Blech... Sorry for the wait, guys. I put a notice on my profile for why chapter two took so long, but basically health reasons and work are gonna make this a little slow. Hopefully though I can keep pushing forward because I'm super excited to see what you think of where I take VaM!
But yeah, thanks for the patience so far. Y'all are amazing.
02
Day One: Morning
Momoko
"Servant, huh..."
It hadn't been all that long since the term was provided to her, the identity of her pet behemoth somewhat given out. All she really knew were the surface-level details—this guy was to be called Berserker, as it was his "class" in this Holy Grail War Momo had been dragged into. The priest she'd spoken to last night had told her that the giant man's actual name probably wouldn't come up, even if she'd asked nicely. So Momo had just resigned herself to calling him Berserker; it fit his violent introduction to her life, at least.
Overall it left Momo in two minds. On one hand, she was pissed; her mother had abandoned her, denied her existence to her face, and suddenly she was dragging Momo into a war of super powered ghosts and mages? On the other hand... The offer of the Grail granting her wishes, no matter how outlandish, was too good to pass up. There were a lot of things Momo would like in life, some material and others sentimental. And besides, how could she turn down the thrill of a lifetime? A giant magical death battle with super powered ghosts? Ultimate thrills were bound to be coming her way.
Momo stretched her arms high above her head and yawned. There was still a lot more to it all than just "super fun magic death battle with magic wishes", but it was the most pleasing way she could put it.
Despite his moniker of Berserker, the giant man barely made much of a ruckus over the past few hours. Momo had been granted absolute peace and quiet as he'd crouched down next to her bed, eyes trained on her bedroom door, and even now as she got dressed he waited patiently in the tiny kitchen. Momo heaved a loud sigh as she cast a final look down at her command spells. They were going to take a while to get used to, especially since they were on her shoulder. At least, she thought with a shred of optimism, they weren't on her hand like most cases had them appear. The priest had said it would make her more difficult to pick out of a crowd—if the other Masters wanted to find her, that was. Apparently taking down a Servant was difficult in most cases, which left only the option of targeting the person keeping them tethered to the land of the living.
Momo scowled at the fact that the only break she'd caught was not being in a weird occult blood sacrifice. Not that the compromise she'd been dealt was much of a break to begin with.
She was more or less dressed for the day, nodding contently at the cropped black hoodie and tattered dark jeans she'd chosen to wear. Momo rummaged around the pile of clothes on her bed for a few seconds then, searching for something to finish off the ensemble; the best she could find was a baseball cap. Considering she had to try avoid letting other Masters notice her presence, the hat seemed like a pretty obvious choice. She pulled her blue hair back into a short ponytail and then threaded it through the back of the cap.
Very practical, she thought with a nod. Nothing would take her by surprise today, and no one would notice her in the slightest thanks to the sheer inconspicuousness of the ensemble.
She bounced into the small kitchen and beamed up at Berserker. "Ready for anything!" she cheered, clenching her fists as though emphasising her determination. Berserker looked down at her blankly, a small growl sounding from the back of his throat. "No one's gonna get the jump on us. We're gonna win that Grail, for sure!"
A louder growl this time, and he rose to his full height—or, rather, the most he could muster in a small home that wasn't built to accommodate anyone over seven feet tall. Berserker's head bent down to keep from going through the roof, and the snarl on his face showed just how annoyed he was at the lack of room he had.
Momo hummed to herself. She'd been given an abridged crash course last night regarding each type of Servant, and there were a few concerns regarding Berserker the priest had mentioned. For one thing, Berserkers tended to be targeted more by allied Masters and Servants—they were the basically the Caesars of the Grail War, Momo decided upon hearing that. On top of that, though, they weren't just Berserkers in name. Most Servants listened to their Masters and followed orders, but Berserkers were a different case. The priest had called it the Mad Enhancement: A "skill" of sorts that Berserkers were recognised by. It made them stronger, sure, but it also made them more uncontrollable.
And there was where Momo's first—and probably only—issue laid. She'd seen what Berserker was capable of (well, the aftermath of it) and she knew just how dedicated he was to something once he set his mind to it. Outrunning him had been a bitch of a task, and she still hadn't gotten away entirely. Momo lifted a hand up to her shoulder, pressing against the skin as her fingers dug into the hoodie.
