Harry Potter and the Holy Grail War
ESKK: Here you go everyone a brand-new chapter let's begin.
(Start Caster)
Caster stood in an endless field as he walked his way through. Bitter winds blew against him as his masked was held aimlessly in his hand that showed pale white skin that had nary seen the light for a long time. Was this the Throne of Heroes? Was this an illusion of memories? OR perhaps it was his fractured main seeking to torture him endlessly. Around him the scene changed by the sight of a grave followed by another, and another until soon the entire field was an endless graveyard. These were once people who had gathered to him for comfort and then turned against him when it suited them better. This was the price of the magical world's arrogance and pride at least for him.
Caster passed by a few graves of people he can only vaguely remember now in this grey tinted world he looks upon. He soon arrived at a glassed field where once a great castle had stood for centuries. At the center of it all was the first grave the first and only one he can still remember whose face he could still recall. Falling to his knees Caster placed on the ground a feather of a Hippogriff which was then followed by tears. He knew this was his mind torturing him because this was now where he had died. Putting the mask on Caster's skin tone was seen changing from a pale white to a healthy tan. His silver locks remained the same suggesting that his hair was like this from another cause not by magic. "Please... forgive me." Caster spoke and just as the name was about to reach his tongue he stopped. "No, I'm not worthy to say your name." He said and thus turned around as a light shined in his path.
(Real World Champions Tent)
Caster opened his eyes from his nap watching Harry and Saber return with Hermione checking Harry over and Cedric patting Harry on the back. Caster scoffed to this and let them be knowing that once this was over, he had to start removing the masters. The First three that needed to go were Assassin, Berserker, and Lancer, assuming he can't get them to cooperate to take on Archer. Caster had a few ideas as to who Archer was and if his hunch was right then he had to be taken down immediately. If they all banned together against Archer it might help Caster hide his own ace for a tad bit longer, after all Death was the inevitable end to all things.
Speaking of Archer at the moment he was sitting upon a throne one he had no doubt summed for himself to use. Caster knew this man was a king of some renown in life which did not narrow down the list by much. It had to be during the Greek Empire or maybe even the Roman Empire at the latest. He was counting on Hermione to deduce it since apparently the Marauders Map did not consider Heroic Spirits in this case pass their classifications.
"Come no young one!" Rider announced as he stood up tall ready for battle. "Our conquest awaits, so says I Iskandar King of Conquerors!" Rider cried as Gabrielle saw that her Servant was most excited.
Fleur was sitting up now while Berserker stayed close to her. "Gabrielle be careful." Fleur called and thus Gabrielle nodded to this.
"Worry not, in my honor as King I will not allow this young one to come to harm." Rider said as he was ready for battle. Fleur nodded and thus Rider saw a way to remove Berserker from play. He just needed a way to distract Rider long enough to make it happen and if he's correct he can have Saber used as bait to get Berserker's attention. The only problem would be from Hermione who upon learning what he did or was going to do would either stop him or make him commit suicide via the Command Seals. He knew Hermione would never do something like that on a normal situation, but he had been pushing her buttons as of late so it's not outside the realm of reason.
Still wasting a command seal to stop him from eliminating Jack the Ripper of all people did not endear Hermione's to Caster's sense of pragmatism. So, watching Rider and Gabrielle walk off Caster made the mental note to grab what he needed. If his hunch was right the thing he needed was hidden in the Room of Requirements.
(Meanwhile at the Judges Table)
"So, Mr. Draven a promising group of Servants and Master combinations, hmm?" Dumbledore hummed as Draven glared at the old man for that.
"I suppose." Draven said not really caring at the moment. "Caster seems to be a pragmatist I suspect he has the best chances of winning this War if he can get his master to cooperate and vice-versa." Draven said as he glared at the scene. "Saber on the other hands has the biggest advantage here and as you saw with her Noble Phantasm, she's no slouch." Draven said as he looked to the scene before him.
"But being a Veteran of the previous Holy Grail War any insights you can offer?" Dumbledore asked and thus the other two Headmasters leaned in on Draven.
"Viktor, Fleur, Gabrielle, Harry, and Cedric are starting to grow attached to their Servants, that's never a good thing in a Holy Grail War." Draven said as he watched the field as it was being cleared of the Horntails remains. "The bond between Master and Servant is one of mutual gain the Grail itself and the omnipotent wish it grants." Draven said as he took a drag of his smoke before putting it out on his ashtray. "Grow too attached to your Servant it will compromise your control over them, allow your servant to grow to attached to you and it will compromise their combat abilities." Draven said as he spoke from personal experience on the matter.
