Chapter 3: The Curtains Rise
(Side Note)
Many years ago, a few wealthy nobles convened together as a small cult called the Magi Association. These few nobles were capable of performing magic, but did not want to be labeled as warlocks. By using their combined wealth, they built a small estate where they were learn magic from each other and continue this tradition all the way down their bloodlines. Being the nobles that they were, they considered themselves above that of regular humans. Though their magic was heavily unrefined, they were capable of amusing the local town or even destroying a small army.
However, years passed and science began to prove much stronger than any of their magic. Science engendered industry and industry threatened magic. No longer would a small fire be of any use against a crossbow or hand cannon. Because of this, the nobles began to train their children, regardless of the child's ability. As a result, every generation's magic became more refined. These newer generations were far better equipped with knowledge. That is to say, the Association offered a strong balance between magic and science. It was because of this, the Association had a stronger role in world politics. It was because of this mixture, the Association turned out to be what it was now.
(End Note)
Rin Tohsaka leaned back against a plastered wall. She played around with a strand of her long hair and breathed a heavy sigh. She looked out the large windows that were technically the opposite wall. The opposite wall was almost identical to that of a green house. These windows all faced the center garden where there were well attended hedge mazes and entire seas of red roses. A few robins sung outside, further complimenting the already serene scene. She began to hum the same exact nursery rhyme she had once sung to Kamatari. After a half a minute of humming, she stopped to the sound of heavy boots that brusquely hit the marble floor.
"Hey you." said a gruff voice.
Rin turned to face the man that the gruff voice belonged to. His entire body was seemed like a picture of one of those ancient Gods. His immense muscles seemed endless in size. It was the body that any man would wish to have and the body that many women can be attracted to. Though this man was not old, his entire head was covered in white spikes. It was as if the white color was a sacrifice to get to his level. Hw wore a large, black trench coat and matching pants. His black, leather boots had a crisscross of straps that never seemed to end. In his eyes, there was a bright brownish, orange hue that shined out like a beacon. They shined out a glimmer of hope, but like Jacob, the shine in his eyes were obscured. Rin stared at the figure before turning away to look through the large windows.
"Shiro, is that any way to greet someone? Especially after two years?"
"Rin, do you remember what I was assigned to do two years ago?"
"No, you wouldn't tell me. You said it was top secret." Rin looked away and pouted, "Those council bastards, who do they think I am?"
Shiro frowned and tried to look away from Rin. He mumbled, "I can only say one thing for now. It has started."
Confused, Rin examined Shiro carefully with her crystal eyes. Shiro did not want to go into any more detail and walked off. Rin began to collect things together. What was the reason the two of them assembled at the Association? Rin slowly pieced together the puzzle an figured it out. The Holy Grail War.
(Side Note)
Fuyuki City is the setting for a secret and violent war among competing magi. For the past two centuries, seven sorcerers have gathered and engage in a Battle Royale, each gambling his or her own life to obtain the Holy Grail, a legendary chalice capable of granting wishes. The past four Holy Grail Wars have typically occurred every sixty years, but the fifth war started prematurely. It started ten years after the fourth one.
Each of the sorcerers, better known as Masters, are aided by one of the seven summoned spiritual familiars known as Servants, who are the reincarnations of legendary souls from all across time. These resurrected Epic Spirits, possess superhuman characteristics and wield powerful artifacts or abilities called Noble Phantasms. A Noble Phantasm's hidden abilities may be released by invoking its true name, but casual brandishing of a Noble Phantasm is best avoided, for symbolic Noble Phantasms usually belie a Servant's identity, diminishing that Servant's competitive advantage. Specific legends may be summoned with the aid of catalysts, which are artifacts, ideas, or experiences similar or of value to the desired Servant. Only one Servant can be summoned in each war from one of seven classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin, and Caster.
The Holy Grail is a spiritual artifact, so only astral entities, such as Servants, are capable of touching it; this restriction forces Master and Servant to cooperate with each other against rival pairs, even if a situation entails fighting to the death. Masters control Servants with three Command Mantra, which are crystallized miracles issued by the Holy Grail that manifest on a Master's hand. When activated, Command Mantra permit a Servant to accomplish an incredible feat, or alternatively provide Masters with the authority to issue an irrevocable and absolute order to a Servant. In the event of a Master's demise, a Servant may choose to bind him or herself to another Master; if a Servant is slain, a Master may ally with a wayward Servant or pursue sanctuary with the Holy Grail War's impartial supervisor, who is traditionally a delegate of the Roman Catholic Church.
(End Note)
Rin angrily looked at the door to the Grand Council. She bitterly spat, "Tristan, why now?"
Just as she spoke, the PA system surrounding the entire building boomed out, "Rin Tohsaka, Shiro Emiya, please report to the Council room." Rin saw Shiro spin around and head to the council room door. Rin gently said, "Go first."
Shiro followed her directions and went through that damned door once again. Rin closed the large, ebony doors behind Shiro before huddling down, using the wall as support.
Shirou nervously looked around, analyzing everything, the fine wood grains of the large podiums in front of him, the dust streaming like a river across the light, even the slowly shifting shadows of his body. Of the mass of objects in front of him, the object in the center spoke to him, as if it were the center of the body, Tristan.
"Shiro, did you prepare as I had instructed?"
Shiro glanced around the room and said, "Yes Tristan, I found the candidates and gave them the orders to go the Japan."
Tristan relaxed, clasped his hands together, then rested his head on top of them. He firmly said, "Good. Then Wanderer Emiya, are you prepared to undertake an even bigger job?"
"What does it matter? It's not my choice, it's yours."
The member at the far right coughed out, "Such insolence? Do you not know your role here, boy?" This one was most likely the eldest of them all. His face was more wrinkled than a prune and he could barely rasp out a few words. Linda calmed the old man down.
"Shiro, this new job is everything you could wish for."
"Tristan, spare me."
"No, believe me, this one is very special."
Shiro became interested, never once had Tristan said a job was special. Shiro asked, "What is it."
"Magi Moderator." said Tristan.
Never once did Shiro hear of anything like this, but never once did anyone hear of anything like this. Shiro asked once again, "What is that?"
"That? That would be the Magus version of the church Moderator for this War. Because of certain events, we do not believe the church can be fully trusted, therefore, we hope to send one of our own to assist the church in this war. What happened with Kirei Kotomine should not be a problem this time. Now that we have two people overseeing the events, I doubt the Grail can be tainted again."
Shiro nodded in approval. Tristan continued, "So you agree? That's good. Then you'll have to head to your hometown soon enough. I just have to talk to Rin."
It was not as if Shiro agreed, but moreover, was interested and wished to go back to his home once more. In any event, there was a very small chance that she, she could be summoned.
Linda walked down the steps and handed Shiro a manila folder. Shiro looked over it, but Linda basically narrated what he was reading.
"Your contact will be a Father Gabriel Seraph. Everything else will be on a need-to-know basis."
Tristan smiled ominously and said, "Shiro, before we send you out onto another assignment, we will grant one plausible wish."
The same events that occurred in Kamatari's dream occurred on this day.
"Then Shiro Emiya, state thy wish formally before the council."
Tristan nodded as Shiro's eyes began to water. The thing he longed for, the thing he wanted after twenty five years could finally come.
"I, Shiro Emiya, wish that I could summon a Arthuria."
Tristan gently said, "Shiro, we're trying to get that to happen, but because we cannot go against Nature, the most we can do for you is to allow you to summon a servant that will not take part in the War. Those are Nature's rules. Though I can't say that someone else might summon her."
"If you do. I'll owe you my life."
"Oh come on now, what are friends for Shiro?"