Fate-Rongodamiant

by Legends Storyteller

Twelve years after the fifth Holy Grail War, a new one begins. However, the rules aren't quite the same. Twenty-one Servants. Twenty-one Masters. Three Factions striving to gather the Grail Shards scattered around the world: the Masters of Red from the Mage's Association; the Master of Black from New Edge; the mysterious Masters of White.

2. Chapter I: Blood Red

Life, n. : 1. The quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. 2. A principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings. 3. The sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existance of an individual.

And the list goes on, with so many ways to define the word 'life'. Yet, the guy who came up with them apparently never had the idea of adding a single definition with two very simple words: 'not fair'. Yep, life was many thing, but if there was something it definitely wasn't it would be 'fair'. It wasn't even a matter of how 'cruel is the world' or of how 'people are just monster' or none of that crap. Life was fundamentally unfair in the mere fact that people would lead completely different ones whther they want it or not. Whether they realize it or not.

Some would have a straight line of a life, without any surprise and not the slightest twist, calm waters without disturbance. They could be happy with it or not, it didn't matter here. Meanwhile, right next to them there are poor souls who just can't catch a break, either in misery or in happiness, or in both mixed together. Life just loved to throw curveballs at them, and each time the ball would be invisible. And the worst part was that it was all cumulative; a happy occurence wouldn't erase a sad turn of events, because life wasn't a math problem and things like that would just keep piling on.

All in all, life was a sadist. And because it was such a sadist, right now a poor boy was freezing to death while sitting at a cafe.

"Brrrbrr! Ugh, what is Oncle Michael doing?! 'Wait for me outside' my ass! That bastard, does he actually want me to be an ice cream by the time he gets here?!"

That was the unfortunate poor soul, Leo. Actually, his full name was Leonidas Argas, but not that he would usually admitt it openly. At best, he would present himself as Leo Argas, but he would always cut his first name short. That was one of the things life didn't go easy on him about. Someone's name was very important, and when it was this peticular one would either grow to hate it or to love it. Leo hated it. Granted, he wasn't the only one with a name that would attract attention, and he was the only one who thought it was a bother.

But how could he not?

'Leonidas' was two things: a famous king and a brand of chocolate shops; both inspired grandeur and expectation. Leo was neither and wanted neither. He wasn't yearning for extra attention, on the contrary. He wanted a more normal name, which was why he'd ask everyone to call him by his nickname, Leo. People didn't make comments about it and could hardly make jokes with that. It was perfect. Michael, the man Leo was waiting for, had understood that and was calling him by nickname, so all was good. Speaking of him, what was taking him so long?! People inside the cafe and those walking down the street were looking at him like curious animals. Leo couldn't blame them since he was sitting outside the cafe in the dead of winter, quite clearly freezing and the cofee he had commanded was already cold.

Anyway, back to himself, Leo didn't like his name. A special name for a special person, and a normal name for a normal person. He was a normal person...!...is what he would have loved to say, but even in this aspect life sucker punched him in the guts, didn't it?

Leonidas Argas: average-looking teenager and also your local magus. Well, 'local' might not be the most appropriate word here since there were more than one magus around. No surprise here; this was the city of London, meaning the Clock Tower and all its students and teachers were walking around like normal citizens. Being a magus was another side of his life that Leo hated. The reason was because being one them was the cause of half his problems. Take his name for exemple: every magi ever had a weird ass name that would be unbelievable otherwise. Although in that aspect he was pretty well-off, that didn't mean Leo didn't hold a grudge for it.

But because magi lived and interacted mostly between themselves with little care for the masses, the name problem didn't bother them. They probably never experienced it, instead taking pride in having some novel characters' names. The thing was, Leo wasn't like them. He didn't like them at all, even though he had already been student at the Clock Tower for a whole year. He felt like a stranger in this world he didn't get to grow up in. But wait, there was more: the icing on the cake was that not only he had to study in this hierarchical society that was constantly like a political drama, but he wasn't from some no-name magus family. Not like he was from the cream of the crop either, but the name of Argas wasn't without influence depending on where you asked. Meaning some people would try to leech off him and gain his favor or something.

Anyway, the conclucion of all that was that he didn't like his name and he was cold, so life was really unfair. QED.

"Achoo! Sigh, and the worst is life decided to drop one more problem in my hands. Whatever, should I call him to check if he isn't dead?" Leo mused, for unlike most magi he and Michael possessed a mobile phone and knew how to use one.

By the way, as for what Michael's relationship with Leo was, the two were uncle and nephew. Michael Argas, whom Leo hadn't seen ever since he left for London more or less one year prior to this day, had suddenly called him to announce he was also at the Clock Tower instead of still being in France like Leo expected him to be. He also asked to meet him out there, which was the reason why Leo was risking his life in the cold right now. Although they had a touchy subject to talk about, Leo wasn't especially nervous - if anything, this was a reunion between he and his beloved uncle after a long harrassing year spent with annoying people. Therefore he was actually quite happy and relieved to meet him.

That is, he would be if he hadn't been waiting for nearly an hour now.

Yet against all expectation, the first to call wasn't him but Michael. Hearing the familiar ringtone, Leo hurriedly grabed his phone with shaking hands and answered.

"Hello, you asshole."

"What was that for?! Why do you sound angry when I should be?"

"What gives you the right to be angrier than me right now?"

"Our meeting, you brat. Where are you right now? How comes you're still not here?!"

"...Excuse me?" Leo couldn't believe what he heard. "What do you mean I'm not here?"

"Exactly what I'm saying. I've been waiting for more than an hour inside the cafe for you to show your face!"

"...Inside the cafe?" What was this emotion flowing uncontrolably inside of Leo? What was this pain in his chest? "Just to be sure, you asked me to meet you outside, right?"

"Mh? Oh, that I did. I actually expected to have some things to take care beforehand so I thought you'd be here first. But instead I was freed earlier and decided to wait inside. By the way, you won't believe it but apparently there's some moron who commanded outside in this temperature! Ha! I'm not sure whether they're courageous or just downright stupid! Hahaha! Anyway, where are you?"

Pure, unadultered rage.

"Oh don't worry, I'll be here right this instant. I even have a surprise for you!"

"Oho~, trying to soothe my anger with a bribe, are we? What is it?"

"Oh, you'll see..."

The answer was: a very, very cold coffee right in Michael's face. This was the very happy and absolutely not violent homecoming between a nephew and his uncle.

And the meeting between two Masters of the Red Faction.

---

FATE/RONGODAMIANT

Act I: THE HOLY GRAIL WAR

Chapter I: Blood Red

---

Once their heartfelt reunion - a.k.a Leo slamming a cup of cofee in his uncle's face and the latter wiping it off with Leo's coat - was over and done, Michael and Leo left the cafe, though not without apologizing to the manager for the disturbance first. Leo was all the more spiteful since he had only be able to profit of the cafe's warmth for a few minutes before being back in the cold outside world.

"So, where exactly are you planning to take me, Oncle Michael?" Leo inquired as soon as they were back on the street. "I seriously hope you didn't have me come all the way out there for nothing."

"What are you saying? This is the first time we see each other face to face after one whole year! Isn't that a good enough reason for you, young man?" The man stuffed in a fur jacket complained exaggeteradly while gesturing dramatically. "Is this all your reconnaissance for your poor uncle amounts too?! Kids these days..."

"Hey now, be careful; you're already starting to speak like an old man." Triggered by Michael's poorly serious attitude, Leo felt like taking a jab at him."What, did you miss me so much you aged twice as m- Bghle!"

But before he could merely utter two sentences, Michael suddenly yanked Leo, headlocked him under his arm and proceeded to forcefully rub his hair with his free fist. While this gesture might not sound all that harmful, it was actually quite painful in practice with enough strength. As Leo had learned in the past, Michael was a honed torturer as long as he was applying this technique and this time was not an exception at all. If anything, it seemed Michael was putting more energy into the gesture than usual.

"Gh-Ouch-!H-Ouch-!, stop already you old man! You're gonna rub my hair off if you keep doing this -Ouch!"

"Hahahaha! I missed you so much, for God's sake! Damn, it's already been a year but I see you still don't have enough muscle to stand up to your uncle~! This is sad, really: you're not a kid anymore but you're still so scrawny, just like your father. We have to correct this immediatly, so come and wrestle with me some more!"

"I said let go! And people are watching too...Ouch!"

After a couple more 'Ouch!''s, Michael finally freed his prisoner from his terrible embrace with a hearty laugh. Leo felt wobbly on his feet, his body having forgotten what it felt like to get a head rub after a year, and his expression was that of embarassement; if he could still fool around with his uncle just like he did when he was a kid even after all those years, it wasn't without a hint of shame. But whatever, although he didn't openly admit it he had also missed Michael very much. The latter was like a father to him, much more than his actual father; a feeling that was easily justified by the fact that Leo had been living at Michael's home for ten years until he started his scolarship at the Clock Tower. As for his biological father...well, let's not mention him for now.

"But you still haven't answered my question, Oncle Michael. Why did you ask me to come all the way here instead of visiting me directly? In fact, why didn't you start by that when you arrived in London?"

"I'd have loved to do just that, but I was busy and had things to take care of first. I needed to visit some big shots in the Mage's Association as soon as possible. In fact, that's the reason I came over to England in the first place."

