Fuyuki, Japan – 2004
I awoke to heat, an all-surrounding sweltering heat that brought memories of being chased by flaming creatures. I opened my eyes to black smoke covering the sky and the orange tips of fire reaching towards the sky. Realising I was lying on the ground, I stood up and looked at my surroundings more closely.
Hell was an appropriate description. The fire consumed everything, buildings that had long since crumbled or barely stood and a distinct lack of life. It appeared that I was the only living person around; the only sound I could hear was the crackling fire and my own breathing.
Where is everyone? That was my most prevalent thought. This was obviously Singularity F, meaning that the rayshift had been successful, so why was he alone. The emergency briefing had stated that all of Team A would arrive together before everyone else to create a base camp for the other master candidates. The fact I was alone was something to worry about. Did everyone else make it and were just scattered about, or had everyone been scattered to dust during the rayshift?
I looked to my wrist, where my communicator was hoping to contact Lev or the Director, only to get static. Great. With my only form of communication gone and with no way to locate anyone else who may have survived without venturing into an unknown and potentially hostile environment, I reached for my wand and launched a jet of red into the sky, praying that someone had seen it, if they were friend then they could figure out what had happened together. If it were an enemy, then he would incapacitate, then interrogate. All I had to do was wait.
Roughly ten minutes had passed before I heard hurried footsteps getting closer; I gripped my wand and readied a stunner, only to pause at the group leader. The first thing I noticed was the ridiculous sized shield, a full head taller than its wielder; the second was her distinctive pink hair and eyes, and finally, instead of her usual clothing, she was decked out in a one-piece armour that matched her shield.
"Mash!" I called out, relieved that someone else from Team A had survived
Mash came to a stop in front of me, "sempai-" she started only to get cut off.
"Potter!" A relieved and familiar voice Interrupted. Looking behind Mash, I saw Director Olga Marie, whose presence confused and concerned me, and a teen with distinctive red hair and amber eyes dressed in the standard Chaldean uniform.
"Director? What are you doing here? What's happening?" I questioned, still processing her presence and mash's new wardrobe.
"That's what I want to know; where is the rest of Team A?" she barked
"Don't know, I was by myself when I woke up. I have some theories, but they're not positive," I answered. Olga's face blanched as her mind also thought of what could have happened to the others.
"I can explain," the redhead then spoke up, drawing our attention to her.
Olga made her way to the girl, her face full of disbelief and irritation "and how would you know what's going on!? you fell asleep during orientation. I thought I kicked you out!" she yelled, repeatedly poking the wide-eyed girl in the chest.
Uh oh, I thought, heading to stop Olga from yelling at the overwhelmed girl but before could Mash beat me to her, pulling Marie by the shoulder so that they were facing each other. "Please calm down, Director. She's telling the truth; Master and I are the only ones here who can explain what happened." She pleaded. Olga internally struggled before stepping back and looking at the Master/Servant pair expectantly.
"Go on, explain then", she ordered.
Gudako told her side first. How after being kicked out of the orientation, she had gone to her designated room only to find a staff member on her bed eating pocky. The man had introduced himself as Doctor Romani Archaman (Olga quietly promised to berate Roman upon their return). How an explosion shook the room, and she rushed to the rayshift chamber where she found Mash half crushed by the ceiling.
Here, mash explained how Gudako had stayed with her at what she thought would be her last moments. How before she could pass on, a Heroic Spirit had offered his powers with the condition that she use them to solve the Singularity. After which, she forced a contract with Gudako, making the inexperienced girl Master.
"And then we were rayshifted here, Fuyuki, Japan, in the year 2004," Mash finished. "We thought that no one else had made it," she then looked at me "thankfully, we were wrong. Unfortunately, you and the Director are the only living humans we've found," her face fell. Gudako grabbed her hand and sent a comforting smile her way, which she gratefully returned.
The information had me reeling; the fact that an explosion had occurred in the first place was ludicrous. Chaldea was one of the most expensive organisations globally. Its equipment was the highest of quality, the staff were experts in their chosen fields, which made a fault with the equipment or staff impossible. I considered the possibility of sabotage before discarding the idea immediately. Chaldea was located in Antarctica, deep in its mountains, protected by numerous wards and bounded fields, not to mention the snowstorm that shrouded the facility year-long, making breaking into the building impossible. And the chance of one of the staff being a traitor was extremely low; each one had been vetted by either Director Marisbury, Professor Lev or Olga.
