The Signs of War
Fuyuki City. A peaceful city, like any other in Japan. Save for the four Holy Grail Wars that had already occurred before within its walls. Yet, miraculously it had remained untouched, unscarred by the somewhat-legendary battles amongst the Mages and their Servants. Almost as something hadn't happened.
Another Holy Grail War was about to begin.
{1 Day to War}
[Streets, Fuyuki]
The sky is bathed orange and red as she walks back home.
She'd found her father's jewel last night, in the hidden compartment. It had... More energy than she'd believed was possible to store in that jewel, in anything. Her father's last gift before he…
It was a good day, even if she had woken up a bit earlier than usual. Perhaps one good enough for her to summon her Saber.
"Tohsaka."
Ah.
"Edelfelt."
She was in her uniform, she reminded herself. And in public.
The rest of the people on the streets wisely knew to skirt around the two girls, prompted by the sudden, palpable hostile intent.
It had been a good day.
"Second Owner of Fuyuki."
"That I am. Why do you disturb me?"
The girl sniffs, "The next war falls upon your land. I thought you would need a reminder."
"I am aware. Why are you here then, if not as a useless messenger?"
The seals had... hurt; but she was a Master, and that was what mattered. She would win.
"I see. Then, as a… sign of respect to my fellow Magus, I too declare my participation in the Holy Grail War."
Unmistakable markings on the girl's hand. Seals: glowing triangles vaguely resembling a crown.
"Yo-You summoned your Servant already?"
"That I have, Tohsaka. This war shall prove which of our families is the superior, or rather original, once and for all settling our little rivalry." Luvia smirks, lowering her hand. "I await your challenge when the war starts."
"But of course." She smiles, the expression tight on her face. "I'll be sure to summon Saber and beat you, Edelfelt."
That smirk… troubled her, as she watched the Magus slip back into the crowd and disappear down the hill.
She was definitely summoning her Servant today. It was the second last night, after all, and she would have to do it soon anyway.
There was no way she was going to lose to little miss Edelfelt. No way she'd forfeit the elegance her father and those before him had fought for.
[?, Fuyuki]
"N-ngh-Gah-" His hand burns. "A-ah."
And then it stops.
"Haaah."
He'd done it.
The Command Seals etched on his hand briefly glowed, before the light faded.
Now then, time for a Servant. Thankfully, he had managed to procure a copy of the ritual. Even if he had no catalyst, he still would be able to summon a Servant, hopefully one that didn't try to kill him right off the bat.
[Clocktower, London]
"Oh? Not just Tohsaka and the Edelfelt, but Ashtana too?"
The cigar smoke is bitter, like always. A bad habit.
"I wonder, what's his wish for the Holy Grail?"
{Holy Grail War: Day 0}
[Tohsaka Manor, Fuyuki]
"2 am. We begin."
Her circuits are ready. By the moonlight, her potential and power, her magic is at its greatest. Her bank account, however, is not.
"No catalyst, but I'm sure my raw power is enough… I'll use my own strength."
Saber. The strongest class of Heroic Spirit. It would be hers. It had to be hers.
Taking a deep breath; she begins the chant.
"Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let my power be that I pay tribute to. Let my great Master Schweinorg be the ancestor.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.
Let the four cardinal gates close.
Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate.
Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill.
Shatter once filled. Repeat, repeat, repeat thrice more.
I hereby declare.
Your body shall serve under me.
My fate shall be your sword.
Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail.
If you will acquiesce to this will and this reason…Then answer!
An oath shall be sworn here-
I shall attain all the virtues of all of Heaven.
I shall have dominion over all the evils of all of Hell! From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,
Come forth from the ring of restraints,
Protector of the Holy Balance-!"
[?, ?]
"Oh? Another Servant has been summoned. But its class... What's this?"
"Grandfather?"
"Hmm? It's nothing, Sakura. Continue your training."
The worms make a sound and the girl turns away from him, immersing herself in the pit once more.
So, a Master was bold enough to attempt to summon from that Class, he mused. If even those Grail-hungry Einzberns had not dared summon something of that class, who was this Master to do so? Whoever it was, he or she must either be very brave or very stupid.
But no matter. Neither of those could challenge the sheer power the Matou were.
Immortality, truly endless life, would be his.
[?, Fuyuki]
"... Di-did it work...?"
Acrid, burnt scent of smoke. If he'd failed-
"Ah. So, I have been called."
A man seemingly sculpted from bronze, his presence subtle yet unquestionable.
"E-eh? Uh, yes. I-"
"Very well. May our time together as Master and Servant be fruitful, Master."
"U-um. Yes."
[Tohsaka Manor, Fuyuki]
Smoke. Burning, thick smoke- not unlike the times she'd burnt her apparatus. She coughs, blinks rapidly as she gestures; wind magic was wonderful at times like these- There was a figure standing there over her summoning circle. Prana produced and exhausted just by existing.
A Servant.
The smoke clears up and she finally takes a clear look at him. A tall, intimidating figure, hair of intermingled fire and snow. Tattered shirt adorns a toned body- no, she would make a good impression, dammit- and a red… cloth wrapped around his left arm. Below… jeans? What era…?
"E-eh? You're-"
He shakes his head- she hadn't even asked a question- and whispers, "Tohsaka..."
Eh?
"Who are you...?"
"I am..." The figure pauses, mental gears grinding, "Am... Avenger."
"... Shit. You aren't Saber."
Not only that, she curses, but what in the Root was an Avenger?
[?, Fuyuki]
"-perative. Come in, operative."
"Audio is fine. What are my orders?"
"Have you obtained the catalyst from the Church?"
"Not yet. I still do not see the need for this specific thing, when I already have-"
"All will be clear soon enough, Seal Designation Enforcer. Report to the Overseer in Fuyuki Church as soon as you can. Time is of the essence."
"Acknowledged."
[?, Fuyuki]
"You're a Magus, hmm?"
"Yes, Master. I am not particularly accomplished or successful, however."
"That's fine. Come, let me show you my Workshop. I'm sure you'll be amazed."
He keeps a straight face as he follows the man.
{Day 1 of Holy Grail War}[Streets, Fuyuki]
"...Avenger?"
"Yes?"
"Are you... surveying?"
"Somewhat. I- could have been a Archer Servant. Eyes were good enough."
"Huh. What's an Avenger, anyway? You didn't explain it to me." Her lips press together.
"We are spirits seeking... Retribution. Vengeance for something."
That's as good as telling her that water was wet.
"And you're looking for...?"
The Reinforcement fades and he steps back from the building's edge.
"Neither. I have obtained the layout of the town, Master."
"You haven't answered my question, you know- I still know next to nothing about your class, especially since all you give me are these vague answers that can be inferred by anyone who hears the word Avenger! I can't- I can't fight with you until I know what you're capable of, dammit!"
She huffs, catching her breath.
"Ugh. It's like you're not even trying to win this war."
"But-"
"No. You- I expect you to give me a full rundown of your abilities and skills, as well as explain what the heck an Avenger is, by tomorrow. Or so help me, I will force it out of you."
With that, she turns on her heel and strides back towards the stairs.
Had she turned around, she would have seen Avenger's eyes, filled with amusement yet uncertain recognition.
