Chapter 1: Of Graves and Wolves

4 Years Later, Arathorn Family Manor

You stand outside your house once more. The memories of that night still surface whenever you look upon the fields. What once was forests, after that night, was now rolling hills of grass. Whatever you did that night caused such devastation that the forest itself was destroyed. It will never be the same.

Thankfully not long after… Whatever happened… A man would arrive. He saved you and your cousin from the aftermath. Then he would decide to take care of the two of you. The manor had to be significantly downsized due to no-one having the ability to clean the full building. But it's new size is much more comfortable to you.

Though a few weird things did happen. For one your cousin, Lucia. Yeah she started calling you father… That was… Extremely weird at first, but eventually you just grew accustomed to it. You actually enjoy it now... If she ever hears that, she'll never let it go. Thankfully internal thoughts tend to stay internal.

Anyways, the sunrise over the fields is quite the sight. When the forest was still standing it was impossible to see the sun until it was directly above you. It's a bit lonely though when you're the only one watching it. You hear shuffling at the entrance of the manor. Ah it's her…

"Dad! Dad! Uncle's back and he brought back presents! Come inside!" Lucia came rushing outside. Her childish demeanor immediately being shown in full. She took a concerned expression as her gaze reached you.

"Dad? Why are you staring at the ground? Are you okay?" Do not show weakness. You must not show the dumb fucking smile on your face. Why does she have to be precious! Her presence alone seems to brighten your mood. Even when you don't want it to!

However, you had to face her eventually and she's still your adorable daughter. "I'm alright Lucia. So Wilhelm's back? What did he bring this time?" She ran up to you while you spoke, grabbing your arm and pulling you with all her might inside. Though of course she would've been struggling if you hadn't played along.

Thank god she's not currently looking at you, your damn face has a goofy smile on it. You'd be rather embarrassed if she saw it. She leads you through the manor as you reach the kitchen. An empty kitchen. "I guess he left already…" She sounded so disappointed, but you doubt he's left just yet.

She shook her head before continuing to lead you towards the tables. There were numerous packages on top of them. Once again Wilhelm's generosity annoys you. Where are you supposed to put the boxes? Throw them away? That's a waste though… You'll just have to fit them in the attic then…

"Come on! Let's open them!" She rushes towards one of the wrapped packages. Thankfully figuring out which package is for which person is generally easy. Wilhelm always makes sure that Lucia's have wrapping paper and yours don't. The first two packages that Lucia opened had a crown and cloak. She looks so happy about it.

However, in one of the few packages that were unwrapped, you see a red glow. "So. I can use it once more? The spear is ready…" Carefully removing the wooden packaging, the spear that ripped through your heart is revealed. The Gae Bolg. This spear was once wielded by the legendary hero Cu Chulainn. Now it is wielded by you.

Taking the Gae Bolg out, you get into a stance that Wilhelm had you trained in. Doing a few practice swings, away from the furniture, you're not a barbarian. Wielding the spear feels remarkably natural. Like you were meant to use it. After that night the spear became extremely heavy in your grasp. You could no longer hold it.

The spear had denied you. You tried and tried but the spear would not accept you as it's wielder. You tried to force a contract, but it refused. That was surprising to you. The spear had a level of sentience. Not true sentience but it could deny your contract. The really shocking thing was when it turned your contract against you, forcing you to agree to a contract of its own.

You would not be able to wield Gae Bolg until you were 15, had a high level of skill in fighting with a spear, and you had taken a life. You have fulfilled all these conditions. The last one was not fulfilled from the kills on that night, so you had to make do with… Others.

Though that kill was much easier on your conscience. "Dad! Dad! Stop playing with your spear! Don't I look cool!" She had on the crown and cloak she had taken out of those boxes earlier. Wait? What did she mean about playing with your spear? You weren't playing…

Once you turned your gaze to her. She looked positively adorable… You were so blessed! Uh oh! She looks giddy… You showed that stupid smile finally… NO! How are you supposed to be a cool dad if you look like a dork!

"You look gorgeous Lucia!" You're just making it worse mouth! At least she seems happy.

"Ah, there you are, I had been looking for you William…" The aged voice of the man you knew as Wilhelm entered your ears. Putting away your goofy face you look towards the man.