Three command spells. The priest had the ability to grant more, though only in special circumstances. But Momo was, for all intents and purposes, limited to just three. Three chances to make certain that Berserker didn't go... Well... Berserk.
But would they work? Momo squinted up at Berserker as he began to move around, trying to find more space to stand as he slowly began to show irritation on his face. It wasn't like she was going to go out looking for other Masters to fight, and Berserker already proved that he'd attack anyone who posed a threat to her. Momo smirked; one little command couldn't hurt. One had to be sure they worked, after all.
"Berserker!" she announced. He paused, looking back down at her with a now blank expression. "We need to get some breakfast."
Berserker, to her surprise, managed to navigate his way out of the dingy home without breaking anything. Momo was almost impressed by his patience, certain he would've headbutted at least one door frame on his way out. But her home remained intact and Berserker eagerly awaited her presence outside.
Eager to see where this would go, Momo began to climb up Berserker's arm and settle herself atop his shoulders, using his helmet as a grip and grinning at the new height she was at. This was very different from being a mere four-ten.
"Alright!" Momo shouted. Berserker tensed, almost anticipating her order. "By my command spell, or whatever—" Momo could feel her shoulder become warm, a soft glow trying to break through her hoodie. "—take me to the best convenience store in Fuyuki!"
Before she could even ask what he was doing, Berserker shot a hand behind him and lifted it to hold Momo in place. Barely a second passed before he moved to see her command through, and Momo could hear the ground behind them crack and break as Berserker launched the two of them into the air. They were soaring, jumping from home to home and leaving a trail of roof tiles and small pieces of debris in their wake. Momo wasn't sure where they were going, certain that her favourite convenience store was in the opposite direction Berserker was taking them, but once the first few signs of the modern side of Fuyuki entered her view she began to pick up on one of the potential places he was taking her.
Berserker, to her amazement, landed with a loud grunt in front of a small twenty-four hour convenience store. Momo never would've pegged it as the best in Fuyuki, but here they were. Berserker lifted her off of his shoulders and set her down on the ground. He was, for the most part, back to his patient self.
Well. Now Momo knew the command spells would work.
Passerby stared at them as the seconds ticked by. Momo made quick work of leading Berserker to a nearby bench, telling him—not ordering, she had to remind herself—to wait for her to come back out. People just continued to stare and stare, and soon enough they openly avoided going near Berserker's bench. Momo couldn't help the small huff she let out as she walked through the automatic doors of the store; people were being so rude to her Berserker.
(Not that she could complain overall about being left alone. People were exhausting and annoying to deal with, after all.)
Despite promising to be out as soon as possible, Momo took her time in the store. With a large supply of pudding cups in her basket, all of varying flavours, Momo lingered in the manga section and scanned the covers with a scrutinous gaze. She liked looking at the pictures at times (reading was a whole other can of worms for her) and no one ever really tried to stop her from flipping through them. Despite the sign declaring that you weren't allowed to read without buying them, no one ever seemed to want to enforce the rule. She flipped through a few pages of one manga, then moved to another; soon enough Momo had gone through half of the titles, able to piece together at least some of what was happening in them. Power of friendship plots and whatever, all the really cliché stuff. A true staple of the shounen genre.
She set down the last of the manga and turned on her heel. Momo would've gone straight to the counter, to pay for her and Berserker's pudding cups, if she had not crashed into someone walking down the aisle at the very same moment. Momo stumbled backwards, shaking her head with a scowl.
"Ah, sorry!" the person, very male-sounding, apologised. Momo looked at his basket first, ready to fuck with whatever he had inside, but stopped short once she saw just how fair the skin of his hand was. Momo blinked, surprised; she slowly turned her gaze up to his face.
A foreigner, she thought once she looked at him properly. That was something you didn't see every day.
"Watch where you're going," Momo grumbled, immediately averting her gaze. She had a hard time around the locals—who knew how much trouble a foreigner could be. God, people were difficult.
He nodded, messy black hair bobbing up and down with the movement. He stepped as close to the manga as he could, letting Momo pass, before he finally continued further towards the newspapers.
