Chapter II: Pitch Black
«In accordance to the summon, I present myself- Saber of Red. I ask of you, are you my Master?»
Even after hearing those words, Leo was so dazed by Saber's appearance he stood open-mouthed a few seconds before reacting.
«Hu-Ah! Yes.» He showed the Command Spells on his hand. «I am the one who summoned you -your Master!»
Saber, instead of saying anything else, simply stared at him as if he was testing his reaction. Leo -who didn't like being analyzed to start with- decided to take the lead.
«Can I ask you something? Which knight are you?» He pointed at the catalyst on the altar. «Since I summoned you with a s-hard of the Round Table I didn't knew who would be summoned.»
«I understand.» Saber nodded. «Excuse me for not presenting myself earlier, Master. My name is Galahad.»
Saber kneeled down and bent his head forward like a knight paying allegiance to his lord. Leo sincerely didn't knew how to react in this situation. He didn't especially like having people bow before him, but since he did it on his own he didn't knew if it was nice to disrupt him. In the end he opted for the former.
«Err- You don't need to kneel down! I am only the one who summoned you...» His voice slowly faded when he finally acknowledged what Saber told him. «Wait, you said Galahad? The Galahad?!»
«Yes, I am Galahad, the knight who sat at the Siege Perilous.»
Leo had pretty much hit the jackpot. Among the knights of the Round Table, Galahad was considered as the Best Knight. To be able to summon him was a great advantage in and of itself. Leo decided to use his clairvoyance powers as a Master to check his Servant's ability. His overall statistics were good, thank both to his rank as a Heroic Spirit and the fact that Leo had good Magic Circuits. His Noble Phantasm in particular was A++ rank! Then, Leo decided to take a look at his skills. There, among the class skills and others skills you would expect from a knight, one skill in particular drew his attention. The skill in question was Chosen One at A-rank. Apparently, it was the embodiment of the luck of being chosen from birth among thousands to accomplish a special feat. The effect was that the Luck Checks were pratically always successful.
«Master, is there a problem?» Saber asked. Leo realized he had been staring at him without a word for a moment.
«It's nothing!» He sighed. He realized now just how demanding summoning his Servant had been. A good rest would be more than welcomed. But before that… «Saber, in order to complete our pact, may I ask you what is it that you wish for?»
When he said that, Saber frowned a little. Apparently he didn't expect to be asked that. He hesitated a little before answering.
«I seek for the Holy Grail.» He said in a balanced tone.
«I figured out that much. What I want to know is the reason why you seek it.»
«To obtain the Holy Grail. The very reason of my birth was to carry out the quest of finding the Grail.»
It actually made sens. The knight Galahad had been designated even before his birth as the one who would retrieve the Grail and bring it to Britain. It was the fate that made him the best knight, that allowed him to sit at the Siege Perilous and that gave him the Chosen One skill. In that regard, it could make sens that his wish would be the Grail itself. It made sens but…
«But didn't you already find it? Didn't you already achieve your quest?»
Indeed, among all the heros who mostly had a tragic fates, Galahad's legend finished on what was closer to a happy end. He finally found the object of his quest at the end of his journey and prayed for his own death to come. And when finally he looked deep into the Grail and witnessed its final secret, he died happy and was taken to heaven.
«It doesn't matter if I found it once, or if this Grail isn't the same I found long ago. Today, somewhere, the Grail is awaiting for the most worthy to possess it. That is why I have to find it.»
Leo didn't knew what to think. Once again it made sens and he had no counter-arguments, but Leo couldn't help but to feel there was something else to it. Oh well, it didn't really matter in the end. He didn't care that much about his wish.
«What about you, Master?» Saber asked.
«Mh?»
«For what wish are you fighting?»
«Well,» Leo scratched the back of his head. «To be honest I don't really have a wish.»
«Why are you fighting then? Why did you take part in this war if you don't wish for anything?» His question was legitimate.
«Why? Well, because I have to I guess. I have no other choice than taking part in. You would have prefered that I leave my seat to someone who has an actual wish?»
Saber shook his head in response.
«I am not one to criticize your choice. After all, it's thanks to you that I was summoned in this war.»
«Really? I know that I did the summoning but someone else could have-»
«No, if among all the knights that were my companions I was summoned, that's because your personality and mine are very close.»
Their personalities were close? Leo could hardly believe it. Saber was someone so brave and determined that he came back from death to do something he had already done during his life. Leo, on the other hand, would have rather not participated in the war. That being said, Leo's personality probably wasn't close to any of the knights'. He so happened to have some affinity with Galahad.
Neither him nor Saber said one more word after this and he considered it the end of the discussion. Leo turned around to see what his uncle, which had been waiting the whole time, was doing. To his surprise, Michael was talking with someone to the phone. Most of magi considered technology as blasphemous but Michael being an exception Leo wasn't really surprised. What caught hisd attention was the grim expression on his face as he was listening to someone over the phone. Finally, he said a few words in French that Leo, thanks to having passed most of his childhood in France, understood.
«Yes… Yes… It cannot be helped then. Yes… Goodbye.» He hanged up the phone.
«What's the matter, oncle Michael?» Leo asked his uncle. The latter turned his head in his direction looking more miserable than ever. «Since earlier you seem to have learn something you didn't talk about.»
Michael looked down and sighed. He looked around in search for something to sit on but, seeing that there was no such thing, he simply sat on the floor. He massaged his shoulder for a minute, obviously preparing his words. Finally, with a final sigh of exhaustion, he started talking.
«It's about Maria. Her boat…
Half an hour earlier
Somewhere in the Channel
The boat was sweeftly moving forward on the waves. On the deck, bent over the hand rail to look at the sea, a young woman about twenty with black long hair was humming peacefully. The wind was softly carressing her sking and the perfume of the sea was filling up her nose. This feeling was even more refreshing for someone like her who spent two years in a huge city like Paris.