Wilhelm van Astrea. Your caretaker, butler, and teacher. One of the greatest, if not the greatest swordsman of the modern day. Sadly he has no talent for magecraft, but you handled that one on your own.

Instead of reminiscing you decided to say what was on your mind, "Wilhelm, I was worried you had already left." He shook his head before approaching you.

His hand rested upon your shoulder, "Not yet. However, I will have to be going within the hour. I got a request from Lord Animusphere and I must go see him personally." A lord of the clocktower? Why would they need Wilhelm?

You wanted to ask but as you opened your mouth Wilhelm spoke once more, "I wish to see your progress before I go. It's a shame I've been away for so long. Though it seems others seek to take advantage of the weakened state of your family. I hope Lord Animusphere will be different from the other trips I've had to take. However, I am not confident."

As much as you want to, you decide against agreeing. "Maybe at a later date Wilhelm. I want to know what Lord Animusphere wants. You've been gone for so long, I don't want the little amount of time I'll be seeing you involve fighting." Wilhelm nods his head as you speak.

"Very well. Lord Animusphere had contracted your family for a personal project. Sadly they perished before this project was finished." It stung a bit to hear that information, even if you were fully aware of it. It was just too fresh of a scar, but you're also glad that Wilhelm doesn't pretend like it didn't happen.

But this personal project? You would've seen it right? You extracted all the remaining studies from the stockades before collapsing it. "Was it one of the studies from the stockades?" Wilhelm's face gets a disgusted look.

"No, that vile place was not where the project was involved. I again must thank you for burying that place as your family should've done years ago. It is a stain on your family's name." Wilhelm, despite his respect for your father, abhorred the stockades. You are happy that the stockades are gone. However, for very different reasons.

"Then where is this 'project'? I haven't heard of any business Lord Animusphere would have with my family until today. So where and what is it?" You were too curious to let this information escape you. Especially when it involved any remnant of your family and their works.

"I am uncertain where the project itself is located. However, I will be meeting with Lord Animusphere in Antarctica. It might just so happen to be project itself I believe was to see if the Arathorn family contracts could create a system to summon heroic spirits. I believe your uncle made a breakthrough before he died." Summoning heroic spirits? Like for the Holy Grail War? Why would Lord Animusphere want that?

"Do you know why this project is so important?" Wilhelm shakes his head. A shame that he doesn't know. You turn your head seeing Lucia dancing ON THE FUCKING TABLES!

"LUCIA GET DOWN FROM THERE! THOSE ARE TABLES THEY ARE NOT MEANT FOR DANCING!" She squeals as she begins to run along the long tables and giving you a damned heart attack. By the time you finally got her down from there it seemed Wilhelm had already left.

A few hours later…

With a yawn you lay down Gae Bolg on your desk. After hours of contracting work, you finally settled on a few the spear would agree to. Such as when you flex your fingers it will appear in your hands. Which will make it much harder for you and Gae Bolg to be separated.

Lucia went outside to play while you worked on your contracts. Though you are disappointed with the rewards for four hours of non-stop bartering with a damn spear. It would always find one aspect of your contracts it didn't like. Refuse. Then make you spend another thirty minutes coming up with a new contract.

An inanimate object was giving you difficulty… Fuck your life… Hopefully Lucia is back to brighten your mood. As you head down to the foyer, you notice how quiet the manor is. Eerily quiet. "Lucia? Are you back?" No response.

You feel uneasy. You run out of the manor and look outside. The sun is starting to set? It was just morning… What the hell is going on… No! What's most important is searching for Lucia. You feel a pull.

This pull… Whatever it is. It feels familiar, the Voice guides you once more… Doesn't it… Whatever, it can play it's games, it better have not hurt your daughter. You walk diligently, following the pull forward. Not long after you find yourself somewhere you have never been before. Someplace entirely new.

This massive grave with swords all around. This was never here before... Where did it come from... What does matter is that you see Lucia happily playing with flowers by the grave. She seems fine but your fear makes you rush forward hoping to secure her safety.

"Lucia Are you okay!" Lucia jumps at your loud words before turning to you. She sighs before waving you over. She's too calm for what's happening right now. You begin to run faster, your unease getting greater.

