Hello everybody, my name is Mugen no Tenma and welcome to my new series, Fate: Warring Frontier.

Honestly I didn't think it would make it past draft and rough outlines. But my friends on Discord gave me so much to work on, the plotline, the characters, the conflict, all that ideas. It'd be a waste to let it rot as a concept only, so I decided to publish it here. Thank you guys for all the ideas, you guys rock!

I hope you enjoy the story.

FATE/WARRING FRONTIER

Prologue #1

A man in his twenty walked down the stairs of his basement…

His workshop. Some black markings of unique design was engraved onto the back of his hand. It resembles a Japanese quince. His jet black trench coat, which he insists to the servants of his house that he would wear even indoors, flutters slightly behind him.

It is time. He was fully prepared for this moment. The location is right. He's in Tokyo, Japan. And…

The catalyst is ready. A broken musket that has persisted for hundred years old, lays inside the summoning circle, which he has painstakingly and very carefully drawn. No details missing. He will summon exactly the person because he had everything prepared. He would not summon a wrong one.

The only thing left to do is to focus his magical energy and chant the summoning incantations.

"It begins…" He says to no one in particular. He just likes being overdramatic.

He stood inside the summoning circle, just beside the catalyst, and raised his hands.

"Let silver and steel be the essence. Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation. Let Red be the color I pay tribute to. Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall. Let the four cardinal gates close. Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate."

He took a careful breath and continued.

"Let it be declared now; your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword. Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail. Answer, if you would submit to this will and the truth. An oath shall be sworn here. I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven. I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell!"

His body glowed with deep blue prana, his eyes focused and narrowed. This is it!

"From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power… come forth from the ring of restraint, o' Protector of the Holy Balance!"

A great surge of magical energy engulfs the room, covering the man, the catalyst, and the circle.

This is rather exciting, he realized. It's not everyday you get to meet one of the men who built your country. It brought to mind a lot of questions. Will he be proud of this country? Will he be glad to see that it was Tokugawa that won the war after his death?

Well, whatever questions I have, I'm pretty sure I'll find out soon…

A burst of lightning-like essence accompanies the smoke that came with the summoning. A deep chuckle echoed from the void and in an instant it all cleared with the legendary warrior in plain view,… but a deep rumble of laughter grew higher in pitch until it was obviously proven that something had gone wrong.

No… why…? Why didn't it work?!

The figure then walked out of the smoke and stands before him with piercing red eyes. Those menacing eyes seem to glow in the dim lighting of the basement. The figure wore pitch black samurai armor accented with gleaming gold and the emblem—which shape resembles the marking on his hand—emblazoned on its chest. It looks like he has summoned the one he has expected…

But that's where the matching of expectation and reality ended. A long, crimson hair that's seemingly glow in the dark comes to sight…

The figure's armor curved to the contours of a body sporting a prominent bust and a slender waist, the voice is still somewhat deep for a woman's voice, but it was undoubtedly, and undeniably, feminine.

"Are… you… Oda Nobunaga?" He finds himself asking, in pure incredulity, in a total disbelief.

Faster than his trained eyes can follow, an arquebus was suddenly pointed at his face. His hand almost went to the katana on his waist, but then remembered that Servants like her are beyond any human's capability to match in a straight fight. She'll blow his head off before he could unsheathe his blade.

Then the figure quipped, with the crisp and deep feminine voice.

"What do you think, boy?"

That was probably a confirmation to his question. She is the Servant, Oda Nobunaga… the one he was looking forward to summon.

"Then… Oda Nobunaga… my name is Kazuki Takeru." He straightened his posture, and showed the back of his hand. A shape of a manji broken into three pieces, one that stretched between two of the opposite crocks, and the remaining two crooks on their own as if rendered to be beneath the first set of crook. A set of Command Seals shaped not unlike the Oda Mokko. "And I am your Master."

