resides. She does not speak. She has never even left this room, but she only exists to kill.
"You are beautiful, Lily", the man says as he affectionately looks upon her. "You have made me proud, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do so", he smiles a wide smile as he places his hand upon her tiny head. "Even in this darkness, you shine with a brilliant light".
"Bro…ther…", Lukas speaks with a brittle voice. "I….it…. is ti….time", he squeezes out.
"Yes, Lukas", he says as he turns to the magical circle placed on the ground from the girl's own blood. "Do not strain yourself. Lily", he calls to her. "It is time, summon the Heroic Spirit who will serve you. Summon Berserker!", he says as he lifts his hand and points to the circle.
The plan this time is slightly different than the fifth War. They intend to summon Berserker, and place a Mad Enhancement spell upon him as they did before. However, using artifacts to summon specific Servants has proved futile in the past. This time, they intend to rely on their Master. She is cold and powerful. No doubt that a Servant like her would be just as deadly. They have chosen to rely of fate.
However, the wheels of fate are not always so kind.
"Begin your chant", he says as he steps back.
Lily, for the first time in thirteen years, uses her voice. Nothing more than a whisper, she speaks the magical words of power. And powerful, they were. It begins with a small gust of wind, then transforms into a torrent of power. Light brighter than she has ever seen floods the room and hurts her eyes. It hurts, but she does not wince with pain. She only stares into the magic with her first emotion; curiosity.
Slowly, but surely, the recognizable figure of a human being rises from the stony earth. As the light and wind begin to fade, the elderly man relights the small candles around the circle that lit the room. The figure is not large, but any true magus would know that this does not matter. She is something far beyond human. With short, blue hair and blue eyes, and a noble white and blue uniform, she stands there; dignified and holy as if she were a knight of Sir Arthur himself.
"Very good, it is done", the old man says. "This is our Berserker, Lukas!", he says with his arms out to the side as if the being was his very own creation.
"Excuse me…", the figure speaks. The old man is visibly awestruck when she does. This is ridiculous, after all, this is Berserker with a Mad Enhancement spell! How could she possibly speak in such a way? "Are you my Master?", she says as she squints into the dimly lit room, unable to see the small girl sitting in front of her very well.
"I…I…", Lily tries to speak, however she is cut off by the voice of the old man.
"Ahem", the old man speaks. "I am the head of the family; I will speak for the child", he says as he walks toward Berserker. "You are… Berserker, are you not?".
The Servant merely stares, and returns her gaze upon the child.
"Once again, and I am speaking only to you, are you my Master?", she says as she walks forward.
"Ahhh…", she hears the child trying to speak, but it is only a whisper.
"Huh? Speak up, I can't… hear…", she walks forward and is interrupted as Lily finally comes into view, and lets out a bloody cough instead. "Wha… What the hell is this?", she says as she runs up to her Master and examines her closely. "Wha…".
What she sees mortifies her. Before her sits a girl in a tattered dress that one can assume was once white. It is now stained with blood and various other body fluids, and reeks as if not washed in years. The girl is covered in scars, her eyes empty and red with veins. Her white hair is frizzed and unkempt. She looks as if she would stand slightly over five foot tall, but could be no more than 60 pounds. And underneath the skin on her chest can be seen something grotesque swimming through her body.
She turns to the old man behind her.
"What the hell is going on…?", she moves toward the silent old man. "Hey… Answer me!", she says as she slams her fist into the wall.
"I will be happy to explain, but first, what class are you?", he says as he fearlessly looks the Heroic Spirit in the eyes.
"…I am Berserker", she says after a moment.
"Then how is it that you retain your sanity?", he asks.
"No, it is my turn for an answer, why is my Master in this condition?", she says as her volume gets louder.
"Do you not feel it?", the old man says as he walks towards Lily. "The power coming from my creation… My beautiful granddaughter. It is superb. I am so proud", he says as he places his hand upon her head affectionately.
"You did this… on purpose, then?", she says as she stares at her Master, who returns the look. "Master… I…".