As you approach she screams over to you, "Dad! Dad! Come here! You have to meet the doggy! He's so nice!" Dog? What dog? Just as you're about to reach her, you hear a growl. As well as the sound of a sword being drawn... Turning around you see it.

Oh that dog…

You face the Diligent Greatwolf Sif...

As swiftly as you can, you get Lucia behind you. You summon forth Gae Bolg and put the spear up. Stopping any advance the beast could take. A growl escapes from it, one escapes from you as well. "I don't care what you are… Mutt… But if you put my Daughter in danger… I'll kill you!" You can feel Lucia trembling into your back.

You hear a drop. "Lucia!" She fell over, completely asleep. You quickly dodge a strike from the large wolf. It attacked you the moment you turned your focus to your daughter… Bastard. You quickly move Lucia out of the way. That's what happened you think… You just know that Lucia was no longer in danger… That damned Voice…

As you return to face the creature it follows up with two more strikes of it's blades, both barely being dodged as you thrust your spear forward. It somehow perfectly blocked your spear. "You're pretty good for a damned Mutt. If you think it'll be that easy you can fucking eat i-" Then you find yourself being launched by the flat side of the giant sword.

Maybe you should've focused on the actual fight rather than your anger? It twirls the sword in it's maw, adjusting it for an incoming strike. You might not be able to dodge it.

Fuck it. You won't be able to dodge in time. So instead of even trying, you thrust your spear forward once more. A pained howl reaches your ears as a smirk splits itself across your face. You struck it in the cheek before it could slam you with it's sword again. "Take that! YOU DAMNED MUTT!"

Growls escape both of you once more as you two begin to exchange blows. One after the other. With you coming out on top, using your smaller frame and superior speed you were able to outmaneuver the giant predator.

It couldn't land a single hit on you as you begin to slowly whittle away at it's stamina. Putting various spear holes in it's body, you even left a nasty gash on it's right fore-leg. It's beginning to limp. Time for the final blow!

As you head to land the final blow, you get an ominous feeling and back up. You hear it. The howling of the wind, "The all-consuming abyss comes forth! Hide within this body and meld with it, become something greater. Crest of Artorias!" A bright light shines upon the back of the beast before a dark mist ripples forth.

The beast's wounds completely heal and it's fur gains a dark coloration. You swear you saw a red flash come from the eyes, before the beast traveled the entire field collapsing onto you. You barely saw it move. You are now on the floor desperately trying to get up as it slams into you once more, sending you flying.

Its howls gain a distorted tone as it continues to knock you around. Not even allowing you a chance to think. However, it begins to slow down as you finally get to get up.

It's finally over… The dark mist recedes back into the crest as the creature pants before collecting itself. It's back to full health, while you are barely hanging onto consciousness.

It begins to rush towards you once again. You can't dodge. You can't attack. You're fucked… Well, hopefully Lucia will be fine. You didn't want to abandon her like this…

Then you see something. Within your hand the Gae Bolg begins to glow as you feel your mana be consumed. Is this Gae Bolg's power? Do you have a chance?

You feel it drain your mana. You feel it drain your very life, but you know with it draining you. You have a chance! Everything seems to slow down as you raise your spear. "Come forth mutt! I'll show you my true power! The true power of -"

"GAE BOLG!" Wait what?

A man in tights with a spear looking exactly like yours slams into the giant creature. It was a blue and red blur before pained howls left the wolf. Then dying moans were what replaced them. What just happened? The man spoke, "You know master. It's kind of rude of you to make me kill a dog the first second after you summon me."

Wait? Master? You look at your hands. Are those? Command seals? They were in the shape of a wolf's face… Did you just summon a servant? That means it used your spear as a catalyst… Wait, didn't you need to do a ritual to summon a servant? Then again… Didn't Wilhelm mention your family was making a system to summon servants?

Perhaps that knowledge is within your magic crest… If so? You're one lucky son of a bitch. "Oi! Do you always sit there looking like a dunce when you get your ass saved?" Oh you are not going to get along with him, are you…

"I'm just not used to weird men in tights falling out of the sky!" He gets a twitch in his eye as he begins to approach you. He might be your servant, but you aren't exactly aware how much control over him. The command seals should give you the ability to control him, but they're limited…

You sweat nervously as he gets closer and closer. Your stupid pride probably pissed off the heroic spirit. As he finally reaches you he puts his hand to your head. Measuring your heights. "You're a bit short." What?