«You seem happy with the trip, Maria.» A familiar voice reached the ears of the girl known as Maria Argas.
She stopped bending over the hand rail to look at the one who called out at her and smiled.
«Why, you aren't, Silvelune?» She answered to the girl in a wheelchair.
The one accompaning her was a gorgeous girl with blond long hair and a pale skin sitting in a black electric wheelchair. Actually, her skin was so pale that one could mistaken her fo a corpse. It was due to the fact she usually didn't go outside of her house. This girl was Silvelune Arbonnaux. Her and Maria were friends since almost ten years and they were both magi. However, Maria was the only one to practice magecraft on a daily basis. Silvelune couldn't do the same for the same reason she was stuck in this wheelchair. Her legs worked properly and she could probably get up and walk if she wanted to. Her body, however, was weak and tired quickly. If she were to get up and walk, she would drop after ten metres; although there was no problem with her Magic Circuits, casting spells was demanding for her.
And yet she had decided to accompany Maria on this trip to England.
«Sorry, I didn't meant to spoil your mood.» Silvelune joked with a chuckle. «But, honestly, you're really enthusiast to the idea of going to London.»
«Of course I am.» Maria stretched. «I couldn't go last year because of my studies. But now I have a good reason to go and see Leo.»
«Oh, so that's the reason why.» Silvelune chuckled again. «You like him that much.»
«Hey, what is that supposed to mean? Leo's like a little brother to me.»
That's right. She remembered the first time she had met with her cousin, when he was barely eight year old. At this time, he barely talked to her and spent most of his time all alone. But things had changed and, little by little, he opened his heart to her. She taught him French and he talked about England to her. It wasn't exaggerated to say they were like brother and sister. In fact, Maria didn't recall meeting Leo's mother nor his father. It's been so long it felt like the two of them had always been together.
«But, Maria.» Silvelune's voice rose again. «There are several magi on this boat right?»
«Well, yes. Because of the Holy Grail War that started, the Mage's Association has called numerous magi as support.»
«From what you told me, it's a battle between factions, right? But if the Mage's Association ask for support, aren't you afraid that this boat could be targeted?»
«Mmmh.» Maria had already thought about it. «I'm not worried. As you said there are several magi with us.» She puffed her chest a little. «And I'm not a harmless little girl either. You can count on me if things turn bad.»
«That's not what I meant.» Silvelune sighed. «This is the problem of having a father too carefree I guess.»
«?» Maria didn't understand what Silvelune meant. «What do you mea-»
Suddenly, she was interrupted by a scream. It was a scream of pain from a man. The scream disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. It was like it had been cut off by something else. After this, nothing. Not a voice could be heard. Actually, no noise could be heard at all. The boat had stopped advancing.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Maria heard footsteps coming from a door not far. This door led to a metal stairway that went inside the boat. It was from the same door that she heard the scream. She looked at Silvelune to see that she was still calm although her smile had faded. It was a good thing; in a situation like this, panic only worsen the situation. Truth be told, Maria knew this trip wouldn't go as planed. She was ready to fight. What worried her was Silvelune. Her friend couldn't take a fight against another magus. That's why her first reaction had been to put herself between the door and her friend.
Finally, the footsteps stopped and Maria could hear a growl from behind the door. Rather than opening the door that wasn't locked, the unknown aggressor utterly smashed the door. Then, he came out. It was a man rather young-looking wearing a black coat with a symbol on it that Maria couldn't reconize. In his hand he was holding a sword tightly. This sword too was strange as one half was black and the other half was white. The sword as well as his coat were covered in blood, as if he killed not like an experienced killer but rather like a savage. When he turned in their direction, Maria met his gaze. It wasn't the gaze of someone who had found their victim; it was the blind gaze of a madman. But what disturbed her the most wasn't his appearance nor his gaze. It was his presence. Maria could understand just by looking at him that she wasn't facing a human being.
«Silvi.» She called out her friend. «This may turn out in a bad way. You need to start fleeing while I occupy him.» As she said those words, Maria heard Silvelune chuckling softly.
«There's no need to flee. Allow me to present our guest. Maria, here is Berserker of Black. Berserker, Maria.» She said in her usual tone.
«Huh? Silvie, what are you-» Maria wanted to turn around to look at her friend but, before she could, something touched her neck and she felt her consciousness fading away. She only heard those last words.
«This is what I meant.»
She blacked out.
St. Marie Island, Madagascar
While physically off the east coast of Madagascar, St. Marie Island was still integral to it. It was most known as a touristic destination thanks to its luxurious vegetation and its quality sea floor. It was also known as an old pirates landmark and a hot spot for whale watching.
But it was less known as the emplacement of the New Edge Corporation's headquarters. They settled in here only a few years ago and if its location wasn't exactly a secret, it wasn't a globaly famous company either. The main reasons for this were obviously its antagonism to the Mage's Association and the fact that their 'products' weren't made for the populace. And even if they knew New Edge was on this island, not even the local residents knew where their headquarters were located exactly. In fact, people even invented ghost stories about it.
In the forest
On the floor of the tropical forest, a red summoning circle was glowing. Next to it was an altar with the catalyst laying on it. It was a golden ring, a jewel so refined it was impossible it had been made by human hands. Its price would be a life worth of money. However, for anyone who knew its true nature, this ring was priceless; for it was Andvaranaut, the cursed ring of Andvari. It had lost its magical ability though, and was nothing more than an extremely precious jewel.
The one reciting incantation in front of the circle was a black young man in his early twenties with black curly hair. He was wearing what looked like a bartender suit with a black fedora on his head. He was simply standing expressionless in front of the circle, his arm raised forward. Some sweat drops were running on his forehead as the mana was burning his body.
«Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let black 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.
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.
From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,
come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!»
An explosion of light occured and a burst of wind blew through the trees of the tropical forest. The young man had raised his arm in order to protect his eyes from the light. When he lowered it, he beholded the person that had just appeared in front of him.
It was a beautiful maiden that looked in her late teens. Her long blond hair looked like it was made of gold and her strong grey eyes were those of a warrior. She was wearing a silver armor and a white tunic. Strangely, it looked like some part was missing at the back of her armor. Finally, she was holding a helmet under her right arm and a giant spear with an arrow-like head in her left hand. She was standing right and proud in front of the young man.
She examined him up and down with an inquisitive look just like someone examines a horse before buying it. Even so, the young man stood expressionless without a word. After ten second under the strong gaze of the maiden, this one decided to talk.
«In accordance to the summon, I present myself- Lancer of Black. Are you my Master?» She asked in a firm tone.
«I am.» The young man answered in a voice as emotionless as his face. «Allow me to confirm: are you Brynhildr, the shieldmaiden of Sigurd?»
His question was normal. There was no hint of any meanness in his voice. And yet, Lancer looked offended.
«Of course I am.» She replied with a touch of anger in her voice. «And I'll ask you to never repeat this name in front of me.»
She didn't wanted to hear the name Sigurd? That was to be expected maybe. After all, Sigurd was the one who woke her up from her sleep but betrayed her love later. Though, her legend ended with her killing herself to be with him for eternity. Not that the Master understood anyway.
«And what about you?» She pointed at the young man. «What is the name of the one claiming to be my Master?»
«I cannot give you my real name, but you can call me Ewald Wachhund. I am a freelancer magus.» Ewald answered, his voice still as emotionless.
«Oh? And why should I trust a Master that doesn't even give me his real name?» Lancer asked in a suspicious voice.
«I would give you my name if I could. Plus, you need a Master anyway, right?»
Lancer tilted her head and looked at him without a word for two seconds. Then, everything happened at the speed of the sound. Lancer dropped her helmet to grab her spear with both hand, swung it in direction of Ewald's head and stopped it at a hair's distance of his face. However, Ewald didn't faze; he didn't even blink an eye. It seemed this lack of reaction angered Lancer
«What's wrong?» She asked aggressively. «Aren't you afraid of my spear?»
«No. I'm not especially afraid of dying. You could nail me on the ground that it wouldn't bother me at all.»
«Oho? At least you have some balls.» Lancer sounded a little impressed, but still aggressive. She tightened the grasp on her spear. «What is your wish for the Grail, Master?»
«...» Ewald stood silent a little before answering. «I want something back.»
«You mean you're not even able to take back something that belongs to you? I thought you weren't afraid of dying.»
«I guess I woud have prefered it was that simple. But the problem is I am not even sure of what it is that I want back.»
«...»
It was Lancer's turn to stay silent. She looked like she was unsure what to think of what he told her. Finally, she lowered her spear, picked up her helmet and walked away as if she knew where she was going.
«Very well. I acknowledge you as my Master -for now.»
«Wait!» Ewald called out at her. She turned around with a questioning look, wondering what he wanted. «You asked me what my wish is, but you didn't tell me yours.»
«… I want the opposit. I wish to undo my choice long ago that was worth me to lose my statut as a valkyrie and that led to my encounter with 'him'. If that isn't possible, then I want at least to lose my ability to feel love.» She declared solemnly, without an ounce of doubt.
Ewald tilted his head in confusion. He looked at this woman whose dearest wish was to lose love, something she treasured until the depth of death. This wish; this will; Ewald… couldn't understand it.
«Tell me, is love something to make such a fuss over? Is it that important to begin with?» He asked her with all the honesty in the world.
Lancer -no, Brynhildr- looked at him with those eyes. There they were. The eyes of those that didn't understand. The eyes of those who didn't knew that people like him existed. Ewald had seen those eyes so many times he could picture them perfectly in his mind. The eyes of people who could feel emotions.
«Of… Of course!» She lost her temper. «Of course love is important! It's powerful! It can provoke war! It drives gods to merge with mortals! It can bring about the destruction of a government and makes the weakest of hero strong! It can pursue me even within the deepest bowels of death and torture me for eternity!»
«Is that so? I guess you're right.» Ewald looked at the palm of his hand. «Love, friendship, fear of dying- those are feelings that I lost long ago at the same time as my name.»
She could nail him to the ground with her spear; all he would feel would be pain. The most beautiful woman in the world could declare her love for him; all he would feel would be puzzlement. The person that pretended themselve his friend could betraye him; it was just one more person to dispose of. This was the painless hell of one who couldn't feel nor understand most of emotions.
«Losing your feelings?» Lancer looked at him with eyes filled with pity -or maybe it was pity. In the end he didn't know. «Surely you cannot be completely devoided of feeling.» Lancer somehow pulled herself together, as if nothing that he just said ever reached her ears.
«You're right, some emotions are still there, but I miss the most important. I am like a Pandora Box. A box waiting for the Grail to fill it.»
Ewald didn't knew if Lancer listened to that last part. She was already walking away again, though she probably didn't know where to go.
«I still don't believe you. Now if you could tell me where our allies are rather than talking nonsens.»
Nonsens, huh? Ewald didn't hold it against Lancer for thinking that. For a woman whose life was completely turned upside down by her feelings, meeting someone who couldn't feel these feelings must be unacceptable. But Ewald didn't lie. He wanted something she was tired of. He never really had any problem living without his feelings and he could probably end his life this way. But someday, someone told him the most important in life was to find hapiness. But what was that hapiness he was talking about? Ewald couln't even choose his clothes himself without looking like a clown. What was someone like him missing? That's what he wanted to know.
