Assassin I

Blood worms echoed throughout the basement. Their terrible shrieks rang off the granite walls and flooring. Shivers ran up my spine. Each and every tremor of their wriggling bodies sent shivers up my spine. For once, I was glad to be blind.

"Assassin," said the human shaped mass of parasitic worms. It had no heart, nor organs. Gone was the pulse, and other signs of bodily functions. To call it human would be inaccurate at best, blasphemy at worst. It was simply a thousand different worms tied together into... something.

The air was putrid and stale. Tough to inhale as it clogged its way into your lungs "I ask of you, are you my Master?" I said. It was the Grail War, and I had been summoned as a heroic spirit. I had all the requisite knowledge provided to me by the Grail. I would need it, for it has been too long. What was the world like before the Age of Heroes? When justice was an actual concept and rule of law prevailed? What was life like before it all changed? I had forgotten. The knowledge bestowed upon me felt empty. Like reading from the book.

"Yes, good. Now which heroic spirit are you?" it said as the contract between us completed. It was distasteful. A strong and forceful bond I will tolerate for now.

"I have no name." I had one once. It was lost, discarded long ago after the war. Only a single word could describe me. "I am Justice."

It cackled, an evil shrill in my ears. Somehow it articulated by vibrating a string of worms like makeshift vocal cords. "How fitting, to summon the physical embodiment of justice as an Assassin."

I stepped away from it. The sounds of worms gave out a low vibration. I could feel the room. My bare feet registered the careful movements of everything in the room. Worms, some on the floor below us, moving like living carpet. The rest made up the being that I called my Master. Their sounds bounced off the walls, creating a perfect image in my mind. An empty space on the wall was the way out. "What is our course of action?"

"There is another Servant among us," it said, "Rider's loyalty is suspect, and I have little faith in my grandson to win the war."

I nodded. Shinji was a terrible excuse of a man. A walking bag of sin and debauchery. Rider would do anything to rid herself of him. "What shall you have me do to her?"

"Nothing, simply observe him from afar, you are my insurance policy."

Him? I thought. Was Rider not the great Medusa I remembered? Further research was required. Perhaps this Grail war and mine will be different. Prior knowledge may not help as much. "Understood." I said as I stepped into the shadows. The consuming darkness dragged me in as I faded away. I will obey for now, but I have no interest in the Grail.

I clutched the sword at my side. I had a gift to return and a debt to repay. He was still walking around. There was no way he wouldn't be around. I could feel it in my bones. Yes, I didn't want the grail. Any of the other Servants can have it. No, my desires are much simpler.

I only wanted vengeance.