Lancer watched as his master disappeared behind the heavy cathedral doors. The servant felt no ill will from the priest despite his master's very apparent nervousness, negating his concern. Lancer shifted away from the cathedrals grand entrance to float across the modest courtyard. He passed over the carefully preened bushes and lawn before reaching the iron fence that surrounded the structure. The servant merely wisped up the side, before taking up a perch on its parapet. Still unseen, Lancer took to reclining, as he looked out across the courtyard before him. While silent, there was no doubt in the servant's mind that others were present. The magical energies varied, but he could make out two others in his general vicinity. This wasn't all to surprising to the servant, considering the first and final meeting between all participating masters was occurring just beyond the walls of the cathedral. Their servants had to wait somewhere.

Furthermore Lancer was certain if they'd meant him or his master any harm, they would have acted by now. They were seemly just as complacent as Lancer, for now at the very least. Without any kind of verbal agreement, a mutual indifference was met. Lancer glanced over to the cathedral's facade. Allowing his thoughts to wander.

A smile spread across Lancer's invisible face as he humored his situation. His eyes flicked up to the sky as he mulled everything over. His luck with mages was never very good, was it? Their blind persistence, and tendency towards selfishness where but a few of their follies the Lancer had come to know well. Though Lancer could never recall a time where there spells didn't fade, or work out for the better in the end. Except for one. Before he could finish his thoughts, he was struck with the sensation of an approaching energy. His attention fell upon the gateway to the courtyard, as two figures emerged from the darkness beyond it.

Of equal height, one, the male, was of little note to the servant. Clad in dark robes, he scurried up the path beside his obviously female companion. She on the other hand, was of serious concern. In contrast to the man, she was brightly dressed in a gown of gold and crimson, cut in such a way to tease onlookers. However her demeanor was far from sultry. The way she walked was with a self righteous power, unfettered and very much domineering to her companion. The two approached the cathedral doors much in the same way Lancer and Henning had done but a few minutes before. The man rapping the door fervently once he passed over the steps. The priest once again pushed open the door and Lancer watched with deeper intrigue.

"Lampri," The priest spoke in a surprised and concerned tone, " Mildrake said you'd be sumo-"

"That doesn't matter." The man spat. " What's done is done, the old man tests my patience."

The priest frowned but waved the man inside, the woman on the other hand, remained in the courtyard, plainly in view.

Lancer held his breath as she turned around, looking across the seemingly empty courtyard. She smirked.

"So we are to sit here, tied to posts like horses?" She said aloud to the silence. "Surely they're mistaken. Are they not?"

Lancer, nor any of the other two servants answered, and the woman began to pace about the green space.

"Humor me." She chuckled, holding out her arms. "This may be our last time to talk like this. I won't be nearly as merciful come tomorrow."

Her hands rested on her hips as she waited for a reply, her eyes darting across the courtyard as she awaited a response.

"No?" She she huffed, rubbing her chin, before suddenly perking up again, " Ah! I see now. You've all been acquainted before." She smiled, giving a shrug, "I can understand your wariness. But the fact none of you can recognize an Empress is a crime in itself!" The woman laughed. "But I'll allow it, at the very least I can educate those of you who know not of my glorious reign. For I am Empress Nero!" She announced holding one of her hands towards the sky. A swell of magical energy burst into existence at her palm as her gnarled black and red weapon materialized. "Of the Saber class. The only one nobel enough to suit me… Now do introduce yourselves, my lovely subjects."

Henning was led along the pews of the cathedral by the priest. The Master nervously glanced at the eaves and ribs of the structures interior, it dwarfed him. Before he could comment on the church's ornamentation to lighten the mood, the two had arrived at a door to one of the buildings many side rooms. Wordlessly, the priest pushed it open and motioned Henning to enter. The Master blinked for a moment, looking into the room. It was well lit but completely empty. Henning turned to address the matter but his words were met with a frown.

"I'd expect a mage to know a concealment spell." The priest huffed.

"O-Oh! My apologies." Henning replied sheepishly, before quickly and awkwardly stepping into the room.

He could feel the veil of magic gently pass through him as he moved through the threshold. It was an only refreshing feeling as he passed through to the other side, a final brief pleasantry as he spotted the other four masters that occupied the room.

They were all seated around a rectangular table, one man and one woman to Hennings left, another woman to the right, and an elderly man sat at the opposing head of the table. The man and woman on the on the left looked to be of Spanish and German bloodlines, the elderly man a possible Englishman, and the lone woman on the left was of mixed descent, predominantly African. They're shared demeanor were oddly casual, even as Henning approached the meeting table.

The first to note his approach was the Elderly man.

"I'm glad to see you've arrived, Anolen." He nodded rather solemnly. "We were worried you would not make it."

"It wasn't hard to find…" Henning replied, sliding into the free right sight seat.

The man that sat across from the meek master gave a sharp nod to the woman who sat next to Henning. She grumbled, and slid a small coin purse across the table.