Once she reached the end of the aisle, Momo looked back over her shoulder at him. Save for his button-up and blue coat, the man was dressed mostly in black. Not uncommon if he were a businessman, but he wasn't really dressing the part for such a role either. Momo stared at him for a few seconds longer. Something felt off, like she had to be more wary of him than anyone else in the store. But why?
And then he reached out to grab a newspaper. His free hand was, just as the priest had told her, adorned with the red command spells that marked a Master. Momo's breath froze in her lungs, her whole body tensing as she hurried to the counter. Maybe he hadn't noticed her watching, she thought. Maybe he didn't think much of her based on their interaction. Momo's command spells weren't visible, after all. He couldn't know she was a Master too.
As soon as her pudding cups were paid for, Momo sprinted out of the store and back to Berserker's side.
"Follow me," she wheezed, pulling him off the bench. Berserker let out a confused growl but followed nonetheless, allowing his small Master to lead him into an alley nearby.
She didn't see the man walk by while they ate their puddings in the shadows. Momo watched each and every person who walked by like a hawk, but there was no sign of him. Zilch. Nada. He'd most likely gone in the opposite direction.
"Shit," she hissed. She tossed her third empty pudding cup over her shoulder. It clattered along the ground near the other two.
"Mo..." Berserker growled. Momo patted one of his gargantuan hands without bothering to look at him.
"I know, I know." She handed him the plastic bag containing the rest of the puddings. "Can you take those back home and put them in the fridge for me?"
He stared down at her blankly.
"Come on... I already wasted one command spell to get us here..." Momo pouted up at him, finally meeting his gaze. If Berserker didn't have the constant expression of wanting to kill someone on his face, he'd almost come off as hesitant at Momo's request. "Please? I got shit to do and I don't want us to be spotted."
Berserker growled a little more forcefully. Momo, dead set in her decision, began to climb his arm again and planted both hands on either side of his face.
"We do this: You take the pudding cups home while I stake the guy out, and then you meet me at the park," she said slowly.
To her relief, Berserker granted her at least that much.
Katerina
Phase one of her plan was well and truly complete. Katya couldn't help the small amount of pride that welled up in her stomach as she closed Otohiko Oshiro's bedroom door behind her. It wouldn't take long for someone to find him, she figured, but for now she was more than happy to revel in the secrecy she'd created.
Someone's happy, Caster teased lightly. Katya hummed to herself rather than reply to him. She was grateful that he hadn't tried to stop her, nor that he'd admonished her goal in any way. If anything, Caster was also pleased.
10AM on the dot, and Katya was back at her bedroom without a care in the world. She flopped onto the fold-out bed on her floor, heaving out a satisfied sigh. Katya could crash right there. Never mind all the blood on her clothes and hands. Never mind that she'd so clearly made a mess that trailed back to her room and her bed.
Happy is a nice word for it, Katya finally replied to Caster. She got a bemused chuckle in return; not even a second later he materialised above her head, arms crossed over his bare chest and a smug smile on his face.
"You're sure your late husband was related to such a mediocre man?" he said. "To be taken down with such simple magecraft is laughable."
"He was old," Katya reasoned. She could remember the sessions she would go through with Otohiko, to prove herself a good wife for Hiroya. She hadn't done very well on anything other than self-defence and simple curses. But, Katya reminded herself, she was still young and finding herself when she and Hiroya married. "Otohiko made the mistake of assuming I'd lost all purpose outside of pleasing the Oshiros. He didn't think I'd actually retaliate for something his rotten daughter did."
"Perhaps we should find this rotten daughter next!" Caster began to pace the room, inspecting it. Judging from his reaction to Katya's apartment, he probably thought the old building was an improvement.
Katya shook her head. She didn't need to say why she didn't want to find Nanami. It was fairly obvious to the both of them, based on Katya's insistence that Nanami be saved for last, that Hiroya's repulsive little sister would find her first. Nanami had already objected to Katya being a Master on behalf of the Oshiro family—it was pretty easy to figure she'd want to punish Katya for killing Otohiko too. But who knew how long that would take? Nanami liked to take her time with things and be perfect about it. Katya had possibly hours to fill.
She rolled off of the bed and climbed to her feet. "I need a shower," she sighed. Caster just grunted at her, too busy making himself comfortable in the rather empty room.
