The moment the Caster announced himself a wave of confusion ran through all spectators. Some roe their eyebrow while others stared indifferently. The Golden Archer watched the Spell-caster with mild interest although it was more akin to a look of pity.
Radius however just bowed and continued to confuse everyone present by simply doing nothing else. He lifted his head and placed both of his hands into his pockets while the smoke of his candy stick wafted into the air. "I apologize for the interruption, please continue." was all he said before the only insane one among them all moved.
The shrouded Berserker lifted his hand to strike at Radius only a couple of moments away from punching through the white clad Caster's head. Said Servant however leaned forward before the smoke from his stick ignited into myriads of brilliant flames shooting him backwards while also engulfing his attacker, before he spun around to hit a lamp with his legs pulled back.
Caster then reached behind him touching the crates once the lamp broke backwards from the force of his impact. The metal spun and caved inwards before the hilts of two swords formed. Radius gripped both of them and pulled them out – both blades formed from by using the material, taking on the color as well as a medieval design without hand guards.
"Boy, tell me his parameters." Iskander asked of his Master, his eyes never leaving the other red head as he pointed one of the newly formed swords at Berserker while keeping the other behind his back. The Master, still flabbergasted at what he is seeing quickly focused his Master vision onto the Servant – though when he did his eyes nearly bulged outwards.
"What the-"
Berserker charged at Radius once again. This time however the red head did something that utterly baffled all the other Servants as well as the Masters. He threw one sword towards Berserker as if handing it over.
And the maddened Servant did without missing a beat, grabbing hold of the hilt while spinning and preparing to decapitate Radius – alas during mid-spin the sword Berserker held began to glow white, ignited and burst.
A scream of pure rage shot forth from the center of the explosion though as white mist was dissipating in the air around Caster, the only thing that remained of Berserker was his unshrouded appearance.
"European decent. Probably Arthurian legends. It appears his motor functions have halted due to the reversal of sanity, though I suspect a Command Spell could cause him to reawaken. Master of Berserker I would advice you to call back your Servant and stay hidden until the next day otherwise I cannot guarantee your continued survival." Radius spoke apathetically walking towards the now still Knight, his eyes briefly connecting with the shell shocked King of Knights.
"Tell me boy, what's wrong?" Iskander asked but the ghastly expression on his Master's face made the King of Conquerors pause.
"Ri…der…" the youth started before they saw Berserker disappear into Astral form.
Caster turned back to them. His hand still holding the remaining sword however instead of remaining passive he charged at the King of Knights first striking towards her neck which immediately brought the knight back from whatever was on her mind and she blocked with her blade of wind. Radius pushed himself backwards before lowering his body and arching sideways to slash at the waist which was blocked swiftly as well before stepped back and thrust forward automatically causing the knight to block with both hands on the hilt.
Having enough of his attacks the blond knight retaliated by pushing his blade aside and swinging in kind at his neck. Instead of evading however he rose his blade over his shoulder blocking the sword for a moment before his right hand shot up grabbing the knights injured hand drawing further blood before letting go and letting the blood follow him.
Saber's eyes widened when she saw that the blood flowing from her wound was forming a hilt. Immediately recognizing the danger she was in she opted to put more pressure into her swing but Caster deflected by holding the blade diagonally causing the invisible blade to tear through the makeshift sword and cutting off the tip that had blocked it. Caster however remained unharmed swirling Saber's blood once or twice before its liquid state turned solid crystallized and formed a dagger of pure red.
"You have my thanks Lancer," the Servant turned to Lancer who looked appalled by what he saw "It is thanks to you that I achieved one of my objections, therefore I will no longer impose on your honor and allow both of you to continue your duel." he bowed before turning towards Iskander holding what was left of his sword forward and the dagger over it. "As an apology I will see to it that the King of Conquerors won't intrude either."
"H-Hold on! Caster what do you mean with objective?" Saber yelled but before an answer could be issued Lancer's Master commanded him to re-engage into the duel while the knight was still weakened. "Lancer–" Saber started blocking the red lance from hitting her neck, before jumping backwards to avoid the golden spear from impaling her abdomen.
"I apologize Saber. It seems that what I did is helping Caster…" The first knight of Fianna said before returning into his stance "I will face you however for the honor of my Master before I take care of Caster."
The blond knight gritted her teeth. How utterly irritating she thought before she held her sword in front of herself once more. However– Where is the pain? She was certain that she had been injured and that she had bleed but for whatever reason she neither felt the pain nor any form of numbness. However her foe was once again commanded by his Master to attack her, leaving her no time to ponder.
"Lancer, finish Saber while Caster engages Rider. Chances like this don't arrive twice therefore finish her and help Caster end Rider and his Master." the noble in the shadows said haughtily. Making Saber's irritation not any better. She blocked the lance that aimed for her shoulder carefully sidestepping and shifting her balance to keep Lancer off of her hide.
Rider meanwhile was only observing the red head who was challenging him. He had intended to end the war for the night and reengage it once the others had either joined him or declined. "Waver, what has you shaking like a fool down there?" he asked the boy clinging at the edge of his Chariot. Before the boy could answer however Rider picked up the movement of the wind quickly pulling him backwards narrowly making him avoid the sword in Caster's hand.
Not missing a beat Iskander took his sword from his waist slashing at Caster as he passed them only for the blade to be blocked by the dagger in the Red head's hand and throwing his body backwards from the force. Caster however used the momentum to roll over his back and plant both of his feet against the crate he shot towards, bent his knees and shot right back towards Rider.
The King of Conquerors however took this as a chance to put distance between the two of them by gripping the reigns of his chariot and letting his bulls pull them farther into the docking area – as limited as the space was. "Fighting like a coward and attacking my Master. Is that how you wish to honor you legacy Caster!? If you wish to fight I will gladly stand before you!"
