ManyThings

Fate/Dark Heritage

Servant Assassin

True Name: Puss in Boots, "The Master Cat"
Region: Italy, France
Class: Assassin
Attribute: Earth

Parameters
Strength: D
Endurance: D
Agility: A+
Mana: C
Luck: A

Legend
Puss is the star of a European fairy tale that has been in circulation at least as far back as the 16th century, as an extension of the "animal helper" tales that can be found across the globe. Enchanted by the whims of fate, a mangy housecat came to be inherited by the son of a poor miller, and they resolved to lead the young man into better fortunes.

Of his master, Puss asked only a sack, a bit of lettuce, a smattering of bran... And the finest pair of boots in the house. With these, they set off to catch rabbits in the brush, and with the rabbits they caught, they curried favour with the king of all the surrounding lands. For their master, Puss forged the identity of the "Marquis of Carabas", and claimed to be a servant bearing tributes to the king from this falsified figure.

Soon, the time came for the "Marquis of Carabas" to meet with the king, and so Puss acquired clothes, servants, and even managed to weasel their way into a grand castle, ripe for the taking. The castle, however, was ruled over by a terrible ogre who possessed the power to change his shape. Thus, Puss set to fooling him:

"I have often heard of your wondrous power, your ogreness. Is it true that you can take the shape of a great beast?"

With a bellowing laugh, the ogre became a mighty lion of fire and wind, nearly sending Puss to their grave from the mere sight of him.

"I see..! And can you take the shape of a tiny beast, as well?"

The ogre laughed again, and shrunk his form down into that of a mouse. Without a moment to lose, Puss snapped up the little creature in their claws and cut it to ribbons.

And just like that, the miller's son had a lovely castle in which to host a dinner for the king. Puss took care of the guest list, decorations, entertainment, and menu, and in the blink of an eye the young Marquis had secured the hand of a lovely princess in marriage! By all accounts, it was a bang-up job by Puss, who spent the rest of their live lounging in the royal palace with their master's new family.

Class Skills
- Presence Concealment: B
Skill to obfuscate a Servant's presence from the senses of others. As a skilled hunter, Puss is able to disappear, perform surveillance and ambushes undetected, play dead, and so forth. Effectiveness of the skill will drop the moment before they attack someone.

Personal Skills
- Incitement (Feline): B
A form of mental attack via adorable words and appearance. Depending on Puss' approach, they can stall a target into inaction or spur them into action. Their extremely adorable nature causes an opponent to subconsciously hold back their full abilities and fail to properly assess Puss as a dangerous threat. This effect is negated if Puss directly injures a target, however the Skill can still be used to manipulate an opponent's actions to some extent. Just as the ogre lord was misled into showing off his shapeshifting powers, Puss' enemies may be goaded into putting their abilities on display. In any case, possessing a mental resistance Skill of equal or higher rank allows one to overcome this Skill.

- The Master Cat: A
One who lingers at the crossroads between man and beast, Puss may take audience before a king or stalk through the forest as it suits them. It's all about the boots! This Skill is responsible for Puss's current nearly-human appearance, which corresponds with the amount of human clothing they have on. A convenience for the modern day, since talking cats no longer get the respect they once did. With their equipment de-manifested, Puss can return to a fully feline shape, more suitable for moving undetected. Provides enhanced Presence Concealment and senses when moving as a cat, as well as improved evasion and bursts of mobility to escape from sticky situations. Even when taking action, the presence of this form is still suppressed, limited to that of a regular living cat. As an animal, communication with other animals is also possible.

- Guile of Carabas: A+
The almost supernatural talent to turn a penniless boy into a prince. All manner of luxuries and useful things flow like warm milk towards Puss and their Master. Accommodations, food, information, favours, access to restricted areas, and even vehicles and weapons are all simple enough for them to acquire, with a bit of time. Capable of convincing anyone of the grand importance of his Master, puss is practically guaranteed to succeed in matters of trickery, manipulation, and theft. At this rank, it could nearly be considered some form of curse that guarantees mundane folk will be fooled into giving Puss whatever they need.

