Like a flame, the night sky is drawing stars one by one

Friday. April 13th. Hong Kong. 00:30.

Glittery stars dazzled the night sky, twinkling with mischief.

Willow Sakai continued to stare at the full moon, a gentle warm breeze danced around her. She noted the increase of presences with little enthusiasm, choosing to ignore them than turn around. Let her enjoy star gazing. A good and dear friend had taught her the joy of the night sky. Being so far away from home, the stars were the only things that kept away the loneliness because as her friend had told her 'If you can see the stars and I can see the stars, we're never that far apart'. As long as she could see the stars, everything would be okay.

Willow wondered what her friends were doing back home. Would they listen to what she had to say, once this was all over? She had left without a word and hadn't said anything since. But it was for the best. They could never understand something like the Holy Grail War- Willow shook her head, no it wasn't that. She didn't want to get them involved in a bloody war. She didn't want them to know what kind of family she came from.

"If you're done spacing out," a voice drawled from behind.

Willow turned around, her peach colored orbs narrowed, "Lei," she said coldly, eyeing her brother.

Lei sneered, "Father is waiting, chosen one,"

Willow sneered back, "You would rather be in my place?" she questioned harshly, "You're insane."

Lei narrowed his amber orbs, "You could never bring the family honor," he snarled, advancing forward, "You disgrace the clan by hanging out with those losers-"

Willow move forward at lightening pace, pinning her brother against the ground, her katana pressed up against his throat. Her eyes blazed with anger, "Do not insult them," she warned, "And I will bring honor to our family. I will win the Holy Grail War," she hissed each word slowly, "I will bring honor to the clan and then I will wash my hands of this family." Willow leapt backwards, sheathing her sword.

Lei only made an expression of disgust as he retreated, "You will fail," he muttered darkly.

Willow watched her brother disappear before reluctantly deciding to head back to the main grounds. She found the maids waiting for her in the main household. The young maiden was elegantly dressed in chinese ceremonial robes of white, gold and red and made of the finest silk. Her long flawy pink hair was pinned up with extravagant hair ornaments while her facial features were exaggerated with traditional make up.

Willow was led through her maze of a household to the inner garden where preparations had been set up at the heart of the grounds. The circle had been arranged ornately in the pond using lotus flowers- a rusty, spiral sword floated in the center. Candles surrounding the area lit up as Willow walked forward, greeting the head of the Sakai clan, Zwei. Servants, maids and members from the main and side branches of the family, silently filled the background as all eyes turned to the chosen one.

Willow paused before her stoic father, bowing respectfully. She placed one fist against the palm on her other hand in a filial manner, not daring to raise her head. Her hair ornaments jangled, threatening the silence of the night.

"Welcome!" Zwei's voice rang strong as he extended his arms in an imaginary embrace. Gesturing to his daughter he continued, "Today is the dawn of a new era. For my youngest daughter's twentieth birthday, the elders have declared her the chosen one!" Zwei announced proudly, "Willow will enter the Holy Grail and be victorious!"

Cheers sounded off nosily as Willow's name was chanted amongst her clan members.

"My daughter," Zwei interrupted, silencing his people, "will bring honor to the Sakai group!"

Murmurings gushed about that sounded like the flow of rushing water. Willow shook slightly, but did not let her face betray her emotions of nervousness and fear. She could feel the eyes of her family members boring into her as though analyzing her very core. She could hear the words of doubt and anger that floated about. And she could feel the hatred radiating off of the side branch members as their own sons and daughters were rejected.

"Let us begin!" Zwei's voice carried across the courtyard.

The elders beckoned Willow forward and she obediently followed. Standing atop the small water bridge that divided the vast manmade pond she extended her hand. Willow closed her eyes and recited her lines perfectly:

"Tsugeru.

Nanji no mi wa waga moto ni, waga unmei wa nanji no ken ni.

Seihai no yorube ni shitagai, kono i, kono kotowari ni shitagau naraba kotae yo.

Chikai wo koko ni.

Ware wa tokoyo subete no zen to naru mono, ware wa tokoyo subete no aku wo shiku mono.

Nanji sandai no kotodama wo matou shichiten, yukushi no wa yori kitate, tenbin no mamorite yo! "

The water began churning slowly, the white lotuses lighting up one by one. A replica of the design of the circle spread out from beneath Willow's feet as a red insignia began to carve itself onto her extended hand. The water in the pond rose upwards into a twister, spraying everywhere. Willow could not close her eyes as the summoning ritual neared to an end.

"KOI, ARCHER!"

Her voice was firm and steady, showing no signs of weakness. But her insides were jelly and personally she wanted to vomit. Willow sensed a huge presence and she squinted trying to make out the figure that had arrived and was hiding in the steam. The sound of metal clinked and a gust of wind blew the remaining smoke away to reveal a blond man clad in golden armor.

Willow blinked, unsure of what to do. The man before her was…well beautiful. Red orbs gazed upward.

"Who are you?" he sneered.

Willow glared back, "I am Willow Sakai, your master. Answer me, who are you?" she shot back, using her most snobbish voice she could muster. She had to act the part in order to scare the clanmates that thought of trying to take her down and become master for themselves.

"I am Gilgamesh."

Note: April, it would be before the October in the previous chapter. I time jump backwards, not forwards.

Not much to say. I told you the chapters would be short. But eventually they will start to connect.

R&R