Update to 1/27/2017: I rewrote the chapter now, as it has more meat on the bone of this chapter with more dialogue and more reactions from Benjamin on Nasuverse's world. Now he realizes that he faces a new issue that can endanger his normal life.
Benjamin was asked by Enkidu, who wanted to explore the city and that was a surprise for Benjamin, who not expecting Enkidu to say that. However, Enkidu had insisted that they wanted to feel and touch a city of the modern era with its own hands and feet. Benjamin quickly pointed out that they should wait for the afternoon, as he doesn't want many people to see a strange person dressed in a plain tunic walking down the street. So Benjamin drove with Enkidu to Jersey City and parked in one of the parking lots. Benjamin walked with Enkidu, who wore sandals, looking pretty happy to see the world still so beautiful. He made sure that Enkidu was covered by his jacket so that anyone would not take much notice to the servant. "I doubt that clothes such as that are worn currently," Benjamin said as he looked at Enkidu's clothing. "But I think you might be fine with that, just a little bit."
Enkidu still certainly stood out from people. Benjamin thought the people were trying to guess if Enkidu was a man or woman. Well, Enkidu looked to be about sixteen-years-old with long, beautiful hair that shimmered with a light-green color, a face that retained vaguely childlike features, had firm and taut limbs and a small figure. When they both arrived at one of the city's parks, Benjamin sat on one of the city's park benches, watching Enkidu play around with the children and climbing a tree and sitting on the rocks next to the river, singing a small beautiful melody that charmed anyone near him just to listen to it.
Benjamin was in a deep thought that his house was carrying one of humanity's greatest secrets that can endanger the world, a Holy Grail that grants any kind of wish that would cause a war between Human and magus. "So I am a master now, but I have countless questions and still have no clue what is going on here," Benjamin thought to himself. "This Holy Grail is supposed to be the one from Christianity, right? But, I didn't actually remember that the Holy Grail could grant a wish, which does it say in the book?" A Holy Grail that makes wishes come true definitely appears in many folklores and legends around the world, but a fictional power that doesn't exist and isn't possible. Right?
Enkidu told him that a wish was always granted in the past and the Holy Grail is just making the wish by giving heroes flesh and blood, a human form. And of course the Holy Grail that appears in his home is real enough as proof, the great miracle of the servants has occurred right in front of his face a few hours ago. Summoning and controlling past heroes with a Holy Grail that has so much power that can grant its owner unlimited power. Benjamin didn't need to worry about the wish, he just needed to worry about how many of them were going to stay in his house. Benjamin sometimes wished he could have a command seal, so they wouldn't cause chaos with each other. Benjamin did not need to know how many heroes were in the Holy Grail, there are so many of them.
After Enkidu was done playing around with the children, Enkidu sat next to Benjamin.
"You have fun there Enkidu?" Benjamin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Enkidu nodded and replied, "The Jersey City is pretty interesting and I would like to see more."
"Just tell me when you are done looking around the city," said Benjamin as he leaned back.
Enkidu nodded and got up, looking pretty happy to have so much freedom.
When Enkidu was done, Benjamin took Enkidu to a shopping mall. Benjamin had to buy some clothes for Enkidu due to the fact that all he wore was a tunic and that pretty much stood out, even with the jacket on him, which he is still the odd thumb in the crowd. No matter what clothes Enkidu wore, Benjamin couldn't figure out if Enkidu was a boy or girl. In the end, Enkidu wore simple clothes, a loose tan shirt that fell just below the waistline, knee socks, and shorts. Enkidu did not seem to mind what clothes it was.
"By the way, are you a girl or a boy?" Benjamin asked in confusion, looking at his/her body features.
"I am neither a man nor a woman, Benjamin," Enkidu answered him. "You can call me a man or woman if you have a hard time describing my gender."
"What?" Benjamin said with eyebrows risen. "You said what now?"
"It doesn't matter what kind of clothes you give me, as I can be either gender," Enkidu said with a smile that sat nicely with the clothes together. "Do I look like a girl or boy to you?"
Benjamin took a long studious look at Enkidu with a confused face. His/Her voice is perfect in a way as it leans towards a feminine voice, but it is boyish enough so that he/she could pass off as a man if he/she tried hard. His/Her face doesn't look overly girlish and with short hair, you could see him/her as a boy without many problems.
"Honestly, I have begun to think that you're a boy Enkidu. I thought you were a girl from first glance," Benjamin answered as he looked at Enkidu's face. "But after a few minutes of listening to your voice, I would just call you he now as for simplicity's sake and because of The Epic of Gilgamesh literature who said Enkidu in "male" pronouns for the sake of convenience." Benjamin knew that Enkidu's human form is technically a genderless mass of clay who is considered male but bears the likeness of the divine harlot Shamhat.