"Please, do not be sentimental. She is but a tool. It's the reason we created her in the first place. I mean, haha, she's not even human!", he says with a genuine laughter. And that's when it happens. Before the man can even comprehend what is happening, he finds himself against the wall and in unbelievable pain.
"Heh…hehe…", he hears a frightening, insidious laughter from his bleeding ears. "Not… human? Hah… He hue hehehe!", she says as she looks up to the now-broken old man, who finally sees it. "You have… no idea… hehe… the monster you have… heh… created…".
This girl… This… Berserker… walking with abnormal stature and skin as black as a void, has the red eyes of a demon.
"Hahahahahahahahaha!", the girl screams out a maniacal laughter befitting the devil himself as she leaps toward the soon-to-be corpse.
Splash.
It is the sound of death; blunt force to the skull, releasing the innards of a working mind.
"Ehehe~", she laughs without passion. "So this is what it looked like…". And with that, she turns to the other man, bedridden and attached to various machines that retain his life and speaks, "you… are you guilty as well?".
Lukas, long a coward, truly speaks for the first time; with tears in his eyes, "…yes…".
"Ohhhh…", Berserker walks forward to the side of Lukas' bed. "Do you desire… penance?".
The old man looks towards the holy demon, and for the first time in his life, he speaks with pride, "…I…Do…".
"HeahaheahahaAHhahHAHAHAHAHA!", she begins laughing uncontrollably. "I LIKE YOU", she says as she begins to pound him with her fists. "HAHAHAHA! PENNANCE IS EASY! IT'S SO EASY THAT IT'S FUN! HAHAHAHHEAEHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!", she cackles uncontrollably as she repeatedly crushes the weak, old man's body. "Hahahaha! HE'S STILL MOVING! HAHAHAHAHAHA! IT'S FUNNY LOOKING!", she continues to crush him, sending blood and bone in every direction; covering her beautiful, noble, blue clothing with red death. She continues pounding him, until something happens; a tiny hand begins to tug weakly at her shirt. "Haaaa~?", she turns to see her young Master the same look in her eyes. "Wha…", her demonic appearance returns to its former noble appearance.
"Sto…p…", the young girl speaks as loudly as she can. "You…are…wasting….energy…".
Is this it? Is that the only thought this girl has at seeing what she just saw? Her only concern is being wasteful with energy?
"Master…", Berserker says as she immediately recovers from her fit and pulls her into a hug. "I'm… so sorry", she begins to cry.
"Wha…", Lily is taken aback. What is her Servant doing? Why is she holding her? Is there some reason for it?
"He… never even held you, did he?", her Servant asks an odd question. "He… called you beautiful… but he never even held you!", Berserker begins to cry. What is this? What's happening? Why does this feel so strange? She doesn't understand. She doesn't understand why her eyes hurt, and her throat grows dry and feels as if a lump has formed in it. She doesn't understand why… but her arms instinctively wrap around her Servant in return.
"We'll win…", Berserker says through her teeth. "I couldn't do it before… but I won't fail… Not again… Master… you will hold the power of a wish within your hands… I swear it… on my sword…", the Servant tries desperately to speak through her tears. Lily doesn't understand… if it's so hard to speak while crying, why doesn't she just stop?
"Are you… in pain…?", she asks her Servant. "I remember… pain… used to make me… cry… Grandfather can… fix it…", she says weakly.
"A… I… Master…", Berserker has no words to say.
"But… I am not in… pain… I think… So, why…? Why are my… eyes… wet…?", she whispers into her Servant's ear, to which her reply is simple; she only holds on tighter.
After a few moments, Berserker speaks.
"Let's go, Master", she whispers to the snow fairy. "It is a long journey to Japan".
And with that, for Berserker and her Master, the Holy Grail War begins.
Class: Berserker
True Name: Unknown
Strength: Unknown
Endurance: Unknown
Agility: Unknown
Magic: Unknown
Luck: Unknown
Noble Phantasm: Uknown
Abilites: Unknown.
*scene*
A name can be a very powerful thing. It can carry things like 'pride' and 'duty'. But above all, a name gives purpose.
Tohsaka.