I looked to Olga; her eyes closed as she digested the recent information. "Alright", she looked at Gudako and Mash, "despite your inexperience, I have no choice in this situation. As Director of Chaldea, I temporarily approve your contract with Mash. Which will be reviewed once we return to Chaldea."
Both Mash and Gudako exchanged happy looks before both bowed to Olga
"Thank you, Director."
"Thank you, Director."
I saw a small smile grace Olga's face before she replaced it with what I called her 'Directors' face and looked at all of us. "Our first mission is to find a Leyline Terminal so that we can contact Chaldea. They are places where magical energy converges; in Fuyuki, the most likely place is…."
Mash spoke up, "Director?"
"What is it, Mash?"
Mash gestured to the road we were standing on. "The Leyline Terminal is here."
The Director sputtered before composing herself. "Ahem, yes, good job, Mash."
"So, the Director isn't always a hardass?" Gudako question, to which Olga sent her a scathing glare before addressing mash again.
"Mash, Place your shield on the ground. Potter and I will set up a summoning circle using your shield as a catalyst," the Director ordered.
"Understood, Director."
Looking around, Mash found an even piece of road large enough for her shield and gently placed it down, and the Director and I got to work as Mash and Gudako stood awkwardly to the side.
My world's magic was vastly different to this world's Magecraft, most poignant of which was the use of magic circles. While the wizarding world did not need magic circles other than in rare instances or powerful rituals, their usage was commonplace in the world of Magecraft. I theorised that it was due to lacking something similar to a wand.
When we finished, we both stepped back. "Now what?" Gudako looked at us expectantly.
Beep-Beep
The sound of Gudako's wrist communicator startled us before a hologram materialised above Mash's shield, revealing the worried face of Doctor Romani Archaman. He looked at Gudako and Mash and sighed in relief.
"Gudako, Mash! You're alive. Thank goodness, and you managed set up a connection-eh?" He turned to look at me, noticing my presence. "Harry, you're here too? But your vitals flatlined…unless you were knocked out of your coffin–"
"Romani!" the Director yelled, startling Romani from his mumbling. "Why are you in the Director's chair? Where's Lev?"
"Director?! How are you –"
"With me trapped here, Lev is the next in command. Put him on."
Romani gained an apologetic look and sighed before answering. "Lev was in the command room when the explosion occurred; he was right in the centre. There's no possible way he survived. I thought that you had also…But I'm glad I was wrong."
I quickly steadied the Director as she stumbled back in shock. All the fire she had a moment ago vanished as her face slackened. She opened and closed her mouth to express her shock but only strangled gasps were heard.
"What about the rest of the staff? There are dozens of people that take over before you?" I asked, taking over the questioning while Marie recovered.
"Because of the surviving staff, I'm the highest authority we have left. We're still combing through the wreckage in the hope of finding other survivors, but as it stands, we are down to a crew of twenty," Romani answered grimly.
I stiffened as I took in the news. Chaldea had a crew of over two hundred, and in a single explosion, nearly all of them had died. Just who or what had the power to do that?
"Only twenty?" the Director squeaked. "A-and the master candidates. What's their status?"
"All remaining master candidates are in critical condition. With the lack of medical staff and supplies, I have had to activate their coffin's cryostasis function so that we may be able to save them later."
"Does that include-?" I asked hesitantly
"Yes, that includes the remaining members of Team A", Romani replied, anticipating my question.
It was my turn to stumble in shock. The members of Team A were some of the first people I got to know when I arrived at Chaldea, each one an expert in their field, mages that could go toe to toe with Voldemort and have a high chance of winning. That a single explosion had taken them out was unbelievable.
"Good call Romani; I would have done the same", the Director praised, "and what of Chaldea itself?"
