Swedish airspace, 14th December 2019
The farewells between Rin and Adam were brief. Rin told him anxiously.
"Be careful, as I always told you, you have great power but your circuits are too weak! "
Adam, felt a slight sadness that was reflected on his face. He answered in a serious voice.
"There is no way I can die. All my life I have been waiting for this moment. Thanks to your teachings I am stronger. I acquired new abilities. Thank you for everything. "
Rin let out a smile and resumed.
"First of all, take this dagger. It has been passed on for generations in my family. It symbolizes the end of your training. Once back make my daughter your disciple. "
Adam surprised replied
"I will look after it with pleasure. "
They took one last look and the figure of Adam disappeared in the middle of the crowd.
A few hours later, Adam was looking out the window of the plane. He distinguished the archipelago constituting the city of Stockholm.
Once landed, Adam jumped into a taxi that took him to his base. The base he had chosen was a mundane house on a peaceful island called Stora Essingen. The house was admirably implanted in the environment with an elegant natural. No one could have guessed from outside that the walls were inside already imbued with Adam's apprehensions.
The young man was going to proceed the same evening to the summoning of his servant. Before that, he decided to take a walk. Adam steadily stepped down a slope leading to a lake. He stood on a wooden pontoon with a breathtaking view on the forest on the other side.
The sun was setting. The sky was turning red. A bloody red. A gentle breeze caressed Adam's face. It was time. The war was about to begin. It was necessary to proceed to the summoning. The most feared moment of all. The one who would determine the outcome of this war.
Adam's base, Basement, December 14 2019
"The preparations are ready, I have one more thing to do, hope that this new incantation will prove its worth"
Adam took a deep breath before shouting in a firm voice.
"O bearer of light, O light among the abyss ..."
At his first words a glow escaped from the pentagon drawn on the ground. Immediately a terrible pain took possession of his body. With a determined look he continued.
"... I call on your name, I will be your anchor in this world ravaged by darkness, May my fate be intertwined with yours, May my soul be forever tinged with your shine, You who proudly stand on your throne beyond the heavens, may my faith succeed in reaching you ... "
Kärson Forest, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Kazutaka in a calm and impenetrable voice exclaimed.
"O bearer of augurs, May my tenderness govern my actions, May love ever triumph over my ills, Take form in chaos, set out again in harmony, May my prayers suffice for you ..."
Akanksha's Residence, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Akanksha was shaking, it was not the northern winds but the excitement that was continuously making her legs move. She never felt so alive before. The preparations were finished. She placed a fragment of the Sphinx's nose in the center of the pentagon and immediately began to recite her incantation.
"O dark shadowy abysses, O you who have seen vices and anarchy born, May you answer my call, You who have given up righteousness in favor of power, Show yourself, Submit the world to your sword, Submit your actions to my voice..."
Kungliga Djurgården Forest, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Niu, with a cheerful voice and a shining gaze of wonder was reciting her chant.
"... let your sword be the extension of my words, Come to me, roar in your most beautiful voice! "
All the chosen ones exclaimed at the same time
"Let the gates of Heaven open at my command! "
Adam's Base, Basement, December 14 2019
Suddenly, a flamboyant burst from the pentagon radiated the darkness reigning in the basement.
Only wings and a dazzling glance could be distinguished. Adam let out a smile. His invocation was a success.
Kärson Forest, 14 December 2019
Kazutaka had just recited his incantation. In front of him stood, on a winged horse, a man of a tanned complexion. One thing caught Kazutaka's attention. The jewels this man wore on his headdress. The latter, in a deep voice spoke.
"This day has finally arrived ... I'm Rider, are you my master? "
Kazutaka answered in a calm voice
" Yes it's me. With or without your will I have to win the Grail "
Akanksha's Residence, Garden, December 14 2019
Akanksha's lair was a vast mansion endowed of a luxurious garden in which a glorifying statue of Chintamani stood and overlooked the surrounding area.
The smoke released by the invocation faded away. Slowly, a silhouette was emerging. She then saw a blindfolded man. Fresh blood seemed to flow continuously from his eye cavities. With his sword at his waist, he uttered a frightening sigh without adding anything.
Grand luxury hotel downtown, November 14, 2019
Michael was surrounded by his comrades; their faces were stupefied. In front of them stood not one, not two, but a hundred servants all dressed in black. Michael spoke up.
"In this, our grail war does not differ from others. The most common servant of the Assassin class is none other than The Hundred Faced Hassan. The Assassin class is the one that suits us best because of our already large number. "
Adam's House, December 15, 2019
The atmosphere of the room was oppressive. The mere presence of the servant created a solemn atmosphere. Adam, with a smile at the corner of the mouth questionned.
