DISCLAIMER: I do not take credit from the Fate universe and its characters. The rights and credits go to the original authors.
Read the notes in the first chapter if you haven't done it already.
This is my very first story. I'm confident in my grammar, but if there are any mistakes, then let me know and I'll try to figure out how to fix them as soon as I have time.
Hope you enjoy.
FATE/Oppression
-Beginning-
Chapter 2
Planet: Earth
Date: May 12 2020
Location: Chugach National Forest (Alaska - U.S.A.)
(======)
The silence was definitely disturbing.
Shirou clenched his teeth, throwing a few twigs over a fire he had previously lit in the middle of the silent woods once the sun had set and the air had grown colder. Contrary to what he had expected after being summoned to the Real Side, his body was reacting rather well to the cold weather of this place. And, as he had learned a couple of hours ago, Alaska was definitely not the hottest place in the world. He assumed this was thanks to his Divine Nature. Being an immortal warrior had some advantages, even if he still loathed his origins wholeheartedly.
Along with him, the other two Servants he had met earlier in the day were also silent like him. Iskandar and Mordred sat around the bonfire, one on the left and the other to the right, staring at the crackling flames with an unreadable gaze. Mordred was sulky and irritated – Shirou assumed it was due to the fact she was still injured and tired, and that she didn't really like the fact that she had lost a battle against a 'weak' opponent – while Iskandar remained silent with a thoughtful expression, his arms folded and his gaze lost in thought as he mulled to himself.
Their previous conversation had been... peculiar, to say the least.
"So, let me get this straight," Shirou sighed once again, immediately drawing the attention of the others to himself. "The first thing you two remember once you were summoned here is that someone took you from the Throne, with no reason and no clear goal whatsoever. And then, before you noticed, you found yourself in this place without a choice. Is that right?"
Iskandar nodded at his recalling of their previous explanation. Mordred just made a sound similar to a 'tch' while she crossed her arms and glared at the trees. Nobody blamed her for her irritation. This was he third time they had been talking about this during the last hour.
"Correct," Iskandar nodded.
Shirou stared at the fire. "Once you became familiar with your new spiritual body, you heard a mysterious voice start speaking inside your mind. A female voice. She told you that you were currently summoned into a battle whose scale would soon cover the entire surface of the planet... a battle called Holy Grail War," he repeated.
"Exactly," the King of Conquerors confirmed.
"The voice then explained that not only the two of you, but ALL the other Heroes of the Throne were also summoned to the war as Servants, scattered throughout the planet; and that your goal is to find, fight and defeat as many Servants as possible in order to maintain your presence in the world and be considered 'worthy'..."
"Pretty much," Iskandar agreed.
"…and those who are considered worthy, they get the privilege of using a Magical Artifact called... Holy Grail? " he asked again, sounding more and more cold and filled with understanding as he spoke. His face was a mix of realization and decision right now. Not that the others could blame him, despite the peculiar situation they were facing.
"That's the gist of it, yes," Mordred grumbled, eyeing him with an angry frown. "Now stop asking the same questions over and over again. We already told you all we know."
Shirou sighed, running a hand through his red hair. "...I see. So that's how it is," he muttered.
Iskandar shrugged. "As confusing as it may sound, that's the truth, boy. The fact that Servant like us are able to meet and talk like this right now is the very proof of this," he argued, smirking a little in the end.
"I'm not wondering if it's true or not. I'm complaining about this whole mess," he retorted, glaring a little under the amused grin of the gigantic man. He shook his head with clear irritation and stress. "This situation... I get the gist of it, but it doesn't make any sense. Why would something like this happen? How did it happen? It just... it has no sense whatsoever. This literally sounds like some fairy tale shit… forgive my language."
Mordred smirked. "So you can curse," she mused with a sly grin. "What a surprise."
Iskandar slammed a fist into the ground in a decisive motion. The ground cracked a little under the force of the blow. "Stop your grumbling, boy. There is no point in asking how and why a war starts. The right thing to do is to make a decision and face it on with pride and your head held high," he declared loudly, grinning like a child excited to fight.
Shirou stared at him in obvious confusion. Even Mordred gave the taller man a blank stare.
In the end, the God of War sighed defeatedly. "By the way... what in the world is this 'Holy Grail'?" he asked them again, shaking his head in defeat. "I've never heard of such an Artifact before."
Mordred crossed her arms. "We don't know either. The voice didn't bother explaining what it is. She just said one thing," she answered, narrowing her eyes.
"Which is?" he pressed.
Mordred turned her head towards him, staring into his golden-brown eyes. "That those who obtain the Grail... will be granted their most important wish; no matter how great, impossible or unreacheable it may be. The Grail will grant it true. That's what she said."
Iskandar nodded in confirmation with a pensive face.
Shirou hesitated, looking both suspicious and conflicted after that revelation. "...really, now? That sounds convenient," his gaze narrowed without any true emotion under the others' stare. "And dubious."
"What is there to mull about? Our purpose is clear, our goal already ahead of us," Iskandar declared again, crossing his arms with a decisive nod. "What's making you uncomfortable, boy?"
The retired God looked at him as if he was stupid. "...really? Are you serious?" he asked, looking both incredulous and stunned under the confused gaze of the mighty Macedonian Emperor. "An Artifact capable of granting any wish? A power capable of making any dream come true? Who could possibly believe such nonsense?"
"We do," they both retorted in unison.
"Then you're both more gullible than I thought," he promptly told them, blatantly ignoring Mordred's irritated scowl and Iskandar's confused gaze. "There's no such thing as a wish-granting machine. Such a thing is impossible. Only a fool would seriously chase after something so dubious."
Iskandar grinned. "You say that... and yet, we're here," he retorted again, waving his arms to point at himself, Mordred and Shirou. His grin widened, finding a strange pleasure when he saw the red-haired warrior's expression become more hesitant and uncertain after his retort. "We have been summoned into this world, once again, after all this time. We're all here, for real. This fact alone proves that there is a mighty power behind this. A power beyond what we mere humans can imagine. If it has brought us back, then it can certainly grant a wish or two. Don't you think?"
"And you would be willing to fight and kill other people just to chase such a dubious Artifact?" Shirou asked him back, nearly glaring at his amused face. He almost scoffed in disappointment. "I expected more from the famous Alexander the Great. I thought you were smarter than this."
Despite the slight insult, the tall King openly laughed.
"Do not rush to conclusions, boy. I never said I truly believe in this Grail," he reassured him with a loud laugh, waving his hand with a casual movement. His face quickly became more serious after that. "But this IS real. Both me and Saber heard that voice and confirmed on what she said. We can't deny this. I don't know if what you're saying is true, I don't know if you're as clueless as you sound or if there's more behind this battle... but it's my intention to learn and conquer the truth behind this. And if there's really a chance to be granted a wish during this... I'd like to bet on it."
