[IC] The Holy Grail War

[Crimson King]

The Holy Grail. It is an object desired since ancient times. Men have fought and died for it. Because of its legendary existence, many tales and myths have followed the Holy Grail, telling tales of great warriors and kings who have fought to claim this holy relic.

A thousand years ago, the Einzbern, a family of magi, began their plans on reclaiming a great lost power then once had. Their plan resulted in failure, which forced them to do something never done before 800 years later. They enlisted the aid of outside help to obtain their powers. The help consisted of two other magi families, The Tohsaka and the Makiri. In order to mask their true intentions, the Einzbern created the lie that their work was to find a method to a way to reach a source of ultimate power.

Eventually, the three families worked out a solution: The Holy Grail. The Einzbern provided the vessels required to hold the grail. The Tohsaka provided mana rich land to create the Grail on, and the Makiri designed the command seals that would be vital later on. But like all great plans, there was always a flaw. the flaw in this plan was greed. Each family wanted the grail for themselves. Before they started a war with each other, they managed to come up with a solution. They would create a great lie to determine the owner of the Holy Grail. Seven magi, called Masters, would be picked out to fight for the Holy Grail. They were told that the Holy Grail would grant them any wish they desire. Each magus was given a servant, a heroic spirit of the past. these masters and servants would fight until only one pair remained. The defeated servants' energy would fill the holy Grail, giving it power to work with. These families would then go to war every 60 years in an attempt to obtain the Holy Grail.

The Masters, while powerful magi each, were not the ones that do the fighting. The ones that fought were the Servants. Each servant is a Heroic Spirit, a great warrior from the past summoned by the Holy Grail to battle. They were also promised one wish should they win. Each servant was assigned a class.

Archer
Assassin
Berserker
Caster
Lancer
Rider
Saber

A servant is randomly assigned a class that fits them.

Now, the Fifth Holy Grail War has started, and by a twist of fate, time has diverged from its original course and new Masters and Servants have been chosen to fight for the Holy Grail.

[Zhen Chan]

The silence of DuPont manor was rent by the dry moans of anguish. Melissandra DuPont valued her privacy so it mattered not, there were no neighbors for miles. Even if she hadn't purchased all the land for miles it would have mattered naught, a 800 year old converted castle tended to inspire feeling more in line with dread or immanent death than the warm and fuzzy safety generally associated with a nice place to settle down.

At a little over 780 years old Melissandra could still remember the manor when it was new. She had been born there and it was the only home she had ever known, as such it was quintessentially hers in every meaning of the word, but today that had changed. A stranger in black had come to her door quite at random it seemed and intruded upon her laborious studies. No matter, Melissandra was a thing to be feared, a dead apostle. Vampire in layman's terms. And a powerful magus to boot. She would kill him and return to her dusty vellum bound tomes before her tea cooled. Or at least that was how it was supposed to go.

It happened so fast, it was all a blur. One moment she was opening her front door and the next she was pinned to the wall like some parady of a frog on a tray. Impossible! No human is that fast, that strong. She opened her mouth to speak but he spoke first "Excuse me, lpve, but where is your kitchen? I suddenly have a craving for cookies" The impudence. "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM MELISSANDRA DUPONT! I WILL CRAVE THE SKIN FROM YOUR FLESH AND RIP YOUR STILL BEATING HEART FROM YOUR CHEST! RELEASE ME!" "You know, far be it for me to critize but threats tend to fall rather flat when they end with 'Release me'. Also-" he hurled another knife and it pierced her stomach at the navel, pinning her robed mid sectiin to the cold stone fortifications. " I believe I asked you a question. Left? Right? Dont tell me its upstairs, that would simply be obnoxious." Melissandra took a moment to collect herself "To the right, at the end of the hallway." "My thanks milady" the man tipped the hat he wasnt wearing a bit too elegantly to be done facetiously. As he disappeared around the corner Melissandra took inventory. Right leg. No. Left leg. No. Right arm. No. Left arm. She opened and closed her powerful digits. Yes. It appears he had been off the mark with that particular knife, it mearly peirced the bone intead of severing the connective tendons. She could rip her arm free if she chose. Yes, yes that woukd do just fine. Lure him close and rip out his throat. Simple is best.

