AN: Hello everyone, I have a new fanfic I want to do here. Fate is one of my favorite series for its creative concept. With it, I wanted to do a multi-fandom holy grail war of a few other anime characters as Servants. However, this war will be a bit different from the conventional fate series. There are no masters or command seals, only the Servants from this fanfic in a one-left-standing battle for a wish. Also, none of these Servants will have their true names ever revealed in this story. These are not meant to be the literal versions of the characters, but a conceptualization of them for this fanfic in the idea of that character. Think of it like what Fate does to historical figures, I do with anime characters here. This does mean some characters may have new, absent, or altered abilities based on what they are summoned as and what I want to give them. You will be able to tell the inspiration of each character from context clues…or just looking at the cover image for most of the characters here. Speaking of which, the amazing art was done by Shori39639 on twitter, please check them out to see more amazing type moon artwork. Hope you enjoy this first chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 1 – Date of a New Life
In the dimly lit interior of the church, the rain lashed against the stained-glass windows, casting an eerie glow upon the figures gathered within. A young person, wearing a cloak of darkness, stood at the center of a meticulously drawn magical circle etched into the stone floor. Candles flickered ominously, their feeble flames dancing with the gusts of wind that seeped through the ancient structure. In fervent determination, they chanted incantations that invoked the arcane forces from the different realms. The incantations echoed through the empty pews, reverberating against the cold stone walls.
As the incantations reached a crescendo, a sudden surge of magical energy surged forth from the circle, crackling with otherworldly aura. The air grew heavy, charged with anticipation, as the summoned Servant materialized before the conjurer. From the shimmering energy emerged a figure clad in ornate purple armor to match her long hair. In her hands, she wielded a massive sword with a unique design of intricate patterns of gold and silver. It was a Servant of the Saber class, summoned from the annals of a foreign realm. She was not human, but rather a spirit with a blade. A legendary hero plucked from the pages of history and bestowed with incredible powers. The Servant, their true name shrouded in mystery, surveyed the scene with piercing eyes. Her presence exuded a sense of dignity and power, a warrior of untold might brought forth to answer the summoner's call. She turned to them with a focused gaze.
"I ask of you." Saber spoke while opening her violet eyes with a white light at the center, "Are you my master?"
"Hehehehe, well, I am the one who summoned you," The unnamed individual, a mix of trepidation and excitement coursing through their veins, approached the Servant, "But I would not call myself your Master." They cautiously lowered their heads and spoke with a voice without malice. "You are your own master now, Saber."
"…" Saber remained stoic in her gaze.
"I understand your confusion, the Grail has just fed you a large amount of information about this world." They spoke with a smirk slipping through their shadows, "I'm here to tell you want they got wrong." The unnamed person extends their arms, "In this war, you were summoned across realms beyond life and death. Manifesting here to partake in a Holy War with others like you, but from other realities."
"…" Saber remained stoic, "Why?"
"Why?" the unnamed person spoke, "Because this is a game, one where the winner shall return to the grail with a wish to be granted." They then approached with a grin from their clock, "If you were summoned, that means there is a wish your heart desires. Is there?" they said as Saber focused her gaze, "Well, this is your opportunity. Simply defeat the other Servants and you will be victorious. So, care to partake in this Holy War?"
Saber's gaze met the summoner's, their expression unreadable. For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by the thunderous crashes of the storm outside. Then, with a voice that resonated with the weight of countless battles fought, she responded, "I will fight."
"Excellent." The unnamed person responded, backing up, "The other six Servants have already been summoned and left this area. I was saving the best for last. But don't worry, the battles will only start at sunset tomorrow." They spoke with a smirk as they walked away, "Now, you can take that backpack behind you to your new home. And don't be late for class tomorrow."
"I under…Wait what?" Saber spoke with s bow but then realized what was spoken to her at the end. She turned to see the backpack, opening it to discover a set of keys, a school uniform, and a wallet with an id and some money. In picking it up, she saw what her alias at the school would be, "Viola." She spoke before turning back to the unmade person, but they were gone, "…"
Saber left the church just as the rain seemed to stop. She walked through the empty streets with her eyes focused on her surroundings, "Nobody is watching me, I'm not being followed." She thought before approaching a small house at the end of the block. In changing the id card, the address matched. She entered to find an empty home, nobody inside. Saber walked to the kitchen to open the fridge, seeing a few prepared meals made. As a Servant, she did not need to eat meals. However, while her mouth salivated, she took all the contents and had herself a midnight snack.
After eating all she could, she made her way to a bedroom, signing as she sat down, "Ah, that was good, but not as good as his cooking." Saber said as the image of the young man filled her mind, causing her to smile before she disenchanted her armor, lay on the bed, then closed her eyes. As a Servant, she did not need to sleep, but still liked to dream now.
The Next Day.
As Saber wakes up in the morning, she found herself in a comfortable and cozy setting. Now with daylight, she sees the room she occupies is adorned with soft pastel colors, giving it a warm and inviting ambiance. The sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a gentle glow into the room.
