Hello readers I'm back with another chapter. I KNOW what I said and I'm sorry that this isn't The Summoning like I said it would be. I got to thinking over ideas and decided to write a bit of stuff before that. Also, I have had a lot on my plate with midterm projects and will continue to be busy until the end of next week. Even so, I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

This chapter is going to involve some more character development, but it's going to be center more on Leana. Plus I start crossing Destiny in. You'll see it if you have sharp eyes.

I do not own Destiny, Type Moon, or any of their characters.

Leana: But I am my own person. No touchy!

Author: You heard the lady. Come on! Get'cha eyes moving on to the chapter already! :P

(Leana's Bedroom)

The room was very large and extravagant. It had high ceilings and 4 walls painted in burgundy with one being mostly taken up by a large window that let in the light of the already setting sun. There is a classic four-post, queen-sized bed with green curtains that were drawn back at the moment. All in all- very posh. However, aside from those features, the rest of the room was rather humble in comparison. A small closet was on the far side of the room, next to the window. A small dresser with 6 drawers sat next to the bed. Across from the bed, there was a small desk with wooden chair pulled under and a mirror hanging on the wall in front of it- and that was all.

Leana didn't particularly like to spend money needlessly. Part of the reason was because she believed that the money could be better spent for the clan's future well-being. Although, it could also be because she was once scammed by a con artist in London that convinced her to buy phony lottery tickets, and she hasn't fully trusted any salesman she has encountered since. She only relented on the bed because it was heavenly to sleep in. Speaking of Leana…

At the moment, said girl was hastily packing two open luggage bags on her bed. She grabbed clothes, books, and other necessary essentials. After around 20 minutes both bags were filled and were being zipped closed. She worked fast- a history of prolonged meetings away from Gilbert's Bluff has made sure of that. Now, Leana was just checking off on a mental list. She needed to make sure that she had everything she could need before leaving because Fuyuki was a lot farther away from home than anywhere she has ever been. There would be no time for a second trip if she left something important behind.

Leana finished checking and nodded to herself.

"There. That should do it. Now all I have to do is say goodbye and I'll be o-" Wait? Goodbye? Leana thought.

Leana's actions were now catching up with her now that she was alone. She could see her mother's shocked face when her daughter yelled at her, and it filled Lean's heart with sadness. She never wanted to see her Mum like that. Not again. At the moment, Leana wouldn't be able to talk to her mother with a straight face if she still saw that stricken expression.

Leana grit her teeth.

But she was standing in the way! Leana was meant to lead the Hamiltons back into greatness, and she couldn't do so with a worry-filled mother always looking over her daughter's shoulder and holding her hand. She could take care of herself!

On the other hand, she was her mother. It was her job to take care of Leana and protect her like any parent would no matter how old either became. It was just so frustrating how overbearing she was sometimes.

The redhead's eyes softened a bit at that thought.

Leana closed her eyes in concentration to mull over the decision of what to do. Silence rained for a moment as the mage heiress helplessly argued with her own conscience. Her freckled face twisted and contorted in a myriad of emotions- the most prominent ones being frustration and annoyance.

It went on for about a whole minute before the redhead let out a ragged sigh and slumped her shoulders. Opened her mouth and spoke out to no one but herself.

"Fine… I'll say goodbye to her. It's not like I won't com-" Leana's emerald eyes snapped open.

It was in that moment that the young woman finally realized… she was going into a WAR.

Sure, there were only 7 mages fighting, but it wasn't them that worried Leana. After all, she had been training her family's Thaumaturgy since she was 6 years old and had little doubt she could find a way to defeat any rival Master in this war. No, it was the Servants that bothered her. The redhead would be fighting in a battle royale that involved spirits of the greatest figures in history that had ascended from the rest of humanity to become something more. That very notion excited Leana in both good ways and bad. However, the bad reasons currently outweighed the good 6 to 1.

Sweat drops appeared on Leana's forehead and her face started to look a little pail. Her hands and knees started to lightly shake. She teetered over to the desk in the room. Leana clumsily pulled out the chair and flopped down into it.

Why am I acting like this?! Leana thought.

Leana had already known there was a real chance of dying. She even told her mother so when she argued with her. But those were words, and there was a big difference between saying one thing and actually coming through with it- especially when said thing staked your life. She had felt so confident when talking to her mother. Her confidence was still there, but now her mind was trapped thinking about the very real possibility that she could die in this Holy Grail War and it frightened her to the core.

Leana put her hands to her face and rested her elbows on the desk top. Her breaths were shallow and ragged.

"Can I really do this?" It was only the barest of whispers, yet the words just spoken carried a weight that could shatter a person's will if the wrong answer was found.

