Author's note: This story had been conceived during my height of Fate/Zero lovin'. I had way too much fun fooling around with Lancer. Think of the fic as a Fate/Hollow Ataraxia "slice of life" kind of feel. Don't take it too seriously because I definitely did not when writing it!
Story takes place during F/Z.
Alternate Summon
Chapter 1
The air wavered in front of Tamiko. The room was dark, save for the ring of thick, waxed candles burning on the floor. In the center of the candles were markings. They were archaic and lined with words in a foreign language as old, if not older, than the meanings of the scratches on the ground.
A bodiless Tamiko floated over to the flickering candles. A hefty leather-bound tome rested in one of her hands while the other carefully palmed a sharp object. It was an ivory piece, smooth as marble, with a curved and jagged edge. Tamiko couldn't tell what this was. Perhaps an ancient relic, a statue of sorts. A marvel from ages past.
Tamiko's knowledge guided her as she flipped the browned pages of her book to her intended spot. She began to read an incantation. The short passage moved her, as its brevity alludes to unrelenting worship, heroism and loyalty.
The faint markings within the candles' boundaries pulsed with erratic, crimson light while Tamiko's words rang through the heated air. Her breath completed the last line. The symbols and words resonated as one. Bright beams shot upward, blinding her eyes, blinding her thoughts.
A misty shadow smoked from the light. She squinted, waiting for darkness to settle again.
She couldn't make out who it was, or what it was. She was awed and terrified, yet her body sang with adrenaline and anticipation.
Tamiko moved forward and reached out her hand.
Morning. Tamiko's eyes cracked open. It was a new day and still the familiar dream haunted her. Why was the subconscious such a tease, presenting her with her most desired wish? Tamiko couldn't reach it. She trained for so long, yet no results. She didn't think she ever would make it.
She closed her eyes and let the already fading images burn into her conscious memory along with hope.