It was really happening. Not only was she a Master in the Holy Grail War, but now Katya was really, finally able to get revenge for what the Oshiros did to her. For what they did to Hiroya and Penko, for how easily they'd been swept under the rug and Katya ejected from the family. She scrubbed at the blood on her hands, careful to scrape out any caught under her fingernails. Life would become so much easier without them in the picture, without her family breathing down her neck to make amends with them. It was her grandmother's fault she was pushed so vehemently onto the Oshiro family, why they hated her so much, so Katya figured the best way to relieve the pressure would be to remove it altogether. They couldn't tell her to make amends with the Oshiro family if there was no Oshiro family to speak of.
The shampoo and conditioner left in the bathroom for her were bland and plain, but at least it did the job in cleaning her hair. By the time she was out, towels wrapped around her head and midriff and glasses back on her face, a calm hour had passed.
Once she was done here, she had to come up with a plan for who to attack first. Well—not "attack", but rather defend from. Katya was by no means an expert at killing or targeting people, just barely able to defend herself thanks to years of fencing and self-defence training. She'd much rather wait out the War in the shadows, but there was always one Master who sought to eliminate the Caster first. The Knight Classes were always a bit of trouble, but she knew how dangerous it would be to leave the Berserker alone as well. Maybe she could ally with someone, she wondered. Out of seven people, there had to be someone with at least some kind of similar plan to Katya's.
She pushed through the bathroom door, ready to call for Caster's attention, but stopped short when she saw the small crowd huddled at the entrance of her room. Younger members of the family, definitely younger than Katya at least, all waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. Caster leaned nonchalantly against the wall to her right, inspecting his gloveless hand as though weeding out imperfections. Katya adjusted her glasses and heaved a sigh. They couldn't have waited until after she had clothes on?
"Can I help you?" Katya asked, though she directed it mostly to the ringleader of the group—one Nanami Oshiro.
Nanami glanced at Caster once, taking her time with her reply, before turning her attention back to Katya. "Give me Caster," she commanded.
A single brow raised at the order. "Excuse you?" Katya scoffed.
"Give me Caster and I won't tell the rest of the family you killed Father." Nanami took a step forward, her cousins and siblings left behind in the doorway. "You won't survive without my help."
There were a myriad of retorts Katya could've made at that. I survived you sabotaging my car, was among the top three. Ironic, Katya thought, that the very brat who wanted her dead in the first place was offering her a lifeline.
A very poor lifeline, at that.
"Why would I need your help?" Katya asked slowly. She strolled over to Caster, keeping her eyes on the group while she reached out for her travel bag. Maybe they'd grant her some decency before they inevitably attacked.
"A fine question," Caster cut in, "but what's more important is, 'What could I gain from defecting'?"
"Ah." Katya nodded. "Another good one. What can you offer Caster?"
Nanami scoffed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "More mana, for one. Not to mention I'm more capable than you at taking the Grail."
Only twenty years old and already Nanami was full of herself. No, Katya reminded herself darkly; Nanami had always been full of herself. She was just being more open about it now that she was an adult.
"So give me Caster," Nanami went on.
"Counter offer," Katya said. Nanami gawked at her, taken aback by Katya's response. Why was she even surprised? Katya had basically tackled her to the ground and tried to strangle her the last time they were in a room together. It was a meeting neither was bound to forget any time soon. "You assume the role of family head. Otohiko's death is an 'accident' and I give you the Grail when I win it." She shrugged. "You get what you want. I get what I want."
Nanami's face slowly began to turn red. Her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides, her gaze burning into Katya as she took another step forward. "What I want," Nanami hissed, "is for you to remember your place and give me your damned Servant."
A grunt from Katya. She looked over at Caster. It was no surprise he had a sour expression on his face at her words.
"How unfortunate," Caster growled.
Pools of light surrounded the Otohiko children, leaving them stunned and scattering. Katya just stood in place and watched as Nanami whirled on her heel, preparing to defend her siblings as Caster's staves began to peek through the light. One by one they fell—a boy no older than thirteen consumed by a pillar of fire, a girl just a year younger than Nanami convulsing on the floor as electricity shot through her veins.
