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Authors Note: There is an infinite number of Servants who could be summoned into the many versions of the Grail Wars, but only so few are seen. Would you like to see the other possibilities?
This fic was Inspirited by all those One Shot Series' of What If Servants such as From Across the Throne of Heroes, Servants of the Kaleidoscope, and Infinite Paths. I highly suggest reading them.
And yes, that means this is a One Shot Series. Most of the Servants will be from Modern Fiction. Or... Old Fiction. Depends.
From the few Reviews I receive I have also decided to say, that while I will be taking Suggestions for Future Chapters Servants, I shall not take any suggestion seriously if they are given to me on this website. Instead I have listed a website at the bottom of my profile, if anyone wants to go there to suggest a Servant. If you use that site to suggest it I will take the Servant into full Consideration and give it some favor over other random ideas.
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The Holy Grail, A Coveted Wish Granting Item, fought for with wars every 50 years. To obtain it, Magus' summon Heroes from recognized throughout time, to fight for them in this war from their home after death, The Throne of Heroes. Summoned into Pre-Made Classes that suit their skills, they stand above humans, not only to win the war for their Masters who have called them, but to have their wishes granted by the Grail.
The Knight of the Sword, Saber. The Knight of the Spear, Lancer. The Knight of the Bow, Archer. The Mounted Solider, Rider. The Magus, Caster. The Silent Killer, Assassin. The Mad Warrior, Berserker. These are the Vessels these heroes summoned into.
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Today... We see a man who believes the strong should rule over the weak. Who nearly overthrew the very government itself, only to be stopped by one who used to be of the same profession as him. This man was by no means a Hero. He was a Cold and Ruthless Human being, who didn't care for the majority of those around him. But that makes him just that much more interesting doesn't it?
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"How many years has it been since I fought personally?" He asked the man beside him, as he stared straight forward, awaiting his enemy. His blood lust was high. He wanted to battle.
"You seem pleased."
"Of course. He still honors his oath not to kill, so it's hard to say that he has awakened, but he's even managed to defeat Soujirou. As a swordsman, the prospect of fighting him stirs my blood as much as taking over the country. And on top of that, there's the style he uses to look forward to. I said it the day he arrived in Kyoto. Whatever the outcome, I will enjoy this." The smile on his lips grew wider, the bandages moving along with his face. His joy was growing even more, his hand twitched as it sat on the pommel of his sword.
"But I regret that it came to this. The Rengoku was destroyed. Most of our soldiers have been arrested, and the Ten Sword are scattered. Our plans for Japan have been set back by ten years. Please, destroy him and those who follow him here and now. Then ten years from now! All I've done for this organization will be realized!" His strategist declared loudly, with pride. The man he follows is obviously the strongest. Who triumphs over the weak.
But there was no answer. He just stared at the door, in that boxed in room made for a swordfight. The torches flame growing every brighter. Till he saw the door moving. His opponent was here. It was time....
…
Waiting. Waiting. He was tired of waiting. If it wasn't for the Command Seal, he'd had left this gate and started a blood bath. There was no point in waiting around here if there was a war going on. He would turn the very country upside down if he was allowed out.
"Hurry up and come here… Any of those damned Servants will do… Why don't you come and show me what you can do." He muttered, staring up into the sky, waiting in front of that shrine gate.
"I'll even take that damn witch ordering me around. I need to eat. Someone come."
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"Stop right there." His voice was deep. Saber had attempted to enter the Ryuudo Temple from the front, to see a man there. The Servant, Assassin.
"You… A Samurai? Which Servant are you?" Saber readied her sword, her armor glistening under the moon light as she looked up those stairs.
And at the top of the steps there he was. Wearing a purple robe, that was left unworn on his right side. Otherwise… His entire body was covered in bandages. From head to toe, under his clothes and over every visible body part, aside from the eyes, mouth, and his right hand, was white medical wraps.