A name heard throughout every Holy Grail War.
A name of magi.
A name of pride.
The current head of the Tohsaka family is the young Tohsaka Saito. Barely into his twenties, this is a hefty responsibility hanging upon his shoulders. But he is not without wisdom. He understands what is at stake here. This is not a game.
"Haaa", he lets out a deep breath. "This is wrong", he says to himself. "In the diaries… the War should have ended with the Fifth. How, then, is a Grail manifesting itself now?", he begins to pace nervously as he reads aloud the diaries of a certain young lady.
"Tohsaka Rin; the last Tohsaka Master. She documented well the journey of the 'final' Holy Grail War. The Grail; a corrupted existence of foul sorcery, it is a lie", he rubs his forehead in frustration. "She lists little details… but it states clearly that the Grail was destroyed, and the War should have ended… Where did you go wrong, Rin… The way she fondly writes of her memories, and speaks of sacrificing something she found very precious to achieve it… There's no way she would have lied… Damn it, what the hell is going on?", he tosses the diary onto the sofa in his study.
"It is my duty then, I suppose. Rin… I will bring honor to our name… I will not let this precious sacrifice you made have been in vain", he says as he walks to the end of the study. On the ground here is a powerful spell. It was once used one hundred years ago to summon a Heroic Spirit… A Servant. A man Rin lists in her writings to be a stoic knight in a red cloak. He was powerful and bold. And despite being difficult, he was – without doubt – a hero.
"Sacrifice…", he whispers a lonely word. "It is a beautiful thing…".
As was his forebear, Tohsaka Saito is very skilled with jewels and storing mana within them. He takes his most powerful possession, just as Tohsaka Rin did, and prepares the ritual. "I challenge you, Holy Grail", he says as he begins to focus his power. "To a duel to the death!", and releases a torrent of energy.
He begins his mystical chant of powerful, magic words, to which the magic grows stronger.
This is it!
"Come! The most powerful Servant! SABER!", he shouts with the ferocity of a warrior!
Boom!
An explosion so bright that it almost drowns out the sound. Saito is sent flying into a bookshelf. As he begins to regain his vision after having blacked out for a moment, he looks up to see a magical sight. A figure stands shrouded within a veil of dust and magical energy, wearing black, beautiful armor and a long, flowing cloak. He is massive, standing nearly two meters tall with arms as wide as Saito's torso. With one eye, and what appears to be a weapon underneath the large cloak, this man has an aura of intimidation, that's for sure.
Saito can hardly believe the scene before him. The overwhelming power of the being before him is literally impossible for him to comprehend. It is something like human, but far, far beyond. In fact, he is terrified. As the man places his demon-like gaze upon him, he seizes up with overwhelming fear. This is not a man, it is a monster.
"You", the beast before him speaks with a deep, powerful voice. "Are you my Master?".
Saito cannot speak. His knees quiver as he tries to stand. It is as if the devil himself stands before him.
"Hey, boy!", the man yells in an almost out of character way. "I'm asking you, are you my Master?", he begins to step forward.
"I…", Saito tries to speak. "I… am…".
"Oh? Well, that took you long enough. You were scared by my appearance, huh? Great, looks like I got summoned to a coward. We're in trouble if you can't even look at your partner without quivering in fear", the man scoffs as he crosses his arms and looks down with a sigh.
"Wha… Coward!", Saito forgets every ounce of fear he had and steps to the man with haste. "How dare you speak to your Master that way! How dare you call me a coward!", he stares intently into the large man's eyes.
"Well, you were curled up in a ball. If you weren't scared, then what the hell were you fuckin' doing?", the man says as he flicks his Master on the forehead… and sends him flying back a few feet.
"Hey… That hurt!", Saito shouts at the man. "Anyway… I wasn't scared, okay? I was just… resting. The summoning took a lot of energy!", he shouts as his face turns slightly red.
"So you're not a coward, just weak?", the man smiles slightly. "It's like someone placed a baby-sitting curse upon me, I swear", the man turns away from Saito as if to say he is not worthy to be before him.