Shirou remained silent, studying the tall, muscular man with a narrowed gaze. This man... he was obviously different from what he was expecting. His mannerism, his direct and straightforward way of thinking, his confidence... they were traits he could respect in a man. Even more so in a King. Despite his strange behaviour, he couldn't deny that he really looked like a legendary figure right now. His presence exuded that of 'greatness' and 'leadership' altogether.
He smirked a little. "You're quite the greedy King, aren't you?"
Iskandar grinned. "A King without greed is a dead one, boy," he replied, without noticing the slight glare Mordred was sending him from the left. "We may be Heroes, but we're still humans. And humans are and will always be greedy. That's why I'm not surprised if we and many other Servants are willing to fight for this Holy Grail. If there's a chance that it could truly grant our deepest, strongest wish… we will always be drawn by it, no matter what."
Shirou nodded. "I don't have any interest in this Grail whatsoever… but I agree. I can see why a lot of people would fight and kill for something like this. Especially great Heroes who accomplished many deeds and victories in life," he conceded with a sigh. His face become a mask of cold decision after that statement. "But despite this, I will not allow this war to cause destruction and death over the planet. Whether there really is someone behind this 'Grail' or not, the world is falling to danger because of this situation. I can't just stand by and do nothing. I must put an end to this."
Iskandar nodded. "I agree. A war of conquest should not be smoothed out by death and destruction. To conquer, but not destroy! To win, but never humilate! No innocent lives should be lost because of a battle between Servants. That's something I can agree with."
The God smiled faintly. "That's a relief."
The Macedonian Emperor nodded again, before glancing at the female Knight on the left. "What about you, sir Mordred?" he asked her, smiling at her slightly frowning face. "You're a Knight, right? I assume that even you would not wish for innocent lives to be involved and killed in this fight."
The girl shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. "I don't really care about it. But... I suppose that's fair. Servants must kill each other to win, but that doesn't mean we should destroy and ruin the lives of innocent people. It's best to keep this war between us, in my opinion," she merely said.
Then, her eyes turned to glare at Shirou with fervent animosity. "But enough of that. What I really want to know now is who the hell are you," she declared suddenly, looking at the calm, impassive face of the ancient God. "I've never seen or heard of a Servant like you. A Servant that uses swords, spears and a freaking bow at the same time. That's not supposed to be possible, and we know it!"
Shirou mentally sighed, ignoring Mordred's accusing gaze and Iskandar's intrigued and suspicious one. He had expected that question, after all. He was expecting it since the very beginning, actually. It was inevitable. Not after having shown some of his abilities during the previous fight. His identity and his purpose had to remain secret, but it was simply impossible to escape this situation without offering at least a modicum of explanation. Not anymore, at least.
Again, he had been careless. And now he had to pay the price for it.
"That's interesting indeed, boy," Iskandar agreed after a few tense moments of silence. "To be able to beat a famous Servant like the Knight of Treachery without dealing damage and with such ease... that's quite a feat. Even more so if you truly can use different weapons."
"That's right! Servants shouldn't be able to do that! We're restricted to one class only! Even I know that!" she added, pointing a finger at him with a suspicious gaze. "And you even said that you're not a Servant after the fight... so, who are you? What are you? No mere human should possess all that power. It's simply impossible!"
Shirou sighed with a small smile. Luckily for him, he knew how to get out of this situation without revealing too much.
"It's not impossible," he replied, smiling under her incredulous face. "And I didn't lie to you. I'm not a Servant, but I'm not exactly human either."
Iskandar blinked. "Hmm? Then what are you, boy?" he questioned him, clearly intrigued by his explanation. "I know we've discussed this before... but I have to agree with Saber here. I too have never heard a legend about a man called Shirou Emiya. Are you really saying the truth? I can see that your body is alive, unlike our spiritual body, but you still give off the presence and aura of a Servant. A very powerful one… how is that possible? Who are you, really?"
His answer was immediate.
"I didn't lie. My name is Shirou Emiya. But my legend is not important right now," he replied, smiling covertly at their stunned and confused expression. They almost looked like fishes that came out of water with their wide eyes and mouth agape. "As for your other question, its simple: I'm a Pseudo-Servant. A human body filled with the soul of an ancient Hero. That's what I am."
Well, it was a lie, obviously… but they didn't know that. And he had no choice but to use this cover. Gaia had given him only one alibi, after all.
And now it was time to use it.
Mordred stared at him. "…a Pseudo-Servant, huh…" she mused, studying him from head to toe with interest. "And what class are you?"
Shirou smiled, closing his eyes. That was easy.
"I am…"
. . .
"What can you tell me about the Servants?"
The woman looked towards the small window of his wooden house, glancing outside with an unreadable expression. "Similarly as to how Demons require a form invented by humans in order to take shape, Heroic Spirits need a form to exist in the world. This form is created by dividing them into different categuries. Classes, to be exact."
Shirou narrowed his eyes. "So they're divided into groups?"
Gaia nodded. "They act as their temporary name and method of existing. Acting like a 'passport to the present', the Class prepares them for their role as a Familiar in advance, allowing them to take on that role to help them take form, and bringing them forth into the world. Each Class identifies only the core skills of the Heroic Spirit because – as you know – a complete replication of all their previous abilities is impossible. Their main traits align with the class they are given form, matching the principal nature of the Class. Only heroes matching the attributes of the Classes are brought forth, allowing them to be summoned into any of them, reflecting on their abilities," she explained.
"And what are these Classes?"
Gaia smiled in amusement. "There are seven main Classes among the Servants: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. I'm sure you've heard of them before, isn't that right?"
"I did. It was a long time ago, however," he nodded.
The woman nodded as well. "Each Class has its own advantages and weaknesses, and even without the Throne, the Heroes released to Earth are still subject to this subdivision. Recreating their full powers and legends is impossible, after all. Not even a God could possess that much power. For this, once you'll come in contact with a Servant or will be forced to fight it, you will need an alibi, a cover to justify your strenght and your powers."
"My mission and your intervention must remain unknown," he sighed, shaking his head in exasperation. "Then what? How will I justify my powers and abilities? Should I pretend to be a Servant and use only the abilities of a certain Class?"
"Not exactly," she corrected him. "Restraining your abilities might be too dangerus, given the current situation. But obviously, at the same time, revealing your true identity would be disadvantageous as well. Some enemies could be observing you once you'll be summoned there, after all. Maybe even those responsible for this whole mess. So, I will grant upon you a special blessing that will mask you, and that will make you assume the role of a Servant from an entirely different Class in the eyes of the World and the Planet."
"...an entirely different Class?" he repeated, visibly confused.
