The days passed quickly as Archer and Rin continued to train, and craft things from their hunt. Archer was correct in his assumptions, as his skills of skinning, tanning, and crafting using the animal was heightened beyond what he could ever imagine. Nothing of the animal went to waste. The organs were even used in a few spells that Rin wished to experiment with. It's heart, where most of its mana was stored, was siphoned of its magic, and stored in a small gem set in a ring on Rin's finger. "It's just a precaution. If we are ever in a bind, we'll use this." She lifted it up a little, letting the fresh sunlight hit it just right. Archer merely gave a smile. The two had been training hard the past few days, and now, tomorrow, the War would begin. All of their training in tactics, each of their strengths and weaknesses, all of their preparations, all of it would be put to the test starting tomorrow. Rin shook somewhat as she lifted the ring to the beaming sunlight.
Archer… how are you so calm in all this? She thought to herself, hoping he was concentrating on his work with the bones of the wolfling, rather than her thoughts. You've been through quite a lot haven't you? Are you truly what I created? Are you one of the wood elves I dreamt up one night to win this war? Or did I pluck you from a true forgotten legend? The words drifted through Rin's mind as she stared listlessly at him. His reciprocating gaze broke hers. "Sorry. Lost in thought. How's… whatever you are making coming along?"
Archer hoisted above his head the spinal column of the creature. Spotless of any meat, blemishes, or any cracks, the bone had been fused together into one long shaft, and a significantly deep spiral had been put into its sides that ended in a point, and a handle of sorts at the end. "This, is the last of the parts honestly. There is one more part but… that I will save for later."
Rin tilted her head a little at him, but went back to the gigantic 'arrow' he had crafted. "When and how would you be able to use this Archer? Do you have any plans for this?"
"If we are to take down that… creature that Al'ana summoned, we will need something that could damage it physically and not just magically. This is that weapon. Or… at least our best chance at it I believe."
Rin nodded as she examined it more. "You are right. They are our greatest threat. This could prove to hurt him, but we won't know until it is time. For now, we need to rest once you are finished. We… are going into a War tomorrow." Rin's gaze drifted from the spinal arrow to the window not far off as the sun held itself in the sky. Everything looked so serene and beautiful. Soon, she knew, as did Archer, that it would all change.
Day broke with a flurry of feelings. Rin awoke to a stomach churning with pain, fear, sadness, apprehension and nervousness, but she held them down quickly, dressing and coming down to the meeting room that her and Archer had designated as their 'war room' of sorts. Archer was already there in the library, finishing up the last parts of the clothing, weapons, and extra bits that could be used. Rin had already did all she could with the more magical bits of the creature, and now they all lay on the table, waiting to be picked back up. The parts she was able to use held a lot of innate magical energies, and with some careful runes drawn on or special drawing out of their power, Rin was able to make quite a few devices for their use. A rope that could attach itself to nothing, a whistle that could call small animals of the user's choice to aid them, bracers that helped Rin with her crossbow, two rings of bones set with a warding gem in them, and finally…
"Is that what I think it is?" Archer said, inspecting the things across the table. He picked up the item in question, and pointed to it, "How will this be helpful?"
The item was a hilt of sorts, fashioned from a single bone from the frontal paws of the wolfling, decorated with a bright red ruby for a pommel and etched with runes on the handle, wrapped in leather. Inside it, bone marrow was still present, and visible. But that was all there was, a hilt with a jeweled pommel. "It will be useful when the time comes. I hope I never actually have to use it. It's… pretty powerful to say the least. But I'll only be able to use it once."
"That powerful huh? Well, I feel like I've been out powered." He said with a grin, thankful that his master and friend was so capable.
Friend? Archer thought to himself. Does she see me as… more than just a servant? More than just a weapon for war?
Archer's eyes glazed over in the rising sun as their rays reached over the other houses, lost in thought. His mind raced at what his master truly thought of him, as well as about this war. He had taken her orders in stride, as if something compelled him to do it, but now that it was here, and no orders had been given in some time, he was free to think. What did he want from this? In fact…
"Rin," Archer said, moving his eyes back to her, "How was I summoned?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I thought I had… made you. But, from all of our practice, our hunting, and just seeing you… be… there's no way I made you. I must have summoned you from somewhere either in history or from legend. Whoever told their story of you… they made you a force to be reckoned with…" Rin said, as she moved the rings in her hands.
"Do you remember the story you made? Do you have it written down?" He asked, moving a bit closer.
"Well, I destroyed the original copy. I… I wanted to insure no one could hurt you by finding it. But… I heard it from a child before everyone left. It didn't… it did not sound nearly the same. If I remember right, it made you a being from a cave, instead of the forest."
