Author's Notes: I own nothing. Familiar of Zero belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi while Fate/Stay Night - Heaven's Failure is a Doujinshi made by Limit Break.
Legend of the Sword Dancer: Fated Meeting
The Knights of Round are all gathered by Arthur. With the hall of the Barracks done, he once more placed the Round Table, and told the Knights he gathered what the shape meant. But this meeting was not because of the table, it was for them to review the information gathered by Ezra from his journey across the Kingdoms. Once all the members were seated, Arthur gave Ezra the signal to begin.
"I'll start off with the Relic Hunt that swept across Halkegina," Ezra said. "So far each Kingdom, even Germania, has reported a number of Artifacts and/or Relics."
"Elaborate Ezra," Sir Diluc requested. "And do explain how you manage to gather all these information?"
"I'd like to introduce you to my friends if you want," Ezra joked. "They are the finest of degenerates, and possibly, currently stoned."
The joke, however, didn't get the response Ezra hoped for. Arthur fake coughed, signaling for them to once more get serious.
"I appreciate the humor Sir Ezra," Arthur stated. "But we must proceed with the report of your recent assignment."
"Can't blame a man for trying to lighten the mood," Ezra said. "Gallia has managed to salvage some weapons from the battlefield, however I was unable to get more information besides the fact that it was done by the Orleans Family. While Germania claims to have recently unearthed a strange sculpture made of stone."
"Might I know how you managed to pin the Orleans family?" Severus asked.
"I personally encountered their operation," Ezra explained. "And I recognized the man who lead the operation, Joseph de Orleans."
"Are they trying to make use of any of them?" Edward asked. "Surely Sir Marcillac's spell destroyed everything."
"While I agree that what Sir Marcillac and the Knight in Red's spell destroyed the Galleon," Sir Charles corrected. "There may as well be instances where whatever is left from that Galleon could be repaired."
"But Lord Grober, wouldn't those they manage to to retrieve be also broken?" Ana asked.
"Anything can be repaired," Grizz explained. "As long as they have resources and time. Would it be wrong for me to assume that they also retrieved broken pieces of armor and scrap metal?"
"No Grizz," Ezra answered. "They retrieved even the smallest of dent metal from the site, I would believe that Gallia may have a way to repair any of what they retrieved, but-"
"An Artifact directly connected to Lord Brimir would be nigh impossible to repair?" Edward finished.
"Yes Lord Edward," Ezra nodded.
"Perhaps we are only looking at a very dark angle," Sir Edward explained. "They could as well just retrieved what they could and surrender it to Romalia, after all Romalia did request all possible Artifacts be surrendered to them."
The thought was considered because Edward made a valid point, since Romalia had sent envoys to every Kingdom, even Germania, to confirm rumors and stories regarding Relics and Artifacts.
"So far all Kingdoms were allowed to keep what has been found," Arthur stated. "Something I found odd since I was personally present in some hunts. But it must have something to do with the recent scuffle in Germania, where a number of their Knights and Soldiers encountered a band of Elves inside their borders."
The mention of Elves sent various reactions from those present. But all had one thing in common, a hint of fear and confusion.
"Messengers from Germania reached his Majesty," Arthur said. "And possibly, all neighboring countries, that their army was defeated by a small group of Elves. The only good news was that Germania managed to drive the invaders away for some reason."
"Not only that Lord Marcillac," Ezra added. "There were also rumored sightings of Elves in Gallia, and if I may, I would like to share my thoughts regarding these two events?"
"Granted."
"I believe that the Elves must have known about the Galleon since Germania was foolish enough to start a charge against them." Ezra explained. "And that these two events are nothing more than reconnaissance."
It was no surprise that majority agreed with what Ezra stated. He used his work background as basis for that explanation, had another member said the same it would not have the same effect as Ezra's.
"Stories about the Elves has been around for a long time," Arthur stated. "I remember asking my father about the Elves when I was younger, and he only described their appearance and their supposed magic."
"You don't look afraid Sir Marcillac," Severus noted, and the other nobles turned their attention to him.
"All I am saying is that these Elves has not been seen near the Kingdoms since the Brimir's time," Arthur explained. "And all that we know of them are stories passed through generations, and stories can change through time. For now I suggest you train and gather more information, I doubt that Germania and Gallia will be truthful of their encounters."