Noble Phantasm
Name: Orco Fortunato
Title: Transfiguration Annihilation Sensation!
Rank: C
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 3
Targets: 1
Description: An unusual monster-destroying technique crystallized from the episode of Puss outwitting the ogre. Flooding their claw with magical energy, Puss is able to slay an enemy much greater than themselves. Rather than being overwhelmingly powerful, it works by reducing the target to their "weakest possible state" and cutting them to ribbons in an instant. A convenient Noble Phantasm with notably fast activation time. As soon as Puss initiates the attack, the target's strength, speed, durability, magical power, etc. are set to absolute minimum values, such that evading, blocking, and counterattacking suddenly become exceptionally tall orders. For puss, killing such an enemy is as easy as hunting a mouse.

Effectiveness of this Noble Phantasm is inherently higher against those whose physical status is more changeable. Since Servants have parameters that exist on a numerical scale, it is a bit easier to set those to minimal values. In general, any individual possessing abilities or magecraft along the lines of shapeshifting, physical enhancement, transformation, etc. is extremely vulnerable to Orco Fortunato, as those abilities will be forcibly inverted to put the victim at the greatest disadvantage possible.

If a target survives the attack, their abilities will return to normal after a 1 turn delay. Those with transformative abilities suffer an additional 2 turns of delay.

Fate/Eigengrau

He definitely gave off the impression of being a person from a distant time.

Well, that was appropriate for a Heroic Spirit, but even among them, there were many who came from eras that could be better understood by living humans, or who melded better with the modern world when they arrived. In comparison, standing next to this Rider was more like--

--It was like gazing towards a vast sea, blanketed with fog. There was a serenity, but also a weight to his presence. For the magus who had summoned him, it must have seemed impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Was he sad?

The place where they were, as Rider understood it, was a sort of shop for food and drink where a person could sit down and enjoy anything they bought straightaway. There were various unfamiliar drinks and pastries on the menu, all advertised in an unfamiliar script, but thanks to the Grail he knew what it said, and he knew what they were, approximately. This wasn't the sort of place he had expected to be summoned to, and indeed, the nature of the young man who had called him here didn't reflect Rider's own expectation of what a Master would be. As a mage, he had enough power, but his life and the way he presented himself were different. He had not ordered Rider to venture out and destroy an enemy base, nor to sit on his hands and wait for a development. But that suited the hero just as well.

"Battles between Servants are confined to the night," There was a deep strength in Rider's voice, but he sounded too peaceful. Restrained? "But with the state this land is in, that concept loses its meaning. Darkness is nearly everywhere. The limit... Where we can and can't fight begins to break down."

There was no joy in speaking about the way things were in Japan, but it was ever-present. The grace of sunlight was all but absent, and that fact was reflected in the hearts of the people. For Rider, whose memories were filled with vibrant blue skies, open seas, and lush islands, it was heart-wrenching. He didn't speak about the lack of distinguishable day and night as an advantage in war, but only as a sorrowful observation.

"...Come, Master. By now, I'm sure every one of the Servants has been summoned. So, I'm going." The Heroic Spirit stood tall, glancing out at the dismal city through the broad windows of the coffee shop.

In a free-for-all war, there was no advantage to being the first one to enter into combat. Energy would be spent, and his strength would be revealed. Hiding in a secure base and observing the movements of foolish competitors would be the superior strategy in most scenarios. But with a mindset like that, Theseus never would have undertaken any of the deeds that made him a hero in the first place. In his understanding of his Master's motivations, Rider was sure that Shane would have no problem accompanying him. The little bell above the shop's door chimed when Rider pulled it open. He threw a cloak on, took up his staff, and stepped into the volcanic twilight.

Fate/Eigengrau

Rider of Clobbering

Rider

Theseus

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Sex: M

Attribute: Sky

Armaments: Staff and unarmed blows. In addition, it is possible to summon lengths of Ariadne's Thread as a tool in combat and for various other matters, including subtle binding and navigation. As a thread made from magical energy, it can be continuously unspooled even if sliced up.

