It was a cold rainy day as Agravain ran. He was panting hard his magic circuits were giving way his lungs were burning up. He was desperate to take a breath, but he knew that if he stopped running. Blasts of blue energy streaked across the sky racing to take his head but thankfully the boy was just a step ahead. He ducked into a ally avoiding the constant barrage of projectiles he thought all was going well until a hooded figure rushed towards him. He drew his sword, but the figure was too fast. Way faster than any human had the right to be and sliced off his arm.
Agravain woke abrupt slamming his head against the car window. He rubbed his head looking down at his right arm. It was that dream again even though he knew this was his duty and this was his responsibility to uphold he couldn't help but dread it. To fight against 6 masters probably far more competent and experienced than he was. To fight 6 monsters given human form some which could probably obliterate this city with the flick of their wrist. To command someone of similar might. He wanted to bail. To just take the next plane back to America and just send his family a letter that said screw it I'm out. But he made a promise and he very well couldn't go back on it now could he? Even so that ever present feeling of dread of entering a holy grail war. He doesn't think he will ever get used to it.
The car stuttered to a halt as the boy finally stepped out. He stretched his arms with a satisfying crack. He took his bag slinging it over his shoulder as he walked back into his family household. It was a large mansion with white marbled floors. The walls were decorated in a light green paint and the lights were golden chandeliers which illuminated the household in its harsh artificial light. Everything was perfect just the way it was. From the placing of the furniture to the people who lived in it. He lifted his glasses a little before rubbing his eyes. He was about to make his way into the dining room before he heard a familiar voice.
"Elder brother." A young girl with long blond hair reaching down to her shoulders greeted him. She had a sweet frilly white dress that reached down to her knees along with brown laced boots. She was dignified and composed with an uncaring look in her eyes. "Mother and father are expecting you in the dining room." She said as she walked forward to guide him.
Agravain sighed he knew that he couldn't expect to walk back into her life and have her treat him like her big brother. But to be treated as nothing more than an associate was disheartening. "Very well I shall follow." He followed his sister into the living room where his father and mother were waiting for him with a table filled with lavished foods. The were two distinguished individuals his father all with a face almost a exact match for his own. His hair however was medium in length and starting to grey. He was wearing a blue blazer. His mother had long flowing blond hair not seeming to be a day older past 20. She wore a beautiful flowing red dress. "Mother, father what is all this. It appears that you have brought me a last feast. Surely you are not expecting me to go and die are you." He said with a coy smile.
"You fool of a boy have you learned no respect whilst you were off with the reaper." Rage clear in his voice as he slammed his fist into the table. "Even now despite our kindness of allowing you back into our home you still- "The elder woman raised her hand and the husband fell silent.
"Now dear I understand what a disappointment our son can be, but he's always kept to his word and we shall keep to ours. Agravain we call upon your duties as the eldest son of the house to participate within this holy grail war being held in London. You need only to participate we will not fault you for cowering and hiding with your chosen servant but you at a minimum need to demonstrate the capabilities of the O'sullivan family. Survive or die that is your responsibility. Granted we have no faith in your chances of survival you were working with a mere grave keeper after all. Enjoy your meal and be off you need not sully this house anymore than you have." The woman explained. Her voice cold and indifferent. The husband stood up to walk with her seemingly uncaring that his wife just sent their boy to die.
Agravain's hand trembled in sheer rage as he simply grabbed an apple and began walking towards the exit, but he felt a tug at the back of his coat. He turned around to see his younger sister staring at him. "Brother this may be the last chance I get to talk to you like this so if it is all the same with you. May I invite you upstairs for some tea. I'm sure Kay and Garith wish to hear about your adventures from the outside."
Agravain was about to answer but suddenly stopped. "Isolde you are very much aware of how mother and-" He was cut off by the young girl once again that looked him dead in the eyes with a serious face.
"Mother and father care not of how a dead man spends his time. As eldest of the o'sullivan family it is your sworn duty to serve and protect the chosen heirs. Is it not!?" She demanded placing her hand on her hip and pointing at the stairs. "I have already informed the two that you will be coming so get to it, they are waiting in my room." The young woman explained waving her brother off.