New Edge Corporation's headquarters
In an empty room, Linandir Eïchtobell had drawn a summoning circle and was preparing to summon his Servant. New Edge had gotten several catalyst they presented to the four Master who accepted to join them. Linandir had immediatly spotted the most promising of all.
The catalyst he had chosen was a large crimson breastplate that used to belong to no other than Alexander the Great himself. With that, he would summon a Rider so poweful the war was already won! All was ready. Now, all that was left was the incantation.
«Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let black 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.
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.
From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,
come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!»
After the flash of light and the small explosion, Linandir saw a tall figure rise in the smoke. He had succeded! He had summoned Alexander the Great! He had-
«In accordance to the summon, I present myself -Rider of Black! I ask of you, are you my Underling?»
«… What?» Linandir could only exclaim his confusion.
The man in front of him didn't make him think of a conqueror, nor a Greek Heroic Spirit at all! Rider of black was a tall man with burgundy hair and black eyes. What he was wearing wasn't even close to a Greek armor, but rather a golden and red Roman emperor's outfit! And Roman emperor he was, according to the laurel wreath on his head. He had a large smile on his face which displayed an arrogant confidence.
«I said: are you my Underling?» Rider repeated
«What?! N-No! I am your Master!»
«Master? Nonsens! No one is above the emperor, except the gods! And that's who I am!»
«W-What are you-»
«Rejoice, Underling! You have summoned me, Jupiter! I shall grant you victory for helping me to reincarne in this world!» Rider shouted proudly.
Jupiter? What was he talking about?! He had been told the Grail couldn't summon actual gods. So what was Rider talking about? Linandir understood when he took a look at his Servant's skills. A+ rank Mental Pollution?! How could he fail that badly? He wanted to summon Alexander the Great, the King of Conquerors. But instead, the one he summoned was a mad emperor with who talking normally was impossible!
«Now! It about time to greet our allies!» Rider announced out loud. «Incitatus! Incitatus! Where are you, Incitatus?!»
Suddenly, Linandir heard gallop rhythm and horse snortings in the distance. Then, as if it appeared from nowhere, a horse entered the room. It was a great white horse with a golden saddle and reins. Rider stroked the horse's neck.
«Allow me to present you my consul, Incitatus! Now Incitatus we have to organize a banquet to celebrate our revival!»
«No, you should stop now!» Linandir was pissed off. Not only Rider wasn't the one he intended to summon in the first place, but he didn't even listen to him! Linandir raised his left hand where the Command Seals had appeared. «By this Command Seal, I command you, Rider, to obey me!»
One Command Seal disappeared from his hand Rider shook like he had been hit by a shockwave. He turned around and looked at Linandir with furious eyes.
«How dare you! You dare to give your emperor -no, your god!- an order?! Your pride shall not remain unpunished!»
Rider started to move to grab Linandir's head, but the later was already ready to cast a second Command Spell.
«By this Command Seal, I forbbid you to kill me, Rider!» The second Command Seal disappeared and Rider shook again.
It had only been two minutes since he summoned his Servant, and he was already down to one Command Seal. What a disaster. But at least now his Servant will be more obedient.
«You… you ungrateful wretch! I made you the honor of summoning me, and you dare to give orders to this god?! I will-» Rider was interrupted by his horse's neighing. «What? What is it Incitatus?» Rider was addressing to his horse.
The horse kept neighing like it was really talking to him. Was this horse intelligent? And could Rider really understand what it was 'saying'? By looking again in his Servant's skills, Linandir found Animal Dialogue at rank B-.
«I see… mm-mm… you're right.» He mutured. Rider turned around and looked at his Master with imperious eyes. «Incitatus is right! As the one who has summoned me and who is providing me with prana, I shall overlook your arrogance! But be sure that as soon as I get my hands on the Grail, I'll have you executed!»
Linandir sighed. Well, at least his Servant was more willing to cooperate now (should he thank the horse for that?). And despite his death threats, he chouldn't be to much of a bother for now. He'll simply have him kill himself with his last Command Seal.
«Now Rider, I'd like you to answer my questions.» Linandir told his Servant.
«What questions could a low-life have for a god?»
Linandir decided to let it slide. Arguing with someone with the skill Mental Pollution was the same as arguing with a rock, except this time the rock would answer back and insult you.
«Is this horse -Incitatus was it?- your Noble Phantasm?»
«What a sordid question! Of course, a god like me only deserve the fastest of horses! He isn't my only Noble Phantasm though. As I told you he is my consul!»
«Right, right...» Linandir sighed again. «Now, could you tell me what your wish for the Grail is? As your Master I need to know it.»
«As my Master? You little… Anyway! Look at the world and tell me what you see!»
«Errr… people I guess.» What did he mean, 'look at the world'?
«People, yes! And what are these people doing?!»
«… living?»
«They worship their so-called God! Their so-called Allah! Their so-called Yahvé! Unforgivable! I am the one and only god they should be worshipping!»
Linandir wanted to slam his head against the wall for summoning this Servant. Rider was the perfect exemple of an anti-hero. He'll have to make sure this megalomaniac Servant of his doesn't get his hands on the Grail, or who knows what might happen to the world?
«Sigh. Aren't you gonna ask what my wish is?» He asked to Rider.
«Pointless! An emperor -no, a god!- doesn't care about their servants' will! Now let's go meet our allies!»
Ewald and Lancer were walking through the hallways of the New Edge's headquaters. The place wasn't very decorated. With its completely white walls and the lamps on the ceiling, it looked like they were inside of a hospital. Ewald had already been in one of those hospital once, but not for a medical examination. All he actually remembered from it was the intense pain in his right shoulder and his ribs.
«...Master.» After an hour without opening her mouth, Lancer spoke up. «About what you said earlier.»
