[IC] Fate Arcana/Academy

[idkman]

"I'm quite sure we all know what Origins are... Some of us just haven't been made aware of our own yet." Robert haphazardly shrugged, as if it was no big deal.

"Although..." Small bits of the tussle with Conquest from earlier flashed through his head, "Maybe those guys won't be completely useless after all..."

Caster spoke up next, "If I may... It seems the enemy escaped my Noble Phantasm."

"Well, fuck." Damien facepalmed, shaking his head. "Do you know where they went?"

"Not at all."

"Super. We need a plan, now."

[Serperion]

"I just thought I would breach the question." Ella said sighing, before Gabby placed his hand on her shoulder and continued on.
"It seems as if one of the gentleman's lackies has cloned our gemini ability, of sharing magecraft, memories and everything and implanted it in whatever spell he is using to fuck with you. Meaning if you have any Origin's and strengths they will be increased and your weaknesses potentially countered by the host's natural abilities, but it does mean there is a chance for new weaknesses."

Ella started to walk towards Alysis. "So Ms Woe, tell me what is your origin? And then we can talk about help."

As they were talking Nicola turned to William, "Does the Völsunga ability count as an origin?"
"Well it does and it doesn't it a bloodline dependant magecraft trait element, but for intents and purposes it does, otherwise she wouldn't be able to use Gram, which I think she may be able." Speaking about Famine.

----

In the Tia quad, War held up his hand and felt the wind brush against his skin, the cool air against his warm skin. He took a deep breath in and extended his senses.
"They are in another area, green and quaint grand structures of stone." He announced to the rest of his group, as he started towards the doorway which would take them to the interchange and access to Rhea.

"They are in Rhea, this could be very bad if those twins lend a hand." Claudia said to Victoria standing not to far from her.

[Ichypa]

Alysis turned to William and raised an eyebrow, silently asking whether or not she should reveal information that valuable to the enemy. While she felt that Jacob, one of the actual competitors, would play fair for a given value of pragmatism, she didn't know anything about Rhea's other Masters unless Vincent still counted, and with the twins she was certain that it was a matter of when they pulled something, not if.

[idkman]

Robert twiddled his thumbs while trying to figure out what his Origin might be. They say it normally relates to how one lives their life... "Heh... I guess "boring" is my origin, then. Fate is cruel."

Robert chuckles to himself before coming back to reality to find Juan and Saber staring at him like he lost his mind.

"I do not believe this is a time to laugh, young master." Saber's distaste was palpable.

"Si, Roberto. No dignity."

[Serperion]

William looked back at Alysis and made a slight shrugging motion.

Vincent spoke up, "I don't know if it is an origin or something else entirely, but the power that War was showing, part of that I can feel it in me, it speaks to me."

"Well if it is your origin that this War person is using, of course it is going to resonate with you. If you had to describe the feeling what would you call it?" Ella asked Vincent.

Vincent opened his mouth to speak, but Saber placed his gloved hand over his masters mouth and shook his head.

"Smart servant there." Gabby said slowly pacing around. "Ok here is what I am willing to offer you guys, one of the chosen four must sign an unbreakable vow to join Rhea, reveal their servant and their origin. In return you will get the benefits of House Rhea for the ends and means of House Rhea." Gabby turned to look at Ella, who nodded.

"Sound fair?" Ella asked.

[Serperion]

William looked back at Alysis and made a slight shrugging motion.

Vincent spoke up, "I don't know if it is an origin or something else entirely, but the power that War was showing, part of that I can feel it in me, it speaks to me."

"Well if it is your origin that this War person is using, of course it is going to resonate with you. If you had to describe the feeling what would you call it?" Ella asked Vincent.

Vincent opened his mouth to speak, but Saber placed his gloved hand over his masters mouth and shook his head.

"Smart servant there." Gabby said slowly pacing around. "Ok here is what I am willing to offer you guys, one of the chosen four must sign an unbreakable vow to join Rhea, reveal their servant and their origin. In return you will get the benefits of House Rhea for the ends and means of House Rhea." Gabby turned to look at Ella, who nodded.

"Sound fair?" Ella asked.

@Serperion

After what seemed like an eternity, Vincent stepped forward. "This is Nicola's house by right, I can't ask others to move house after all I entered with the intent to join Rhea."