"Wow, I had no idea you were a busy person. In fact, do you even have a job?"

"Well, let's just say that the Argas family has enough wealth to spare some for me." Michael mumured while looking away, faking a guilty look.

"So you've been leeching off my father all this time? My image of you is starting to crumble!"

"And whose son do you think I've been taking care of?!"

"My scalp wouldn't call it 'taking care' as a matter of fact..." Leo whispered under his breath, making sure that Michael did not hear that. It'd be a one way ticket or another head scrub.

"This is the least he can do for you, don't you think? I mean, making sure you won't be lacking anything. And you know, it's not like I do nothing with my life! If you knew the things I had to do for-"

"Wait, I think we're getting side-tracked here." Leo interrupted Michael just in time not to hear something he would rather not. And they were indeed losing the thread of the conversation, if there had been any; it was unavoidable with their antics that they would go on some ridiculous subjects, but didn't Michael mention something important just a minute ago? "You said you had business with some big shots?! What kind of business, pray tell?"

'Don't you have an idea already?' was what Michael's expression was telling him. Instead of replying directly the latter instead took of one of his gloves and showed the back of his hand to Leo. Strangely, the nephew wasn't suprised when he saw a crimson red motif seemingly tattoed on his uncle's hand. It was something he had never seen once before, and he was pretty sure tatoos weren't part of Michael's fashion sense, so it was pretty easy to guess what it was: Command Spells. Three crvy lines danced acrossed his hand and joined each other to form something ressembling a triskele. As to why Leo was taken aback by the revelation, it was simply because Michael was the only one to have received the rights of a Master - Leo had his own set if blood red motifs on his hand. Though on this side, he thought Michael had been luckier than his since his Command Spell looked eerily like a creepy smile with pointy teeth.

In fact, after he found out about those Command Spells, the teenager had contemplated the possibility of sueing the Mage's Association for this, if that was possible at all. This Machiavelian plan was abandoned at once however, considering his odds of victory in a court case were closer to zero percent, not to mention that in either victory or defeat the Association won't miss on the chance of slicing his throat in a back alley.

"Yep, that's right." Michael finally commented. "We're both Masters, and we're both involved in one messy situation. Sigh... Oh, by the way, the place I'm taking you to right now is the Clock Tower."

"What? Oncle Michael, allow me to doubt your taste for this date. Why are we going over there? No, before that, why didn't you ask me to meet up there directly? I'm not a kid who needs to be accompagned anymore you know."

"I know, I know. You're a fine, strong and responsible adult, O lord Leonidas!" Michael went as far as to bow down respectufully to annoy him this time. "But jokes aside, I just wanted to speak while walking. I thought you might want to be more informed on what kind of trouble you bogged yourself down."

"I didn't bog myself down, I didn't even do anything at all! I just received some demonic tatoo one morning and next thing I know I'm involved in a battle royal between magus!"

Leo ranted about their secret society's matters without caring at all that pedestrian around them could probably hear them. It wasn't like they could understand anything of what they were talking about anyway, let alone take it seriously. At best they would thing they were talking about some video games, and at worst they would think they were lunatics. Not that they would be wrong, but that last one still hurt.

"Oh, I take it you've already been briefed on the Holy Grail War then. That's great, it cuts me the need of explaining everything from the start."

"'Briefed' is a big word for what was essentially personal research. I was told what my Command Spells were and what they implied by some instructor, but anything beyond that I had to look for in the Association's library. Not to mention that I found more books about some pretty shadowy subjects than information about the Grail War."

"I see. Well, not that I'm really surprised since it's not their personal business; they're not civil workers. Anyway, we need to move on so can you tell me what you know so far?"

"Well, I've learned more about the Holy Grail War, the whole purpose of it, Master and Servants and that's about it. Simply put, seven magi are chosen by a wish-granting device to compete and kill each other. And instead of doing so with their bare hands, they have to summon Servants to do the dirty work."

Honestly, even if Leo was a magus this whole story sounded pretty surreal. A ritual where you had to fight to death against other magi wasn't very farfetched in his imagination, and there he had heard of much crazier kind of researches being conducted, so he hadn't frowned upon this part. However the idea of summoning Servants - the manifestation of a hero - had never so much as crossed his mind. Especially because he was a magus, Leo understood to a certain extent the theory behind and thus understood how big a thing it was. Or was he too impressionable because he wasn't too interested in magecraft? Was he like a coutryside kid impressed by his first stroll into a big city?

"So you know the basics at least. Good, this cuts me a lot of explaination to do so let's get straight at the heart of the matter."

"The heart of the matter? You mean there is more for me to now than the whole book I had to read in the library?" Leo yawned. He did stay up late to finish reading this damned volume. "I take it that means the situation is weird, for a change."

"Of course it is! Why else would I, another Master, come to strike up a chat with you? What, did you think I came here to stab you in the guts and get rid of competition?!"

"Hmm," Leo pretended to think deeply. "No, I must say I was expecting something along the lines of you helping the nephew you've been looking after for years, but I must admitt the whole 'stabbing' was a close second."

"Now listen here you shitty brat...!"

"Okay, okay, I surrender! Just leave my hair alone!" Beads of sweat pearled down Leo's forehead as he avoided certain doom for his hairline. "I get it, this is a serious talk so no more joking around. At any rate, won't you just tell me what kind of mess I got myself into this time."

"One pretty huge mess, I can tell you. Anyway, here goes." Michael cleared his throat, and his brows furrowed further as if to indicate Leo that he had to listen carefully. "Normally the Holy Grail War is fought between seven magi in a Japanese metropolitan city named Fuyuki. That's where the ritual was constructed more than two centuries ago, and that's where all five of them took place."

"I take it that means it's not the case anymore." Leo guessed from the way Michael begun his explanation.

"Nope. Something happened and somehow the Grail is supposedly broekn in tiny pieces and spread around the world. Hence we cannot resrtict the Grail War to one place only. But that's only the tip of the iceberg you see: usually, it would be a free-for-all between seven magi. No less, no more. There one theorical exception but the odds are extremely low. But this time...how should I say, things were blown out of proportion and there are way too many Servants and Masters."

"What do you mean by 'too many'? That doesn't really help me gauge the situation."

"..." Michael paused for a second and grimly announced: "In theory the Grail can't supply more than fourty-two Command Spells, in other words fourteen Servants should be the maximum. But honestly, considering how many improbable factors have come into play to create his situation, I wouldn't be surprised if more than that showed up. I'm not the one doing the paperwork or supervising anything so I wouldn't know the details, but methinks the simple fact that we cannot get an accurate number is proof that we can expect more."

Ah, Leo could understand why Michael was so grim now. It was quite obvious with the way he acted, but his uncle was very un-magus-like, though Leo had never been told why. And he never questionned it since it was only normal for people outside of this different world to resent it. In all honesty, the main reason why Leo was at odds with his magus heritage was because Michael had rubbed off on him. He was the kind uncle that had looked after him all this time, the sort of person who cared more for others than for himself.

And consequently, when something as dangerous as Servants were roaming around and in great number, he probably couldn't ease his mind. When doing his own research Leo found out the familiars called Servants were nothing shorts of superhumans, even for the weakest of them. That went without saying considering who they were supposed to be, but the fact they could be kept on leash by people with unpredictable goals changed the meaning of that strength and made it downright alarming.

However, as cruel as it may have sounded, Leo's thoughts weren't aimed in this direction, instead worrying about his own safety.

"Wait, so basically that means that in order to win you'd need to defeat double the amount of opponents without any restricted area and without any way to mediate the ritual? It looks nothing like a Holy Grail War aside from the name now! I'm not taking part in something like that!"

Not that he was ever planning to from the beginning. The very moment something as troublesome-sounding as the Holy Grail War reared its ugly head, Leo had already decided he wanted nothing to do with it. However it wasn't like he knew how to avoid it, which was why he expected Michael to help him out on this one. And yet, to his surprise, Michael's words were the following:

"I'm afraid you don't have much of a say in the matter, Leo. From the moment those Command Seals appeared on your hand, you've been designated as a Master by the Grail and you're not getting away."

Flabbergasting. Hearing those words, casually explaining to him how he cannot escape participating in a Battle Royal, and from his uncle of all people - all of that left Leo astounded with his mouth hanging. That is, until he recovered his ability to speak which he used to great length and to great volume.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

"Kh, lower your voice kiddo! I don't care if we're heard but think of my eardrums!"

"What do you mean, 'lower your voice kiddo'?! You're telling me to take part in a shaddy ritual that could cost me my life, uncle Judas! You Ganelon! You Mordred!"

"I'm not telling you to take part in it, for Heavens' Sake! What I'm saying is that you'd better not try too hard to avoid it or else you'll be disappointed." Michael muttered, as if to compensate for Leo's earlier shout. "I'll , but first I have to finish my explication. There's one more thing I'm supposed to inform you about."

"More trouble, I suppose." The teenager groaned sulkily, still sore about Michael's betrayal.

"Pretty much, yep. Actually, maybe not that much since it does give some semblance of order in this Holy Grail War. But if the Association heard me say that I'd be crucified so don't ditch me." He digressed, before returning to his main point. "At the same time it became evident that a Holy Grail War was taking place, another bad news came in: a small outside organisation that isn't affiliated with the Mage's Association declared war on us."