«What is it?»
«...» But Lancer never asked her question, as if she was reluctant.
«...» Ewald stood silent too. Discussions about his 'infirmity' were always awkward -especially for the other party- and he didn't really want to sink deeper in it. However, he felt Lancer was awaiting an answer nonetheless. «I didn't lie nor did I try to make fun of you.»
«...» Lancer was strangely calmer than the fiery maiden who launched a passionate speech about love one hour ago. As she didn't say anything back, Ewald considered the subject closed.
Right now he and his Servant were heading to the shooting range he had been told of. He didn't expect an magi organization to have anything close to a shooting range, but it just confirmed the rumor he heard about New Edge being unorthodox. From what Alexander had told him, this underground base included several laboratories, a library, and dormitories. However, none of the Masters slept in the said dormitories, but rather in separate rooms.
«Oh? Is she one of them?!»
Both Ewald and Lancer heard a loud voice ahead of them. A dozen of metres away, a tall man dressed like a Roman emperor was looking at them. Next to him was a man who looked only a couple of years older than Ewald. He had light brown hair gathered into a ponytail and was wearing a black coat. Ewald reconized him as one of the Master he had met when he arrived here. If he remembered correctly his name was Linandir Eïchtobell. The man behind him was probably his Servant.
Ewald and Lancer stopped in front of them. The Servant looked excited, like a kid who just found a new toy.
«From the spear in your hand, I deduce you must be Lancer, right?!» Linandir's Servant asked aloud as if he was deaf.
«And what if I was?» Lancer replied. Ewald didn't knew why but she sounded angry again. He couldn't tell if this Servant emitted something that made him detestable, as even Linandir was gritting his teeth. He could however tell that he wasn't the kind of person you could discuss with.
«Rejoice! Rejoice, Lancer! I am Jupiter! I have been summoned on your side as Rider of Black! With me, your victory is assured!» Rider was shouting so that his voice reverbated through all the aisle. From the look of it this Rider had some screw loose.
«Jupiter?» Lancer answered in an incredulous voice. «I thought gods couldn't be summoned in the Holy Grail War.»
«Sadly, you're right! I have been summoned as the emperor I once was. But do not worry for that it shall not change the odds!»
Ewald didn't want to spend more time than necessary with a madman. He had already tried to argue with one in the past, and he had unserstood clearly that it was pointless.
«If you may excuse me.» Ewald told to Rider and his Master and started to walk by them, until someone raised his arm in order to block the way. But it wasn't Rider who did so, it was Linandir. «…What do you want.»
«I didn't have the occasion to tell you this earlier.» The man was looking at Ewald with mistrustful eyes. «I don't trust you at all. You're just a freelancer who joined us for money!»
Ewald sighed in his mind. He was used to this, not being trusted. As a mercenary, everyone consider you as a hyena attracted by gain. Of course he didn't mind and he wasn't interested in it either, as neither him could trust people. Well, there were some people he knew would back him up no matter what but it didn't change much.
«… You're not forced to trust me. As you said I'm just here to do my job.» With that he tried to bypass the arm blocking the way, but Linandir grabbed him this time.
«I'm not done yet!» He said angrily.
«What do you want from me? Even if you don't trust me I doubt your boss would be happy if you tried to kill me.»
«Tell me what is your wish.»
«What?»
«Your wish for the Grail! Even a mercenary like you must have something to seek, a wish you want the Grail to grant.»
«… If that's what you want.» Ewald had no point in hiding it. «As you see me now I cannot feel emotions a normal human being would. I want for the Grail to give me back my emotions.»
Strangely, Linandir didn't have those eyes as the rest of the person Ewald met. Instead he frowned even more.
«And you tell me to trust a cold killing machine like you!»
«No. As I said it's up to you if you want to trust me or not. Now let me pass.»
But Linandir didn't let him pass. Instead he grabbed him by the colar and brought him in front of him. Lancer took it as an aggression and was about to attack him with her spear. Rider, instead of being ready to fight like Lancer, watched the scene amused. In fact Ewald could swear he saw a small ray of hope in his gaze. As for Ewald, he had swiftly grabbed a gun hidden in his back.
But all four -three in fact- of them were interrupted.
«Stop that right now!» A strong male voice rose behind them.
The four of them looked back to see who it was that called out at them. They saw a man in his early forties with a military haircut walk in their direction accompagned by someone else. The man was wearing a black suit and tie and had the walk of a trained soldier. In his eyes, Ewald reconized the experience of those who had been on several battlefied. Ewald reconized him. He was the actual wingman of Alexander Lendric: Bruno Blackeye.
«Mr. Blackeye, I-» Linandir tried to defend himself.
«Enough! Mr. Lendric has been clear about it: no fighting between allies.» Bruno replied in a didactic tone. «It goes for you too, Mr. Wachhund.»
«Yes, sir.» Ewald replied in the same way a military would. Bruno seemed to have flinched, if not slightly, upon hearing it.
Linandir finally let go of Ewald's collar. The later could now fully turn around to face the military. He looked at the person behind him. He could not fully see them because they were completely hidden by a large raincoat.
«Mmm? Who might you be?» Rider asked, pointing at the the figure in the raincoat. But it was Bruno who answered instead.
«She is my Servant, Saber.» He simply said.
«I see, I see! Then allow me to present myself! I am Jupiter, summoned as the Servant Rider! Rejoice, Saber!» Rider declared proudly.
Saber took a few steps in their direction and Ewald could finally se her better. Or rather he could see her face. And it was nothing less than strange: her overall features looked Asian but her skin was so dark it was unnatural and there seemed to be some kind of war paint on her face. The pupils of her eyes were white and her whites were completely black. Her forehead was completely hidden by teal bangs. She was looking at Rider with an irritated expression, then turned her gaze toward Linandir.
