In another timeline, in another Grail War, Manaka gazes into the future, asking if she will ever find love. Once she knew she would, she waited and waited until her servant was summoned.
There, she felt emotion for the first time. She didn't want to let this love go no matter what.
So she devoted her entire being to granting her servant's wish, even if it meant, dooming humanity. Even going as far as to attempt to kill her own sister due to jealousy.
She was defeated twice and thus, never to be seen again.
In this timeline though, she felt emotion for the first time when she tried to read a book that her younger sister brought. There, she discovered her power to connect to the root on a spiritual level.
It was exciting at first, she was able to learn anything with a simple thought and glance. But over time, she began to get bored as nothing was exciting anymore. Being able to learn anything quickly killed all joy she had for magecraft, for books, for… life in general.
She likes spending time with her little sister, reading books, getting excited at the plot twists, the endings. She loved every single moment.
But now… She is forced to distance herself as she would accidentally spoil certain events from the books, allowing her sister to enjoy the books to the fullest.
She had to distance herself from her own father as well. He is a magus who seeks the Root just like the rest of them. Although he became more of a father over time, she has to be still wary of him falling back to old habits.
She hates this. She hates hiding this… curse from her own family.
She despised it. It ruined everything for her as everything became meaningless once she could learn just about everything whenever she thinks about something.
And thus, she was determined to rid the connection to the root at all cost.
This was her last chance.
The Holy Grail War
An event that happens every sixty or so years where seven masters are chosen to fight for the Holy Grail.
This war is fought using heroic spirits summoned by the master to fight for them.
This ritual used to be a way to open a hole to the Akasha, but due to a flaw in the ritual where it would require 7 servants to die, it would be impossible as only the servants can interact with the grail, thus making the Grail a glorified wishing device.
…
...what a waste of time.
Those were Manaka's thoughts as she stared at the command seal, imprinted on her chest. Most mages would be thrilled to compete in this battle royale as they can accomplish their dreams of reaching the Root using the Holy Grail.
But when you are connected to the Root from the very moment you were born, it's a waste of resources and time.
Manaka didn't particularly care about the ritual itself. In fact, it would be for the best if someone destroyed the greater grail as this ritual is wasting everyone's time, resources, and lives for an event that has failed 3 times in a row. The time that could have been spent, researching the path to the Root instead of relying on a glorified wishing cup.
But… what if… it could grant her wish?
Manaka's thoughts traitorously drifted to that topic. What if it could…? It could potentially end her pain to this feeling of numbness that has plagued her being since birth.
If it could grant me this wish… if it could finally wipe this curse upon this soul of mine… perhaps it's worth a shot.
A small smile graced her lips at the very thought of freeing herself from this burden. This was her last chance after all.
Every method that she had tried for the past 6 years has failed, despite being connected to the Akasha. If even this method fails as well…
Well… there is suicide I suppose… no one will miss me anyway. They will be fine without me.
A knock on the door interrupted her dark thoughts, prompting her to button up her dress and opened the door.
Her father greeted with a smile on his face. "Manaka, are you ready?"
She nodded her head. "Yes papa, I'm ready."
Her father led her downstairs to the greenhouse where her younger sister was just finishing preparing the summoning circle for her.
"Ah sister, papa! The circle is ready!"
Manaka gave Ayaka a head rub for a job well done. This may be potentially the last time she may ever see her again after this since Manaka has to leave Tokyo to participate in the war in Fuyuki and won't be coming back until the war is concluded…
Or she dies, it could be either.
So the least thing she could do for her is to give her some good memories before she leaves.
"Thank you, dear sister." Manaka hugged her dear sister, making her blush brightly. "I will miss you."
The sibling broke out of the hug and Ayaka gave her a smile in return. "I will miss you too big sis! Win this for papa!"
Manaka nodded before her father moved Ayaka out of the circle. "It's time."
Manaka's expression became emotionless as she walked over to the center of the circle. She held out her right hand and projected a simple knife before jabbing it into her left hand.
The blood dripped into the circle, slowly filling into the entire circle until the circle glowed crimson red. She then proceeds to heal her hand and begins the chant…but she paused.
This chant she was about to use… she isn't sure if she should say it word for word. Whether it's the fact that the chant itself is lackluster… or the fact that this ritual went on without any winners 3 times in a row that made her doubt the effectiveness of this chant.
So what if… she decides to modify the current chant? It could grant her a more powerful servant or it could backfire in her face in the worst way possible.
Deciding that she has nothing left to lose, she allowed the connection she shared with the primordial root of all things to strengthen and broaden, focusing hard on the summoning chant, its variations, and its many counterparts.