"Oh, it's a very special one. A non-standard Servant Class that has never been summoned before in the current history, but that still exists and is recorded in the World in spite of everything. The Counter Force and my sister created it in case the Counter Guardian program should ever fail or malfunction during a global threat… just like it happened today. That's why I can still use it to cover your identity. The Servants of this Class were supposed to be special in the eyes of the Planet, and because of this, it will allow you to maintain your current powers and abilities."
Shirou narrowed his eyes. "What is it, then?"
Gaia smiled. "Why, that's simple, Shirou. You shall be..."
. . .
"…a Ruler."
Mordred and Iskandar watched him in silence for a long, long time after he said that, their expressions unreadable. Nobody said anything for several seconds filled with tension and confusion. Only the distant cry of a hunting hawk echoed in the air after that revelation.
"A Servant... Ruler?" Iskandar let out a breath, eyeing the red-haired warrior as if he was some giant, unsolved mystery. His brows frowned in suspicion as he stroked his red beard with one hand. "I've never heard of such class, boy. And yet, at the same time, it feels... it feels…"
"It feels strangely familiar," Mordred concluded for him, nodding with a calculating gaze as she studied the impassive face of the unknown God. "I don't know why, but my current knowledge as a Servant is making me remember something. Something about a Ruler that oversees the Holy Grail War."
Shirou nodded. He was expecting this. "That's right. My class is pretty special, as far as I know. That's why I didn't hear that 'voice' after being summoned. That's why I wasn't aware of the situation and the Grail. That's why I had no idea of what is happening here. Because my role is completely different from the role of a normal Servant."
"It's because you are an external being to the war," Iskandar realized, widening his eyes. "You're not here to win the Grail, but to oversee something else entirely. Is that the reason you've been summoned?"
Shirou nodded. It wasn't a complete lie, actually. He HAD been summoned in order to oversee the situation and save the planet, after all. That's the main reason he was sent here. And the Grail system DID register him as a Ruler thanks to the intervention of the Planet. His new 'role' and his original mission matched the system perfectly. That's why he was able to act, talk and fight so freely even despite the current detachment between the Planet and Humanity. This was the most credible lie ever. Nice one, Gaia.
Mordred snorted in amusement. "But still, a Ruler who doesn't know about the Grail and the war? That's weird. Even I could see a lie there," she questioned, smirking at him.
Oh, he was expecting this as well. "That's because of my role, actually," he argued, immediately grabbing their attention. "From my understanding, Ruler-class Servants are brought forth for the purpose of presiding over a battle. We do not care about the Holy Grail War or the Grail itself, but our duty is to ensure the safety and the correct unfolding of the fights. We're simply sent to make sure everything goes smoothly, without major problems."
Iskandar slapped his knee in understanding. "Hoh? So you're kind of an Arbiter. A judge. A neutral entity whose goal is not about getting the Grail or partecipate in the war, but making sure Servants fight without breaking the rules and the laws of the world."
Shirou nodded. The King of Conquerors was smart. He was catching on this matter pretty fast. "Exactly. But I'm not a simple judge either. A Ruler is meant to rule among the war. My duties include the task of preserving the laws of Heroic Spirits to ensure they won't be violated, and to maintain human history by preserving its safety so that people may survive the war and do not discover the truth behind it. The role of a Ruler is to arbitrate the truth and adjudicate all things in order to maintain human history. I do not care about the war at all. My one and only duty is to ensure that humanity is safe," he stated, like it was a fact.
His golden-brown eyes stared at the two other Servants with absolute seriousness. "That's why I still possess my full powers, sir Mordred. That's why I had no idea of the situation, King of Conquerors. I am not meant to fight in the War, but to ensure that mankind is safe. This gives me a higher duty, a higher ranking among all the Servants. Basically, in order to ensure mankind's safety, I rule the Battlefield, I rule over any War, and I rule over every other Servant; despite their origin, their status, and their alignment. Therefore, a Ruler. That's why I'm here," he stated, smiling at them with a calm, impassive gaze.
The sheer, absolute silence that followed his explanatiion was enough to make him realize that his little lie had worked. Mordred and Iskandar were watching him intently, utterly amazed and shocked by what they had learned about him. They clearly weren't expecting this turn of events, at all.
"I... I see," Mordred said, nodding to herself with a gulp and a nervous grin. "Damn. That's... a lot to take in."
The King of Conquerors laughed loudly. "I'll be damned, that's the last thing I was expecting," he admitted with a mighty laughter while slapping his leg in attempt to hold back his amusement. He even shook his head in acceptance. "To hear someone declare himself above a King for the sake of humanity... boy, you're pretty special, aren't you? I'll let it slide, since I suppose I won't be able to change this fact given your duty."
Shirou merely smiled. "I can't help it. That's my role."
'And my mission,' he mentally added.
Besides, he was a God. He was the First Hero. That description fit him more than he liked to admit. Even Gaia had almost laughed at his irritated face when she first explained this to him. Shirou didn't really care about being considered 'important' or 'above' others… but he simply couldn't escape what he was. Even if he didn't like it. He was the First among the Heroes, after all.
"But you seem pretty confident about this whole 'the world is in danger' stuff," the Knight noted, raising an eyebrow. "Are you really sure of that? Aren't you just being paranoid?"
Shirou clenched a fist, his face a mask of steel. He knew he couldn't say the truth to answer that question, but he had to warn them all the same. The world was in danger, after all. "Trust me, kid... there's something wrong with this Holy Grail War. I know it. I can feel it. The very same fact that I was summoned here despite my lack of interest on the Grail is proof enough."
Iskandar and Mordred didn't say anything, simply choosing to stare at him with an unreadable gaze for a minute.
Once that matter was cleared, the King of Conquerors glanced at Mordred, who chose to remain silent and stare at the red-haired Ruler with a narrowed gaze while she sat near the fire. "So, what now?" he asked again, addressing both of them. "We agreed to talk, but we never made a suggestion to move on with the current situation. What are we going to do now?"
Shirou remained silent, pondering to himself. Mordred looked at him with indifference. "Do you have some 'suggestion', King of Conquerors?" she asked him back, crossing her arms.
"I do, actually," he replied, surprising her a little. Iskandar glanced at both of them, his lips curling into a wide smile. "Since the boy here, Shirou, has no interest over the Grail and the war, there's no need for me to fight him. And seeing how you're still recovering after your duel with him, I will refrain from fighting you as well, for now," he ignored the blonde's angry and annoyed look after those words, along with Shirou's amused smile. "So, how about working together for now? Joining arms and forces under my command, as faithful companions?"
Sheer silence greeted his declaration. The crackling of fire was the only sound that could be heard in the middle of the forest for several minutes.
Shirou was the first to break the silence.
"...that's actually a good idea," he agreed, smiling a little under the King's grinning face. "Joining forces might be a good opportunity to learn more informations about this war and find other Servants at the same time. And my one and only purpose is to learn humanity's condition in order to decide what to do to ensure its safety. I could second this suggestion, given the benefits," he said with a nod towards the taller man.