«Tch! You had to summon Alexander the Great but instead you summoned a damn emperor. And one of the worst at that!» She accused him.
«That's not my fault! I had no idea someone else than Alexander could be summoned if I used his breastplate!» Linandir defended himself.
«Hold on, Saber! You dare to insult the emperor -no, the god!- that I am?!» Rider shouted.
«And what if I do?» Saber replied in a challenging tone.
«You fool! I will-!»
«I told you no fight between allies!» Bruno shouted even louder than Rider, which wasn't nothing, and the two of them stopped. It seemed the military had some kind of natural autority. «Rider, I'll ask you to forgive Saber, she holds a grudge against emperors. After all she died by the hand of one.»
«Oi, you damn brat.» Saber was talking to her Master. «I'm not a sore loser. But these emperors are unforgivable, especially this damn Yellow Emperor!»
«Saber, this is no reason to pick on him. If you want to spend your wrath, do it on our opponents.» Saber decided to shut her mouth but reluctantly. Bruno then noticed the gun in Ewald's hand. «Are you heading for the shooting range?»
«Yes, why?»
Bruno walked past them and motioned to Ewald to follow him.
«I'm heading there too. Come with me.»
Saber walked up to her Master. When she passed next to Ewald, he didn't knew if it was his imagination but the movements of her head moved away her bangs for a second, and... did he just see a second pair of eyes?!
Ewald watched her walking away, pensive.
«What's wrong Master? You changed your mind?» Lancer asked him.
«Mmh? Ah, no. Let's go.»
Ewald and Bruno were both standing in front of a target in the shooting range. Lancer and Saber were standing away from them, silent. While Ewald was using the gun that hadn't left his hand, the military took out a sniper rifle and had chosen one of the most farther targets. Ewald simply watched him assemble his weapon with expert hands, confirming his thought when he first saw him.
«You aren't a magus, are you?»
Bruno let out a short chuckle as he was aiming at the target.
«It's obvious isn't it?»
BANG
«I knew New Edge was different from the usual magi organization, but not to the point to hire actual militaries.» In turn, Ewald raised his arms and aimed at the target.
BANG
«You're right.» BANG «Except that I wasn't hired by New Edge.»
«?»
«I have always been by Mr. Lendric's side since he was a child. I was there way before he created this organization.»
BANG
Bruno laid down his sniper rifle to look at Ewald as the latter was about to shoot.
BANG
«You're the intriguing one, you know? I had made research on you beforehand. 'The Ruthless Killer'. But to think you don't feel emotions...» He paused and raised his rifle again.
BANG
BANG
«I can easily guess what Linandir was talking about ealier with you.»
«Can you?»
BANG
«Yes. He already told us about his doubts about you. And he is right when he says you cannot be trusted blindly.»
BANG
«I see.» Ewald muttured. «And you're the one who's gonna keep an eye on me.»
BANG
At the black boy's statement, Bruno didn't flinch, but he paused a few second without moving.
«Earlier, you answered me like a soldier would, Mr. Wachhund.» BANG «But you don't look like a disciplined soldier to me.» BANG BANG «Given your skill with your gun, you've probably been using it for a long time. Yet, I was told magi didn't like the use of modern weaponery.»
BANG
«… As far as I remember, I've always been holding a gun. I only discovered magecraft later and I barely use it anyway.»
There should have been a 'BANG'.
But instead of shooting, Bruno had raised his gaze from his scope and was looking at Ewald in shock.
«Come on, you've probably been on many battlefields. You've already seen people like me, haven't you?» The latter said
«...» The military was visibly uncomfortable with the topic. It had probably brought back bad memories for him. Simple memories for Ewald.
«It was a rhetorical question. You don't have to answer. If you want to talk about something else, what about your Saber?»
BANG
«What about her?» Bruno pulled himself together.
BANG
«Why is she hiding herself under a raincoat?»
«Her appearance has been distorted by the skill Innocent Monster. If one of our opponents were to see her actual body, they would guess her identity easily.»
BANG
«It makes sens.» So he hadn't imagining it. She had four eyes. «But why is she hiding herself here too? We're supposed to be allies.»
BANG
«… Personal preference. Apparently she doesn't like her new appearance much.»
«The curse of fame...»
«In her wase, she's rather infamous. She's one of the oldest Heroic Spirits, one of our trump cards.»
BANG BANG
«Lendric would lend one of his trump card to someone who isn't a magus?» BANG «It shows how much he trusts you. If I had my emotions I would probably be jealous.»
«And I don't plan on betraying his expectations.» BANG «Plus, our laboratories aren't here for naught.»
«...»
BANG
«...»
The two of them stood silent for the rest of their shooting session.
Corvo Island, archipelago of the Azores
After the reaction of the ley lines, the Mage's Association had spread magi in the four corners of the world to find where the pieces of Grail were located. It wasn't exactly a blind quest; thanks to the ley lines they had a vague idea of where they could be. However, their precise locations were unknown. That's why people like Annabel were searching for them.
She had been sent here in the archipelago of the Azores with two other magi, Crilin and Ernest. It's been a week since they were here but they still hadn't found anything. As for now, they were on Corvo, the smallest island of the archipelago.
«What are we gonna do now?» Crilin asked. «No matter how much we search we can't find this Grail Piece.»
«We cannot go back to the Clock Tower empty handed or without informations.» Ernest replied. «All we can do is keep searching.»
«But even the local residents don't know anything! If a Grail Shard had arrived here, don't you think they would have noticed it?!»
«We can't say for sure. Nothing of the sort ever happened before.»
«… It's probably somewhere no one ever go… or somewhere no one would notice.» Annabel mused.
«It doesn't help us at all.»