"They're morons." Leo flat out stated. "If it was in-fighting between the factions inside the Clock Tower I'd understand, but for some no name organisation to think they could take on the Mage's Association just because... Unless..." Leo came to a realization with a tired sigh and he felt like rubbing his forehead. "Don't tell me..."

"Ding, ding, ding! You've got a right answer! Yep, I wouldn't mention it to begin with if it wasn't related to us. The reason why it's a bad news is because they claim to have gathered Masters and Servants on their side to participate in the Grail War as a whole faction. According to them, they've gathered a whole set of seven Servants. That's how bad it is. Now you can see where I'm going with that, right?"

For all answer, Michael got the heaviest sigh in the world right out of Leo's mouth. The teenage magus was holding his head inhis hands while the most obvious answer appaeared in his head from what Michael told him. At first he had thought that a Grail War of this size with so many participants would simply be the elargest, most chaotic every man for himself. But if what his uncle said is true, then it completely turned the situation around. There's an enemy out there who managed to get their hand on seven Masters and decided to form a whole faction. The fact that they aimed their declaration of war at the Association itself is proof that they plan on its direct participation in the War; and there was only one way the Clock Tower can hope to face them in that case.

"So we're supposed to be fighting on the Mage's Association side." He concluded. "Ugh, just saying it feels like I just puked and some of it is left in my mouth."

"Oh please, drama queen. I know you don't like the Association, but just think of it as fighting on your uncle's side if it's unbearable." Michael tapped Leo's shoulder while giving him an unfazed look. "Well, with that I told you everything you need to know. Ah, wait, just one last piece of information: New Edge Corporation - that's the name of the guys against us - offered to fight the war this way; since there's only seven Servant classes that can be summoned even if there are more Servants, they 'shall summon each of the original seven, and the Mage's Association shall do the same'. In short, it's seven against seven."

"Wow, for separatists they still have the magi's flashy habit of regulating everything for a fair fight, don't they?" Leo thought that was needless and disadvantageous to announce what Servant classes they would have. No, actually wasn't that pretty smart? Thinking about it, New Edge didn't ask that they summon the same Servants, but they precised that it would be each of the seven classes. In other word, it was a roundabout way of making sure the Association would have the same number as them. And on top of that, they also know which Servant the Association will have. Of course the latter can refuse, but then it would lose the same advantage. "Huh, I actually have some respect for whoever came up with that. Anyway, pushing that matter aside, will you tell me why I can't avoid participating? From what I read, it should be possible to give my Command Spells to someone else, and it's not like their out of able mages who'd kill to be a Master."

Leo's arguments were sound and, in the end, terribly true. He wasn't a good magus, because he wasn't doing any effort in that direction. Not only that but he wasn't especially fond of the Association, hence it would make sense for them not to trust someone like him even if he was from an old family. And yet when Leo exposed his logic, Michael simply shook his head and raised three fingers in the air.

"You're not wrong in that you can give your rights as a Master to someone else. However, not only do I think it's not a good idea but I doubt the big guys in charge of it will allow you to drop out. The first reasons for that is," And as he said that he lowered one of his fingers. "You're a good asset to have, at least for their point of view."

"If they think that then they are blind, deaf, and all kind of crippling conditions. I mean, I should be a bad choice to start with, don't you think? I suck as a magus and I don't have much loyalty toward them as far as I remember."

"That's exactly the point, Leo. You may not be the greatest magus, but that's not because you don't have the potential; you are from the Argas family. You're perfectly eligible as a Master. As for your loyalty, they don't want it. This is the Mage's Association, remember? Even in case of crisis like the Holy Grail War there're still going to be people who see it as a competition between factions - there is a lot of prestige in coming out victorious in a Grail War, or in this case to be on the winners' side. And there you are, a capable Master who has no real plan to use this occasion to further your ambitions."

"Pfft!" Leo couldn't hold back a chuckle at the idea of the word 'ambition' being associated with his name. "Not even in a thousand years will I want to do that. There isn't even a point to herald my hypothetical victory in the first place."

"Sorry, but that's another point I have to disagree with you about." For the second time, Michael shook his head in disapproval.

"Is it me or are you awefully eager to disagree with me today? I mean, I can understand the previous times, but here you lost me. You know me! I don't want prestige any more than you do!"

"It's not a matter of whether you want it, but of whether it could help you. That's my second argument. " He lowered another finger. This time however, Michael's seriousness was replaced by softness. "If at least you fight for the Mage's Association survival I think Inheim will let you off the hook a little."

Leo grimaced at the mention of that name, witout even noticing it.

Inheim Argas, Michael's older brother and consequently Leo's biological father.

Now's as good a time as ever to explain the difficult ties within the Argas family: there were two brothers, Inheim and Michael. Because the former was the elder and the heir of the family his relationship with his younger brother had always been delicate, or so Leo had been told. He actually doesn't know that much about the relation his father and his uncle had had in the past, so he could only judge on what little Michael would reveal to him. In any case, Michael moved over to France and had little to no interaction whatsoever with his family.

Then one day, for personal reasons, Inheim asked an unexpected service from Michael: that he look after his son, Leonidas Argas. That was eleven years ago, so counting out the year Leo had spent at the Clock Tower Michael had obliged to his brother's unreasonable request for ten years. Unsurprisingly for anyone who knew about that story, Leo wasn't exactly fond of his father as a result. Michael was his uncle, and yet he had been much more of a father to him than Inheim ever was.

Though, it doesn't change the fact that he was Leo's biological father, and the head of the family by now. He had dragged (figuratively) Leo all the way back to the Clock Tower to have him study there, and even while rarely ever being present physically, he could almost feel his breathing down his neck. Not that he had any right to be disappointed with Leo after what he did, but there were no children protection agency in the Mage's Association. And in this Clock Tower where prestige and social standing possessed a lot of weight, Michael suggested that Leo made an achievement to satisfy Inheim.

"An achievement that could very well cost me my life on the other hand..."

He couldn't forget that fact sadly - and it was one thing to say he should win a Holy Grail War, and another to actually do it. But with flawless timing, Michael lowered his last finger and concluded his demonstration.

"That's my third point actually: your safety, Leo. It's dangerous to be involved in a Holy Grail War, but even moreso when you're not a Master."

"What do you mean by that exactly? How can I get involved if I'm not a Master?"

"By being my nephew." The way Michael pronounced those four words, it was as if that obvious fact was ominous. "Listen, Leo. Even if you don't take part in it, I will for sure. I have my own reasons after all. But that means you can be used an a hostage, and a pretty efficient one at that. But if you have your own Servant to defend you...well, that would honetsly remove a weight off my mind."

Now that was an argument that hit pretty close to home. If his uncle said he had his own reason to participate, then Leo highly doubted he could persuade him of dropping out of his role as Master. And actually it wasn't as though Leo couldn't understand how Michael felt; he was a normal person - kinda -, of course he also felt really bad at the idea that the one he looks up to like a father was risking his life, even if he didn't openly show it. Maybe that was even worse for Michael in this case since he wouldn't be able to help him. That was why, Leo didn't retort anything this time and silently accepted the fact that it would be safer to be a Master.

Yet at the same time, he realized he wasn't the only one affected by Michael's concern.

"Oncle Michael, what about Maria then?" He inquired. "I'm a Master so I'll be alright...sort of...I guess...anyway, Maria won't have that!"

Maria, full name Maria Ringhan Argas (she wasn't spared either), was Michael's daughter and Leo's cousin. But just like Michael was a father to him, Maria was like an older sister with whom he had lived the majority of his life. Needless to say she was an extremely important person to him, yet Leo only now understood what kind of danger she was in. Talk about a little brother, Leo thought to himself.

As for Michael, his expression suddenly did a full 180° as a huge grin flashed on his face.

"What do you think, of course I didn't neglect my own daughter! And guess what, she's coming over to London to stay with us! No better way to protect her than by having her by our side, am I right?!"

Hearing this sudden announcement, Leo also felt his mood shoot up like a firework.

"Maria's coming over?! For real?! See, you can do things right when you try!"

"Wait a second, why are you more happy about your seeing your cousin than being reunited with your dear uncle, you little brat!" A pathetic lamentation resounded as Leo was made prisoner by a fearful foe once again. "What kind of favoritism is this!"

"What favoritism, you old geezer?! Ouch! You only brought bad news with you, not to mention you'll make me bald- Ouch Ow! I'll tell Maria you've been mistreating me!"

"Then I'll tell her you've become a delinquent who has no respect for his caretakers!"

"What kind of threat is that, huh?! Ouch, just st- Ow!"

And that way they reached the Clock Tower, attracting attention in the most embarassing way Leo could have ever thought of.

---

Michael accompanied Leo through the hallways of the Clock Tower the teenager knew all too well. But eventually they ended up turning around a corner Leo would usually ignore, and he was now being guided by his uncle throughout a network of corridors and richely decorated aisles students like him wouldn't wander around. Of course it didn't look any different from the rest of the building, but he had nonetheless the impression of being led around in a foreign country. It was a bit unnerving yet exciting at the same time.

All the while Michael kept on explaining their situation so far.

"The Mage's Association has already assembled seven Masters; most of them were scouted at least a week ago actually."