A vision of Garland shot through Archer's mind. Rin continued.
"A grand forest, where you all lived in trees. You each had your own jobs, and were defined by them. The ones who didn't were given names by qualities… I came up with a few other people that you knew… A guy who helped with the hunting team, but usually set small snares and drops for smaller animals; I think I named him—," she was cut off, as Archer looked to her eyes wide, remembering his friend dying; swollen and bloody from the disease that wracked his body.
"Trapper…"
"Ye… What? How did you…" Rin said surprised. She had left the idea that she truly made Archer far back in her mind, and as far back as their sparring match with the golems in the forest. Perhaps it was possible. The magic used in the summoning ritual was not unfamiliar to her, but the magic of summoning these… legends and myths were. The power was unreal, and the magic felt unfamiliar and otherworldly. She was sure that she could not have given her own myth life, but going back to that time, the power… Surely it couldn't have…
"Go on Rin. Do you remember anymore names? Anything else about the story?" Archer said, his eyes now narrow.
Rin remembered the story she had woven together now that it was coming back. The group of elves lived happily in the forests, were attacked by another group of elves who tried to drive them out of their lands. They held their ground well, but were attacked by an unseen enemy; a disease. They had no way of stopping it, except the two elves that were left; Archer, and Light, his one true companion. The heir to the throne and a beautiful woman that fell in love with him. The two joined the other group of elves that saw them as gods for surviving the plague that all but wiped them out as well, and were raised to the thrones of their pantheon. Past that however, Rin merely made a happily ever after story, where the elves prospered. She took a deep breath, and began.
"You lived with your group well. You abide by nature's laws, and took what you could from the environment without taking too much. You were at peace with nature. You had a girl you fell in love with… and another group tried to take your land. You fought them off, but they sent something to your people that devastated you… All but… but…" She took another deep breath, "All but you and your companion; The Light of the Night."
Archer slammed his fist onto the table, scaring Rin who was drifting off in the tale. His eyes were filled with tears as the memories came flooding back. Light's face, his friends, the forest, Garland; everything came rushing back to him. The pain he saw on their faces flashed through his mind. But something was amiss. Her story, while having some truths, left something out. After a few moments, he controlled himself. "Wait… there were… people who attacked?"
"Yes. Another race of elves attacked your group. They unleashed the disease upon you. And you and The Light of the Night were all that survived… I wouldn't have such a huge conflict be resolved by everyone except you dying. That's… cruel." Rin replied as she gathered her thoughts. "Why? Is there something wrong with my story?"
"Rin, we were never attacked by anyone. That… disease just assaulted us. And Light… she… she did not survive."
Rin stared at him for what felt like an eternity. Her mind was racing as to what could have happened to cause the story to become so warped and corrupt. Did she tell the wrong people and they told it wrong? Did it change this much in such a short span of time? Did… she really create Archer? Too many questions raced through her head as tears welled up in her eyes. She caused him so much pain, and she could do nothing to fix it. Or could she?
"Archer. If we win this war, we get a wish don't we?" She said, the tears now gone and a bright smile on her face.
"If that is what the contract said then… I suppose."
"Why don't we wish your land and people better again? Bring back your friends, Light, the tree you live in! Everything. We'll bring it all back. Then you can go back to… to a happier place… and a live a happier life." The more she thought of it, she felt as if it were the right thing to do, and the only thing she should do if they were to win. If she had really made him, then it was only fair she right the wrongs she sent into his life.
Archer thought on it a moment, and looked to her with a determined look. "If that is the wish you want Rin, then so be it. We will make that wish when the time comes." A small smile crept across his face before the first bell of the morning came, signifying that the masters were to meet in front of the cathedral, at a large fountain; the same fountain covered in blood from the summoning of Al'ana's servant.
"Let's go Archer. We have a war to win," She said, gathering the things on the table into a small bag before standing. Archer grabbed her hand as she began to walk off, stopping her in her tracks. As Rin turned, before her, in his hand, lay a dagger of sorts. It was beautiful and white, with a few red gems set into the grip and topped with a large one at the end. "This was the other piece I had been working on, with the spine of the beast. It is yours. Use it only if you must. And…" He turned his body, displaying the garb that he had made her from the wolfling and the other animals they had felled.
