With the influence of the Church, along with the fear settling onto the people of Fuyuki, many people had started going home much earlier than usual,refusing to stay out for too long. A wise choice considering the incidents occurring across Fuyuki. While the people may be ignorant of the truth, they were far from stupid either. With suspicion and uncertainty found across the people's expressions.
Theories were made. Accusations were thrown. Yet none of these answers would cause trouble to the true powers that stood above the normal humans. As such,the people were given no real assurances and left the citizens to simply stew in their fear. All the people could do was get to safety and hope that whatever happened next didn't affect them.
Still, to keep the world of magecraft secret without more incidents, the Church and local magus dealt with any lurking humans who tried to find the truth by throwing around subtle hypnosis, threats, and bounded fields. Areas that have been hit by the unknown had already been marked with a bounded field to ward people away from finding answers or creating an inconvenience.
For the most part, this seemed to work, especially for the church members looking at the destroyed hotel building and the giant footsteps seen on the broken asphalt ground. One of them was sighing.
"You know, who was it that had the brilliant idea of making a Holy Grail War happen in a city? Because this is a pain." One of them asked, a bit annoyed. A few of their fellow workers seemed to agree with that man's statement, having come to clean up the mess left behind by Kayneth's servant. Not exactly a fun job, especially given how much time they had to spend getting rid of any evidence.
"Simply focus here." A female member of the church interrupted, not wanting to hear the group's complaints and laments. "We need to deal with these footsteps and also send our prayers to those who have fallen."
A collective 'Yes' is given to her as everyone moves out. Granted, a few still cursed a little, as they did their job. Finding anything out of place that could potentially reveal magecraft and then dealing with it through magical or mundane methods to cover it up. The job was much easier with all the victims and emergency responders already gone with their prying eyes sent away.
News crews were also 'advised' to make their reports elsewhere while ordinary civilians could not come at all. It would be a pain to constantly alter and erase someone's memories every time they stumbled onto the scene, which is why the bounded fields were a helpful cause. Even so, it didn't change how difficult it was to erase all evidence that magecraft was used here. The worst part though was dealing with the numerous and massive footsteps that started here and ended all the way to the west, leading to a forest.
It wasn't easy getting all those roads closed down to have the magus fill up those holes and cracks.
Still, everyone working were professionals. They came when needed and did their job when they must. With those from the Church making certain that none of the lambs wandered into dangerous territory, as the people should be allowed to live long ignorant lives than discover the truth and be forced to meet the lord at such young ages.
One member of the church, who had found a damaged mystic code, paused when they heard some kind of grunt. Standing up, the human then saw the outline of a human coming out of an alley. They tumbled a bit, as if they were drunk, moaning as they stepped out with their hands twitching and their breathing erratic. It seemed to be a teenage boy.
"...huh?" Their response at this sight caused those nearby them to look where they were looking at, the teenage boy now caught unaware by the members of the church. Not even realizing the stares they were getting since the boy looked more likely to trip and fall.
"I thought we put a bounded field?" Breaking the silence, a member of the church spoke what everyone was thinking, being quite certain the bounded field was still operational.
"...we did." Answering the person's question, one member felt just a tad suspicious. "It's still working." Glancing behind them, a few of their fellow members stood up, stopping what they were doing. Their sights now focused on the teenage boy who still ignored them, even though they were clumsily walking towards them.
"Alan." The sole female of the group looked to the young man named Alan who nodded. His eyes were narrow as they gazed at the teenage boy. Understanding what she wanted.
The teenage boy fell on the ground, a moan escaping their lips. He looked to be more of a pitiful sight than any threat known. With his limbs twitching, his eyes unfocused, nothing about the boy seemed particularly dangerous. Backed by the drool leaving his lips. If the situation was different, everyone would rightfully think the boy was drunk and wandered away like a fool. The church member who'd find them then assisted them to find their way home.
Here, however, none of the members considered helping the boy up.
