AN: Enjoy chapter seven and please review :)
This one took me a lot longer to write up then the last one, so please enjoy the extra long chapter.
Disclaimer: i do not own this Mashima and Type-moon does
Chapter 7:The Man with Red Eyes
In the inn where she stayed, Levy pondered on how she got here. Three months ago, she stole the artifact that belonged to her teacher, Professor Justine, and now she was preparing to enter the Holy Grail Wars. She stood in her room and stared at the circle that she drew, hopelessly compensating her situation.
According to legend, the Grail choses the mages that desired its power the most to become one of the seven masters. Levy wonder if she wanted to obtain the Grail. Her only reason for doing this in the first place was to gain acknowledgment from those who have look down on her. Of course there was the little rivalry she had with Lucy that she wanted to settle with her.
She rubbed her blue hair in anxiety as the fact that there was a chance that the Grail wouldn't choose her and everything she done would have gone to waste. Levy lead out a huge sigh and cuddled into a ball on the floor.
"What am I doing, if I enter this war I have a good chance of getting myself killed. And it I want to win this thing, I have to kill the other masters or servants. No matter how much I look at it. I am not suited for this war."
She didn't have much confidence in herself or her abilities but then she remembers that she made the decision to do this a long time ago.
"There no turning back now, it now or never, Levy" She said as she open her book and turn to the desired page "I will prove that I am a worth mages no matter what."
Jellal open his eyes and realized that he was in his room at the apartment complex. He quickly remembers the incident at the college campus and got out of his bed. He then heard a calm smoothing voice at the corner of small room.
"Master, are you feeling better" Saber said as she sat on the carpet with her legs cross.
"Ugh, I am okay. How long was I sleeping"
"About three hours, that blonde hair girl knew where you lived and I carry you back here."
Then a voice came through the door with a hefty tone.
"That because me and Archer where the ones that carry him here after the last time he got injured"
Lucy came in to his room with Archer in toll and lean against the wall opposite of Saber. Jellal's servant quickly gave a cold glare at the women and clenches her sword tightly. Her distrust toward the girl was still lingering. The blonde realize this and started to reason with the scarlet-haired servant before she started to use that blade.
"Oi, we just came here to talk. You may not have notice this but your master is clearly clueless of what's happen around him."
"Hmm, why should we trust you? You're just another mage looking for the Holy Grail. I am sure you know this, but we all have to fight each other eventually in this war. An alliance that will eventually break apart is something I wouldn't form in the first place" Saber retorted coldly
"Look Saber, we are trying to help your master survive this war. You may be powerful by your own right, but he has no knowledge of magic or how to fight. You wouldn't last a day if you decline our help."
As the two argue, Jellal spoke up and question the situation.
"Umm, I am bit confuse on what happening around me. First I end up getting kill two days ago when I witness you and that ice guy fighting. Then yesterday I was miraculously still alive and beating but then the ice guy who stabs me came back to finish the job. After which a girl materialized out of thin air to defend me but end up smashing my head into her armor. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
"Master Jellal, I am terribly sorry about that, I didn't know my hugs can give people concussions"
"Huh, that what happen?"
"Ack hmm, back on topic, to answer your question, Jellal. I should explain the mess that you have gotten yourself into" Lucy interjects into the conversation.
"The Holy Grail Wars, Wait is it some sort of competition between athletes"
"No, it more of a battle royal between seven mages who fight each other until only one person remains standing."
"Mages, like in people who can use magic" Jellal question with confusion in his face "Wait; this is kind of hard to sink in all at once"
Lucy couldn't blame Jellal; most ordinary people would have been in disbelief in the existences of magic since their whole lives have been lived in ignorance of such power. He probably didn't know how much of his daily life was being affected by magic or even how much of human history has been falsified to keep magic a secret. She decided to give him the general details.