The leather was black as night, reflecting no light in the slightest. The top to it was tight, but fit well and was made for mobility, while the jacket displayed a cowl of black fur lining on the inside and around the rim. It felt imbued with a magical essence of sorts as well. A wall of force seemed to surround her, so no incoming projectiles could get through. The lower half was much the same as the top, and ended in a pair of shoes with a low raised heel. Once the boots were on, Rin felt lighter; as if she could jump over the manor if she wanted. The last bit of the outfit was a set of gloves that stopped just before the bracelets. Once on, she could feel something course through her; as if a strength she never knew was now with her. "Archer… did you… make all this for me?" She said, before turning to him, his bow across his back, and the rest of his attire on as well. His outfit was more akin to a stalker in the forest. Black leather as well, but a bit looser, with a cowl that was deep, hiding his face. Arrows of bone with ends made of sharpened wolfling teeth waited at the ready in his quiver, and the bone like blades were at the ready at his sides. His top had no sleeves, but tight gloves that went to his elbows that looked bulky, but easy to move in. For the bottom half he had pants of black loose leather, and shoes that left no sound at all with each step. "I said I would make some for us both. I didn't lie now did I?" He said before opening the door to the foyer, "Let's go Rin, we have other Masters and Servants to meet."
With that, the two exited the manor, and began their walk to the cathedral steps.
The meeting was a strange one to say the least. The combatants of the coming war surrounded the fountain, their masters close to them. Archer and Rin walked up to their spot in the half circle, looking at the other five combatants.
"Ah good," said a familiar voice next to them. Lancer stood stoic and straight as an arrow as her master turned slightly to greet them, "Glad you all made a recovery as we did."
Rin brushed it off, and kept her eyes straight as she replied to him, "We would not have needed to recover in the first place had you not interfered with us in the forest. Honestly… The nerve." She pointed her nose upwards, drawing a face of anger as she did, "We are respected members of our families. The least you could do is show some respect for our positions in this war. Instead, you acted as a weak coward would, going for a quick and dishonorable kill. You acted like a thief and his pet rat."
Lancer's eyes glared with an intense anger that made her eyes almost seem as if they were aflame. She turned slightly, biting her lip to hold her tongue back until a raised hand to halt from her master came. "It's quite alright Lancer. We were in the wrong. We must simply prove ourselves to her now." He said with a smile that displayed his fear and anger.
"Oh no, we have a bickering couple in our midst," Rider said aloud, before placing a hand over her mouth and giving a shocked expression.
"Rider! What was that? Come on… We don't need to be so… so…" Annan said as he stammered over his words, trying to control his servant.
"Calm down Annan. You aren't the only little fish I can catch." She said with a seductive smile and a bit of laughter.
Sophia merely stared across the fountain at her friend Rin, amazed at what she looked like now. She remembered hearing her friend might be in this war from her servant Assassin, but she had put the idea away as a misunderstanding on Anna's part. "Rin, I saw her with a Servant; Archer if I had to guess. She has to be a master in this. There's no other way."
Sophia had her doubts, but this confirmed it. She didn't want to fight her friend. Her and Rin had known each other since they were hardly old enough to speak, and had a friendly rivalry of sorts between the two with their magic, but this…
"Why Anna? Why do we have to fight them?" Sophia said quietly to Assassin.
"Perhaps we don't have to Sophia. The rules never stated you couldn't form alliances with another Master. We'll need to meet with them on peaceful terms though; do you think you can arrange that? Or shall I?" She said with a mischievous smile.
"No-no-no! I can! Don't worry!" Her face grew a deep red before she turned away pouting.
A yawn came from a small brown girl next to them. She looked as if she had woken up only moments before; her eyes half open and dark circles underneath. "Why is everyone so noisy? Can't we go back to bed Yunda~?" She drew out the name of her master at the end as she flung herself on his side. He held her up with his arm as best he could. "Come on Caster. Get up. We're supposed to be here for a meeting. This'll give us a lot of information on our enemies and stuff."
"Who," she paused for a yawn, "Who needs that? We're gonna win this without a hitch. You should have more faith in me. I can cast some awesome spells you know… You've… you've…" her eyes drooped as she leaned even more on her master, and began to snore.
"What am I going to do with you?" Reinalt said with a sigh.
Near the steps sat a boy of hardly thirteen with golden hair and fair skin next to a man that was closer to a few tan boulders mashed together to form a human shape. "Saber, are we ready for this?" Said the boy as he ran circles with his finger on the ground.
"We must be. This is the time the war will start. Just remember what we learned and we shall be fine young master. I am here to protect you as well as win this war. We shall prevail!" He said triumphantly as he sat next to his ward.
The stage was ready, and the actors were all set, except for two. "Archer, do you see Al'ana anywhere?"
"I have been looking, but I don't see them even within Melephast… They… may be far from here." Archer replied as his eyes darted around.
Silence passed between all of the participants as they waited for this meeting to commence and the war to begin. Each Master and Servant scanned the others, eyeing for weaknesses, hints at what the servant could be, or hints at the strengths of the master in tow. Each held their own secrets and their own tactics, and soon, they would see each of them in action.
