Chapter 1 - An Inspector Calls

Tensions was slowly but surely rising. Leylines overflowing and drowning the city. Magi were running wild as their magical circuits surged with vigour. The presence of Ruler had become troublesome very quickly for the law keepers of this complex. News was spreading like wildfire across the country as the vultures all swarmed to the river desperate to participate in the bloodshed, like hyenas to a corpse. They spoke with glee as the potential spectacle before them could become their reality. Selfish desires and wishes threatening to poison the city itself. Lord El Melloi rubbed his temples in frustration as he slowly pieced together the information.

'Shit'

'Why here?' he whined exasperatedly. 'How?' he questioned as he threw his papers onto the ornate desk in front of him, a mountain of paperwork promptly collapsing onto the floor.

There was no doubt about it. A ruler class servant had been seen in London, seemingly sightseeing. Waver cringed as he saw Ruler posing on top of a gondola, how had he not been noticed? One doesn't freely climb the London Eye and not get arrested unless they use magecraft. He sifted through more material, more photos of Ruler dramatically posing in front of national landmarks. He would have to thank Flat for his surprising subtlety later. The fact that Ruler was roaming London made him pale slightly as he poured himself a stiff drink and lit a cigarette. He could already hear the elders complaining but he merely shrugged it off. A Holy Grail War would be conducted here in London, what an awful location to choose he thought to himself. Groaning in defeat he slumped back into his chair, drink motionless as he did so. Downing the liquor in one he turned to the window, what benefit could come of such a cruel ritual?

As if sensing his bother, Ruler merely smiled as he stood perfectly balanced atop a crane overlooking the city. The first command seals had finally manifested themselves, they called to him, their soft soothing voice guiding him as he effortlessly waltzed across the London skyline. Like a firefly in the night sky. The rush of wind, and the howling of the traffic gave him an adrenaline rush, it filled him with an excitement he couldn't contain. It burst from him as a smirk couldn't help but creep across his lips. He leapt from building to building, slipping through the night. The voices calling out to him, they wanted to see him. Repeating the same line, as if by mantra they endlessly repeated. 'Scotland Yard, Scotland Yard, Scotland Yard,' Ruler's eyes widened in disbelief as he closed the distance between them. Memories flooded his mind as stories of his glory days filled the atmosphere, oh how they despised him for doing their job. How could he blame them, he was just of a higher calibre and that made them jealous. His prowess over them filled him with a childish glee. Overlooking the building he brought himself back to his senses, the voices emanated from the it, echoing and droning as they begged for his arrival. Straightening his tie, he dropped to the floor gracefully, as if gravity didn't affect him. Smiling he made his way to the front gate as his body started to dissipate.

The streets were running rampant. People wild as they stole and slaughtered each other. Everyday folk driven to crime by those surrounding them, those raising them, those meant to love them. He scrawled through report after report, running a scarred hand through messy blonde hair as bags hung from his eyes. John Smith. The head of Scotland Yard. The man now charged with taming London, keeping its people safe, keeping them sane. The surging leylines, their constant ebb and flow, it drilled into their heads as their circuits flared. Magi were being driven mad by the mana overflow, everyday people unable to handle having their circuits forcefully activated were collapsing in the very streets he patrolled. This madness would have to stop. Glancing over at his wrist he wistfully sighed, a band of 3 perfectly aligned rectangles covered his wrist. They formed a geometric bracelet on his skin as they pulsated and glowed. They throbbed and ached as his eyes stung.

Looking at his watch, 4am, Mrs Smith wouldn't be impressed. Stretching out he stood in the window overlooking the night. He was a man of tall stature standing at 6 foot 5. His body toned and scarred from years of countless service, groomed yet rough hands scratched at his emerging beard. His shoulder length hair greasy and matted hung from his head as he ran his finger through it, in a poor attempt to comb the mess. His cerulean eyes piercing the night as he gruffly coughed. His coat rested loosely on his shoulders as he rummaged for a lighter.

'The Holy Grail War huh,' he finally spoke 'The Clock Tower warned me of such a thing,' looking down at his wrist, a dark red band of 3 identical rectangles forming a bracelet of sorts, 'I just never anticipated I would be apart of it myself'. Momentarily sorting himself out John strode towards the office door, opening it to be greeted by several other detectives. 'Team it is our duty to win this war and procure the Grail. We will protect this city and it's people at all costs.'

The detectives stiffened and gave an affirmative nod before following John as he made his way to the staircase. One of the detectives, a young lady stepped forward carrying a briefcase, hesitantly she handed the case to John who nodded back knowingly. Silently he took the case, opening it gently so he may peek at its contents. There it lay shining in the artificial light, a sliver of metal, a fragment.

'The Natural History Museum reserved it for us sir' the young lady spoke, John listening intently. 'The only condition for loaning it is that we return it to them after inspection.' she explained softly. Lifting the fragment into the air John squinted, his eyes tracing every ounce of the fragment. Would this be enough?