Legend

One of the greatest legends of Greece, and an exceptional man known for a multitude of feats throughout his life. Born from a strange three-way union between King, God, and woman, Theseus accepted the challenge issued by his human father, choosing to travel a long and dangerous road to prove himself and take his place as a prince of Athens. He is best known for his battle against the Minotaur in the Labyrinth: when King Minos of Crete demanded children as sacrifices to be devoured by his monstrous son, young Theseus volunteered. By charming the King's daughter, Ariadne, he was able to secure a hidden method of navigating the impossible maze to slay the monster at its centre. Although in the end he found that that boy was no true monster at all.

That aside, there are various other adventures in which Theseus took part, including hunting a number of monsters, duelling with bandits, and even travelling as one of the great heroes on the Argo. Indeed, during that time, it was agreed by all adventurers on board that Theseus was the only one who was a match for the great Heracles in raw might. Later in life, those two became good friends, supporting one another on a number of occasions and even collaborating to found the martial art of Pankration--a set of techniques that represent the pinnacle of bare-handed destruction.

Personality

For Theseus, "danger" and "heroism" are two things that cannot be separated. He's a man who will suffer all sorts of implausible scenarios simply because it seems to be the right thing to do. He may sass, but he'll never complain, even if he's told to fight an unwinnable battle against all 6 enemy heroes at once. The sorry state of the land into which he's summoned has certainly darkened his mood, and so he ends up quietly giving off a sense of being displeased even when he's already accepted the way things are. Perhaps he's unconsciously searching for a thing that can improve his mood.

Despite having become the King of Athens in life, Theseus lacks the tendency to make any demands of his Master, perhaps because completing labours at the request of others is simply a part of the Greek Hero Lifestyle. Surprisingly, he can at times be a difficult Servant to control despite how quiet and amicable he often remains. It's a matter of "actions speak louder than words" as he sees no reason to argue with a mage when he can simply depart without warning to do what he chooses. The overwhelming purity and will of a hero will even require multiple Command Spells in cases where he detests an order.

Parameters

Strength: A
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: C
Luck: D

Class Skills

Magic Resistance B: Protection against magecraft. An enemy spell with a chant of fewer than three verses will be negated. Higher-class magecraft will be substantially weakened to the point of scarcely doing any harm.

Riding -: Since Theseus generally prefers to walk or take a boat when needed, there's no particular talent for vehicles or beasts in this incarnation due to possessing "Voyage" instead.

Personal Skills

Divinity C-: Because his father was said to be Poseidon, Theseus possesses a high amount of Divinity. Certain divine protections may be broken by this Skill, but it otherwise serves only to mark the hero as a demigod. The rank is reduced as a result of legends of having both immortal and mortal fathers, but divine magical energy still swirls within his body.

Voyager of the Storm B-: Talent for managing a ship an crew, comprising the attributes of both Charisma and Military Tactics. Theseus was quite talented as a captain, as a ruler, and as a hero on the Argo, although he's a bit forgetful when it comes to minor things like putting up the right colour of sails.

Road to Athens A: A martial Skill earned through Theseus' journey along the treacherous coastal road towards Athens, during which he turned the tables on a series of six beings of the Underworld in battle. Essentially functions as an "instinct" in combat, unique to the hero. For Theseus, who travelled roads infested with dangerous enemies, it was critical to turn his opponent's resources against them. The "most fitting way" to defeat a foe will be naturally realized and mercilessly sought out. The "Club-Bearer" was beaten with his own weapon, the "Tree-Bender" was torn apart between bent trees, the "Cliff-Kicker" was pushed off a cliff, and so forth. A sixth sense to pursue victory along those lines, launching impossible counterattacks.

Bravery A+: Protection against various mental status effects, in addition to greatly increased damage in melee. Theseus, who was content to beat the daylights out of monsters and demigods even when he was unarmed, possesses an exceedingly high rank. In particular, Theseus boasts deadly power in regards to his use of Pankration.