"Then it is as you say, Benjamin. I am a man," Enkidu answered. The air between Benjamin and Enkidu seemed to turn into something that was less. Enkidu seemed to be someone who was easier to talk to after both of them had the conversation about the Holy Grail. Benjamin felt much more at ease with Enkidu who spoke serenely in a polite manner without any provocation or talking in an arrogant voice. Even Enkidu said to Benjamin that he thought of himself as a weapon, even back when he was still alive.
Benjamin went to a library to read what kind of hero Enkidu was. The librarian gave him an epic poem named The Epic of Gilgamesh. Benjamin read the book to figure out Enkidu's history while Enkidu just explored the city. Benjamin was told Enkidu won't get lost in the city as Enkidu told him that it has a special ability called Presence Detection that detects other Heroic Spirits and Benjamin himself over ten kilometers. Benjamin could not help himself, that was a real useful ability, that Enkidu is some kind of awareness Servant. Benjamin learned that Enkidu was clay shaped by the hands of the Gods and was the only friend of Gilgamesh who was an arrogant king. Benjamin didn't want meet to meet Gilgamesh, who was the King of Heroes and could kill him for being summoned last. Benjamin could only hope Enkidu can calm Gilgamesh from killing him.
When Benjamin was done reading The Epic of Gilgamesh, he started reading different books that have heroes or historic figures in them. Benjamin hoped that Heroes wouldn't destroy his house, as he learned that some of the heroes are following oaths that they could not fulfill or have a grudge on someone. After some time, he was done reading as many books as he could.
Benjamin began researching about the details of Holy Grail book that was sent from his Grandpa. He was deeply mesmerized by the horrific details. The Holy Grail War also called Heaven's Feel is a ritual that has been ongoing for almost two hundred years ago. Established by the Tohsaka, Matou and Einzbern Families, also known as the Three Founding Families, as a means to reach Akasha. Benjamin studied that each Servant is divided into their classes, to protect their identities from enemies. Noble Phantasms that are core, weapons, and abilities owned by them.
Saber, the knight of the sword and have the most outstanding of the all servant classes. Have higher Magic Resistance that grants protection against magical effects and have Riding Skill with knowledge of riding animals and vehicles. "Heroic Spirit of the Sword, and Knight of the Sword. Expert swordsmen and strong melee fighters, capable of adapting to the situation."
Archer, master of projectile weapons, and possessor of the Independent Action skill that lets him/her operate for a period of time without a master. Often gifted with preternatural senses. "Heroic Spirit of the Bow, and Knight of the Bow. Experts of long-range combat, wielding ranged weapons of both future and past, and capable of acting independently without assistance from their Masters."
Rider, the hero of the mount, one who rides legendary beasts and war vehicles that granted them powerful Noble Phantasms or abilities even better. "Heroic Spirit of the Mount, and Horseman of Steeds. Experts of mounted combat, wielding powerful Noble Phantasms and showcasing the greatest mobility through the beasts that they ride."
Berserker, servant of madness, a weaker soul trades his/her sanity for immense power: a special ability Mad Enhancement. They are the most difficult to control of all servants. "Heroic Spirit of the Berserker Rage, and Horseman of Madness. Insane warriors who wield great power, but in exchange lose their sanity when entering combat, transforming into engines of uninhibited destruction."
Lancer, servant of the spear and the most agile, proficient in hit-and-run tactics that capitalize on range and speed. "Heroic Spirit of the Spear, and Knight of the Spear. Experts of long-range melee weapons and swift melee fighters, capable of controlling the flow of combat."
Assassin, master of silent killing and the bane of the masters. Its special class ability is Presence Concealment which allows them to remain undetected when spying or ambushing. "Heroic Spirit of Assassination, and Horseman of Murder. Generally weak but stealthy warriors, rarely suited for direct combat, but true experts of reconnaissance, subterfuge, assassination and covert operations."
Caster, servant of magic, who wield magic often lost to the modern era. Their class ability is Territory Creation altering the surrounding lands in favor of their sorcery and Item Construction which allows the magus to create magical items and tools. "Heroic Spirit of Magic, and Horseman of Spells. Lacking in physical power, they wield of dangerous and usually forbidden powers far beyond the abilities of modern magi."
Benjamin studied each class and pondered his mind on this. Servants are powerful enough to kill their Masters, Command Spells are there to make sure it doesn't happen. But taking that out of the equation, he is not sure that future servants would listen to him and go off on their own. Not only that, but he has to make sure to be extremely careful not to piss them off or from saying some sort of trigger word or they would kill him.