Saber looks out the window with her vibrant eyes, the morning light reflecting in them. She stretches her body, feeling the muscles loosen after a restful night's sleep. Her hair was slightly tousled from lying on the pillow. The purple spirit sat up in bed, pulling the covers away and standing up. After a shower, she received the uniform from the backpack. While upset at its brown coloration, she adjusted the red ribbon in her hair with a smile.
Once ready, Saber leaves her room and makes her way to the kitchen, where she prepares breakfast. However, she saw that the fridge had no more prepared means. Only ingredients to which she could cook but felt her confidence waver. While she did not need to eat, she still felt her stomach growl.
"BUZZ!" A vibrating sound was heard at the counter.
"Huh?" Saber noticed a small device nearby, "A smartphone?" she said while picking it up, seeing a face id lock. Upon a quick scan, the phone opened to her surprise, "Wait, he told me something I could do with these if I ever need food." Saber recalled from her past before opening her maps app. In looking for what she hungered for, she smiled while dashing out of her home.
Upon arriving at her location a few blocks away, Saber stood before a male food vendor, "Here you go." The vendor said as he handed Saber a few loaves of baked bread coated with powdered soybean flour. Saber's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she held the bread, feeling its warmth in her hands. She takes a small bite, savoring the sweetness that fills her mouth. The bread was soft and fluffy, with a light golden-brown crust, "Uh, if you don't mind me asking, but are you going to be late for school?"
"HM!" Saber spoke a mid-bite at the realization, she then paid the man before rushing off. The checked the map app again while looking at her id card, the bread still in her mouth as she ran. Suddenly, she crashed into someone. Both fell back to the ground with Saber seeing her bread on the road. She reached for it with tears in her eyes before seeing a car run it over, leaving a gasp.
"I'm so sorry!" a female voice spoke that Saber turned towards, "I was just in a rush on my first day to school and I forgot to eat breakfast so I had to have it on the go and when I was eating the toast I got crumbs in my eyes couldn't see so I didn't see you and I'm sorry!" she said all of that with her head bowed.
"I-It's fine, I was sort of doing the same thing," Saber said before looking closer at this girl's uniform. It was a smiler brown uniform but with a red hood and cape. "I think we are attending the same school. So, how about we go together?"
"Really!?" the red-hooded girl said as she raised her head, showing off her blackish red with longer bangs down the right side of her face, "That would be so cool, thank you!" she said with her silver eyes beaming with delight.
"Glad to hear," Saber said with a smile, "My name is Viola."
"Mine is… uh." The red hooded girl was saying until speaking back up, "Oh, it's Emma!"
"Did you forget it for a second?" Saber asked.
"Kind of, I'm a little nervous," Emma responded with a giggle.
"Okay," Saber added with a smile as she walked, "Come on, we don't want to be late."
"Right," Emma nodded, "I'll race you there!" she said before blitzing off. Saber tried to keep up but was slightly taken back by this person's speed…as well as the trail of rose petals they left behind. In no time flat, the two made it to the school just as the bell was sounding, "Yay, we made it!" Emma spoke with glee as she jumped, while Saber was slightly panting, "Viola you, okay?"
"Yeah, you're pretty fast." Saber responded, "How did you get so speedy?"
"Oh uh…you know." Emma said as she broke eye contact, "I guess I just run so much I never noticed I was getting faster."
"I see," Saber said as she took out her smartphone, checking the notes tab with a lab school on it, "It seems like I have to go to Physics in room 304."
"I have the same class first period!" Emma responded, "Race you there!" she said before sprinting off before Saber could give a response.
"…" Saber remained quiet and then looked up at the school, "Why have me go to a school before the holy war?" she thought to herself, walking towards the building but stopped as she had a realization, "Have the other Servant has been given this same task." Upon thinking this, she looked back at the school with a different gaze before making her way to the classroom.
Upon entering Room 304, Saber sees a nearly full classroom, but saw Emma next to an open window seat in the back, "Saved you a spot." The red hooded girl said as Saber walked over to take the seat, "We were lucky, the teacher hasn't come in yet."
"I see," Saber said as she sat down, looking out the window, "…" she did not speak while looking out the window at the track field, seeing other students run in the gym, "Could any of them be a Servant as well. If so, which ones?"
"…" Emma remained quiet as well, then broke the silence, "So…do you have a favorite subject?"
"Uh, oh, no." Saber responded, "I don't like school that much."
"Me neither," Emma said with a chuckle. "The classes can so boring, and the teachers can go on and on and on and-"
"But I do like it when I can attend it with my friends." Saber cut off with a mournful smile, "I wish I was with them now."
"Oh, did you move here recently?" Emma asked.
"You could say that." Saber spoke but did not continue.
"Well…am I your friend?" Emma asked, "I know we just meet but maybe-"
"Emma, you're a nice person." Saber said as she turned to her with a smile, "But, I don't think you should get attached to me." She said with her eyes closed, "I'm not sure if I will have to move again by tomorrow."
