In the dimly lit room, the smell of dust and aged paper lingered, as Lysander Euryale pored over the ancient tome spread open on the table before him. A knock on the door broke his concentration, and he raised his eyes to see a gaunt, middle-aged man cautiously entering the room. He bore the signs of a difficult life, his weary gaze and tattered clothing telling stories of hardship.
"Ah, you must be Alex," Lysander remarked, his voice calm and collected. Alex nodded, taking a step forward and firmly grasping the hand extended toward him. "I've been expecting you. I presume you have come to accept my invitation to participate in the Holy Grail War?"
Alex hesitated before answering, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and bitterness.
"Yes. I've seen the horrors people inflict upon one another, and I want to change that. I want to make things better... for all."
Lysander could sense the genuine conviction in Alex's words, and he gave him a reassuring nod. "Very well, then. Let us begin the preparations for the summoning of your Servant."
As they moved to the summoning circle, Alex revealed his catalyst – an antique sawed-off shotgun. The weapon bore a sense of menace, as if it had been wielded by a being who knew only destruction. Lysander looked at it for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought, before nodding solemnly.
"The catalyst is suitable. It carries a powerful connection to the spirit you wish to summon," Lysander said, placing the shotgun within the circle. "Now, to continue with the ritual, one must concentrate their thoughts and pour their magical energy into the catalyst. I trust you can manage that?"
The medic nodded taciturnly, following Lysander's guidance keenly at every step. Alex closed his eyes and focused on his desire to summon a being of immense power and retribution. As they chanted the incantation, the room was filled with an oppressive energy, and the air crackled with tension. Slowly, the summoning circle began to glow with a brilliant light, heralding the arrival of a new Servant.
The glow of the summoning circle intensified, its blinding radiance casting eerie shadows across the room. Alex shielded his eyes while the chanting pressed on, his voice growing louder and more forceful. The atmosphere in the room became heavy, suffused with a primal energy that seemed to emanate from the depths of the abyss.
As the light reached its peak, a figure began to materialize within the circle. Massive and imposing, the entity bore the unmistakable aura of a warrior, a being who had fought countless battles and emerged victorious from each one. The radiant light slowly dissipated, revealing the Servant in all his terrifying glory.
Alex recognized him well.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me... how is this even possible..."
Lysander had no answers, though, the ancient experienced mage stroked his chin thoughtfully, various assumptive theories crossing his mind, one particular one standing head and shoulders above the rest... though... whatever the case... it mattered not. Here stood the Servant summoned by Alex, a powerful incarnation of vengeance itself, ready to enact furious retribution upon all the evils of the world.
The Berserker-class Servant known as the Doomslayer stood before them, clad in his iconic green armor. His helmet hid his face, further adding to the enigmatic air that surrounded him. He silently surveyed the room, his gaze stopping on Alex, who felt a shiver run down his spine under the weight of that gaze. Yet, amidst the fear, there was a sense of awe and reverence.
Lysander, maintaining his composure, addressed the newly summoned Servant. "Berserker, I am Lysander Euryale, the Supervisor of this Holy Grail War. Your Master is Alex, a man seeking to bring about change and justice."
The Doomslayer remained silent, merely nodding in acknowledgment. It was well-known that this fearsome warrior rarely, if ever, spoke. However, his actions and his relentless pursuit of evil spoke louder than any words ever could.
Alex cautiously approached his Servant, extending his hand. "I... I don't know how you're here... but I am honored to have you by my side, Berserker. Together, we will fight for a better world."
The Doomslayer looked down at Alex's hand, then grasped it firmly, his grip like iron. The unspoken pact between them was sealed, and a bond of trust and determination was forged. With the summoning complete, they would now prepare for the battles to come in the Holy Grail War.
In the days leading up to the Holy Grail War, Alex and the Doomslayer dedicated themselves to preparing for the trials that lay ahead. Despite the vast differences in their backgrounds and experiences, they shared a common goal: to eradicate evil and bring about change for the better.
Alex spent hours studying Magecraft, honing his control over his deathly Magecraft, brainstorming various ways he might need to utilize it in the Holy Grail War. The Doomslayer, ever the silent observer, would occasionally offer a nod of approval or a subtle gesture, indicating his support for his Master's efforts.
Together, they practiced combat techniques, with Alex relying on his medic training and the Doomslayer demonstrating his mastery of various weapons. The bond between them grew stronger as they learned to read each other's movements and anticipate their needs during the heat of battle.
Despite the Doomslayer's reticent nature, Alex found a deep sense of camaraderie in their shared purpose. He came to understand that the legendary warrior's silence wasn't borne from disinterest or arrogance; it was a testament to his unwavering focus on the task at hand. This realization inspired Alex to further sharpen his resolve and push past his own limitations.
Finally, the day arrived for the pre-battle meeting of the Holy Grail War. The tension in the air was palpable as Alex and the Doomslayer prepared to depart. Lysander offered them a solemn nod, his eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and concern for the path they had chosen.
Clad in their battle attire, Alex and the Doomslayer left their temporary abode, stepping into the night as they made their way toward the gathering of Master and Servant pairs. The time had come for them to confront their destiny head-on and fight for the better world they both sought to create.
Addendum: Character Profile
Master: Alex
Appearance: A gaunt, glasses-wearing middle-age man with grey hair. Relatively plain looking. Most outstanding feature are the spattering of blood stains his clothes' have soaked in due to his line of work, still yet to be properly cleaned out.
About: Alex was a combat medic and witnessed the brutality of war. When he retired, he had to deal with PTSD from the aftermath of his many combat encounters. Having witnessed firsthand the utmost degree to which people can be evil and disgusting to each other.
In civilian life he pursued a new career as an EMT. During one medical emergency he was handling, Alex was attacked while trying to get someone to the hospital. In this far from normal encounter he somehow unlocked his magic circuits and committed an act of self-defense which he prefers not to speak of to this day. He ultimately found out about the Magus community, the supernatural at large, and the Holy Grail War.
Wish: "Make things better... for all".
Abilities: His Magecraft specialty is predicated on 'death'.
He is inexperienced, but he is rapidly attempting to soak up knowledge in preparation for the war. He also has his Medical and Military training to fall back on should all else fail.
Catalyst: An antique Sawed-Off shotgun.
Origin: Perseverance
Alex's Origin, 'Perseverance', represents his ability to endure and overcome the many hardships he has faced throughout his life. This Origin is reflected in his unwavering determination to improve the world, as well as his capacity to adapt and learn quickly despite being relatively new to Magecraft. The resilience that comes from his Origin also grants him the strength to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the Magus community, pushing him to continue his fight for a better world.