Suddenly, a message in their head alarmed them that someone crossed the bounded field they had set up. It wasn't an especially elaborate bounded field as it was only for the time of their meeting, but it was enough to warn them if someone crossed it. When they saw the one who crossed it, they couldn't help but be on their guard.
They were inside a big crater on an island far from the ones with civilization. Only tourists would come here. But the person in front of them was alone, without a guide. It was an old man wearing the traditional clothes of the Azores. His complexion was pale though, unlike the native of the archipelago. He was advancing in their direction with a curious expression. When he was only a few metres away from them he said something in Portuguese. Ernest was the only one in their group good enough in Portuguese to understand him, so he translated.
«He asks what we are doing here.»
«Tell him we are tourists. And ask him who he is.»
Annabel's throat was dry. She gulped as the old man said another sentence in Portuguese.
«He says his name is Outis. He asks if we're lost.»
«Tell him we're alright.» Crilin grumbled. «We don't need him to get in our way-» But he was interrupted as the old man started talking again. «What is he saying?»
«He asks if...» Ernest kept listening to him. «Apparently, words spread quickly here. He asks if we are the tourists looking for something 'unusual'» He was probably talking about their interrogatory of the residents about the Grail Shard.
«And… what if we are?» Annabel asked. Ernest asked the old man.
«He says that he comes on this island often, and that indeed there's something strange on it since around twelve years ago.»
«Really!» Crilin and Annabel asked in chorus. «Ask him where!»
After Ernest told the old man, the latter nodded enthusiastically and pointed a direction at their left.
«He says it's in this direction, on the shore.» Ernest thanked the old man as Annabel and Crilin started walking.
«Ah, wait he says he has one more question.» Enest announced.
«You're the only one who can talk to him! We're going ahead!» And so they kept walking away.
«So,» Ernest turned into the old man's direction and asked him what he wanted. He said he was looking for something too. Ernest asked him what he was looking for and, when the old man answered, the magus blinked.
He had replied 'Três pequenos bisbilhotares'. But that meant-
Quicker than sound, the old man took a knife out of his clotes and put his hand on Ernest's mouth while he was cutting his throat. He couldn't scream. He couldn't warn his team-mates. He just died like a pig while the old man's powerful grip was preventing him from screaming out loud.
'Three little snoops'.
Afar, Crilin and Annabel didn't knew what happened to their comrade and were still walking in the direction the old man had indicated them.
«Still,» Crilin said. «This old man had a strange name.»
«Why?»
«It's not Portuguese, it's Ancient Greek. It means 'Nobod-» But Crilin never finished his explanation.
A black arrow had pounded on him from behind and had pierce his chest with so much strength it cut his body in two. When Annabel turned around, horrified, she saw the old man from before holding a large black bow, and next to him the corpse of Ernest laying on the ground!
She could not escape; the old man had already fixed another arrow in. With her trembling left hand, she reached for her right arm. Before they came in the Azores, they were given a magic signal to activate if they found out something. Annabel's was located on her right arm. If she managed to activate it, then her death would not be vain.
But she never reached it in time. The old man shot his arrow and it percuted Annabel's head, exploding it. As her body fell pitifully on the ground, the old man sighed.
Master, I eliminated those.
Well done, Archer. Come back to me now.
Still, I didn't need to use my Noble Phantasm to change my appearance. I could have killed them in a matter of seconds before they even had the time to react.
It's just a precaution. Now come back.
The old man (?) known as Archer of Black sighed again.
Understood, Master.
Alexander Lendric was sitting on his chair inside his office. His headquarters were located underground so he didn't have a huge bay window opening on the tropical panorama of Madagascar. Instead, the room was full of screen displaying his own base or the forest outside the entrance. Some even showed the inside of the Clock Tower! After all, what was the point of having spies infiltrate their opponent's base if he couldn't even peek in it?
Well, it was also thanks to this that he could catch a glimpse of the Servants of Red's abilities.
Saber of Red's identity wasn't hard to find out. Unfortunately, his legend didn't give him any exploitable weakness. Moreover, him having a B rank Master made him an someone worth keeping an eye on. He couldn't tell about Lancer of Red. His Master wasn't exceptional and his identity remained unknown, but a feeling in Alexander's guts was telling him not to underestimate him.
However, Archer of Red was the real mystery. Although her Master was a little girl, her stats were abnormally high. He hadn't managed to guess anything about her identity yet, but there was no doubt she was a top class Heroic Spirit if she could boast such high stats without being in the Berserker class. Right now, along with Saber of Red she was the greatest threat from the Red Faction.
Aside from the three Knight Class, Caster of Red looked particular but wasn't an immediate threat. He didn't knew what to think of Assassin yet, same for Rider. And finally, there was Berserker. Once again they didn't have much information about him, except that his Master wasn't even a magus. In that regard, it was normal that the Clock Tower made her summon Berserker. But that also meant she didn't have any tie with the Mage's Association. Depending on what her reason to participe was, there was a possibility for New Edge to recruit her.
«Master.» A voice spoke up behind Alexander.
The boss of New Edge turned around to look at his Servant. The Heroic Spirit of Assassin was over two metres tall and was fully clad in black, so that he looked like a big shadow. He was wearing a mask giving him the face of a red demons, which was probably what he looked like underneath. The man known as Assassin of Black was kneeling down, waiting for Alexander's approval before talking.
«What is it, Assassin?»
«Lancer and Rider have been summoned. The Black Faction is now complete.»
«I see...» Alexander mused. «Tell me, what are you thoughts on them?»
«Rider is turbulent and obviously cannot cooperate, but if we cosy him that should not be a problem. And about Lancer, it's better to see what she's worth on the battlefield.»
«He he he.» Alexander chuckled. He and Assassin were very alike in the end. That's why the Grail chose him to be his Servant, after all. He had been quite surprised to summon a Japanese Heroic Spirit, but as an Assassin he fit perfectly into his class. And his skills Monstrous Strength and Expert of Many Specializations were quite appreciable too.