"Seems that their starting." Maxime spoke and thus on the field they saw the new Dragon was set and ready to go for the fight.
(In the battlefield Gabrielle and Rider)
From the passageway the ox cart of Rider was heard and from the path Rider appeared. "BEHOLD I ISKANDER KIND OF CONQUERORS HAVE ARRIVED!" Rider announced as he rode around the field like he was in the Gladiator Arenas of ancient Greece. His passenger the shocked and frightened Gabrielle saw the scene as it seems Rider was a crowd pleaser. "NOW BRING FORTH MY OPPONENT I SHALL CONQUER THIS BEASTS MIGHT AND CLAIM ITS TREASURES FOR MY OWN!" Rider announced as he rode around the arena not even bothered by the rocky terrain in his way.
At that moment, the Romanian longhorn came forth as it roared out while aim its horn at the duo coming at it as the Rider turn his ox chariot to avoid the dragon as it soon spewed out fire at them.
Gabrielle duck to avoid the flames as it came near them before peaking her head up as she said, "Do you know how to fight the dragon?"
"Don't worry young conqueror, I had faced many great beasts before, this one will be no different," Rider said as he drew his sword and point it forward as he yells out, "ONWARDS!"
The ox turned once more as they head towards the dragon as rider prepared to fight the dragon as he raised his sword for the attack as the dragon turn to face them it ready itself for another burst of fire as the two were soon upon each other the rider slashed his sword out at the dragon.
(Later)
After a bit of time the longhorn was down as its body was cover in cuts and blood, no doubt the rider used his incredible skills to take down the beast, and with the help of his chariot he was able to get the hit on the dragon first before it could attack or counter.
With rider keep at it, attacking the dragon over and over again until it went down with mix of the rider slashing his weapon and the Ox that pulled the chariot no doubt got a few hit in themselves as Rider was proud of him and his master's accomplishment even though it was mostly him, Gabrielle cheered him on seeing how they were going to win, as after the little girl picked up the golden egg, the rider picked her up and road on his Chariot once more, riding around the area as he celebrated the victory while he yells out, "LOOK AND BEHOLD, WE HAVE CONQUEROR THE MIGHTY BEAST AND CLAIM ITS TREASURE!"
With that the people cheer out and no doubt enjoyed the whole fight as they clap, whistle, and scream out, even cheering out Rider and Gabrielle, the only one that wasn't cheering out as they witness the whole thing was Archer as he looked unimpressed by this before stepping back into the tent as he waited with his master as their turn was next.
(Judge table)
Draven put his thought to the whole ordeal of what the Rider did in his battle with the dragon as the other headmasters wasn't always approve of killing dragons but dealing with these heroic spirit and the situation they and their masters are in seem to be a given and try to judge as fairly as they can but they did seem to enough the Rider fight while putting on a show for everyone as he does has charisma to make people cheer out for him loudly.
"Well, I say Rider is in good spirit in this task," Dumbledore said as he starts things off with as Maxime spoken up next, "That he does, but I do wish he didn't put the poor girl in a dangerous situation like that."
"He has it under control and he was protecting her throughout the whole thing, if anything it shows how much he cares for his own master despite being a little girl," Draven said as Kakarov scoff at this as he said, "He was showing off too much, he too prideful in his own abilities."
(Rider and Gabrielle)
With Rider and Gabrielle ride back to the tent themselves, as they stop and step off the Chariot with it vanishing soon after as the duo enter the tent with Rider continuing to celebrate his victory to the other champion and servants as he said, "Behold, I Iskandar king of Conquerors and Lady Gabrielle had obtain the treasure of the mighty dragon beast!"
"Congratulation mongrel, you have shown your slightly above a common mongrel," Archer said mocking Rider as the king of conquerors simply gave an amused smile at this as he turned to the asshole of a servant as he said to him, "You don't say."
"Well, I look forward to crossing blades with you, Archer." Rider said before he turned around and join back with his master. Gabrielle was being checked out while being cleaned off the suet that gotten on her during the task.
