Chapter 2: Change and Adapt

So, here is an update on still unfilled positions, for those who are curious and/or still making characters:

Lancer of Black (In progress of being made by LunaRose, has been reserved)

Rider of Black

Lancer of Red

Rider of Red

Berserker of Red (Servant has been taken, needs Master)

Elements08 has decided to make his character Castor of Red, thus the position is taken.

I am writing this chapter half to introduce some of the new characters, instead of introducing them all at once, and half to update people on the current listings. And then, also half because I am super inspired and excited and I wanted to. lol. Also, this lets people who submitted give actual reviews now.

Anyways, as I said, I plan to introduce everyone over time. So dont worry if your characters dont appear yet, or dont get as much spotlight. Everyone will have their time to shine. As for roles not filled yet, I will see about giving it another day or so before I just fill them myself to give others the chance. At least two people are working on something, though I dont know the specifics yet.

Also, if anyone just wanted to make a master, only Berserker of Red was submitted and is open for anyone to make a Master for.

"Ehh? What is so wrong?"

"What do you...your standing naked in front of everyone!"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"What the...its just really embarrassing!"

"I dont see why. The natural body is a beautiful thing that should be admired. I hold no shame in my own body. Instead, how about you join me and see for yourself".

"Well, it is true you have an adorable, healthy body" the Student Council President Suzuki Subaru mentioned as she approached Toko and Horus with a sort of playful teasing voice. "I should know, I have seen it a lot".

"D-Dont bring that up now, especially in that context! Don't tease me like that!"

"Ooooh, you have a girlfriend huh?"

"No no! She just also helps the nurses office! She does my physical exams every week!"

"So you get to stand naked in a room with her alone..."

"Shuuuuut upppppp!"

"Anyways, come on. Stop being so shy. No one else will mind".

"What?! No...no way! And...and well...well...as an Assassin, you will stand out if you stay like that!"

After hearing that, Horus sighed and shrugged.

"Fine, fine...I do want to go out and see the sights myself" he said, as a strange shadow came around and shrouded his body. "And I suppose I should make sure I can blend in too, while I am at it".

Soon after, the shroud dissipated, and he was dressed in modern styled clothing. He had large boots that went halfway up to his knees, a pair of black shorts, a black hoodie with an open zipper, and a white T shirt with the word "Adventure!" on it in red block styled letters. However, that was when he looked around...and noticed everyone else was wearing school uniforms with a blue and white design, featuring blaisers, shorts, skirts, and even ties.

"Huh. Well, I suppose I could either change again or conceal my presence, at least in public. Oh yeah, for safety reasons, I will be sleeping with you in your bed".

"Huh...huh?! What does that mean?!"

"Well, if you died from an enemy while sleeping, that would be bad after all. After all, we are probably going to get targeted first".

At those words, Toko had to stop for a moment, and acknowledge that truth. In terms of Servants that are usually hunted down and taken out early, those were Assassins and Castors, because they got more dangerous the later it got. After all, if a Lancer and Sabre were doing battle, and the Sabre were about to win...an Assassin could come out from behind, assassinate the Sabre, and then finish off the Lancer for good measure if it was a free for all.

Not to mention, for this team battle, Assassins could scout out enemy positions, lay traps, and other such things. Taking one out in a Greater Holy Grail war meant that side lost their scout, information gatherer, and a trump card that could change the tides of a battle.

As for Castors, that was because they could keep creating territory and magic items, and people wanted to eliminate them before it happened.

Toko looked back at the student council president, who was also the leader of the Black Faction. For the record, they were the Black Faction because due to the last Greater Holy Grail War, it was decided that the Black Faction would be the defense team who had possession of the Greater Holy Grail, while the Red Faction would be the offense side. In other words, Toketa Advanced Academy, the mountains to the north, the forest to the south, and the city to the west, as the academy itself sat on the Eastern coast and had ocean there.

AN ocean that was currently being heavily patrolled and fortified.

"Speaking of which, Toko, Assassin, you two should head into the city, go to a bath house on Yamata Street".

"Wait, what?"

"Trust me" she said, as she snapped her fingers. Suddenly, a dome formed around them and cut off the outside world. Little did Toko know, this was going to cause a lot of rumors to spread he would not want. "As for you...you are Horus, right?"

Assassin nodded. "You figured it out?"

"I studied a lot of history, and I remembered what each artifact was. Therefore...you have that Noble Phantasm right? The Eye of Horus?"

"Yeppers!"

"Good. Then, both of you stay safe. Head into the city, go to the bathhouse, and then check up on the security we have around the city. The Mage's Association should already be sending scouts. We need a test run, and the two of you are perfect. And Toko...if you get into trouble, dont be afraid. Just do what you can".

"Un. Got it".

With that said and done, she disabled the barrier, and proceeded to seperate from them so they could do their tasks while she handled her own matters then.