Saber was exchanging brief yet very precise strikes with Lancer narrowly avoid impalement as well as the Curse ridden lance that glide over her almost too close for comfort. Once they heard the roar of Rider both of paused though only for a second before Saber spun her body out of the thrust Lancer directed towards her neck into a crouch which she used to leap herself some distance away.
"We are nothing more than familiars, summoned into a Battle Royal that can see only one winner, there is no shame nor is there any honor. And as it stands this is nothing more than a play for his Majesties amusement." were the words that echoed into the bay. Neither Saber nor Lancer couldn't help but turn to the younger Red head while the golden clad Archer laughed in delight.
"To think I would be this entertained by one of you mongrel!" Archer chuckled before lifting his left hand. Ripples of pure golden light appeared in the air behind him from where at least four weapons of uncanny beauty hang out of. "Entertain me, reduce your numbers and then die as your reward for this pointless drivel!"
The King of Knights gritted her teeth a those words both from Caster as well as Archer. However instead of mulling over what those two said she returned her attention back to Lancer readying her blade. Her opponent smiled before lowering his stance and preparing himself as well. The only ones however who did not prepare for combat were the two red heads who were actively staring at each other.
"Rider." Iskander's Master started slowly reaching for his Servant's cape "This Servant is strange, his parameters are all over the place and that Skill of his doesn't make any sense. Not to mention his Noble Phant-"
"I know, Master. He is an unknown but I cannot leave him be. Something tells me that we shouldn't let him out of here." The King of Conquerors took the reigns to his bulls urging them to run their adversary over. Muscles tightened, breathing deepened and lighting rose from their hides as both bulls charged at Radius with the ferocity of a bulldozer and the destructive might of an avalanche.
Yet despite that charge, Radius did not move, rather he held out the dagger he made out of Saber's blood, first holding its edge horizontally before changing its angle diagonally by three to thirty degree. And when the bulls raged right in front of him the tip of his lollipop ignited engulfing the bulls' heads for just a moment before stepping aside from the charge and ducking under Rider's sword which shot forth to greet his head.
The spell-caster then put the dagger into his chest pocket, raising the rest of the sword he made earlier and blowing the rest of the fire onto it. He spit out the lollipop – barely anything of the stick remaining – before swirling around the slowly molding steel and forming something akin to a circle into the air with its remains.
Rider pulled on the reigns turning his mounts around before charging again at Caster. He shot through the cargo bay at such speeds that it caused ripples to form on the water around it. His Master was still clutching with all his might at the chariot though he observed Radius more intently – especially the circle he drew in front of his face. His eyes widened when he recognized the pattern and nearly called it out had it not been for a certain sound.
All combatants as well as Archer looked over to the city. Some wondering what that sound was, others cursing.
It was the sound of Sirens.
Police Sirens.
The Bulls came to a sudden halt in front of Radius, their owner staring intently at him with a glare. Yet the only reply he gave Iskander was a huff before he pulled out another lollipop and put it into his mouth. Begrudgingly the King of Conquerors sighed. "Let's return to our abode Master." he said never letting his eyes leave his fellow red head, though Radius was more focused on the Noble in the shadows. He clicked his tongue before commanding his bulls to shot through the night once more. "Oh heroes, tonight has ended far to early! Let us meet once more when the time allows for it!" he roared as he and his Master left.
"Come Lancer. Let us not waste any more time here, I rather not want to deal with these Yellow Monkey's more than necessary." The man said though his presence was already gone before that. Lancer stared at Saber, nodding and promising to meet once again before disappearing into Astral Form.
Archer had disappeared even before Rider. Leaving no clue as to who he was nor what he wished to accomplish by coming to the docks.
The only two who remained were Caster and Saber. The former let the circle he formed out of the left over blade fall towards the ground letting it clang against the concrete while he himself walked over to the King of Knights. "Caster." Saber warned holding her sword tightly in front of herself.
"You think too much." Caster said not stopping and still approaching Saber and the maiden. Saber's eyes widened at those words. "Do not worry, I have no reason to continue this farce." Each word he spoke no matter how harsh was said in a monotonous voice as though he possessed no emotions. "No matter how much you think about tonight's matters, the facts will not change. The only thing you are allowed to do in this War is to move steadfast and with your head held high."
Saber's eyes widened. So much so that she involuntarily lowered her blade a little. "What are you-" The maiden behind her looked just as surprised by the words though she visibly relaxed. Caster continued forwards, stopping right in front of the blade pointing at his heart.
"Since everyone left, I take this chance and offer an alliance to the King of Knights." He said bowing while Saber looked at him in utter bafflement.
…
When the police car arrived Mori stepped out together with his colleague for the night shift. Both of them looked at the cargo bay and the boxes in shock and confusion. Mori without thinking stepped forward slowly lifting his gun from the holster and holding it tightly with both hands. "Looks like a war zone." his colleague muttered but the younger policeman did not listen.
Instead of waiting for any of the others he stepped closer to the nearest crater. He lowered himself gun still in his hands before examining the damage to the concrete. It looked like a footprint but judging by the force applied to break the ground the person either weight more than a ton or they were made of metal of landed on this spot from probably a kilometer or a mile from the sky. Mori doubted that someone would lose a statue from those heights though so he dismissed that thought. Of all the nights for Old Fujimura to choose to be off duty.