As Alex and Archer departed Caster just glared at the Gold Clad Servant. "We best prepare for our turn, master." Caster spoke as Hermione got confused for a moment. "We won't have a long wait for Archer." Caster said and thus Hermione had to ask.
"What do you mean, Caster?" Hermione began as the sound of the canon went off behind them. "If anything, we have plenty of time to." Hermione began but was cut off by the loud gasps of silence from the crowd. Looking to the screen provided to them the group went wide eyed at what they just saw. The Dragon was covered in blades all stabbing into it with Archer hovering over the scene with his arms crossed at this.
"W-what?!" Hermione asked as even Viktor was left in shock over what he bore witness to.
"How did you?" Harry asked but then Caster sighed to this.
"I've had my suspicions for a while, considering the Overseer seems to know this particular Servant I had to narrow it down a bit to an area near the dawn of written history." Caster said as he then glared at the Servant in Gold. "The Throne of Heroes is not restricted by time space or even concepts so him being there was a given." Caster said and thus Fleur had to ask.
"Caster... who is Archer?" Fleur asked and thus Caster sighed to this before speaking.
"Archer's true name is Gilgamesh the very same who came from the epic of Gilgamesh." Caster announced causing the group to go wide eyed to this.
(Judges Table)
The Judgers were all shocked when they saw the Durmstrum student claim victory in the briefest amount of time. Needless to say, him claiming the egg came as no struggle for himself. As Draven sat there, he glared for a moment as Maxime had to ask.
"How... is this possible?" She asked and thus Draven decided to share.
"Because Alexi's servant is Gilgamesh the King of Heroes the most powerful Servant within the Throne of Heroes." Draven said as he glared at the Servant in question.
"The most powerful?" Dumbledore asked as his words held concern in their tone.
"Simply put, Gilgamesh has access to over a thousand Noble Phantasms making facing him in combat a suicide run if you don't have a plan to walk out alive." Draven said as he then glared at Alexi. "I do wonder where our esteemed Durmstrum headmaster had acquired the catalysts for both Gilgamesh and Jack the Ripper." Draven added glaring at the man in question.
"Pardon me, but you speak as if you know him." Maxime said referring to Gilgamesh.
"Because he was summoned in the previous Holy Grail War... I should know I was there." Draven said making it clear that he knew Gilgamesh better than anyone alive at the moment. He remembered how his Servant had fallen in battle and how in the end no one got the Holy Grail. It made Draven wonder truly what the point was if no one was able to acquire the Holy Grail that day. Focusing on the present Draven made notes for the final score and also added a mental note to see if the master's might be willing to learn Mage Craft.
(Champions Tent)
"Gilgamesh." Hermione said as she then mentally kicked herself for this. "How could I have missed it, his weapons his demeanor I should have seen it!" Hermione gasped as she had begun rant a bit. "I read that book the Epic of Gilgamesh how can I not have seen it!" Hermione further ranted as Saber sat on the nearby bed.
"Ok you lost me, what's so important about the Epic of Gilgamesh?" Saber asked voicing her question before Gilgamesh got back and got all offended by it.
"The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the tale of Gilgamesh and his ascension as the King of Babylonia. Within the Throne of Heroes, he is considered to be the King of Heroes." Caster explained as he told the group about this. "If I'm right those weapons he summons are Noble Phantasms drawn from his royal treasury." Caster added as he suspected as much.
"Heh." Saber said before she grinned to this. "He sounds like a fun foe to take on." Saber said as she had a wild grin on her face.
"You don't fight Gilgamesh halfcocked otherwise he'll skewer you before you can even draw your sword." Caster said glaring at Saber for her Gryffindor Recklessness.
Just then Alexi and Archer arrived with the group giving the pair a wide berth for the time being. Saber smirked as the Servant of the Sword was itching to take on the alleged most powerful Servant of the Throne of Heroes. "Let's go." Caster said as he was ready to get this task over with. The pair passed by Gilgamesh who gave them a glare which Caster gladly returned. Leaving the Tent one can only wonder just what Caster and Hermione were about to do.
(Later at the Stage)
The stage cleared, the cannon shot heard, and the task ready Hermione and Caster walked out onto the field as Caster took the lead. Hermione could not help but feel intense feeling of dread as she entered the stage. Caster glared about ready to fight as he flexed his arms.
"Caster... remember no collateral damage." Hermione warned as she glared at her Servant.