"You dirty son of a bitch!", Saito yells as he begins chanting a spell. "I'll show you who's weak!", and casts a powerful curse, compressed into a projectile, in the man's direction.
Boom!
An explosion of light and dust overtakes the room.
"Ah… shit…", Saito says to himself as he stares at the location the man stood, currently covered in dust. And then, a figure begins to form. The man stands, unharmed, with a massive sword over two meters long before him, stabbed into the ground… and used for a shield. Really, it's better to call it a slab of iron more than a sword.
Behind the shield, that is what matters. The man's face, this time, is truly that of a demon. His single eye wide open, and smiling a sinister smile that is almost literally ear from ear. This smile alone would be enough to calm the devil. "Oh…", Saito has no words. In a rage, he used his most powerful attack that would literally disintegrate a human being, and this incredibly powerful being now stands before him, unharmed, with the devil's smile.
"Heh heh…", the man lets out an unexpected laugh as he returns to standing, making no aggression. "This is the kind of Master I can't call a coward", he says with a small chuckle as he returns his sword to its resting place.
"Haaaa!", Saito lets out. "Aren't you going to… kill me?", he says in confusions.
"What the hell for? I'd disappear. I just wanted to see if you had what it takes, boy. You're young, a little headlong, but sure as hell you're no coward", he says as he walks to Saito. "In fact, I approve of this kind of Master", he says as he politely reaches out his hand, as if to shake.
And when they lock hands, a powerful pain assaults Saito's right hand.
"And so our contract is complete, Master", the man says. "I am Saber".
"Ah…", Saito is still slightly left at odds with the situation. "So I succeeded…".
"Indeed, Master. I suppose I should tell you this now, I'm probably not anybody you know and my abilities are nothing special. However, I'll be the one to teach you a valuable lesson, boy", he says as his stern expression turns to that of a soft smile. "That power is not the only path to victory".
"Saber…", he says as he looks at the man with awe. Just who the hell is this guy? Such a personality… And such power. He speaks humbly, but there's no way he is just 'average'. No. No way. But, it doesn't matter right now. The War hasn't actually started yet, and there's plenty of time to get acquainted with his abilities… But first…
"Saber…", he says to the man looking around the study. "What's your real name?".
There is a pause.
"My name's kind of irrelevant, right? I mean, you won't know me, and my abilities are more important. It's not that I care to tell you my history, Master, it's just that the time would be much better used discussing tactics", he says to the boy, he looks down slightly. "However, I can tell you whatever you wish to know when we have free time. For now, though, there is a lot to do".
"Ah, you're right, Saber", Saito says, rejuvenated. "Let's look around, the War hasn't started, but if we're lucky we'll run into another Master and we can discover more about them. Less than that, you'll be able to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. This will be our most powerful weapon, Saber. Information wins Wars over guns and swords", he says with firm eyes. Saber is genuinely surprised at his Master.
"…Yes… This is the kind of Master I can approve of", he says as he places a book he was looking at back onto the bookshelf. "Then let's waste no more time!". Saito smiles with a nod, and heads with his Servant into the dark, cold streets of Fuyuki City; to the heart of the Holy Grail War.
Class: Saber
True name: Unknown
Strength: Unknown
Endurance: Unknown
Agility: Unknown
Magic: Unknown
Luck: Unknown
Noble Phantasm: Unknown
Abilities: Unknown
*scene*
"Senpai…", Matou Sakura says as she stares longingly at the kitchen of the Japanese-style home. "You sacrificed everything to destroy the Grail; to save me. This isn't right…", she says as she furrows her brow.
"Sakura", a cool, kind voice calls out with affection. "Please do not lament over the past. Shirou did not sacrifice himself so you would feel bad", the tall, beautiful woman with long, light purple hair says.