Leana lifted her head and looked around the room. This was her home- the only place she truly knew for the 21 years she had lived. She had been to London and other places she was required to go by the Mage Association, but they were all only temporary. The only other place Leana went to was the coastal village the Fragas resided in and that was because her mother had ties with some of them, but that also stopped when Leana was about 8 years old.

So as Leana's eyes wandered over her bedroom, she couldn't do anything as her will to fight trickled away...

However, everything stopped when she looked forward. When Leana's gaze looked out in front of her, it was reflected back by the mirror on the wall. She looked at herself. She looked and saw a beautiful young woman in relaxing yet neat clothes like her own currently. Her skin was also porcelain with only a few blemishes in the form of freckles. Even the woman's hair was done in a ponytail like Leana's and its color was just as lively and radiant like a fire. The woman in the mirror looked exactly like Leana, but surely it couldn't be her, could it? It was impossible when Leana looked into the eyes in the mirror image, they did not hold the confidence of a Hamilton ready to face any and all challengers in whatever path of life. No, instead they were brimming with tears and projected the emotions of a scared, little girl.

And just like that, it had happened. That sight had done it… Leana had lost her will to fight. The simple instinctual fear of dying had doomed her. She bent her head in shame. She could no longer look into those hopeless eyes… her eyes.

However, as Leana's gaze dropped, something in the mirror caught her eye… her necklace. She looked down at the one on her own neck and lifted it to eye-level. To most people, this strange necklace would have been written off as nothing more than a few bits and pieces of metal strung together by a small chain. To the Hamiltons, though, it was the one of the most precious heirlooms and an artifact only given to the acting clan head as a show of office.

Looking at the piece of jewelry, Leana couldn't help but reminisce on how she had received it.

(Flashback 14 years ago – Leana centralized perspective)

Leana watched from the table as her parents walked into the hallway and out of sight. She looked down at the cooling food on her plate and huffed indignantly. Leana grumbled as she picked up a fork and mechanically ate the rack of lamb even though the taste was delightful. It seemed that her mind was just too fixated on her father to enjoy the delicious food. After all, Her Da had returned from being gone for more than a week and she had to sit at the table and eat while he and her Mum talked about something so important that she wasn't allowed to hear. Leana continued to grumble until she unconsciously finished the food.

When she was done, she patiently waited for her parents to come back…She couldn't last 5 minutes before she went looking for them (she is 7 years old after all).

The little red-haired heiress walked through the empty passages of New Hamilton Manor searching for the 2 most important people in her young life, only to come up empty-handed.

"Mouh! Where are they?!" She shouted receiving no answer- not that she actually expected any.

She turned around the corner and saw her parents hugging each other. That was nice. Leana was about to rush in and join them as a happy surprise, but stopped when she saw her mother's face. It looked sad and her eyes looked puffy. Was her mother feeling alright? So, like any sensible child, Leana asked just that.

"Mum? Are you okay? Why are you crying?"

Both adults jumped slightly as they broke apart from one another to look at Leana standing in the middle of the hallway they came from with a confused look on her face. Elise hastily wiped the tears away and spoke in a surprisingly even voice.

"Leana. Yes, I am alright. I was just talking to your father about his new assignment given to him by the Association." Leana's face turned to one of surprise and looked at Alec.

"Wha-? But you just got here!" Leana cried out earnestly. She hadn't seen her Da in over a week and now, he was leaving again? It just wasn't fair!

Leana was about to throw a fit. Alec saw this and acted quickly by getting down on one knee and beckoned for Leana to come closer. She did. Her father took her little hands in his own and look her kindly in the eye like he had just done with her mother (not that Leana knew that).

"I know, Sweety. I know and I am dearly sorry, but people need my help and if I don't go, then bad people will hurt them." That caught Leana's attention.

Looking back on it, Leana could understand what he was doing. He didn't want to work his little girl into a panic that her Da could die, but he also didn't want to lie to her face.

"Bad people? You're gonna beat 'em up, aren'tcha Da?" Leana inquired like the child she was. She did always think her Da was the strongest and greatest mage in the world.

"Hahaha. Yep, but I have to leave to do that. Do you understand?" Alec told her. Leana's expression went back to pouting and turned away from her father with her arms tightly crossed and nose turned up.

"I'm still mad that you're leaving." She proclaimed, trying to act strong.

Alec sighed. And thought about what to do. And when he did his face became one of mischief. Leana was turned away from Alec at the moment, but Elise had caught it and hid a smile of her own.

Suddenly Alec's face took on one of dramatic despair and swung his voice as he spoke.