"Alright! Lets go to this thing called a bath house then! I really want to see this body of yours..."

"Wh...wha...stop being so weird!"

Meanwhile, antoher figure, an older one of the teachers, approached her, along with another man. However, that was no mere man, as the first one had his own Command Spells on his right hand.

"I see. So you have finished, Serdtse-sensei?"

"Indeed" he said, then looking over at Toko. "Are you sure you two are not brother and sister though? You and Toko-kun always seem so close, after all...and, do you really want him to go out there?"

"Toko is the best bet, you know that. His Magecraft and Magic Circuits are even superior to my own. I still beat him out in strategic thinking though, but Toko and Assassin will be our aces".

"You are too modest, Suzuki-chan. As our leader, you are our ace, you and your Sabre".

"Indeed. This humble Castor is nowhere near as great as you, Sabre".

"Speaking of whcih...Castor, we need you to create and expand your territory immediately. And..."

She looked around, just in time to see another summoning be completed and a contract form.

"Well done, Mika-chan. Which servant did you manage to summon?"

"Ah...Archer, Suzuki Daicho!"

Sabre then came forth and approached Archer at the same time he began to approach Suzuki. It seemed he was a boy, older then Horus, but still young, in his early or maybe mid teens.

"A pleasure to meet you, Archer".

"Please is all mine, Sabre".

"Yes. However, you should take care to look at my Master with respect, and not with a gaze that requires me to punch your face in".

"Relax, relax. I wasn't going to do anything. Just admiring is all..."

"Anyways. Archer, I want you to help Sabre train to deal with Archer of Red, whoever it is. All we know for certain is that Archer of Red will likely employ long range attacks as an Archer, so I want Sabre to train to deal with that since Archer might end up being one of hte more problematic ones for us".

"Sorry. Even if you are the leader of this group, my Master is her. I cannot accept that request on my own".

Sabre gripped her sword, as Billy said that. Although he was truthful, something about the way he said it ticked Sabre off. However, Suzuki stopped her.

"Mika, do you mind?"

"Please help her, Archer. We wont win the Greater Holy Grail War if we cant defeat the Red Faction".

Archer shrugged it off immediately, accepting her words.

"Very well, Master. Come on Sabre, we have training to do".

"Yes. Lets".

"So, what is the history between you two?"

Horus asked this as he and his master were just walking down the road and entering the city. There were multiple ways to get there, including a monorail, a ferry, and a train, but they had decided to walk. It wasn't like it was a long walk after all.

"There isn't any! She has just been really nice to me, and looks after me".

"You know...you really shouldn't hide important truths from your own servant".

Horus immediately called him out on his lie.

"Especially when that servant possesses a Noble Phantasm like my Eye of Horus".

"Its just...its personal okay...maybe we should just go do something else".

"Nope! You are not getting out of this!" Horus said as he grabbed Toko's hand and pulled him forward. "As we are Master and Servant, something like sharing a bath should be natural for us!"

"I wonder if this was really a good idea..." Rune mentioned to Inuzuka as the two watched the area from a distance. The boy was several years younger then the Master of Archer of Red, wearing red shorts, a black shirt with a red skull and crossbones on it, and a backpack to his side that was black and red. He was notably barefoot at the moment, with his shoes put to the side with his socks as he lay down on the ground.

Well, in truth, it was only Inuzuka who was actually watching. Rune was staring at the sky and wondering if this was really a good idea.

At the meeting earlier, when they had been discussing various plans and suggestions, it came to their attention that while they had managed to gather some information, they ultimately did not have enough.

And so, they tasked Archer and Assassin to take on the roles as well as their masters, as they had the greatest ability to scout out information.

And yet, even though Rune was laying down relaxed, soaking in the sun, it was really Assassin who was needed. The masters were currently watching from a rooftop far away.

"Well? What is the news?"

"It seems a number of the students have free time on their hands. Groups of them keep wandering around. At least, that is what it seems..."

"Seems?"

Inuzuka looked over at Rune.

"Well, if you would bother watching as well, you would notice. All of the groups are made up of four students at least, with an occasional group of five".

"...all of them? What about their walking paths?"

"Its exactly as you think. It seems random, but there are multiple groups out at once, and their paths allow for no openings. In other words, its a scouting perimeter. Most likely, if something needs investigating, they have two students go forward to check it out, while the rest stay in place and cover them as well as the other angles. Also, its slight, but their angles of vision leave absolutely no blindspots in their patrol for sneaking up on them. And I am pretty sure they are all armed with weapons, and likely know some form of Magecraft".

Rune whistled at that news.

"Wow...they are really going all out huh? If it was anyone other then us and our servants, we would get spotted for sure, and their whole force would come to crush us".

