Chapter 0 Prologue
The shattered remnants of what may have once been a city lingered. Distorted forms, broken, were pulled towards the event horizon engulfing the sky. These jagged broken pieces of the world casted wavering shadows upon the bleak landscape below. Perhaps the shadows had been great apartment buildings, perhaps the crooked spires of a shattered mountain, or perhaps some other geographic landmark totally unknown, Either way, they had been too destroyed to recognise.
Mixing with the crumbled stone high in the air was an ocean, illuminated orange by the bands of light filling the sky spinning around slowly consuming, all they touched.
Amid all the destruction, upon one piece of unbroken land, was a small grassy field. Idyllic, untouched by the destruction, yet it was completely empty, save for a lone figure and a stone table etched with a great carving of a grail. Before the table, the robed figure stood as though waiting eyes turned towards the dark void in the sky. A look of disappointment crossed his features as he turned away from the swirling blackness.
The features of the figure were vaguely masculine though slight of frame, yet even without an imposing build he somehow commanded respect and dignity to any who looked upon him. In the center of the figure's hood was a golden mask, bearing the carved form of an elaborate cross, framed by long, straight brown hair. Through the mask, two slits allowed a view of piercing blue eyes illuminated even as they stared into the darkness.
The figure stared off into the starry night. Years spent awaiting this moment, whereby multiple timelines would be close enough metaphysically that through use of the grail, their thrones could be accessed all at once. Long had he worked towards the goal.
The figure felt knowledge of the other universes wash over him, universes he had been watching and studying for what felt like an eternity now. Though, his observance had only lasted seconds.
It was time to set his plan in motion.
Behind the figure laid upon the stone table sat a golden chalice, the Holy Grail. Filled halfway with a dark red ichor, the unassuming, simple grail was actually an artifact of incredible power.
The robed figure strode over to the grail, gracefully each step controlled.
The figure's slender, calloused hands unclasped, reaching in perfect unison for the grail as they firmly gripped the chalice. Cup in hand, it was raised delicately up towards the mask, heat radiating off of it as the cup was brought up towards the mouth, where a small slit barely the height of a fingernail was present.
Carefully so as to only allow the grail and mask to touch at the briefest of points the grail was brought to contact and its remaining content poured through the slit. For a moment the figure stood, slowly raising the grail towards the heavens, draining all of its content.
As the last drop left the grail, the robes began to glow fiery oranges and reds, a mage's seal illuminating beneath his robes. The white of the robes became an unbearable searing heat as the greys became cold shadows cast by something beyond sight. Morphing and shifting, dancing around any attempt to comprehend their nature. After a few moments the casual display of power abated.
The figure gently placed the now empty grail down upon the stone table as they turned back around looking over the open area surrounding them.
It was time, the plan had to work. Else he would have to await another convergence, if another of this scale would even occur again.
"Masters who have sought the grail, if you remember your reason and heed its call. Let this be your calling from across time. To those who live and those who have died, return now regardless of fate. For your destiny shall be your own to choose. Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail. If you will submit to this will and reason… then answer!"
With a wave of his hand, the fabric of the reality before him tore open revealing a separate night sky which seemed similar yet different in ways which created dissonance with that which was around, surrounding the large tear, numerous smalls rips opened in reality as the tremendous power of the grail was expended fulfilling the figure's will.
Emerging from the rift emerged one figure, then two, then dozens more. Figures of all complexions, builds, colorings and demeanors, looking around in confusion. Yet always their eyes when looking at each other would blur over, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
The figure was pleased, everything was going as intended. He had of course cast a spell over the area long before the arrival that would block any masters from seeing the other's identities. Barring a couple specific sets of mystic eyes.
As the last of the figures emerged from the rift, the tears in spacetime collapsed shut. It was time to address the crowd.
"Welcome, Masters, to the Holy Grail War. You all have been selected by the True Grail as masters proven through experience and trial as the ones most worthy to wield it." He gave it a moment to settle in before continuing. His voice carried an ethereal quality that almost compelled the masters to listen, whether they wanted to or not, they would hear and they would understand.
"Though some of you are more worthy than others. Know that grail wars from all of your world's may differ slightly in some rules, as such I shall outline the following but once. The true grail is not made by mages, it is a true omnipotent wish-granting device, using it shall allow you to overwrite reality however you wish, no wish is too great." Another pause, he hated repeating himself and needed to make sure even the slowest master had time to digest the knowledge.
"There are no teams, only one pair shall win the grail. Though you may forge alliances as you see fit." At this a couple of the masters began looking around before quickly realizing there was magic preventing them from seeing anything that may reveal a true identity.
"For most of you, other masters from your grail war will be participating, except in some rare cases where salvaging the other masters was deemed too troublesome by the Grail.."
"Due to the unique nature of this war. Two ruler class servants will be summoned to supervise the war. They may be killed, though for most servants challenging them would be… Unwise. For those who assist them they will have command seals they can give as reward." The figures stood at attention taking in every word, many had questions, but found themselves unable to voice them here.