"I'm well aware of that." Caster said as he was not about to shoot through innocent people to kill the Dragon. Just then Caster's eyes widened and in turn he grabbed Hermione to jump out of the way. With Caster moving fast the pair managed to avoid the fires from their Dragon who roared in fury at them. Landing nearby Caster glared at his foe knowing full well what it wanted to do. Once Caster landed, he glared at the Dragon and noted the chain on it was weak no doubt from the Dragon thrashing to get free.
Caster glared at his foe and knew what he needed to do. First off Caster's cloak began to turn black before he grabbed Hemione causing the two to vanish from sight. The Dragon had already tried to attack but when its tail hit the creature only felt stone. Looking around the mythical reptile saw that Caster and Hermione were nowhere to be seen. Following it up Caster and Hermione reappeared with Caster charging in with twin blades in his hands that he used to leave scratches across the beasts' scales.
The Dragon roared and sent out another burst of fire at Caster who easily dodged it by apparating to the other side of the ring. The dragon looked around when it saw Caster was gone as Hermione carefully moved towards the eggs. Attacking from behind Caster who had switched one of his weapons out for a rifle began climbing up the Dragons back slashing and shooting into it as he went. The Scales were damaged, but the skin underneath was unharmed by Caster's assault.
Caster then landed on a larger stone as he called off the two weapons he used against the Dragon. The Beast roared and fired off more flames at it seemingly burning Caster in them. But from the flames Caster shot out and with a sniper rifle fired at the Dragons eyes and successfully taken out one of the mentioned eyes. The Dragon roared in agony from the attack and thus Caster landed on the ground once more.
Caster then began to whistle a very ominous tune that echoed across the stage before he began to lift up his right hand and grasp the arm with his left hand. Caster then held out his right hand as he began to focus his power. "I am ready to die." Caster announced as a dark aura began to form around him. The Dragon's roaring stopped as it felt an instinctive fear run through its body in fact a cold chill had arrived a vile cold that could only mean that Death was here. Caster meanwhile was drawing a new sword one Hermione had only seen in books the Dragon Slaying sword, Ascalon.
"This is the weapon that is your Grim Reaper... I hoped you lived a good life because now you've reached the end." Caster said and in turn went at the Dragon at blinding speed. The speed was so great that Caster had even created a sonic boom before appearing right before the Dragon's chest with the Ascalon stabbed into it. The Dragon stopped as it began to struggle to look upon the wound Caster inflicted on it. Its blood began to seep out as the creature could smell all of its kin who had fallen to this blade. The Ascalon was a sword that had slay dragons for centuries never once has it failed to kill a Dragon for the weapon can pierce even the toughest of scales. The Dragon began to fall backwards as its eyes grew dull and its body slid off the blade.
Soon the Dragon fell over dead as the Ascalon vanished from Caster's hand. Hermione for her part was shocked over what she saw the way Caster moved was almost like that of a surgeon. But it was also scary at the same time the way Caster moved it was like he was more machine than he was human. What Saber had said about Caster before when Hermione used the Command Seal on him... was he truly broken so much that he was Ready to Die? Taking her Egg Hermione saw Caster glaring down upon the Dragons remains with clenched fists as his knuckles began to pop from the pressure. Caster began to remember another life one he tried to keep locked away due to the pain it brings him.
(Later)
After everyone had been tended and the scores had been tallied the Seven Master and Seven Servants were gathered together. Ludo Bagman began to step forward as he addressed the stadium as a whole. "The Judges have deliberated and have come to a conclusion on their scores!" He called out and thus the four Judges were ready to give the group their scores to see who gets the Command Seal.
"The Champion for Hogwarts, Cedric Diggory's score is." Bagman began as he then turned towards the judges who began shooting numbers into the air with their wands. Dumbledore shot up an eight, Madam Maxime fired a seven, Karkaroff fired a five, which was met with jeering from most of the crowd, Barty Crouch Sr. fired a seven, and Draven fired off a seven. Ludo looked at the numbers before enthusiastically calling out, "Thirty-four points for Cedric Diggory!" He called out to the crowd, the Hogwarts students cheering for their champion. "Next up! Fleur Delacour! Who earned a total; of..." He trailed off waiting for the judges to shoot their numbers into the air before exclaiming. "Thirty-nine points for the Beauxbaton's champion Fleur Delacour!" He called out causing a cheer from her, schoolmates.