"I doubt it. This level of strategic planning is not easy. I suspect that they would be more tactical about it. Still, do they expect us to fight in populated streets in front of normal people?"

At those words, Rune finally sat up and shook his head. "Nah, they are smarter then that too. They are just preparing and watching out for anything".

"...are these really kids? Its not just high schoolers I am seeing, but middle and even elementry school students. Elementry is more rare, but the groups that are out there...I get the feeling there are a number of Magecraft Prodigies around here".

"Yeah, well..." Rune started, but then he put his hand to his head as his expression changed.

"What? Are you sure? You have found Assassin and his Master? What? They entered a bathhouse to take a bath? No, don't go after them! Wait for them to finish! You are sure its Assassin though, right? Alright alright, I get it! No need to shout!"

Rune then turned back to Inuzuka. "Inu-nii. Looks like we have an opportunity".

"It might be bait..."

"I doubt it. Maybe if it was Lancer I would believe it, but Assassin has too many specialties, and has too little defenses, to be bait. Besides, my Assassin seems very eager".

"Then why did you tell him not to go after him?"

"...they went into a bathhouse, duh".

"I didn't know you were the type to hold off an attack for something like that..."

"I'm not. But, there are normal people in that bathhouse. That is, unless you want to expose more then their naked bodies to the world".

"...I see...too many witnesses, people would learn of magic. We have to wait for them to come out".

"I am surprised you didn't think of that".

"Oh, I did. BUt I was surprised you realized that. Anyways, I roughly understand what should happen. Assassin will lie in wait nearby, keeping himself concealed and hidden from the two until they came out. Assassin will try to go and assassinate the master. However, it is likely the other Assassin will notice, and therefore intercept. He will then try to draw the attacker away to protect his master while also trying to kill your Assassin. At that instant, once they are far enough away, my Archer will proceed to attack with the final blow and eliminate the master".

"You really are okay with killing a kid, huh".

"He entered this fight of his own volition. And, to ensure my wish succeeds, I am willing to do whatever it takes...I have to..."

"What is your wish exactly?"

The man looked through his binoculars again, scouting out the area where the ambush would happen.

"The end of 'Evil'".

"Heyhey!" Toko said as he stood there, naked and with a red face, as Horus...or Sho-kun as he liked to be called instead of Assassin, stuffed their clothes into one of the bins in the changing rooms. "That...that was really mean!"

"Well, you were taking your sweet time, so I decided to help you. Besides, you were laughing, weren't you?"

"Because you were tickling me!" Toko shouted, when suddenly he got pushed against a wall while Sho placed his other hand on a wall next to it. Sho was actually unaware of the significance of this position though himself. Toko on the other hand, went red in the face. "Wh-wh-what are you..."

"Now, are you going to admit something to me, or do I have to pry it out of you?"

"Wh-wh-what are you..."

"Toko, why are you so timid in only about your body? When it looks so fantastic and wonderful? You are a really attractive boy, so why are you so embarrassed?"

"What do you..."

"Well, this is not how you normally act right? After all, if you need to have weekly physicals with Suzuki-neechan, you must be extremely active. I suppose she must be really concerned maybe..."

"Just...just shut up! Don't lie like that! This body is hideous...mmmhhhmhmhm?!"

(Oh Sho-kun. I cant tell who is being more of an idiot right now, you or Toko. You better learn some common sense cause I am not changing the rating of this (lol, had to throw in some humor there))

Suddenly, in the ultimate shocker, Sho kissed him. That said, it wasn't a kiss kiss. Rather, he was just powering up from his Master's magic circuits.

"Sorry. Its been awhile, so I thought I should refresh my magic. You were saying something? That said, your body is not hideous. Its very well made and kept, extremely attractive. Its the kind that would make my brother extremely jealous".

"Shut up! Let's just...lets get out of here! Give me my clothes".

"Nope. Still taking that bath" Sho said as he pulled him into the bathing area where they could rinse off and wash each other's backs. "Listen, you really should just stop. Both with that silly idea, and with hiding things from me. We need to have the ultimate bond of trust if we are going to win this. And your body is perfectly fine and wonderful. Just, what exactly did happen to give you that mentality? It cant be your abilities, I can tell they are top notch. You have great looks...just, who broke you?"

Sho was legitimately concerned. He could see the scuff marks on Toko's knees and elbows and such. He was clearly a child who was active. But for some reason, he was extremely shy about this one thing which was unusual for kids like that.

Eventually, the two entered the bath, where Sho continued to stare at Toko.

"Toko-kun. Among all the people I have seen so far, you are vastly superior to them in so many qualities. Its okay to be proud of yourself. Unless...could it be that its that factor that is the cause?"

The moment Sho said that, Toko's face turned to shock as he looked at Sho.

"How did..."

"I think this is what your president wanted to happen, before the fighting started. After all, its all because of my Noble Phantasm. You know, its going to be okay right?"