The man returned a short time later, frowning slightly. "That was rather rude you know, you could have told me you didnt have cookies, saved me some time" it was at this time Mel noticed how absurdly young the man was, mid 20s if even. "My apologies, it must have slipped my mind, what with being impaled in my own dwelling and all." The man smirked slightly. "Well its no loss anyway." He pulled a chair from his study and sat in front of her. Staring. They went on that way for two hours in complete silence. 'What the hell is he looking at... Does he know? No he can't. He want something... What?' Mel opened her mouth to speak but the man cut her off "This is the part where you make a deal" "What?" "It is the process, first you threaten, then you access your situation. After determining your situation is bleek at best your best chance for survival is to cut a deal. Generally money or power." "I am very wealthy take what you want! I can fill your account with millions!" The man nodded "Trust me I was going to take what I wanted anyway,and ive been doing this for a while. At this point im fairly sure I am quite a bit wealthier than you. Not that it means much. Money. So dirty, dont you think?" "Power then!" The man nodded "Before you say anything I want to think, think hard. You only get one chance to pitch your offer so make it a good one." Melissandra grew quiet. The man waited patiently. "Ok." "Ok?" "The chest in the study by my hearth." "What of it?" "Its my best offer, what is inside for my life." "Interesting. Be right back." The man strolled towards the study. Melissandra smiled internally, the chest was quintuple locked, each lock had 66 tumblers, only 5 in each were real. Additionally each lock had to be triple twisted to specified degrees or they would relock automatically. He would give up and ask her for the keys, at which point she would have leverage to negotiate her release. Even if he opened the locks he would die, there were layers of powerful wards set to detonate if the lid were raised without first speaking the word of disarmament, a 1200 word litany melissandra had written in a language she invented. The man returned 90 seconds later carrying three items, the contents of the chest. Melissandra couldnt hide her shock, her mouth hung open and her voice deserted her. The man juggled the three items. "Ok, im curious. What are these?" When mel eventually returned to her senses she answered. "The broach is the eye of Felicity, a amulet gifted to Helen of Troy from Paris" The man examined the jewelry, bit gaudy for his liking. Mybe Ciel would like it, he pocketed it anyway. "And this?" "A brick of nazi gold, enchanted by Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski under the guidance of Hienreich Himmler." The mans eyes sparkled "Well that is neat indeed." There was no practical need for nazi gold, but like hell if he was going to pass it up. The cool factor was simply too much. He slipped it into his back pocket for safe keeping. "And this?" He held aloft a sash, dirty with long encrusty dirt and sweat and blood. She told him "Oh shit, seriously?" "Yes." "Well hot damn." " Now release me." "Hmm...normally id just kill you but you may have just provided me with more entertainment than you know." He stepped forward 'A little loser fool' Soon he was almost nose to nose with melissandra, he looked to her right arm and moved to remove the knife pinning her, it was then she struck. Faster than a bullet she ripped her left arm free and plunged her daggerlike fingers into his delicate neckmeat. At at least itas supposed to go that way. She found her hand stopped well short, he wrist retrained by a steely grip. "I was wondering of you were going to use the gift I gave you. Had you not it woukd have be rather disappointing." He smiled an empty smile. Mel smiled back weakly "No hard feelings?" "None"

Her screams echoed the empty countryside, swallowed by the night

[Zhen Chan]

*double post*
*fuck it*

The man strolled out of the burning manor. There were interesting things afoot

[TehChron]

Somewhere in Fuyuki

It had been ages since Gas Bill had noticed the bizarre red markings appear on his hand. He'd been fortunate enough to hear about the War itself from a previous participant during his training, which gave the Arsonist Detective time to secure himself a noteworthy artifact to use as a catalyst. He reached into his trenchcoat, withdrawing a piece of aged marble. Staring at it a moment, as he used Structural Grasping on the object, he recalled the day he obtained it as thanks for saving that museum from art thiefs who had wanted to get at the some of the buildings more valuable articles.

The man snorted, then placed it onto the ground as he set the pebble into the middle of a complex array.

"Iron and stone to the Origin,
Something, something, The Kaleidoscope
Something, something, fate and balance
You who heeds the call of the Grail
Come forth, and answer my summons
Fill it, five times, Drink from it, five times
Something, something, gibberish
I am all the Evils in the World
I am all the Justice in the World
At the behest of the Holy Grail
My Fate shall be as your sword
Now come forth, Keeper of the Balance!"

A bright light shone out in front of the man, who's sunglasses enabled him to see through the glare unimpeded. A shape took form within the circle, and stood up.

"I, Servant Rider, answer your summons, are you my Master?"

"Hrrrm," Gas Bill hums to himself thoughtfully, "Indeed I am." He lowers his head, eyes peeking out from behind his shades, "Let's get started."