Instead, they all looked ready to pounce. Not a glimpse of concern could be spotted in their body language as three members got closer to the body. Their action being the rightful course, as this teenage boy likely wasn't a normal person.
After all, even when drunk, nobody should have gotten past their bounded field. Especially someone who couldn't even walk straight. While thoughts of killing the boy weren't on the church's minds, restraint and interrogation certainly was. Where either the members of the church will get answers, or discover some unusual misunderstanding and let the boy go. Whichever came first.
So the one leading the small group, Alan as he's called, is the first to reach the boy and bend down. Lifting his hand, he prepared to strike the boy down on the chance he was more than what they appeared to be. Having a stern expression, the local church member then asked, "Who are you?"
The teenage boy looked up, where the small group only saw a boy who seemed to visibly cringe with their expression twisted. His eyes were unfocused and appeared bloodshot, and blood was running down their nose. Opening his mouth, the boy asked in a raspy tone, "C-Church?"
He voiced what could only be described as a plea for help. Suspicion waned, with a new thought occurring. That perhaps this boy was in truth, a victim. Still, Alan didn't let down his guard, though spoke softly and said, "Yes, I a-"
A hand burst out of the boy's mouth, teeth snapping while the boy's eyes rolled over into the back of his head and blood spurting from his nose. He wasn't dead.
Though he might wish to be alongside Alan who soon found his face gripped by the hand which then squeezed.
Bone snapped and instantly Alan's fellow men immediately went to help him out. One grabbed Alan while the other lifted their foot and slammed it onto the boy's body. It rolled away along with the hand, Alan freed but screaming, hands flying to his face as his comrade went to help him while all other eyes settled onto the body.
Behind the three members of the church, the other members were now attentive and got ready to to fight back against whatever had just attacked one of their members. A plot from the heretical magus? An enemy of the church?
A chill settled onto their spine as their answer came much sooner than they imagined.
"Hehe-hahaha." The body of the boy then lifted itself up. The hand, which was black and wispy, crawled back into the mouth while an undeniable cold chill emanated from the boy's body.
The boy's head then looked at everyone with a grin that didn't seem humanly possible with helpless eyes now replaced with red ones. The 'boy's' mouth opened, but what came out wasn't the boy's helpless voice from before. "Finally. I've been looking everywhere for you church members." As if they wanted to present themselves, the boy's body stepped forward and lifted their arms. "Do you know how difficult it is to search for someone when all you have is a bunch of nobody's memories to look into for a clue? Not fun."
A form of black mist escaped from the boys head with the body slouching forward. "Well, glad that's over." The body then fell and hit the ground. Breathing only barley as the mist that escaped the body floated above them and started forming into something else. Something inhumane.
Servant Assassin finally came forth with a wide smile. "A pleasure to meet you."
"A wraith!?" One of the members cried out, causing everyone to glare at the supposed 'wraith' in question. Assassin, for his case, simply rolled his eyes, even if he continued to smile.
"Of course you humans would see me as something so small." What a bunch of fools. Granted, he supposed he couldn't blame such a primitive species for thinking this. He had the looks, color, and actions of the stereotypical 'evil spirit' going for him. His ability to possess others adds further to the humans misunderstandings.
How idiotic humans were though. Bothersome too. Here he was, hoping to find special answers to his current predicament. That being, how to gain more power and crush all the other Servants. Thankfully, as expected from a higher being like himself, Assassin easily found the answer.
Look for the one who had such knowledge and tear it out from them.
Granted, it was easier said than done. Assassin having to personally enter someone's body and look into their memories. Sure he only needed to look into recent ones, but that was still hours to days worth of searching. With most people having nothing but useless garbage that didn't concern his goals.
Thankfully, the body he had just now had apparently seen strange people where they had even wiped his memories. Assassin was able to see the true memories though, then had his new meat puppet search for the church members or tear his mind apart piece by piece. The boy did well, even after he ripped a bit of his mind when he tried talking back.