"I am Servant Archer. You're my Master, huh?" Lowering her arquebus, the woman in Nobunaga's armor nodded in acknowledgement. "Answer this, then. For what purpose did you summon me?"

"Well, that's easy. I plan to win the Great Holy Grail War. That is the plan."

"Hmph, obviously that's what you want." The red-haired woman snorted lightly. "But what makes you want to win? I can tell that you don't join this war just for glory or something trivial."

"Hmm. Fair question… very well, I suppose you do have the right to know… Lady Archer. My wish for the Grail is…"

Takeru Residence

Two Days Later

Contrary to what people expect from Takeru Family, which was a renowned Samurai Family, his house wasn't anything like it. It looks like a classical mansion for British Nobles than a traditional Samurai house. Well, it used to be like that before his time, but he went for a total redesign few years ago since Kazuki became the Family Head.

Now, inside it, a man was walking towards the Great Hall with a shorter woman in tow.

The man was tall and muscular. Not that anyone can see it behind his fancy yellow poncho that's wrapped around his body. He has curly black hair with an orange hat with two blue smile on top of it. His face, while already looks younger than his actual age, sports rather childish freckles that makes him look even more baby-faced.

Meanwhile, the shorter woman has golden blonde hair in a ponytail, which partly concealed by a black baseball cap... and a strand of hair just protruded through it, somehow. Her slender body was covered by a blue jacket and black hotpants, along with a blue muffler around her neck.

What a bizarrely fitting duo.

"Do we really have to come here?" the woman asked, looking around suspiciously. "This Takeru person sounds real fishy if you ask me, Master."

"Well, do we have another choice? He claimed that he's a Master of Red Faction, just like me." The man in poncho shrugged. "That's enough to make him our ally. Also, he said that he's invited the other Red Masters too. Can't hurt to get to know your own allies, right? You don't want to accidentally kill your allies just because you didn't know that they are."

"Hmm, you got a point, I guess. But still… this mansion… feels kinda unsettling. Something has obviously happened here in the past." The woman reluctantly agreed, but still looking around suspiciously.

"This is a residence of a Magi Family... obviously something nasty has happened here." The man in orange hat nodded. "But it's not our right to investigate without his permission. Especially since he hasn't done anything wrong."

"Yet." The woman in blue jacket hissed, looking at the antique frames of painting on the walls.

"Yet. But we can trust him for now, I'm certain." The man stopped walking, and the woman followed suit, in front of a large door. "This is it. The Great Hall, the place he promised. Is the Mystic Code I gave you still working?"

"Yes, I think it's still working perfectly." The woman touched her forearms carefully, where some expertly-crafted armbands are placed. "They won't be able to register my true form, I'm certain. Quite the illusionist aren't you, Master? You've prepared for this."

"Well, just some disguises to keep your true identity. It's not much but it's honest work." The man scratched his chin rather bashfully. "Well, I'm sure they're waiting for us. Shall we go now…?"

"Be careful, Master. No, actually I should go in first, for your safety." The shorter woman tried to go ahead of the man, but he waves his concern off. Good-naturedly, of course.

"It's okay. I appreciate your concern… but it's alright, Assassin. I can take care of myself quite well…"

And he opened the door.

The man entered the room, it was quite a large room, definitely one big enough to host a party. And several people are already in there, turning their attention to them as they went inside. He quickly scanned the people—he doesn't let his eyes wander for too long, but enough to observe them all.

Starting from the right side—

Sitting nervously on a chair, a young man with short black hair, with white shirt, red jacket, and black sport pants, looked at them and for some reason looks relieved. Near him, a woman with pink kimono and darker pink hakama looked at them sharply, hands ready on the sword on her waist.

Assassin seems to be a bit perturbed by that woman. Do they know each other?

Not that far from them, a man with dark brown hair and sunglasses waved at them, perhaps a bit too stiffly. He wears a red vest with white suit underneath, and a little black tie. Beside him, a white haired woman with white hat and furcoat—is that a cat tail?—smiled politely at them.