"Onee-san… But…", she says as she looks up to the Heroic Spirit with pleading eyes. Long ago, after the tragic sacrifice of the hero Emiya Shirou, Matou Sakura was left without purpose in this world. She eventually made up with Tohsaka Rin – her sister by blood – but she never truly recovered from the loss. However, one person was there for her no matter what the situation. One person was always there… Rider from the fifth Grail War – the spirit of the legendary Medusa – cared deeply for the young Sakura. When there was nothing else, there was Medusa. Even with the corrupted Holy Grail destroyed, Medusa had a wish that only Sakura could fulfill. Given Sakura's nature, more mana flows through her being than she knows what to do with. Enough so that she was able to maintain several Servants at once during the fifth Holy Grail War. So, it was only natural that Medusa would stay in this world. After all, they both found happiness with each other. Sakura had even gone as far to take up Medusa as her figurative older sister, calling her with an affectionate 'Onee-san'. And of course, figuratively speaking, they are nothing less than the closest of sisters. Also, given Sakura's nature, she has not aged a day in over one hundred years.
"I understand, Sakura", Medusa says. "Then we must fig-", before she can finish, Sakura lets out a scream.
"No!", she grabs onto Medusa's hand and looks into her Mystical Eyes. "I won't let you fight!".
"Sakura… I don't understand. After all, you are my Master, and a Holy Grail War approaches!", she says earnestly to the young girl.
"No… Onee-san, you haven't even fought anything in a century! We've been living in luxury and peace… Even if you're stronger than a human, with your skills dulled so, how do you plan to match other Servants! I don't want you to get hurt!", she says as Medusa furrows her brow.
"Are you saying I'm too weak to match other Servants?", she says as she pulls her hand away and places both of them on her hips.
"No… I'm just saying that I don't want you to fight. Nee-san is gone… Senpai is gone… I would have been alone and in nothing but despair if it wasn't for you. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you!", Medusa's expression softens. "Please… Let me summon someone else to fight for us!".
"Sakura… I'm sorry, I was disregarding your feelings", she says as she places her hand once again on Sakura's. "Then at least promise me that you will let me protect you. The Servant you summon can do the fighting… but I want to be there if you need me. Let me serve as a guardian if nothing else", she says earnestly.
"Oh… Onee-san…", Sakura lets out a sigh. "Only if you promise me that you will not die!", she says with a huff.
"Of course", Medusa says with a smile. "Anything you say, my Master".
*scene*
Shortly after, Medusa was stricken with an idea. "Do you really think it's possible, Onee-san?", Sakura asks with hope unending.
"Yes… It is possible. We don't really know how his final moments were other than he saved us all. He was powerful, bold, kind, and above all, he knew the nature of the Holy Grail. Without a doubt, a man like him could not refuse to become a Heroic Spirit. This is only speculation though, Sakura", she says with what seems to be little emotion. "But… it would be good if we could summon him… We fought well together, and he is a Hero I can approve of for your Servant".
"But, Onee-san, how would we summon him? If it's possible… What would be the catalyst?", Sakura asks desperately.
"Sakura", Medusa says firmly. "You can't seriously be asking that. Why did he do what he did in the first place? There's no greater catalyst than you yourself. If use your blood, I have no doubt that it will be him you summon", she says as she places her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Have faith, Master".
"Yeah…", Sakura says with a forced smile. Then let's begin preparations. It's been a long time since I've used magic other than sustaining you, so I might need some help in setting everything up".
"Leave it to me, Sakura".
*scene*
Sakura begins chanting the words of magic required for the spell. The circle in front of her, laden with blood itself, is the only thing illuminated within the room. She holds her bleeding wrist over the circle as a catalyst, and Medusa stands behind her, ever watchful. As she progresses in her spell, despite her weakening state from lack of blood, magic begins to fill the air. At first it's slowly, but increases exponentially. The air goes from a slight gust to enough to lift Sakura from the ground. The light becomes too great to stare at. Her weakening state in combination with these two is enough to send her back. Luckily, Medusa was prepared for such a thing and ensured that she landed softly. She is, however, unconscious. It is to be expected, of course. She has not used a spell this powerful in a century.
It is of no concern, though. Medusa is here.
The light begins to settle with the dust. Medusa knows it; within this dusty mess stands a being of damn incredible power, it far surpasses her own. It feels entirely different from the Emiya Shirou she knows. Although, that is to be expected; he would be a Heroic Spirit this time. A Servant.