"Oh? What kind of people are they? It might actually be hard to get along with them if they're anything like my lecturers." Leo stretched his arms while saying that - a maneurism used when he wanted to calm his nervousness.

Even if he had acted detached up until now, he couldn't help feeling some anxiety when doing things that weren't part of his daily life. And the issue he raised was pretty serious actually: the Masters of Red (Michael told him that's how they were called) were supposed to work together to face the Masters of Black (New Edge's Masters). However Leo didn't know if it would work out. Normally he contented himself to ignore the other magi's behavior, so even if the other Masters wanted to employ magus-like tactics he didn't care. However if he had to be a part of it he wouldn't find it in him to go along with their shenanigans.

"Err, how should I say..." Michael hesitated quite a bit before answering. Though thanks to that alone Leo had hope; if his fears were correct then Michael would have replied immediatly. "...They're a weird bunch to be honest. Actually, we're a weird bunch. I don't mean that they're a bunch of weirdoes, okay? Only that it's a rather unexpected gathering considering we're the Mage's Association's representants."

"That sounds pretty damn ominous when you put it like that! Anyway, that doesn't answer my worries: do you think they're the kind of people I'd get in a fight with?"

"..." Once again, Michael took some time before replying, though less than before. "I think you should be fine. For starters, it seems there's an acquaintance of yours among them, Lancer's Master. Hmm, what was their name again? Well, not that it matters since you'll see them yourself soon enough. As for the rest, most of them aren't high class magi. In fact, only one of us is an accomplished magus. I haven't talked with them much for now, so I can't tell you about their personalities." Michael shrugged. "But that's the magic of meeting new people, right Leo?!"

"I only hope it will be magic and not a curse..." Leo couldn't help but grumble. "So basically I'm the last one to join the fray?"

"Exactly. Not that we were snobbing you my good sir, but your Catalyst took more time to arrive so I figured there was no need to bother you until then."

"My Catalyst?" The term ringed a bell inside Leo's memories. He was sure he read something along those lines in the library. "As in, an artifact to summon a Servant in particular?"

"Bingo! We finally got yours, so today you'll summon your own Servant. Actually, that's the whole reason I wanted to see you today."

"I don't even get to choose who I wanna try summoning?! Talk about a bummer..." Leo pouted.

Of course it was a serious matter, but in his teenage boy imagination the idea of summoning a hero of past times sounded pretty exciting in the end. So he couldn't be blamed for fantasizing a little about it.

"Hahaha! Sorry to disappoint you, but since the stakes are high this time the Association wants to put the odds in their favor as much as possible. They provided everyone with a catalyst to summon powerful Servants; as expected of the Mage's Association, they managed to get their hands on rare artifacts at a staggering speed... Come on, don't sulk in a corner! You get to summon Saber of all Servants!"

Saber, a. k. a. the Servant generally considered to be the strongest out of all seven because it had the best base container, and also because the heroes fit to be summoned in this class were for the most part skillful warriors. True, having the privilege to summon it didn't sound half bad, though that wasn't what Leo was pouting about to begin with.

"Beggers can't be choosers I guess." He decided it best to shrug his petty disappointment aside. "Wait, why am I moping about something I didn't want to go along with?!"

"Because you're an idiot, that's why."

"Ugh, you're blatantly insulting me and yet I don't feel like I can deny it this time. But it's normal, isn't it? I mean, even if it's dangerous, it sounds so cool..." At this point, Leo was pretty much muttering to himself sorrowfully. "...Wait, does that mean you've already summoned your Servant, Oncle Michael?! Where are they, I wanna see them!"

"Muhahaha! Yes, that's good, be excited! Marvel and beho-"

"You suck at sounding like a grand villain."

"...shutupandletmefinishalready- I mean, marvel and behold, he's been with us this entire time!"

And as he said this with much useless and exaggerated fanfare, Michael struck a pose he wanted to look cool but actually felt ridiculous to Leo. But before the latter could make any comment about it, his attention was enraptured by the sudden apparition of someone next to his uncle: a young man that seemed to be about Leo's age materialized out of thin air, striking a mirrored version of Michael's pose. He was slightly taller than Leo, and his build was noticeably bulkier, but without looking like a mass of muscle. The first part of him to catch Leo's eye were the golden hair reaching down his neck. Not blond but truly golden as though it was made of the real thing, to the pont where they glittered at the sunlight. Next were his eyes: a reddish color reminiscent of the flame of a matchstick. They would have looked cooler could had he been displaying a straight face, but with his proud puppy expression, especially in this pose, was way too comic.

"Woooaaaah, that was awesome! Except for your pose. You look like a pair of idiots. But that moment when you just appeared out of nowhere...!"

"Hey, who are you calling an idiot?!" Michael growled, but not without blushing a little. "We've practiced this for hours just for your eyes to behold!"

Strangely, that fact felt insulting. Michael stubbornely stayed in place without budging just to piss off Leo, but his Servant couldn't bear with the shame and resumed a normal stance.

"I knew it was a bad idea..." He groaned, glarring daggers at his Master, before turning to Leo with an amiable smile. "Sorry, that wasn't a good introduction for a hero. In any case, nice to meet you! I'm Rider, Rider of Red!" He presented himself with a voice brimming with energy as he held out his hand toward Leo, who accepted it with the relief due to a normal greeting.

And now that Rider stood normally on his feet, Leo was able to have a better look at his whole get-up rom head to toe: the Heroic Spirit was wearing a white chiton that didn't go any lower than his thighs while a bright red chlamys covered half his body like a cape. All in all, it was pretty easy to guess from his clothing that he was a hero from Ancient Greece, though which one wasn't exactly as obvious. When Leo accepted the hand held out by Rider, he noticed yet another peculiar fact about the Servant's body: his skin was shining slightly but not so much that he could have noticed it without getting closer. Actually, after taking a better look, it wasn't so much that it was shining that his skin was covered on something that reflected light to a certain extent.

He wasn't going to ask about it though - that could be rude, and Leo himself wasn't fond of indiscretion.

"Thank you for putting up with my uncle."

"Why is that supposed to mean?!"

"Nah, it's fine. He's dumb but harmless (I think)."

"Et tu, Rider?!" Michael cried teary-eyed as he realized he was without ally in this ruthless world. "Fine then! Disappear, you ungrateful brat!"

Apparently the order was directed at Rider who obliged but not without snickering.

"Wow, even though I've already seen him appearing out of nowhere, seeing him disappear is just as awesome...!" Leo couldn't help whistling with admiration. "Now I'm looking forward summoning my Servant as well!"

"Yeah, yeah, be happy. Mrgrgr..." Michael walked ahead with a sulking face. "Now come this way, disrespectful nephew of mine. Mrgrgr..."

Seeing his uncle grumpy never failed to entertain him, especially since he knew Michael was actually exaggerating. He was prone to fool around and make jokes, but he was still an adult who had raised two kids without fail. Maria and Leo knew they wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the world (except when he's the one doing the teasing - he could be very vengeful at times). Being able to mess around together felt all the more invigorating after this painfully long year spent at the Clock Tower with people who couldn't apreciate a joke.

Actually, to be true, there was someone here whom Leo used to tease like he did with Michael, though that wasn't quite the same.

"Why do we have to venture so far into the Clock Tower just to take my Catalyst, seriously?" Leo wasn't wrong: they had been walking for a while. In fact he wouldn't be surprised if he was told they were walking in circles. "Even magi have a delivery service so why not use that instead..."

"Can't be helped, we needed to make sure it was the real deal first. Wouldn't want to use a fake Catalyst and summon a weak Servant, would we? Most Catalyst are at least centuries old so ascerting their genuineness isn't exactly easy. And by the way, I am going to go take your Catalyst. You'll just wait for me in a room."

"Huh?! No fair! Why can't I pick up my own stuff?!"

"That's what you get for picking on me! Wait- attacking me won't change anything to it!" Michael struggled against a pitbull-Leo trying to bite off his nose. "You have something more important to take care of while I'm off anyway!"

"Such as?"

"Making acquaintance with your teammates, what else?" Michael stated firmly and ponted his finger at the door that was a dozen of meters in front of them. "Most of them should be here so don't be shy and go say hi. And stop trying to bite me! Sit!"

"You're abandoning me in the middle of a danger zone!"

"This is a danger zone you'll have to face eventually, so instead of yapping you better steel your mind and go make friends!"

Seeing their argument was leading nowhere, and having had enough of Leo's stubborness, Michael eventually kicked his nephew toward the door and left him stranded here like an abandoned puppy. Leo didn't have the time to turn around that his uncle's figure turned around a corner and disappeared from sight. For an instant he was tempted to run after him and grab him by the leg, but he immediatly had to reconsider once he realized he didn't even know the layout of this place; if he did anything reckless right now, he might actually end up in a genuine danger zone. Thus, crying and cursing, Leo had no choice but to stand in front of the door and prepare himself mentally for the ordeal to come.

A moment ago he had played it off as something he could handle because he thought he'd have Michael by his side. But the truth was, he had a dreadfully bad premonition at the mere thought of walking into that room and meeting the rest of the Masters of Red. He wasn't especially shy around people, but he was ready to bet a few jewels that all of them would be Weirdoes with a capital W.