He took a look at the surroundings, not forgetting the old man's teachings, catching glimpses of a circular object in the middle of the way. He approached it with caution slowly stepping around the debris since he knew how much forensics would chew on him if he did something to the scene. His eyes widened however when he caught sight of the object slowly closing his jaw when his eyes scanned over it frantically he put his gun into his holster quickly grabbed his notepad and scribbled down everything he saw from the moment he entered the scene and most importantly the sight that greeted his eyes. He then put the notepad back into his pockets before turning around.
Footsteps were approaching his partner. "Wait, who are yo~…" the man began before falling silent.
In alarm he spun around eyeing what looked like a priest who held something in his hands. A cup? No, a pot. Smoke rose from the pot slowly dancing around the priest. His partner for the night appeared to have been put into trance. Mori kept his eyes peeled on the man standing before him. It was an elderly priest with a long scarf draped around his shoulders.
The smoke was wafting towards him, and he began to lower his hand from his gun. Slowly the priest walked over to him – his mind became hazy with a voice repeating "Nothing has happened, everything is as usual." lulling him into closing his eyes.
When Mori opened his eyes again he thought that something was amiss. His partner gently shook his shoulder, pulling him out of the trance. "What's wrong?" his colleague asked pulling out his transmitter and giving a call to headquarter.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong." both of them said before they turned around and returned to the car. Mori however slowly let go of his pocket, silently wondering why his hand had been clutching his notepad so tightly. Slowly letting go he noticed that his fingertips were bleeding slightly but he dismissed that. Maybe the old man was right and he was letting this job get to him.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he had a feeling that something was amiss. But he would dwell on that later when they had returned to the station.
:::
Saika Fujimura was rushing through the halls of the police station. Radius was following behind him in equal haste. Neither took the time to greet the other officers on the way to the Chief Inspectors office.
When the older on opened the door Radius closed it behind him. "Lock it up." Saika said before letting himself drop onto a chair. The Servant looked at them once before placing himself in the background and listened to the unfolding conversation. The room was spacious with many pictures and photographs hanging on the wall next to the large windows. The Chief Inspectors desk was plain which was in stark contrast to the worn down armchair he sat on. Radius caught a glance to his name plate, reading 'Edogawa Ranpo'
"Let me cut to the chase. The major has come forward tonight and told me to drop our investigation into the serial murders." The Chief said , before a heavy sigh fell from the older man's mouth. "Seriously Fujimura, what kind of mess are you digging up here?"
"If the Major came forward to you directly that it means the lands owner has caught wind of our investigation." Saika said with his eyes fixated on a picture on the wall. It showed four man, one a elderly bald man with eyes as dark as the night wearing traditional Japanese clothing, another a young man with sharp eyes and a goatee wearing a suite. The other two appeared to be the major and Chief Inspector Edogawa. "About time."
Radius looked at Saika once more, the Inspector took of his cap leaning backwards slightly. "Took them long enough. I had expected a quicker reaction from Tokiomi-kun, otherwise he would have stopped our investigation weeks ago."
"No kidding. You've been saying that for years now. I get it, you never liked his father but still…" the Chief looked around worriedly, "Don't forget that he's got at least half of the force in the town to his beck and call. One wrong move-"
"I don't care what the boy will do. The only thing that matters now is identifying the cult and finding every last one of them who has blood on their hands. After all that is the reason why this young man came to us." Saika rebutted turning to Radius slightly. "You caught most of that?"
Radius lifted another lollipop from his pockets, placing it into his mouth. "I wouldn't mind you elaborating a bit more."
The Chief Inspector nodded standing up from his armchair and walking to the large window in the room. "See, the lands on which Fuyuki was built on is property of the Tohsaka family. Most of the decisions that involve the city are either directly approved or managed by the head of the family. At the moment it would be Tokiomi Tohsaka." The Chief pointed at the picture frame with the four men.
"They sound like Mafia, pardon,Yakuza." Radius added at which both men laughed. Neither found it humorous.
"You're not far off." Saika remarked, his eyes going to the chief while his head remained turned to Radius. "Chief, I've received word from my brother that he will start to do some renovations." The Chief Inspector turned around quickly his mouth slack before closing it tightly.
"Are you sure?"
"At behest of Tokiomi-kun."
"…" the Chief lowered his head, slowly pulling his glasses of his nose with his right hand and looking at Saika over the rim. "Are you certain that you can trust him?"
The Inspector nodded, looking as serious as he could "He never once lied to me. Never could either."
A sigh filled the room. Chief Inspector Edogawa looked out of the window again. "As you probably noticed, this city is strange. The local government is wrapped around the Tohsaka's fingers and our hands are mostly tied due to his influence over the major."
"Then," Radius started slowly moving into the room farther, "-why not using that to our advantage? If Tohsaka has that much influence why not move the case around something that does not directly involve him."
Both men looked at him with sharp eyes. But he continued, taking long and careful looks at the pictures on the wall. Children, three of them when the eldest looked around ten, but one disappeared when the children looked three years older. He looked at a lone black stone in the corner of the room, hidden by the bookshelves and case-files. A single name engraved into it.
"If, and only if, Tokiomi Tohsaka is part of a cult that celebrates annual killing sprees in this city, then there are others. And if we managed to separate those others from any form of communication by claiming that they are part of some illegal activity…" he let the men's imagination formulate the rest.
Already did that ones. Somehow the tapes and the people involved disappeared and the officers questioning them don't remember anything that happened during the questioning." Saika said though judging from the reaction of the chief it seems to be news to him.
Radius moved around the room once more, offering a prayer to the little altar with both his hands in a praying position before he turned around and looked at them. "Then how about starting with what we we know."
Saika laughed slightly "We, huh? We took in some of Tokiomi's so called associates. They were thieves who stole and delivered something from Sumeria though they couldn't remember what it was. Then we caught some people smuggling huge amounts of jewelry but that was legitimate business."