Ludo waited for the cheering to subside before he called out Viktor Krum, "The Durmstrang's champion, Viktor Krum is now in the lead with a whopping forty-one points!" He shouted out giddily before calling out the next name. "Now for young Mr. Potter!" Ludo called out and thus the next set of points came in. Ludo smiled wide and seemed about to pass out from excitement. "Forty-two points!" He called out to the crowd, who all cheered. "Harry Potter is in the lead by one point!" He announced and thus the next bit came forth.
"Now for the younger Ms. Delacour!" Ludo continued and in turn the points were shot to the air. "Thirty-three points for the younger girl." He announced as this put Gabrielle all the way in last place. "Next is Alexi whose scores goes to..." He began and went back to the judges and in turn saw what he earned. "A whopping Forty-five points!" He called out which put Alexi in the lead for this tournament. "Now for Ms. Hermione Granger." Ludo spoke and thus her points were given. "She has tied for third place with Viktor with a total of Forty-one Points!" He called out and thus everyone cheered as this put Hogwarts in the top spots for the tournament. "Alexi has claimed first place and with it the Command Seal promised to him, in second place we have Harry Potter with Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum tied for third place." Ludo began to list off. "Fourth place is Cedric Diggory followed by Fleur Delacour in 5th Place with young Ms. Gabrielle Delacour rearing the end in last place." Ludo said as this also meant that the French School was dead last in the Tournament.
Waiting for the cheering to come to a halt Ludo once more began to speak to the crowd. "Remember champions, the golden egg contains your clue for the next task, which takes place on the 24th of February, get to work on those clues' champions! It will be time for the second task before you know it!" Ludo said and with that he waved his wand at himself and walked down from his platform, going over to the judges.
(Later The Gryffindor Common Room)
Cheering was heard as Harry and Hermione were carried in by the Weasley Twins and the Quidditch Teams female players as everyone was celebrating the duo. Godric was cheering as well as Caster stayed off to the side watching things play out. "Behold your champions the Dragon Slayers of the House of Gryffindor kneel before their might!" Godric called out as the Servant of the Sword got the crowd riled up.
Harry and Hermione could not help it as they laughed while soaking up the positive feedback they were getting. Nearby Caster was putting on a pair of earplugs for some odd reason. "Come on open the eggs!" Saber called out as she looked to the pair. "Open the Eggs! Open the Eggs!" She chanted and thus the entire Common Room was chanting as well.
"Open the Eggs! Open the Eggs! Open the Eggs!" They chanted as with each chant they steadily got faster with it.
Harry and Hermione looked to each other and with a shrug Hermione spoke. "Oh, alright you win." Hermione said and thus they began to open their Golden Eggs. The latch came off and with it the eggs popped open. But what they all got was a screeching yell from the eggs causing everyone to cover their ears even Saber. Caster was just minding his own business to the side but clearly, he saw this coming a mile away.
Acting fast the pair closed their eggs as everyone steadily began to regain themselves. "Ok I shall admit... I walked into that one." Saber admitted as she should have seen this coming. It's a clue but that doesn't mean it will be straight forward for any of them.
(Later)
Eventually the celebrations began to wind down as Saber was once more on the couch snoring with a hint of pink on her nose suggesting she had been drinking again. The way she was hugging an empty bottle of Firewhiskey suggested as much from the Servant. The House Elves were hard at work cleaning up the celebrations remains as they ended the party before their Head of House complained about it. Caster was seen with a bag as he filled it with trash showing he was providing aid as well.
"Harry, Hermione you two have a moment?" Ron was heard as the two looked and saw Ron had arrived.
"Ron, what do you want?" Harry asked with a raised brow, but Ron simply raised his hands in mock surrender.
"I just want to talk." Ron began as this got their attention.
"Ok so talk." Hermione said her tone suggesting Ron better have a good excuse for them to trust him again.
"Look I've been... thinking about our friendship and everything that happened at Hogwarts." Ron began as he looked like he was struggling to get this out on his own volitions. "After your names came out of that blasted cup, I sort of flaked on you two and when Caster arrived with all the nasty things he had been saying." Ron trailed off as Caster was seen glaring at the scene ready to jump in if the need should arise. "And... he was bloody well right." Ron said as this surprised everyone even Caster who stopped what he was doing to look.