"Oh," Emma spoke in worry. However, before she could say another word, the teacher walked in.
She was a young woman with long icy blue hair, matching the cooling aura she gave off. Her white lab coat matched her thigh-high boots which she wore over black tights and sleeveless dress. She wore a necklace with a black cross symbol on it, "Sorry for being late to class." She said while adjusting her glasses, showering her cool blue eyes, "My name is Professor Halley. I will be your substitute teacher for a couple of days," she said before leaning forward with s seductive smile, "I hope you can bear with me as get used to things." She did, most of the male students in the class had their faces turn red. She then looked at her clipboard in hand, "Before we start, why don't we also introduce our new students as well? Miss Viola and Miss Emma. Care to come up and write your names on the board so we know how it's spelled."
"Why?" Saber asked.
"It is customary, as well for the new students to stay back at the end of the day to clean up the room." Halley spoke with a smile, "Now, would you please come up?"
"Yes, professor." Both girls said at the same time as they walked up to the front of the class. Saber wrote the Viola on the chalkboard before bowing to the class, then handed the chalk to Emma. However, as the red-hooded girl began to write, she started with the wrong letter.
"Oh," Halley spoke, "Your name does not sound like it starts with an R?"
"Uh, sorry, a force of habit?" Emma said before erasing the letter, then spelling her name the proper way. She quickly bowed to the class before walking back to her seat with Saber.
However, the icy professor looked on with a smile at the two, "In any case, let's begin our day by going over the dynamics of an asteroid." She said before picking up the chalk on the board and writing equations. Emma tried to take notes on what she saw, but Saber looked out the window again.
The end of the day approached as the two girls were placing chairs over desks in the empty classroom. Saber looked out the window at the sun setting, the orange sky combing over the area, "It's almost time." She thought to herself, then sighed, "I can finish up here. Emma, you can go home now."
"No, I can stay with you to the end." Emma responded, "We're almost done anyway." She said before seeing the icy professor walk at the door, "Hello, it shouldn't be too much-"
"Miss Viola, can I see you for a moment?" Halley spoke with her arms crossed, "Miss Emma can finish the rest here."
"I'm rather busy right now," Saber spoke, "And I have to leave right-"
"This will not take long," Halley said before walking away.
"Tch," Saber gritted her teeth.
"Go with her, I got this," Emma spoke with a smile while she lifted a chair over a desk again.
"Thanks," Saber responded as she went out of the room, then followed Halley through the halls. They eventually walked up the stairs towards the roof of the school staring at the sun through the iron fence. "What did you want to discuss here?"
"Oh, would you say it's time?" Halley asked.
"Time for what?" Saber responded.
Suddenly, Halley's voice went more sadistic in tone, "For the war to begin." She said with Saber gasping, "You're a Servant too," the icy processor said with a slight turn," I could tell from your eyes." She then held out her right hand, "So, let's have some fun."
"You," Saber said before a sudden pillar of ice was fired at her from Halley's palm. At the same time, Saber held out her hands, causing her sword to manifest in her grip. She was about to swing with crush the ice with one hand but was distracted by the sound of the door behind her opening. Rushing out a flurry of rose petals, something collided with the ice pillar, redirecting it to hit the metal fence instead of Saber.
Standing before Saber now was the young girl she met before, but now her uniform was black and red with a combat skirt and boots. In her arms was a massive mechanical red scythe, "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier." Emma spoke, but that was not her true name, "But I'm a Servant as well."
"You're a Servant," Saber asked, "And you knew I was a Servant too?"
"Well, yeah, you were kind of oblivious about it." The red-hooded girl spoke, "I just didn't want us to start fighting right away before we got to know each other."
"I-I see, well, let me reintroduce myself then." The purple spirit spoke with her hand on her chest, "I'm Saber. And I assume you are Lancer?"
"Uh, no. I can see why you think that." The red-hooded girl responded, looking at her scythe, "But I'm Rider. I don't know who Lancer is?"
Regaining both girls' attention, Halley spoke, "You wish to know who Lancer is?" the icy professor spoke with a smile, "She's standing before you now." Suddenly, an eruption of cold mist overflowed from Halley, covering her. Saber and Rider only saw a black silhouette before the mist faded. Standing in her place was a type of military general in white. In her right arm was a massive rapier the blade longer than her entire body, "Now, how about we start with a little after-class session." Lancer spoke while adjusting her hat, causing a sadistic gaze to pear from her cold eyes.
However, Saber and Rider were unfazed. The red-hooded girl reposed her scythe, while the purple spirit manifested her armor. The trio of Servants were ready to engage as the Holy Grail War from beyond realms was about to begin.
AN: There you go, a very cool setup with a lot of references for all series. It really should not be hard to tell who these are given my track record with writing fanfic. I am happy to finally take Saber on as a character as she is from one of my favorite series. Overall, I cannot say much without spoilers for who they are, but I do hope you enjoy this concept of Holy War as much as I do. I don't think this will be a super long series, but I wanted to do it to test some things in my writing and see how it goes. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.