Across all of time and space, countless realities and universes the girl was confident there existed one that could provide her an answer, smiling as she felt the Swirl of the Root brush her thoughts…
There!
There is a chant that was used in another system that is different from the Fuyuki Grail System.
The FATE system.
Its function and how it uses strange materials called Saint Quartz as catalyst eludes her but she focuses on the unique chant it has.
This chant will work nicely but she has to modify it to also fit with the current Grail System as well.
"Manaka, is everything alright there?"
Manaka turned her head to her father and smiled. "Everything's fine papa, just making some changes to increase my chances of winning."
It only took a few moments before the modified chant was finished. Satisfied with the result, she began.
I call forth into time
To heroes of legend
Through wishes crystallized
One of the individual
One of the collective
And one of civilization
The circle beneath began to shine in a multi ray of colors, like a rainbow. Dancing little orbs began circling the circle.
Heed my words, My will creates your body,
And your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call
And obey my will and reason, Then answer my summoning!
The orbs now merge into a large circle that enveloped the ritual circle for a moment.
I hereby swear, That through you, I embody change
And through me, you embody will.
Before long, the ring split into three large rings that now surround the outside of the ritual circle.
From the collapse, we will forge a path.
And from that path, we will carve a future.
The three rings now converge into the center, creating a huge pillar of rainbow lights. Its force was strong enough to push her father and Ayaka away but Manaka held her ground.
Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!
With the chant finished, the pillar of light died down. Manaka had her eyes closed the entire time. When she opened them up for the first time, she could see someone kneeling before her.
He was taller than her despite him kneeling. If she were to wager how tall the servant is, it would be about 6'1ft.
He has a red coat that not only covers his face like a hood, it's actually two separate sleeves connected by a metal plate at the back which covered his arms and was cut off showing his upper torso and midriff, and had a separate red open skirt which ended above his shins with the top fashioned and tied with an agemaki knot, covered by a silver metal plate. The silver plate has a Sakura flower attached to it.
He wears midnight blue body armor made from a strange material that has yet to be discovered at this time, which consisted of a midnight blue tight and sleeveless shirt with blue and golden accents which outlined his muscles and a red metal plate on his collar. In the center of the collar is a red gem.
He wears dark purple pants that have two black straps on his thighs, and another two strapped around his shins separate from each other. He wears black metal-plated shoes, which appear to be attached to his trousers.
Attached to the left side of the pants is a sheath that is currently holding a sword. Judging by the size and design, it would be a European one-handed sword. What exactly it is though eludes her but she decides to stay quiet for now.
When he lifts his head, her blue eyes meet those of amber ones. Despite only gazing only for a moment, she felt a kindred spirit in those eyes. It spoke of so much pain but also bore determination in it. The determination to keep on going no matter how much pain he was in.
Unlike him though, while she has pain in her eyes, it also bore that of numbness. The sense of being empty to the world and Its inhabitants. She felt like almost giving up in the world. This is her last chance after all. If this Grail can't grant her wish…
It's over.
"Servant Saber, in response to your summons, I have answered your call. I ask of you, are you, my master."
Manaka smiles as she holds her hand out. "Yes Saber I am. Together, we shall dominate this war and earn our wish!"
Saber shakes her hand. "Very well master. On this day forth, for as long as you shall not harm any innocents in this war, then I will be your sword. Please use me as you see fit."
Saber stood to his full height, his gaze landed on the shock individuals of her father and younger sister. "I assume they are your family master?
She nodded. "Yes Saber, sadly though we will be leaving in a few days to participate in the war, so we shall be spending time together as one big family one last time. I hope that is ok with you?"
Saber gave her a head pat. "Of course master, whatever you need."
Manaka felt heat rush to her cheeks at the affectionate touch at her head. She has a feeling that she will be getting lots of head past in the future.
"N-now then! Let's go to the living room and bond shall we?"
Manaka drags her servant by the arm and rushes to the living room. She doesn't know why she is feeling like this. Maybe it's from the hope that she may finally be rid of this curse.
Or maybe it's the fact that she is sharing a bond between herself and her new servant.
Or maybe it's the heat still stuck in her face from that head pat.
Who really knows?
Kiritsugu didn't know what to think of the servant before him. He expected the king of the knights to appear before him since they used Avalon as a catalyst. He expected to be the typical knight in shining armor. Praising good and punishing evil, all that chivalry nonsense those knights had in their era.
Instead, someone else came out of the circle.
It's a girl, around 14 or 15 years of age. She has blonde hair, flowing downward with emerald eyes, beaming with optimism.
