Fate Salvation Apocrypha
Chapter 1 The Church
Solomon was known to have the wisdom of God. Commonly accepted as the King of Magecraft among magi. He made a system facilitated by organs both spiritual and physical.
It allows Humanity to create miracles by their own hands devoid of help or blessing from divinity and inhuman beings. This system manifested as organs are called Magic Circuits which I do have but are inaccessible according to mother. Mom seemed relieved at that.
I know how magi are since mom is one so I asked about the one called the Church if they used another system.
Mom said they are no different, using Magic Circuits like they did if given the chance. Prideful and stuck up like people she knows and just as ruthless in accomplishing their goals. Just a different focus and face of values.
She keeps making fun of me being curious about these things even if I cannot use them. Telling me I look cute when I am angry.
In revenge for the embarrassment I told her she was cute when she laughs.
She tried to strangle me by her chest and arms as she squees in indignation. By making her stoop to my level, this is my victory. Dad agrees.
I like to enjoy thinking with magecraft possible, what else is there?
-Shin Makiri of Six Winters
"So…Uncle Kariya lied to me."
I managed to say it with a surprising amount of venom. Trifas is a city where its people live in fear and the ones outside has come to fear entering.
There is NOTHING THERE. Enjoy my time there, my ASS! Ominous haunted castle in the middle of the town that screams magi bullshit notwithstanding!
Sighisoara on the other hand, is quite the novel and scenic sight with its preserved old buildings and the history surrounding it. The name Vlad Tepes is quite famous with it being part of Romania where the legend seem to reside.
One final stop before going to Trifas and I asked around.
Of course miser that I might be with a winning smile, I would settle from getting help from the locals.
It took me a while to find someone willing to let me make a long distance call.
For free. Truly such kind elderly couple.
I needed to make this brief and polite.
"A MISMATCH?!" I made my tone clear at the injustice I received.
"You still act like you bought the plane tickets yourself?" An exasperated tone can be heard from the other end. The voice was that of a man gruff and coarse.
"LET A MAN DREAM!" I answer quickly.
"YOU'RE SEVENTEEN!" my frequent contact answered.
Usually, I act as an uninformed middle man to connect a chain of papers to smoothen intricate telephone games or to simply do tasks and mundane odd jobs below the client's time and effort like delivering a parcel of sorts.
I half heartedly complain trying to see what I can gain from the error.
"Yeah, yeah, don't take it personally, these things happen sometimes. The paperwork we were supposed to send you is meant to take you to Nevada, USA for your new assignment. Our other contact's contact was the one suppose to be there in Romania."
Makes sense. I think?
"…Ok, ok, FINE. What am I suppose to do in his place? I can't be coming here for nothing –" I say holding the parcel. A box probably containing things from a canister, grenades to a gun or a knife. Set of kitchen knives?
I never know. I make it so I don't.
I know the supposed profession is shady as hell but I enjoy the freedom and deniability involved.
I didn't kill anyone nor did I have to steal from someone else while the pay is neat. Although I am worried of biting off more than I can chew-
"You will do nothing but get out as quick as you can."
Ah crap.
"That bad? What about the final client?" The final recipient. We had our credibility to conisder for people to consider our services.
The one on the other line seemed to consider something before deciding to elaborate.
"…I can't tell you much, but he's not a problem. He's, unable to get the parcel. Natural causes. Just get out there, kid. I'll arrange something instead." A tone of finality I rarely hear from the usually jolly man.
"Ok then, thanks." This seems more serious than I realize. Just what is in this box?
"Take care of yourself. As stupid as this is, someone as honest as you in this line of work is hard to come by."
"…I will. Take care. Wouldn't want a different handler who I can't mooch off vacation money from."
"HAH! That's the spirit. By the way, the Fujimura Clan wanted an explanation on your nam-"
And that is the end of that telephone call. I need to be considerate of the people who lent it to me of course.
Giving my thanks and a few spare change around the house, I left to sight see and look where my feet take me.