"But Vincent, what if this is path that you go down to become like War?" Nicola asked him grabbing his shirt.

"War is the act of enemies not of friendship." He said touching her hand slightly until she let go.

"Very well." Ella said motioning Vincent to continue.

"I am Vincent of House Cutler..." Ella raised a hand to make him stop, before walking over to him and grasping his hand. Her sharp nails dug into the flesh of his hand, but he did not wince even after it drew blood.
"Continue." She said.

"I am Vincent of House Cutler, I swear myself and my servant, Saber class Sir Mordred to that of House Rhea."
As he said that the blood from his wounds started to glow.

"Blood Magic." William said, somewhat quietly even though he didn't care who heard.

"Blood magic indeed, Vincent has made an unbreakable bond, and as such should he break it, he will drop dead." Gabby continued.

"So now that is that sorted. How may we help?" Ella said, her smile extra toothy.

Vincent looked to the group. "First thing on the agenda?"

[Ichypa]

<Snipped quote by Serperion>

After what seemed like an eternity, Vincent stepped forward. "This is Nicola's house by right, I can't ask others to move house after all I entered with the intent to join Rhea."

"But Vincent, what if this is path that you go down to become like War?" Nicola asked him grabbing his shirt.

"War is the act of enemies not of friendship." He said touching her hand slightly until she let go.

"Very well." Ella said motioning Vincent to continue.

"I am Vincent of House Cutler..." Ella raised a hand to make him stop, before walking over to him and grasping his hand. Her sharp nails dug into the flesh of his hand, but he did not wince even after it drew blood.
"Continue." She said.

"I am Vincent of House Cutler, I swear myself and my servant, Saber class Sir Mordred to that of House Rhea."
As he said that the blood from his wounds started to glow.

"Blood Magic." William said, somewhat quietly even though he didn't care who heard.

"Blood magic indeed, Vincent has made an unbreakable bond, and as such should he break it, he will drop dead." Gabby continued.

"So now that is that sorted. How may we help?" Ella said, her smile extra toothy.

Vincent looked to the group. "First thing on the agenda?"

@Serperion

"Well, I'd say that first would be them giving you what you paid for, followed by forming a posse and kicking down Tia's door." Alysis said.

[Serperion]

Ella sighed "Very well, Vincent and Jacob, you may go to the Chapel for protection."

"Wait, you need to help my friends!" Vincent shouted. "I didn't sell myself, for my own ends!"

"But you sold yourself for the protection of Rhea, we can't be expected to help everyone." Gabby responded.

"YOU CAN AND YOU WILL!" Vincent shouted, the air becoming hot around him. This was bullshit, and he wasn't about to let the twins ruin anything else. Ruber started towards Vincent, but Ella waved him down.

"You have much fire in your soul young Vincent. Ok you may all go to the Chapel." Ella said, flicking her wrist and a door opened behind them, before flicking her wrist again placing a locking spell on the door that connected the Quads.

----

As the others were gathered in Rhea, War went upto the door that connected the Tia Quad to the Rhea Quad, and the door would not open.
"It's spelled." He said through gritted teeth. Before placing his hand upon the door and funneling his origin through it, trying to burn away the magic.

"STOP!" Claudia said urgently, "If you burn away the magic, the transportation magecraft will also vanish." She said brushing past War, his eyes focused on her with intent. But then he saw Berserker standing behind him, looming and he reassessed the situation.

Claudia placed her hand on the door, and read it's memories. Three years ago, a young man the Tia Alumni had opened this door once when it was locked, to speak to the Alumni of Rhea, Nero his name was. And Claudia could see the spell as clear as day, she removed her Alumni card from her pocket and channeled it's magic. She bit her finger and drew markings on the door using her blood, the blood started to glow with a magic intensity and like that the door was unlocked.

"Ok lets go." She said walking through.

----

As soon as Claudia walked through, she was hit by the serene beauty of the Rhea Quad, Western Europe had a certain charm to it, but no sooner as she had taken in the view did she notice the group she was looking for.

"Berserker!" She shouted and CBerserker flew past her towards the others as they were leaving through another door.

Ruber jumped on Berserker as he darted towards them. "Vile dog!" Berserker shouted.

"Looks like we are out of time." Ella said. "Gabby lead them to the Chapel, they will be safe there, father and saver charmed it. I'll hold them off." Gabby kissed Ella on the cheek and looked towards the others. "Let's go!"

