[h1][color=00aeef]Ernest LaCreux[/color][/h1]

[h2](Eastern Fuyuki, Near the Foreigner's Cemetery)[/h2]

  The wheels of the limousine slowed to a halt. Inside, Ernest took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. It had taken a considerable amount of time and money, but everything was now in place. Across from him sat a hunched figure, hooded and masked, with a submachine gun lying across its lap. Arming the Thrall so heavily this early was likely an unnecessary precaution, but one could never be too careful. The other Thrall, likewise concealed beneath its clothing, was currently serving as the limousine's driver. Having arrived at his destination, Ernest buttoned his coat and glanced toward the armed Thrall across from him. “Conceal your weapon... and bring the birds with you.” The undead minion did as it was commanded, folding the stock of its weapon and hiding it within the folds of its long coat in a series of near-mechanical movements. The Thrall then reached to its side, picking up a simple bird cage. Within the cage were a pair of doves, recently purchased. Their blood would serve as the medium for the summoning ritual. Human blood might have been preferable, but Ernest lamented that such a thing was not nearly as easy to come by in Fuyuki as it had been back home. Still, it would do. It had to.


  Ernest exited the limousine, along with his two undead companions, and viewed what would likely be his residence for the entirety of the war. A rather small, Western-styled house stood before him. The property, which resided in the eastern part of the city, was a far cry from the lavish manor house that the mage had been used to. In addition to this inconvenience, its location was not as advantageous as it could have been. There were certainly more opportune locations within Fuyuki, but Ernest had no intention of becoming a target, and such places were certain to become points of congregation for the other Masters. No, he would play his hand as carefully as possible. The location was inconsequential, after all, he had taken special precaution to ensure he received his desired Servant... if his alteration to the incantation worked. The property did have one advantage: a large basement. This suited Ernest perfectly. He had always preferred to practice his Magecraft underground when possible. There was a certain irony to that that the man was not entirely ignorant of. With a silent motion, Ernest beckoned the Thralls to follow him into the house. For the time being, they would serve as his assistants.



  After a considerable amount of time and effort, the summoning circle had been completed. All that was left was to place the relic and begin the ritual. One of the Thralls produced a steel case from its coat and held it out towards Ernest. With sure fingers, the mage opened the case, revealing a clay brick, which seemed incredibly old and worn. The brick was said to have been used in the foundations of a certain ancient tower, and Ernest had taken great care to ensure its authenticity. With an air of cold reverence, the mage took the brick from its case and gently placed it in the center of the circle. Motioning the Thralls away, Ernest took a deep breath, and extending his hand over the circle, began the incantation. “Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill...” The incantation began as normal. As the mage recited the words, he felt a great warmth flare up inside of him, like a surge of flame in a cold furnace. An eerie glow emanated from the circle and from the Command Seals atop his right hand. The pale red light filled the basement, and the air began to rush outward from the circle, whipping at Ernest's coat. The mage recited the summoning ritual perfectly, but as the last line left his lips he clenched his fist and appended his own alteration to the summoning contract:

[center][i][b]"Raphèl mai amècche zabì almi" [/b][/i][/center]
  The line was meant to ensure specificity. If Dante was to be believed, that line should've had meaning to one spirit and one spirit alone. Ernest's eyes squinted as the room was rocked by an explosion of blinding light and heat.