In the twilight hours, the mysterious armored figure known as Ronin wandered through the darkened streets, his footsteps echoing with purpose. The desire for battle and the relentless pursuit of power drove him toward a singular goal: to participate in the greatest conflict he'd ever heard of - The Holy Grail War. He knew that only through this legendary conflict could he face the strongest opponents and sate his lust for combat.
As Ronin continued his journey, he felt a presence that seemed to emanate an air of authority.
It was Lysander Euryale, the man responsible for organizing the Holy Grail War.
Ronin approached him, his voice muffled by his ever-present mask, yet filled with determination.
"I seek entry into the Holy Grail War," he declared. "Grant me the opportunity to prove my worth and face the greatest adversaries this world has to offer."
Lysander studied the armored figure before him, sensing the fierce passion that burned within.
"Hmmmm, how bold of you to barge in so suddenly, with such a brazen demand. I like it. Very well! Be warned though, this war is unlike any you have ever experienced. The battles will be fierce, and the stakes are higher than you can imagine. Are you prepared to risk everything for the sake of your desire?"
Ronin's response was unwavering.
"I am. I have nothing but my skill and my determination. I will fight until my last breath, and I will emerge victorious or die trying."
Lysander nodded, accepting the warrior's resolve. "Very well. To join the Holy Grail War, you must first summon a Servant, a being of immense power and skill. They will be your ally, your weapon, and your shield in this conflict. Choose your catalyst wisely, for it will determine the nature of your Servant."
Ronin thought for a moment, considering his options.
"I have no catalyst," he admitted. "But my desire for battle is my guide. Let it lead me to a Servant who shares my passion for combat and victory."
Lysander raised an eyebrow but did not question the decision. "So be it. Prepare yourself for the summoning ritual, and may the spirits of battle guide you to a worthy Servant." With that, the two began the preparations to summon Ronin's Servant...
Under the guidance of Lysander, Ronin prepared the summoning circle, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air as he infused the space with his mana. As he finished the final stroke, the air around the circle began to crackle with energy, the tension building to a crescendo.
"...From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power, come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance! I call upon thee, my Servant," Ronin intoned, his voice strong and unwavering. "Let our fates intertwine, let our desires align, and let us fight as one. Come forth, Heroic Spirit of old, and join me in this battle for the ages!"
With a flash of blinding light, the circle erupted, and from the depths of the swirling maelstrom, a figure emerged. Clad in tattered clothing and brandishing a wickedly curved blade, a man who burned with vengeance made manifest sized up Ronin with a predatory glare.
The vicious Servant stepped forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Ronin's.
"So, you are the one who has summoned me, eh? Do you have the courage to face this storm of battle alongside me?"
Ronin did not hesitate.
"I do. My desire for battle is as strong as yours. Together, we will conquer the Holy Grail War and achieve our ultimate goal."
A sly grin spread across the Heroic Spirit's face.
"Very well, Master. Let us raise our flag of victory and set sail for the battlefield. I am Avenger, my True name is Jean-David Nau, but you may call me the dread pirate Roronoa, the Bane of Spain! "
In the days that followed, Ronin and Roronoa trained tirelessly, honing their skills and learning to fight as one. Roronoa's ruthless and cunning nature made him a formidable warrior, while his unyielding thirst for victory matched that of his Master. Together, they formed a powerful and relentless force, ready to face any challenge the Holy Grail War would throw at them.
Through shared experiences, Ronin and Roronoa forged a bond of mutual respect, born from their relentless pursuit of power and their willingness to face any danger head-on. As the days until the beginning of the Holy Grail War dwindled, they knew that their true test was yet to come.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the landscape, Ronin and Roronoa found themselves seated around a small fire. The flames flickered and danced, casting shadows upon their faces as they shared a rare moment of reprieve from their intense training.
Ronin gazed into the fire, his thoughts wandering to the life he could not remember. "Roronoa, have you ever thought about the past? The things that we have lost and can never regain?"
Roronoa looked over at his Master, his eyes reflecting the fire's light. "Aye, I have. There are things in my past that I wish I could forget. But those experiences have made me who I am today."
Ronin nodded, understanding the weight of his Servant's words. "I wish I could remember my past, to know where I came from and who I once was. It feels like there is a void within me, an emptiness that I can never fill."
Roronoa placed a hand on Ronin's shoulder, offering a rare moment of comfort. "Perhaps, in time, you will find the answers you seek. But for now, we must focus on the present and the battles that lie ahead. And the slaughter we will visit upon those foolish enough to cross paths with our thirsting blades."
Ronin looked up at his Servant, a newfound determination in his eyes. "You're right. We must face the challenges of the Holy Grail War head-on, and together, we will prevail."
With their bond strengthened by their shared conversation, Ronin and Roronoa extinguished the fire and set off toward the pre-battle meeting grounds. As they walked, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, the promise of the upcoming battles igniting a fire within them that no darkness could quench.
Though their pasts were shrouded in a grim fog of mystery, their futures uncertain, Ronin and Roronoa knew one thing for sure: together, they would face whatever the Holy Grail War had in store for them, united in their unyielding pursuit of victory.
Addendum: Character Profile
Master: Ronin
Appearance: His very appearance is covered from head-to-toe in armor, reminiscent of that of a samurai. A mask covers his face while a hat, resembling the shape of a bamboo hat, covers his hair. Even his hands are covered by gloves, hiding any skin from view.
About: Nameless, or Ronin, is a man with no past. He does not remember anything about his origins or even how he came to be. All he has, aside from his armor and sword, is the single-minded desire of seeking out the strongest opponent possible and engaging them in combat. Regardless of what may come his way, he will rush head-first into danger if it meant satisfying his lust for battle. He enters the Holy Grail War for a simple wish: a life where he can freely engage in this desire and grow stronger because of it.
Abilities: An accomplished swordsman and a Master at the Eastern Magecraft, Breathing and Walking. With each step, he is able to turn his entire body into one gigantic Magic circuit and perform grand mysteries. With one slash from his sword, he can unleash a wave of fire to his enemies. With one spin, he can turn the very air around him into water to crush and drown his enemies. There is very little anyone can do against him should he engage in close-combat.
Origin: Severance
The Origin of "Severance" represents Nameless, or Ronin's, innate ability to sever connections and ties, whether they are physical, emotional, or even magical. This has led him to become an isolated individual, driven by the desire to find and engage in combat with the strongest opponents.
As a result of this Origin, his Magecraft and swordsmanship have developed in a way that allows him to cut through the connections between others and the world around them. This could manifest as severing the bonds between a mage and their Servant, breaking the relationship between an object and its enchantments, or even disconnecting an individual from their own memories and emotions.
The power of Severance has both its strengths and weaknesses. While it allows Ronin to be an effective and fearsome combatant, it also isolates him from others and leaves him with a perpetual sense of emptiness. His ultimate wish in the Holy Grail War is to find a life where he can embrace his desire for combat and grow stronger, but this path may also lead him further into solitude and away from any chance of forming lasting connections.