"Then let's separate the matters of Tokiomi Tohsaka with the situation of the cult."
"And how are we going to do that?"
"Every sixty years." Radius said, causing both man to have different reactions.
"See I told you the line wasn't safe." Saika said to the Chief who was silently fuming. "Anyway, what did you dig up?"
Chief Edogawa looked at both of them, sighing and moving to his desk, pulling out one of the drawers and throwing its content onto the table. It were files. Missing people files, smuggling, murder, disappearances, dubious activity of the mafia and reports that looked as old as both man combined. Radius quickly picked up the folder with the cleanest and most expensive looking cover.
"This…" He scanned over the content of the papers quickly, immediately grasping the content and looking at Saika who was reading another file. "This is a summation of a string of disappearances during the Nazi's assault sixty years ago."
"Worse, it is just part one of the list." Fujimura added while holding up the folder "Here's part two with all the gruesome detail at which the corpses that were found were handled and in what state of decay they were."
"Rather unnatural if you ask me…"
"Yes, the bodies were found days after the people disappeared but their appearance suggests that they had been dead for decades if not longer. Some of them don't even make sense; like take this for example: Darnic Preston, officer in duty of the Nazi's with his head decapitated and his body eaten from the inside out by something resembling bugs."
"That doesn't make sense. From the drawings of the time it appears those bugs had to have been the size of a rabbit but the largest insects in the world are nowhere near that size."
"Would both of you please stop talking about the way those people died? I'm getting sick just thinking about all the implications that could have with the situation we have today." The Chief inspector plead but neither of the others were listening to him.
"The circle…"
"The one from the notebook, huh? Guess you were right." Saika added before addressing his superior "Chief , have this data digitized as soon as possible and sent to as many stations willing to work with us. Tell them I request their help in a case, that should make them accept without causing a fuss."
"But-"
Radius interrupted the Chief "I agree. If this cult is what we think it might be, then they will most likely not have any means to intercept digital information. It doesn't matter if it is leaked either since it is harder to erase something from the minds of nameless faceless beings across the nation."
"You want to leak this?" Saika asked with sharp eyes looking at Radius. "Kindaichi-san what you are proposing could cost us the trust of the people."
"Not if we offer it to a TV crew or Film producer." eyes went wide. " If we want to ensure that this information does not disappear then we need to ensure that at least a fictional version that resembles the truth goes out to the public. As long as it remains hidden in plain sight even the Cult will be incapable of erasing its existence."
"You intend to leak it as a script for a movie or TV series…" Saika grabbed his chin, "That could work. It would even be of use to us if a TV Station does the snooping around for us since it is more than likely that they will ask us for help in their research. We could investigate the case without arousing unnecessary complications from Tokiomi-kun."
"Wait, wait, wait! Are you listening to yourselves? You talking about using the information about our case and turning it into a play for the masses? Are you insane? We still don't have any clue if all of this is related with our case at hand! What makes you think that-" The Chief was interrupted when someone knocked on the door.
All three of them narrowed their eyes. Radius slowly moved to the back of the room again, into a corner behind a shelf while the Chief Inspector recomposed himself and moved over to his seat. Saika did nothing besides putting on his cap again. "Enter." The Chief commanded, releasing his caught breath when he saw Mori enter and saluting.
The young officers fingers were bandaged around the tips.
Saika immediately noticed. "Oi, Mori, what happened to your fingers?"
Mori stopped his salute to take out his notepad, handing it to his superior. "I'm sorry but I don't know. One moment me and my shift partner go to the docks and the next I was holding my pad so tightly that my fingers started to bleed." The Inspector took the pad, flipping through it before stopping.
A dark chuckle escaped his lips once before he flipped it over and showed the drawings to the Chief Inspector. "I think we found you connection Ran-chan."
The Chief eyed him once for taking the pad. "Didn't I tell you not to call me that when we're not in the bar?" he stared at the open page before his eyes opened so wide that it appeared comical. "Officer Mori…where did you see this?"
"To be honest," the young man started sweating under the gazes directed at him, "I-I don't remember…," Saika's and Radius's eyes narrowed, "But I know that something off happened at the docks. As you can see, I used everything Inspector Fujimura taught me to describe and take note of the scene and included personal impressions as well…but I have not recollection of doing it and the scene looked nothing like what I drew…sir."
The Chief inspector sighed, glancing at his colleague before looking at Radius and back to Mori. "Why were you at the docks in the first place, weren't you told to go rest for the night."
"Officer Manjome has been on shift without a partner so I decided to join him since I couldn't get the case out of my mind, sir!" The youth announced eliciting a groan from his partner. "Eitherway we have received a call from an anonymous source, that something happened at the docks, that was the main reason why we went. Sir."
The three man exchanged looks.
"Something happening, huh?" Radius began.
"Something that was loud and flashy enough to cause a ruckus? And did you say the source was anonymous, Mori? What about their voice?"
"It was slightly muffled as if they were biting down on something."
"If something were to happen that couldn't be scrapped under the carpet."
"But if we can believe Mori than the scene was tempered with, meaning somebody either erased all the evidence or they manipulated Mori into not seeing it."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?!" The younger officer interjected but shut up once his mentor looked at him sharply.
"Get checked at forensics right now. Let them check whatever is in your blood or skin or whatever and let them take samples without any fuss. You might've been drugged without knowing, so we should be thankful that you at least had the decency to clutch onto your notepad. Now go." The old man said massaging his nose while Mori looked at him dumbfounded.
