It was known as the Super Grimm by many, though by present day many call it the Primal Grimm. When the mud came and spread, countless of the Creatures of Grimm came forth from the mud. Many were terrifying, and others were even more horrifying. Yet it was agreed that only one Grimm surpassed them all, eclipsing the Leviathan, the Monstra, and even the Wyvern.
The Primal Grimm.
It came from Japan, Fuyuki as those who escaped from it claimed. Those who fled the burning city stated they saw a massive abomination bursting from the city's local temple. While not as big as the Monsta, nor as sinister looking like the Wyvern, the air and aura it gave off spelled one thing to those who saw it.
Death.
Its very presence caused a great flood of mud to burst forth from it. Enveloping all at a great pace. Granted, some escaped be it by flying on aircraft or magus who used whatever method to escape the situation. Even so, half the world died by this supposed Primal Grimm where an elderly survivor claims he saw magical people appearing from thin air and slaying the beast. Nowadays, most just believe the creature died off by perhaps a lack of food, or some secret military strike considering there was an explosion when it vanished.
Yet that did not save the planet regardless considering the amount of the remaining Grimm. Humanity itself then foolish fighting over resources, and the chaos occurring made the human race dwindle.
On the Moonlit world side, the people known as Magus were in just as bad a situation as the humans they looked down on.
They had sent a force to silence Fuyuki City. Deal with the Tohsaka who failed, and many capturing the Grimm for study. When the Primal Grimm came, things went to hell as every magus aside from a few were killed off. Every Magus in the world didn't know what to do, with some literally trying to escape the real world such as entering the land of fae or anywhere else. Some magus of course believed maybe this was a good thing. With less humans, then their path to the Root would be more easily reached.
Then the Clocktower fell when an army of Grimm attacked it. Even worse, the magus of the remaining world discovered something horrible. While not many variants of them, certain Grimm, the Beetle Grimm for an example, could steal one's mana. Suck a magus dry until there was nothing.
In the end, the remaining magus trapped in the earth decided to forgo the secrecy of magecraft to live. The Church themselves also openingly revealed itself and gained quite the following with one Caren Kotomine being hailed as the new Saint.
The other branches of the Association such as Atlas kept themselves closed off alongside the Wandering Sea with both cutting off their connections to the earth permanently.
Ten years have passed since that day. Humanity now forced to live alongside the Grimm that outnumbered humans and became the true rulers of the planet. The earth itself shifts in favor for this new dominant species, turning the sky into a dark red with a purple hue, and pools of mud forming where new Grimm are born. Truly, the Age of Grimm had begun. With those that remained from the old world fully believing that this was just how the world will forever be.
Yet that may just change as of yet.
"So, wait." A voice could be heard with the rumbling of an engine. "You were actually there when this Holy Grail War started?" Ritsuka asked Ozpin as she drove on a motorcycle across the land. Talking to Ozpin while she checked around for bandits or Grimm.
"I was indeed there. Not as a Master of course, but more of an observer." Ozpin told Ritsuka as he told her what he knew. "It was there I died, so I don't know just how this Primal Grimm came to be or anything after my death."
"Still impressive." Ritsuka told him. "Barely anybody knows what happened in that war." Heck, all Ritsuka knew was some weird stuff. A regular guy ramming a bear Servant. A priest that apparently betrayed his group. Some witch that annihilated a bunch of people. Then the whole end of the world scenario that killed everyone.
"Trust me. The war isn't as weird as these rumors you heard state it is." Ozpin told her, wondering just how people ended up with these strange things. Especially with this supposed witch. "In any case, I cannot believe that a new Holy Grail War is starting."
"Same here." But good news all the same. Ritsuka could agree on why people were excited about this. I mean, the Holy Grail War from what she heard stories is about the granting of a wish. Although most magus actually didn't care too much about it, since apparently four times no wish was granted and the fifth one wasn't even finished when the end of the world happened.
"And yet, if possible, a wish can be granted to remake the world." Ozpin could see just why so many magus were putting their hopes onto this wish. A chance to set things right and ensure the planet could be changed from the hellhole it is now. Because quite frankly, the situation here is worse that even Remnant somehow. Maybe because the planet didn't change to fit the needs of the dominant species like here.
Thank goodness Salem wasn't here. Otherwise, things could have been worse.
"We'll have to be careful though." Ritsuka then told Ozpin as she then saw some Beowolves ahead and instantly froze them with her mystic codes. "Because apparently, not every mage wants to change the world back."