The doors to the cathedral swung open with immense force, causing a fear to shoot through the group of combatants. Everyone jumped, except for Saber and his master, who merely stood, waiting for the overseer of the war to begin.
The king stepped out of the cathedral, robed and regal as ever, with a smile that could reflect the daylight. With his advisor close by and robed, he began his speech to the combatants.
"Mages! I greet you today on the first day of the first Holy War of our nations! This city of Melephast will become a battlefield like no other in the coming days. You all have your own strengths and weaknesses to account for, but do not despair! You all are capable of great and powerful things! This war will test each of the might, magic, mettle, and determination that you wield. You are all capable of winning this war, but only one team will achieve their victory and obtain their wish! Now, if you are all ready, my advisor will give you a few guidelines to go by."
He cleared his throat as Leysritt stepped up beside him. "Thank you sir. A few words before we begin. This fountain, as well as this cathedral, along with the King's abode, is safe ground for you all. You may come here for rest if your previous places of rest are destroyed, uninhabitable, or unfit for you. The war will end once a winner is decided. Aside from these few rules, you are free to attack any who are outside of places of rest or safe areas. The war begins at the next sound of the hour. You are all free to do as you wish from then on." She took a bow soon after this, "May this war prove fruitful. Good luck combatants!" She said with a loud voice, as the combatants readied themselves.
The clock showed that only thirty minutes remained of the hour. Once the advisor finished, the king began once more. "The war begins soon! I hope you have all prepared! Leave now, and show us your strengths!"
With that, the combatants fled to make their preparations. Lancer and Shin retreated down the road they came in on, while Saber and his small master rushed upwards to the King's abode. Rider and Annan left slowly, back to the inn they came from, and then, to their sewer home. Archer and Rin, Assassin and Sophia, and Caster and Reinalt stood in their same spots, somewhat apprehensive.
"Well they sure left in a hurry," Assassin said, letting her other eyes get some sunshine. "I was getting tired of keeping those closed. It's tougher than it looks to keep these four closed Sophia," She said, poking her arm and puffing her cheeks out a little. "Why'd we even need to do that anyway? Pretty sure everyone here could see I'm a servant."
Sophia received the pokes with a sigh before looking to her servant. "Right right. I understand. Well I just wanted to make sure no one else was around. It's fine isn't it? You didn't go through that much trouble," She giggled with her hand over her mouth.
As Assassin continued her explanation of how much trouble she went through, Caster moved to the fountain and laid down, resting her hands below her head, as if she were to sleep there. "Yunda… can you come here so I can rest my head on your lap?" She said in a whiny voice. Once Reinalt did not reply, nor come over, she shot up quickly. "Come on~! Please~?" she said again, holding the words out a little, to appear cute, or perhaps appeal to him somehow. A sigh was all that came in reply for a moment. "Come on Caster. We need to get ready for all of this don't you think? We can't just stay here."
"Yes we can! Who said we can't!? Just shut up and get over here!" She said angrily, sitting back up from her laying position. She seemed almost like a child to Rin and Archer.
"Rin… who are these people?" Archer asked quietly, ever at the ready. "They seem to think this war is some… game of sorts."
Rin looked around the fountain area to what she was seeing. A child that looked like a white haired woman from the southern countries, with the temperament to fit her size, and a man from the mountains that could only be the head family's son; and an old friend whom she hadn't seen in nearly six years, with a woman that had skin the color of the sun and the same white hair as the last, six red eyes, and a nature that showed her to be almost a bit too playful. Sophia stood giggling, her midnight black hair moving ever so slightly with each laugh. As her eyes opened, Rin could see her eyes still held that brilliant purple glow. Her dressed matched her eyes beautifully as she stood in the rising sunlight. She looked across the fountain, and locked eyes with Rin. A small wave with a frown came from her, and Rin did the same, before stepping into the area proper, and making her way over to Sophia.
Reinalt and Caster both took notice, and watched as she made her way, with Archer in tow. As she approached, Assassin took notice as well, and straightened herself up from her previous stance of poking fun at Sophia. "Can we help you?" She said, once the two were within speaking distance.
"Your master and I need to talk a little. Is that alright?" Rin asked, as politely as she could.
Caster and Reinalt looked on as Rin and Assassin stood in a heated stare, waiting for an answer. Quietly, Caster stood, and made her way around the back of the fountain, where Rin and Archer had come from. "Let's go Yunda. We'll take a stroll before we head back to prepare. No reason to stay here now," She said, shuffling off, now with enough energy coursing through her to start the day.
In twenty minutes, the first day of the Holy War would truly begin.