Benjamin was worried that he could not control Berserker, who could cause chaos in the city, without commanding seals and hoped the Holy Grail would summon a Caster who can help him control it. Benjamin did not mind summoning Saber, Archer, Rider and Lancer, as they are easy to control themselves. Benjamin is a little cautious of summoning Assassin, who might back stab him at any time. Benjamin just hoped that the Servants that are showing up from the Holy Grail would get along with him and listen to him. But he doubted that they would listen to a kid, especially without the command spells within his hand.
Benjamin learned that there is a Magi's Association, which is an international, self-defense and self-preservative organization that is ruled by a different kind of Magi with power struggles between several factions. Benjamin felt angry that magus may commit many hideous crimes, but as long as they are not a threat that could be revealed to the common public, he learned that most of the magus characteristics have arrogant and selfish personalities.
There is also the Holy Church, an international religious organization that coexists peacefully with the Mage's Association. Benjamin saw that The Holy Church holds a great level of animosity towards Vampires but coexists with different races. Benjamin thought that their morality was black and white from his point of view, most of the former members' personalities are a zealot in his opinion.
All of this information caused Benjamin to have a headache in his mind, as his brain cannot handle the feeling that all of this was hidden behind the whole world's back and that no one noticed this at all. There are a wide variety of legendary heroes from potentially any mythology who can be summoned as Servants. Then there are types of familiars like skeletal zombies, vampires, parasitic magic-devouring worms, spirits, and dragons that all exist in this world. Lastly, there is a Holy Grail war in some kind of form for a tournament that seven Heroic Spirits are summoned to become "Servants" to seven "Masters." They must then fight each other in a seven-way battle royale, whereupon the last Master/Servant team remaining is granted the ultimate prize: the Holy Grail, a legendary artifact said to grant any wish of whoever claims it, which the battlefield is in the city where thousand of people live.
So much of the information is enough to nearly drive Benjamin insane. He read this book for so long that he felt dizzy and it confused him more and more until it was almost sunset after Benjamin was done researching about what he knew now. He went to go find Enkidu, who was just sitting on the tree waiting for him. Benjamin told Enkidu that it was time to go home now, Enkidu nodded and followed Benjamin back to the car and they drove home. When they arrived home it was very late at night. Benjamin went downstairs to the basement to check the Holy Grail to see if it summoned any heroic spirits. Just as he expected, it did summon a heroic spirit. What he did not expect was that The Holy Grail summoned two heroic spirits.
Two tinkers that were sitting on top of the Holy Grail were a golden apple and an ancient arrow. Benjamin started to hear the voices again but this time, there were two voices, male and female, at the same time.
"Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Let each overturn five times, breaking asunder the barriers between past and present. Let it be declared now: Your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be one with your bow, your arrows serving as the arbiters of fate."
"Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail. Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth. An oath shall be sworn here. Let it be filled. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Let it be filled fivefold for every turn, simply breaking asunder with every filling!"
"Come forth and become my champion, hero of nature!"
Soon the summoning ritual started to glow brighter and ended, a flash of light blinded Benjamin's eyes.
"Ahhhhhhhhh my eyes!" Benjamin covered his eyes in agony.
When Benjamin managed to open his eyes, he was surprised by what he saw.
Two figures stood before him, side by side.
A girl in a green-themed short skirt dress, wearing high boots, a blackish gold chest plate, and clawed iron gantlets on the right and left hands. Her long light brown hair with green tips. Most importantly, positioned at the top of her head lied what seemed to be animal ears of some sort, with a matching tail. She held a black bow with gold trimmings that was taller than her own height.
Seriously... is this thing legit? Benjamin thought out of pure curiosity.
A tall middle-aged man with a gentle-looking face wore archaic style clothes with leather armor that gave him the appearance of a Greek bowman. His long green hair tied up in a ponytail. He held a strange looking bow with a spike at the end. There seemed to be a horse tail beneath the bottom of his armor.
"Really? ...What is up with the animal ears and tails?" Benjamin muttered to himself as he stared at her cat ears and tail, which were adorable enough that he was struggling not to reach out and see if they were as soft as they looked.
"Servant Archer, I have answered your call," they both said at the same time, before looking at each other in shock.
Benjamin sighed and thought to himself "Great two more mouths to feed now and it is not even one day yet. As he stared at both Archers, they started to aim their bows at each other, waiting to release their arrows at their target in the right moment.
Realizing that his two new servants were about to shoot at each other with The Holy Grail right in the middle of the floor, Benjamin leaped forwards, putting himself between them. "No fighting."
Luckily, both of the Archer classes listened to him and lowered their weapons, though they kept their bow at hand. "This could be a ticking time bomb any second now," Benjamin said to himself.
Author's Note: School is coming soon, so expect a slow update because I am going to be busy in my new classroom.
Benjamin doesn't have a Master's Sight, so he cannot see their true names or their abilities, but he can sense that they are Hero Spirits.
You always know who they are.
Chiron appears to have a horsetail in rear in the Fate/Apocrypha character material