Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/Stay Night nor anything of the Fate series. The only thing I do own is the concept of the story and my OC Morimoto...and his Mystic Code.
KingofBeasts Productions Present:
Clarent Blood Arthur: A Fate/Stay Night Fanfiction
Chapter 4: Blood and Water
Tonight was not going to be an ordinary night.
Well, that is to be expected when this particular night would witness the first few of many battles in the Holy Grail War, a ritual where seven Magi summon their respective Servants to kill each other to power an omnipotent wish-granting device that could fulfill their heart's desire. Even now, they battle to realize their deepest desires, even willing to kill other Magi be they friend, family or lover. They did not really care, not as long as they have their wish granted.
Well, most of them anyway. Some of the participants, like one Shirou Emiya, has taken it upon themselves to stop people with evil wishes to use the Grail, not having one for his own.
So it was on this evening that two battles were taking place. The first one was in the streets near Kotomine Church, while the other at the graveyard.
Now, come dear readers. Come as we watch these two battles for supremacy take place before us.
In the suburbs near Kotomine Church.
"I have to give the old man his props." Archer thought as he shifted to the right, narrowly dodging a Black Key aimed for his head "He knows what he's doing."
Daigoro Morimoto, butler to the Einzbern household and the old man in question, had been putting up quite a fight; Granted, the best Black Keys could do to a Servant would to scratch him a little. Yet, Archer was kept on his toes constantly, as the knives of the Church were flying at him from odd angles.
Two more knives flew his way from the right, causing Archer to parry with Kanshou and Byakuya, his twin falchions. As soon as he parried the second knife, Morimoto dived in and attempted to slash his opponent's face with a fistful of knives.
"Damn it!" Archer shifted his head just enough for the Black Keys pass right by him. He swiftly responded by swinging Kanshou and Byakuya in a wide horizontal arc, hoping that either blade would catch the butler in the midsection unawares.
Morimoto managed to block with his Black Keys in time, though they shattered upon impact with the Servant's blades. That did not seem to bother him in the slightest, as he procured more of his conceptual weapons from his sleeves, slashing at his opponent with amazing velocity.
"I have to admit, I'm impressed." Morimoto said as one fistful of Black Keys (which are three for each hand) shattered into dust upon contact with Archer's blades, forcing him to draw upon another set before resuming his attack "For an Archer class Servant, you seem to be adept in melee situations."
"Let's just say I'm full of surprises!" Archer grinned as he swatted the Keys aside and kicked the old man in the gut, sending him skidding with his feet on the pavement before he came to a stop.
Archer traced his bow, loading it with normal arrows in favor of his Broken Phantasms to prioritize quick, precise shots over ones with explosive power. Morimoto saw the projectiles coming and put up an admirable effort in trying to dodge them; using his own natural speed to dive out of the of some, while using his Black Keys with accurate, well-placed throws to parry others. Alas, he still suffered some damage as some slipped through his defenses; his left arm, right cheek and right shoulder have been grazed, his sleek black suit now having tears stained with his blood in those areas.
"Such a shame." he said when they seemed to have stopped for a break "This was an expensive suit as well..."
"I already told you." Archer grunted as he held Kanshou and Byakuya in front of him, watching his opponent's every move "A human cannot hope to beat a Servant."
"That may be the case," Morimoto straightened his coat "But it does not hurt to try!"
The old man reached into his coat pocket with his left hand and pulled out an object that looked like a bible. He opened it and began scanning the pages, as if looking for something.
"Just what is he planning?" Archer asked himself as he watched the old man find the page he was looking for.
"Ah, there it is." Morimoto chuckled before closing his eyes in deep concentration. Just then, a white aura began to emanate from the man as he began to recite an aria.
"Our Father, Who Art in Heaven."
Just then, an object that looked like the hilt of a rapier appeared out of the book. Using his right hand, he reached into the bible and grabbed the handle, pulling out a splendid rapier; it's pommel radiated like the most polished silver, blue tassel attached to it; the handle tied with a deep blue ribbon; it's blade, as white as snow, had the words "Pater Noster", latin for the words "Our Father"
"I believe this is the first time you've seen something like this." Morimoto chuckled "This is my Mystic Code: The Lord's Prayer. I had this made for me while I was an Executor for the Church. Made from a liter of my blood, a vampire's fang, and a lock of hair from a renowned Servant that served the Lord faithfully in life. It was crafted to cut through the prana particles found in spiritual beings as well as demonic entities." Morimoto smirked as he held the rapier at ready "In short, it is designed to harm Servants as well as Dead Apostles."
