WARNINGS

Non canon pairings.

Non canon compliant.

Certain Master and Servant pairs have been reshuffled.

Some Servants are from the Nasuverse, some are not.

Concept of Soulmates

LAST EDIT: October 25, 2020

Childhood

Her parents told her to stay away from the books about the Grail, and all they entailed. She listened, as any good child would. She had her parents, her baby siblings and their family's temple. She was more than happy. Until she came home from school one day to find blood splatters everywhere. She was twelve at that time. She didn't know why anyone would take her parents and siblings from her.

Research

This was it. The reason behind the attack and murder three years ago, she was certain. The books her parents had forbade her to read contained some interesting stories. She took to honing her magic, practicing offensive spells as much as possible. She got herself a job and took up classes on wielding small bladed weapons. When the war comes again, she will be ready. She will not let anyone else suffer as she had.

Invoke

"Let silver and steel be the essence. Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation. 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. I hereby declare. Your body shall aid me. My faith shall be your sword. If you will submit to this will and this reason...Then answer!"

Partner

Her words were a slightly edited version of the rite. She had no catalyst and she didn't really need a Servant, just an ally. A man wearing elegant clothing appeared in the summoning circle. He wore a white robe and a pair of black pants. His long hair was silver at the top, fading to violet. Lavender eyes regarded her with catlike curiosity before he smiled and bowed. "Hello there, my cute Master. I am here as your own Grand Caster~"

Surprise

He was lounging in the tower, tending to his flowers, when he felt the tug pulling at his very soul. He ignored the sensation, knowing he can't participate even if he wished to. But then, he was quite literally dragged and pushed into a summoning circle. Huh. That was new. A young, slightly pale skinned, lady wearing a loose blouse and a knee length skirt stood in front of him. Wavy dark brown hair reached past her shoulders. Her maroon colored eyes were assessing him. Most probably. How cute.

Veteran

Asuka Nagawa. That was a rather fitting name for the girl Shirou just recently met. It's been a lifetime since he last participated in the war, but he still remembered how to sense Servants and ward areas for protection or tracking. He resolved to help her win, if only so her wish does come true. A pure-hearted wish that seemed highly improbable, but he'll still help her.

Awe

The Assassin, Jack the Ripper, was a sly and cunning little boy. Still, Caster had distracted him enough for Asuka to hit his chest with a heavily enchanted knife. As surprised as Caster was that she killed a Servant, he couldn't help but feel proud and utterly happy that she could defend herself. Though, he hoped she would listen to him next time and try to avoid getting in between him and another Servant...

Stories

Shirou found himself standing still just outside of Asuka's room. Caster was telling her stories. Again. He had a good idea on who the Caster was, by now. Shirou knew listening in on them was an invasion of their privacy, but he couldn't help it. The Servant has been sharing stories of King Arthur and his knights with Erica for the past week! He'd mentioned Mordred once, already! Maybe, his Avenger will be mentioned again...

Interlude

Ritsuka Fujimaru wasn't sure if Rider was narcissistic or benevolent. He felt the man was somewhere in between. Currently, the pharaoh was sitting on his couch going on about how big and destructive his tomb is. The man's brown hair was short and messy and he wore nothing aside from the white cape and black pants. Plus his black gloves. His golden brown eyes were shining with pride as he talked of his Noble Phantasm.

Confession

Caster confided in her that he had no idea what it truly meant to be human. This was after they defeated the Archer, Billy the Kid. She sighed at his casual dismissal of the issue afterwards. Pointing to his heart, she said, "I think this is doable. By this Seal, I command you, Caster, to feel human emotions, wholeheartedly." Her Servant was completely shocked when she said those words. After a few moments of silence, he smiled softly at her before whispering, 'Thank you.'

Determination

"Of course Caster acts as a distraction, again, while you go for the kill yourself. That's just the logical thing to do, isn't it?" Asuka just glared at Shirou, her hold on Caster's hand tightened quite a bit. "He has never needed to fight for me. I'm grateful with the help he's given me, but I can handle myself in fights." She announced before letting go of her Servant's hand and going upstairs. Caster was silent, he didn't know whether to be amused or touched by her words. 'So this is how humans react to emotion, hmm? So confusing. No wonder they're easily frustrated.'

Conflicted

Caster was almost eighty percent sure Rider and his mage were going to lead them to their deaths. Still, the black haired, ivory skinned young mage in the doorway has earned both Shirou's and Erica's approval. He was starting to regret ever wishing to understand human emotions, they were beginning to annoy him... He felt like he was on one of those coaster rides at a park, torn between calling the newcomers traitors and trusting Erica's judgement...

Discord

Now Shirou knew how his and Rin's enemies had probably felt when they fought together. Then again, this was rather different. The Masters of Berserker and Lancer were... Shouting at each other. Until one simply walked away, Berserker trailing behind her with a scoff at their direction.

There was also the fact that the ones attacking Lancer were a mage and her Servant, which was definitely a new thing. Rider wasn't even moving to aid them at all.