And the furthest away on the right side, is a woman with black hair that's braided neatly, wearing a regal crimson dress with a white part that covers her chest to her stomach. She isn't looking at them, busy trying to calm down a behemoth of a man wearing a red chinese general uniform with armor and gloves.

Now, moving on to the left side—

Not too far from the door, a big, tall and muscled blonde man is leaning against the wall, the hunk giving them quite the charming smile that looks really genuine. And a knightly figure clad in silver armor, blue robes, a cloak, and a helmet that resembled a lion's face with a mane, standing guard and alert around him closely.

Assassin reacted to her just like the woman with sword before.

Then, a bit further, the closest to the end of the room, was a bespectacled man with black hair, wearing a black suit and red shirt underneath. He wasn't looking at them, his attention was on laptop on a table near him, whatever that is, it's more interesting to him than those two newcomers.

However, the one that hovers beside him looks at them, and she has all the classical witch traits. Black cloak, pointed hat, and a curved staff that somehow remind them of a flag pole. A black veil covered most of her face except for her eyes. A dangerous pair of yellow eyes that sent him chills.

And finally, on the end of the room, there was a black throne-like chair, something that must be meant for the master of the house. And slouching on it comfortably was a red-haired woman in a black armor and crimson robe as red as her hair. One elbow resting on the armrest, with the hand tucked neatly under her chin. A self-satisfied smirk can't be more obvious on her face.

Meanwhile, standing near the throne like some sort of a royal advisor, was a tall man draped in a long, golden buttoned black coat looked at them with a stoic, yet fierce look on his face. He has fair, yet pale skin, and black swept hair. On his waist, rests a long katana sword sheathed in a black scabbard.

"Greetings. You must be Ethan Summers... and his Servant." The man in black coat approached them, in a calm and calculating manner. "We've been expecting you."

"Huh, am I late?" the man with orange hat, Ethan, tilted his head. "The letter says—"

"Not at all. You are just in time. The others came here early is all." The man in black coat said politely. "Now, please take a seat whever you'd like. You can also partake of the food served here. I can see that you are quite… famished."

Ethan doesn't feel like it. So he turned around and saw Assassin looking at the aforementioned food on the tables with not-so-subtle appetite building on her face. She even started to drool—

"Ah, okay, thank you for that, Mr… Takeru?"

"Kazuki Takeru. But there's no need to be so formal, we're all friends here. Just Kazuki will be fine, Mr. Summers." The man reaches out with his hand.

"Then you can call me Ethan too." Ethan takes his outstretched hand and shook it. "Pleasure meeting you, Kazuki."

"Oh please, the pleasure's all mine."

The pleasant atmosphere between them was then ended abruptly.

"Yo! Didn't want to ruin your budding friendship, but I just gotta ask." The man in sunglasses that Ethan observed from before has approached them. "Why are you gathering us all here for a party? I knew we're in the same Faction, but this is war, right? There's no time for pleasantries like this. I'd prefer that we just agree not to get in the ohers' way and help our allies if possible."

"Ah, but isn't that just boring,, Mr. McNamara?" Kazuki replied, tone even. "I believe that everything we do should be fulfilling and not leave us empty in the end. Don't you agree?"

"Nah, I don't think so. I believe everything should be done like professionals. Fun is secondary thing."

"There's no saying that being professional means you can't have fun." Kazuki countered. "A job well done is a job you can be proud of yourself for, and feel fulfillment for doing it. Not something you're forced into. That's what I think. I take this war because I think it would be fulfilling in every way possible."

"Well bully for you! I was doing this because the Clock Tower demanded me to. I just want to get this done and never touching this kind of shit again." McNamara said, raising a hand and showed a black marking that shaped like a dragon's head. "You're saying you're doing this for fun? You think war is fun?"