"The old fool. He just gave me a decent weapon to trace." Archer smirked as he watched the old man. "Not bad at all, butler. I recall that there were two maids working for Ilyasviel von Einzbern. I certainly don't remember you."
"Do you mean Miss Sella and Miss Leysritt?" Morimoto raised a brow at the Servant, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man before him. "I see...I do not know how you got that information. Neither do I care. Regardless," He darted towards Archer, his legs propelling him with the force of a bullet "You will taste my steel! En guarde!"
Archer was surprised by Morimoto's sudden burst of speed. The butler seemed more adept with the rapier than he was with knives, moving with all the speed and grace of a master fighter.
"You'd think you were facing a Servant fighting this guy!" the red-clad Counter Guardian grunted as he raised his falchion to defend himself from an accurate thrust. "Just who is he?!"
Meanwhile, at the Graveyard...
"It...it can't be." The Servant Saber, known in life was the legendary King Arthur, felt her hands tremble as she held her invisible weapon at ready. The blue clad King of Knights stood before her challenger, a woman with features similar to herself; honey blonde hair, emerald green eyes, soft features and a regal aura the befits royalty. However, this woman who stands before her, known as the Servant Berserker, was clad in a red battle dress as opposed to Saber's blue. The biggest difference was that while Saber wore an expression of shock and dread, hers was one of maddening glee.
"What's wrong?" The girl in red grinned maliciously at her opponent "Do you not recognize your own 'son'?"
"Son?!" Shirou thought incredulously as he watched the entire scene before him, unsure what to make of this.
"Mordred..." Saber spoke in a quiet, disillusioned voice "Is it really-"
"Her?" Berserker's Master, Ilyasviel von Einzbern entered the fray with a confident smirk that bordered on cockiness "The Knight of Treachery, Sir Mordred of the Round? The one that killed Saber in life? Yes, that is my Servant's identity."
"Tsk, to think I have been cursed by Fate yet again..." Saber grimaced as she held her sword at ready. She felt her hands tremble, but she could not falter. Especially not now. The opponent who stood before her is yet another life cursed by her reign, another life destroyed by her actions as king.
Another reason she must attain the Grail at all costs.
"Shall I kill them now, Master?" Berserker had asked Ilya, though the devilish grins they shared said it all.
"Get it done, Berserker!" The little girl urged her "Kill them!"
"At once!" The red-clad knight wasted no time in engaging her former king, her sword seeking her blood as she attacked her with wild, yet precise arcs that embodied her rage.
Saber met Berserker blow for blow, both swords clashing as sparks literally flew in the air.
At a glance, it looked as if Saber and Berserker were matching each other perfectly, neither giving ground to the other. However, hindered by Shirou's incapability to provide a sufficient amount of mana, her botched summoning that gave her sub-par parameters, and hindered by the wound she received from Lancer earlier in the night, Saber was at a tremendous disadvantage.
Still, she did not falter. She would not give up now. Saber knew that if she did, all those battles she had fought, especially during the 4th War, would have been for nothing.
"What made you become Berserker, Mordred?" Saber grunted as she parried an thrust aimed for her skull, knocking Berserker's weapon aside "Is it because you were driven mad by your ambition? Brought to insanity when you couldn't take the throne for yourself?" She took advantage of the opening and aimed at her opponent's seemingly vulnerable waist, only for Berserker to grab the blade with her left hand, her gauntlet protecting her from it's edge. The only appropriate action Saber could think of was to aim a well placed kick to her gut to knock her back, creating some space betweent them.
Berserker grunted as she placed a hand on the area Saber kicked, but instead of grimacing in pain, she was grinning maliciously. It was if she was using the pain inflicted on her to fuel her actions.
"Heh, it just shows how little you understand!" The red knight was about to begin her offensive anew when she saw what looked like black bullets fly straight for her. She smirked as she took the obsidian bullets, shrugging them off as they did little to affect her.
"Stay back, Emiya-kun!" Rin grunted as she stood in front of the boy as if shielding him, letting loose as much Gandr curses as she could in hopes of slowing the Servant down. To her surprise, it did not affect her in the slightest.
"Magic Immunity on a Berserker?!" The Tohsaka Magus cried out in disbelief, in shock that her spells had no effect.