I find myself wandering to see an old town said to be known for few textiles. A well embroided towel of sorts. Looking for anything else interesting until I find myself standing in front of a really old church
My plane is scheduled for tomorrow morning so I have some time to kill.
I went around and saw the sights, trying to pass the time.
An old clock tower.
The old houses.
The catacombs seem dreary so I stayed away.
The House of Vlad seem cool.
I can only look as much as I could.
The time constraint is a pain but I do wonder if I might take a souvenir or two of significant age?
The sun wil begin to set after a few minutes.
I came upon a church upon a hill that can loosely be shaped to a rocket.
A silly idea crossed my mind.
I felt both drawn yet apprehensive. As if a child drawn to what is to be discovered hidden in the dark.
I opened the wooden doors as they creaked rather ominously.
Near the pulpit was a young man."
"Ah, hello, you seem Japanese. How may I help you?"
The man who asked has white hair down to his neck and amber eyes donning priestly garments. His dark toned skin seem out of place for a Japanese.
Still, the priest had such a pleasant disarming smile.
"Oh, uh, have you dealt with Dead Apostles before?" I ask.
I ask to test the waters. Being this close to Magi territory either he knows or he doesn't.
"You are not referring to the departed saints I suppose?" A bit of amusement and edge entered his voice.
"…no. But if you are not aware then I'll look elsewhe-"
"It is fine. Do you need help?" the look on his eyes are serious. Seems like he knows.
Taking a leap of faith on this young man who seems trustworthy and amiable, I gave my whimsical desire born of impulse a chance.
"Just some advice and to exchange ideas." I stretch my hand for a handshake and continued.
"Fujimaru Shinji. From a magus family, now a child and a servant of the most high God in the name of Jesus Christ."
The priest looks pleasantly surprised taking the handshake.
"Kotomine Shirou. I may not be from a magus family but likewise. Fellow Servant of God."
The priest had such a pleasant disarming smile.
"Do you have time?"
"Quite a bit, yes. Something about Dead Apostles? Were you dealing with such infestations nearby?"
He looks at a pocket watch before looking straight into my eyes. The intensity in his eyes made me step back without a thought.
"Oh no, pardon me Father, just some ideas. If it works, it would help Executors kill Dead Apostles faster or even Servants with the right conditions."
"Oh?" The glint in his eyes seem dangerous, I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt that he is simply curious.
So we talked.
I spoke with great enthusiasm finding a kindred soul after so long. One familiar with magecraft yet a believer in Jesus Christ.
The Word of God is a Conceptual Weapon cutting between the Spirit and the Soul. A realm theoretically of True Magic. Miracles.
The Black Keys as nothing more than pale shadows of shadows and a proof of the real thing.
The name Yeshua means Salvation. God Saves. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
The Word of God as Scripture and a Sword.
The Word as someone Primordial and quite old. Ancient of days and eternal.
The Word that became Flesh with a name as both Man and God.
The Name has a record of Unclean Spirits being under its absolute Authority.
A Covenant fuelled with the willing death of the One True God in the Flesh. Above those other gods even amongst ancient times as seen in Egypt at the Age of Gods.
The Way to Heaven, Salvation and Eternal life. The summation of Scripture. He IS Scripture.
His is the name with the concept that is above all names.
Yeshua or Jesus as He is widely known.
A name that can be incorporated to the Baptismal Rite for increased effectivity. I remembered the old incantation for the exorcism not held secret to any Magi who looked hard enough.
Swearing as the incarnation? What about swearing by THE Incarnation and His name by which every knee will bow whom people are to be saved?
Like a child I began to elaborate with glee not thinking much on its length.
My eyes maybe playing tricks on me but every time I say the name above all names my vision seems to see a flickering woman dressed audaciously in church.
A ghost or a trick of the eye? I thought nothing of it and continued.
"In short, it is conceptually the name above all names as a Spiritual Victor in the Age of Man from the Age of Gods. Maybe even older. Even against the True Names of Noble Phantasms it will not be found wanting."
