Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Fate series.
Within a dimly lit room, intricate magic circles adorned the floor as a young woman in a white dress stood at its center. She was Jeanne d'Arc, the Ruler-class Servant whose duty was to oversee the Holy Grail War about to unfold. Jeanne was a beautiful young woman with Golden tresses cascading like a river of sunlight down her back; her skin held a delicate hue reminiscent of fine porcelain, and her eyes, a deep azure akin to the boundless skies.
With a solemn expression, Jeanne raised her hand, her fingers tracing the air as she chanted magic that resonated with the energies of the Grail. A shimmering vortex materialized before her, crackling with arcane power. Her heart raced with anticipation, knowing that a Servant would soon answer her summons within that vortex.
As the portal stabilized, an ethereal figure began to emerge, slowly taking form. The figure was clad in armour that gleamed like polished silver, adorned with angelic motifs and divine symbols. Jeanne's eyes widened in awe as she realized this was no ordinary Servant.
The figure fully materialized, revealing a young man standing at a decent height of 5'7 with piercing blue eyes, spiky hair as golden as the sun and his skin bearing the warm and sun-kissed tone of an adventurer. His presence radiated an aura of power and majesty, making Jeanne's heart skip a beat. She was no stranger to extraordinary beings, but this Servant's appearance was unlike anything she had encountered before.
"Are you... the one who summoned me?" the man spoke, his voice resonating with a quiet authority.
Jeanne nodded, her voice steady. "Yes, I am Jeanne d'Arc, the Ruler-class Servant overseeing this Holy Grail War. I welcome you, Servant. State your True Name."
The man's gaze softened as he looked upon Jeanne, giving her a bright smile. "I am known in history as the 'Holy Emperor,' but you may call me Naruto Uzumaki, Lancer-class. I am at your service."
Jeanne's heart fluttered at his introduction. The weight of his introduction bore down upon her like a revelation, a profound recognition of the man's undeniable significance. The title that fell from his lips, "Holy Emperor," It was a mantle bestowed upon a chosen few. This divine proclamation elevated its bearer to a position of unparalleled honour.
Her own identity as a devout Christian imbued her with a deep understanding of the title's gravity. It was a designation that signified more than mere leadership; it encapsulated a sacred duty, a role ordained by the heavens themselves.
The "Holy Emperor" was the shield of God, his right-hand man, and the steadfast guardian of Christendom, a beacon of unwavering faith and devotion.
The puzzle pieces finally fell into place inside Jeanne's head, the realization hitting her like a lightning bolt. Her azure eyes widened with astonishment and excitement, her heart racing. Could it truly be? The figure standing before her, the one who had arrived as an unexpected ally in the Holy Grail War, was none other than the 'Holy Emperor' in literature she had read of since she was a child.
A rush of memories flooded Jeanne's thoughts, scenes from her past flashing before her eyes. The tales of bravery and sacrifice, of a hero who had risen from obscurity to become a symbol of hope for the oppressed and a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness. It was him, Naruto Uzumaki, the person who had ignited the flames of her aspirations with his legendary deeds.
"I am honoured to have you by my side, Naruto Uzumaki," Jeanne quickly replied, her voice barely hiding her excitement and awe. "In this Holy Grail War, I shall rely on your strength to not only oversee but to maintain order in this Holy Grail War."
Naruto nodded, a feeling of friendship already forming between them. "I'll do my best, Jeanne. I shall stand as your shield and ensure that the light of justice prevails."
Jeanne beamed at his statement, a radiant expression that seemed to illuminate the room. "Your presence alone is a testament to the ideals you embody, Naruto Uzumaki," she replied, "As we stand united, our strength is magnified, and the path we follow embraces the very essence of goodness."
Naruto could only smile and nod at that. "I gotta ask, though, master, what is your reason for summoning a servant?" He knew those of the Ruler Class had no intent or desire to win the Grail and were only here to maintain the rules and keep an eye on the servants of the Holy Grail War. "Maintaining the rules and keeping an eye on the servants shouldn't be that difficult for a Ruler. After all, you guys have abilities specifically for that. So where do I come in?" He was confused about why a Ruler class needed another servant to help them.
Jeanne's eyes met Naruto's gaze, and she exhaled a gentle sigh, "You're right, Naruto," she began, "The duties of a Ruler are indeed to oversee and ensure that the Holy Grail War adheres to its rules and to monitor the actions of the other Servants. However, there are moments when even the most established patterns can become skewed."
Her fingers lightly traced the intricate patterns of the summoning circle beneath her feet, her gaze distant as if she were peering into the unknown depths.
"I've seen countless Grail Wars unfold, each with its own unique dynamics and challenges. But this time, I sense something is different with this specific Grail war." She suddenly continues.
Naruto's brows furrowed at that, his interest piqued by her words. "Something different? What do you mean, master?"
An anxious smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she met his curious eyes. "The strength of the Servants summoned in this war is remarkable, Naruto. Legends and myths from different eras have been called to this war. It's as though fate itself has gathered the most formidable servants, each driven by their own ambitions and desires."
Naruto took a moment to analyze her words before he realized what she was talking about. "So, you think this Grail War will be unlike any other? And this is why you chose to summon a servant, to aid you through the Grail War?" and all he got was a nod from her. It was all he needed to confirm his assumptions earlier were indeed the case.