On his hip was what looked like a normal Katana. A few strands of hair were visible from the top, and his piercing red eyes gave Saber an unusual feeling, something close to fear of a man who was so cruel none would normally go against him.
His skin was a dark brown, cracking in spots where it could be seen. He took a few steps forward, revealing purple boots. The katana at his waist was now drawn into his right hand, as he stared down at Saber.
"Servant Assassin." The Servant identified himself in his rough voice, showing his sword as if confirming his identity as a warrior of the Far East. This bewildered Saber, as one would not normally reveal their class so easily if they were of the Trickster Class… His answer though did not come from foolishness, or any form of honor. No it was because the titles of the Servants served no purpose to him. Simply calling himself an Assassin would make him seem weak. As well it would confuse her. Which served his purpose all the more.
"… I am the Servant Saber. Remove yourself from my path." Saber made her demand, as she was to enter the temple and help Shirou. Though it was a good discovery that Assassin was at the temple. But it wouldn't end there…
"I'm afraid not. I'm already pretty upset I had to let that weak kid through here, I'm not going to be deprived of another one." Saber saw no point behind this. Was Assassin's Master in alliance with Casters?
Though that was also incorrect. Assassin was the Servant of Caster. An unknown Assassin, of a history Saber wouldn't know even if she heard his name. Burned out of history with a flame, much like how he lost his life. Nor was he a Samurai… But a Man Slayer.
"You saw Shirou? He's here?" It was now confirmed this was the location of her master, the boy she had sworn to protect with her very life. It did not matter what happened to her as long as Shirou would be okay.
"Of course." The Assassin took no stance, as he sheathed his katana, but did not remove his hand from the hilt. "If you want to save him though… You'll have to go through me."
Even if it was a forced job, Assassin thought there was no other stronger than himself. For he has not been defeated. That was how things were. Which made him strong, and those around him weak. Therefore he was to devour the weakling in front of him.
And Saber could already see his power. He was unusual for an Assassin. He was much stronger all around. If it was up to her, she'd go past him to save Shirou, but even without his sword drawn, Assassin seemed to have no openings.
She would not be able to slip past him so easily. Thus she glared. They were only a single step out of each other's ranges. With a single step, a battle would started between the Silent Killer, and the Knight of the Sword.
"… Move Assassin." The King of Knights demanded with a glare.
Instead of even giving her a worded response, Assassin just smirked, the dark skin around his mouth cracking even more.
That was all the response she needed though.
A moment passed. That moment turned into two. Which in turn became three. Neither moved from their spots, their battle having already begun before either had even stepped into the range of the others blade.
Sparks flying without a single light, blades clashing without noise or touching. The two had begun a fight that would be spoken of for the rest of eternity if it was to be recorded in the pages of history.
And yet… There was also nothing. Quiet. For neither had attacked. The battle had not started, yet anyone who watched already knew every single move provided they could at least follow a sword. Without actually clashing, the two were already locked in combat.
And then finally… Assassin came in first, swinging his katana powerfully, like a blazing flame that could wait no longer, aiming to take Saber's very head.
His movements could not be called elegant. They were coarse and powerful, as if he was aiming to destroy her very existence. A large difference from Saber, who swiftly deflected his blow with her Invisible Air.
And thus the true battle started. Repeatedly the sounds of swords singing through the air, metal deflecting off metal, their feet dancing in circles with their duel rang out like a loud cry. The sight was both beautiful and cruel.
The King of Knights fought with power and elegance. Every movement she made was like a piece of art in motion, trying to escape the limited confines of reality and take its place in the heavens.
But in contract Assassin moved roughly, as if he had no care for any of that. His movements were full of killing intent, every blow he made aimed for a spot that would end up deciding the battle.
The two came together, and separated over and over again, narrowly dodging blows and parrying the blade that came flying at them respectively.
But Saber was slowly gaining the upper hand. Assassin had amazing skill with the sword, but did not seem to completely outmatch the Servant of the Sword. With blade in hand, she pushed forward to try and end the battle, as Assassin aimed his blade at the very ground beneath their feet, creating a spark, as a loud flame roared to life around his katana.