Who knew a year would go by so quickly. The entirety of the winter season was for the first years to research for the upcoming Springtime Summoning Ritual. Right now Emilya was currently listening to Karin with her Summoning Chant.
"Couldn't you just use the standard chant?" Emilya asked.
"My aim is to summon a familiar best suited for me," Karin explained. "A well crafted summoning chant makes the difference from a normal familiar and a best suited familiar."
Researching about the Springtime Summoning Ritual reminded Emilya of the Holy Grail War. But the only difference is that instead of Heroic Spirits, the summon are wild and untamed animals ranging from the common house cat, to the mythical dragons.
"There is nothing wrong with the standard chant." Emilya said.
"You know you are going to participate too right?" Karin asked. "And your claimed Elemental Alignment of [Sword] will summon what exactly?"
Emilya's thoughts were halted by Karin's question. She was reminded that the summoning ritual was specifically created to summon a familiar based on the Alignment of the Caster, and it was different from the Familiars created by Magecraft. She once read that a Prince of Albion summoned a Tree when he tried to summon a familiar. But the story didn't elaborate on the state of the tree after it was summoned. Was it uprooted? Or was the soil around the tree also summoned?
"I don't know." Emilya admitted.
"That's why the Familiar Summoning Chant can be altered," Karin replied. "That way you can summon something even slightly close to your element."
"Yes because [Sword] is a very specific element." Emilya said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Well, swords are sharp and pointy," Karin said. "There's that Spiked Armadillo was summoned last year by a senior student."
Yes, there was that strange spiked Armadillo that loves to eat cactus from last year's summoning ritual. But that was because the summoner was a Line Class Earth Mage whos title was The (Rude) Sandstorm. The reason for his title was that he was quite rude to the staff until Emilya gave him a piece of her mind, and well, that he has a dot on both Wind and Earth.
"Now you're just making that vague connection up," Emilya said, as she was reminded of that person. "The Sandstorm's familiar was confirmed a desert dwelling creature since it likes to eat cactus. There is a connection between his Alignment and familiar."
"And you dueled him because he was rude to the maids." Karin said.
It was not a duel...
When both she and The Sandstorm stood across each other, The Sandstorm immediately blasted sand towards Emilya. Emilya managed to dodge the spell, and ran towards said mage with a blunt mundane sword on hand. The sight of a mage wielding a sword, and dodging any spell he cast must have caused him to panic and accidentally cast a powerful [Sand Storm] spell. Emilya used her cloak to her advantage, reinforced it, and used it to shield her face from the sand. After that spell subsided, the caster passed out, and Emilya was declared the winner. However the damage was done.
"I still cannot believe that they banned Dueling because of that event," Karin laughed.
"It was his impromptu sandstorm that almost blinded the audience, and damaged the arena," Emilya defended. "And you know I can make my swords blunt, the worst he could get was a bruise."
"Duels are used to settle differences, how else can students do so if duels within the academy is forbidden."
"The loophole there is "within the academy", if a duel takes place outside the academy it is not forbidden."
A loophole indeed as Emilya once saw a crowd of students watched a duel outside the academy walls.
"Well enough of that," Karin said. "Here's my new chant, tell me what you think."
Tomorrow they are to be assembled in the field for their Summoning Ritual, Emilya just hoped that the Ritual would work for her, it wouldn't hurt to alter the chant a bit right?
"Winds of change, winds of freedom and winds of fate, I ask of thee, guide my hand, oh familiar of wind I summon thee!"
The summoning circle glowed and a gust of wind sent dust flying, creating a small tornado in the middle of the field. When the wind died down, a roar was heard and the dust settled. There stood in the center was a young Manticore, beast of legend in Emilya's World. Karin then carefully approached the beast, and Emilya was worried for her. Manticore's are known to have the tails of scorpions, and are highly venomous. She discreetly traced a sword behind her, a simple mundane sword she could use to hit the tail if it were to attack Karin.
"Summoning Ritual they say," Emilya thought. "Seeing it in person makes me worry as there are no defensive spells in-case the summoned creature is hostile."