(Thinking back on it, didn't Oncle Michael say there was someone I know?)

Not that it was much help actually. Just because he knew people around the Clock Tower didn't necessarily mean he got along with them! In fact, he couldn't think of anyone whom hed be close to around here, so none of them were worth having his uncle around.

"Heaven or Hell, here I go...!" After taking a deep inspiration, Leo finally moved his hand toward the handle of the door and opened it wide...

"Die, Leonidas Argaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!"

And he was greeted by a warcry.

The door had scarcely had the time to swing open that the threatening roar split open Leo's ears, and something approached his body at a dangerous speed. The boy didn't even have the time to understand what was going on; only because his aggressor gave that shout first was his body able to react in time. His hands moved before his eyes could acknowledge something was happening: almost miraculously, his palms were fast enough and clasped around the elongated object-!

He almost had a heart attack, but he was still alive! Yay!

His reaction toward the person who just attempted to his life, on the other hand, didn't exactly reflect his relief of not having a concussion.

"What the hell are you thinking, you moron! I'm not kidding, I could really have been seriously injured this time, Hatsuyo!"

Surprisingly, or rather unsurprisingly in his case, he knew the identity of his would-be murderer as well as the weapon of the crime. In hindsight, Leo should have immediatly guessed who Michael was reffering to, since there was only one person he knew who could cause more of a headache than the rest of the students combined. And knowing his luck, of course he would end up with her!

"That was the point obviously." The girl who had swung an actual sheathed katana down on his face spoke coldly, cruely even. "By the way, how many times have I told you not to address me on a first name basis already? Call me Toriyama, Toriyama!" As if to highlight her demand, Hatsuyo Toriyama put even more power into their already one-sided strength contest.

She was Hatsuyo Toriyama or, as she would say it, Toriyama Hatsuyo. This girl with waist-long chestnut hair wearing the Mage's Association's uniform was undoubtly one of Leo's fellow students here in the Mage's Association, probably the reason why Michael had called her an 'acquaintance'. Had he known better however, he would probably have employed the term 'best enemy', given how unique their relationship was.

Even though she was technically an apprentice magus just like Leo was, she usually only gave off the impression of someone with anger management problems to whom someone had the brilliant idea to give a sword. She was an oddball even by the Association's standarts, but to explain this one had to start from the beginning: Hatsuyo was from a Japanese magus family which merged with a samurai family at some point despite the obvious difference in mentalities. That was the reason why she walked around swinging her family unfriendly toy around. And that might also explain why she just didn't have the making of a magus: not only did she not have the personality, but Hatsuyo was horrible when it came to magecraft. Leo had witnessed her failed attempts countless times, and laughed at them countless times. But that was only part of why she was an outcast; at the end of the day, she's far from being the only one who had trouble casting a spell.

The problem was much more deep-rooted than that: she was irascible. Of course, the persistent racism against Asian people around the Clock Tower surely had its part in making her devastatedly unpopular, but even then Hatsuyo had an unparalleled talent for making enemies. She didn't even had to make a single effort for people to antagonize her: she was already antagonizing them! Not an ounce of politeness, never the shadow of a smile on her face and always ready to pounce like an enraged gnu.

That was Hatsuyo Toriyama. And probably the closest thing Leo had to a friend, ironically. He would never call her that nonetheless, first because it would earn him more than a concussion and second because even he didn't feel like it would be right to use that word. Still, if his compatibility with her was zero, his with the other students and lecturers was minus one, so she was by far the person he got along with the best. And that was saying something.

He used to think maybe that was because, in spite of all her hardheadedness, she ultimately remained true to herself (a quality he could admire).

But the truth was more along those lines: Leo was an uncooperative youth who abhorred everything related to magi, and Hatsuyo did so little efforts to fit in that people wondered why she even bothered to put on the uniform. They were both outcasts in different ways, and that was enough reason for Leo to hang out with her and annoy the hell out of her, to which she would respond with violence. He was annoying to her and she was annoying to him. It was an unhealthy relationship if anything, but it was the only person with whom he could have such earnest interactions, and it had become almost as enjoyable as his tomfooleries with Michael.

Alas, unlike Michael Hatsuyo's retaliations were much less pretty. Leo's current predicament made that point quite clear.

"I get it, you don't like me. Can you let go now, please?! My hands are slipping!" He cried out desperately.

He was actually quite lucky she hadn't unsheathed her sword, or else he wouldn't even have had the time to react. In the first place, he had only been able to catch it because he was used to Hatsuyo's shenanigans, especially those were she tries to hit him with her scabbard. How many times did he have to dodge a sudden strike, or to catch it bare-handed like he did now when he could step back fast enough.

"I won't! I won't feel satisfied before I crush that repugnant face of yours for what you've done!"

"But what did I do to you this time!?" Leo was being honest here. He pestered her so many times he didn't know which one she was taking revanche for. In fact, if she listed everything he had done right here and then he couldn't deny she had good reasons to come after him.

"..." But to his surprise, instead of answering immediatly, Hatsuyo seemed to hesitate for a second. "P-plenty of reasons! Actually, I shouldn't even need a reason to cut you down!"

"...You actually can't remember, can you? Damn, that's what annoys me about you. I know you're just asking to use violence but you could at least pretend you have a reso- Ghhhhh!" As a punishment for running his mouth, Hatsuyo applied more weight on her sword. Just how much strength did she have?! Leo had to use his whole body and his triceps were about to give in at any moment, while she only seemed to using her arms. "Pl-please, Mrs. Hatsuyo can you let it slide this time? I swear I won't do it again!"

"That's what you say each time, you dirty liar!" She saw right through his white lie. Maybe he should come up with something different next time. "And what did I just say about calling my name?! It doesn't look like you want to be forgiven to me!"

That was mainly because she also refused to call him 'Leo' instead of his full name. Of course she wouldn't accept that as an excuse, so Leo had to come up with something and quick. But while he was busy thinking and sweating, someone's laughing voice resounded. Leo hadn't noticed until now because he had his hands full with an unreasonnable beast, but there were indeed other people in the rooms. More notable, behind Hatsuyo who stubbornly blocked the entrance was a grown Asian man leaning leisurely against the wall and laughing at them as though he was watching a comedy duo.

This one was unmistakably a Servant, Leo knew at a single glance.

That was because, just like Rider of Red whom he had met earlier, this man's mere appearance set him aside from your everyday person by a margin: he was noticeably taller than Leo and Hatsuyo, though not so much that it felt unnatural, and for clothes he was wearing a black and golden kimono that was clearly made of high quality fabric. But it was more than that; if Leo had to put it in words, he had a unique presence. Everything about him, from his easy-going position to the smirk adorning his cheeks, screamed self-assurance to the point it was amazing. On the other hand, his snickering clearly directed at them wasn't exactly pleasant, especially since Leo would rather he helped him out.

"So that's the Leonidas Argas I heard about." He pushed himself off the wall to come closer to Leo and inspect him with interest in his eyes. " I can't say you're a boring fellow, but I expected you to have a stringer build for someone who hangs around my Master. Can you even fight with a thin body like this?"

Saying that, he gave a light tap on Leo's shoulder - a tap so powerful Leo thought he might as well have punched him.

"Kh! Did everyone decide to hurt me as much as physically possible today?!" Not that anyone in this room would understand or even care to listen to his lament. Nonetheless, this Servant's sudden apparition might just turn out to be a blessing. "Hey, you her Servant, aren't you?! Can't you do something to calm her down?!"

"Eh? No way, why would I ever do that?" The man replied flatly while raising his eyebrow, as though it really was a puzzling demand.

Leo already wasn't in a position where he could be calm, but now all of this was just gratting his nerves.

"Because I'm supposed to be your ally! Aren't you supposed to not harm someone who's on your side!"

"By the way, I didn't present myself, did I?"

"Now's not the moment...! Ugh...I-I think I going to break...!"

But his complaint fell on deaf ears, as the unknown Servant superbly ignored Leo to clear his throat like an actor before a rehearsal.

"I am the great Lancer of Red!...and that's about what I'm actually allowed to say, sorry!" Lancer shrugged with an expession devoid of seriousness, as if saying 'Isn't that sad?'. "Well, all you need to know is that I am first and foremost faithful to my lord. If my Master needs to clear her name and her honor with you, ally or not..." The Servant raised his thumb as a mockery of an encouragement. "Tough it up, kid!"

(F*ck yooooooouuu!)

And that was the very moment Leo's body gave out under the tyrannical pressure of the demonic Hatsuyo, a. k. a. he was ruthlessly crushed and could only sprawl on the ground. He layed there, defeated and as defenseless as a newborn chick before the enemy that was looking down on him with both satisfaction and irritation. He was already exhausted and ashamed, what more could she take from him? For all answer, Hastuyo stradled his chest and cracked her knuckles.

"You can't use your cowardly tricks to escape this time. I can finally let off some stea- I mean, clear the dishonor you've inflicted on me!"

"Th-that was the real reason why you ambushed me...?! I-I call time out! Judge!"

"There ain't no judge here."

What ensued was a world of pain.