Her outfit consists of a dark blue coat with yellow accents at the edges. While her coat is dark blue on the top, underneath is a royal red. She wears a white dress that covers her entire arms with 5 buttons on the center of each side, parallel to each other. On top of her chest is a dark Blue Ribbon.
Strapped to her hip is a blue and red belt that sheaths her a one-handed sword. European if he had to guess.
She wears purple stockings with purple boots to match, while her hands are covered by black gloves.
On her right hand is a staff that is brimming with magical energy. He doesn't recognize the staff though despite reading multiple Arthurian Legends. The only mage in that legend is Merlin and he was pretty sure that Merlin is a grown adult, not a girl.
She also wears a dark blue hat, complimenting the entire outfit.
Honestly, she looks like more of a student than a hero of legend and even if he didn't have any sort of pride…
It would be nice if his servant is at least an adult, just to not be a laughing stock against the other six legends.
The servant curtsied before him and began her speech.
"Hello. I am called Caster Artoria. To be honest, I don't really understand what it means to be a Servant, but if you say I will be of help with such a thing like magecraft, then by all means, please make use of me."
…
...what?
Mere magecraft? She is talking as if magecraft is commonplace...
Artoria?
Who the hell is that-!
"EEEYYYAAAAAA!"
Uh oh…
That's not good!
A white bullet slammed into hid servant, sending her sprawling to the floor. And despite all odds, she is being lifted up and being bear-hugged by.. His wife.
"KIRI! We should keep her after the war! She will be a great babysitter for Illya. Don't worry about the mana cost. I'll be the one to provide for her once the grail is gone."
…
...well there is no stopping her when she puts her mind into it.
"C-can't breath! M-master, p-please help!" His servant begged as her face became blue from asphyxiation.
Sorry Caster, you're gonna have to get used to her for a long time.
As his wife began to dance around with his servant, He looked at the starry night sky, wondering about his next step in life.
He wanted to become a hero of justice, that was his goal before meeting Irisviel. But after spending time with her for 9 years and conceiving their daughter Illya 2 years ago…
He couldn't see himself pursuing his dream anymore. If he continued this path…
I would break the moment I have to sacrifice Iri.
Maybe it is a good thing that Caster was summoned and not Saber. Even with his naive dream of settling down with his wife and daughter. He holds no illusion on what fate awaits Iri…
She would become the lesser grail…
But that won't happen. Not with Caster on his side.
For the first time in since forever, he found himself genuinely smiling. This is it. This might be the day that at least one wish of his might be fulfilled.
It's not the wish of becoming a hero of justice. It's not the wish of saving the world from all evil. Those dreams are now impossible ideals. Beautiful for sure, but impossible to uphold now.
No, his wish of protecting the family he has now will be fulfilled.
And he will dirty his hands with evil if he must to protect his family.
Alternate Fourth Holy Grail War
Fuyuki, Japan
A.D 1994 - Fate/Zero - Fragment of Dreams and Ideals.
Route: F̶̣͔̖̣͒̓a̴̙͗͐̃̆̑̃̾͗t̷͇̠̖̜̯̬͍̍ȩ̵͚͍̮̼̻̭̭̔̀͑͐̇̂͗͘̕̚ ̷͎̙͇̘̖͓̫̻̤̤̄͌K̵͎̝̗̖̦̣̮͍̂̇͆͘͝ͅͅa̸̢̗̽̒͋̓̃̈́͑͂̕͠l̷̟͙̇͒́͂̋̑̂͒͂́é̸̒̇̊͌̆͜͠͝i̷̢̗̇̒̿̍̊̍͐͘ď̴̹̩̘̹̺̙̲̯͊̉̂ ̸͙͈̮͠L̸̡̧̨͍͍̮̦̟̻̓̑̈́͒̎̒̚ͅi̵̛̩͇̲ͅn̷̡̤̦̯͉͑ẻ̸̼̮̖͎͕̣͙̱̪͗̊͘r̴̢̲̠̞͓̲̫̙̝̭̍
Timeline: 3,675
Date Posted: May 4 2021
A/N: …yup. I have gone mad lol.
This is a one-shot for now due to many reasons, but will continue in… 10 years or so who knows lol. If you wish to try and adopt this story, contact me first cuz i'll give you all the details of this story and how it could end.
I can't focus on continuing this due to the fact that i'm already writing a grail war and will get confused and be divided in attention lol. And other reasons
So yeah… thats it for this potential story and one-shot. If you like this story then Follow, Favorite and Review. And get me a beta reader pls lol. Anyway, i will Xian you later Chow!