Yet to her surprise, Karin managed to get close enough and bind the young Manticore. Seeing that she was fine, she quickly dismissed the sword while the other students are distracted. Her class summoned both common and some rather odd beasts.
A Toad the size of a dog.
A Wolf.
A Tortoise with a strange gem on its back.
And Floating Eyeball.
Just to name a few...
She was weirded out by the floating eyeball. How does it even eat? What does it eat? Does it even need to eat?
"Emilya de l'acier de Mailliart!" the professor in charge called.
It was her turn now. She wanted to keep it simple and not stand out. She stepped forward and approached the summoning circle.
"I, Emilya de l'acier de Mailliart, call upon the Pentagon of Five Elements, heed my summoning and bring forth my familiar."
The circle glowed and when the light died out, nothing was summoned. She glanced at the professor, who only looked at her and the summoning circle."
"Miss Mailliart," the professor stated. "Please step back, you will be given another try after all the other students are done."
As she stepped back, the class was murmuring among themselves. Karin approached her as another student stepped forward to summon a familiar.
"You're going to try that chant you wrote last night?" Karin asked.
"I don't think I have a choice," Emilya answered. "There has never been a student who failed summoning since this is a rite of passage."
"Surely this time you will summon a familiar best suited for you."
It was her turn again, the final student has finished the ritual and summoned a winged snake. Once more she stood before the summoning circle. She stretch out her hand with her palm facing forward.
Let Silver and Iron be the Catalyst...
The Summoning Ritual Rin used to summon Archer, and the ritual Illya's memories provided all began the same. Yet, she still modified it in hopes that she would not start a Holy Grail War in Halkegina. She is yet to find out the other part of her purpose in Halkegina, and a Holy Grail War will just add another layer of trouble.
...With my soul of Swords I summon my Servant
The circle glowed bright, causing both the students and professor to shield their eyes. When the light died down, there lying inside the summoning circle was an unconscious girl with lavender colored hair wearing black armor that has exposed skin. Suddenly, her armor dissipated and the girl was now wearing a grey hoodie over a black shirt over a white-collar shirt, a red tie, a black skirt and tights, and brown shoes.
Instinctively, Emilya looked at the back of her hands and let out a sigh of relief.
"No [Command Seals]." Emilya thought. "But who did I summon?"
"Professor!" Emilya called out, noticing that the girl began to stir. "We need to get her to the infirmary!"
In the Void Between Dimensions, Zelretch watched as Emilya summoned the Shielder.
"Interesting," Zelretch mused. "I always thought she would summon something different, like a Cat or Tiger Cub."
A loud pop was heard behind him, a sign that someone has either forcefully entered the Void, or just an unfortunate soul who accidentally found a tear in the fabric of reality. Zelretch turned around and saw a bipedal gray rabbit holding a map, and a suitcase in tow.
"Nye," the rabbit said looking at the map. "Maybe I should have taken that left turn in Albuquerque."
The strange rabbit shows human like characteristics. It was able to talk, and read as it was trying to figure out a map. The rabbit noticed him, its ears moved towards him, then turned to his direction.
"Hey Doc!" it called out. "Mind helping me out with directions?"
Across the known multiverse, a fated meeting has sent shivers down the spine of all that lives...
POST CHAPTER NOTES:
To answer/reply to some recent reviews:
1. I'm glad someone had a laugh with the Zelretch as a Therapist part.
2. I have nothing against the EMIYA Arsenal. Like as pointed out, the EMIYA Arsenal is for functionality and are the easiest to trace since there is no Legend behind them. But I have to re-point out that "Emilya" is "Shirou's Soul placed inside an Altered Illyasviel Body". (Heaven's Failure Chapter 1 explained how "Emilya" came to be.) From there I just assumed that since Illya's body has better reserves, Emilya could use [Projection] better.
But I always wondered about the lesser known weapons? Sure F/GO introduced them via Different Classes. But looking at the F/SN continuity (Even in the Real World), say the name King Arthur is mentioned, we always think of the swordsman and Excalibur, never did we get an image of King Arthur using any of the other weapons mentioned in the Fate-verse.
Author's Ramblings:
My mind has been unable to come up with anything for the past days/weeks... It's like a black void in there and the bits of ligtht cannot form a visible constellation.