Well, truth be told it wasn't that bad, but Leo's body was gonna be sore for a couple day after that. Once Hatsuyo was done roughing him up, which was quite fast all things considered, Leo dragged himself over one of the armchairs lined up in the room, and slouched into it with a pained groan. Despite all the fanfare less than ten minutes ago, Hatsuyo was now positively ignoring Leo and went to lean against a corner much like Lancer did. It was all good as far as Leo was concerned since that let him catch a break; interacting with Hatsuyo was fun in its own way, but hell if it wasn't tiring. Sadly, Lancer wasn't of the same opinion and came to sit next to Leo.

"Ugh, what do you want?" Was the only thing that could come out of Leo's mouth, anything less would have betrayed his annoyance.

"Hahaha! You're actually pretty entertaining to watch as a meat-bag, kiddo!" But Lancer's shit-eating grin could never be dented, quite the contrary. "I just came to consol you before you drown in your tears~."

"I'm not cry as far as I know. Also it would have been a better consolation if you acually helped me back then!"

"I told you didn't I? I won't do anything that goes against my Master's will, even if it kills me!"

"But what if it kills me?! You'll be losing a Master that way!"

"Meh, who cares?" Lancer shrugged in an unconcerned fashion. "Even if you kick the bucket, I don't mind fighting this whole war on my own. Yeah, that's actually be a pretty good challenge!"

Was he bragging? Lancer had that strange way of speaking that made him sound both like a show-off and like a capable person. At any rate, he was definitely bragging, wasn't he? As could be expected, a troublesome person like Hatsuyo would summon an equally as troublesome Servant, although both were hard to deal with in a different way. The Master was a secluded, unsociable girl while Lancer was...larger than life, was the first-sight impression Leo had.

"Ah, by the way, thank you for being my Master's sand bag, Leonidas!"

"Please, just call me Leo. I can do without another public shaming today...And you do realize that what you say sounds like an insult, right?!"

"But I mean it: thank you or being Master's punching bag, Leo! It's not good to be always tensed up but the child doesn't understand that yet~."

Not really surprising of a fact if Lancer was comparing her to him. The two were like day and night in term of personality with Lancer being so easy-going and carefree-looking that it was unbelievable to think he was supposed to be some grand warrior. And anyway; Hatsuyo, relaxing? Trying to imagine what the crazy swordman would look like when relaxed, Leo hit a dead end, '404 not found'. He couldn't seem to imagine it, and it probably didn't exist: Hastuyo was Hatsuyo, nothing less, nothing more. That was what made being with her refreshing.

"If it's only about unwinding on somebody, why couldn't she do it on you, Lancer? If I remember right normal attacks should barely tickle a Servant."

"That's the problem! There ain't nothing like beating up someone who feels it and see them grovel on the floor, nahahahaha!"

Or maybe he was just a psycho after all. There must have been a love of violence connecting Hatsuyo with her Servant, that had to be why he was summoned.

"In fact, I think you're her favorite meat-shield: you should have seen how she was waiting for you to stop fighting with that man outside, waiting for the right moment when you open the door!"

"Wait...you could hear use from insiiiide?!" Leo wanted to hide himself in a hole. His banters with Michael were diverting, but only for them to enjoy. I anyone was to learn of it, or worse witness it directly, he would die of shame for sure.

"Yep. She heard it all, and I saw it all! You're pretty darn entertaining all the time, aren't ya!"

And right now, he was positively dying.

"Which reminds me, you're here to mett with the other Masters, right? That man definitely said something about that." 'That man' was probably reffering to Michael. "If that' sthe case, what are you sitting here for? Go greet the little one over there!"

When Leo followed Lancer's finger with his eyes and looked at the other side of the waiting room, he felt a chill run down his spine: there was indeed someone here whom he had absolutely not noticed until Lancer had pointed them out. That would be because, unlike Hatsuyo who would grab attention just by being there, the person in question was a small child discreet like like a kitten.

Indeed, a cherubic little girl with blond wavy hair cascading down her back was seated in another armchair. Yet something must have been wrong for she seemed queasy and was twitching anxiously on her seat. That was understandable considering the sad display she had just beheld first-hand, front row, V. I. P. seat. The frightened animal look she had when glancing over Hatsuyo and the pitying look she gave to Leo only confirmed that guess.

As to why Leo was horrified when he spotted her...

"She...definitely heard me fight with Oncle Michael, didn't she? And just now too... Argh, that pitying look hurts, especially from a child..." Leo was lost in such pointless thoughts when suddenly what Lancer said hit him like a cold shower. "...Wait...did you just say Master?...That little girl over here is a Master?!"

"..."

Lancer didn't reply. He was looking aside, but his expression must have clouded because Leo couldn't feel the same carefree vibe from him anymore. Same went for Hatsuyo actually; she didn't raise her voice and she didn't look his way either, but Leo had learned the difference between a scorning silence and a heavy one. Was this little girl here of her own will? Leo couldn't believe it. Did Michael kow about this? If he did he was probably furious about it. In any case, Leo felt compelled to greet her - that was the very least he could do to put her at ease.

But when he stood up and went to salute her...

"Err,... h-hello there...! My name is Leo, what about yo- Whoa!"

Leo should have known from the way she was looking at him, he was actually scaring her just as much as Hatsuyo did. He had hardly presented himself that she escaped from her armchair with the agility of a squirrel and ran away. Leo followed her with his eyes and was already stammering an apology when he stopped in his track: he made the discovery of a fifth person in this room. The little girl hadn't just ran off in a random direction, instead she went and sought protection behind the legs of a man who had also evaded Leo's awareness.

It wasn't like the girl who just really blended well in the background - this person had no presence, and although he should have been able to spot him earlier Leo hadn't been able to tell him apart from the room itself. Even now that he had him in sight, he felt really little presence from this man.

"...A Servant? Right, you must be a Servant! That's why I didn't see you before! Ah- sorry, I shouldn't be saying that." Leo cursed his uncontrolable tongue, but the man didn't seem to mind at all.

"Don't worry." His face when he said that only spoke of kindness, and the tone he employed was soft. "It's not surprising that you couldn't feel my presence before, since that's my Servant class' particularity! I am Assassin of Red, pleased to meet you Leo."

Assassin's polite smile and the care he had put in calling Leo by his nickname instantly won the teenager's heart. Undoubtly this man was a knowledgable gentleman!

In fact he looked like one: his get up looked aristocratic at first sight, and his countenance was reminding of those rich kids Leo could see everyday in his environment. The difference here is that instead of feeling exaggerated, Assassin's composure felt genuine and almost reassuring. Overall, the Servant exuded an aura of niceness that would make anybody trust him without condition.

"By the way," Assassin gave Leo an apolegetic look. "sorry for not intervening earlier; it looked like a personal matter between you two so I wasn't sure if it was my place to interrupt."

"...this is an excuse for not helping me and yet it's probably the nicest thing somebody told me today..."

Leo felt like crying. But he was digressing; he was here because of the little girl peeking from behind the Servant's back. It seemed like the best way to get information was to ask the Servant directly.

"Excuse me, but is this girl your Master?" He asked hesitantly, to which Assassin shook his head lightly.

"Not at all: this young maiden here is the Master of Archer of Red, but the latter isn't here at the moment. I volunteered to look after her though, so I guess it makes me her caretaker."

"Hm? But then where is your Master, Assassin? Don't tell me I can't see them either!" If that was the case Leo was considering buying a pair of glasses.

"Ahaha, that would be an interesting thing!" Thankfully, the Servant laughed it off as a joke. "My Master also has to look after someone for the moment. I could stay with him, but I'd rather leave him alone for now. Ah, by the way the person he's with at the moment is Berserker's Master."

"I see. Actually no, I don't really understand, but isn't everyone gonna come here eventually? I can meet them then, can't I?"

Hearing Leo's question, a hint of uneasiness appeared in Assassin's gentle expression. Something was visibly troubling him, although Leo didn't have a clue about what that could be. Assassin nonetheless answered Leo's query, albeit in a cryptic way.

"You'll probably meet them later but...for now let's just say that she's not-"

CLAC!

Whatever Assassin was about to say, he was interrupted by the sudden opening of the waiting room's door, and his attention shifted to whomever had entered the room. Leo also reacted to it, expecting it to be Michael returning with his Catalyst, but he was proven wrong when two unknown voices rose at the same time.

"Lily, we're back!" An energetic woman's voice.

"Milady, we have returned." And a more reserved male voice.

Turning around, Leo saw no less than four people entering the room at once, and all four of them had an eye-catching appearance to say the least. The first two to walk into the room, whom he could guess to be the same person who spoke just now, were a an adolescent boy who looked to be around the same age as Leo and a bronze-skinned woman waving vigorously in their direction.

The boy was wearing what was clearly servant clothes; his get up reminded Leo of those old times butler, an image clashing with the boy's youthfulness. His dark blue bangs were hiding the right side of his face almost down to the chin, giving him a slight mysterious air. The person walking beside him, however, was the complete opposite: it was a woman with long red copper hair who seemed to have barely hit adulthood. The weird part was her outfit: she was walking barefooted and the only piece of clothe she worn one her lower body was some kind of exotic miniskirt made of colorful bird feathers. On the other hand, her upper body was wrapped in a pink, flashy, dolphin-patterned modern t-shirt which clearly wasn't part of her Servant outfit and strongly contrasted with the exotic feeling she was supposed to give. As a result she was completely out of place in the dignified Clock Tower, in more than one way.