"I don't know why you have Gae Bolg. I don't know why you look like me when I was younger. I don't know why you summoned me. But damn, what I do know, is that you're too short." He says that casually as you look at him in awe.

"WHAT! What the fuck are you talking about! Short? I'm fifteen! I'm above average for my age! I don't look like you either! We have no similarities beyond the blue hair and spears!" He just looks unimpressed as you speak.

"Great, I got saddled with a brat… Welp when the Grail War starts hopefully I'll get a few good fights. Anyway see you later mini-me… Huh, modern language is weird…!" With that he disappeared into a bright light. What just happened? Where did he go? Can things make sense for one minute!

Your brain was going a mile a minute before once more your thoughts were interrupted. "I'm still here, jeez! I'm just not manifesting in a physical form." Oh. So servants do have a spirit form then? You'll have to do more research on heroic spirits and grail wars then.

As you contemplate the events of the previous hour you feel something licking you. "Might want to look down, master…" Heeding the servant's advice you look down. Huh, that's a puppy ain't it. You're ashamed to admit it but you jumped like 10 feet back after seeing it.

No one is allowed to blame you! You just got pummeled by a fucking giant wolf for the past 15 minutes! The trauma of getting roughed up by a canine is very fresh in your mind!

It pounces on you and begins to lap at your body. You want to push it off so badly but you have no strength anymore. Your servant starts chuckling, you want to punch him so bad…

Eventually Lucia awakes and she too ends up on top of you. Playing with the puppy as you lay there with both on you, wishing for the sweet release of death. Well at least she seems happy.

You eventually got used to the feeling of your daughter and the dog playing on top of you, and just drifted. Sleep caught you like a vice. "Hello again. Pride." This fucking prick, great. Just what you needed.

"I sense your displeasure, but I wished to congratulate you on defeating your first Diligent. Even if it was by pure luck and you had no chance of winning on your own, you did excellently. I will certainly be sending more once everything sets in motion." What is he talking about now?

The celestial serpent now in your direct view, floating just above you. You couldn't help but ask, "What's a diligent? Why was that wolf one? Are you setting me up for failure?" A mirthless laugh exits the divine constellation of the serpent.

"Of course I am. There is no entertainment if there isn't a chance for failure after all. Onto your other question. Diligents are chosens from other worlds! Such as heroes, villains, or beasts… They are meant to challenge you and impede your progress. Of course you shall be rewarded for defeating them, or allying with them." So the reward for defeating that beast was a dog?

"When you think about it like that it sure does seem like a worthless gift. However, this dog is attuned to you and can grow with you. He could end up being your greatest companion. Of course if only you put in the work…" So the voice can hear your thoughts. Then there is no point in speech. At that thought you can sense the disappointment from the voice well up.

It then sulks. Literally sulks. It folds in on itself, facing away from you. It was a disappointing sight, "No-one ever wants to speak to me… It's ok Pride I understand… Who would ever want to willingly talk to a divine construct such as myself…" It seems it has given up on remaining serious.

Shaking your head? You feel the motion but you don't really feel like you're there. It's weird. "Do you need anything from me, or was that all?" The stars shift into a large smiley face, before shifting back into the serpentine form it was in previously.

"Indeed I have a personal need for your services. I want you to capture someone in specific later in your life. You'll know them when you see them, besides that, just get along with your fellow sins alright. They might be your greatest asset." Capture someone? As in kidnap…

Like what your family did to intruders at one point… You won't rebuild the stockades… You won't! "Calm down Pride. I do not wish to exasperate your traumas. When you meet her, you two will be enemies. She will have me guiding her way. I seek her success, just as much as I seek her defeat. You shall be the catalyst to see how it will end." Couldn't you just kill her and be done with it.

"It's a shame that you're so caught up in your own issues that you have yet to realize you couldn't even if you wanted to. When the time comes, seek out your fellow sins and win the upcoming grail war. I have absolute faith in your abilities thus far." Fellow sins, the voice mentioned that before.