The Arbiter continued, "The location has been selected for the grail war."
"It is Fuyuki, Japan, Earth, 2008."
"Those of you foreign to the world, will be provided with accommodations most similar to your home in terms of lifestyle, wealth and influence. However; be prepared for some differences, the world of 2008 shall be lacking many luxuries some of you are used to."
"Many of you shall appear in countries other than your own, know this, the true grail will appear in Fuyuki. Gather there if you would seek to claim it."
"Finally, there is no rule against revealing the nature of the grail war and magic to outsiders. However; the factions of the world that this war shall take place in may take issue with things being taken too far, so keep that in mind.." Secretly, the Arbiter hoped this war would do something big, it was always fun when the earth governments got involved.
"My role as the Arbiter of this grail war is now finished. Now go, the battle for the True Grail…. Begins now."
The Arbiter clapped his hands and the masters were expelled from the meeting ground. Each one appearing at the predetermined location, if able, falling into a slumber, as they woke their war would begin.
With the masters sent away the Arbiter brought forth the only two remaining spirits.
Seeing no reason to continue he dropped the identity concealment spell revealing Jeanne d'Arc and Shirou Amakusa. Though the grail had already granted information on the nature of this war to both of them, he was certain they would have questions.
"You two have been chosen by the grail. That means it has deemed you worthy of that title." He stopped and observed the reactions. Surprise from Joan and utter calm from Shirou.
Jeanne spoke up, directing her question at Shirou, "Shirou, have you abandoned your wish for the Holy Grail?"
The white haired servant shook his head giving his fellow ruler a kind smile, "No, my desire is still as strong as ever."
Jeanne turned towards the Arbiter, "How can one be a ruler and have their own wish for the grail? He has stolen servants and undermined the grail war before. I request that he be removed from the position immediately."
The Arbiter's mask remained unchanged as he responded neutrally, "As I recall you bent the rules of the grail war in order to protect that homunculus. In the grand scheme of things you two are no different. Nonetheless; the grail selected both of you. So both of you shall fulfill your duty."
At the mention of Sieg, Jeanne looked off to the side with shame, though she knew it had been the right thing to do. Shirou smiled slightly at the Arbiter's rebuttal but not in a demeaning or overconfident way.
The Arbiter turned away from the duo, staring off into the sky where great tunnels of light formed, the physical manifestation of the other timelines being merged and linked into the main one.
The Arbiter decided to leave the Rulers with one final piece of advice before sending them off. "Consider this, nowhere in the rules for this grail war does it say a ruler should not lay claim to the grail or hold a wish of their own. The only duties you will be held to, are to attempt to keep the grail war from getting too out of hand, and to prevent any servants from committing actions that undermine the integrity of the grail war. Balance those statements as you wish."
Shirou kept a look of perfect serenity on his face as he bowed respectfully to the Arbiter.
"I am ready to begin my duties as ruler, and Jeanne." He turned to face her.
"I hope that we can work together for the purposes of our duties as ruler, but also that as competitors fighting for the grail that we can both put in a performance to be proud of."
Jeanne studied him for a moment searching for any sign of malice or deception, but she could find none. That was one thing that annoyed her so much about her fellow ruler, he had the purest intentions and desires but no matter what, seemed completely oblivious or uncaring towards the meaning he desired to strip from others. Nevertheless, she knew she couldn't change him and that he meant what he said truthfully, so she could only respond honestly back.
"Yes, as a fellow ruler, I look forward to working with you. But as your enemy, I won't hold back." She locked eyes with him giving a stern gaze. He returned with an unfazed, peaceful smile. She could tell in spite of Sieg and her foiling his plan, he held no malice or ill-will towards her.
The Arbiter turned his gaze upwards as he gave his final reply, "Then to both of you, I hope fortune finds your favor."
The two stood there for a moment, both becoming aware that their spiritual bodies in this place were dissolving. The start of their summoning into this new world.
The True Holy Grail War had begun.
AN: So usually these will be at the beginning, but for this I didn't want to spoil anything for this first chapter. But I do need to clarify some things. First, I am still working my way through the fate series and the nasu-verse at large. I am working on watching Prisma Ilya with Garden of Sinners coming next, besides the Phantasm and Zero Cafe shows I've seen everything else. Super excited for Fate Srange Fake, Samurai Remnant and the Extra Remake. Second point, so far I am an anime-only watcher, and nearly all my information will be based on what I have seen in the anime. I am working my way through Fate Extella right now, and will be playing Melty Blood when I get the time. But if characters are missing abilities they have in the game this is why. Please don't comment with corrections and things based on the VN or games. Third and final note, as I play through the games I may incorporate elements or characters from them, though if it is too drastic a shift I will ignore it.
Edit: Reuploaded because the first upload had some weird formatting issues.