The local Fuyuki church. While not an entirely popular destination, due to how most Japanese view the Christion religion, it did indeed have it's own visitors now and then. Be it those who did follow the religion, or perhaps to confess something.
However, in this situation, the church held another secret. One that involved a deadly war, where two individuals now entered to seek the answers they wished for. Entering, there was nobody inside, yet Shirou and Ozpin knew that this priest Rin told them about must be in here somewhere.
"Do you visit here often?" Ozpin asked Shirou, who shaked his head no.
"Not really. I'm not exactly religious." Shirou checks any corners. "I don't think there's a mass today, so where is this guy?"
"Perhaps he is just busy." Ozpin knew that a priest did do many jobs aside from listening to the prayers of others. Why, one of his incarnations was a priest once. Been a while since then.
"Still, I hope he comes here quickly. I'd rather we get this over with." Shirou wasn't sure why, but there was just something off about this place. One that gave him the chills. Maybe he was just tired.
"Ah." It was then the two heard footsteps. Coming from a door in the corner, a man in blue and black robes came out, with a blank look on his face. "I see visitors have come. Have you come seeking to confess, or pray. I am good with either."
Looks like they found their man.
"Are you Kirei Kotomine?" Ozpin called out to the man.
"I am."
"Good." Shirou steps up. "Rin told us we can talk to you."
"Rin." The man nonchalantly said. "I see. And for what reason has she sent you here?"
"The Holy Grail War." The second those lips left Shirou's mouth, Kirei's eyes sharpened. He understood why Rin sent them now. "So then," His eyes wandered to the Command Seals on Shirou's hand. "You must be the final Master of the Holy Grail War."
"I am." Shirou nods. "And I'm here to learn more about the Holy Grail War, and what I'm suppose to do."
"Very well then, come closer." Kirei tells them, and the two obey as they step closer to talk without distance being a problem. Once they do that, Kirei asks, "What are your names."
"I am Ozpin." Ozpin goes first. "Just Ozpin." He didn't have a last name. Apparently this incarnation's parents didn't bother with it, since he had been an orphan.
"And I'm Shirou Emiya." Shirou says next.
"...Shirou...Emiya…" The man then smiled, yet it was the type of smile that not just Ozpin, but even Shirou himself felt was off. Although for the latter it was just confusing, for Ozpin, he felt there was a bit more to the smile than just that. Of course, not like he can just say this without evidence. Kirei of course, then continued on. "So then, Emiya," He faces Shirou. "I understand why you are here, but," He then turns to Ozpin. "What of this fellow?"
"He's...a mentor?" Truthfully, Shirou didn't know what to call him. But a mentor seemed to be the closest thing to call him.
"A teacher you say." Kirei looks at Ozpin, who gives a curt nod. "Very well. It isn't unheard of for Masters to gather allies outside of their own group. I assume you teach young Emiya here some form of magecraft?"
"More or less." Aura was once considered magic in the past. The man Kirei seemed to have bought it, and just went back to Emiya.
"Moving this discussion along, why are you here Emiya?"
"Because I want to know if it's true." Kirei raised a brow. "Rin told me a bit about this Holy Grail War. That people...fight for it."
"Why of course they would." Kirei said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The Holy Grail is a powerful wish-granting device. Anybody would be enticed by such an offer, where some become blinded by their own selfish desires to obtain it."
While Shirou looked discomforted by such a saying, Ozpin understood this. Even accepted it. Knowing full well that some people...some just did whatever it took to get their own wishes and goals accomplished.
"Okay...then what if I say I don't want to become a Master?" Shirou then declared, surprising Ozpin a bit. Kirei, not as much as he just seemed amused by such a declaration.
"Chosen by the Grail, yet wishing to not be a Master." Kirei chuckled a bit. "Then you are below that of a novice magus, and nothing more than a coward." Shirou gripped his fists, and while Ozpin said nothing, narrowed his eyes. Though the word coward did bring up a certain person in mind. One who fled, when the truth was learned.
""I'm not trying to run away." Shirou shoots back at the priest, feeling ticked off. "I just don't get being part of a death battle for something sketchy as this Grail. Heck, is it even real?"
"If you spoke to Rin, then did you not see the Servant she possessed?"
"Well, yeah-"
"Then it is real." Kirei interrupts Shirou. "Even if you never heard of it before now, nor have seen it, those Servants you saw were proof, were they not?"