"Now then," Grinning, Assassin gazed at the members of the church. Knowing that they weren't normal people, meaning they had knowledge he could potentially use. Lifting his finger, Assassin pointed at one person then the next. "Eenie, meeny, miney -"
"Get it." A member of the church then ran to him, clearly looking to execute him as part of his duty for the church against the evil spirit.
"You!" Assassin flew forward, where the person attacking was. The human paused, realizing they were about to be attacked. Getting into a stance, they prepared for whatever tricks the wraith had for them.
"?!" Only for Assassin to fly right through him and outright ignore the church member. Instead, to the surprise of everyone, Assassin went for the sole female of the gang.
"Wha-ahhhhhhh!" With Assassin flying into her body and immediately doing what he did best. Tormenting.
Someone then cried out to the woman. What they said, what they would do, it was no concern to Assassin. If anything, he was more focused on the woman's memories, and what a sight to behold. Secrets and knowledge that not even the Holy Grail gave him, with concepts of this war he didn't even know about until now.
As the body fell, on account of the reckless strain Assassin was putting her mind under, the malevolent Servant pilfered her knowledge for himself without waste. Though it was clear those church members weren't just going to do nothing, as some of them pulled out items that were designed to deal with evil ghosts.
'Well, no need to waste my time on them.' While Assassin wanted to take a few more memories, the Servant decided to just abandon the body. No need to waste his time on lowly human beings when he had a war to win. Leaving the woman's body, Assassin flew off into the sky before those fools could even do anything to him. A natural gift that only a strong lifeform like him should have. Not like the rest of those foolish Servants.
They might be strong, but they were nothing compared to him.
"And once I get my hands on the overseer," Assassin's eyes glowed, as he thought of his prize. "I can boost my power even further." To think, additional Command Seals were being hoarded by some decrepit old fool. Now that wouldn't do, would it? At last, countless hours of searching aimlessly for memories that might aid him finally paid off.
Even better, there was no telling what knowledge the old man held himself. Someone who was the overseer must have quite the bit of secrets crammed in that stuffy old head. One that can be cracked open like an egg for Assassin to take.
'Still, I may need to be careful.' While Assassin may be a superior life-form to these pathetic humans, he couldn't deny they did have some tricks up their sleeves. The overseer was bound to have some protection. If not, then the old man was going to get what was coming for him a lot faster if there really were no traps and defenses.
Chuckling, Assassin flew higher into the sky until the city could be seen much easier while all humans looked like the ants they truly were. Much of the city being lit up with only a few places being somewhat dark with the neighborhoods and houses in them. However, fun as it was to literally look down at his lessers, work needed to be done. In an instant he spotted where the Church was.
He'll come from underground. Fly through the ground using his ability to bypass physical barriers and go above the ground once he was beneath the church building. Then, while he was in spiritual form, he'll locate the overseer from the shadows and once he spotted him, Assassin would possess him. Not only would he receive knowledge that would benefit him, but he could utilize those inert Command Seals for himself.
So, without further waiting, Assassin wou-
It finally came back. It had been sent to some place full of monsters and creatures. Some of whom that could even harm it.
Yet it managed to prevail. Tear them apart as it wandered this strange land. Meeting even stranger creatures which ranged from humanoid beings to abominations themselves.
But it managed to survive them. Harmed, perhaps, but survived.
Now, it was back home. Where it must find its other-half.
Blinking, an influx of memories hit Assassin. The connection between him and his other grew stronger, reconnecting properly after its disappearance from before, bringing forth both confusion and joy to Assassin upon this action. Feeling joy for the most part, between the two emotions as Assassin felt his elated mood go even higher.
"And here I was worried I would need that idiot to use a Command Seal." If Assassin wanted to win, he'd need his other-half for this war. While it was mostly muscle and held little to none of the cunning intelligence Assassin had, his other-half, Number 96, backed him up with its immense strength and power.