"Considering who my 'father' is, this should not surprise you in the slightest." Berserker grinned maliciously "Now if you'll excuse me,"
She turned back to Saber, who was held her weapon in grim determination.
"I have a score to settle, and quite frankly, it is long overdue."
"My, it seems they're really going at it, aren't they?"
Unknown to all parties involved, even to the ever watchful Morimoto, three observers have come to watch the proceedings as it were.
"Indeed," One observer said to the other, their features obscured by the darkness of the night, the lights barely revealing their features as they spectated through a lonely rooftop of a house situated near the church. "The king doesn't seems as strong as she should be, doesn't she?"
"I am afraid not." The other man, who's blonde hair was the only thing one could make out with the faint streetlight. "It seems that the boy who had summoned her did not complete the ritual. As a result, other than her usual pride, she's not as capable as the king we know and love."
"Regardless," The other man, who had long black hair and was garbed in a suit that matched his hair "This war will prove interesting. Though, from what I heard, the last war was just as exciting." He then turned to the third figure, a petite female who's only feature that wasn't shrouded in darkness was the long blonde hair tied in a braid and two deep, purple orbs that peered into your soul. "What say you, Master?"
"We wait and observe, for now." The female said in a melodic, but firm voice that exhibited authority "The Grail has not manifested itself yet, therfore it is still too early to act. Furthermore," She glanced at where Morimoto and Archer were dueling, the butler holding his own defensively against the Servant.
"It would be fair entertainment to see how this all turns out."
The Counter Guardian Emiya had to hand it to the old man; he was making him work hard on the first night of the war.
He felt a stinging sensation on his cheek as he was barely able to dodge Morimoto's rapier, his cheek grazed by the Mystic Code. The Servant responded in kind by swatting away the rapier with Kanshou, the other hand swinging Byakuya at his opponent's neck.
Morimoto was able to shift his neck slightly to the right, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, but a small cut was left in his neck as a result.
"My, my. You really are quite something, Archer-san." The old man huffed his displeasure as he stomped the ground and created some distance. He ran his palm upward his rapier's flat edge as he recited what seemed to be another passage in the aria.
"Holy be thy Name. Thy Kingdom Come!"
A surge of blue light surrounded the blade as he thrust it forward, engulfing it in holy light as it charged towards the Servant Archer.
"RHO AHIAS!" The red-clad Counter Guardian grunted as he summoned the seven-petaled conceptual weapon of the hero Ajax.
"Tsk, to be forced to use Rho Ahias this early in the war." Archer cursed as the shield held it's ground against the glowing weapon. The attack went on to destroy one of it's petals before seemingly fizzling out.
"Heh, looks like you ran out of gas, old man." Archer grinned as he was about to disperse the conceptual shield and counterattack, but to his surprise, he learned that the butler wasn't done yet.
"Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!"
The rapier lit up anew, the surge of white light that sizzled and crackled shattering two more petals in it's wake.
Archer's shocked expression showed his obvious surprise, but he kept a level head and tossed Kanshou in a horizontal arc with the hopes that it would at least force Morimoto back before he broke through the shield.
To Archer's delight, it achieved the desired effect; Morimoto was forced to jump back, lest his head get taken of by the errant falchion. He wasn't able to escape unscathed either, as the ebony curved blade left a light scar on the old man's left cheek.
"I had almost forgotten how hard it was to fight a Servant..." The butler thought as beads of sweat appeared on his brow, panting heavily as if he was exhausted.
"I have to admit, you have an amazing weapon there." Archer sighed as Rho Ahias dissapated "Not many things can do that kind of damage to the shield of Ajax."
"So that's what it was." Morimoto smirked in response, holding his rapier close to him "It was a very durable Noble Phantasm."
"Sorry to disappoint you, old geezer, but that's not MY Noble Phantasm." The Counter Guardian smirked as he traced Kanshou and Byakuya once more.
"Is that so? Very well then." Daigoro Morimoto smirked as he raised his rapier once more "I will just have to force it out of you myself."
"Hmph." Archer smirked as he traced Kanshou and Byakuya once more, his body tensing for the inevitable charge "You can try!"
"Is this all?"
Saber and Berserker continued to engage each other heavily in battle, sparks flying in the air as sword clashed with sword, the two knights fighting for their lives. Unfortunately, though, Saber was nearing her limits. Her diminished parameters and the wound she received from Lancer earlier in the evening were taking it's toll on her greatly. The fact that she was not drawing any prana from Shirou did not help at all.