"I took a long look at myself in the mirror and saw that I've been a lousy fair-weather friend and you both deserve better than that." Ron said as this surprised Harry and Hermione. "I don't like the sort of bloke I've been but more than that... I'm tired of my life being put on the line every year since, first year." Ron said as his words left everyone shocked. "I mean I still want to be friends, if possible, but I don't want to risk my life anymore and..." Ron trailed off before growling and turning around. "Bloody hell this is hard to say." Ron said but then Harry looked to Ron.
"Ron it's fine." Harry said surprising Ron with those words. "I get it risking your life every year I'd probably want out too." Harry admitted as he looked to Ron. "You don't have to be a part of my chaotic life to still be my friend, Ron." Harry said as he opted to let Ron go because he didn't want to drag those he cared about into his life.
"I... thanks Harry." Ron admitted as he smiled grateful to Harry for understanding. Ron then began to take his leave as this was the end of the Golden Trio but at least this time it was on more amendable terms.
Meanwhile Caster saw the whole exchange as he knew something major had happened just now. "Something has changed." Caster mumbled to himself as he remembered that talk going down differently.
"So, Caster what was it you were saying about?" Hermione began but then saw Caster had vanished his task done, and the bag of trash gone as well.
"Where did he go?" Harry asked confused as to how Caster snuck away so easily.
(Meanwhile with Caster)
Caster was walking down the halls after leaving the Common Room. Something had changed severely so as his coat trailed behind him with his movements. He had one destination in mind Albus Dumbledore, something had severely shifted and as it stands Caster intended to get to the bottom of it. The best way to do that is to point Dumbledore to the location of the Horcruxes assuming he had not started the hunt for them yet.
(Later at the Headmasters Office)
Dumbledore looked upon the ring he had just secured from the old shack of Merope Gaunt. Locating it was difficult but thanks to Caster he had all the time needed to focus on this one. He planned to contact Sirius to open Grimmauld Place to retrieve the locket but that might require Harry to become involved. The Ring had been cleansed of the fragment within and thus left only the stone behind. The Stone was something of note because of the mark within. He was no fool to assume but even he could not deny the facts, his wand, Harry's cloak, and now the stone. If Gellert was here he'd be frothing at the maw over what Albus had acquired.
Just then the door opened and from it, Caster walked in. "Please tell me you started the hunt." Caster said as he entered the room.
"That I have, Caster." Dumbledore said as he slowly let Caster into his inner circle. "The Ring has been neutralized and I plan to go after the Locket next." Dumbledore said as Caster sighed to this while nodding in agreement.
"Good." Caster said thankful that Dumbledore decided to listen.
"Though I must ask... how did I fail you?" Dumbledore asked as Caster stopped and seized up. "I am not blind I noticed the animosity you seem to have for me." Dumbledore said as he looked to Caster. "And I know you seem to give a certain contempt for Mr. Weasley and Harry." Dumbledore said as he wanted to know.
"Why should I tell you?" Caster asked after he regained himself.
"Please just humor an old man." Dumbledore said as he was curious. "The point stands we have the confirmed identities of five of the seven Servants the only ones whose names we do not know are yours and Berserker." Dumbledore said as Caster stood there trying to keep his composure.
"Godric Gryffindor, Jack the Ripper, Gilgamesh, Iskandar the Great, and Cu Chulainn. Saber, Assassin, Archer, Rider, and Lancer." Dumbledore listed off as Caster paid attention. "All of them are figures of note that earned them their place in the Throne of Heroes for good or ill." Dumbledore spoke which Caster saw he was going somewhere with this. "Yet you have shown no match in History that I could pinpoint despite my intensive research into the matter." Dumbledore said to which Caster saw that Dumbledore was saying.
"I've given enough hints, the last one is plain as day the Throne of Heroes is not restricted to the past alone." Caster said before walking off away from Dumbledore. "Now unless there is something you absolutely need from me, I'll be taking me leave." Caster said as he then exited the room without even waiting for a response. Dumbledore had to admit Caster kept his secrets close to his chest and while the Servant had the right to his secrets Dumbledore found his own curiosity getting the better of him.
