Chapter 7 - I care not if I live but a day and a night, so long as my deeds live after me.
Ruler's luck was only getting worse, his meetings with the last two command seal candidates had gone horribly. One had suffered a complete breakdown and kicked him out, the second had only manifested their seals after they had been shot through the throat. So when the next set manifested he felt nothing but dread. Apparently they had appeared somewhere in Ireland. The speed at which they were appearing was becoming ever more concerning, it seemed almost as if the Grail was becoming impatient. Gustav had only just declared war against him before leaving with Rider and Ikuru had seemingly vanished, reports saying they had vanished from their apartment block that night. It seemed the masters of this war were slowly making their own moves now. Surprisingly however both John and Yvonne had remained silent something Ruler hadn't anticipated, maybe they were waiting for the remaining four to appear. Cracking his knuckles and straightening his tie in the mirror, Ruler set off. Ireland would be his next destination.
Bazett lay in her bed, groggily checking her hand. About 4 days ago several pulsating marks had formed on the back of her left hand, after which that strange man had appeared. Clad in blue and grey tights and a bizarre looking fluffy coat. His arrogant smile couldn't help but charm her a little which only seemed to annoy her rather ironically. His rather goofy outfit and personality couldn't help but make her cringe a little but at the same time she somehow found it endearing, what a rather odd conundrum she found herself in. He called himself Cú Chulainn and claimed to be her servant. This only triggered warning symbols in her head. As far as she was aware Masters had to summon their servants, just like when she summoned her own. She did summon one didn't she? Her memory hazy as she started to drift back to sleep. Her thoughts becoming muddled as sleep once again took hold.
She was shortly awaken from her slumber however by a sharp knock at the door. Ruler had arrived. Quickly getting dressed she let the servant in.
'I understand that you once participated in the Holy Grail War yourself Miss Bazett?' Ruler questioned as the pair sipped coffee.
'Yes I did….once,' she confirmed.
'May enquire who was your servant for said war?' Ruler questioned further.
'Avenger. I summoned Avenger for the Holy Grail War.' Bazett confirmed as she continued to drink her coffee, only eliciting a surprised look from Ruler as he nearly spat out his drink. This woman had summoned Avenger? Surely she couldn't mean him? Ruler thought to himself as the pair sat in silence. Ruler glared slightly at Bazett as he tried to piece together her version of events, they didn't line up with the notes he had gathered at all.
Bazett Fraga McRemitz. A magus who had attempted to participate in the 5th Holy Grail War over Fuyuki, an attempt cut short as she was attacked by the Priest Kotomine Kirei before she could enter. Having taken her catalyst and left her for dead she was later found in a comatose state by an elderly Japanese woman where she was escorted to hospital and remained there for the duration of the war. Upon waking she was discharged and headed back to Ireland. However she claims to have participated in the war and recalls events that did not happen. Concerning to note though is how her version of events line up with the events of the 3rd Holy Grail of Fuyuki. Something that has remained a mystery as no magi have formed a competent or reasonable explanation.
Ruler remained deep in thought as Bazett finished her drink. The woman was becoming increasingly more concerned by Ruler's silence. Lightly coughing to break the silence. Ruler abruptly brought back to his thoughts, downed his coffee before continuing. 'I understand you participated in a previous war with an avenger class servant Miss Bazett. So I must ask as you clearly survived the last war, do you wish to once again participate in this war?'
'Yes I do,' Bazett deadpanned, 'I wish to participate again, I have something to ask of the Grail.' Bazett elaborated.
'I understand. As far as I am aware you have also summoned your servant correct? I have come today to register both you and your servant if I may.' Ruler explained as he placed his cup gently on the counter top. Bazett merely raising an eyebrow.
'Is that it? You travelled all the way here to the middle of heck nowhere Ireland to register me?' She laughed as she placed her cup next to Ruler's. 'Sure you can though I have a couple of questions regarding my servant.' She admitted. Ruler merely nodding in response.
As if on cue her servant appeared beside her making her jump slightly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Her servant Cú Chulainn, Ireland's child of light. He was destined to be Bazett's master in the 5th Holy Grail War before her premature retirement, forcing him to under the control of the treacherous Kotomine Kirei. He had been summoned by the Throne of Heroes once it had recognised Bazett's command seals. Surprising them both when he suddenly appeared in her living room one night as she had been trying to invite her date over. She was not impressed, he had completely ruined her chances and to top it all of he spent the next week teasing her. She was surprisingly uncaring about the fact that he was a heroic spirit and even more that he had randomly appeared despite his lack of a proper summoning. Something that Ruler couldn't help but laugh at as Bazett recalled her story of how the pair had met in the first place. Cu in turn merely laughing as she vented her frustration towards the two men. If he was honest, Ruler wasn't sure he would be able to answer her questions regarding the summoning of her servant as despite how humorous the situation was, it was rather anomalous. Normally the Throne of Heroes wasn't proactive about things, let alone willingly summon a servant regardless of a master's wishes.
What puzzled him more though was the fact that not only did neither of the pair care that they had been called into the war, they both seemed to have full intentions of fighting in it. When he questioned Cú he was simply met with great excitement and enthusiasm. Then again what did he expect of the man who had strapped his dying body to a rock just so he could fight to the death. He clearly trived on battle and lusted only for it. Bazett on the other seemingly wanted to be picked for such a thing and to end up a participant was nothing except a desired outcome. Whatever was motivating her to do so clearly meant she wasn't going to be swayed. The pair seemed to care very little about the danger they were going to expose themselves to instead seeing it simply as a challenge. Promising they would arrive in London soon the bid him farewell as he left their home. Bazett Fraga Mcremitz and Cú Chulainn would be the fourth master and servant pair to be registered for the Holy Grail War it would seem.
Leaving the gates of the building and making his way back down the country lane he had come down Ruler couldn't help but feel like something was wrong the pair, yet he couldn't quite place his finger on what. That lady was clearly hiding something, but what? He had to know, he hated uncertainty. Who was this supposed avenger she spoke of. What war had she fought in? Who else fought in it? These thoughts plagued his mind as he tried to make sense of her story. It made no sense. Cut short from his thoughts a voice rang in his head, 'Paddington, Paddington, Paddington.' The next command seals had finally arisen, the Grail was getting desperate with its pace.
Apologies for the delay with this chapter I had been caught up with work and life in general so I haven't been able to sit down and writer for a little while. I hope you enjoy this chapter despite it's shorter length. I made this chapter on the basis that people are somewhat familiar with both of these characters and the visual novel Fate/Hollow Atraxia in which Bazett is a main character.