Ella raised her hands in an open mocking gesture as the horsemen bundled in. "You think you can challenge me in my seat of power!" she laughed. "I am blood of Christ and of Caesar!"

Claudia looked to Victoria. "Shall we!" She asked her rival and partner.

Ella just raised an eyebrow. She had no love for Alysis and her brood, but she respected them. Tia had been a thorn in her side for a while now, and she would no sooner love to rid them from the tournament.
"Souls of sacred ground, I beseech you. Protect and Serve" The air started to rumble and figures started to appear.

Infront of Ella stood Ruber and Venetus, behind her stood Romulus, Remus, Castor and Pollux in spirit form and around them spirits in Greek, Roman, Templar and various other outfits stood ready. Ella's eyes started to glow with green intensity. "Now I suggest you get the fuck off of my property! Exercitus Mortuum! Attack!" she shouted. And they went forward towards the Horsemen.

[idkman]

Elsewhere, in the Steel Quad, Rei sat at a forge with Lancer at his side.

"Master... Do you not think that we should be a little more proactive? We have little information to go by, and now would at least be a good chance to gather that, with Tia, Rhea, and Hel currently at war..."

Rei continued hammering on a gauntlet, shaping it with his magecraft, directing prana into select pieces of the magical armor. After the last blow fell, Rei placed the gaunlet on his right arm. A the metal emanated a brilliant blue glow, and a satisfied smile crossed Rei's usually serious face.

"Do you think I want to get in the middle of that? It's two houses fighting against one right now, and if I jump in from an uninvolved house I'll only become a target for all three. Let the idiots thin the herd and we can take on the worthy ones that emerge."

"Can I speak honestly for a moment, Rei?"

"Lack of permission hasn't stopped you in the past."

"Fine. I truly hate your planning, but I do like your attitude."

"You say that a lot."

"It begs repeating."

[Ichypa]

"Sure." Victoria said to Claudia. She promptly leaned against the door. "I'll provide background and moral support." She smirked at the charging army, watching as dozens of nimble, invisible Assassins clambered all over the Quad to get around the army, wiring explosives to everything that could be wired as they went, cunningly hiding them weapons to the best of their abilities.

Death tilted her head. "War. Conquest. Deal with this." she said, gesturing at the spirit army. "Famine, hold for a moment. You two girls...use your initiative." Raising her voice, she called, "Blood of Caesar! You of all people should know that "property" exists only for those with the strength to keep it! This place is yours only until I'm finished taking it from you!"

[Serperion]

Ella turned to Death her eyes fiercely bright. "Woe is me, I would recognise that scent of desperation anywhere." She said with a smirk. "But I concede you are right, come and take it then!" looking to Ruber, and instantly a spear appeared in her hand, pointing it towards Death. She opened herself up to the spirit of Romulus and instantly felt his power running through her, the power of Rome.

The War looked over his shoulder and Archer appeared. "Your holy bow can harm spirits?" War asked Archer.
"Yes master, its shots are reinforced with holy moonlight." Warcher responded.

"Great!" He said pointing forwards. As Archer drew his bow string and started to fire into the group of spirit, dispelling each that came into contact with the shot.

"Berserker, deal with the wolves." Claudia said as she eyes Victoria closely. She didn't particularly trust Victoria, but she was glad that she was focusing on the enemy for now. Berserker flew towards Ella and the Wolf Twins.

Ruber jumped from the left, slashing down with his gladius, Venetus jumped and transformed midflight into a bipedal wolf form, lunging with his claws. Berserker simply floated between the Twins, avoiding their attacks and weaving between them and their coordination.

-------
Gabby led them into the chapel, as they crossed the threshold they could feel it, the power in the air.
"No magecraft can be done here, this is a room without sin." He said as they entered. Sitting in the centre of the room was a woman, she seemed to glow but not with magecraft or magic, but with love and light.

"Saver." William said. "We will be safe here."

"You will. But I must remain just outside." Gabby responded.

"Why?" Vincent asked, Gabby was the meeker of the two and most likely to answer.

"Michela is my older sister and stronger by half, I need to remain just outside the anti-magic barrier so she can access my magic and teleport to me if needed. And if worse comes to worse, I can go and try and save her, even if it may mean my death." Gabby gave a weak smile and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

--------
As Gabby closed the door, the horsemen felt something wash over them, their powers had reduced significantly, something was stopping their flow of extra power.