The sudden move caused Saber to fall back for only a moment, but that was enough time, as Assassin sprung forward at her. While the burning blade was stopped by the invisible sword of air, Assassin's hand shot out, stabbing fingers through Saber's clothes, and straight into her shoulder, before pulling back and separating from her while he had the chance, her reaction being slowed due to Assassin having claimed the first blow of this battle.
Her arm worked fine though, as the dance of swords continued, but now with a blade of air clashing against a blade wreathed in flame. Though this time, Assassin seemed to be getting the edge. While she did not know it, Assassin had the unique talent to be able to neutralize any technique he's seen once before, so her sword techniques would no longer reach him like they previously had.
Finally the flow had completely turned in Assassin's favor, as he brought down blows upon Saber, finally cutting through her defenses. They were all non-lethal blows as Saber was strong enough to keep him from hitting his mark. The shoulder, the forearm, the shin, the edge of the ear… Each time it had been nothing but the blade, the burning flames of his blade being narrowly avoided over and over again…
And this was how the battle continued, till from above, one boy named Shirou Emiya was flung back, after avoiding an attack from his own ally's servant.
"Shirou!?" Saber was genuinely surprised to see Shirou come down like that but Assassin just smirked as he sheathed his sword.
"Go. I don't feel like taking care of that weakling or you anymore. Or should I prove it right here? Who the strongest one of all is." Assassin was completely confident in himself. As much as it pained Saber to run away, her priority was Shirou, not the Assassin wrapped in bandages.
Though that didn't seem to make much difference as a red robe fluttered in the wind, as two Chinese Dao's coming down to kill Shirou were now present, wielded by the Servant Archer. Only to meet an invisible blade of a knight.
Saber defended her Master from the attacking Archer, as Assassin just watched from the sidelines. Or so it seemed… As a blazing Katana made its path, aimed for Archer's throat. The bronze skinned Servant barely got back in time to avoid the blow.
"Assassin!? You're going to help them get away?" Archer questioned, staring at the Japanese Servant.
"I honestly don't care if they live or die. But I gotta kill anyone who goes through that gate there." He stated it as if he really didn't care… Which he probably didn't.
"Then what about the boy?" Archer knew what the answer would likely be but…
"Too far away." Assassin's answer meant Saber had grabbed him and fled already. He hadn't exactly told her that Shirou could leave. He had meant for only her. As soon as she was gone, he was going to cut Shirou in half with his blade.
No more words were needed as another dance of swords was about to start, between the blades of the land of the setting sun and a blade of the land where the sun rises.
But only later would it be known… Assassin had won that duel with the King of Knights clad in blue, when the cut across her back and the burn that comes with it is found, an injury that would've rendered her unable to battle in a few minutes if they had kept fighting.
That is why he had stopped. He had already won.
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"You're pretty stupid to come back here you know that?" Assassin had surprised Saber. He was still around. As if he had some attachment to life. But that wasn't it. He just didn't feel like going. He hadn't turned it upside down yet. There were thirty minutes till Saber was supposed to pass through the gate, and fight Gilgamesh. And Assassin was still there.
That meant there were thirty minutes to get Assassin out of her way.
"Assassin…" Though the King was stunned. Assassin shouldn't be here. He should no longer exist with Caster gone. So how? "Assassin… Caster is gone, why are you still here!?"
Even one such as the King of Knights could not remain calm under these circumstances. But Assassin saw it fit to give Saber no answer, and instead drew his sword, creating the flames that spiraled around it once again.
It was obvious words would not be what would get through Assassin. It would have to be the sword. But the question that plagued Saber's mind was… Could she win after she had lost to this mysterious Assassin last time? The wound was definitely found later, and she had only then realized Assassin did not get bored or pity her.
He had been done because the battle was over. She had failed to defeat the Silent Killer. For her, Saber, to lose in a duel of swords was unheard of. Thus…
"I have thirty minutes… I will take back the pride you have stolen from me!" She declared to the silent figure, clothed in purple with bandages covering his burnt body, pointing her blade of air at his blade of flame.