[byrdmanx]

Personal home in Fuyuki

A training dummy is sent flying across the room, slamming into the steel walls. Another one is sent flying towards the ceiling, denting the steel plates that were placed there to reinforce the wood so that it doesn't collapse. Wesson was doing his daily training procedures, as a warm up to get his day started. During his second break, he stared at the red marking on right arm. It had suddenly appeared almost a week ago and as much as he researched on it, he haven't ran on any concrete answers. It was aggravating him somewhat but training always clears the mind. Wiping the sweat from his body, he walk into the next room and cuts on the TV. As he noticed that there was nothing on TV, he then toss his remote on the sofa and left the room to enter the kitchen. Wesson place was set up, with one massive training room, with a kitchen, living room, one bathroom, and bedroom. The Training room was bigger than all the other rooms combined times ten. He needed the extra space as it offer more room to mix up his training style which includes martial arts, sword training as well as live fire and his occasional practice with magic.

After having a snack, Wesson was toying with his recently acquired sling-shot. Now this sling-shot was old yet it had a magical aura around it. Wesson came across it in another country where it made it's presence known in the form of a yellowish-orange color. Wesson can see things that are hidden in the form of colors due to his PURE EYES. After inspecting it, Wesson proceed to place the object in the living room and take a nap.

[idkman]

Ignatius sat alone in his temporary apartment, rubbing his fingers along the red marks on his hand as he so often did lately.

The life of a wandering pervert was fun, but lonely, after all.

No matter, Iggy(an affection nickname he'd been given by many... friends, and had grown to like, despite being tired of always having to act like it was the first time he'd heard it) pulled his catalyst from a drawer at his bedside. He'd gone to great lengths to acquire this, a simple vial of water from a river somewhere far away from here.

Yeesh... This whole Grail thing better be worth it. I'd like to wish for some top-shelf poon.

Iggy poured the small vial into a chalice he'd precariously set in the middle of a magic circle made to facilitate the summoning of a heroic spirit.

"Welp, fuck it, here we go!"

Ignatius channeled prana into the circle, activating it.

Let's spin the wheel and see what happens, then...

[Ichypa]

Saber felt himself fall, descending from the Throne of Heroes.

He felt the knowledge he needed to function in the modern world, and the knowledge of all the legends within the Throne impress themselves onto his mind.

He felt his spirit strike something hard, and his soul twisting and contorting in order to fill it, like a liquid being poured into a container.

And then, for the first time in centuries, Saber felt his lungs fill and his heart begin to beat.

He looked upon the man who stood before him.
"Are you my Master?" he asked.

[Struggle]

Private residence in Fuyuki City

Brecht stood in front of a widescreen TV as an aged figure spoke through it

"In short, your primary objective is to verify the legitimacy of our records regarding Holy Grail and of course, to secure it afterwards. To ensure success, the items you requested have been delivered."

"Yeah yeah, I got it."

"And in the event you should be defeated..."

"Not a trace. I've been briefed." With that, Brecht pushed a button on a remote, turning the screen off.

Thought he'd never shut up. Now then, time to get this party rolling.[/i] Brecht approached the magic array set on the floor and tossed what appeared to be a rusted blade onto its center. As he recited a foreign incantation, the circle glowed brightly as a male figure took shape.

"....You summoned me?..." The new arrival spoke in agitation

"Glad to see you've still got some sense there, Berserker." The officer brought out a bottle of fine wine and two glass cups from a nearby table "A toast to to our new partnership" Before Strongarm could pour the wine, Berserker made for a swiping motion leaving the mage momentarily confused until his eyes caught a wine bottle placed firmly in the specter's grip; and to no surprise, found his right hand bare. "Quite the thirsty fella ain't ya" Brecht said with a mixture of a disturbed yet somewhat amused expression crossing his features as Berserker chugged down the contents in the bottle until it emptied and was tossed away "Here's to hoping that craving will be sated by the blood of our enemies." At that proclamation, a faint smirk escaped the Berserker's lips.

[idkman]

Ichypa said
Saber felt himself fall, descending from the Throne of Heroes.He felt the knowledge he needed to function in the modern world, and the knowledge of all the legends within the Throne impress themselves onto his mind.He felt his spirit strike something hard, and his soul twisting and contorting in order to fill it, like a liquid being poured into a container.And then, for the first time in centuries, Saber felt his lungs fill and his heart begin to beat.He looked upon the man who stood before him."Are you my Master?" he asked.

"It would appear so, Saber. Ignatius Q. Jiminez is the name."