The constellations dull as their shape deflates. "Sigh… The Voice thing is kind of annoying… Just call me Apophis, or Voice of Apophis. Whichever makes you happier. If it isn't obvious Pride. There are 6 others just like you. Well not exactly but when you meet them, you'll know." Apophis? What kind of name is that? Absolutely incensed the normally white stars turn red.

"I'm trying my best! Who the hell wants their job to be in the celestial entertainment industry! I wanted to be a musician! Yet I get stuck with you ungrateful brats because all people want to watch is sex! Begone, Pride!" The obviously angry deity casts you aside.

You re-awake to find Lucia and the dog still playing with each other. Now chasing one another around the grave the beast emerged from. "You normally pass out like that?" You forgot he was here…

You didn't want to talk about your dream, nor did you want to show that you had one. So you just deflect in the most natural way you could, "Only to get away from nuisances such as you." Your servant chuckles at your attempts to annoy him.

Exiting his spirit form your servant appears right in front of you. "While I was waiting for you to wake up. Realized it was probably in our best interests to at least know something about each other." He looks as excited as you for this conversation.

You went first because you are 90% certain of your servant's identity, "My name is William Arathorn. I was a part of a magus family that specialized in contract magecraft. It was a magecraft that could affect the natural world in the most interesting ways, so we pursued it's perfection rather than the Root. It led to our downfall." Your servant looks at you confused. A little bit of guilt emanated from him.

As he went to speak you decided to do it for him, "You're the Hound of Chulainn. Correct? Hero of the Ulster cycle? Wielder of the spear, the Gae Bolg? You go by Cu Chulainn, named after the Cu you killed when you were young before you went on to be one of Ireland's most renowned heroes…" Besides momentary surprise your servant shows no reaction.

He lifts his spear over his shoulder as he stares at you blankly, "You don't really get the whole mutual exchange thing do you?" Your eye did not twitch. You did not give him any reaction. Much less an eye twitch. There was no twitch…

He sighs as he continues, "Anyway. Yeah you had that all right. However, you probably want to call me Lancer when the grail war starts. Not a big fan of stuff like subterfuge but I understand you magus types enjoy that kind of thing. However, I was gonna ask you about something else. That spear… How did you get your hands on Gae Bolg?" So he is curious about the spear.

You clench it in your hands, the realization it never left your hands dawning on you. "It's… It's a long story. Not one I really want to share right now. Especially to someone I just met, no matter how legendary." He nods at you before looking over towards your daughter and her new pup.

They seem to be enjoying themselves greatly as they're in a cute embrace. Lucia was holding the dog up by her arms. "You gonna name that thing?" You have one in mind, but you'll wait until you get Lucia over here. She is really bad at naming things.

"Lucia! Come over here! We need to name that pup!" You can sense him panicking a bit. Does he not like kids or something? What is that evil aura? As Lucia happily jogs towards you with the pup in her arms, an evil air wafts off his fur. Did his eyes blink red?

You are immediately distracted by the sight as Lucia finally reaches you. Bouncing off her feet she asks rather loudly, "Dad! Dad! Can I name him! Can I name him! Please, please let me name him! He's so fluffy!" You feel a bit bad that you'll be ruining that perfect smile, but she is absolute garbage when it comes to naming things…

You shake your head, "Afraid not Lucia. I'll be naming him" She lets out an adorable groan, no doubt annoyed by your lack of indulging her. However, you're not going to be stuck with Fluffy, or Sparky, or Gingerbread, or whatever other horrible name for a war dog she'll come up with.

"Don't worry Lucia. I already have an excellent name picked out. You boy, will be Setanta." Lucia thinks over the name before nodding. Seeming to like it. The reaction that was more interesting was Cu's.

"YOU FUCKING WHAT! NO! NO! NO! I REFUSE! YOU LITTLE SHIT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING TO DO THAT HAVEN'T YOU! WHY DID I HAVE TO BE STUCK WITH A MASTER LIKE YOU!" Ah, revenge is sweet.

"Huh? Who are you?" Oh yeah… Forgot she didn't see him earlier… Welp… There goes the rest of your day…