The strongest Number that could overcome the strongest foe by virtue of their Noble Phantasm. And its arrival was perfect.
'Number 96,' With a new plan coming to mind, Assassin was now ready. 'Come to me.' One that would make everyone suffer if they stood in Assassin's way. His other-half responded with a mental roar to him.
Where on the streets, Number 96 who, like Assassin, had also felt the connection return fully upon its arrival in this world, growled menacingly. Turning, using the connection between it and its other alongside its sudden contact with Assassin, the Number walked in the direction where it was told to go.
Unaware of the lone member of the church who had been observing the area in precaution gasping in fear at its presence. With shaking hands, they took out their phone and decided to make a few calls.
The Church held many resources, with loyal members all willing to do their best to ensure the secrecy of magecraft from the public. All to ensure humanity's peace, away from the heretics that seeked to create chaos for their own ends. To ensure humanity was safe, it was only natural that, similar to the Mage Association, the Church had members embedded into the governments of society. Fuyuki, being ground zero and ripe for Mysteries to be revealed, naturally held many members in the local law and local media.
Meaning when the call came of a monstrous demon walking out onto the streets, the members of the Church worked fast. Very fast.
Alerts were sent onto the local news about danger.
Police officers barricaded roads and told people that criminals and terrorists were around.
Bounded Fields were made for extra precaution.
The end result was that there were no people at all when Number 96 walked on the streets openly. No humans were around screaming in sight of the otherworldly being, with the sidewalks and streets empty and devoid of life other than the skittering bug nearby. While some building lights were on, as if people were inside. There weren't any; the entire area being reminiscent of a ghost town if anything.
Number 96, that made its way towards the Church, strides forward without pausing. Thankfully, for the better or worse, Number 96 saw no suspicion in its current situation. Perhaps it was because it was tired of being trapped and attacking the strange creatures of wherever it was. Too tired to bother being more observant. Either way, thanks to its lack of awareness, to openly question why there weren't any humans around, became a saving grace.
Had it responded to its other-half by mentioning this lack of meat sacks, then perhaps Assassin would have done things more differently. Cause more trouble just because he could. Thankfully, all that was happening was Number 96 walking without any more commotion being caused with the few humans within the area stealthily reporting its movement.
"We need to act, now." Though even with knowing where Number 96 was heading, it did little to calm the minds of the three men currently sitting where the beast was heading to. Risei. Tokiomi. Kirei. Allied partners who now realized where Number 96 was heading, where action must now be taken if they were to survive.
"You are right, Risei." Tokiomi, taking charge, gave a grateful look to Kirei. "And thank you Kirei, for giving us this warning. To think that creature had returned. And were it not for you and all those who stand alongside you, your father and I would have been here without even knowing we were in this creature's way."
"You and the others saved many lives." Risei also applauded his son, who said nothing in response. "Still, why is the beast even coming for us? It makes no sense."
"As much sense as it did openly killing people." Tokiomi scoffed. "Whoever the Master is, it seems they care not for our traditions and ways. All they seem to care for is indulging themselves with murder and mayhem." Had the Church not acted as swiftly as they did, crowds of people would have seen the beast as it made its way here and likely devoured them as it moved.
Kirei, deciding to give his own thoughts, stoically said, "At the very least we can surmise that perhaps the beast coming here, on behalf of the Master, wants something from us. As for what, it could be many things. Knowledge. Items." Kirei gave a glance to his fathers sleeve. Where he knew certain Command Seals rested. "Or perhaps power."
"In the end, this changes nothing." With his wits about, Tokiomi suggested, "I believe now is the time that we must leave." None of them wanted to be here when this monstrous phantasmal arrived to do whatever explicit horrors it would commit on these sacred grounds.
"I already have Lancer going out ahead to keep an eye on the beast." As the men began to move, Kirei nonchalantly added, "She'll inform me if any changes to its action occur while we continue to expand the surrounding barricades and bounded field to keep the people out."