"We are currently operating at twenty percent functionality; we've lost contact with the outside world, and we are currently relying on the backup generators to keep everything powered. With only twenty staff, repairs will take time, but we are focusing on repairing the Rayshift functions and maintaining Chaldeas itself and the SHEBA lens. Once we have the Rayshift restored, we'll bring you back immediately," Romani answered.
"Good. Continue repairs but don't bring us back immediately," the Director ordered
"What!" we all exclaimed.
"Director! That's completely reckless," Romani chastised. "You are currently in an unknown environment with no servants and one combat mage! I cannot in good conscience allow you to investigate."
"Actually, Doctor, I am now a Demi-servant contracted to Fujimaru," Mash interjected.
Romani paused at Mash's statement before continuing. "Even so, you are a newly contracted Demi-servant. You have no experience fighting as a servant," countered Romani.
But Marie would not be deterred. "Which is why Harry," she turned to look at me, "will summon a Servant of his own."
"But even so-"
"What do you think the UN will do when they learn what's happened?" Marie asked.
"Huh?" Romani stumbled from the sudden question. "Well, they'll suspend all activities and funding and launch an investigation", Romani replied, suddenly understanding the question.
"Exactly, they will launch an investigation and use any excuse to remove me as Director. So, I at least want to return with some information on this singularity to present to the UN so that they can't," Marie explained.
And I could understand where she was coming from. Olga Marie's placement as Director of Chaldea had been met by extreme opposition, with many arguing that she was too young to lead such an important organisation. I knew that the Mages Association wouldn't hesitate to remove her and place their own candidate in charge.
Romani sighed, "you might be okay with it, but you're not alone. Harry, Mash and Gudako all have a say. I won't allow you to continue unless it's a unanimous decision." He looked at each of us as he spoke, eyes pleading with us to say no.
"Sorry, Romani, but I'm staying. We should at least investigate while we have the chance. If we leave now, the situation could deteriorate even more," I answered. "Besides, it is what you recruited me for", I finished.
Mash answered next, "if senpai is staying, then so am I." She looked at me with determination, and I nodded in thanks.
All eyes turned to Gudako, who quickly masked her apprehension with a smile. "Don't worry. We'll be done before you know it"
Romani looked at Gudako suspiciously before relenting. "If you're sure, then I won't argue. There isn't a lot we can do on our side but don't hesitate to contact me in an emergency. Good Luck." He gave a brief smile before the hologram vanished.
Marie gave a huff of annoyance, "honestly, he can be such a worry wort," before looking at me. "I know I'm putting you on the spot, but are you ready to summon a servant?" she asked.
I gave her a comforting smile, "I wouldn't have agreed if I wasn't."
She gave a thankful smile before turning to the others, "Fujimaru, Mash, step back over here. We need to give Potter some space", she ordered, directing them a few feet away from the circle.
As they walked away, I turned my focus to the summoning circle. When Lev had explained what a Heroic Spirit was, I was a bit overwhelmed. Being able to summon and command a hero from myth and legend was something that didn't exist in my world. All the master candidates were to summon their servants during the mission. When talking with Team A about what servant we wanted, I admitted I would have preferred to summon either a Saber or a Caster.
Holstering my wand, I raised my right arm and started the chant.
"Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone.
The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.
The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled."
As I chanted, I watched as the circle lit up, getting brighter and brighter as I continued. At the edge of my vision, I noticed my companions staring either in awe (Gudako), fascination (Mash) and trepidation (Marie) before I refocused on the ritual.
"I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate(doom) is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance!"
As I finished the incantation, the light reached a crescendo, blinding me to what had happened. But I didn't need to see to know it had worked. I immediately felt the connection form, a sudden drain on my magic with an entity that flowed to the servant that had appeared. Squinting, I could make out the command seals on my outstretched hand.
Blinking my eyes clear, the first detail I noticed was deep crimson eyes, followed by his golden hair streaked with red. Stepping back, I saw he was dressed in shining silver armour draped with a scarlet mantle. A red-handled sword hidden in a crimson scabbard hung from his hip.
His eyes met mine for a moment before dropping the command seals on my hand; his eyes returned to mine, and smiled. "I, servant Saber, have answered your summoning. My name is Richard I. It is a pleasure to meet you, Master."