Iggy reached down and picked up what was left of the vial, still half full. "Where I come from, partnerships are normally started by an exchange of sorts. A show of good will, you could say. Here's mine," he said, planting the vial in Saber's hand. "Doesn't need to be a physical gift, could be anything... Money, a lamp, a kind word or two... As long as both parties attribute some type of value to it."

[Ichypa]

idkman said
"It would appear so, Saber. Ignatius Q. Jiminez is the name."Iggy reached down and picked up what was left of the vial, still half full. "Where I come from, partnerships are normally started by an exchange of sorts. A show of good will, you could say. Here's mine," he said, planting the vial in Saber's hand. "Doesn't need to be a physical gift, could be anything... Money, a lamp, a kind word or two... As long as both parties attribute some type of value to it."

"Since I have come to this world with nothing but what I need to gird myself for war, allow me to instead pray that the Lord bless you on your behalf." Saber said.

[idkman]

Ichypa said
"Since I have come to this world with nothing but what I need to gird myself for war, allow me to instead pray that the Lord bless you on your behalf." Saber said.

"Accepted. Pleased to meet your acquaintance, [REDACTED]. May we both be blessed with victory."

Iggy pauses, scratching his head. "Oh yeah! I guess we should head to the uh... Church now. Onward!"

And so the march began.

[Ichypa]

idkman said
"Accepted. Pleased to meet your acquaintance, [REDACTED]. May we both be blessed with victory."Iggy pauses, scratching his head. "Oh yeah! I guess we should head to the uh... Church now. Onward!"And so the march began.

"Ah, excellent. It will be good to speak with my brothers of the faith once again." Saber said. "Tell me, Master, what sort of magecraft do you wield?"

[byrdmanx]

byrdmanx said
A training dummy is sent flying across the room, slamming into the steel walls. Another one is sent flying towards the ceiling, denting the steel plates that were placed there to reinforce the wood so that it doesn't collapse. Wesson was doing his daily training procedures, as a warm up to get his day started. During his second break, he stared at the red marking on right arm. It had suddenly appeared almost a week ago and as much as he researched on it, he haven't ran on any concrete answers. It was aggravating him somewhat but training always clears the mind. Wiping the sweat from his body, he walk into the next room and cuts on the TV. As he noticed that there was nothing on TV, he then toss his remote on the sofa and left the room to enter the kitchen. Wesson place was set up, with one massive training room, with a kitchen, living room, one bathroom, and bedroom. The Training room was bigger than all the other rooms combined times ten. He needed the extra space as it offer more room to mix up his training style which includes martial arts, sword training as well as live fire and his occasional practice with magic. After having a snack, Wesson was toying with his recently acquired sling-shot. Now this sling-shot was old yet it had a magical aura around it. Wesson came across it in another country where it made it's presence known in the form of a yellowish-orange color. Wesson can see things that are hidden in the form of colors due to his PURE EYES. After inspecting it, Wesson proceed to place the object in the living room and take a nap.

Not 10 minutes into his sleep, he began to have vivid dreams of old tales of the past, a legendary warrior who was skilled in many arts and talents was shown. He had gain many allies and items on his quest and had defeated some of the most troublesome foes... as the warrior dies during his lifetime.. Wesson noticed the warrior looked directly at himself and sprung towards him

Wesson quickly jumped up, with a couple of drops of sweat dripping from his face... "What an crazy dream... who was that". A sudden aura presented itself to Wesson, he had a knack for noticing the supernatural and he quickly glance in the direction it was coming from. The sling-shot was giving off an incredible aura... one he hasn't seen ever before.. Wesson gets it and grabs the object... immediately light envelope the room, pouring everywhere. Wesson had learn from his father that if he came across objects like this was to form a unique magical circle and contain the energy to prevent destruction and he needed to contain the energy before they destroy his place. He quickly drew a magical circle while avoid debris that was flying across his room. Upon completion, the object magical energy stop.. and suddenly without warning exploded sending Wesson flying into his living room, through the kitchen and outside his residency. Luckily, his place of residence was on the outskirts of the city.. he had to keep his identity as a Magus a secret after all.

Shaking off the feeling of being flown back, Wesson quickly got on his feet and assets the damages... His living room was destroyed, his kitchen badly damage and there was a figure present in the midst of this mess.

"State yourself" Wesson declared, prepping to attack if need be. "Alas, its you who have summon me, and I am what they called Lancer".. This figure approach Wesson. He was wearing armor, that was decorated with the finest of craftsmanship. The symbol of three swirls can be seen on the breastplate, which gave off magical energies itself. His greaves and gauntlets radiated the same kind of craftsmanship and bore the same markings. He also wore a grayish cloak that seem to match his helmet which had two stones... one in the from and one in the back. He was wielding a colorless spear as well as a sword with mystic writings on its blade.