"Are you really the King of Knights?!" The red-clad blonde sneered as she swatted her opponent's weapon aside, leaving her wide open for a knee to the gut "You're not as strong as I remember!"
As Saber lurched forward in pain as the knee connected, she thought of how correct Berserker was. Due to the incomplete summoning ritual, she was not as strong as she was supposed to be, her parameters sub-par compared to her full capacity.
"Saber!" Shirou called out the his Servant out of concern, and was just about ready to jump in when he felt a hand stop him.
"There's nothing you can do, Emiya-kun!" Rin implored him "There's nothing you can do against a Servant."
"Tohsaka's right, Oniichan." Ilya smirked at them, an evil gleam in her red eyes "My Servant is a powerful warrior and the one who killed your Servant. What can you possibly do against her?"
At that moment, it was clear that Berserker had the upper-hand; She had made several powerful strikes that left gashes on Saber's armor. Each strike caused the blue-clad knight to stagger, the power of each blow dealing copious amounts of damage to the King of Knights.
"I do not know how long I can keep up..." Saber thought grimly as she struggled to keep pace with her opponent. Finally, she was too tired to defend properly as Berserker pummeled her with slash after slash, her sword glowing red as she empowered it with prana.
"Pathetic! Pathetic, pathetic, PATHETIC!" Berserker shrieked as she vented her fury in a relentless attack "Is this all your ideals amounted to? Is this all you are truly capable of?!"
The King of Knights held valiantly against the onslaught, but found herself unable to fight back. After many successful hits, Berserker winded up for one final swing that took Saber off her feet, crashing into one of the tombstones in the cemetery.
The red Servant was about to walk away in disgust when she felt movement behind her. She turned to see Saber, still as proud a warrior as ever, supporting herself with her invisible sword as she struggled to get on her feet. Had it been a different time, Sir Mordred would have admired such courage, such valor in the face of certain defeat.
Unfortunately, all the was left to her was hatred and utter loathing.
"Go ahead, Berserker." Ilya smiled sweetly at her Servant, which in this context was quite disturbing "Kill her. You've earned it."
"Gladly." The red knight approached slowly, as if to savor the moment. As she began her advance, her expression changed into a sneer of disdain.
"As disappointing as this outing was, I believe it is time I end this." Berserker raised her sword, stained with the crimson blood of her foe, in anticipation of striking the object of her torment down once and for all.
She would have succeeded, but she did not count on one thing: Shirou Emiya.
"SABER, LOOK OUT!" The boy push his Servant out of the way just as Mordred brought down her sword, hitting him instead and leaving a huge gash on his back.
"Emiya-kun!" Rin called out in dismay, as the boy struggled to keep himself on his feet.
Saber stumbled to the ground from the push. Upon hearing Rin's panicked voice, she looked up and saw her wounded Master trying to stay on his feet. "Shirou!" She yelled frantically as she tried to push herself up, but to no avail. She was completely exhausted at this point.
"Wh-why?" Ilya stammered, unable to believe that the selfish boy who stole her father from her jumped in defense of his Servant like that. She glanced at Berserker, who's widened eyes told the Master that she couldn't believe it either.
"What you have done was a bold, yet idiotic move." Berserker said with blank face as she stepped back "Why did you jump to your Servant's defense without any concern for your safety, boy?"
"It's because she's a girl..." Shirou grunted as he struggled to stay on his feet "And you're both family! You shouldn't be fighting like this!"
"So he doesn't know?"Ilya stared at him in disbelief, only to find frustration boiling up inside her.
"Berserker, we're leaving!" The pale-skinned homunculus huffed as she began walking away. "Let's kill them another time."
Sir Mordred turned to her Master in utter disbelief. Here was her opponent, completely helpless before her (and her Master injured to boot). Before them was a chance to stomp them underneath their collective heels, and the young girl was throwing their chance away.
...And yet, despite her misgivings, she trusted Ilya. The fact that each knew the other's pain cemented that. Besides, part of her wishes to face King Arthur in her prime. With that, she dissipated her sword Clarent and uttered but a single sentence that signified her obedience.
"Yes, Ilya."