'Not to mention that I could make good use of Iskandar's chariot to get to a city quickly and get intel on the world's situation,' he inwardly mused.
His golden-brown eyes flickered to the only Knight of the group. "What about you, sir Mordred?" he asked her directly. "What do you say about this?"
The girl clenched her fists and schooled her features. "...I refuse."
Shirou stared. Iskandar looked at her with a confused gaze. "Can I ask why?" the Macedonian Emperor questioned.
"Tch. That's obvious. I will never join another King. Whether it is for convenience or necessity, I'm still a Knight and I have a code of honor to uphold. I refuse to acknowledge another King declaring himself above me," she stated, both her face and body a mask of steeled resolution. She was a literal statue of decision and rage as she spoke. "Now and forever, the only one who can name himself King in front of me... is our King of Knights! Even if you call yourself King, I'll refute that. The only King I acknowledge is King Arthur, and the only one who can oppose the King…" she smirked, glaring at Iskandar with a narrowed gaze. "…is ME!"
Shirou sighed when he saw Iskandar narrow his eyes in irritation under Mordred's glare. Great. That was simply great. A homunculus with gender and daddy issues? That female Knight was proving to be more and more strange by the second. And yet, despite this, even if he didn't really care about what her decision could be, there was something inside him that didn't want to push this girl away. A weird sense of tension, a feeling of unease that was suggesting him to keep her close, to keep her in sight, for some reason. Even though he had no idea why.
That's why he took the initiative.
"Are you really sure, sir Mordred?" he asked her, prompting her to turn at him with confusion and irritation evident on her face. "I mean, you're free to do what you want... but surely to remain here, alone, in the middle of nowhere is not a great choice. Don't you agree?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
Iskandar nodded with a sly grin as he realized what the other was trying to do with his question. "Hmm! That's right. When me and the boy here will fly away on my chariot to reach our next destination, you'll be left alone. Alone, tired, and wounded. After all, you did lose a fight against him, didn't you? You will be at disadvantage here, if some enemy catch up to you," he reminded her, feigning confusion and innocence on his face.
Mordred gritted her teeth. She clearly hadn't thought about that prospect. But it didn't mean she would back down from this. "I can still survive on my own. I don't need others to keep me safe even if I'm injured," she hissed, clenching a fist in rage and growling with wounded pride.
Shirou sighed. "Listen, kid, don't be like that. We went through so much right after being summoned... it would be wise to stick together right now. At least for a while. Nobody is forcing you to stay with us forever."
"No. I told you. I won't ally myself with another King. Never," she declared again.
"Then how about doing this for me, instead?" he asked her promptly, smiling with a sincere expression. Mordred looked at him in confusion after that question, and even Iskandar arched a brow in his direction. "You don't have to make an alliance with us. You don't have to swear loyalty or anything like that. Think of it as a simple request from me. After all, you owe it to me. You did lose the duel. Remember that?"
She blushed with shame, stuttering in rage as her body trembled with barely contained fury. "Y-You..."
"But that goes for you too, King of Conquerors," Shirou added soon after that, immediately cutting off the female Knight before she could complain more. Iskandar narrowed his eyes when the God turned towards him and stared at him with his cold, firm gaze. "I too would like to cooperate with you. But asking other people to become your subjects or allies without first proving your worth is foolish. I am a Ruler. Right now, my role makes me a higher existence than you. My one and only purpose is to safeguard humanity's future. That's the only thing I care about. I cannot and will not swear loyalty to anyone, as long as the war continues. And that goes to sir Mordred too. She's free to do as she pleases, as long as I am with her. You cannot rule over me, nor her."
The gigantic man frowned. "So you're saying that, because of your role to safeguard humanity, I have to obey you instead?" he questioned with a deep, strong voice.
"That's right. I'm literally your boss right now," he casually stated, as if it was obvious. He failed to notice Mordred's shocked expression after his statement, and blatantly ignored the taller man's sudden glare. He didn't even care, actually. "There's nothing more important than the safety of the planet. No King, no kingdom and no ruler will have a future if the planet falls to danger. Surely you can understand that. So, by my role and duty, I'll have to ask you to refrain yourself from using such notions as subject and loyalty with us. We are Servants. We obey no one, but we can still work together and form a deal, as long as our goal is clear."
Iskandar was silent for a long, long time after those words. The crackle of the fire was the only thing that was heard in the forest for a full minute after that cold, tense exchange. Mordred watched the two men glare at each other with a stunned face, both of them fighting for dominance and asserting their resolve through their eyes.
In the end, however, Shirou's blessing from the planet took effect once again.
Iskandar let out a long, weary sigh. "Alright," he conceded, shaking his head and scratching his beard in acceptance. "If that's what your role is, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it. A good King must always set the example and do the right thing. Even following the rules, sometimes. I can't conquer the world if there's no one to ensure its safety," he grumbled, almost sounding defeated. Almost.
Shirou smiled with a cheerful expression, his previous cold and menancing aura completely forgotten. "Wonderful. That settles it, then." He turned his head towards Mordred, who was gaping at him with wide eyes while he looked at her with a smile. "Then I suppose the problem's solved. There's nothing stopping you from joining us now. Right, sir Mordred?"
She gulped. "B-But-"
"Right?"
"A-Alright, alright! Geez! Stop with that creepy smile," she relented in the end, flinching and waving a hand in irritation. She sighed as well, stretching her arms with an uncertain expression. "I'll follow you guys until we reach a town or something and find something more fun to do," she conceded slowly.
Shirou nodded, getting up from the ground as he put out the fire with some dirt and stones. The first step was done.
Now, to the next one.
"Very well, then. Now that we're all in agreement, we must hurry until the night is young. We should take advantage of the dark to travel unseen. Our presence in the world must remain secret, after all."
Iskandar and Mordred nodded in acceptance. "We will use my chariot, Gordius Wheel, to fly into the sky and reach a city as soon as possible. We should gather information and learn about the lands before we decide our next move," Iskandar agreed with a wide grin, drawing his sword and using it to summon his Divine Chariot. Mordred followed them with a frown without saying anything.
And then, once they climbed on top of Iskandar's chariot, the three warriors set off towards the sky. Towards the beginning of their adventure. An adventure that, unbeknownst to them, with time and patience, it would lead them to form a strange, unexpected bond. A bond that in the future would prove to be essential to bear the weight of the world…
…and the threat that loomed over it.
Planet: Earth
Date: May 12 2020
Location: Glastonbury Abbey (Glastonbury - England)
(======)
The woman opened her eyes.
The sight that greeted her was strange and familiar at the same time.
A vast green lawn, dark cloudy sky, a couple of trees to her right, and some groups of unfamiliar and strangely dressed people all around her and obviously occupied at staring. She blinked. Indeed, they were definitely staring at her body and armor. She frowned, looking around with a narrowed gaze. She was in the middle of a ruin, an ancient abbey or a cathedral of times past, perhaps. And she had no idea of what was going on.