Noble Phantasms

Koupiá Aiónia
Title: Ship of Endless Restoration
Rank: C+
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 5~20
Targets: 1 Person
Description: The boat that Theseus travelled on during his adventures. Rather than gaining any special powers from legends involving Theseus, this Noble Phantasm is linked to a certain popular thought experiment that was performed regarding the remnants of the ship after his death. "If damaged parts are constantly replaced, will it truly be the same ship?"--This Noble Phantasm takes that question and runs with it. Although a ship naturally can be used for travel, it is primarily a defensive Noble Phantasm utilized by summoning parts of the hull in the way of incoming blows. Even if the ship is damaged or destroyed during defence, they will soon regrow, so it is terribly effective at blocking repeated or consistent attacks. Moreover, the concept of "becoming another ship through slow replacement" can be utilized to modify the nature of the new sections. In essence, the Ship of Theseus is a super-adaptable shield that can develop new functions by absorbing and processing the attacks that are fired into it. More damage suffered means a stronger replacement. By suffering enough flame attacks, for instance, it would probably become a fire-ship that excels at blocking fire damage while spouting out waves of fire itself. Something along those lines, anyway. Ramming attacks with the ship are possible, but a bit mediocre unless it has acquired an attribute that happens to be super-effective against the intended target.

Thálassa Kýrios Ará
Title: Sea God's Three Blessings
Rank: EX
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: Variable
Targets: Variable
Description: A unique ability of Theseus, stemming from an anecdote of him being given three Wishes (Curses) by his father, Poseidon. Uber-powerful Skill that can only ever be used three times. Rather than a true Wish of the kind that the Holy Grail can produce, this power is basically limited to personal strengthening/weakening (enhancement or disturbance of the self or another) and matters related to the Authorities of Poseidon (calling a tremendous sea monster, moving a body of water, etc).

In terms of power, it is enough to bring victory in an unwinnable fight. Each Wish supplies its own magical energy when used, so this Skill can even salvage a situation where magical energy is lacking. It is said that Theseus regrettably used this power against his own child later in life, wishing for his death and thus causing a sea monster to send his chariot crashing into the sea. Along those lines, the power of the wish is something that interferes with fate. Without high Luck, a curse from this Noble Phantasm will be extremely difficult to overcome.

Fate/Eigengrau

Rider of Clobbering

Rider

Theseus

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Sex: M

Attribute: Sky

Armaments: Staff and unarmed blows. In addition, it is possible to summon lengths of Ariadne's Thread as a tool in combat and for various other matters, including subtle binding and navigation. As a thread made from magical energy, it can be continuously unspooled even if sliced up.

Legend

One of the greatest legends of Greece, and an exceptional man known for a multitude of feats throughout his life. Born from a strange three-way union between King, God, and woman, Theseus accepted the challenge issued by his human father, choosing to travel a long and dangerous road to prove himself and take his place as a prince of Athens. He is best known for his battle against the Minotaur in the Labyrinth: when King Minos of Crete demanded children as sacrifices to be devoured by his monstrous son, young Theseus volunteered. By charming the King's daughter, Ariadne, he was able to secure a hidden method of navigating the impossible maze to slay the monster at its centre. Although in the end he found that that boy was no true monster at all.

That aside, there are various other adventures in which Theseus took part, including hunting a number of monsters, duelling with bandits, and even travelling as one of the great heroes on the Argo. Indeed, during that time, it was agreed by all adventurers on board that Theseus was the only one who was a match for the great Heracles in raw might. Later in life, those two became good friends, supporting one another on a number of occasions and even collaborating to found the martial art of Pankration--a set of techniques that represent the pinnacle of bare-handed destruction.