"Excellent. But this is only a stopgap measure." Entering the hallways at a quickened pace, Tokiomi said apprehensively, with a small bead of sweat falling across his face, "We need to deal with the beast at hand. If anything, we can't ignore it or the Master any longer."
"Then we'll focus on the beast." Risei suggested, seeing no other way. "We were caught off-guard the first time when it came, now we should deal with it before it potentially vanishes. Kill it and then the Master."
"What of the Servant?" Kirei still recalled the report Lancer gave him. "While unlikely, it could be very possible the beast can just be called upon again, Assassin creating another copy should this one fall. Also, Lancer has stated Assassin hasn't come out at all."
"We'll deal with them afterwards. The beast takes priority." Besides, as someone who studied the history of previous Grail wars, Tokiomi was willing to bet that the Servant, Assassin if their guess was right, would not be able to summon the creature again if it were killed. Servants with summoned phantasmals could usually only summon them once during the war.
"As for how we'll defeat the beast…" Frowning, Tokiomi thought back to Kirei's report. How two Servants had engaged against the creature and could do very little against it. Slow it down, perhaps, though little more than that.
Until Caster, Servant of Kayneth El-melloi, came and caused immense damage somehow. With no clue on how it was even capable of doing so.
But what about the other Servants?
"We need to have the remaining Servants deal with the beast." Tokiomi proposed, feeling confident with his new plan. "Contact them and offer them a reward like before to permanently slay it." The three were nearly out of the church. From there, they'll go to a safe house and handle the situation delicately.
Have the other Masters handle it, only for Tokiomi to have Archer use its immense power to annihilate it, preventing anybody from claiming the additional Command Seals. He should have enough time to contact and convince Archer to follow his command. He just needed to use more subtle manipulations on her. Perhaps use her desire to protect others as a way to convince her.
Taking a step outside, Tokiomi prepared to leave with the others. Turning around, Tokiomi decided to see if Risei had any opinions to suggest. Any idea would do. "Risei, what do yo-"
Any words that would have been spoken failed to be heard, let aside escape past Tokiomi's lips. Both because of the shock he felt-
"Ah. Now this'll do."
-and a foot stomping on the ground followed by a well-practiced stance, then followed by an aged, but mastered, fist making direct contact with Tokiomi's abdomen. From there, as if someone squeezed his insides a little, Tokiomi spat out saliva and was launched back while Kirei struck his opponent with his own fist.
"My. My dear son." The fist was blocked, with sarcasm leaking from Risei's lips. Kirei went for another attack, ignoring Tokiomi's wheezing and focusing on the enemy before him.
Taking a stance, Kirei then struck once more and asked, "Who are you?"
His fist found nothing. 'Risei' had moved, inhumanely at that, with Kirei finding his 'father' now right near him with a soft smile on his lips. "Isn't it obvious?" With his eyes red as blood and an aura full of malice surrounding the man. "I'm your dad."
Too slow to act, Kirei found himself sent back like Tokiomi and slammed into a wall. Breaking through it while momentarily stunned. Risei looked at his fist a little and sighed. "Hm? I put the old man asleep, but I suppose some part of him held me back. That attack should have broken your ribs."
'Risei' gave a mocking grin. "But then again, what should I have expected from a bunch of useless humans? Hahaha!"
"Y-You."
"Oh." Hearing the whimpers of someone pathetic, 'Risei' turned to see Tokiomi, looking as if he was having trouble breathing with his hand on his chest, struggling to even sit up. Licking his lips, 'Risei' amusingly asked, "Still conscious."
"Who ar-ugh-e…youu?" If the wind blew a little harder, it wouldn't be a surprise if Tokiomi fell over and fainted. While the man has experienced pain before, usually it had been from his Crest or some magical experiment.
Not from his old, but still muscular and well-trained friend, who clearly wasn't himself.