'This... This is not Ava-'
A series of images, memories, and voices suddenly filled her head.
Death. Blood. Death. Hill of corpes. Pain. Death. Holy Grail War. Broken summoning. Servants. Holy Grail. Saber. Wish. Battle. Failure. World in danger.
Future.
Her lips parted. Her head throbbed in pain and confusion.
"To be considered worthy, you must find and defeat all the other Servants scattered around the world," spoke a soft, seductive voice inside her mind. "And when you do... your most important wish will come true at last."
The woman widened her eyes.
"The Grail will grant your inner desire."
'W-Wait-'
Silence.
She was alone. She was alone again. She had always been alone.
Well, not entirely.
"Hey! You there! What are you doing?"
A man was running towards her. He wore a dark blue cloth similar to a uniform. People of all appearances and ages were staring at her, whispering in a hushed voice and pointing at her with confused and shocked gazes.
She raised a royal brow at the man who stepped right in front her with an angry frown. "Get out of there, ma'am. It's forbidden to step on the grave!" he ordered. He grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to move from where she was standing while her mind was filled with confusion and questions.
The man was looking at her like an hawk. "Bloody hell... what are you wearing?" he exclaimed, stunned.
She didn't answer, her mind elsewhere. Grave?
She turned to look at the spot she had been standing over until a moment ago.
Her eyes widened.
A grave.
A grave filled with flowers.
She swallowed.
A sign was erected in front of the burial site.
She read it.
Her eyes widened. Her lips parted.
It was not a mere grave.
It was her grave.
The culmination of her failures.
Her own burial site.
The woman smiled a bitter smile.
'...I see,' she realized. 'That's how it is.'
...
It didn't matter.
Because now she was back.
Her fist clenched in decision and resolve while a gust of wind blowed her long, golden hair.
She had a Grail to win.
Planet: Earth
Date: May 13 2020
Location: Whitehorse (Yukon - Canada)
(======)
"Hoho? So this is what a modern city looks like!"
Shirou smiled at Iskandar's excited face, walking along the snowy streets of the big town flanked by his new 'companions'. Iskandar and Mordred followed closely, looking around to the houses, buildings, cars and the city environment while studying every detail of modern society with inquisitive and curious eyes. He assumed he couldn't blame them. This vision, while not very shocking thanks to the knowledge that Gaia had provided him with his summoning to the Real Side, was nevertheless new to all of them. It was impossible to hold back a minimum of curiosity.
Morning came since a couple of hours ago. The three of them had spent most of the night trying to reach this city. Although they were aware of the fact that there were other larger cities inland, this was the largest one they had been able to reach, and they had wasted quite a bit of time getting here. Gordius Wheel, while being a fast vehicle and an excellent weapon during battles, was not as comfortable as it seemed; and consumed far too much mana when used to fly in the sky for too long. Iskandar could never use it to repeatedly travel between various distances. Not repeatedly, at least. Of that, both Shirou and Mordred were certain now. It was simply too tiring, and it consumed too much prana for him. Therefore, they had no choice but to land here, in this snow-filled city, in order to continue to reach their goal: gather informations and discover the situation of the world.
But their goal wasn't turning out to be as simple as Shirou'd hoped. Why, you ask?
Because of a couple of overly too excited Servants.
"By the gods! I never thought that human society could evolve so much!" Iskandar exclaimed with a wide grin, frantically looking around while they walked along a long snowy sidewalk. His eyes sparkled in excitement when they saw a large advertising poster. "What an inspiring sight to behold, truly! I shall conquer this city and reclaim it as my own one day. Bwahahah!"
"Pff-bahahahahah! Look at that, Rider! Ruler! That screen! Look at what that woman is wearing!" Mordred snikered, pointing to a big screen on the roof of a building.
Shirou sighed, running a hand over his face. It was the twentieth time – literally the twentieth time, he had counted them – that Iskandar and Mordred commented aloud on every tiny little detail of the city. He did not understand. It wasn't a 'cool' or 'amazing' sight for him. Yeah, it was new and curious and strange, but nothing worth of shock. But maybe it was his fault? Maybe he was the strange one among them? He didn't know, and he didn't care. He just wanted them to stop.
"…sir Mordred, King of Conquerors… please, keep it down," he muttered with a tired sigh, glancing around the streets to make sure no one was paying attention to them. He did not want to attract people's suspicions immediately after reaching a city. "I told you already: we must remain incognito. Please."
Iskandar replied by patting him on the back. Hard. If it wasn't for his stronger-than-normal body, Shirou would have been knocked to the ground by the force of his slap. He merely sighed instead under Iskandar's grin. "You worry too much, boy. You must learn to enjoy life, from time to time! It doesn't happen every day that a man can visit the world after he died and became a Hero! Don't you agree, Saber?"
The Knight nodded with an excited grin. "Keh! That's right. This city is pretty cool, despite this annoying snow. It's certainly a different view from what I used to see in Camelot," she admitted slowly, looking around with wide, amused eyes as she took in everything. "Even if I don't get why someone would name a city after a freaking horse!"
Shirou sighed again with a resigned expression. It was useless. "Why, of all the Heroes in the Throne, I had to meet and join forces with two who act like excited children for a mere city?" he grumbled under his breath.
Mordred blinked, completely ignoring his complaining. "That's right! That reminds me… how the heck did we get summoned here in the first place?" she asked, turning towards the other two with a frowning face. "I thought the Throne was supposed to summon a Servant back in his respective homeland, but we ended up being summoned in a place where none of us has ever been before. How is that possible?"
Shirou shrugged at her question. "Maybe with the release of all Heroes on Earth something went wrong with the summoning system," he answered casually. If he had to be honest, he had no idea either. That was the only answer that made sense to him. Even Gaia had warned him that she wasn't sure of where he might end up once he got on the Real Side. He supposed it wasn't a big deal, however. They were here now, and that's all that mattered.
"That's too bad, indeed. I would have liked to see what Macedonia has become after all these centuries," Iskandar admitted with a grin. "Well then! It's decided! I shall go visit my homeland during my quest of conquest!"
"Yeah, yeah, as long as you survive this war," Mordred dismissed him, smirking with amusement. The King of Conquerors was about to retort and Shirou was ready to exhale another sigh, but they stopped.
It was then that they noticed something.
"…mom? Are those guys dressed up for a movie?"
"Ssh! Don't point at them!"
Shirou, Mordred and Iskandar blinked, looking around nervously and noticing that several people were now turning towards them. They were watching them, glancing at them, staring at them; with wide eyes filled with amazement, curiosity and confusion. There were dozens of them. Men, women, children and even some elderly people. Some of them were even taking pictures. And this was not good. It wasn't good at all.