"You heard him Officer." The Chief said when the young man did not move, causing the man to look up and excuse himself. "This…"
"I want at least three people on stake out duty at the docks. Let them stay out of sight at least a block or two away and tell them to phone HQ every half an hour." Saika looked at his superior, "I don't care how paranoid it is, but whatever happened at the docks gives us a clue far to valuable to let go. Let the man check for everything that comes and goes from the docks and I mean everything, if they let even the tiniest mouse out of their reports I will personally slap some moral into their heads."
Radius watched how the Chief slowly moved towards the door, murmuring curses while he passed him, before he stopped when Saika spoke up again. "And tell them to take the steel cases with the walkies talkies and camera. Should something happen they can at least throw it into the sea."
"Anything else?" Chief Inspector Edogawa asked just as Inspector Fujimura got up from his seat.
"If my hunch is correct then we are going to have words with a certain someone." Saika said – just then a sound from far away broke through the night.
All alarms in the Office building went off. Each and every on. One of the Inspectors came rushing into the office of Chief Edogawa with a panicked look on his face which slowly lost more and more color the more he let his breath catch.
"Chief! The Fuyuki Hayatt is in flames!"
::: ::: :::
Caster was an enigma. That much was clear to Iskander. He sat besides his Master who was noting down something on a piece of paper but that didn't matter too much. Both of them went to a store some good distance away from the docks where they encountered all the other Servants and decided to get something to eat.
Much to his surprise Waver did not protest and instead is munching on this thing called hot dog without questioning it. Rider looked at the boy and thought back to Caster and their first clash. He knew from the outset that the young man had it out for him though it eluded him as to why that would be. Maybe they encountered each other when he conquered the known world? No he would remember a beast in human clothing at a glance-
"Would you take a look at this with me Rider?" Waver asked finishing his meal in two bites before showing Iskander what he wrote down. The Servant took the paper and looked at in mild interest.
… - …
Servant Caster
True Name: Radius Aldria
Lore Name: ?
Strength: C
Endurance: B+
Agility: EX
Mana: E
Luck: E
Noble Phantasm: Thou art I For I art the End - EX
Class Skills:
Territory Creation EX
Item Construction EX+
Core of ? B+
Personal Skill:
Madness Resurrection - EX
P-…
Her-…
… - …
"Boy, what is this?"
"It's a stat sheet. When a Master looks at a Servant they see something like that floating in the air." Waver rebutted annoyingly taking another Hot dog from their tray and biting down on it aggressively. "There are too many things that don't make sense with Caster. His stats easily qualify him for one of the Three Knight Classes but his overall abilities are still listed as unknown, we should be thankful that he was summoned as a Caster especially considering how his Mana Stat doesn't make sense."
Rider pointed at the paper "What does this Lore Name mean?"
"Beats me." Waver looked off to the side, looking at the city and its citizen. Fuyuki was so different from London. Not as stifling and nowhere near as gray. This time of the year Clock Tower would be draped in autumn colors…
"Maybe the reason why we can't ascertain these things is because we only heard his real name, maybe he made his name under another?" Rider reasoned while scratching his chin. His eyes fell onto the paper again and he had to wonder just what Caster did to earn his place in the Holy Grail War.
"You mean he used a fake name and became a legend with it and the actual person got summoned?" Waver's questioning tone was sound and well deserved.
"I'm just saying that it could be. The boy was strange to begin with. Instead of lurking in the shadows he stood in the air for all to see and when he was discovered he didn't run, no, he choose to dive into the fight without a second thought. Such bravado of a Caster is truly remarkable though I doubt that he would join my army."
"He already declined before you asked!"
"And yet he still stuck around and fought Berserker!" Rider's eyebrows rose. "By the way have you figured out who Berserker is? Caster did a marvelous job at identifying him and from the looks of it Saber knew who Berserker was as well."
Waver didn't answer immediately, the boy just sat there eating his meal with a look that was indescribable. "Lancelot." was all he needed to say to make Rider laugh like a mad man. "Why are you laughing Rider! WE have to deal with both the King of Knights AND the knight said to be unbeatable! What if both of them formed an alliance!?"
"Calm down Waver." Rider said after a few moments of laughing. He couldn't help himself. "Why do you think Berserker is Lancelot? Wouldn't the bastard of King Arthur fit the Berserker Class better?"
The youth looked at him again with his face slack and mouth hanging slightly. Instead of anwering Waver pointed at his own eyes. "For whatever reason when the fog around Berserker disappeared it lifted whatever was preventing me from seeing his Stats. I could only see the 'La-' in his name but from the way Caster described him and how distraught Saber looked it was pretty easy to guess that the Servant in question would be non other than the Knight of the Lake."
Rider appreciated that. That quick analytical thinking. It was something he hadn't suspected from the boy and it surprised him pleasantly that Waver had a sharp mind. Indeed, he was glad that 'this' was his Master instead of the boy's tutor.
"Excuse me, sir?" Both of them looked to the side, stopping their conversation momentarily to see a Police officer approaching them.
"Uhm…" Waver was stuttering and trying desperately to form some Japanese sentences. The policeman looked at him slowly cocking his head in confusion. Rider let out a tired sigh; No matter how formidable his Master was in his studies, he was still wet behind his ears.
"How can we help you?" Iskander asked in Japanese making the policeman look at him in surprise.
"Oh~ your Japanese is good." the man commented before he pulled out his notepad. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience but could you please come with us to the station?" Both of their eyes widened, but the policeman held up his hand in defense, "Don't worry, just a routine investigation. Some time ago someone broke into a bookstore and we are looking for men who might fit the description of the perpetrato-" The man stopped abruptly looking at Waver's hand with the Command Seals.
Waver saw that the man was becoming wary so he tried to formulate a plan but Iskander placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "Sure. I see no reason not to." he said with a smile without looking at his Master.