Personality

For Theseus, "danger" and "heroism" are two things that cannot be separated. He's a man who will suffer all sorts of implausible scenarios simply because it seems to be the right thing to do. He may sass, but he'll never complain, even if he's told to fight an unwinnable battle against all 6 enemy heroes at once. The sorry state of the land into which he's summoned has certainly darkened his mood, and so he ends up quietly giving off a sense of being displeased even when he's already accepted the way things are. Perhaps he's unconsciously searching for a thing that can improve his mood.

Despite having become the King of Athens in life, Theseus lacks the tendency to make any demands of his Master, perhaps because completing labours at the request of others is simply a part of the Greek Hero Lifestyle. Surprisingly, he can at times be a difficult Servant to control despite how quiet and amicable he often remains. It's a matter of "actions speak louder than words" as he sees no reason to argue with a mage when he can simply depart without warning to do what he chooses. The overwhelming purity and will of a hero will even require multiple Command Spells in cases where he detests an order.

Parameters

Strength: A
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: C
Luck: D

Class Skills

Magic Resistance B: Protection against magecraft. An enemy spell with a chant of fewer than three verses will be negated. Higher-class magecraft will be substantially weakened to the point of scarcely doing any harm.

Riding -: Since Theseus generally prefers to walk or take a boat when needed, there's no particular talent for vehicles or beasts in this incarnation due to possessing "Voyage" instead.

Personal Skills

Divinity C-: Because his father was said to be Poseidon, Theseus possesses a high amount of Divinity. Certain divine protections may be broken by this Skill, but it otherwise serves only to mark the hero as a demigod. The rank is reduced as a result of legends of having both immortal and mortal fathers, but divine magical energy still swirls within his body.

Voyager of the Storm B-: Talent for managing a ship an crew, comprising the attributes of both Charisma and Military Tactics. Theseus was quite talented as a captain, as a ruler, and as a hero on the Argo, although he's a bit forgetful when it comes to minor things like putting up the right colour of sails.

Road to Athens A: A martial Skill earned through Theseus' journey along the treacherous coastal road towards Athens, during which he turned the tables on a series of six beings of the Underworld in battle. Essentially functions as an "instinct" in combat, unique to the hero. For Theseus, who travelled roads infested with dangerous enemies, it was critical to turn his opponent's resources against them. The "most fitting way" to defeat a foe will be naturally realized and mercilessly sought out. The "Club-Bearer" was beaten with his own weapon, the "Tree-Bender" was torn apart between bent trees, the "Cliff-Kicker" was pushed off a cliff, and so forth. A sixth sense to pursue victory along those lines, launching impossible counterattacks.

Bravery A+: Protection against various mental status effects, in addition to greatly increased damage in melee. Theseus, who was content to beat the daylights out of monsters and demigods even when he was unarmed, possesses an exceedingly high rank. In particular, Theseus boasts deadly power in regards to his use of Pankration.

Noble Phantasms

Koupiá Aiónia
Title: Ship of Endless Restoration
Rank: C+
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 5~20
Targets: 1 Person
Description: The boat that Theseus travelled on during his adventures. Rather than gaining any special powers from legends involving Theseus, this Noble Phantasm is linked to a certain popular thought experiment that was performed regarding the remnants of the ship after his death. "If damaged parts are constantly replaced, will it truly be the same ship?"--This Noble Phantasm takes that question and runs with it. Although a ship naturally can be used for travel, it is primarily a defensive Noble Phantasm utilized by summoning parts of the hull in the way of incoming blows. Even if the ship is damaged or destroyed during defence, they will soon regrow, so it is terribly effective at blocking repeated or consistent attacks. Moreover, the concept of "becoming another ship through slow replacement" can be utilized to modify the nature of the new sections. In essence, the Ship of Theseus is a super-adaptable shield that can develop new functions by absorbing and processing the attacks that are fired into it. More damage suffered means a stronger replacement. By suffering enough flame attacks, for instance, it would probably become a fire-ship that excels at blocking fire damage while spouting out waves of fire itself. Something along those lines, anyway. Ramming attacks with the ship are possible, but a bit mediocre unless it has acquired an attribute that happens to be super-effective against the intended target.