A figure begins to emerge from the dust, standing at a height similar to her own. Though he is not overwhelmingly tall, his stature is incredible. The sheer amount of force Medusa feels is almost suffocating. And then, his figure is full.
"Rider?", he hears a familiar exclamation. "Just what kind of world did I get summoned to?", he says with a comic disposition.
"Emiya Shirou…", she says with true awe. In all honesty, she didn't legitimately expect it was possible. She knows that the chance was there, but her hopes were not high. "Welcome home, Shirou", she says with a genuine smile. Enough to make the Servant blush.
"What… What's going on?", he says with curiosity. "You're not my Master… are you? How would that work?", he says as he scratches his head.
Medusa giggles at this gesture that causes her so much nostalgia. "No, Shirou. I am not your Master. But speaking of… There is someone who really cannot wait to meet you", she says as she gestures to Sakura on the couch, asleep. "It's a shame that she lost consciousness, as she was so eager. However, I believe that it would be… cute… if you were the one to wake her".
"S….Sakura", Shirou says with an incredible astonishment. "Sakura… Summoned me?", he says as he slowly walks to her.
"Indeed. It would seem that you failed, Emiya Shirou. The Grail is reforming", she stops him in his tracks.
"What?", he says in an agitated voice. "I destroyed it! How is it-", he is cut off by his fellow Heroic Spirit.
"It does not matter, Shirou. We must look forward. Sakura has resolved to carry on the will that died with you, it is our job to see that she succeeds", she says as she begins to smile. "But for now, it's enough to see you again", to which Shirou lets out a small blush.
"Yeah… You too, Rider", he says as he scratches his head again.
"Medusa", she says to the Hero.
"Huh?", he replies.
"When we're alone, I would ask that you call me by my name. Medusa", she says to him.
"M…Medusa?", he says in a curious way. "You know, I always wondered but never got the chance to ask. Aren't you supposed to have snakes growing from your head?", he asks Medusa.
"Wha…!", she is almost physically stunned. "Where did you hear such a thing?".
"Oh… Well, it's in all the legends… that you had an appearance like that", he replies timidly.
"… I take it back, you aren't allowed to say my name!", she says as she turns away from him and crosses her arms with a slight pout.
"Haha", Shirou can't help but laugh. "It seems like you've really loosened up since we last spoke. How long has it been, anyway?".
"About one hundred years", she says something that blows him away.
"What? One hundred years? And you're still here?", he says in surprise.
"Of course! Sakura has supplied me with all the mana I need to sustain myself. And it seems she doesn't age, I assume because of her unique circumstances", she says as she returns her sheathed eyes into his direction.
"So, you've been together this long?", he says as he walks over to Sakura. "Thank you…", he says as he places his hand on her head. "It's nice to know… that I left her in good hands", he smiles.
"Shirou…", the stray Servant Rider calls his name. "She will cry when she sees you, you know? She has waited more than a lifetime for this moment. I do hope that you… understand that", she says as she turns away again.
"Of course…", he says with a smile. "I've been waiting, too…", as he leans in to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead. For some reason, Medusa cannot bring herself to smile.
*scene*
A brilliant display of power; fire and destruction devour all around her. The screams of men, women and children fill her ears.
"What is this?", she thinks to herself. "Why am I here… what was I doing…?".
She steps forward into the destruction. She sees burnt mothers huddled over their children; she sees innocent house pets burnt into oblivion. She sees death, pain and destruction. It is overwhelming. She cannot understand what is going on; why would something like this happen? Who could do something like this? Why isn't there help? People are dying!
Except for one man; a man who has a look of unbelievable guilt. He walks through the rubble taking in the life disappearing before him. He looks on in anguish as he examines bodies thrown about. This man, he is different, yet familiar.
"I feel like I know him…", she thinks to herself as she tries to move forward. But her legs do not respond. "Wha…?", she thinks to herself with an expression of surprise. She suddenly finds herself lying on her back within the destruction. The man that she saw before comes into her vision; overlooking her motionless body.