Shirou suppressed another sigh while Iskandar looked around in confusion and Mordred was growing more and more irritated. He should have expected this. Not only Mordred and Iskandar were constantly chattering loudly without any restraint; but even their way of clothing was strange for the modern era. Iskandar was standing over two meters in height (a rare trait for people even to this day, apparently) and wore an elegant cloak and bronze armor. Mordred was a woman in full-body armor, and he was... he was a young man walking shirtless with a white cloak in a country where it snowed even during spring.
So... yeah. It was normal that people would stare at them. He should have expected this.
Fortunately for him, the solution to that dilemma was right on his left.
Shirou grinned in relief.
"Both of you, come with me," he urged to his companions, motioning for them to follow him inside a shop.
"Huh? Where the heck we're going?" Mordred asked, frowning,
He spared her a glance full of mirth.
"To buy some new clothes."
It was only half a hour later that Shirou and his companions left the shop. And once they got out, their new look was much more modern and definitely less eye-catching than before. Shirou was fully satisfied with his choice. Buying new clothes for Servants was essentially a superfluous gesture, but it was strategically useful if they wanted to blend in with civilization and pretend to be normal people. Therefore, it had been a good investment.
He smirked a little as he saw Mordred glance at her new clothing with a grin: a tube top that exposed her abdomen, a crimson leather jacket and high waist blue shorts. Shirou had been surprised at first by her choice of clothing. Ironically, for someone who despised being identified by her gender, her primary choice of outfit left her toned physique highly exposed. And while it didn't provide enough coverage for the cold air of this country, Shirou knew that their status as Servants made weather a non-issue for them. And she looked really good in that outfit, to be honest. It almost seemed to be made just for her.
Even Iskandar's look wasn't half bad, although unexpected. The King of Conquerors had ordered an XL sized t-shirt based on some strange videogame. It was a white shirt with the logo of the game imprinted on top of a world map. If not for his imposing and tall figure, he would almost look like a giant nerd with it. Not that he seemed to care, though. Iskandar had merely laughed and said something about "giving him the effect of having the whole world on his chest" and went well with the conqueror outfit. He also chose to wear a large blue jeans – after ten full minutes of Shirou telling him that it was improper to go around without pants or undergarments; something which the King of Conquerors didn't find strange in the least – In the end, Mordred indignant glare and the female cashier wide blush had convinced him. Now, he could actually go out without troubles.
As for Shirou himself, he simply chose a white t-shirt and a black jacket, along with blue jeans and a pair of sunglasses. Mordred had insisted on buying them for all the three of them, and she gave him no choice but comply. Honestly, that girl acted like a spoiled kid at times. But he didn't mind too much, actually.
"I still don't get it," said blonde girl glanced at him as they walked towards the city's main street with their new, modern look. "Where did you get the money to buy these clothes? Servants shouldn't have any money."
Shirou had to repress a smile. That was easy. "One of my most proficent skills in Magecraft is Gradation Air," was all he said in response to her question.
Mordred blinked, confused. She had no idea of what he was talking about. "Gradation Air?"
"You don't know? It's Projection Magic," Iskandar explained in his stead while Shirou nodded with an amused grin. "It's an ancient form of Magecraft that materializes objects, in accordance to the caster's imagination, through the use of magical energy. It can recreate anything: weapons and common objects alike... even if they disappear after a while."
Mordred widened her eyes with a smirk. "You've projected money!?" she asked him, bursting in laughter after the realization. "Hah! You aren't half bad at tricking people, Ruler! I thought you were a good, honest guy!"
He merely smirked. "But I am. I didn't give them fake money. I merely projected them from those I saw in the cash. They won't ever disappear from now on," he argued, crossing his arms in satisfaction.
Both Iskandar and Mordred blinked.
"What do you mean?" they asked at the same time.
His smile widened. "My Gradation Air is pretty good. Definitely more good than average. Because of this, my projections can last for as much as I want. They're pratically a faithful copy of the original, matching at almost 100%. And who ever said that a fake cannot match the original? It's all a matter of perspective," he retorted, shrugging a little.
Obviously, he did not bother to explain that the concept of 'Projection' was much more complex and arduous than what it seemed. Projection, also known as Tracing, is an advanced form of Magecraft coming from the Age of Gods. One of the Magic Skills he developed thanks to his personal Forging ability, which allowed him to actually create weapons and armors alike. And the more he used Tracing, the more his experience helped the process by making the projections more stable. This in turn allowed for said projections to last a great deal longer in the material world. The seven steps necessary for this were still imprinted in his mind even to this day.
As follows: Judging the concept of creation – Hypothesizing the basic structure – Duplicating the composition material – Imitating the skill of its making – Sympathizing with the experience of its growth – Reproducing the accumulated years and – at last – Excelling every manufacturing process.
But it would be useless to say this now, right?
"Well, now what?" Mordred asked suddenly, putting her hands in the pockets of her jacket.
Shirou returned serious at once. "Now, we must find a place to rest and recover our energies. We've been travelling since yesterday night without stop, and we must rest a little. We're strong, but even Servants need a small rest once in a while. You and I are both tired from our previous fight, and the King of Conquerors must recover the prana he used by carrying us here with the chariot," he answered, as if it was obvious.
Despite the frown on their faces, both of them nodded in agreement. They knew he was right.
Better be safe than sorry.
Nobody said anything else after that exchange. Shirou led his companions to a modestly sized but nicely elegant hotel, urging the two Servants to wait for him while he went to the reception to arrange accommodation and rent a room for the three of them. Once the formalities were over and he paid the rent – using the same trick as before – the man behind the reception gave them a key and led them to a room on the third floor of the building, where they were left in front of the door.
Once inside, they noticed something. It was a large room, but modest at the same time. Red carpeted floor, three large beds with white trim arranged side by side along the same wall and separated by a distance of at least four feet. To the left, a television hung on the wall, along with a glass table next to a small balcony, with a couple of red armchairs on the side and a mini-fridge full of snacks and drinks. Near the entrance, a large, white bathroom complete with a bathtub was accessible by a sliding door on the right wall.
Shirou nodded once he and the others entered the room with a sigh. "Hm. It's more comfy than what I was expecting. I hope you'll be satisified," he said, glancing at the others.
Mordred merely snorted, before jumping on the bed in the middle and spreading her arms wide with a sigh. "It'll serve," she simply said in acceptance.
Iskandar nodded as well. "It's certainly not a room worthy of a King… but for the moment I shall accept it. It'll be enough for a small rest. After all, my quest for conquest certainly cannot start with luxury and splendor from the very beginning. It wouldn't be fun that way," he agreed with a deep laugh.
Mordred glanced at him with an irritated frown. "What's with you and conquest?"