Katya pulled out a new set of clothes and began to dress herself as the group thinned in numbers. By the time she was shrugging on her jacket, ready to ward off the autumn chill outside, only Nanami and her younger brother, Daichi, remained. Though injured, Daichi was left to hold himself against the doorway as he tried to support Nanami further. Katya frowned at him. What a silly boy, helping such a rotten girl.
"Well," Katya sighed, casually slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Can't say I didn't expect this outcome. Daichi."
The young teen, a mere fourteen years old, snapped his head up at Katya's voice. He stared at her, waiting for her to go on with a hidden fear in his eyes.
"Since Nanami doesn't wish to be the next head, how would you like the title? I'm sure the Grail could bring back your family if that's what you want from it."
Daichi licked his lips. He looked to Nanami—who stood between them, standing at the ready for a fight—and then back to Katya. Before he answered he let his gaze linger on Caster for a moment. Unlike Nanami, Daichi was actually thinking about the offer before him.
Nanami realised this too. "Dai..." she warned.
"I'll take it," Daichi gasped. "I'll pardon your actions against the family and give you power in it as the former heir's wife again."
Katya raised her brows at him. It was more than she expected from Daichi. Maybe he really was smarter than Nanami.
While Nanami gaped at Daichi, rage becoming more and more apparent in her whole form, Katya raised a hand and waited patiently for Caster to respond to her silent command. With Nanami focused on Daichi so much, this would be as easy as taking down the proud Otohiko. She supposed arrogance really did run through this family.
The golden axe dropped into her palm, heavy and cold, and Nanami was quick to notice the change in atmosphere. Had she had the chance, she would've gotten a good few hits on Katya and ran. But Caster clicked his fingers, tome in hand, and suddenly the young woman was held in place by glowing runes.
Nanami Oshiro's beheading was a swift, simple affair.
Evangeline
"Saber?" she mumbled groggily. Evangeline was still struggling with the tides of sleep, not quite fully aware of where she was or what time it was. Her dream had been so lovely, too. "You there?"
As she sat up, her Servant's cape slid down her form until it bunched up at her hips. Evangeline smiled softly as she rubbed her eyes. Saber was so nice, loaning her something to use as a blanket while she slept. It didn't take the man in question to materialise beside her, already kneeling to face her at an even height.
"Was your sleep peaceful, Master?" he asked softly. Evangeline nodded, smiling at him. Gosh, he really was a knight in shining armour—just like she'd hoped for!
Their surroundings were slowly coming back to her, the night before resurfacing in her mind. After summoning Saber Evangeline had been exhausted, and to her relief a nearby park had plenty of benches to rest on. Saber, as kind as he was patient, had dutifully offered to keep watch while she slept. Not even Puss had to come out and wake her up in the event of danger.
It was the most peaceful sleep she'd gotten in weeks.
She lifted her hand up to inspect the command spells on the back of them, still not quite sure what design they'd taken; Evangeline couldn't help the small smile on her face when she caught sight of what had to be a crumbling tower, though. "I like it," she muttered to herself.
It was nearing lunch, Saber reminded her once she snapped out of her stare, and Evangeline couldn't help the little squeak she let out as she hopped off the bench and held his cape out to him. He smiled, amused and affectionate. Not for the first time, Evangeline found herself gushing over just how truly knightly he was. Not only did he look the part, she told herself for the umpteenth time, but he also acted the part. She wondered what kind of gallant adventures she would see in her dreams.
With his cape back on, Saber dematerialised and left her to her own devices. Evangeline stretched and yawned. The late morning light was far from harsh, the soft breeze far from freezing. She may have been in need of a jacket over her usual frilly dress, but otherwise it looked to be another peaceful day for Evangeline Ellesmere. Not even the Holy Grail War and the looming threat of other Servants was going to ruin this for her.
She picked up the small bag that was tucked under the bench, shouldering it with a beam, before marching off towards the nearest exit in the park.
As Evangeline neared the gates of Miyama Town's quietest public getaway, she paused. She could feel Saber's presence behind her, but he seemed almost hesitant. Like he wanted to say something, but he didn't dare voice it. She could gush even more over it—he was so knightly he didn't dare question the one he served unless asked!
What's wrong? she asked him as she crossed the street. Most of the morning rush had passed, only the few midday shoppers on the road making her pause. She could hear Saber hum softly, consideration going into his words.