"Archer, Laurent!" The next person to react was the little girl herself; she swiftly jumped out of her hiding place behind Assassin and dashed toward the newcomers to hide once again, this time behind the servant boy.

"Mh? What is the matter young mistress? You seem distressed, did something happen? Hm?" The butler, probably Laurent, was inquiring about the little girl's state when the latter peeked out from behind his legs and pointed her small finger at Leo. "Oh, I see. Has this ruffian done anything to you, Milady?"

Laurent's expression did a 180 degree corner and twisted into the mother of all death glares, directed right at Leo as though the latter had comitted a crime against humanity.

"Well did'ya, punk?"

Even the way his spoke changed all of sudden!

His gaze was filled with so much hatred it could burn, and he moved forward with the clear intent to teach Leo a lesson with his bare hands. Which Leo couldn't have obviously: he had already had more than his fill of beating with Hatsuyo (who, speaking of which, was watching the development with interest). Moreover, it didn't look like that Laurent person was someone he could reason; Leo was sure of that simply from seeing his sudden change of mood. Therefore Leo only had two choices left: running or fighting back. Now, the butler didn't look all that strong - he was pretty thin even - but he wasn't ready to bet on that.

Thankfully, before he had to make that choice Leo was saved by the only person in this room who wasn't after his life or his sanity: Assassin. The gentleman Servant stepped forward and put his hand on Leo's shoulder amicably, as if showing protection.

"Calm down Laurent, the poor boy didn't do anything worth punishing him for." The Servant of Assassination testified with a diplomatic smile. "Ladylee is just being nervous."

Was that really enough to quell the murderous intent Leo was feeling? Apparently yes.

"Ah, is that so?" Just as fast as he had flipped his murder switch on, Laurent reverted back to his composed and professional-looking self. "Milady, I already told you not to be a spoiled child. Come on, greet this person as you were taught."

Being admonished by who seemed to be her guardian, the little girl looked dejected but complied. She stopped hiding behind Laurent and stepped forward to stand in front Leo, and proceeded to bow in an old-fashioned way - the one where she had to lift the corners of her skirt.

"N-nice to meet you! I am Ladylee Vasilia, Mashter- no, Master of Archer! Delighted to make to make you acquin- acquaintance!"

She stuttered but actually managed to make her presentation to the end, before turning away and resuming her hide-and-seek occupation. Better than nothing. In any case, since she actually presented herself this time Leo probably had to do the same, with less stuttering.

"Hrm, well, nice to meet you too? I'm Leo Argas and in about fifteen minutes I'll be the Master of Saber of Red so... let's work together everyone?" Rhetoric wasn't his cup of tea, so he wasn't sure if that was the best approach. The looks of approval on his teammates' face (bared Hatsuyo) nonetheless suggested that the feeling got across.

At the same time, the exotic-looking young woman standing beside Laurent and Ladylee reacted with as much energy as she appeared to be containing.

"Eh, you're Saber's Master?! But you're just a kid!" That was probably an insult considering the huge smile plastered on her visage. Then again, Leo could never be sure with excentic people like her.

"Archer, let me remind you that milady and I are also children according to your standards." Laurent commented with displeasure directed at the Servant. "You should not judge him hastily."

(Says the guy who almost bludgeoned me to death without a proper conversation.) Was what Leo wouldn't dare to say out loud.

"I would even dare say there are mostly young'uns here." Another voice rose from behind the trio, belonging to one of the other two persons to have entred the room. " It almost makes me feel lonely! Ohoho!"

The hearty laugh came from an elderly man who could be in his seventies as well as his eighties - just as he had said, his old age made no doubt. Even then one could tell his was filled to the brim with energy in a way. He had a serene impression to himself, free of any negative emotion. His attire was completely anachronistic though, much like Assassin's was: a black redingote accompanied by a top hat and a beautiful wooden cane, the complete costume of the XIXth century gentleman. It was a bit mean to think that, but his clothes looked even older than he was. Or was he just as old? Leo had heard these rumors amongst students about magi who stopped their aging to live longer.

"Hm? Ah, I guess it is my turn to come forth! Very well, my name is Charles Pendleton, and I am partnered with our faction's Caster. That would be this big fellow right there!" He announced merrily, slapping the back of the massive man next to himself.

Massive was the word, for if Caster of Red didn't reach teh two meters in height he truly gave the feeling of being a statue: his body was as muscular as those 80's superheroes, and he had a cerulean blue beard growing so wide and so low it only seemed to increase his volume as a whole. Other than that, he was wearing what Leo believed was a blacksmith's apron and large leather gloves, hinting at his profession.

As for his personality, he wasn't very polite as he didn't even try to imitate his Master, instead letting his vermillion gaze wander around the room pensively.

"Don't mind his manners too much, he's a grumpy old man! Ohoho~!"

"Wow, Oncle Michael wasn't kidding, was he?" Leo wispered to himself while watching Charles' energetic demeanor. "We truly are a weird bunch."

A recalcitrant magus, his goofy uncle, a samurai with anger management issues, a kid and an ederly man. At the moment, he could only wonder what Assassin's and Berserker's Masters were like.

---

How did Leanne ever end up in this situation?

For a long time she had held the belief that only unique people would find themselves in unique situations. People with talent, men with great ambitions and women with their own philosiphy of life. In other words, people unlike her: she was just a brooding university teacher, not someone who would go out of her way to seek adventure or mingle in other people's business. And yet, it truly felt as though fate was going out of its way to make life harder for her whenever it could.

The woman known as Leanne Stormbird was currently sitting inside a cafe in London, drinking some cofee to take a breath of fresh air - or so it should have been. Considering on her week ends she would usually stay at home and be depressed, stepping outside for a change should have been refreshing, but not today, not in her situation. The whole cafe was filled with discomfort, and every customers were taking uneasy glances at her, even children. It wasn't because of Leanne herself, she was a perfectly normal person both on the outside and on the inside. Slightly neglected red hair, average height and everyday civilian clothes; nothing about her could have attracted the curiosity of everyone in the viscinity.

Leanne simply had the unfortune of being accompanied with the strangest people.

Across the table she was seated at, a young man that looked to be a handful of years younger than her was sitting and sipping coffee like she was. And if his behavior wasn't out of the ordinary - he didn't so much aside from driking and speaking a few words every so often in a soft voice - his outward appearance stuck out like a sore thumb in a public place. To put it simply, he looked like some corpse woke up at the morgue and walked away freely: his skin was a cadaveric white, so much that he could pass off as a doll if he just sat behind a shop window and stopped moving entirely. But there was more to it: his face was covering in sewing track. During Halloween Leanne would sometimes see a child or two disguised as Frankenstein's Monster and draw those all over their face. It was exactly the same here, except those were real beyond doubt.

Had it been a costumed party he would have been praised for the efforts that went into his disguise. It was no disguise unfortunately, and what was a rather handsome face now had an eerie feeling to it. Leanne herself didn't feel too uncomfortable with his looks, but it was a part of human nature to be intrigued by teh unusual, and it had earned them dubious gazes everywhere they went.

"If you don't feel at ease we don't have to stay here." REVOC (that was his name apparently) whispered politely, unoblivious to the overall atmosphere and Lenne's own feelings.

Leanne's heart was telling her to take him up on his offer, but she shook her headly weakly.

"No need, d-don't worry. Let's just finish and go back..."

At least REVOC was considerate of her, unlike the people before him. Yes, the people who came for her after she received those red tattos on the back of her hand.

They called themselves magi, people capable of using thaumaturgy and lived in a secret society of their own. At first Leanne had thought they were cultists or lunatics - all the more so since they came to her in the middle of the night - and she had considered calling the police. In hindsight that would probably just have proven useless. Everything they told her about sounded too crazy to believe, until they demonstrated it in the most spectacular way: the summoning of her Servant.

Against all reason and logic they made her summon the ghost of a hero from ancient times, a giant of a man wearing a white tunic severely burnt in several places and seven long, hirsute braids falling down his huge back. More frightening was his face; there was no sanity in his eyes, they were clouded with anger and nothing else. In place of speech, anything coming out of his mouth were beastly roars and growls. In the end, this mountain of muscles was closer to an actual wild animal than a human being.

That was because he was Berserker, the Servant of Madness. And Leanne was his Master, supposed to fight in a shady war she knew nothing about for people who were more than strangers. REVOC was the Master fo Assassin of Red, from what he told her.

And there was the second reason why this otherwise peaceful cafe had lost any of the serene charm it was supposed to have: Berserker was here with them. Oh, of course he was just walking down the street alongside them in the flesh; if that was the case, they would have attracted more than curious eyes, namely police officers. The silver lining in all of her misey was that Berserker could literally vanish at will and therefore stayed with her without others being capable of spotting him. But if only it was that simple...

The Servant of Madness held said madness in more than just his behavior and his appearance; the very aura he emitted felt like standing in front of a starving predators, and this uneasiness spread around him even when his was in spiritual form. It was even more exhausting for Leanne of all people, as she had to bear with it all the time. But she didn't want to show any of it on her face.

Not in front of REVOC who was tasked with looking after her (in more ways than one, as she could guess) and was doing his best at his job. Unlike the magi who looked at her like she was some meprisable woman, he was careful not to put too much burden on Leanne.