That...was certainly true. The power Shirou saw them show, the intense pressure. It was leagues above what a normal person can do. And while it still irked Shirou, there's no denying those Servants couldn't have existed unless something was indeed bringing them here. As for Ozpin, he believed it. While still feeling suspicious on how the Grail brought back these dead people, he himself lived in an age of magic. Where two Gods ruled them all, and gifted magic to the people where all sorts of wonders were had.
"But," Kirei then turned around, looking at the rows of seats before him. "If you truly wish to leave this war, and not be a Master, then the answer is simple."
"...and that is?"
"Waste your Command Seals." Kirei turned to him. "Waste all the Command Seals on your arm, and you will no longer be a part of this war, and will stay here."
"What?" Shirou raised a brow. Even Ozpin couldn't stay quiet.
"What do you mean by staying here?" He asked with narrowed eyes.
"Nothing as dubious as you might think." Kirei defended himself. "The church here is simply put, a sanctuary for Masters who have lost their Servants or wish to simply stop participating. The past four wars prove that."
"Four." Shirou said in horror, and Ozpin then remembered how young Tohsaka mentioned that this Holy Grail War happened before. Meaning not only did it happen before Shirou was born and before he got here, but it happened a number of times.
"Yes. Four. With this being the Fifth Holy Grail War." Kirei confirmed the number. "And as you said, you wish for no part in it. So if you truly wish to leave, then leave. Although," Kirei then gave a stare as if he were gazing into both Ozpin's and Shirou's own souls and intentions. "I guess that also means you have no care for who gets the Grail."
"You're referring to those who may use the Holy Grail for either good...or ill intentions." Ozpin did not ask a question.
"Wait, what?" Making Shirou shocked, as he heard this. "You mean bad people can use the Grail?"
"Of course." Kirei answered the young teen. "It isn't as if the Grail cares for what background and morality the magus have, simply who is the last man standing. I'm sure Rin told you that many have died in these wars, including the very Masters that participated. It's only natural, after all, who wouldn't kill for this wish. Be it good or evil."
"Then wouldn't that be trouble for you?" Shirou yelled back, as obviously if a bad person got the Grail, surely that would only mean doom. Including this guy.
"It would." Kirei shrugged. "Yet nothing can be done about it." Shirou gripped his fists, and Ozpin looked a bit upset. In other words, this man was saying he and maybe others wouldn't care of the consequences of such an action. Sure there may have been a chance this supposed 'bad' person would make a wish that didn't affect humanity as a whole. But the risk was still there, and nothing would be done about it.
"Besides, did you not say you wished to no longer be a Master? Why would it be your concern?" Kirei then repeats what Shirou had said earlier. "Granted, this would mean you'd miss out on realizing the truth of ten years."
"...ten...years…" That number...That was when-
"You mentioned before on what would happen if a bad man got the Grail. Well," Kirei gave a knowing look at Shirou. As if toying with him. "Ten years ago, a certain man got the Grail. Yet through a blunder of his own doing, he rained down a red hell to those below." Shirou froze, and Ozpin then noticed the boy shaking. Sweat coming out of him. "Yes." Kirei continued, even though he clearly knew this was affecting Shirou badly. "If we remember our history right, it was the great fire that consumed or injured over five hundred souls."
Ozpin knew many things about aura. Many tricks that can be used with it. One of them was the ability to see another's aura, and if mastered, see potentially the emotional state through it. So it made Ozpin worried when he saw Shirou's aura, while regenerating still, now quivering in a way that represented a fear, or better yet, trauma.
"Are you alright?" Ozpin asked, feeling a bit worried for Shirou now.
"I-I'm good." Shirou doesn't look at him. "I'm...good." Ozpin didn't believe him, but Shirou ignored him and faced Kirei with eyes that seemed a bit harder. "Okay. So, some guy made the fire. But...I thought the Holy Grail was never won before? At least what Tohsaka told me. So how did this guy do it?"
"It's true the Grail did appear." Kirei tells the two, and for a moment, looked as if he was reminiscing a bit. "However, there was a problem. Tell me, do you know why Masters kill other Masters? Other than getting rid of competition."
"To ensure others don't get a wish?" Ozpin said, with Kirei nodding.
"Indeed." The priest holds his head up for a bit, then leveled it back down. "Truth is, one doesn't need to get rid of the Masters to win. Killing the Servants is easy enough. Most just do it because it's the quicker way to rid the Servant the Master has contracted."
Now that was new information Rin didn't tell them. So killing a Master can for some reason, link to a Servant dying. Kirei continued on though, so they'd have to ask later. "Another reason though, one the man never considered, is that the Grail can only choose one Master to grant it's wish. Any more than that, and the great wish-making device is unable to choose the true worthy to bear it. But as I said, the man never considered it and let sentimentality get in his way."