"Ahura Mazda, the great Zoroastrian God would have answered my call? "
The man standing in front of Adam was blond, with heterochromatic eyes. From one emanated a warm radiance, on the other a soothing blue glow. Wings made of light adorned his back. A simple sheet with shiny borders and a gold belt was used as clothing. This belt represented the solar star in its center. Adam was amazed by the presence of his servant. Instantly, the mysterious man answered in a soft voice.
"Indeed, I am the servant under the auspices of the Savior class. Let me, Master, clarify one thing. What would you like to do once the Grail is in your hands? "
Adam, hesitating and surprised by the spontaneity of his servant, began his explanations.
"I wish to use the Grail to gain access to the root and thus grant me the right to be the Man who will make prosper this world devastated by vice"
Savior, of a sweet voice, almost mesmerizing, retorted.
"Why not just ask the Grail to save the world? "
Adam sighed as if he had been unmasked.
"I want to become a hero, and to that aim, I have to act. Asking the Grail to make me a hero is not what I wish, I want an exciting life, a life escaping from the flatness of the daily-routine. This is why today I risk it. "
Savior, puzzled, stared at Adam as if to probe his soul. A heavy silence settled in the room. The winged servant finally breaks it.
" Good. I will follow you. I will bring you the Grail. "
Adam, relieved, let escape a smile and answered.
" Do not stay here. Let's go upstairs. Do you want some tea? "
The servant followed his master while declining the proposal. Once at the living room, Adam asked.
"A question keeps my mind busy since you arrived ..."
The young man took a short break and continued.
"What brings us the presence of the Savior class in this Grail War? "
Ahura Mazda, looking up at the sky by the window, explained.
"The disastrous outcomes of the last wars forced me to intervene. I have no desire, no wish for the Grail. I just have to purify it to put everything back in order. However, someone has worked in the shadows to allow my presence. At first I thought it was you, but it's obviously not the case. "
Adam, shocked, replied:
"Do you mean that this war didn't happened by chance? Someone would have orchestrated everything?"
Savior, still calm, retorted
" That's right. "
The young master failed to stumble from his chair and asked
"Do you have any idea about who this could be"
Savior, pensive, whispered
"Not the least ..."
He went on in a more audible voice
"Few are my faithful nowadays. I am therefore very weak. I lost my omniscience and even my immortality by materializing myself in a human appearance. I am ignorant of what exactly I am capable of. The world is changing at a breathtaking speed, it's easy to fall into oblivion ... "
Adam gaped. Savior continued.
"I can perceive your apprehensions. You doubt my abilities now. Don't worry. I remain a servant, you will have many opportunities to observe what I am capable of. "
The young Master answered him.
"I trust you, whatever happens we must come out victorious. "
Kungliga Djurgården Forest, 14th December 2019
Niu, out of breath, was amazed by the man standing in front of her. He spoke softly.
"Saber answered your call. Are you my master? "
The young girl, while pointing herself with her thumb, exclaimed.
" Yes ! The only one! My name is Niu, It's a pleasure. And you are ? "
The Knight was red-haired. The eyes of a cerulean blue. His sword was marked with a crest in the shape of a lion. The same crest was on his armor and a fur cape was covering his body.
Kärson Forest, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Kazutaka was meditating on a rock. Rider spoke.
"You are showing immeasurable goodness. An unprecedented calm. But I cannot afford to follow those who I don't recognize their devotion. Convert yourself and I will follow you. "
Silence reigned as Kazutaka finished his meditation session. The monk rose calmly and serenely answered.
"I refuse."
Rider a little surprised retorted.
"You do not seem worried that much"
Kazutaka indifferently answered
" I have already said it. With or without you, I will get the Grail. Your identity is no longer a secret for me. "
The full moon at its highest point was reflected in the calm waters of the Lake Mälar. Rider sighed.
"Apparently you will be able to show me your value much earlier than expected. "
Kungliga Djurgården, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Niu had sparkling eyes. She exclaimed with a cheerful tone.
"So cool! Who would have thought that I was going to have such a fantastic servant! And that, without a catalyst! "
A light breeze made the remaining leaves of the trees dance. Saber blushed. He replied with a slight smile.
"Do not overestimate me. I will do my best to bring you the Grail. "
Niu replied with a big smile. Saber continued.
"Do not take the Grail War as a game. You are young, beautiful, the eyes full of hope. Here is a world for the desperate. "
Niu pouted and replied in an angry tone.
" I have dreams too! I don't take this war lightly! "
The knight lifted the girl up and carried her.
"W-What are you doing?!" said Niu while blushing.
Saber reassuringly answered.
" It's cold out there. Let's find a warm place. "
Akanksha's Residence, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Akanksha was in her shower. The crystalline droplets of water came to underline her captivating forms. The steam settled on the mirror reflecting her naked body. She sighed and thought aloud.