Henning was a bit taken aback by the transaction.

"Didn't expect an Anolen to be able to summon a servant." The losing woman spat, crossing her arms. "Your European bloodline is old and weak."

"Ms. Van Brecht." The elderly man spoke up. "Now is not the time."

She sneered and leaned back in her chair, but otherwise dropped the subject.

"But yes." The other woman added, "You're family isn't exactly known for complex or bountiful magic circuits. Which came as quite the surprise when you received the command seal."

The man beside her gave another sharp nod.

"Regardless." The elderly man continued, "I called us all here to go over the rules of this ceremony and while two still remain absent, we can at the very least begin our introductions."

There was a murmur of approval among the Masters.

"I'd rather us be aware of each other's identities prior to the commencement. As to protect outsiders from being mistaken as involved Masters." The elder proceeded, " As you are all aware I, Darius of the Mildrake Family, am the organizer, of this ceremony. I am accompanied in orchestrating this with the Le Barb family, whose representative seems to be absent." He finished before nodding towards the German woman, who obliged.

"I will be following through with the command of the Mage's association as their selected participant and co-organizer." She said, pushing a few strands of her strawberry blond hair out of her face, "You may address me as Mrs. Sauer."

"Now we get to the wild cards!" The woman beside Henning laughed, turning to him, " You, Lucientes, and I are all the unexpected selections!"

"Lucientes?" Henning questioned, glancing at the still silent man across for him.

"Yeah, he isn't one to talk." She shrugged.

"Nia, some respect please." Mrs. Sauer huffed, unamused.

The newly dubbed Nia rolled her eyes. "You weren't hesitant in calling out the Anolen. Why not point out the mute?"

"It's Henning…" The meek master interjected.

Before Nia or the others could retort to Henning's self proclamation, another master stormed through the door and magical barrier.

"Lampri." Darius said sternly as the dark haired man hastily take up the remaining seat, "You're late."

"I had more important matters to attend to." Lampri replied in an unapologetic frank tone. Resting his chin on his hand

Darius's face creased with frustration as he observed the fresh command seal upon the Master's hand.

"Clearly." Darius rumbled. "I suspect you didn't find our missing master?"

Lampri shooked his head, and Darius let out a sigh.

"Then we must continue without them for the time being." Darius proceeded, leaning against the table before shakily rising to his feet. " I know you are all aware of the disasters surrounding the Holy Grail Wars Fuyuki, our intention is not to replicate them, but to improve upon them. The cost of life they present and the way it often exceeded the seven masters involved is what we plan on avoiding is it not?"

Everyone gave nods of approval as Darius moved across the room. "It's taken me decades of study and manipulation to properly prepare for this ceremony, and even still I was unable to avoid the potential cost of life among ourselves…"

The Masters were silent.

"I have given each of you a chance to summon your servants, and it seems most of you have." Darius spoke, glaring at Lampri, " The last of the organizers, including myself and Mrs. Sauer will be completing our summoning after this meeting. The moment my servant comes into fruition, the ritual will begin. The rules should be obvious as of this moment. You are not to harm any of residence or humans within or around the boundaries Sograal during this ceremony, nor can you flee. Alliances are to be expected. And this cathedral is neutral ground..."

Henning let out a shallow breath as the weight of Darius's words fully engulfed him.

"...Both the Mage's Association and the Holy Church will be observing this ritual and will step in if things get out of hand." Darius finished, "I do hope you all understand."

He was met with a chorus of yes and nods, and he sunk back into his chair.

"Then this concludes our-"

Darius's words were cut short by a sudden pounding at the door. Mrs. Sauer immediately jumped to her feet to address the situation, opening the door to find the priest exasperated.

"What's happening?!" She asked quickly, dispersing the concealment spell.

"That's what I was going to ask you!" He shouted back, "Can you not hear it?!"

Suddenly, the cathedral seemed to shudder, accompanied by the sound of clashing weapons that all had been previously silenced by the concealment spell.

"Shit." Lampri said suddenly, knocking back his chair and bolting for the door.

"Hold on!" Darius shouted at the man as practically flew out the door, before looking at the other stunned Masters, "Follow him!" He roared.

Saber: Empress Nero | Master: Lampri Le Barb

Lancer: Identity Unknown | Master: Henning Anolen

Archer: Unknown

Caster:Unknown

Rider:Unknown

Assassin:Unknown

Berserker:Unknown

Speaking of current servants and masters, I'm currently seeking out ideas for an Assassin Servant (and possibly master). I'd appreciate it!

Here's a format your you to PM/comment with:

Servant Name:

Alignment:

Gender:

Personality:

Appearance:

History:

Weapon:

Class Skills:

Personal Skills:

Noble Phantasm(s):

If you'd like to submit a master idea for the assassin class just use the same template, replacing the last 3 sections with magical specialties and abilities. This'll be open til the next chapter comes up ^^! Thank you!