"Lancer?" Wesson ask confusingly. He had no idea that his life was about to changed. Lancer looks and Wesson and smiles

[idkman]

Ichypa said
"Ah, excellent. It will be good to speak with my brothers of the faith once again." Saber said. "Tell me, Master, what sort of magecraft do you wield?"

"Eh, nothin' too fancy, just a little something I learned during my time in China. It's based around a concept called Wu Xing. Basically elemental fuckery."

To demonstrate, Iggy grabs a bottle of water and his lighter. Flicking the lighter on, his prana surges slightly and the flame seamlessly turns into water. In his opposite hand, the water in his bottle shifts into a block of iron, perfectly filling the container.

"It ain't much in the way of power, but it does have a variety of applications."

[Ichypa]

"Interesting." Saber said, stroking his chin. "The lands of the east were mysterious and foreign in my time. They might as well have been a different planet. I do hope to sample some of the interest bits of this land's culture before the War ends." Saber tilted his head, thinking. "That reminds me, Master. Are you a man of the Faith?"

[idkman]

Ichypa said
"Interesting." Saber said, stroking his chin. "The lands of the east were mysterious and foreign in my time. They might as well have been a different planet. I do hope to sample some of the interest bits of this land's culture before the War ends." Saber tilted his head, thinking. "That reminds me, Master. Are you a man of the Faith?"

Iggy stares off down the road as they walk, contemplating his answer.

"Depends on the Faith. I do believe in a type of God, thought not one that we share, I'd imagine. I believe that there is a god in everything, and thus we should love everything... Mainly women, though." A mischievous smile spreads across Iggy's face. "I founded my own denomination, I call it The Church of Polyamory. It's accepting of all."

[Ichypa]

idkman said
Iggy stares off down the road as they walk, contemplating his answer. "Depends on the Faith. I do believe in a type of God, thought not one that we share, I'd imagine. I believe that there is a god in everything, and thus we should love everything... Mainly women, though." A mischievous smile spreads across Iggy's face. "I founded my own denomination, I call it The Church of Polyamory. It's accepting of all."

There was a heavy, absolute silence.
"I see." Saber said without emotion.

[idkman]

Ichypa said
There was a heavy, absolute silence."I see." Saber said without emotion.

"I figured you'd have that kind of reaction. I do have my reasons for choosing to summon you in particular, though."

[Crimson King]

INTERLUDE
Light and Dark (I)

The fake priest sat silently, reading from an ancient book. To the average person, the book contained nothing but passages from the bible. However, to a magus, the book revealed its true information, detailing the limited collections of data on the third magic. After the last war, he was going to be prepared for this one, even if he was not a Master. After all, his father was murdered by a Master and he had no intention of dying.

Across from him, a hooded figure sat down. Kotomine Kirei glanced up from his book to see who it was that had come here. A woman of European origins sat across from him, an uncommon sight in Fuyuki city. But what was even more uncommon was the amount of power that radiated from the figure. Kotomine could instantly tell this was a Heroic Spirit, most likely the one he was waiting for.

"So, I assume you had a reason to meet me here" the fake priest said, putting his book down.

"Of course, we have to finish planning out how we will oversee this war. I can sense one in another world has gone rather sour due to yet another interference." the woman said.

Kotomine shook his head. "I don't mean that I know the reason, I was asking why this place?"

"Oh, your church smells like dead people and I don't like it. Plus, I like the food here. Did you order some food for me?" The woman responded.

"You'll have to excuse the smell. I assume you know the reason for it. As for the location, a public restaurant is the last place I'd expect you to choose for a meeting. If someone eavesdrop, you know you'll have to kill them to keep this a secret." Kotomine said. "And yes, I have already placed the order you specified"

"Don't worry about eavesdroppers. I've put up a spell so people won't hear a word we say." the woman said as a waiter arrived at their table.

The waiter placed down their meals and left. Eight plates of Mapo Tofu now sat at the table. In Kotomine's hand was already a spoon.

"Since the food is here, let's eat first before finishing our discussion. After that I'll meet you back at the church" Kotomine said, already shovelling food in his mouth.

INTERLUDE OUT

[Ichypa]

idkman said
"I figured you'd have that kind of reaction. I do have my reasons for choosing to summon you in particular, though."

"Ah, I understand now." Saber said, nodding with satisfaction. "Fear not, Master. I will give my all to redeem you soul and forge you into a proper man."