Thálassa Kýrios Ará
Title: Sea God's Three Blessings
Rank: EX
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: Variable
Targets: Variable
Description: A unique ability of Theseus, stemming from an anecdote of him being given three Wishes (Curses) by his father, Poseidon. Uber-powerful Skill that can only ever be used three times. Rather than a true Wish of the kind that the Holy Grail can produce, this power is basically limited to personal strengthening/weakening (enhancement or disturbance of the self or another) and matters related to the Authorities of Poseidon (calling a tremendous sea monster, moving a body of water, etc).

In terms of power, it is enough to bring victory in an unwinnable fight. Each Wish supplies its own magical energy when used, so this Skill can even salvage a situation where magical energy is lacking. It is said that Theseus regrettably used this power against his own child later in life, wishing for his death and thus causing a sea monster to send his chariot crashing into the sea. Along those lines, the power of the wish is something that interferes with fate. Without high Luck, a curse from this Noble Phantasm will be extremely difficult to overcome.

Fate/Eigengrau

Heya! Would like to know if there is still room for more players, as I see a full reserve list (or is that just for Servants?). Id like to play a Master.

@Darnic

I'm pretty sure there's room for a Master. Join on Discord if you wanna double check with us.

Fate/Eigengrau

I'm interested! Not too sure what I'd play but for now let's say Rider class.

Fate/Profane Covenant

From Miyama to Shinto, Leaping

@Yukitamas@Raijinslayer

---

Clang. Clang.

The screech of iron against blazing stone rang out above Miyama town.

The enemy had obviously upped the ante a bit in terms of the power she was putting into her attacks, and Raiden did just the same. Each tossed rock met with the shaft of that polearm and was sent hurtling generally back in the direction it had come from. If she wanted to learn about his abilities, then she could learn that attacks on this level were still something he could absolutely handle. After five throws, he hadn't missed one yet, and he was getting closer with each hit.

More than just that. He was picking up speed and flashiness in equal measure, perhaps even revelling in the showiness of the battle. Every hit ended with a flourish, as he landed on a rooftop once again, staying still while Caster prepared her next attack before leaping up to meet it.

No doubt, it was a fool's way of fighting... Had he been swinging his spear with his feet just now?! At this point, his movement was such a rapid blur that it was impossible to say.

Clang. Clang.

The screech of iron against blazing stone rang out above Fuyuki Bridge.

"Hah! Anything else?!" Constantly picking up speed, each jump took Raiden noticeably further than the last. And yet that was completely counteracted by the fact that he came to a dead stop for a few seconds each time. He wasn't someone who prioritized efficiency, but that was his strength in its own way. He felt the sixth coming, crouched, and leapt again.

The returning course of the rocks was no longer so random, now. If she was going to harass him endlessly like this while he crossed the city, it was only fair for him to return the favour a bit, yeah?

The sixth stone clipped a satellite dish near where the pair were hovering, melting supports and sending it tumbling into the street below.

The seventh hurtled past them, close enough for Kairi to feel the heat radiating off of it.

After that, each one was aimed straight for Caster. Her own firecrackers careening through the air to return to their maker. Really, if she was any good as a magus, she could effortlessly deal with her own spell, but that was fine. It was the principle of the thing, really.

Clang. Clang.

The screech of iron against blazing stone rang out above Shinto town.

The buildings here were taller. Despite leaping dozens of meters into the air to strike the twelfth stone, Lancer only needed to fall a few feet to land on top of the nearest skyscraper. He took a breath, feeling the cold night air across his skin. He may have only been allowed to walk around during the night, but that was still fine. It felt nice. He closed his eyes.

Hm? The next one is...

For a fool, Raiden had one hell of a brain. At the release of the new shot, which, compared to the rest, burned dimly enough to be almost undetectable, he moved just the same. In that moment, before he felt the presence of the stone, what he thought was hey, where's the attack I was expecting?

His opponent didn't seem to be much of a warrior in the traditional sense, and he already had a "feel" for how and when she would act. Even if he couldn't predict what kind of magecraft this woman was using, he could definitely predict her throws.