"Mages, also known as Wizards, are wielders of magic, using their magic power to cast spells and employ magical objects. They comprise only about 10% of the living population of the world, with the remaining 90 % being what we call normal people. Magic power is the energy which allows Mages to employ Magic, and it is composed of Eternano. Every Mage has a container inside their body that determines the limits of their magic power. When the container becomes empty, Eternano comes from the atmosphere and enters the Mage's body: after a while, their Magic Power is returned to normal."
Jellal somewhat understood what the blonde was saying but it took time for him to absorb the information. He felt skeptical at first but if magic did exist, it would explain the strange events that have been occurring lately.
With a nod of understanding from Jellal, Lucy continued. "Now for the Holy Grail Wars in which you have enter as a master in."
"The War for the Holy Grail is the competition that decides the ownership of the Grail through intense battle royale. Every hundred years, the Great Grail gathers the Eternano in the air and choices seven mages to compete in the war. Since the Grail is an omnipotent force of magic, whoever wins the war in the end, gets any wish they have to be granted by it?"
"So it like a wishing machine of some sort" Jellal ask with curiosity
"In a way it is like a wishing machine, but to earn the right to use the Grail is anything but simple. The Holy Grail Wars is in reality a death match between mages and according to the last few wars, there has been one or two survivors after the war. Normally, if your servant is defeated you are out of the running, but the easiest way to win this war is to kill the master. Since a servant is essentially using your Eternano, once you die the servant fades away."
Jellal made a huge shiver, it didn't occur to him that he enter such a bloody competition. He thought to himself, if he was going to survive at all. He didn't care about the Holy Grail or it power, he value his own life much more than a golden cup.
"Is there any way to drop out of the war, like raise a white flag?"
Lucy tried to answer his question, but she didn't know how to answer him. The Grail system didn't allow a master to withdraw for the War and no one has ever tried to give up.
"Well, there is one way, we could amputate your left hand." she said as she pointed at the strange symbol that had been etched on the back of his hand.
"Those are command seals; they symbolize the absolute authority of a Mage over a Servant, and are the holy marks that appear on the body of the Mage who become Masters for the Holy Grail War. If we cut off your hand, you wouldn't be considered to be a master anymore."
While Jellal at first consider the plan, he shutter in horror at the thought of losing his hand.
"Umm no, that sound like a terrible idea. I rather keep my hand. There got to be another way"
Lucy was silent; she did know any other way.
"Damn it, why was I chosen, I have absolutely nothing to do with this war or magic. Why is this happening to me, I am really going to get myself kill like this." Jellal was starting to panic; he became scared about the whole ordeal. What was he supposed to do?
Saber who was silent this whole time finally spoke.
"Master Jellal, please calm down, I know that this is hard for you" She said as she patted him on his head "but you must be strong and brave this war to the bitter end. You have face your fears and put out your doubts or else you will fail without every trying to defend yourself."
Although the Servants' words felt like scolding, Jellal found relieve over her words just like the last time. Saber had a kind and gentle smile that could ease any fear he had for his life. She knew how to cheer him up and he felt safer with her.
"Don't worry, Master Jellal, I will make sure that you survive this war. I am your servant but I am also your knight and I will protect you no matter what happens."
Jellal blush a little due to Saber comment, he could never imagine any girl who would say those words to a guy. Archer on the other hand, who was the furthest away from them, was somewhat amused by Saber comment. Both Lucy and the Servant noted the situation was like a majestic knight protecting his fair princess and comforting her except for the fact that the gender roles where completely reversed.
Then suddenly Saber made an outburst.
"That it, I know what can cheer you up, a piece of strawberry cake" the servant said with delight in her eyes.
"Huh, Strawberry cake" Jellal said in confusion.
"Yeah, nothing can cheer you up more than a piece of strawberry cake, the creamy fillings, the sweet aroma, the delicious taste. Let me get you one from that cake shop I saw."
The servant joyfully left the room with enthusiasm and disappear.