Agravain could only look at her in stunned silence as he walked upstairs obediently walking to Kays room. He looked down the hallway to the bedrooms. There were six totals. One for mother and father, one for kay, one for Isolde, one for Garith, One for Uther and one for him. Granted he never used that room since he was five and sent to train under Mr Millar as a gravekeeper. He wanted to open that door see what was inside but instead walked over to Isode's room. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door. When the door opened it was a small girl no older than probably 7 years old. She had short black hair with deep green eyes just like his own she had a frilly purple dress. Who was this girl no he knew who it was he just didn't want to admit it. "Sister there is a stranger at the door." She cried out running back inside. Honestly it hurt just how much a stranger he had become to his family. He was gone for 15 years even if it wasn't his choice how could he pretend to be family still.
An older looking gentleman with slicked grey hair wearing a professional black suit with white tie. He had strong defined features and the matching green eyes of the girl. "Oh, it's you." He let out a dramatic sigh as he opened the door and took a step back. "I would have you know that mother and father forbid us for coming into contact with you considering that your nothing but a average mage compared to us born with magic circuits that are capable of putting the-" He continued to brag but was swiftly cut off by the sharp unmistakable voice of Isolde.
"That's enough Garith!" She yelled as she made it up with a tray of tea. One was black coffee one was clearly cream and sugar tea and the last was hot chocolate. "Despite mother and fathers' decision to distance us from him this may be our only chance to learn about the outside world. Don't you yearn to know more than what mother and father permits us to learn. I also want to know more about the big brother that's going off to die."
Agravain chuckled at the comment. "Well that's rather mean Isolde but I do appreciate that you desire to know more about me. You need not worry about my death however it's not in the cards for me." He explained taking the tea and sugar cup taking a sip. Honestly whilst he wasn't a fan of these lavished meals, he did enjoy these small luxuries.
"What is that supposed to mean? You know your going up against the best of the best and simply average won't cut it. You need to be at the top of the line to even stand a chance. The right to stand at the starting line. Oh, I get it now you're simply going to hide away and pray everyone dies before you swoop in and steal the grail. Would be fitting for a yellow-bellied thief such as yourself." Garith sneered as he snatched the black coffee taking a sip seemingly unaffected by the scolding heat. "Why mother and father choose a Neanderthal like you is beyond my understanding. If they had but chosen me or one of our sisters, the grail would already be within our grasp." Garith continued to spew glaring daggers into his back. Kay was holding onto Garith's leg as she looked up at her brother.
Agravain chuckled looking straight at Garith. "I'm afraid it's much simpler than that. I promised someone I would come back alive, so my life isn't mine to give."
"Who is that?" Kay asked clearly confused at the familiar tone these two were talking to this stranger in. Isolde looked down at her and with a gentle smile urged her forward.
"He's our big brother. He had to go out to work for a long time but now he's come home." She explained as Kay walked slowly towards the elder man.
"You're my big brother?" She asked slowly mustering up the courage to speak to this stranger of a man.
Agravain could only smile as he placed his tea on a table and kneeled. "Yes, Kay I'm your older brother I'm home now." The o'sullivan siblings spent the day simply talking. Who Agravain was, why he was here, how his training was going, some of his adventures as a grave keeper. The day dragged on and soon night fell upon the family. Agravain said his final goodbyes as he departed to a nearby abandoned church. A magic circle had been created for him he could only guess that despite their disdain for his birth he was still their son. He shook his head knowing what he had to do.
Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone.
The ancestor is my great master Balor.
The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled.
I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance
The circle shone in a silver light as magical energy crackled and burst forth. The pressure of the wind that the circle generated was even able to knock over some of the wooden benches. By the time the ritual was complete Agravain was feeling rather drained. A sudden heat washed over him as he looked around to see even the flames had consumed the floor behind him. He looked at the person looming over him. A woman with ash white hair and skin dressed in a dress comprised of black and red that flowed elegantly to the ground as it fluttered behind her, her gaze stabbed deep into his being. She glared at him as she spoke. "Are you my master?"