And with that… The symphony of steel started once again. This time much different from the last. Saber used techniques she had previously not, and Assassin flicked his swords flame around like a beast ready to bite at any minute.
"The law of this world is the strong will thrive and the weak shall be eaten. Which are you Saber? Can you beat me, and put yourself at the very top of the food chain?" The killer asked that one question as they dueled, repeating that beautiful and horrible dance from before.
There was no more talking from there on out. The two clashed and dueled, for a full twenty five minutes… Until Assassin's body caught a flame, not from his own sword, but due to his burns. His burns had covered his entire body, and thus burned away his sweat glands. Fighting for pro-longed amounts of time may have been Assassin's only weakness…
And yet they kept dancing with their swords, as he laughed. Saber didn't try to make sense of it. She only fought against the opponent before her, giving it all her attention in hopes that would be enough to defeat him in time.
So the two kept fighting till one fell. In that glorious dance of skill and power. No matter the victor though… It had only been a matter of time till Assassin himself would burn away once again.
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A man stood atop a mountain of bones, seeing various other piles. Was it a dream? Was what he seeing before him a vision? A hallucination?
"This is...? I... I must have died. So where..." He asked himself, having taken his own life to follow the man he respected.
And his answer came in a rough voice, turning to see a man clad in medical wrappings. "This is hell."
"Shishio!" Beside him was a beautiful woman, who had loved him, and who he understood more than anyone else.
"See, I told you if we waited a little, Houji would come as well." She told the bandaged warrior, proud of herself. The man who had just arrived stared, not sure what to think, before he was called to by the warrior.
"Well, don't just stand there. Let's get going." He turned away, and started walking before looking back. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to overthrow the King of Hell."
"Usui should be coming this way, too. This time we'll all be on the same side, won't we?" The woman asked him, holding his arm.
"Hm. I'll think about it." The warrior seriously contemplated the idea. "What's the matter Houji? Didn't I tell you you'd taste victory at my side?" His smile was a geniuine one, as this is what that burnt warrior lived for. The man who had served him so long only could cry as he replied in both joy and relief...
"Yes! I'll be right there!" The bandaged one seemed surprisingly happy to hear that...
"In my fight with Battousai, he had those who feared me to help him. Here there are only devils. It won't happen this time. Ha ha ha... Ha ha ha ha... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha... HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" And he roared up a great laughter, with the two that came beside him, as he walked across those mountains of bones, to overthrow the land of death itself...
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Class: Assassin
Identity: Shishio Makoto
Stats:
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Noble Phantasms: C
Strength: C
Mana: D
Endurance: B
Agility: B
Luck: D
Class Skills:
Presence Concealment: B
Personal Skills:
Battle Continuation: A
Charisma: B
Eye of the Mind (True): B
Walking Furnace: A
A skill unique to Shishio, is that if he fights for more than 15 minutes in a row, his body may burst into flames. As this would normally kill a man, as a Servant it is instead a strong weapon, giving him flames to use at all times for his techniques and to defend himself. Unfortunately even this is limited for after 10 minutes, the flames will burn Shishio to nothing, and kill him.
Noble Phantasms:
Mugenjin
Rank: C
Type: Anti-Unit
The Mugenjin is the personal sword of the former Isshin Shishi hitokiri Shishio Makoto, and the last killing sword forged by the sword smith Arai Shakku. It has several unique properties to allow it to kill without losing its edge or otherwise stagnating. Its self-sharpening edge is berthed to it by having a sizable portion of the blade chipped away in a regular, serrated pattern, which allows it to lose none of its feel regardless of the number of men it slays. In addition, while most swords would rust and dull from continued exposure to human blood and oils, the Mugenjin appears to suffer none of these consequences, and instead the fat it has absorbed during the many years it was used allowed it to ignite itself and catch fire when friction was applied.