"Excuse me?!"
Ritsuka could understand his shock at that. I mean, considering how dangerous the earth is, you'd think everyone would want it back to normal. But…. "Thing is, there are some magus who like this as with the Age of Man over, magecraft isn't dwindling at all. In fact, it's actually increasing."
It was because humans took over that the world shifted from Mystery to physics. Thus, causing magecraft to decline as humans began understanding the universe more and more. But with the apocalypse happening, so much knowledge vanished away. Plus, with the Grimm taking over, signs of magecraft recovering have been spotted meaning that this is the potential for magus to gain more power.
"That's not even mentioning the Grimm Apostles." Ozpin stayed silent at that, having been told what these Grimm Apostles are. Or what they were formerly known as, Dead Apostles. Basically put, they were vampires of sorts that were dangerous beings that were described as walking armies depending on their rank. Threats that rebelled against the True Ancestors, and devoured human blood to keep themselves immortal.
Then the Grimm came.
Creatures that were actually similar in some ways to the True Ancestors. They need not eat, drink, or even sleep. With their only downside (aside from intelligence), is that Grimm for the most part is ruled by instinct. Nobody knew who did it, but apparently a Dead Apostle of a low rank decided to merge their body with that of a Grimm. Thus, the birth of Grimm Apostles came to be.
Human/Grimm hybrids that are immune to the ravages of time, growing stronger as time passes by, and command of the Grimm themselves while still keeping whatever powers they may have had in life. Many Dead Apostles converted themselves into this new species and no longer even needed blood unless they wanted to. Especially worse for one certain Grimm Apostle who merged himself with Beetle Grimm and can take the mana of others until they were a husk.
Such a thing reminded Ozpin of Salem.
"So then, this Holy Grail War will have not just magus…but even these Grimm Apostles?" Ozpin asked.
"Unfortunately, yeah." Ritsuka sighed. Having once had a run in with a Grimm Apostle. One who commanded a legion of Death Stalkers and instead of fighting, Ritsuka ran knowing she was outclassed. "Not sure what they're wishes will be, but doubtful it'll be to restore the earth."
So then there were three factions.
Those who wished to revert the earth back to normal, before the great Grimm (mud) Tide.
Another who instead just wished to use the Grail to further their own selfish goals no matter the cost.
Then the Grimm Apostles, who'll likely wish for things to remain the same but with special additions to their favor.
All in all, things were as divided as is Remnant.
Time continued to pass with Ritsuka and Ozpin talking to pass the time. Thankfully, Ozpin had many stories to tell with Ritsuka happy to hear them. For while her life wasn't always doom and gloom…It was nice to hear tales of hope and resolution, even if it is from an old man in her head. This went on for the next week as the duo traveled around on their motorcycle. Only stopping to find gas, eat, and train with Rituka's new aura. Until eventually, they made it to their destination.
"Here we are." Ritsuka smiled as she stretched while satisfied, she and Ozpin made it at last. "Just the place we need to be." A rundown dock. Though it wasn't the dock that was important, so much as something else. "Hey Ram, you there?"
"I'm here, I'm here." A person then came out. Being an old man with a gray beard and wrinkles on his face. The elderly looking at Ritsuka and blinking a bit, before realizing who she was. "Ah…You're that kiddo a few years back, right?"
"Oh, still remember me." Ritsuka was a bit surprised by that.
"Phh. I know anybody who comes here to use my gift."
"Gift?" Ozpin asked in confusion. "What does he mean by that?"
"Right, I forgot to tell you." Ritsuka giggled as she decided to tell Ozpin why she traveled all the way here for. "Ozpin, this is Ram. And he's someone who has the power to teleport people!"
Now that was indeed a surprise. Teleportation, something Ozpin thought only the Relics were capable of. Something that wasn't exactly easily done here on earth as well. But with magecraft no longer dwindling and new mysteries being opened up, well, let's just say some magus managed to learn it. Ram being one of them.
"So then Ram my man." Ritsuka then winked. "Think you can help teleport me somewhere?" Hopefully he said yes. Ram was one of the nicer magus, but he was also someone who looked out for himself if it came down to it. Meaning if he said no, then bets were all off.
"Teleport you huh." Ram snorted. "You got anything that would make it worth it?" The man may not ask for the unreasonable, but he ain't a charity business either. As such, he'll want compensation for his work. Ritsuka went back to her motorcycle where there's some stuff tied to the back. She didn't take too much with her aside from rations, a pair of clothes, water, and mystic codes. However, if she wanted to get to Fuyuki, which is miles upon miles away, then it was impossible to get there by motorcycle and with such little supply.