"Berserker requires a lot of mana. At the moment, I only know two of the seven masters. Adam, the protégé of the association. A year ago he was just a human being, nothing but an average person. From day to day the association turned its gaze to him. I should stay on my guard but he cannot have progressed in such a short time. "
She delicately stepped out of the bathtub with a sublime elegance while humming. The droplets continued to flow along her long feminine legs. She grabbed the towel, wiped her callipygous body in a fluid motion and wrapped her silky hair around it. Akanksha went out naked from the bathroom. She walked along the corridor in a light step. Then she entered her room, a large one with modern decoration. She opened her dressing in which she found and then put on a white lace pantie. She immediately resumed her monologue.
"There is also Kazutaka, a Japanese monk. I should take my precautions with him. He is part of a well-known civilization. "
She took out a burgundy red nail polish from a drawer and applied it to her nails. At the tip of her long slender hands.
"Then finally these two mysterious Masters. They seem to belong to the Church. I'm worried. I should investigate in town. "
Akanksha put on a bra, entered the veranda and lit a cigarette. She saw Berserker in the garden; seated, the sword supported by his shoulder. The young woman smiled. Still singing, she threw away her cigarette, put on some tights, a skirt, and then a blouse. She perfumed herself, and applied lipstick on her luscious mouth. From her jewelry box she went out and put on a necklace and earrings. The beautiful young woman chose her heels and then made penetrate her perfectly-shaped feet in. She went down the stairs, dressed in her sumptuous fur coat and left the residence. Just as she crossed the main gate, Berserker began to follow her in his spiritual form.
Grand luxury hotel, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
Michael was on the phone, on the other end of the line: The American president.
"Mister President, the preparations are ready. The hundred R.A.G men are on the spot. We have carefully studied the topography of the place; the advantage is ours. Assassin will be in charge to collect information."
Great laughter and exclamations filled with praise were perceptible on the other end of the line but Michael paid no attention to it. For him one thing mattered. The achievement of this operation.
Michael left the hotel and entered a luxurious car. This led to a freshly built base by the US government in an agreement with the Swede one. The building was camouflaged in the landscape. Once inside, it was possible to grasp the scale of such a complex. Many machines and engineers were mobilized there. One of them came to meet Michael.
" Chief ! The two individuals that you asked us to observe have just changed position. They went to town. "
Michael replied nonchalantly.
"Do you have news about their identity? "
One of the Assassins appeared and pronounced himself.
" Not yet. I can say however that they are the masters of Archer and Lancer. We can't afford to lead an attack on them right now. "
Church of Högalid, Stockholm, 14th December 2019
A young boy opened the doors of the Church momentarily shut down during the war.
"Father Augustin! All masters have summoned their servants! "
An old octogenarian replied, stroking his beard.
" Good. "
A dove came to rest on the forearm of the old man and he continued.
"Rider's Master is worrying me. His servant does not seem to want to cooperate with him at the moment. For some reason the Master refuse to use a command spell. "
The boy, Pontus, exclaimed then.
" Really?! It's impressive! Do your birds really bring you everything that happens in the city? "
The old man began to smile.
" Yes. These are my familiars. You too will one day be able to have some. However, your perception magic is amply enough. "
The boy stared through the stained glass windows.
"Father, could our beloved Lord Jesus, be summoned in a Grail War? "
The father smiled.
"Nothing prevents it. It would be a wonderful thing. However, if a master saw himself in a position to use his command seals inappropriately, it could quickly turn into disaster. "
The puzzled boy took some time to think and answered
"Then why wouldn't he take form in this perticular class. Ruler is that? "
The old man with a benevolent look explained to him.
"It's entirely possible. However, this class does not appear in this war. The Clock Tower discovered it by studying the ancient scrolls used for the genesis of the Grail war. Did you know that if the seven servants were to join forces, seven others could be summoned by an opposing faction? "
The young apprentice remained in wonder at the teachings of the old man. The octogenarian continued his explanations.
"Apparently, in this kind of complex case, the Ruler class can intervene. Otherwise, a supervisor like me is enough. However, our war is not trivial. At first, it does not take place in Fuyuki but in Stockholm. The most surprising element is probably the arrival of the Savior class. "
Pontus asked.
"What is this class for?
Father Augustin answered.
"I'm not entirely sure of it myself. From what I could gather, this class is supposed to bring salvation. In this case it would be purifying the Grail. Thus, Savior could be the key to the outcome of this war."
Michael's Base, Stockholm, 14th December 2019, 00:02
Michael was sitting in his office. The atmosphere was heavy. Assassin appeared before his master.
"Preparations are ready. Only your order remains. "
Michael immediately declared.
" Go for it. "
The war had not yet known its first sunrise that hostilities began already.