"Wait, you idiot your still new to this world!" Lucy yelled at Saber but to no avail. "Archer, follow her and make sure she doesn't get into trouble."
"Huh, why do I have to do it?"
"Remember what happen when you were wondering around by yourself and you ended up destroying that clock tower."
"No"
"Remember the punishment technique I gave you. Oh wait, which one was it again, Technique 12: The Back-Crack Bridge or Technique 31: Studly Bomber."
Archer face went pale for a second before he gave in and left the room. Jellal notice that he was shivering from some unpleasant thoughts.
Jellal realized that he had one more question for the blonde girl. He had notice that Archer and Saber where somewhat similar to each other and now he wondered who where they exactly. To him they didn't seem to be people of this era; both of them wore attires that would have been common three hundred years ago.
"You're wondering about the Servants aren't you, Jellal. I didn't want to tell you about them with those two in the room. Their origin is a very sensitive area so I had to order him to leave."
"What do you mean?"
"To answer that I will have to go back three hundred years ago before the first Grail Wars"
Levy finally muster the courage to summon her servant, it took a while for her to prepare herself mentally. She was hoping that her servant was one of the three knight classes but more than likely they were already summoned. At the current situation she couldn't be picky about it.
Before she started the ritual, she recalled the identity and the legend of the Heroic Spirit that she was going to summon. Levy had research about him constantly during her boat ride to Magnolia City and had read all her books twice to get a clear mental image.
Gajeel Redfox: the Iron Dragon Slayer who lived three hundred years ago. The date of his birth is unknown but during his life he was one of the strongest conquerors of Fiore. Many called him a tyrant and a dictator when he became a warlord and ruled his small kingdom. But he was undeniably a fearless commander and a great warrior during his time.
"Three hundred years ago, when the Three Great Sages founded the Holy Grail in Fiore, many mages and warriors came from all around the world to claim its power for themselves. Soon fighting broke out and they were corrupted by their greed and lust for power. Fiore became a bloody battleground of greed and destruction. "
"What does this have to do with the Servants?" Jellal said.
"Well, When the Grail saw the destruction and fighting between those who were corrupted, it awoken and began to speak to those who were noble and just. It spread its influence across the Flore continent and pleaded for help from the legendary heroes that exist in Fiore at that time." Lucy explains.
"As stated by the Grail, if the heroes protected its power from the truly wicked, then it would grant them there wishes no matter how impossible they might be. Soon the Heroes of Fiore came and repelled the corrupted mages."
"When the Holy Grail was found, Gajeel Redfox became intrigued by a voice he heard and set out to protect the grail from the corrupted. He along with the other legendary warriors of Fiore fought against the wicked but they also fought against each other for various reasons. There in Magnolia City he met a warrior on par with him, the one he called Salamander, Fire Dragon Slayer Natsu Dragneel."
"The problem was that the Heroes weren't unified and fought amongst themselves. While all of them had noble intention of using the Grail for good, they had constant clashes of ideals and honor. The Grail called forth many different types of people: Knights, Outlaws, Rulers, Demigods, Thieves, and even one of them was a ruthless Tyrant from the east. Because of their differences, they never cooperated with one and another. And so one by one, the Heroes of Fiore fell, either by the corrupted mages or by one of their own. Eventually all of them met their demised but they all sacrifice their own lives to protect the Grail. Soon the Three Great Sages took action when they felt pity at all the noble heroes who died and created the Holy Grail Wars."
"As stated in history the Great Sages put a stop to the fighting and the Grail gave the Heroic spirits of the fallen condolences for their sacrifice. Mavis Vermillion wrote the Rules of the Grail Wars, Layla Heartfilia designed the Vessels, and Makarov Dreyar took the spirits of the fallen and created the Servants."
"…. And so after seven years of fighting, Gajeel met his demise on X791 along with his rival Salamander with a fight to the death."