The Macedonian Emperor grinned as he took three cans of beer from the small fridge. "I can't help it. I'm someone who strive for conquest. That's what I live for," he explained, tossing a beer to both Shirou and Mordred respectively. They caught it with ease and a nod of appreciation.
"But you've already conquered a large number of lands during your life," Shirou commented, sitting on an armchair with a smile. "Don't you ever tire of plundering and subduing people and nations without stopping once?"
"Of course not! Conquest is what I strive for, but I do not wish to destroy everything and bend the world to my whims! Unlike others that lived before and after me, I conquer not with humiliation but by conquering their hearts. That is what true conquest means, and my path of kingship shall never be alone because the King's wishes are his people's wishes! That's how I built my magnificent kingdom. A King who conquers the hearts of men. That is Iskandar! That's who I am!" he declared, raising his beer to make a toast.
Mordred snorted, but she took a sip of beer all the same. Shirou nodded with a small smile. Despite his boastful behaviour, that man was quite intriguing for him. He could respect his way of thinking, even if he didn't really like the idea of him conquering and subduing nations and countless people just for his own greedy ambition. But he had no right to judge other people for their actions and dreams. He wasn't exactly a pure soul either.
And yet, one of them could not accept the King's declaration.
"Tch. What kind of nonsense are you blabbering about, Rider? A King is meant to be alone. A King must be alone! He must be a perfect and flawless leader. An impartial and solemn entity, detached from the mere mortals and their lower desires. That's what a real King is," she retorted, sitting up on the bed with a solemn face.
Iskandar stared at her with a frown. "Saber... are you serious?"
"You bet I am. This is how my King, the true King, ruled my country," explained the Knight, taking a sip of beer with a solemn face and a little scowl. "A King without flaws. A King so perfect that no one could ever be close to him. This is what King Arthur was during my time. And that's the only King I will recognize."
'Well, without taking into account that he was also a King without emotions,' she mentally added, before frowning in rage and resentment. 'And that he rejected me.'
"...then I'm not surprised that his kingdom fell when he was alive," Iskandar retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Mordred rounded on him with a growl. "WHAT DID YOU S-"
Alright. Problem-solving time. Shirou readily punched her on the head, without using too much force but still forcing her to shut up. He then sat down again and sighed with an irritated expression. He blatantly ignored Mordred's glare as she hissed in pain and started rubbing her head with a wince.
"Do not make a scene here, kid," he reprimanded her with a condescending tone. "This is a hotel filled with people. I do not care about your different ideals, but yelling and screaming will only draw unecessary attention to us. So keep it down, will you."
She glared. "Shut it! And don't call me kid! I'm a full-grown adult, you know!"
Shirou stared at her with a blank face. "…how old are you again?"
"I'm eight years old!"
"…that's a child's age."
"S-Shut up, Rider! I'm not talking to you now!"
"He's right," Shirou agreed, tossing his now empty can to a litter box with ease. "I know you're a homunculus, kid. I saw many of them during my days. I know extremely well how fast they grow compared to humans." His expression softened when he saw Mordred's face fill with shock and – strangely – a little bit of sadness and hurt. It seemed that she didn't like her true nature either. Poor kid.
He offered a smile to her. "Don't worry. I do not discriminate between humans and other races. I don't really think less of you because of that. I promise."
She blinked at his words, stared at him for a second, then glared to the ground. "…good."
"But the King of Conquerors has a point," he continued again, getting up from the armchair and moving to sit next to Mordred on her bed. "You're eight years old. You're the youngest among us. You can be a Knight and be as strong as you want, but you're still young. There's a lot you can learn yet. So, don't be too full of yourself. I know you're strong and skilled, our fight showed it to me. But I think you should use this opportunity to learn and discover new things. I'm sure you couldn't exactly enjoy a normal life when you were alive, am I right?"
She remained silent, staring at the ground for several seconds. Then, reluctantly, she nodded with a sigh. "That's right," she admitted with a frown. There was no way she could deny this. Then, her head snapped up and her eyes studied him with an intense gaze. "You know, you almost sound like an old man. How old are you, Ruler?"
Shirou grinned, patting her shoulder in a supportive gesture. "I'm twenty-five," he lied. There was no way he could actually tell them that he was an immortal being that lived for more than five thousand years, as well as a warrior whose origins went back to the Age of Gods. Not only they wouldn't believe him if he did, but doing so would be a useless risk. He wasn't that stupid. His true identity had to remain secret, for now. There was no way to know if an enemy was watching him. So, he had to be careful.
Iskandar grinned with his trademark laugh. "See? Even the boy here agrees! You should be more relaxed, Saber."
The Knight scoffed at his words. "I agreed to follow you guys, but I never said we'd be friends and buddies. That goes especially for you, Rider." A wide, confident grin parted her lips at that point. "We might work together for now, but you're still another contestant to the Grail. We'll have to settle this dispute, one day."
In response, the tall, muscular man grinned as well. "You're right. But you know, I can't help it. I want the Grail so badly I can almost taste it... and it's my style to simply take what I want. I am the King of Conquerors, after all," he laughed, smirking with pride and confidence.
Shirou arched a brow. "Now that you mention it, why do you seek the Grail, Rider?" he asked him directly, surprising him with that sudden question. There was no accusation in his tone; just simple curiosity. "You really desire that Artifact so much that you're willing to take it by force? What makes it so important to you?" he questioned, staring at Iskandar with a tilted head.
The King of Conquerors did not immediately answer the question. He took a second can of beer from the fridge, taking a long sip and exhaling a heavy breath as he lowered his gaze to the ground. Shirou and Mordred blinked in confusion when they saw the tall, muscular man's cheeks tinge with a red color in embarrassment. He even made a pout-like grimace on his face.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally answered with a blush and a twitch of his eyebrow.
"...Reincarnation."
Shirou blinked again. "Huh?"
Mordred gaped in disbelief. Her face was a mask of confusion. "The heck? Reincarnation?" she repeated, visibly incredulous. "Wasn't your goal supposed to be world conquest?"
Iskandar glared at her. "Of course not, you foolish Knight. As if I would leave my conquering quest to a mere Artifact. Conquering the world is my wish to make true! I just wish for the first step towards that goal!" he declared loudly, proudly, with a serious face and gaze. He seemed absolutely certain about that matter.
"I see. But why simply Reincarnation?" Shirou asked him again, looking as curious as ever.
The King scratched his cheek and beard with a sigh. "Even if magic lends us form in this world, ultimately, we remain Servants. Unlike you, boy, who possess a real body… we are simply spirits given human form." He looked at his hands, his gaze filled with decision and hope. "I too want to be like that. I want to live as a man again, a real man with flesh and blood. Then, with nothing but my body, I shall defy both heaven and earth and rule over the world! That's the true meaning of Conquest, for me!"
Shirou stared at him for a few moments of silence. "I see," he said again, smiling a little. "It seems that I was right. You are indeed a greedy King, Rider."