As such, Ritsuka came here to Ram who had the power to teleport. He helps people so long as he's paid, and Ritsuka had just the thing. From her bag, she took out something that made Ram's eyes wide open.
"I-Is that-?"
"Mmmhmm." Ritsuka nodded as she then held a bottle of very old vintage wine in her hands. "Found this in a museum, part of a secret stash apparently." Ritsuka exaggerated a huge sniff and smirked. "You can just smell the age."
Ram grinned. "Alright then lady. You got yourself a deal." The man then glowed while he then held out his hand. Ritsuka tossed him the bottle which he grabbed eagerly. Opening it, he took a small sip and grinned. "Your destination?"
"Fuyuki." Ritsuka told him.
"Hm. That place." A bit of a surprise since Fuyuki was just a barren land with ruins and Grimm, but Ram didn't care either. "Alright. Try not to die." A light then enveloped Ritsuka and Ozpin. Their body felt light, and all sensations were cut off, incapable of feeling the wind or even their clothes. Soon they began dissipating away, and while it looked scary it would bring them no harm. In that moment the two were soon gone, leaving behind an old man.
"Wahoohooo!" A happy drunk old man who began tap dancing.
The Holy Grail War. The sixth one.
Nobody knew how exactly it was starting up again, and quite frankly nobody cared. Only that it functioned properly and with it, the power to make a wish can be granted to the victor. Many wanted to use it, for the restoration of their world. To bring back the times before the Grimm came and caused their world to shift into their favor. Humans and magus alike.
"But…not everybody wants that." A lone man then said as he overlooked the ruins of Fuyuki City. Watching the crumbling buildings and pools of mud all around, with Grimm prowling all around for humans and because they stayed in areas where negative emotions were left behind. In this city, the people living in it all fell into despair when the Primal Grimm came.
Or as it's really known as, the Beast of Retribution.
An Evil of Humanity, that somehow combined with the Grimm substance. This unholy fusion caused the mud to not just kill people in agony and burst people into flames, but also caused the mass production of Grimm. Back then, Grand Servants managed to stop the Beast before it could wipe the entire planet, sadly, the damage was already done.
Even worse is that despite the fact that the Holy Grail is active again, and can grant a wish, there were those who didn't want the old world back. They just wanted to make a wish made of their own selfish desires. Not caring that this could mean the extinction of all humans just so they can gain more power. Ignoring that leaving things the way they are means that eventually, the human race will truly be done for.
He won't allow it.
Dark skin from years of overuse of magecraft, white hair, and a missing arm. Donning a new set of clothes, made of unique material stronger than steel itself. On his remaining hand, a set of Command Seals lay on them. Looking at them, a memory of an old connection to a certain Servant before she vanished came to mind along with others…
Just as quickly it vanished as the man's gray colored eyes hardened themselves. Forgetting about the people of before. His friend, the girl he allied with, his sister, everyone. They were all dead, with only his useless life saved and not anybody else. Cast in a hell where he saw everyone die while he pathetically wept at being the only survivor in Fuyuki. Where the only companionship he had were burnt corpses for months on end.
"That will all change." Shirou Emiya said as from his missing limb, a hand made of aura burst out. Then a projection of blades filled both his hands. He couldn't be a hero then, and he isn't a hero now. However, what Shirou can do is win this war and at least ensure those who remained can live in peace by getting that wish. As such, everyone will die by his hand.
No matter the cost.
Within the destroyed temple, the Greater Grail glowed.
I got some spare time due to...circumstances. Mainly, my family members getting Covid. Thankfully they're feeling better, but now the family is stuck in the house for the time being and we rarely go out, yet we got it anyway! Just goes to show, we ALL need to be careful when we go out. Moving on:
Back to the bad end, and yeah, things suck. I mean, you already knew this though last time I went to this timeline. People dead, Grimm taking over, all caused by the birth of Angra Mainyu, the Beast of Retribution. And even after his passing we got these Grimm Apostles roaming around and jerks liking this world because with the Age of Man over, the path to the Root isn't as restricted before.
Hope lies within the Holy Grail, and while Ritsuka and Ozpin are on their way a jaded, broken, and outright traumatized Shirou is there. One who'll do whatever it takes to win the war.