"Thank you for your assistance, it shouldn't take too long." The policeman said with a smile, visibly relaxing before grabbing his pager and messaging something.
::: ::: :::
Saber clung to the top of the car's frame. A drop of sweat was rolling down her cheek as she warily smiled at Irisviel's driving. It was suspicious that the car had been prepared for them but she really couldn't fathom on why she let the princess drive. The only reason why she did not voice anything unnecessary was due to the figure sitting on the passenger seat behind her.
The King of Knights was glancing at the red haired Servant, watching write down something while he remained perfectly still despite the huge turns Irisviel took and how much the car swayed every time she accelerated in them. He looked up meeting her gaze before looking over to Irisviel. "May I inquire if you are in possession of a drivers license Lady Einzbern?"
Irisviel looked at him through the rear mirror. Saber watched how her brows furrowed slightly. "You can call me Irisviel. Lady Einzbern sounds so stifling." she said with a faint smile though Saber had to comment on how calm and collected she was. No sign of nervousness. Was it because she knew that Saber would protect her with her life? Or was it just her upbringing. In a way this blind trust eased her heart, especially consideri-
"Irisviel, if you can, would you not drive so carelessly. During the time I separated with my Master I have seen the police force swarming the streets and on high alert. It would be tedious to rid ourselves of their presence and I would rather avoid enacting a chase scene on American highways. Not the famous one from the movies but the infamous that happened not too long ago." Radius said without missing a single beat interrupting Saber's thoughts.
That was something else that bothered her. This Servants ability to perceive things and frankly without a hint of emotion voice his thoughts in a way that prevented her from letting her mind wander. Never had she met a man that could compete with Merlin when it came to such matters. As unsettling as it was she at least was glad that Caster wasn't as depraved as her parental figure.
Her mind wandered back to the friend she once made and whom she was going to face undoubtedly. "Instead of dreading the inevitable, it would be more productive to keep an eye on your supposed Master, Arthur."
Irisviel gripped the wheel tightly just as Saber nearly ripped the roof of the car off. The knight looked over her shoulder staring – glaring – at the Servant of Spells as he cocked his head to the side. "Am I wrong?"
"What are you talking Caster?" she said before blinking when Radius presented her with a lollipop. Despite herself her stomach started to grumble demanding food. Her cheeks tinted slightly before she took the sugary sweet and put it into her mouth – all the while Irisviel was laughing on the side.
"Irisviel does not carry your Command Seals on her right hand." Radius began leaning back and writing something into his notepad again, "Unless her being a Homunculus changes the magical makeshift of them it would either mean that Irisviel is not your Master and is only acting that way or that her Command Seals are integrated into her functions." he looked up slightly eyeing Irisviel with that unreadable expression. "By the way Irisviel I would suggest you to take a turn on the next crossroad the faint sound of sirens suggests that the police are checking the vicinity."
Saber stared at him again. He was not wrong, there indeed was the sound of sirens in the air which is why she nodded at her Master's wife. Irisviel took the turn though she looked a little distressed. "I could have hidden my Command Seals anywhere on my body, after all as you said I'm a homunculus made specifically for this Grail War."
"That would be tragic." Caster said instead looking at Irisviel with his fully attention. "To be born for a singular purpose…I believe that tragic is the right word, is it not?"
"Yet I can not change what I am." The lady answered with a strong voice, taking another turn at Caster's behest and finding themselves on the intended road. "By the way Caster, I can not help but wonder who you are. You revealed your name so easily yet I have not read any records of a Heroic Spirit by your name."
Saber narrowed her eyes at the Servant of Spells. Instead of answering however he pulled out yet another lollipop and put it in his mouth. Then he took two more out of his breast pocket holding them out for Saber to take. "Hungry?"
She was abhorred by the notion of accepting an enemy's food yet to Saber's displeasure her stomach started to growl. Irisviel chuckled while she took one of the lollipop's with one hand, "Thank you Caster." she said before asking Saber to unwrap it for her. The Servant reluctantly did and handed it back just as Irisviel put it in her mouth and squealed.
"You are welcome Irisviel. I hope it isn't too sweet." He said just as smoke rose from the stick of the lollipop.
"What the – ?!" Saber nearly screamed when she saw it but it seemed as though Irisviel was too absorbed in the sweet. Caster holding out the remaining lollipop did not help her growling stomach. She snatched it from his hand and put it in her mouth, experiencing an explosion of sourness, sweetness and something she could not describe as anything other than: Delight.
"Such an exquisite taste." Irisviel gushed though she eyed the mirror with slightly narrowed eyes. "There is something else I would like to ask you about Caster; Who is your Master?" Saber turned her attention to Irisviel, not missing the upbeat tone of her voice though it was laced with inquiry and suspicion.
"My Master was a child Murderer."
Both Saber's and Irisviel's eyes opened wide both of them tightening their hold on the respective objects in their hands. Radius's words cut like a knife with no room for misunderstanding. The blond knight closed her eyes, stopping herself – her mind – from thinking about the implications, but it did leave out certain things.
"How I can be so certain that he was?" Radius said as if reading her mind. At this point that might as well have been the case – Saber concluded. "I take you've heard about the number of family mass killings that have been happening in Fuyuki and its surroundings."
"That –" Irisviel's eyes were glued to the road. Uncharacteristically she drove slowly with careful turns instead of the maneuvers she performed before. Saber agreed that these implications were more than enough for them to blank out the gaps.
"Do not worry. I have taken it upon myself to find a suitable Master soon." Caster continued without missing a beat, slowly turning to look out of the driver side window. Saber followed his gaze, yet all she saw were woods and the distant sight of the city.