"This man… is he… smiling?", she thinks to herself. "I feel safe… this man is going to save me, isn't he?". It's strange. Before, when she saw him from afar, he looked so… small. Now, he looks like a hero.
This man… I feel like I know him well…
His name is…
"Sakura?", the voice of the familiar face calls out to her. "Are you finally awake?".
"Emiya Shirou…", she says out loud.
"Haha, so you didn't forget my name, huh?", the man says with a small chuckle.
"Wha…?", she finally realizes where she is. "Sen….pai?", she says.
"I'm home, Sakura", he says with his usual smile, as if he was only gone on a small trip. It's funny, it's almost like… he was never even gone.
"S…s…s…", she loses the ability to speak over the tears that begin to flow from her eyes. "Seeeenpaaaaaiiii!", she cries as if she were a child and throws her arms around him. "Uwaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh".
"I know I'm not that good-looking, but I never thought it'd be enough to make a girl cry!", he says a small joke as he throws his arms around her in response. "It's really good to see you again, Sakura", he whispers in her ear.
"Uwaaaaahhhhhh", she just continues crying for several minutes before she can finally collect herself enough to speak. "So… It worked…? You're my Servant, Senpai?", she asks as she wipes a tear from her eye.
"Of course!", he beats his chest with his fist. "As if I'd let anyone else! Oh… but Rider's okay!", he says as he looks to her and smiles, to which she just looks away as if to say he's the one that's not worthy. "Haha, how cold".
"Ehehe", she lets out a gentle giggle. "Senpai is finally home…".
"Sakura… we're not in school anymore", he says with a sigh. "Call me Shirou… Well, at least when we're alone", she goes red over the face when he says that. "Oh! I forgot, my class. I'm Archer! Imagine that, huh?", he says as if it were a joke.
"Archer…", Sakura says. "The Grail really has returned, hasn't it?", she says with a bit of sorrow, as that is why her beloved Emiya Shirou sacrificed himself, after all.
"It seems so, but don't worry, I haven't failed yet", he says as he stands up to be what looks like a giant. "Thanks to you, Sakura, I have not failed. I will protect you, I swear", he says as his eyes form that rare intensity that makes Emiya Shirou one that should be feared. "But you have to promise me that you will not use that dark magic within you, Sakura. Rider and I will ensure that victory comes to you. Understand?".
"…Yes, Senpai", she says as she puts her head down.
"Shirou!", he shouts as he taps her on the head. "In any case, what do you guys say we go take a look around the city? We may learn something about an enemy, but above that, I want to see how the city has changed!", he says as he runs to the door.
"He's exactly the same…", Medusa says. "Isn't this great, Sakura?", she says to the girl staring longingly at the door.
"Yes… It's like the past century has just been a long dream…", she smiles as she places her hands over her heart. "Then why… does it hurt?", she says with an empty expression.
"Sakura…", Medusa is taken aback. Why would it hurt? "I… don't know. Perhaps it is the inevitable parting that comes with any meeting. Do not think about that, Sakura. Embrace what you have, before it's gone… I know those feelings too well…", Medusa says as she thinks back to her sisters that she loved, yet killed with her own hands. "Sometimes, the mystery of a monster is that they long only for affection…".
"Onee-san…?", Sakura looks up to her.
"Oh, it's nothing!", she steps forward. "We're going to lose him if we don't hurry", she says to Sakura as she exits the room.
"Inevitable parting… huh?", Sakura says to herself. "Things have changed. I won't let that happen. Senpai is mine! I won't let him disappear again! I don't care what it takes!", she says to herself. "Oh… I should hurry!", she says as she skips out of the room with a smile.
"Seeeenpaaaiiii~", she sings as she did when she spent those precious moments of youth with him as a teenager.
Class: Archer
True Name: Emiya Shirou
Strength: Unknown
Endurance: Unknown
Agility: Unknown
Magic: Unknown
Luck: Unknown
Noble Phantasm: Unknown
Abilities: Unknown
*scene*
As Servants and Master come together for the Holy Grail War; a century of peace has ended and a new story begins. What is the secret of this new, impossible Holy Grail?