Clang.

As the explosion began to simmer within that stone, it was repelled, flying backwards into the burning shot that had followed it. A collision to negate both attacks in a midair blast once they came together. Destroying two stones with one stone, so to say. Just as Caster had wished, a burst of light filled the sky, along with smoke and ash from the bullet-like stone.

But in the midst of all that, where was Lancer? Where had he landed? Was he somehow obscured behind the debris and smoke from that explosion just now..? No, surely if that were the case, it would only take a simple spell to see through it.

On the rooftop near to Caster, where the satellite dish had fallen, concrete shattered. No doubt, someone had just jumped from that spot. Even with the abilities he had shown so far, for him to make it this close so quickly was absolutely beyond expectations.

Caster's attention should definitely have turned to that rooftop, where magical energy and sound were radiating. If Lancer had lunged from there to make a direct attack, she would only have a fraction of an instant to ready countermeasures to protect herself and her Master.

Of course, he hadn't. His noisy leap from there had been completely horizontal, sending himself instantly to another rooftop, and from there...

Another leap, silently this time, without shattering the rooftop beneath his feet. He cut through the air like a spear, and his spear cut through the air like--well, you get the idea. Before the magus' eyes could fully register that there was no one coming at her from the first rooftop, he was in the air behind her, thrusting that huge weapon at her body. There was no way to stop grinning as he attacked with blinding speed.

"Was that fun? You've got a hell of an arm on you, Caster!"

...Doesn't shouting like that ruin the main point of a surprise attack, Raiden?

Fate/Profane Covenant

Riverside Workshop, Southern Moor

@hatakekuro

---

Oh. My hands aren't shaking anymore.

Thinking back, Fiore wasn't sure they had been shaking since she had arrived in Fuyuki, or even before that. She was sure they had used to, but that was a different time, now. Things were finally in motion. She and Caster had already made their opening moves, as small as they might have been.

Yggdmillennia's last fighter knelt in the yardspace behind the building she had appropriated for her base. Through the handful of trees that grew on this side of the river, she could vaguely see and hear rushing water. The stream that divided this battlefield in two. The division between Shinto and the area firmly controlled by them. In the air around her, she could faintly feel the presence of her Servant's magical energy permeating. That man wasn't a real magus, but he had still created a workshop for himself, in a manner of speaking. Her power, meanwhile, radiated in the ground beneath them. Burying spells into the ground and calling spirits to dwell there marked the beginnings of her fortifications.

It was better to be ready for anything. Now that the sun had set, anyone could pay them a visit. They had to be sure there was a solid welcome in store.

"Caster, please join me in the yard." She communicated through their mental link. Even though he was her Servant, it seemed she tended to be polite. He was older than her, after all. "That's enough writing for the moment. I'm really happy with the progress you've made so far."

While she waited for Carroll, Fiore unconsciously fingered the glasses in her breast pocket. It hadn't been long enough for any real new information to be recorded in them, but she wanted to wear them again. By the time she had found it, the spirit inside had already been past the point of communication, but it was still...

Something pointless to think about. There were things they needed to take care of. Once Caster was with her, they could start work on the yard. More pressing than that, in a way, was the other matter she needed to ask him.

"I have priorities in this war. There are people who need to pay for what they've done... But if we make it to the end and win for real." She hoped this was a tactful way to ask. "Well, what would you ask the Holy Grail for?"

---

On a Walk Through Miyama

@Turboshitter@Yukitamas@Raijinslayer

---

By the time their circuit of the Eastern side of Fuyuki was finished, it was finally night. Raiden was someone who could respect rules and wait his turn, but all the same, he had been eager for things to finally get rolling.

"Perfect survival machine, huh? Not sure why you'd want to turn into something like that, but it's working for you style-wise." The ginger afro was another matter, but mentioning that now could throw off the energy of their whole night. Still invisible, he drifted alongside the magus and spoke noiselessly to him.