"Oh, woe is me! I have drawn the ire of my only daughter! How can I make my little Firecracker happy?...Hmm let me see…"

He made a real show of it. Alec adopted an exaggerated thinking pose with one arm supporting the other that held the bottom of his chin. He muttered a few things under his breath with his eyes closed. Leana had turned around at that to desperately try to make out what was being said. She was really buying into the act.

Her father's face then turned into one of "Aha!" and raised a finger, signaling an idea. The clan head's hands reached behind his neck and unclasped the necklace he was wearing and held it out in front of him.

The chain of the necklace hung between his hands. The small silver links ran through the middle of an even number of black (primary color) and red (secondary color) metal shards. In the center of the necklace was a black metal sphere about the size of a golf ball. It was a strange necklace, but it was also one of Clan Hamilton's oldest heirlooms.

"Huh? But Da! That's the family necklace! You always said that only the clan head can wear it. And isn't really old and val-volu-v"

"'Valuable', Leana." Leana's mother supplied.

"I knew that!" Leana declared with a blush coloring her cheeks bright red. Her parents shared a brief laugh at the response.

"How about this?- You can keep it until I come back." He was already fastening the clasp behind Leana's head. The little red head's eyes sparkled in wonder as she looked down at the necklace that was now on her.

"WHOA! Really?!" Alec nodded. "Awesome!"

"It sure is awesome. But now that I gave it to you, I have to tell you The Tale of the Lost Hamilton, okay?"

Leana nodded her head vigorously and gave her father full attention. Alec took her hands again and began to tell her the story. Elise watched on in fondness as she watched the caring man she loved begin telling the story to their daughter that currently had a captivated look on her face.

"Okay now, listen closely. Legend says that somewhere near the beginning of the 5th century, a young Hamilton clansman became lost from the rest of his group after a battle to fight off would-be invaders trespassing in our native lands. He wandered through thick forests for 3 days with little food or water, but no matter how hard he tried, the man couldn't find his way back home. On the fourth day, he could take no more and lost his will. He decided to give up and accept his fate to die alone in the wilderness."

"Oh no!" Leana exclaimed, her face painted with blatant shock.

"Yes. 'Oh no' indeed." Alec inclined to agree.

"However, when he was just about to collapse from exhaustion, a floating blue light appeared in front of the man from out of nowhere. Intrigued, the lost Hamilton went forward to grasp it to see if it was real or his eyes were playing tricks on him, but the light moved away. He tried again, and the floating light moved again in the same direction and continued for a bit more before stopping."

"A Will-o-Wisp!" Leana happily cried out, recognizing the description of the fairies from Celtic lore.

Her father nodded his head, amused at his daughter's excitement. He continued the story.

"The Hamilton didn't know what to make of the spirit's actions and started to leave the wisp, but the light flew into his way. When he tried to go around, the wisp wouldn't let him. The light did so in every direction the Scotsman turned except for one where the wisp went out a ways before stopping. It seemed that the wisp wanted him to follow. The Hamilton decided he had nothing to lose- he was lost after all. So he followed the floating light. The lost man follow the light for an entire day without rest, lest he lose the wisp.

"On the morning of the sixth day, the wisp had led the Hamilton to the edge of the forest, from where the man could see landmarks he recognized. He was so happy that he wasn't going to die. He turned to where he last saw the wisp in order to thank his savior. However, when he looked back, he saw just as the wisp flicker and fall to the ground. The Hamilton rushed over to see what happened, expecting to either find the wisp or nothing at all. He found neither. Instead, an odd pile of metallic bits lay on the ground. The wisp had died- its purpose completed- and those bits were all that was left of it. The Hamilton felt like he should honor the kind spirit, so he gathered the metal pieces into an empty pouch and later fashioned a necklace from them that he, from that day forward, never removed… That is- until he passed it down to his firstborn and them to theirs and so on.

"Leana, that necklace you now wear is one and the same with the one in the legend I just told you. I'm telling you this because I want you to remember that no matter how grim things may get in life, your actions are not predestined. There is always a way the change your fate. And just as the lost Hamilton clansman did, you just have to have a strong will to do so, and I believe you hold that in spades."

When Alec finished the story, Leana lunged at him (as he was still kneeling) and wrapped her short arms around his neck the best she could, pressing her cheek to his.

Alec returned the gesture in kind. This was nice. It would have been a perfect moment for him if he didn't have to leave. He really should get going. The tall man gently let go of his daughter and stood up.

"You're welcome Leana. I'm going now, but please don't worry. Just promise me that you'll take care the clan while I'm gone, 'kay?" He said as he rubbed the top of Leana's hair affectionately. Leana leaned into the hand and nodded her head.