War sneered as he looked down at his hands. What was Vincent doing, if this even was his doing. The bond was still there, he still had his origin and everything, but it was weaker the constant stream of power he had been receiving was gone.

"Conquest, you feel this right?" He said turning to his partner.

[idkman]

"Indeed I do. It's as if the flow of prana is restricted. Could it be something to do with that building?"

[Ichypa]

Death laughed, a spear of her own forming in her hand, made from lightning and nothingness made tangible, and strode towards Ella. She paused for a moment, as she felt her excess strength waning. Something was blocking the connection between her and her younger self. Oh well. It would take more than that to stop her.
"Assassin," she said, "tell me the tale of how Rome fell." Assassin nodded and began to weave his tale. Of how Rome's emperors grew weak in mind, soft in body, fragile in heart. Of how its mighty armies shattered, and its wonders crumbled. Of how mere barbarians, armed with little more than their fury and greed, sacked Rome's treasures and drove it to its knees. Of how "Eternal" Rome died. Ella and her allies who drew upon the legacy of Rome also began to feel their strength waning.
Victoria listened dreamily to the story of an empire crumbling, while Assassin continued to mine the shit out of everything.

________

"Sooooo...you're Saver?" Jacob said, walking towards the woman.

[Serperion]

Ella felt the power of Rome start to dwindle around her.
"Very good, but my power comes not only from Rome, I am blood of Christ as much as Caesar." Ruber was feeling the effects the strongest, Venetus not so much as they fought Cberserker, he was wily but despite his defenses he could not heal, nor could he do anything but concussive damage to which the wolf twins were resistant to.

Ella raised her hand towards her army and all the roman dressed spirits already waning in the strength were dispelled, their power going towards the greek and templar warriors, making them more tangible, dead yes, but now more akin to a poltergeist, blunt force or explosives would not dispel them. She opened herself up and released the spirit of Romulus, her green eyes losing some of their glow, her nails retreating. "Pollux!" She shouted and welcomed the spirit of the Greek demigod, the glow returned to her eye and her body crackled with lightning. She spun her spear around and jumped towards Death, ready to strike or defend if the situation called for such action "Castor!" She shouted infusing the spirit of the demigod into her spear, increasing its damage potential threefold, it raged with the flames of Castor.

"Fight me on equal terms harbinger of Death!" Ella shouted.

-----

The woman Jacob had addressed was more of a child in truth, similar to Jacob in age, but she turned to him and smiled.
"Yes my son, I am Saver. All in my presence are saved but in body and in soul. How may I help you?" She asked, warmth filling her words like a blanket had wrapped around those present.

[Serperion]

Elsewhere, in the Steel Quad, Rei sat at a forge with Lancer at his side.

"Master... Do you not think that we should be a little more proactive? We have little information to go by, and now would at least be a good chance to gather that, with Tia, Rhea, and Hel currently at war..."

Rei continued hammering on a gauntlet, shaping it with his magecraft, directing prana into select pieces of the magical armor. After the last blow fell, Rei placed the gaunlet on his right arm. A the metal emanated a brilliant blue glow, and a satisfied smile crossed Rei's usually serious face.

"Do you think I want to get in the middle of that? It's two houses fighting against one right now, and if I jump in from an uninvolved house I'll only become a target for all three. Let the idiots thin the herd and we can take on the worthy ones that emerge."

"Can I speak honestly for a moment, Rei?"

"Lack of permission hasn't stopped you in the past."

"Fine. I truly hate your planning, but I do like your attitude."

"You say that a lot."

"It begs repeating."

@idkman

The Steel Quad.
http://i.imgur.com/Ekuy0GM.jpg

Shoshin ever so silently moved over to where Rei was standing. "Rei." She said softly but loud enough for him to hear. She started to move closer to Rei.

She placed her hand upon the surface which Rei was working on.
"With Tia, fighting Rhea and Hel, if the rumours are to be believed, I think now is the best chance to prepare. There must be something we can do, if all of Tia are held up in Rhea Quad. Maybe we could break into Tia quad and discover some secrets. That is, if you want to team up." She said drawing her sword, it glinted brightly in her hand as she stood to admire it. "You, me and Lancer. Sounds swell doesn't it." She said resheathing her sword.