"Well I—"

"Kazuki, I think it would be better for you to explain your actions to them before treating them for an exquisite dinner. They might think you're trying to poison them."

A deep and rich feminine voice spoke, and all attention turned to the source. Ethan saw that the red-haired woman sitting on the throne has finally decided to say something.

"I would never do that." Kazuki said calmly.

"But they don't know you, do they?" the woman shot back. "They have every reason to be suspicious of you. Prove to them that you can be trusted."

"I suppose you're right. Very well, I will explain myself now."

He then moved to the center of the room. McNamara went back to his seat. Ethan chose to sit somewhere near the friendly blonde man, whom he feels is the most trustable and safest person in the room despite his bulky, muscled body saying that he can fold and crumple him like an empty can of soda. Assassin sat silently beside him ,eyeing the food hungrily.

"Let me just cut to the point, everyone." Kazuki begins. "I'm gathering you here, with all your Servants, because I want everyone to have a full agreement in this."

"Full agreement? What is that supposed to mean?" the woman with regal crimson dress inquisitively. "You're making some kind of contract?"

"Not exactly, no." Kazuki turned to her and shook his head. "I'm just letting everyone know… that I will be the one in charge for the Red Faction in this war. I will be the leader of this operation."

The reaction was quite predictable. At least for Ethan. He keeps silent as the others voice their reaction.

"Hell no, you can't just decide that by yourself!" McNamara stands from his seat again. "You didn't get to be a leader by voting yourself!"

"I also don't agree. We barely know you and what you are capable of, Mr. Takeru." The woman in regal crimson dress followed. "How could we be so sure that you won't lead us to our deaths?"

"I think you are a capable man, Sir Kazuki…" the blonde man spoke for the first time. "But we will need an actual form of demonstration of your competence, just to be certain… we cannot follow a man who hasn't proven himself yet."

The nervous young man simply looked at the woman with pink kimono near him, who shook her head. He nodded and said nothing. The woman probably means 'don't say anything' or 'don't trust this man'.

"I told you they won't like it." The bespectacled man stated in a dry manner to Kazuki. "We are Magi, and we take great pride for being able to take care of ourselves and not rely on someone's orders. Kazuki, you're not a traditional Magi, so I understand why you didn't get it, but this is just how it is. You are a Family Head, but you have done nothing, in manners of achievement or prestige."

And the man, instead of looking nervous or breaking down in denial, simply said, in confident voice.

"I knew you are going to say that. I knew that you people will doubt my capabilities. And I admit that I have not shown the world anything I can do. But I'll let you all know… that I have been assigned this role in the war… by the one who protects the concept of the Holy Grail War itself!"

Ethan was shocked, but he didn't let that show.

"WHAAAT?! THAT'S, THAT'S…" McNamara gapes in total disbelief.

"The, The Ruler of this war? Why would they choose a specific person to lead a faction?" the woman in regal crimson dress was baffled. "Especially… someone with no accomplishment?"

The nervous young man looks around in total confusion. He doesn't look like he knows what's going on.

"Well, haha, I suppose that changes everything." The blonde man doesn't look too bothered. "But did they speak of the reason why they chose you?"

"Of course. It's simple really." Kazuki shrugged. "They chose me as the leader for the Red Faction simply because I was the first one who responded to their summons. I'm also fairly certain that I was the first one to summon my Servant. And I am a native of this land. Thus making me the ideal person to handle the Faction. It has nothing to do with my accomplishment."

Silence reigns the room. No one is really sure what to say or do in this situation. Except…

"Just for making sure, Kazuki." Ethan speaks up, his voice sounds louder in the silence of others. "How did you meet this Ruler person? Can you tell us how your meeting went?"

"Of course, Ethan, of course." Kazuki said, while raising a hand. "Let me regale you all about my tale…"

He is quite the dramatic person, Ethan thought.