"Okay Da! I'll do my best!" Leona said with a million watt smile. Alec only smiled back at such a sight.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to do my best too." Her father said back softly.

He finally pulled himself back, ending the touching embrace. Alec picked his rucksack back up, headed out the front door, and down the steps of New Hamilton Palace to a few men including Alec's brothers waiting on horses. He secured his belonging to the saddle of his trusty steed Phantom and climbed onto the beast's back. Alec nodded to the rest of the group who nodded back, and just like that, they were on their way.

Back on the steps, Elise and Leana stood there until they could no longer see any of the riders or their horses, with the smaller waving her arm tired the entire time.

(Flashback End)

Leana continued to cry, but the reason for doing so had changed. The tears that flowed were not of fear or shame but of happy reminiscence. The memory of her father's word's and the responsibility that he faithfully passed down to her had given her new strength (or is it old because it came from a memory? Anyways). Leana was no longer scared.

She grabbed the spherical pendant on the necklace with her left hand that bore the commands seals.

I will fight in the oncoming Grail War and I will return victorious! After all, I promised her father that I would lead the clan to greatness, and that's just what I'll do. Not even the nine levels of Hell can stop me!

When Leana calmed down, she wiped her eyes and stood up from the wooden chair before pushing it back under the desk. She turned her body and looked over at the full luggage on the bed. I guess it's time.

But before Leana could even make another move, a knock sounded on the door. She stared at it, though she made no move to answer it. It was obvious who it was. Well at least I don't have to track her down.

"It's open. Come in mother."

The metal knob turned and the door swung inward on its hinges to reveal Elise. The woman walked in, turned around, and shut the door quietly before turning to face her daughter. They both stared at each other in silence, neither giving away any emotion on their face. It was Leana that broke the silence.

"Good afternoon, mother."

"Good night, Leana" Elise responded in a corrective tone.

Night? That confused Leana. She glanced at the window to see that it was indeed night time as the sky now held a cresent moon and countless stars to brighten the land instead of the sun. Just how long had she been reminiscing? Leana looked back to her mother and nodded her understanding.

Elise looked around the room. She had been inside Leana's bedroom on numerous occasions. However, her eyes locked onto the bags resting on her daughter's bed and narrowed slightly. Elise looked at said daughter.

"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" Her voice did not sound angry.

"I was just about to go looking for you actually, but now that you are here I don't have to." Leana replied.

Another moment of silence.

"Are you really set on doing this?" Elise asked, staring intensely into Leana's eyes. Leana return the stare twice over showing her conviction.

"Yes. I am. I will go to Fuyuki, I will fight, and I will show the world what Hamiltons are capable of. And don't you dare think I will die. I can't and I won't. I made a promise to Da that I would do my best to lead this family and when I return, that's just what I'll do."

"You have the resolve of your father: strong, unwavering, and more stubborn than a mule." Elise stated.

I've had enough of this. "Goodbye mother".

Leana turned to the bed and grabbed the luggage bags by their straps. She walked toward the door, carrying one in each hand. Leana set one bag down to grab the knob. However, when she reached out for it, her hand was suddenly grabbed by one belonging to her mother. Leana's eyes widened before narrowing at the older woman.

"We've already settled this. You can't stop me from lea-"

"I know." Elise interrupted.

"Huh?" That caught Leana off-guard. "Okaaay. Then why are you-?" she trailed off seeing her mother's face.

Elise rarely showed emotion to anyone now-a-days. She was the backbone of the clan whose will was ever strong and decisions were final. But during this very moment, her face belied inner-conflict as her eyes darted every which way without seeming to actually look at anything. Her mouth was set in a lightly strained frown. Elise looked back up at her daughter, appearing to have come to a decision.

Still holding Leana by the wrist, she leaned toward the door and grabbed its knob with her free hand. Elise moved aside as she opened it before picking up Leana's bag that was still on the floor and took a few steps forward. The woman looked back at her daughter whose face showed bewilderment and tugged her lightly

"Follow me."

Leana took a moment to take in what was happening. "Why?" she wanted to ask, but another look from her mother pleaded her to follow. So Leana took a few tentative steps forward and soon fell into pace behind her mother as left the bedroom behind. They hadn't even bothered to shut the door.

Well, there you have it. This was basically a chapter to give Leana a strong conviction going into the Grail War.

And just so you know, all of the backstory I write will be relevant in some way in the future.

P.S. I also plan on making fanart for this story (I like to think I am somewhat good at drawing). I've got rough sketches done but I need to remember to make a deviantart account later. Till then, The story pic will be a concept drawing (not final).

Don't forget to leave a review.