Shoshin was the daughter of a Samurai families only female heir and a priest bloodline's true born heir. She was a match for Ella when it came to controlling spirits of the dead, but her abilities extended further than that, she didn't need to summon a servant not yet, she would let the others fight and kill each other, then she could strike. But she would need help from her clansmen.

[idkman]

<Snipped quote by idkman>

The Steel Quad.
http://i.imgur.com/Ekuy0GM.jpg

Shoshin ever so silently moved over to where Rei was standing. "Rei." She said softly but loud enough for him to hear. She started to move closer to Rei.

She placed her hand upon the surface which Rei was working on.
"With Tia, fighting Rhea and Hel, if the rumours are to be believed, I think now is the best chance to prepare. There must be something we can do, if all of Tia are held up in Rhea Quad. Maybe we could break into Tia quad and discover some secrets. That is, if you want to team up." She said drawing her sword, it glinted brightly in her hand as she stood to admire it. "You, me and Lancer. Sounds swell doesn't it." She said resheathing her sword.

Shoshin was the daughter of a Samurai families only female heir and a priest bloodline's true born heir. She was a match for Ella when it came to controlling spirits of the dead, but her abilities extended further than that, she didn't need to summon a servant not yet, she would let the others fight and kill each other, then she could strike. But she would need help from her clansmen.

@Serperion

"Hel or Isis would probably be better, wouldn't they? We know that both of their Alumni and card-holders are also in Rhea, right? Does anyone know the Gentleman's whereabouts?"

[Serperion]

"Does anyone know anything about what that guy gets upto. But I guess your right, Hel however has lost Gram and I am not interested in freezing my ass off. So shall we take a trip to the desert at our door? Isis is one of the most guarded places on campus, are you sure you can handle it, I mean I can handle it, but can you." Shoshin said batting her eyelids.

Truth be told, Hel without William and Gram would be easy, but nothing much to find at least they thought. Isis was full of mystery, but it was that mystery which was a pull and a deterrent. Tia was much the same, only that it was weak, the Gentleman being the only issue, however he was dangerous, but a danger they knew to avoid. But Shoshin would leave it upto Rei, he had the servant and she was not going to go against his final word, afterall she had asked to help him and help she would.

[idkman]

"Does anyone know anything about what that guy gets upto. But I guess your right, Hel however has lost Gram and I am not interested in freezing my ass off. So shall we take a trip to the desert at our door? Isis is one of the most guarded places on campus, are you sure you can handle it, I mean I can handle it, but can you." Shoshin said batting her eyelids.

Truth be told, Hel without William and Gram would be easy, but nothing much to find at least they thought. Isis was full of mystery, but it was that mystery which was a pull and a deterrent. Tia was much the same, only that it was weak, the Gentleman being the only issue, however he was dangerous, but a danger they knew to avoid. But Shoshin would leave it up to Rei, he had the servant and she was not going to go against his final word, after all she had asked to help him and help she would.

@Serperion

"Well... Isis is where this is the most to learn, but I don't have a clue what kind of defenses they have in place. Knowing their Alumni, probably nothing I want to experience first hand. Hel is mostly out in the open anyways, so I guess there isn't much to be found... But I really don't feel like dealing with Tia's Gentleman, either."

Rei hammered on another piece of armor for a minute before deciding.

"Let's go to Isis. I'd like to try a hand at blackmailing an alumni."

[Serperion]

The Sand Quad - http://hdscreen.me/walls/art-design/egypt-fantasy-art-2647078-1600x1200.jpg

"Ok Rei lets go, we can still enter via the public entrance into Isis, but you better have a plan how to get to the deeper levels, or else I will have to bail you out again." She said stroking the handle of her sword and smiling meancingly, not directed at Rei this was just how Shoshin was. Her sword demanded magic and blood, and she would feed it as if it were a child suckling at her bosom. She turned to walk away and made a few steps before looking at Rei infront of his forge and she smiled.
He was a great man.

[Ichypa]

Bearing the power of the apocalypse in hand, Death charged Ella. "That's impossible, whelp of dead men!" she laughed. "You and I will never be equals!"

------

"Er, I think we were supposed to get weapons? Or something?" Jacob turned to Vincent and shrugged.

------

"Would you mind some extra company?" Rei and Shoshin heard a man say. Shin walked out into the lights, Lancer invisibly at his back.