Theoretically. Quite possibly. All I need is Faith. I like to believe in His name as the Apostles did.
The age of the Mystery is also more than 2000 years old.
I punctuated so with joy. A weight is off on my shoulders and my chest is light from sharing what I come to know. Maybe it will help. Maybe it will not. But the knowledge is passed on.
Expecting affirmation from the one wearing priestly garment if nothing else a gentle correction, one who seemed interested with a pleasant smile, I only received laughter. Not even one of good humor or one reserved for being fond of young amusing fools.
It was a gentle chuckle that would make women swoon and fighting men reassured yet all I felt was a chill behind my back.
Open, mocking laughter.
All I receive is a laugh.
It hurt.
It was a mocking laugh.
His voice was pleasant yet his eyes were not.
"I have seen people call upon the name of your so called Saviour. They were cut down like any other"
"Yes, but-" Are you not a man of cloth? One who profess eternal life after death?
I thought as much before being cut off.
"I will not have a naïve boy who knew not what I went through to lecture me on what I should believe and conduct my sacraments. You have not experienced what I have that are tested on the field or this life."
"O-Of course but should you consider-"
"Go." The white haired youth said firmly.
Looking deeper into it. I never were able to voice it out.
I went away without another word.
Before I reached the door, I heard him call out.
" Wait."
I look back.
For a face that looked so youthful his eyes seem older all of the sudden.
"Established magecraft is a delicate matter to modify even a single line of incantation. It might be possible to cause the caster's death if done incorrectly."
As if to appease me, the so called priest adds on.
"Yes" I understand that but not as a Mystery aided by God in realization. I answer bitterly deep within my heart.
"I meant what I said that you should leave."
"Why?" I answer curtly.
"There is a Holy Grail War in progress. Only one more Servant is indicated missing from the Spirit Board at being summoned."
I felt myself pale and saw the priest's eyes soften a little.
"I-I will go first thing in the morning." I answer hearing my voice crack a little. I quickly make way for the exit.
I voice without looking back.
" Thank you, for… everything."
I say not really meaning it but to simply be polite.
"May God bless you, Fujimaru."
The voice echoes good intentions with its previous laughter in my mind.
"And you as well, Kotomine."
I half heartedly mutter seeing the sun already set and night set in, I close the door.
I could barely remember the walk back to the hotel I am staying.
I moved to leave from his eyes alone.
I knew then.
A form of godliness yet denying the power thereof.
They knew and believe His life and death but not his Resurrection.
There is no life after death, there is no true Heaven and Eternity does not exist to them.
There is only now and nothing else. Once for man to die and that is it.
It was night. My prayer was neither eloquent nor respectful.
Screw Trifas. Shigisohara. I should not have come here and to that blasted "church".
"I'm sorry for not defending you God. Give me another chance and another place to defend and stand up for your name. I pray for safe travel. Let me leave if it be by your will.
In Jesus's name, Amen."
I realize it at the end. My mind made the conclusion. Why I simply left without protest.
If I were to continue that line of discussion, I would die.
That priest, no, Shirou Kotomine would have cut me down.
So close to death and helpless, I cried myself to sleep for the first time in years.
The back of my right hand pulsed yet seeing nothing even under the night light I put the matter to rest with my sleep.
"This is exactly where I did not want my life to go."
Humanity, Human History knew of Christ. His death. His sacrifice but not His Resurrection.
They knew and believed his conception but not his pre-existence.
There is no life after death. No love without parting. No Heaven. There is only Humanity and this World.
God is nothing but an impersonal distant diety. A King who saw the suffering of Humanity yet simply remained, with His perfection asking obedience and conformity not extending a hand to Humanity.
Or so it would seem.
Once to live and die. And that is it.
A record of Humanity's survival and its desire to live and nothing else, in a cycle of rebirth and reincarnation at the backdrop of eternity.
There is nothing new under the sun. Simply things of similar tones and beats in a cycle.
No wonder Solomon despaired and called everything under the sun meaningless.
-? ? ?
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