But that wasn't enough for her to feel any less uneasy.

---

At long last, Michael came back to the gathering room to pick up his nephew.

When he saw his uncle entering the room, a spark of hope and expectancy lit up inside Leo's eyes. It wasn't that he couldn't wait to leave his newfound comrades or that he wanted to stay as far from Hatsuyo who was glarring at him again (which may or may not be his fault); but as soon as he spotted the small package wrapped up in fabric Michael was holding in one hand, the true purpose for his presence here resurfaced in his mind. He was going to summon a Servant. That was happening.

On the other hand, Michael's first reaction upon seeing Leo was to take a step back with surprise coloring his face.

"Whoa, what happened to your face?! Don't tell me you already started fighting! And mano a mano at that! You know you can't beat someone in a fight, you moron!"

"Thank you for rooting for me, O Brutus. I see I can always count on you to have my back if something happens to me. Anyway, I don't think you can call it a fight. It was the... err...heartfelt and one-sided reunion between my face and a fist. Yeah, that's it."

Hatsuyo was still giving him the death stare, yet at the same time she was hiding her katana behind her back apparently warry of Michael. She was doing a poorly job as well; the tip of the scabbard was peeking out from behind her head and she was too obvious in her attempt to hide away the weapon of the crime. fortunately (?) for her, Micahel was much more interested in making fun of Leo than in avenging him, so he didn't take notice of that orgy of evidence.

"Well, I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Or dumber, go figure. Anyway, come with me young man! An adventure full of dangers awaits us!"

"I'm following you, Mr. Pinochet."

"How did I go from a senator to a dictator?! And will you let that down already! What are you, a kindergartner?"

"Tell that to my face and my back."

"Shut up and man up! And I'm sure it's something you brought on yourself anyway."

"I cannot confirm nor deny this accusation."

Still bantering they left the room under the amused or curious gaze of their fellow Masters and headed down the hallways once again for god knew where. Leo could finally take a deep breath and relax, thanks in part to the familiar feeling of interacting with his uncle.

"So, what did you think?" Michael asked him out of the blue after they finished their game of teasing. "The rest of the Red Faction I mean. You were afraid you wouldn't get along with them, so what's your verdict?"

"Hmm." Leo held his chin in reflexion before answering honestly. "They're...not bad people at heart, aren't they? I must say I was really surprised." If you excepted the bullying and the witch trial, Leo had no real complaint.

"Isn't it? For some random choice the Grail really didn't pick any ol'magus. Even the three founding families weren't chosen, and yet here we are uncle and nephew on the same side."

"Now that you mention it, I did find it strange. Isn't there supposed to be at least one Master for the Einzbern, the Makiri and the Tohsaka?"

"That's how it's supposed to be, but it looks like this war breaks all the rules in the end. Of course they could be among our enemies, but I highly doubt they'd ever go against the Mage's Association so we can assume they aren't involved at all."

That was weird to say the least, but definitely not something scratching their head over. It was like this and it didn't really change their situation in any meaningful way. There was a more important matter at hand however, namely the bundle in Michael's hand - the precious! Leo's curiosity was visibly attracted to it, so unavoidable Michael would notice. With a grin he waved the wrapped up object in front of Leo's face.

"Oh my, could this be what you're interested in?"

"Yes! This is my Catalyst, isn't it? Gimme!"

"Hahaha, at least wait until we- get off me! Just be patient for God's sake! Sit! Sit!"

Michael had leverage against him this time, so bulldog-Leo had no choice but to comply. This was more a cease-fire than a peace agreement.

"Would it flay your throat to at least tell me what it is?"

"As long as you don't try to jump on me all of sudden." Michael sighed. "You're really being childish today, what's gotten into you?"

"I haven't had that many occasion for the past year so don't mind if I do."

Another sigh.

"Well, not that I can't understand. Fine, look at this." Michael unfloded the rich fabric and presented some peculiar item to Leo. It was palm-sized small and rather triangular in shape, a brown material with some inscription on it. It was clearly a fragment of something bigger, though Leo couldn't guess. "Tell you what, this is none other than a shard of the Round Table!"

"Hm...wait, do you mean the Roung Table?!"

"What else? The legendary table around which all of King Arthur's knights would gather, in other words a Catalyst that can summon any of them. Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan, you name!"

"So a single Catalyst can summon such a great range of Servants." Leo observed with curiosity. "But then how can I know which one I will summon?"

"The one closer to you in term of personality, or in a different way I'd say. That's how it'd happen without a Catalyst so I don't think the Grail will let you do the picking. Not that it is a problem; pretty much all the Knights of the Round are considered to be top Servants. Now, if you really want to know..." Michael stopped in his track and indicated a door to Leo like a groom in a high class hotel. "Then the best way is to get it over with! After you."

The room Leo was led to had nothing remarkable that set it aside from the others, or even allowed to tell its function: it was simply empty of furnitures and also pretty dark at that. According to Michael it was a room that belonged to Leo's father and by extent to the Argas family, hence why he had picked it to do the summoning. It was usually used as a study and a laborarory for magecraft experiment, but since the summoning ritual would shake things up quite a bit Michael had had all the furnishes removed temporarily. Probably because of that the room felt unusually wide and spacious to Leo who could pratically hear the echo of his footsteps.

It did have one particular feature though: a two meters-wide dark red circle filled with complexe symbols and words, all of iit inscribed on the floor. Leo could recognize the summoning circle he saw back in the library, something he was glad he wouldn't have to draw himself - he already couldn't draw a cat, let alone a giant perfect circle and such intricate sketches.

"Do you need me to teach you the summoning incantations?" Michael inquired after he had put the shard of the Round Table.

"No thank you. At least that wasn't hard to remember, they sound like they were written by someone with an eighth-grader syndrom."

"Whatever's a eighth-grader syndrom?"

"You know, it's...ah, whatever. Let's do this."

Leo had been relatively relaxed up until now, but standing before the summoning circle and about to do sommething for the very first time he gulped and felt his chest being interlaced with anxiety. What of he stuttered? Was there a retry? No, before anything he shouldn't even think of failure! Come on, it was something he rehearsed several times already.

He took a deep breath, and the words started flowing out of his mouth:

"Let silver and steel be the essence.

Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.

Let red be the color I pay tribute to.

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."

Leo felt a chill running through his entire body and his Magic Circuits converting the mana in the atmosphere into prana. The summoning circle started to glow of a bright red color as his whole body was burning from the prana consumption. He had made sure to add the line about the color like Michael had told him to as well.

"Let it be filled. Again. Again. Again. Again.

Let it be filled fivefold for every turn, simply breaking asunder with every filling.

Let it be declared now; your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword.

Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail.

Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth.

An oath shall be sworn here.

I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven;

I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell."

He was now in a sort of transe. Although prana was raging through his body, he felt no pain as if his focus was on the words he was pronoucing. A gate was opening; he could feel it! And what lied behind that gate was the Heroic Spirit called upon the world. Without hesitation, he opened that gate by pronuncing the last verse.

"From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,

come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!"

And then, an explosion occured.

Well, more like a sudden blast of wind. Michael wasn't kidding when he said the ritual would shake the room up: had they left anything inside it would probably have been knocked aside. Leo himself was caught by surprise and stumbled backward, hitting the hard floor with his buttocks. Michael, on the other hand, hadnt so much as flinched, probably that he expected it after he doing once for Rider. The room wasn't in a mess, but even so dust was flying around everywhere, obstructing his view of the circle and of the result. Suddenly, before all the dust ould fall to the floor, a shape emerged - the shape of a young man in armor.

The young knight looked youthful if anything - to the point Leo wouldn't be able to pinpoint an age. At any rate he seemed to be at least a little older than Leo. The armor he was wearing had a pretty generic shape, but the shades of white, gold and red gave the impression it was made of a precious metal, if not several. What made it all the more surrealist was that it was gleaming; not so much that Leo could be blinded, but in this room that was poorly lit the armor was emitting a faint light. Thanks to that Leo and Michael could see his short dark purple hair and his light blue eyes. Although he didn't have a cape, he had something similar starting from his waist and stopping just short of ground level. Finally, attached to his arm was a large shield of immaculate white like chalk, save for a cross of crimson red, painted in blood over the white surface of the ecu.

And Leo could only stare in awe as he was still lying on the floor; standing in front of him with a face devoid of any emotions, the Servant asked in a flat yet assured tone:

"In accordance to the summon I present myself - Servant Saberof Red. I ask of thee: are you my Master?"

---

Thank you for reading!

Welcome back for this first chapter of Fate/Rongodamiant, as well as the second rewritten chapter after the Prologue! If you've read through the Prologue, it means you've given this serie your interest. If you've actually read through the first chapter it means you've given it a chance and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

All the Masters of Red, along with their Servants, have been presented in this chapter. Sure it was short, but be assured that you'll get to discover them individually over time. I hope you'll come to apreciate them as much I do. Next chapter will be dedicated to the Black Faction, although I don't know if I'll actually rewrite it or any chapter beyond. Just rewriting this first chapter took me a lot of time (and it has almost tripled in size), and that time is not spent on continuing the story. Anyway, see you guys in the most recent chapters!

Once again, thank you for reading this chapter. Feel free to comment, review or ask a question!

~Legends Storyteller.