A day before, somewhere, in a Church

Kazuki was sitting on a pew chair, on the right side of the room. Sitting straight, showing no weakness to his would-be enemies in the war, who is sitting on the opposite side of the room.

A man in his thirties with short brown hair and fairly shaved stubbles, giving him a rugged and unkempt masculine appearance. He was a sharp-dressed man, wearing a black suit with red ties. A metallic white briefcase is hanging near his feet. To Kazuki, he appears to be quite a businessman.

They glance at each other, trying to size and gauge their enemies and spot anything that can be used for advantage in their future battles. Their Servants on their side in Spiritual form, ready to manifest and intercept if one tried to defile the rules of Neutral Zone of the Church. No one did so, however.

"I apologize for the wait, gentlemen. The Ruler will be here shortly, I hope there's no problem?"

A priestess has entered the room. In a first glance, with that polite attitude and non-descript church garments, she seems to be just your regular nun, but Kazuki can tell that she is anything but. Her light grey hair and golden eyes are not unspoken of for humans, but it does give off an eerie impression.

"Yeah, no worries, it's all fine. We're all friends here." The sharp-dressed man answered amicably.

"That's right, we're just getting along, Sister Hortensia." Kazuki added, giving his voice a friendly tone.

Kazuki can tell that Sister Hortensia doesn't buy it even for a second. But she doesn't seem to care enough to call them out.

"You know, I've been through a Holy Grail War before, once. Although not with as many participants as yours." She says with a smile. "It was quite an experience… that I cannot forget until this day."

"You did, Sister?" the sharp-dressed man looks surprised.

Kazuki simply listened.

"Yes… one thing led to another, I got to meet other people with different perspectives of life, but in the end… a lot of people died. Including my father… not that I regret that one, but still… war is terrible, no matter what kind it is. A lot of people that could've been friends in another life, forced to kill each other. Severed bonds… and all that…"

Silence for a few moments.

"Oh my, I rambled quite unnecessarily. Pardon me, gentlemen. I've ruined the mood." The Sister put a hand over her mouth, somehow managed to look guilty and unrepentant at the same time. "I was trying to keep you entertained until the Ruler arrived… but of all stories I have, that's the one I told you."

"That's quite alright, Sister." Kazuki says. "I can relate with your loss. I'm sorry to hear that." He bowed his head slightly. "And I agree… we have to avoid unnecessary bloodshed…"

Then the sharp-dressed man entered the conversation. "Huh, are you implying there is necessary bloodshed? There is some people that needs to be dead?"

That man wasn't trying to be condescending. Kazuki can tell that he was simply curious. He suppose he can humor him.

"I prefer not talking about this in a Church… but I believe that we do need to cull some... rotten fruits." Kazuki ran a hand over his hair, making sure all of them is swept back. "And I'm not only talking about humans. Demons, monsters, and bloodsuckers that only feasts on the weak to fulfill their vile urges... their existence is unforgivable. They need to be exterminated."

"Huh, you got a point there, pal." The sharp-dressed man nodded in approval. "Can't have them freaks rampaging around eating people, that'd suck. Are you a demon hunter or something?"

"I'm not just any demon hunter… not by a long shot. That's why I joined this Holy Grail War."

"Soo you gonna ask the Grail to kill all the Demons?"

"Hah, if only it's that easy. No, what I want from the Grail is—"

He was interrupted by the church's door opening, and someone entering it, with elegant and graceful steps. Kazuki, the sharp-dressed man, and the Sister, all turned to look at the newcomer. A rather tall woman with long blonde hair styled in large coils, with blue ribbons in it.

She also wears a long blue dress with sleeves that seem to be easily detached for combat purposes. Her orange eyes looked at them, one by one, first the sister, then the sharp-dressed man, and finally Kazuki. It settled a bit longer on him, before she asked the two men:

"I am Ruler. Now I ask of you two, are you the Masters of Red and Black?"

Thank you for reading. More will come.

Bye-bye!