"Hehe." An unnatural smirk came on Risei's face. A snort. "It's like I told my dear son. I'm Risei. But if you want to be specific, I am-"
"Dead." Kirei burst out of the wall, looking expressionless, even in the face of his puppeteered father. Without saying another word, Kirei threw his right fist directly at Risei's head. Fully intending to kill the man then and there, Tokiomi who only stood by, looking shocked by Kirei's actions.
For the better or worse, potentially due to the muscle memory, 'Risei' managed to twist his body at the last moment and avoid the killer blow, then bring up his knee and slammed it into Kirei's chest. A grunt escaped the man, who then bent his body and shot his elbow to dig into his 'father's' jaw to at least stun him, only to be countered and kicked back. Landing right on Tokiomi who yelped.
"Huh." As for the imposter, he merely rubbed his chin as if he hadn't been attacked. "How di-oh. I see. That outfit of yours has protection spells and is made tougher than average cloth. That makes sense."
Kirei slowly stood up. Looking none worse for wear and only frowned while his 'father' just mused humorously. Saying aloud, "Mmm, it'll be difficult looking up all these memories. Though it'll be worth it." He grinned. "Very much worth it."
This was an imposter. But it wasn't as if the body was fake. Kirei, Tokiomi, the two knew the body is undoubtedly Risei's. Yet whatever was going on with him, certainly it wasn't the actions of the Risei they knew. His words just now did imply however that Risei, for the worse, has ended up in the thrall of someone else. Someone that now had access to a man that not only knew all the overseers secrets, but also held countless Command Seals.
Removing his sleeve, the imposter grinned at the sight of the Command Seals. Acting as if Kirei and Tokiomi didn't even exist. "I must say, coming here really has been worth it. Even if all of you were such disappointments in the end."
To think, the prize had already been taken without having to even try. How wonderful is that?
Glimpsing at the two humans without a care in the world, 'Risei' held out his arm and then made a fist. "An applause for thanks must be given, I suppose." Without looking the least bit remorseful, the imposter told the two Masters with glowing red eyes, "Now how about you just die for me. Oh Master."
A flash of light then appeared behind the two men.
"Gruagh!" With Number 96 immediately grabbing the two exceptional, yet ultimately human, men into its clawed grasp. Not being careful in holding them gently with Tokiomi gasping while Kirei found himself struggling to break loose.
"It really was worth it contacting that idiot just now." The imposter sneered. "Well, no need for him now other than taking those seals off him. In any case, I suppose you two can just die now. So, 'me'," Number 96 gripped tighter.
The two men, straining themselves to find a way to break loose, each felt a sense of panic. Tokiomi breathing erratically while Kirei, who normally held a blank face, felt his eyes widen. His thoughts turned to apprehension at the idea he couldn't find the answers he seeks while Tokiomi simply didn't wish to perish. Too frightened to even contact Archer.
All while the imposter, or as he really was, Assassin, coldly smirked to witness more rivals fall. Declaring, "How about you end them here an-" Assassin then paused, Number 96 also stopping at the same time. Leaving the two men puzzled by this sudden lack of action.
Though whether death could have been better or not could be left or later, as Assassin made a sinister grin. "On second thought, never mind." The grip Number 96 had on the two men loosened just a bit, but not by much as it was difficult for the two to breath, let alone talk.
All while a new idea formed in Assassin's mind. As he saw some recent memories, including the memory of just which powerful and mighty Servant Tokiomi Tohsaka had. So, with a cruel fervor, Assassin said, "Knock them out for now." The last thing the two men saw, before the beast squeezed until the dark took hold, were words neither held joy in hearing. "I have good plans for them."
During the past few chapters, Number 96, despite having such a big ego in how better he is, has been out searching for more power to give him an advantage. If he can't win fairly, why bother at all. Possessing people to see if anybody had memories that could give him an edge or locate any other Masters.
Well, the jerk found that edge with both Tokiomi and Kirei now caught in his scheme, whatever it may be. Well, until he no longer has a use for them.