(Meanwhile with Fleur and Berserker)
Fleur stumbled into her room as she was breathing hard from the taxing effects commanding Berserker had on her. The mad Servant had a firm yet gentle grip on Fleur as the Veela struggled to stay stable. "I'm fine, Berserker thank you." Fleur said as the Servant helped her take a seat nearby to control herself.
Berserker just stood there an air about him suggesting he was not happy about the state Fleur was in. "I know I should have been more careful during the Task, but we now have a strategy that works for us." Fleur said as Berserker simply stood there. "I know it puts a strain, but I need to make sure we don't get removed first for Gabrielle's sake." Fleur said and thus Fleur knew Berserker had a counter.
But Fleur knew Berserker had a point, after all how can she protect Gabrielle if she's falling over from exhaustion. "Your right I should be more careful next time." Fleur said as she knew that particular strategy had a few kings that needed to be worked on first. Berserker then walked over to Fleur before picking her up bridal style surprising her as he did so. He then carried her off to bed and proceeded to tuck her in after removing her shoes and outer coat. He then sat down nearby and stood vigilante over her.
"I see." Fleur said with a small smile on her face. "Thank you, Berserker." Fleur said showing gratitude to the Servant of Madness. "I'll see you in the morning." Fleur said and thus allowed sleep to take her for the evening. As Fleur slept Berserker watched the Veela girl before looking at his hand. He clenched it softly imagining Fleur's hand in it as he had his own reason to fight for her beyond the Holy Grail. If fate had been kinder Berserker would have gladly left the Round Table for Fleur, the only one who could keep his grief and madness at bay. Perhaps he might have his wish to be reborn so he might stand by Fleur's side forevermore. Nearby the Golden Egg rested as the clue had yet to be discovered from it. Whatever the clue might be both Master and Servant intended to find it and win the tournament and the war.
(Scene Break the Next Day Draven's Class)
The Masters were once more gathered before Draven for the semi-regular meeting to keep the master's and Servants appraised of things thus far. "Now then seeing as we just got through the first task, I've noticed that we still have Seven Servants in play." Draven said as he looked to the group. "Now while I appreciate you all following the rules, I put in place we need to start thinning the herd." Draven said as he looked to the group. "We're reaching the half-way point as despite the Tournament the Holy Grail will only be given to the last master/Servant pair standing." Draven said and thus he got down to it.
"Now as much as it galls me to say it, we need a little more violence so now that the first task is out of the way I hope to see more of it before the second task." Draven said as he looked to the group. "Now that we have a general understanding of who you're all facing off against I expect a report written up by our next meeting, dismissed." Draven said and thus by his leave the students all began to leave bar Harry and Hermione oddly enough.
"Potter, Granger can I help you?" He asked somewhat rudely and in turn Hermione voiced it.
"Pardon me sir but can you tell us about Mage Craft?" Hermione asked and thus Draven paused for a moment.
"Mind me asking why you wish to know about it?" Draven asked as he looked to the pair with a raised brow.
"We' want to learn it, sir." Harry said as Draven then sighed.
"I get that much but WHY do you want to learn it?" Draven asked as he wanted to get this over with.
"In the Holy Grail War Magecraft is a must and even though the others don't have it we need every advantage we can get." Hermione voiced and thus Draven got the gist of it.
"I see." Draven said and in turn began to pull out sheets of paper for the pair. Walking over to the table he put them both down and thus the pair read through it. "These are wavers, Mage Craft isn't like your wand waving magic it has a much higher demand then what either of you are probably used to." Draven said as he looked to the pair. "Read through it and bring it back to me once you have read and signed it that way you don't have to come at me screaming that there were risks you weren't aware of." Draven said as Hermione saw the risks was an extensive list taking up almost an entire page.
"If your still intended to learn after reading then sign it and bring it back tomorrow." Draven said as he wanted to give the pair time to think it over. With that the pair took the papers and left the room leaving Draven alone in the room as he began to consider the options. It might seem like giving them an unfair advantage but being the youngest Champions, they needed it more than the original three. He then sighed as he swore Harry reminded him of another Master from the Previous Holy Grail War. A green eyed one with crimson red hair and her own Saber Servant. Meh probably just a passing resemblance after all Lily and James had their hands full with Mordred during the previous war.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here you go the First Task has come to an end and with it we begin the path of Magecraft for Harry and Hermione. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join us next time for the next chapter. So, until we next meet be sure to leave a review for this chapter and as I always say on here, ja-ne.