"You grasp the essence of it swiftly," she responded, her voice carrying a note of approval. "Indeed, Naruto. This Grail War won't be your ordinary Grail War," she sighed. "There will be many servants looking to twist the rules, hoping to get a slight advantage over the other, and with formidable servants being summoned in this Holy Grail War, things will get chaotic. And so this is why I need your help, not only to maintain order in the Grail War and make sure things go smoothly but also to deliver justice if need be."
Naruto nodded in understanding and smiled brightly at her. "I now understand. As I said earlier, I'll stand as your shield and help you deliver justice if need be, master."
Jeanne's azure eyes shimmered with gratitude, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she met Naruto's earnest gaze. "Thank you, Naruto. And please, don't call me master. Just call me Jeanne."
Naruto's lips formed a genuine smile, "Very well then," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of sincerity. "It's an honour to work alongside you, Jeanne."
The Ruler-class servant returned his smile. "Alright, now that we're done with that, would you mind if I check your stats?" she inquired, her tone friendly and curious.
Naruto's head shook in a casual gesture. "No, I don't mind at all. Feel free to take a look."
Jeanne's azure eyes glinted with anticipation as she focused her attention on the task at hand. Her fingers danced gracefully through the air, subtle magic forming the bridge between her and the information she sought. But as the numbers and symbols materialized before her, her expressive eyes widened, nearly betraying her astonishment. 'Incredible… His stats are beyond anything I've seen before. But what is this divine blessing…?'
Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, Naruto's voice cut through the moment, his concern apparent in his tone. "Hey Jeanne, are you alright there? You seemed to have blanked out."
Caught off guard, Jeanne's cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink, her embarrassment noticeable. "U-Uh, t-that was n-nothing," she stammered, her words stumbling slightly. "I was just… surprised, is all."
That answer seemed to placate Naruto as he nodded and smiled at her. "A-Anyways," Jeanne began, her words gently stumbling, "I think it might be a good idea to leave this abandoned building. Other masters and their servants might likely have already sensed our presence by now." She continued, gazing towards the entrance.
Naruto's azure eyes followed Jeanne's gaze towards the entrance of the lonely building, his senses tuned to the approaching pair of magical signatures.
"Agreed," Naruto replied in a hushed tone. "We should move before things get chaotic."
With cautious steps, they quietly began to make their way toward the exit of the desolate building, their footfalls soft against the worn stone floor.
As they made it outside, Naruto and Jeanne were met with the embrace of nature, a canvas painted with the hues of the night.
Naruto's azure gaze took in the expanse of untamed beauty before turning his attention to Jeanne, "Where are we, and where do we go now, Jeanne?" He asked in a hushed tone.
"We are currently on the outskirts of the city," she began, "But we need to make it back in the city as quickly as possible. It'll be easier to blend in there with civilians. Also, I feel a pair of faint signatures nearby, no doubt a servant and their master approaching. We can either evade them or face them."
Naruto turned towards where the signature was approaching from, and they were indeed getting closer. A thoughtful expression crossed his features as he pondered the options before them. "Considering our options," he began, "we could opt for evasion, potentially sidestepping an unnecessary confrontation. On the other hand, a direct encounter might yield valuable information into this Holy Grail War."
He turned his gaze back to Jeanne, a genuine smile touching his lips. "Ultimately, the decision rests with you, Jeanne. I trust your decision, whatever it may be." He finished, the words he spoke carrying an air of trust.
Jeanne's thoughts were a whirlwind of considerations. She was confident in Naruto after seeing his stats and abilities; however, she knew it wasn't wise to face confrontation without information on the incoming signatures. Even though she knew as a Ruler class, she wasn't really a target due to her not desiring the Grail. Not to mention, her Class is effective against almost every other class. However, it didn't mean she couldn't be targeted; all you needed was a bloodthirsty master and a powerful Avenger class servant, and she'd be in trouble.
"I hold utmost faith in your capabilities, Naruto," she began, her tone reflecting gratitude. "While your confidence emboldens me, facing a confrontation without the advantage of knowledge seems unwise."
A beat of thoughtful silence hung in the air before she continued. "Luckily for us, we still possess the luxury of choice," her voice remained steady, "to evade and avoid a potentially meaningless fight. I believe it's foolish to let this opportunity slip from our grasp." She finished.
Naruto's azure eyes met hers, and a serene smile curved his lips, seemingly content with her given answer. "Very well then, Jeanne," Seemingly making up his mind.
Just then, words of a forgotten language began rolling from his tongue like a lyrical melody; the air itself seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. His aura became a canvas of luminescence, the brilliance of his being a testament to the divine energies he was summoning.
"Numinis benedictio, lumen aureum meum adiuva," his voice carried a hushed reverence, the very atmosphere around them shifting in response. "Deus meus, da mihi fortitudinem divinam et alas angelicas. Per sacra potentia tua, concede mihi potentiam puritatis et iustitiae. Fiat lux!" The final invocation, a crescendo of sacred words, reverberated through the air like a chime of bells.
In an instant, they were enveloped in a radiant cascade of light.
How is it? Leave your thoughts in the reviews.
I want to touch on his Legend in the next chapter or the chapter after that.
For now, see you!