Now that was certainly news to them. So the Grail only chose one, and likely, more than one person will cause it to perhaps malfunction. Kirei himself stated the Holy Grail was some sort of device, and all devices have their glitches and malfunctions, no matter how powerful they are. Apparently a wish-making one is the same.
"In any case, now that I have told you all this, what is your choice?" Kirei looks at Shirou, with what appears to be some form of expectation. "Will you leave this war as intended, and waste the Command Seals. Nobody will blame you, as having an inept magus could get you killed because your previous mentor could not help you. Or will you join?"
At that, Shirou stayed quiet. No doubt thinking of this. While there was a part of him that told him to leave, as a novice magus had no place here with true magus, another said otherwise. His father, Kiritsugu's words came to him. The dream they had, and how despite being a novice magus, Shirou is still a magus. One who wanted to be a hero of justice.
He knew his choice.
"I'll stay." Shirou stares right back at Kirei, eye to eye. Glaring at him. "I'll ensure nobody uses the Grail like the fire. "
"Yeah. Of course I'll help you. We'll help you defeat Salem. To ensure nobody suffers under her anymore."
Ozpin blinked. That memory...that was… 'Summer.'
Kirei nodded. "Emiya Shirou," He starts. "I hereby recognize you as the Master of Saber. As of this moment, the Fifth Holy Grail War has officially been endorsed. All of you participants may fight with dignity and to your heart's content, to earn your wish."
Shirou nodded, accepting this task.
"As for you, Ozpin." Kirei then spoke to the old man. "While there is no problem with you joining young Emiya, are you certain of it? You may die."
"In my line of work, death is always a possibility." Ozpin smoothly replies.
"Very well. In that case, for the time being both you and Emiya, while allowed to work together, are also forbidden from entering here unless you lose your Servant and are in need of a sanctum." Kirei then waves a hand toward the open door. "You may go."
Shirou and Ozpin then turned to leave. It seemed they were ready to start this war, which will determine their fates and if they will die like many before them, or achieve victory in passing. Though just before they left, Shirou stopped at the exit and turned, to see Kirei standing right behind him with a smile that left him unnerved. Ozpin noting this and asked, "Is there a problem?"
"No. There is not." Kirei never left his gaze on Shirou. "I was just congratulating this young man. Rejoice. For your wish will come true."
"Huh?" Shirou takes a step back, feeling off.
"Your wish, is it not, to be a hero of justice. And now, with this Holy Grail War starting, you can accomplish your dream. After all," That smile made Shirou feel ill. "One cannot be a hero of justice without evil. So be thankful, that even at the cost of the innocent, you can save them as you desire."
"..wha…"
"Come along now Emiya." Ozpin grabs Shirou, and throws a glare at Kirei. Knowing full well that he said those words on purpose, for what reason he didn't know, but knew it wasn't out of any good intent. "We must be on our way now. Isn't that right?"
"Er-y-Yeah. Of course." Shirou, still a little shaken, follows Ozpin as they walk out. The priest watched them as they left, ever in a decent mood. With only him aware, as red eyes also stared at the duo who walked away.
"You need not worry, with the words he said." Ozpin tells Shirou, as they walk a good distance away from the church. "I can't say I know what you're feeling, but you don't have to."
"Wait, huh?" Shirou then shakes his head. "No. I'm okay. I'm-"
"Shaken. By the words he said." Ozpin gives an analytical gaze at Shirou. "Those words got to you. And I can see why."
Shirou gripped his fists.
To be a hero of justice, meant evil had to exist. In other words, Shirou was, even if unintentionally, wishing for evil to affect others' lives. To make them despair until a hero came, as Kirei himself said. In other words, a contradiction.
"You know…" Ozpin then keeps walking. "While it is true that to be a hero there must be evil. However, one can be a hero even without some villain rampaging about, or even this Holy Grail War happening."
"...huh?" Shirou looks towards Ozpin, confused by what he meant. The old man stopped walking, and faced Ozpin.
"Have you ever helped someone?"
"No. I don't think so."
"Really?" Ozpin hums a bit. "Not even, say, helping a person who tripped, or aiding when someone is sick by any chance."
"Well, I mean, I guess so." He has done that before. Like when Sakura needed aid in shooting, or helping classmates fix certain items. That kind of thing.
"Then you've helped people." Ozpin says it plain as day. "Sure it wasn't a situation like say, stopping them from being mugged. Them nearly dying. Or anything extravagant like that. But the fact is, you helped them. And dare I say, what is it a hero does?"