At that instant, Toko looked like he was about to cry...and then full on hugged Sho right there in the baths. Sho just patted his head.

"There there...its okay. After all, you are a fighter. If you weren't, you would not have joined the Greater Holy Grail War. Everything will be fine...so then, I guess your wish pertains to that?"

At those words, Toko leaned back a little and shook his head. He then leaned in closer, and whispered his wish into Sho's ear.

And at that exact moment, everything changed for Sho. Those who had some ability to predict the future, felt the winds of fate shift suddenly and perhaps...even dangerously...

Sho couldn't even hide the shock once he heard that wish. Toko leaned back, the idea of his wish putting a smile on his face that felt like it was somehow half innocent, and half mischevous.

"Pretty cool idea right?"

"Y-yeah..." Sho replied, still a bit in shock. He thought about what he just heard, over and over again, before deciding he needed to confirm it.

"That...that was your actual wish right? Not a joke?"

"No way" Toko said, the mere thought of his wish showing the courage and strength Sho knew he had. "I am one hundred percent serious. That is my wish".

Sho thought it over for a moment, and then smiled mischeviously as well.

"Alright then! I am in! I gotta say, out of all the wishes I had ever heard of and thought of, that by far is one of the most interesting! And to think you are serious about it! Alright Toko, my entire body, mind, and soul, are fully devoted to you!"

At those words, Toko seemed to switch back to being embarrassed.

"Wa-wait...what was I..."

And then Toko realized the situation in which they were hugging, and quickly pulled away.

Sho just shrugged. "Well, its progress. Anyways, lets finish soaking and then head out to check up on things".

With that said, the two finished up, dried off, and then got dressed.

"Next time though, we are soaking for longer. Also, I wanna try that thing where one has the coffee milk while still in the towel and see how it feels".

"...how do you already know about...its your Noble Phantasm, isn't it?"

The two then walked out of the bathhouse, and headed down the street.

"Yep, pretty much".

"Yeah, I gotta say. That Noble Phantasm seems really unfair".

The moment those two heard those words, Toko and Sho turned around to see a boy similar to Toko, only with red eyes instead of blue, charge right at Toko with two blades. But in the next instant, Toko was suddenly wielding two daggers as well and moved inbetween him and Toko, blocking him.

"Hello Horus!"

"Wait...do you know him?!"

"Of course he should!" the Assassin said, as Horus pushed him away from Toko and then moved right in the middle of them.

"Yeah...he is my brother, Set".

"Don't you think this is wonderful? We both got summoned as Assassins for the opposite teams! Now I have a chance to beat you and get my revenge!"

"What the hell? I won fair and square!"

"Oh, that is bullshit and you know it! You said those boats were supposed to be made of stone! I know you lied and cheated, and just painted a wooden boat the color of stone! Asshole!"

Horus did not seem to have a rebuke to that...and also looked a bit skittish.

"...you managed to tell a lie like that to your brother and still become a Heroic Spirit?"

"Trickery is perfectly okay for heroes to use! Besides, he was being an evil ass! I mean, not only did he try to kill me for years, he even tried to do way worse and weirder things!"

Toko suddenly took out his phone to look it up and...

""Don't you dare!""

"Huh? Wait, you are flustered about this? Wait, did you both just agree on this?"

"Some of those legends are incorrect, made up! I am who I am, and I dont want you getting any weird ideas that causes misperceptions!"

"Yeah, seriously! Not to mention some of it...you are too young to look at that!"

"...okay..."

The moment that was settled...Assassin of Red, Set, tried to attack Toko again, but Horus blocked him once more. He swung a dagger at Set, but he dodged and then kicked Horus in the stomach. Horus grabbed onto the leg though and did a spin flip to disable him, before kicking him right in the ass. Set however managed to cut one of Horus' arms with his dagger, but Horus was able to block the second dagger strike and kick Set away.

"Toko-kun! Get out of here! I will handle this!"

"You sure?"

"Yeah! You can handle yourself with the rest!"

"Okay!" Toko said, looking back that the situation. Although he felt timid and that he should run away, he also had the desire to fight and attack. And as he ran down the street, Archer of Red, a boy who was flying overhead with wings, high up in the sky, had two floating bows next to him.

"Ready Master!"

Inuzuka looked through at the angle.

"Kill him".

And thus, two arrows were fired from above right at Toko. Coming down from below, at high speeds, right at Toko...

Afternote:

And zing! Cliffhanger!

Well, dont worry. Cause I will be working on the next chapter now as well. I carved out a lot of time for myself today after all, and I have a tendency to rapidly release a few chapters at the begginning of a project. Anyways, hope you enjoyed!

But it makes you wonder...what is going to happen next?

And what are the truth that Horus says Toko is hiding?

Guess you will have to read next chapter to find out!