Before she turned to leave, the red-clad knight addressed both Shirou and Saber with a sinister sneer "You better find yourself a better Master the next time we meet, Saber. For I will not hesitate to strike you down in the next battle." With that final warning, Berserker walked in pursuit of her Master as she exited the cemetery.
At soon as they had left, Shirou fell to the ground with a thud and passing out. Just as his consciousness slipped, he could hear both Rin and Saber calling out his name worriedly.
"Ah, it seems that ojou-sama has chosen to retire for the evening.
Morimoto sighed as he put the Lord's Prayer back into the book that seals it. He certainly looked worse for wear; his black coat was torn to shreds, leaving him in a white polo that revealed his slender yet muscular frame for his age. A few gashes showed on his arms and legs, but he was fine otherwise.
"Looks like we're done for the night." Archer sighed as he relaxed his stance, having a few minor gashes as well, but it was nothing a Servant can't handle.
"Indeed. I must now go on ahead. I must tell Miss Sella and Miss Leysritt to prepare ojou-sama's bath. I am sure she could use one after tonight." He chuckled as he turned his back to the olive skinned Servant.
"It was indeed enjoyable to have engaged you in battle, Servant Archer. Regrettably, I was not able to draw out your Noble Phantasm. Perhaps another time." With that, he leaped away and made his way to Einzbern Castle in a brisk pace.
"I have to admit, that old guy surprised me." Archer thought aloud "The fact that I don't remember him at all doesn't help one bit. Regardless, my mission doesn't change. Not one bit."
With a frustrated sigh, Archer realized that Rin would begin to wonder where he was. "Ugh, I better go before she has a fit." With that, he began making his way to the cemetery.
"That ends our night, I suppose."
The three mysterious individuals watching had seen all they needed to see.
"Shall we retire to our lodgings now, master?" The black-haired male asked the braided blonde female, who nodded.
"Yes. We must make the necessary preparations to infiltrate Fuyuki City tomorrow." She then turned to the blonde male "Are my papers in order?"
"Yes, milady. You are set to start in Homurahara Gakuen tomorrow morning."
"Excellent. Now we must depart from here."
"Yes, milady." Both males went on ahead, the female's expression softening when she caught sight of Morimoto zipping through the town. As she left that night, she smiled at the one thought she mused over.
"It was nice seeing you again, Master. It really was."
End Chapter 4
A/N: First of, I'd like to say I'm sorry I took so long! Real life and writer's block have been keeping me away from continuing this lovely little tale!
Now, I guess you're wondering who these three individuals are, and what relation does the female have with Morimoto? Well, you're going to have to stick with this fic to find out!
Since it's time to address the reviews, I brought in the OC of this fic and resident bad-ass butler Daigoro Morimoto over to answer the reviews you readers have for me today. Daigoro?
Morimoto: It would be a pleasure. *Ahem*
Piterio - Thank you for pointing out the existence of Miss Sella and Miss Leysritt and the fact that ojou-sama would have sensed when Saber was summoned. They are both lovely ladies who make an old man's work easier (though Miss Leysritt is quite a handful at times) KOB is quite forgetful at times and lacks attention to detail.
RealmofEmptiness - Oh dear, I cannot believe Mordred-sama let her play that violent game. I shall reprimand both of them thusly! As for your second query...that is something to be saved for later on in the story
Windraider - Au contraire! It was no nameless lance but Rhomgomyniad, the lesser known weapon of King Arhtur, that felled Mordred on the hill of Camlann. I daresay that makes her eligible to be summoned as a Lance under the proper circumstances.
Tireisias - Thank you for pointing that out, sir. As said before, the author tends to overlook things at times.
13PathsofChaos - Thank you for the praise. KOB has seen your board and I can tell you honestly that him posting this story days after you've made the challenge was purely coincidental. Still, he appreciates the comment.
Endfall - Yes. Master Emiya can be a complete dunce. A good hearted dunce, but a dunce nonetheless.
Ascarde and all those who wished to see Arturia vs Mordred- This story is where you find out how each side fares. So relax and enjoy the show!
Azuregrimoire - Ah, yes. KOB's favorite reviewer. As usual, thank you for pointing out the little mistakes the author makes. He really appreciates it as he can use what he learns to become a better writer.
Before I announce the next chapter prompt, the author kindly asked me to remind the dear readers to leave a review. As it will help him improve, I suggest you all do so with haste!
Now without further ado...Next Time on Clarent Blood Arthur: The Aftermath