'Be careful with that, it's a precious relic you know?' a sharp voice cut through the silence. On instinct he grasped the piece, pocketing it as he reached for his handgun. His surrounding detectives doing the same as they all aimed their firearms at the now present target. A light laughing rung through the deathly silent air as Ruler came into vision, the group tensing as he did so. Their trigger fingers becoming ever more twitchy. Stoically John's eyes pierced Ruler's as he felt a sweat emerging on his forehead. What an authority the man had.

'I am Ruler, overseer of the Holy Grail War, protector of the fallen masters' Ruler proclaimed, trying to hide his increasing sweating. Silently John carried on staring, his entourage becoming ever restless. 'I am here to accompany and guide you throughout your summoning, you are the first master to acquire their command seals' Ruler elaborated. Stepping forward John extended a hand,

'If you truly are no threat Ruler then you will shake my hand' John commanded as he approached the servant, maintaining eye contact the whole time. Gingerly Ruler extended his own, firmly grasping John's. Seemingly pleased by the exchange John stepped back 'You may accompany us Ruler, you seem legitimate.' Once again clenching the shred of metal the group slid down the halls and stairs as they silently entered an elevator. Whilst stuffy none complained, they were anxious for what was about to transpire.

'You understand what that is don't you?' Ruler inquired as they filed out of the stuffy metal box into the darkness. John merely raised an eyebrow in contempt as he strutted into the darkness in front of them.

'Excalibur' he stood motionless, 'This is a fragment of Excalibur, the holy sword from the lake, The sword of King Arthur' he explained in a blasé fashion, somewhat shocking Ruler. How could someone be so apathetic about such a relic? 'Being summoned in Britain will increase his power exponentially' John continued as he used the fragment to cut open his palm. Slathering his fingers in the gushing scarlet liquid he motioned to the floor. Setting about their work, the detectives flicked on the lights as John started to inscribe runes and symbols into the floor. Meticulously drawing each symbol before moving onto the next. With grace he completed a summoning circle before Ruler who stood in silent astonishment. He had no need to help the man who went about such a ritual with indifference.

Once satisfied John placed the now bloodied fragment in the centre before making his way back to the group. Checking his watch he nodded to the other detectives, Ruler checking his own. 4:30 AM this group moved with surprise pace. Taking a deep breath, John closed his eye and raised his arm towards the circle,

'Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone.

The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.

The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Repeat every five times.

Simply, shatter once filled.

I announce.

Yourself is under me, my fate is in your sword.

In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.

Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.

You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance!' John roared with a rather unusual passion, his eyes glowed as he energetically recited the mantra.

The room glowed a blinding white, cutting through the darkness as the circle started to dissipate, the ground shook as all but Ruler and John were shaken to their feet. His wrist pulsated as he merely focused on the miracle happening before him. Ruler watched in stunned silence as the light filled the room, what a beautiful sight to behold. His circuits surged as he struggled to maintain hold of the ritual, his body shook as he roared once again in victory. Before him stood an imposing figure. I giant clad in a shining armour, piercing yellow eyes shone in the dark as their flowing golden mane bellowed in a storm of their own creation. Silently, motionlessly they stood there. John bowed before the giant, their yellow eyes not once blinking. Raising one hand out in front of them, the giant's began to glow a golden light as a metallic substance began to form and weave around their gauntlet, it twisted and contorted forming a gigantic lance around their hand. John watched in heavy dread and anticipation as the armoured monster looked down on him,

'King Artoria, I am your loyal servant I shall be your loyal subject as you reclaim your country' John echoed. Artoria merely nodded before she turned to inspect the room she had been summoned in.

Her armour gave her a fearsome appearance, truly fitting of the Lion King. Her armoured helmet took on the form of a ferocious wild cat as a mane of hair flowed out from it, covering her head and shoulders in a majestic lock of fur. Jagged and pronounced fangs jutted from the mouthpiece of the helmet as her yellow eyes glowed from within the visor. Her pauldrons splayed out diagonally as yet more bellowed from them, forming a regal cape of sorts to compliment her armour. Her breastplate, rather pronounced for a king, slanted forward creating a spike that rose from her chest. Her battle skirt, covered in thick plates of shining armour flowed whenever she turned or moved, her hips in turn were adorned by yet more golden fur and metal hip plates. Finally her metal armoured boots crunched with each step on the ground. The cracked the ground with each weighted step. The armour rose to her knees where it once again slanted forward creating knife-like spikes that shot out dramatically. Her lance, heavy and forceful gently rested in her hand as she aimlessly wondered inspecting her new surroundings in silence.

Deathly silent the whole time Ruler finally spoke up

'I pronounce you John Smith to be the first master to registered in this Holy Grail War. My your servant Artoria Pendragon lead you to victory.' With dramatic flare Ruler finished his declaration, turning to John he smiled. Placing a hand on his shoulder he quickly dissipated leaving the master and servant alone. Sneaking a look at the wandering Artoria he gulped slightly, how was he going to explain this to Mrs Smith?