"They...stop evil?"
"No." Ozpin shakes his head. "While that is one extension, a true hero doesn't just stop evil, they save people. Be it from the evil those claim to harm them...or even just simple matters that makes them feel at ease."
To not stop evil...but to simply...save them.
'Wait a minute…' Shirou thought. 'Isn't that what Kiritsugu…'
Yeah. While his father once told him that saving someone meant to save just the ones they can see, and how realistically nobody can save all...Shirou believed, despite those words, his father meant more than just stopping evil.
'Thinking on it,' The memory played back. The day where he first met Kiritsugu. 'I wasn't in danger. There was no bad guy trying to kill me.' He awoke in a hospital room. Well fed, and given a chance to find a new happy family. Despite that, Shirou felt scared of the prospect of being on his own. Feeling the hopelessness of the situation after escaping those flames. That is, until he came.
"Hello. You're Shirou, aren't you?" He asked so bluntly to be in the safe, warm, hospital. Or, to go with him.
Yeah. Yeah! Even though no bad guy was hurting Shirou, the piece of him that died in that fire, that brought him down, vanished the second he chose Kiritsugu. In that regard, he was saved.
"Heh." Shirou's mood became a bit better. With Ozpin giving a warm look. To be a hero of justice, didn't just mean to defeat the villain and save the innocent. Sometimes, it was just lending a hand to a troubled youth, to ease their problems.
Is that another way to become a hero?
"Uh-oh." The good mood was then ruined, as Ozpin said one thing. "We never asked how to summon a Servant."
"..." Shirou blinked. "Ah shi-"
While she didn't need to go to classes, she still went there. Believing that maybe, just maybe, she can see her senpai there. At least a glimpse, and maybe even talk if they met up. Yes she'll need a good excuse to say why she was at the school, and not at home resting, but she felt she could come up with some kind of lie.
Even then though, one thing worried her.
"It is fine. You may leave now, my precious granddaughter." Her grandfather said, for some reason cutting the 'training' much earlier. "I have more interesting matters to attend to."
She obeyed, and she got up ready to leave.
"Oh, but one more thing." She then stopped, wondering what her grandfather wanted. "It seems the boy you are so enamored with...has become a Master."
Eh?
Her grandfather talked more, but she didn't listen. Instead, feeling a sense of fear. Of horror. Knowing full well what was about to happen in this city. The dangers that will come, especially for those who got directly involved in this. The fates that usually damned them. Scared that if he entered this war, then he will...he'll…
"Still though, it seems he's being encouraged." She then stopped. Those last words, catching her attention.
"Huh?"
Her grandfather chuckled. "It seems the boy you like, is being aided by an interesting magus. Likely this old man is the reason the boy is joining."
Wait. Then...senpai wouldn't have joined this war...if it hadn't been for this old man?
After hours of waiting, Sakura never once saw her senpai leaving the school. Just her sister Rin, and her brother, likely finished with what he was doing to kill the people in it. Rider having already told her about it in secret. Her senpai, having never even came.
"Hm. Sakura." She then heard a voice. Belonging to one of the few people she got along with, Taiga. An annoying person, but good hearted in her own way. "Hey!" She then waved her hand. "What are you doing here? Though you were sick."
"I'm feeling a bit better." She wished Taiga was gone right now, not feeling good. "Just wanted to see if senpai was here." Just leave.
"Ah, Shirou." Taiga rubbed her chin. "He called in sick."
"Sick?" Did he catch a fever of sorts?
"Uh-huh. That's what the school told me. Though I bet it has something to do with that old man that was with him."
"It seems the boy you like, is being aided by an interesting magus. Likely this old man is the reason the boy is joining."
The words her grandfather said. It couldn't be.
"Yeah." Taiga continued on. "Some white haired old dude. Seemed nice though. Apparently helped Shirou out. Shirou seems to like him." Sakura ignored the rest of what Taiga was saying. Instead more focused on the old man. The one who supposedly encouraged her senpai to enter this war. The death match that was about to happen. A dark feeling rising in her, which has been happening more often these days ever since her brother summoned Rider.
"Ah." Was this old guy, getting in her way.
Kirei being a jerk. Zouken messing with Sakura. And Sakura getting the wrong idea on Ozpin.
From what I've seen, the women in Ozpin's life are usually a pain. Salem. Raven. Cinder. May as well add a few more women that will mess with his life.
But until then, our heroes need to worry about something else. Yeah. To actually SUMMON a Servant, whom they forgot again. Kieri just thinking they had one. But don't worry, they'll get Saber soon. Yeah. Just Saber.