Levy recited the story one more time before she started to feel empathy towards the Tyrant, he was probably not the best of people but he was a noble soul who was chosen to protect the Grail. But before she sidetracked too much, she had to focus at the task at hand.
Her research concluded that the Dragon Slayer was combatable with only a few classes: Lancer, Assassin, and Saber. She did note that for some strange reason all Dragon Slayers where unable to become Rider due to sever motion sickness, which sounded kind of odd but she quickly dismissed it. Levy pray that she could summon a worth class for Gajeel.
She closed her eyes and began to chant.
"By the Great Sage of the Past, Makarov Dreyar and the Heroic spirits who fell in protection of the great power, hear my pleas. In honor of the fallen and in grace of tradition, I pay respect to the Heroes of Fiore, Guardians of the Holy Grail and noble throughout. I, Levy McGarden shall enter the Holy Grail Wars as one of the Seven and call forth the Black Iron Warlord as my Servant."
As she said those words, a burning pain was felt on her hand. The Command seal was now visible to her; she had succeeded in the summoning.
"I called forth Gajeel Redfox, King of Conquerors"
"In an instant, red light enveloped the room Levy was in and blinded her. The circle that she drew glow in radiance as the environment shook violently. Smoke and ashes envelop the room and Levy squinted to see a black figure."
"So there are seven classes of Servants in the war." Jellal said as his brain process the information that Lucy told him.
"Correct, because summoning even one heroic spirit is a miraculous occurrence, summoning seven in their pure forms would be beyond the Holy Grail's power. Thus, to facilitate the process, Servants are summoned into one of seven vessels prepared beforehand. These vessels are classified based on their primary roles. Heroic Spirits can be summoned into any "class" that reflects the abilities they had in life."
"There are seven classes of Servant; Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.
Jellal wonder to himself how Titania's past life was like to earn the Saber class title. It was true that she was skilled with a sword and could change armor, but he knew next to nothing about her life three hundred years ago. All he knew about her was that she fought to protect the Grail but eventually met her demise protecting it.
"Ah, but your one lucky guy to summon the strongest servant class, I am a bit jealous but my dragon slayer, Archer, was only compatible with only two classes and I didn't want him to end up to become a Berserker."
"Hmm, what wrong with the Berserker class?"
"Well they are very powerful Servants, rivaling that of the three knight class in raw strength, but they're the embodiment of madness. The Eternano consumption and insanity of the Berserker class has made them incredibly difficult to maintain and control. They have generally brought about their own master's ruin and even their death due to their inability to control them."
"Only idiots and lower rank mages would summon such a creature to help them. Berserkers are the worst Servant to summon for this war."
Levy stood there with shock as she saw the tall black figure in front of her. He wore a shabby, black, sleeveless tunic with studded edges of iron and a distinctive wing-like ornament of black feather that cover one of his shoulders. He had red eyes that look like that of a snake and metal stubs that were pierced on his face. Levy also notice that his canine teeth where distinctively larger and his long black hair stretch out in a messy way. He was very imposing compare to Levy as he stood about more than twice her size with his tall muscular body.
After a few seconds of silence, the red-eyed man smirked and gave out a huge laugh.
"Gi-hi-hi, finally after three hundred years of waiting I finally get summoned. This is too great, so long have I been trapped in the Pantheon of Heroic Spirits but now I get to fight strong opponents in this war." He said ignoring the scared girl in the corner."
Levy just realized something, she had summoned the worst servant possible for this war and now her survival level just hit zero.
The Red-eyed servant then notices the blue haired girl in the corner and gave the scariest smirk that she ever saw.
"Gi-hi, Yo Shrimp, Are you strong enough to become Berserker's master?"
I am glad i finish this chapter, this took a lot of effort on my part.
anyway i guess should list which character are the servants
Archer= Natsu
Saber= Erza
Lancer= Grey
Berserker= Gajeel
and there is three more of them!