Observe

Rider just watched as Caster and his mage fought the Lancer class Servant. Though if one truly observed him, they'd easily see he was prepared to defend Ritsuka from anything. The park looked like a hurricane passed through it by the time Asuka and Caster defeated Elizabeth Barthory. It wasn't susrprising that they came out victorious against her, Rider noted. She had nothing on their teamwork. Especially since they were both highly protective of each other.

Sea

Upon Rider's insistence, they came to a beach at the beginning of summer. Rider found himself unable to look away from Ritsuka, who was only wearing a pair of boxers and a seashell necklace. He, himself, wore a pair of semi tight shorts. They laughed together as they walked and swam through the deeper areas of the sea. Of course, they weren't far from where their comrades stayed, just in case.

Shore

Caster couldn't help but snatch glances at Erica as she put finishing touches on what appeared to be the sword in a stone. He only wore a pair of beach shorts and an unbuttoned, open shirt. On the other hand, she wore a long, loose dress, refusing to get exposed in such a public area. He found himself agreeing with the sentiment, though he wasn't sure why. After all, there was nothing wrong with showing skin. So why did his chest tighten at the mere thought of anyone else seeing her exposed?

And why can't he stop staring at her, again? She wasn't even that endowed in the breast area!

Bench

Shirou sat on a foldable chair a few meters behind where Caster and Erika were building sand sculptures. He was attempting not to laugh at Caster's apparent confusion and the fact that the demon didn't understand his crush on Erica. He also considered himself a sane person and would not be wearing anything less than the v-necked shirt and shorts he had put on.

Unless his Avenger suddenly turned up, that is. He would probably lose the shirt, somehow.

Demise

Berserker was a beast, Rider noted. A beast that hopefully, he could weaken enough for Caster and Asuka to kill. That had been a challenge in and of itself. Cu Chulainn pushed him to his limits. Even with Ramusseum Tentyris in full swing, he had barely been winning. Honestly, he had never thought it could happen to him. It seemed there were people who could defeat him, though. He only hoped Ritsuka wouldn't cry from his demise.

Tears truly did not befit those he loved.

Fright

Caster was truly frightened, if he were honest. He wasn't sure how they would win, or if they even could win against Berserker. Rider had lost, and he had pushed himself to the limit to weaken Berserker enough for them to have a chance at winning. Caster couldn't just pull Erica to Avalon, either... He's sure his heart had stopped when Erica was thrown to the very high, very concrete ceiling of the stadium.

Whirlwind

He's not sure how he got control of the wind, or if that had been Erica's magic reacting and somehow tearing Berserker apart. All he knew was that Erica had fallen to the floor, breathing yet not moving. That was the time Shirou got to them. He was supporting Ritsuka, who had probably bruised or broken a rib. Caster felt bad for it later, but he hadn't cared much about them at that moment.

He only felt relieved when they were able to save Erica from severe blood loss.

Church

The walk to the church was a quiet one. Shirou stayed with Ritsuka in a nearby clinic. So it had only been Caster and Erica, both of who had been contemplating the wind fiasco in the stadium. Upon reaching the entrance of the church, Caster told her to go on and that he would be along shortly. "I promise I won't do anything unnecessary." He had said with a close eyed smile.

Chalice

The Grail was right in front her. Asuka didn't think it was real, though. All that destruction... All that death... For a measly chalice? A small golden cup that could fit in her hands? Yet, there it was. Like a clap of lightning, though, she felt something bend and break. Looking at her hand, she found the Command Seals were faded. She knew only one reason for it, too.

Raw

Asuka's magic reacted to the grief and rage she felt. "You promised not to do anything that wasn't necessary... Damn it, Merlin... The Grail was in my hands before you died...!" She shouted to the room. The Overseer simply watched her for a few moments before panicking. There was a huge surge of raw, unfiltered magic seeping from Asuka's body.

What is it you desire most?

What wish shall you ask for?

She only wanted one thing. The exact same thing she had wanted since her family died.

Wish

"I want for all the heartache you bring to come to an end!"

Improbable.

The fury she felt at that one word caused her magic to completely lash out. She was unaware of it, but the chalice in her hands was cracked. The Overseer, of course, noticed it and tried to make her stop. But she wouldn't listen. The wish she asked for wouldn't be granted? No. She did not trudge through all these deaths and tragedies to have her wish denied!

Shatter

No one had any explanation for how it came to be. The Grail is something that held the world's history together. A world without it was... Unthinkable... Yet, here they were. Shirou really hoped something good would come their way. It had better be soon, too. Ritsuka painted, now. The subjects were always Egypt and the pharaoh Ozymandias. Asuka kept a garden, but it was a constant reminder of Merlin. She cried, frequently, as she tended to the various pink flowers she grew in that garden.

Finale

Five years, the Association finally stopped questioning Asuka about what happened. Shirou wanted to know, too. How in the world did she destroyed the Grail, of all things? Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who you ask, she has no idea, herself. It was that day, on the fifth anniversary of the war's end and the subsequent destruction of the Grail, that it happened.

One moment, Shirou was walking from the mall to Asuka's place, in the outskirts of a busy, modern day city. The next? He found himself in a valley, staring blankly at a very familiar boy who stared right back at him with wide eyes.