"Are you implicating that you will take my Master, Caster?" she said though he only slightly glanced at her. He took out the remains of his lollipop spinning it slightly and turning it into a dagger. Saber sighed when she saw that. "What have you done to my wound Caster?"
"I reduced the area of effect, mimicking the skin closing the wound while leaving the curse unattended." Radius began taking out another lollipop, "It wouldn't be fair for you to fight Lancer with a wound like that – minor as it is – therefore for the duration of the first twenty clashes I reduced the blood loss and pain by taking the infected cursed area and blood, morphing it into a dagger. The rest depends on whether or not you take Avalon once more as your own."
"What do you mean." Saber didn't notice the quick intake of air from the driver.
"If you haven't noticed than I shall remain silent. School your senses more O King of Knights, otherwise another illusion will cause your fall once again."
The knight's eyes widened slightly before narrowing. "I will not be deceived, Caster."
"Very Well."
::: ::: :::
Radius walked together with Inspector Fujimura towards the Hayatt Building walking past numerous civilians that had been evacuated from the building. Some were families with deep roots in the city while others were tourists with too much money to spend.
Saika did not waste any time when they approached a well dressed man with blond combed back hair. The man looked aristocratic though there wasn't much else that was of note since his wrists were tied behind his back.
"I demand to be released you yellow monkeys! Unhand me Orientals otherwise I will ruin your pathetic lives!" Radius took note that the man was missing a tooth or two though the moment he caught sight of him the Noble's eyes widened with veins popping on his forehead. "Y-You–" the man began before Radius decided to approach him.
"It has been a while Kayneth Archibald El Melloi. Have you fared well?" he said each word corresponding with each step. The policemen holding Kayneth looked at Inspector Fujimura who only stared at the scene, slowly narrowing his eyes.
"Y-you…H-how…" The Noble's eyes were so wide open that it appeared comical though Radius did not stop, instead rolling up his left sleeve and showing all the men present the scar that went its length.
"Remember this?"
"Bu-But–?!" It was only in that moment when Kayneth realized the situation he was in. Radius knew therefore he gouged a reaction from the man as Kayneth started to spew insults in English all over the place. It was clear however that the policemen put two and two together roughly bringing the man down onto his knees with a swift kick to the calves and started to drag him once Inspector Fujimura gave his nod.
Kayneth was dragged away screaming.
"What do you think caused the fire?" The Inspector looked at the scene of the still smoking building. The glass facade appeared to have been ripped to shreds and the highest floor where the Noble's suit was suspected to be was up in smokes.
"An explosive? Possible something to do with the cult's activity in the city." Radius said rolling down his sleeve and looking up as well.
"Did you know that Japan has dealt with lunatics like this before? Just last year even…" Saika started going between the people on the outside.
"You mean the Cult that used poisonous gas in the Tokyo Metropolitan Subways? The Aum Shinrikyo?" Radius followed the Inspector, always within two or three feet to the older man "That case was so infamous that the military and police forces raided over five hundred houses associated with the cult with thousands of men going the extra mile to capture them."
"You came at the right time Kindaichi-san." Saika said once their came closer to the smoking building. A firefighter was approaching them, holding out a small package with a light on the top. The wrapping was gray in color, yet tight neatly with expertly precision. "I don't know whether you have the devils luck or you were cursed by some deity, but…"
Saika took the package, inspecting it from top to button, sniffing it even, while the firefighter looked at him in confusion. The old man then placed it on the ground, motioning for everyone in the vicinity to move out of the way. He motioned for the cops on the back to come over with riot shields, going as far as clearing out a fifty meter diameter with shields surrounding the package.
"Get the Bomb disposal lot, that's C4. Military C4." He said much to the shock of everyone around "Clear the area, get the people out of the building and the entire block. If my hunch is right we have at the least one floor rigged with explosives." Saika turned to Radius once more, his half covered eyes sharp, unspoken pain surfacing within them.
"It would look like we have a cult to hunt."
:::: ::: ::::
"Caster is proving to be the most unreadable enemy we have so far. I haven't expected him to attack the Lord El Melloi in his suit but we should thank him for eliminating Lancer out of the war." Tokiomi Tohsaka was both pleased and irritated. He had specifically ordered Kirei not to leave the Church yet the reports he received were more than enough to excuse that behavior.
Caster from the moment he appeared before Kirei had been an enigma, the problems arising from his claim to be summoned by a Magician and then revealing his true name without Tokiomi knowing anything about him…those could be excused. The Servant's stats were chaotic, unfitting even for the Caster Class and it did not matter either. Archer was still the most powerful Servant in this War.
What was displeasing however was the amount of chaos that Caster had caused. The Lord El Melloi had been arrested after Caster's assault on his apartment and was currently escorted to the Police Head Quarter and the Tohsaka patriarch couldn't get in contact with Chief Inspector Edogawa or the Chief of Police of the Kanto region. "Well as long as the Lord El Melloi stays out of the war…"
Placing a Lord of the Clock Tower in his debt. The Lord El Melloi especially, would provide the necessary backing he needed to establish the Tohsaka family into the ranks of the Clock Tower. Even if he lost everything before the end of the War he may be able to give his daughter a powerful ally should she choose to go to Briton and establish herself.
A sigh escaped his lips before placing his wineglass against them. Rin being as potential as she was could cause quiet the stir in the ranks of the Clock Tower. The other lords or lesser Nobles could try to seduce her into their services. She would need at least one powerful backer and significant amounts of money to ensure her safety. Therefore having the Lord profound in Mineralogy and Alchemy would certainly ensure her survival in that hostile environment.