The gigantic man winked. "I told you, boy: a King without greed is a dead one!"
The two of them shared a little laugh. Then, the red-haired King glanced at Mordred. "What about you, Saber? Why do you seek the Grail?"
But the girl merely crossed her arms, turning her head away. Her gaze was unreadable and frowning at the same time as she glared at the wall with a cold gaze.
"...it's none of your business," was all she said.
Despite her brusque and irritated response, neither of them decided to press further on that matter. It was clear that whatever wish this girl wanted to fulfill with the Grail, it was definitely important to her. It was in her eyes. And both Shirou and Iskandar knew they certainly couldn't force her to open up to them in such a short time.
So, Shirou decided they had talked long enough.
"Enough of that," he suddenly said, raising from Mordred's bed and taking a couple of steps to the left. "We're here to gather intel, not to chat."
Mordred raised an eyebrow. "And how are we gonna get informations here in this room, exactly?"
Shirou grinned, hitting a button on a remote placed on the small table of the room. "Like this."
The television turned on, and the three companions turned their focus on the screen with complete attention. Shirou took a quick look at different channels, looking for a report, a news bulletin or something like that. And when he found something, the God and his two allies widened their eyes and felt a great sense of solemnity flood their souls all of a sudden. The news they were seeing right now weren't exactly positive.
Mordred gasped. Iskandar hummed. Shirou narrowed his eyes.
- A series of explosions occurred in New York city. Cause unknown. Death toll still variable -
- Fifteen people found dead in the streets of Paris. Culprits still not identified -
- Las Vegas under attack? Two skyscrapers mysteriously collapsed. Thousands of dead and wounded -
- Earthquake in Africa. Magnitude 8.3. Strong tremors across Iraq, Palestine, Israel and Syria. Numerous inhabited centers and historical buildings heavilly damaged -
- Dozens of people disappearing in China. A massacre took place in Hong Kong last night. The Police has no idea of who is responsible -
- Northern Ireland: Dundrum Castle completely destroyed after an explosion. Eyewitnesses claim that bolts of red and blue flashed from the sky during the blast -
- Important historical documents stolen from the Vatican Archives. The Italian government hunts down an unknown thief -
- Japan: Fuyuki city. A bridge collapsed after being hit by a sudden tsunami. Number of victims still unknown -
And so on...
Shirou felt his mind grow more and more empty and cold as he read the news. It was... horrible. There was no other way to describe it. Horrible. There wasn't a single good report on the news. They couldn't find even one single positive news. No matter how much they tried, no matter how many news reports they changed and checked, the informations broadcasted on television were always the same: an endless series of catastrophes, mysterious accidents and sudden killings scattered across the globe. An endless series of deaths, mysterious accidents and unexpected calamities that were causing death and panic around the whole world. And all this… all this had happened during the last twenty-four hours.
Ever since the anomaly had separated humanity from the Planet.
A series of threats, one after another.
And the world was falling into panic.
- Governments of the world in panic and terror -
- Coincidences? A sign? Is there a terrorist organization behind all these terrible acts and accidents? -
- Is this the Apocalypse? Is the end of human race finally coming? -
It wasn't good. It wasn't good at all.
"...it seems that you were right, boy," Iskandar's deep, strong voice commented from his right. Even his usual cheerful and confident tone was gone now, replaced only by an unnerving calm and a serious and cold gaze. "This is not what I was hoping to see. This War… this is not how it's supposed to be."
Mordred gritted her teeth, her face a mask of rage, disbelief and outrage. "...what the heck is this?" she hissed under her breath, clenching a fist with trembling arms.
Shirou narrowed his eyes. There was no doubt about the cause of these disasters. There was no mistake. He knew it. He simply knew it.
"It's simple, sir Mordred. This is what happens when hundreds of Servants clash and fight across the globe," he coldly explained. His eyes were literal steel as he looked to the news with a solemn, frowning face. "This is the beginning of the Holy Grail War."
"And it's only going to escalate."
Iskandar nodded. Mordred trembled. Shirou's body shook with unyielding ferocity. This was it.
This was the anomaly that was destroying the world.
This was the cause of the discrepancy.
This was the result of Alaya's disappearance.
Shirou gritted his teeth in rage and worry.
This was an Oppression to the world.
FATE/Oppression
-Beginning-
End
CODEX PLANETAE
[COUNTER FORCE] Database
Taken from the notes of Alaya
Subject: Tyr [-Shirou Emiya-], #1 among the Ancestral Heroes
Alias: God of War, Humanity's Liberator, Grand Hero, God-Slayer, First Hero of Humanity
Description:
A major point of interest for me and my sister is to discover Shirou's very own Nature. Despite the several decades I have spent observing him after his self-inducted exile, even to this day the answers I have managed to find are few, and can be considered hypotheses at most. Despite his current 'death' on the Real Side of the World, this man continues to remain the Planet's greatest mystery, even now. And this growing obsession inside me won't stop either. I must learn the truth, whatever the cost. This is the very same reason I'm writing and recording these notes.
Having been born as a God, Shirou is subjected to the influence of mankind's will and mentality. Because of this, like all the Gods before him, he is the true embodiment of a natural concept: the concept of War. So, it would stand to reason to affirm that his Origin Magic is the very same representation of this concept: "Sword". A sword is used to fight. It's the idea of battle itself. His true alignment is fighting. During my meeting with Ado Edem, he seemed extremely worried while we talked about this matter. He wouldn't tell me why, but I suspect the reason is that being Shirou's Origin Magic "Sword", then by humanity's influence he should be fated to bring nothing but death and destruction with his very own presence. He shouldn't be able to avoid his true nature, after all.
And yet, this is not the case. Despite what happened to the Gods and the endless destruction he has caused in the past because of [ERROR] and the dismantle of the phanteons; now he seems to be living a peaceful life. He has not caused any major events of destruction ever since coming to the Other Side of the World. The [COUNTER FORCE] doesn't seem to consider him a threat, either. That is truly fascinating. Even more so if my assumptions are correct. I lack proof yet, but I'm certain of this. And if I'm right, then his Elemental Affinity must be "Sword" as well. He is the very same embodiment of War, after all.
And that's what worries me. He has been inactive for all this time, despite being the first, purest incarnation of War in mankind's history.
And what else is War, but rage, death and destruction?
Important notes:
Iskandar is not a Divine Spirit in my fic. It will be explained later in the story.
As I wrote in the first chapter, this story is a complete reinterpretation of the Fate universe. Some laws, some events and many things of the nasuverse will be completely different here. The new concept of the Servant 'Ruler' is just one example of that. I mixed a bit ot canonical things with some others invented by me. Since I still don't know the original narrative universe well, I decided to reinterpret it from scratch.
So, as I already said in the first chapter, I will take several liberties in my story.
From now on, I won't say it again. You have been warned.