You appear unarmed, Master, Saber decided. Are you relying on magecraft, should we run into another Master?
Evangeline couldn't stop the flinch in time. She turned her gaze towards the pavement, moving closer to the edge of the sidewalk in the hopes of avoiding running into someone and getting yelled at. That'd be a terrible way to start off the morning. Then again, the memories of having to defend herself against her family flooding through her... Yeah, that didn't make for a good start either.
My demons will protect me, she replied after a time.
Demons?
The ones I make with my Crest. She passed a few high schoolers that were clearly skipping school, though she didn't see the point of the action while they were in their uniforms. Didn't that get them caught easier? I don't really like fighting...
Another hum, this time more contemplative. Soft. Evangeline arrived at another set of traffic lights, this time waiting to cross. She knew her destination now: A fast-food restaurant that did all day breakfast. It wasn't the healthiest lifestyle, but she'd overslept today. Plus she liked to believe she deserved to splurge after successfully stealing Saber's catalyst and summoning him without trouble.
The walk sign flashed, and Evangeline bounced across the street with newfound excitement. She wondered what Saber would think of hash browns and muffins. Did they have those back in Ye Olde Knightly Days?
Saber's presence drew closer, suddenly protective. Evangeline faltered at the change, but soon returned to her chipper self after a few seconds. He was reassuring her, she realised. Saber was doing his best to make her feel safe even with her apprehension towards fighting.
You needn't worry, Master, Saber told her. My sword will fight on your behalf, and my body will serve as your shield.
Evangeline let out a loud squee before she could stop herself. The couples and college students around her paused for a second, only to ignore her completely as they deemed her too irrelevant to warrant attention. That was how people were on the streets—they ignored individuals who weren't actively disturbing the peace. It helped Evangeline a lot with staying under the radar to the Ellesmere family.
She scuttled into the store and waited in line patiently. There were no concerned looks when Evangeline ordered two of the same meal, and she walked back out as pleased as punch with Saber by her side.
Breakfast, Master? he asked. Evangeline nodded, revelling in the smell of bacon and eggs and hotcakes. It'd been a while since she'd treated herself like this.
For both of us!
You're too kind.
They continued on along their path, now heading in no particular direction. Evangeline studied the signs she passed as Saber stayed close by her. There was no rush. There was no urgency. Evangeline was free to do as she pleased.
It was amazing.
All Evangeline had to do was outwait everyone else. No one ever went after the Saber first, as far as she knew, and she was more than confident that Saber would be able to fend anyone off if they tried anything dangerous. Evangeline was, as far as she was concerned, safe.
When she and Saber stopped in a more isolated area, free of passerby for the most part, Saber materialised beside her and curiously peeked into the bag holding their breakfasts. Evangeline reached in and grabbed the first item she could find—a hash brown that was still warm and waiting to be eaten.
"Try this," she told Saber. He looked at it strangely. Seconds passed before he took it from her with a thank you, and she watched as his silver arm raised it to his mouth.
Saber was pleasantly surprised by the taste.
"All potato," Evangeline boasted. "Mashed up and deep fried for an on-the-go meal."
"It's very greasy," Saber noted around another bite.
Brunch—because honestly, it was too late to call it breakfast and too early to call it lunch—went on relatively peacefully for them. Saber told Evangeline what meals from his era were like compared to the hash browns, and Evangeline clung to the information like it was a lifeline. She was learning so much only a day into the Holy Grail War. She didn't want it to end.
They were heading back in the direction of the park she'd slept in when the flash of red caught her eye. Evangeline turned around slowly, as did Saber; the red had been so fleeting and so bright, she almost wondered if it was just a car going past or a scooter. But the pain that shot through her command spells said otherwise. Saber wrapped an arm around Evangeline's shoulders and escorted her out of the area quickly.
"A Servant," he said in a hushed tone. "There's a high chance they've noticed us, Master. I will not seek them out, but I will defend you to my last breath if they follow us."
(Mortal danger aside, Evangeline was gushing again.)
As they hurried along to a more secluded location, free of prying eyes and the potential of an ambush, Evangeline caught sight of the long purple hair fluttering through the breeze. The Servant was waiting for them, she realised. Waiting atop a nearby building, the rest of the world unaware of their presence.