Suddenly, someone knocked at the door and entered immediatly. It was Loïa Beddway, his secretary. And behind her, Caster of Black, her Servant, was following. Caster was an Persian woman wearing red and purple clothes befitting of a queen, along with somptuous jewelry. Her calm face displayed her wisdom and her eyes were glittering with intelligence. Not unlike Caster of Red, New Edge's Caster wasn't an actual magus nor a witch.
«Mr. Lendric,» Loïa said. «Miss Arbonnaux has come back from her... 'expedition'.»
«I know about that. She's actually in the library with her Servant and that girl she brought with her.»
«You need to lecture her, sir. Not only getting so close to the magi from the Clock Tower was reckless of her, but she only did so to kidnap a girl. You need to show her that she is not free of doing whatever she wants.»
Always as didactical, huh? Alexander had known Loïa longer than Bruno or any person on his side. And yet she was always as formal with her childhood friend. Well, she still didn't miss an occasion to point out his mistakes or what he should do. It was recomforting somehow.
«You're right.» Alexander got up and walked up to the door. «Let's go grab a book.»
Though, he was less going there to lecture Silvelune than out of curiosity for the girl she kidnaped.
The library was the biggest room of the their headquarters. There was at least one book for every subjects. There even were some the single originals of several books, some of them being about magecraft. And as ridiculous as it may sound, a third of the books and documents present here had been given to them by a single person. A book lover that could name almost all the writers that ever existed. It was a scary person, in more than one way.
«How are you doing, Miss Arbonnaux?» Alexander called out to the blond beauty in a wheelchair reading a book.
«Oh? If it isn't our dear Alexander.» Silvelune answered with a smirk after raising her head from her book.
On a huge long red table next to her, a figure was laying unconscious. It was the girl Silvelune kidnaped only a day ago. She was barely breathing and with her arms crossed, one could think she was dead. But of course she was alive. There was no point in coming back with a dead corpse.
«Miss Arbonnaux-»
«Are you gonna lecture me, boss?» The girl interrupted him and her smirk widened.
«… There is that too. However, I have to admit I am curious about her. What kind of person is she for you to risk your cover? You may have a Servant but I'm sure you didn't forget your condition. If a magus had discovered that you are on my side, they could have killed you.»
«I don't need you to remind me. You say you're just curious, but I know you. If Maria happened to be my weakness, you wouldn't hesitate in using her to take care of me if I become an hindrance.»
«He. Indeed you know me well. But you wouldn't be against giving me her name, would you?»
After all, even with just her name he could find out who she was and what was her relationship with Silvelune.
«…You…you're probably imagining another way of taking me down, aren't you?»
«That is the price for being even more crafty than I am, Miss Arbonnaux.» Alexander allowed himself to laugh a little. «Now, do you mind?»
«…Not at all. This girl is my friend: Maria Argas.»
Alexander froze for a couple of seconds. Argas? Maria Argas? No, that was too much. Did this girl really went out all by herself to destroy a boat full of enemies and bring back the relative of two Masters of the Red Faction? Just because she wanted to have one girl by her side?! No, that was too much. Alexander burst out laughing. Silvelune didn't lose her smirk and went back to reading her book.
However, Alexander's laughter was interrupted by a growling. When he looked at the orgine of the noise, he saw Berserker of Black sat on a chair and writting frenziedly inside a a book with a red leather cover. For a madman he didn't seem to have any problem to write. Or maybe that was the point?
«…Miss Arbonnaux...» Alexander started. «…This Berserker...»
«Surprised? Well, I didn't knew either that he became an Heroic Spirit. Originally, I intended to summon a Servant without a catalyst like you did. However, I had this» She raised the book she was holding. «with me during the summoning. Who could have guessed he had made a contract with the Earth?»
«…Indeed. With our Caster we now have two storytellers in our faction.»
«Is it a problem, really? Stories are just as important as the real deal. Without them, Heroic Spirits wouldn't even exist. In a way, stories can sometimes be on the same level as True Magic.»
«It sounds like you thought a lot about it.» Alexander mused. «But how can I trust his efficiency on the battlefield if he isn't even a proper Heroic Spirit?»
«You better not laugh at him. For now, he may be even weaker than your shinobi, but he has the best Noble Phantasm. He can become the strongest.»
«If you say so.» Alexander turned around and headed for the exit.
«What about your lecture? Is that it?»
«Let's forget about the lecture for now, given that you didn't disadvantage us.»
On the contrary. Deep in his mind, Alexander was thanking Silvelune for bringing back an hostage.
Thank you for reading! Well, this is most likely the second longest chapter I've ever made. And it came out a day later than expected. Sorry!
So, after the Red Faction in the first chapter, you've now seen the Black Faction and their Servants. Let's talk about the Servants. I revealed the true name of Lancer already, though you may understand why. It's actually pretty funny that I chose Brynhildr (or Brünehilde) as a Lancer, as I remember some people saying she would be more fit in the Rider or Saber class. I've given so many hint about Rider of Black's identity that I may as well have shouted his name, but it's more fun to see who actually know him. I gave little to no hints whatsoever about Assassin's identity. I have to confess though that rather than Monstrous Strength, Innocent Monster would probably have fitted him better, but another Servant already had it.
And now Berserker, a Counter Gardian, so a custom Heroic Spirit. I wonder how it will go but I guess there's no way to know until I try.
Thank you for all your reviews last time, I'm happy to see that most of the Servants of Red (except Lancer and Berserker) had their identity found out. I'm looking forward to see if you can reconize those of Black now.
And finally, here are some Servant profile that will be updated as the story goes on.
~Legends Storyteller