Alas such thoughts were interrupted by a Skull mask wearing man appearing into his study. Tokiomi looked up barely registering the Servant before placing his glass onto the counter. "Is something the matter Kirei?"
"My Master wanted to inform you that the Magus Killer may be involved in the War after all." Tokiomi's eyes narrowed, especially when the Servant continued. "The police have found explosives within the Fuyuki Hayatt Building. That suggests that someone with experience in Warfare attempted to bring the entire building down just to kill the El Melloi and his Servant."
"And that would fit Kiritsugu Emiya's Modus Operanti." Tokiomi sighed. To bring down the building just to kill a single target…there was no mistake, those were actions that this man had taken before. He gulped down the rest of his glass before placing it onto the table. "Tell Father Kotomine that I myself will go to the Police Head Quarter. Knowing the Magus Killer he would even attack them just to finish the job Caster started."
The Assassin disappeared into the shadows. Just as he passed half of his room, Archer materialized looking at him with an unreadable expression. "My Liege-" Tokiomi started to bow but the golden clad Servant stopped him with a look.
"I am bored Tokiomi. Bring me along to that Head Quarter and let me see whether it is a fitting place for me to claim." The golden Servant said with authority.
"My liege, that place is hardly a fortress-"
"That is for me to judge. Now. Lead the way!" The King commanded and Tokiomi bit his lower lip.
"Before that my Liege, us lowly humans in this age wouldn't be able to handle your appearance. If you wish for me to lead may you dress befitting for this ag-"
"Worry not Tokiomi, I have garments befitting any age in my vault." The golden Servant said before his armor dissipated and replaced itself with a golden tuxedo and pants. "I believe even the mongrels of this age can handle this appearance.
Tokiomi couldn't say anything in return, only cursing on the inside.
::: :::: :::
Kariya was cursing as he walked through the back alleys of Fuyuki. Has was clutching his left arm and numbly moved one foot forward in an attempt to move. The events of the night and the fight at the docks was still present in his mind. He spewed curses at Caster, at Tokiomi at everyone and himself. He still didn't understand why Berserker had not attacked the other Servants when Caster appeared, through their link as Master and Servant he felt something akin to lucidity when Berserker looked upon Caster but that couldn't be.
Either way that Servant ruined his chances at killing Tokiomi's Servant. He slipped hitting the wall beside him hard before stumbling onto a pile of garbage. Kariya coughed violently though he held his voice back, cursing under his breath when he saw the blood and those accursed worms wriggling in it and threw all of it to the ground.
He slowly rose from the ground and strode forward once more. That was until he heard gurgling from around the next corner. He stilled, stopped his voice and as slowly as he could walked towards the corner and trying to look around it with his one good eye. Which widened as far as it could.
Held against the wall was Assassin – definitely more bulky than the one that died in front of Tokiomi's manor – slowly turning into something glass like, losing all its color. The one holding him was a white gloved figure he had not expected there.
Caster.
Caster was holding Assassin by the neck.
Kariya watched the scene unfold, unable to move when he saw the Servants. Caster slowly let go of the crystallized Assassin before touching his own face with the same hand – Kariya's mouth dropped when he saw the upper layer of Caster's face lift off from his face and placed atop Assassin's. Assassin's body convulsed into itself changing its shape with the glass like structure deforming and reforming until it became the same height and body type of Caster.
The Face of Caster remained apathetic as it was looking into its mirror which used to be Assassin.
Both Caster lookalikes turned towards him. "Kariya Matou, I assume that you do not have the strength to go on into this war." the first Caster said.
"It would be wiser to resume as if you haven't seen anything." The second spoke. "Ideally you should find shelter."
"Know that Assassin and his Master are on Tokiomi Tohsaka's side." Both of them said at the same time before turning around and disappearing into mist.
Kariya was left speechless. What had he just witnessed?
He couldn't dwell on it however when he heard footsteps approaching him and before he could ran away a light was shone onto him. "Halt it! Turn around and look here Sir." Kariya grunted at his misfortune slowly turning around and seeing a Police Officer standing at the end of the alley. "Oh my- Sir, are you alright? Would you mind stepping over here?"
In the back of his mind Kariya knew that he should kill the man before anyone else saw him – the worms agreed judging by the way they moved under his skin. He clutched his face with his good hand ready to launch the beasts festering underneath his skin but he didn't when he saw that the Policeman was not alone. In fact there were at least two others.
Killing one and he could push that into the hands of Zouken who would put the blame on the local Yakuza, kill two and it would become credible even…kill three or more and nobody would be able to safe him from the shame and sorrow he would feel.
At the forefront of his mind Kariya knew that it was safer to go with them and get this over with. Zouken will probably get him out of custody quickly, considering that vampires influence over the city. The thought of staying on the streets became inherently more terrifying and sleeping in a cell sounded better than any dumpster in Fuyuki. A question that terrified him however lingered as he was escorted by the officers:
What was Caster?
::: ? ! ;;; :::
A figure in white stood atop the tallest building in Fuyuki, overseeing the madness that was about to begin. A single thought was dancing around its faceless existence * What was That doing here? *
:::: To be Continued ::::
A/N: I finally have a direction and chapter limit for this story! Good news people until my Beta Emerian sends me the remaining chapters for Fate Alliances I will continue with this little story of mine that I started two years ago and now finally intend to finish.
Don't worry about my other stories, all of them are still being written though I'm super busy with Uni and exams, so please forgive me for my lateness!
On an unrelated note I will experiment with this story a little (the outline is still the same) with structure and the sequence of events. Some fights will be written, others will only be mentioned, so I leave it up to you to put out a vote which fight you truly want to see!
See you next time R&R,
Yours dear,
Sha Yurigami