If nothing else, all that business about being an unkillable reptile meant Berzinsky was a Master who could watch his own back. That meant Lancer was free to, as ordered, 'hunt' for opponents in the surrounding area. There were the echoes of a few Servants' presences in the districts they had passed through...

But it seemed someone else had made the choice for them!

Raiden could feel the magical energy hurtling towards them. It was a long-range attack from someone he could barely see. A Heroic Spirit who was hiding herself in the distance. There was no telling what bizarre powers the projectile might have been harbouring, but it didn't exactly have the 'vibe' of a kill-shot.

Maybe whoever fired it wasn't so bad!

"Better stand back, boss!" Telepathically, he spoke once more. There was no telling if Berzinsky was aware of what was coming, but the Servant was the first to react. There was the electric shimmer of a Servant's body materializing on the sidewalk. A flawless body with tense, bent legs. Raiden jumped, leaving an explosion of shredded concrete in his wake.

He didn't finish materializing until he was already tearing into the sky. Golden hair whipped in the overwhelming wind as Lancer flew on a direct path to meet the projectile. Rather than just leaping, he was spinning. A thunderbolt had been let loose in the sky over Miyama.

As the distance between the two flying objects decreased, those eyes could properly make visual contact with it.

Oh! That's a--

Didn't people in the West have a name for this sort of thing? It was on the tip of his tongue.

Well, whatever.

An enormous length of platinum-white metal materialized in his hand, crackling with magical energy, its massive double-edged blade gleaming in the starlight. The feeling was new, but familiar. Raiden gripped his spear loosely as the distance between himself and the stone approached zero, preparing to swing.

Or rather, he had already swung.

Even if Caster's Clairvoyant eyes were watching with anticipation of the moment Lancer would collide with her ball, they may still have been surprised to find that a nigh-imperceptible strike from the spear had reached it while there were still more than two metres between them. Even if it couldn't be registered until after the fact, there was no mistaking that the spearman had released a first-rate attack, slamming the haft of the spear into the stone.

It wasn't as though Lancer was clueless when it came to this sort of magecraft. The runes on the rock could have meant anything--an explosion of fire, tendrils of mud, waves of ice. It could have been called foolish to face an unknown magical attack head-on, but if he knocked it hundreds of metres away before it had the chance to be triggered, then it wouldn't be a problem.

Like the clear ringing of a bell, a metallic sound echoed over Miyama. The rune-ball was sent flying back in the general direction of Shinto. There didn't seem to be much effort to aim it back at Caster specifically in this case. Rather, he was focused on knocking it out of the park.

Barring any surprising developments, Lancer let the rapid rotation of his body unwind, landing stylishly on a drug store rooftop a few blocks from the spot where he and Berzinsky had been standing. He twirled his polearm in one hand, letting it diffuse back into a transient blaze of magical energy before putting a palm on his hip and raising his other hand to shade his eyes a bit, squinting into the distant sky above Shinto town.

When under attack from an enemy with such power and range, the smart thing to do was try to close the distance and quickly and safely as possible, or, failing that, take cover and hope they lose interest. Raiden did neither, taking a stance on the roof where he had landed, tilting his head as if to say what was that all about? Really, he was inviting her to come over, or at least throw him something cooler.

If the enemy had attacked them from Shinto, they must have had great eyesight, right? If they could see his face, then they could see him winking.

Fate/Profane Covenant

Riverside Workshop, Southern Moor

@hatakekuro

---

"Thank you. This is probably the last real moment of rest I'll have for a while, so I appreciate it." Making sure the door was shut behind her, Fiore sighed, taking a seat and tilting her head at the tea set. Even though Caster was working alone here, he had..? "Ah, it seems like you have plenty of useful attributes."

Adding a bit of sugar, the magus took a cup. The ability to calculate the future was something that could be crucially useful in its own way. "Even if I had summoned some legend like Achilles, there's nothing he would be able to do except go head-to-head with the enemy. The direct approach won't always work, especially against monsters like the Three Families of Fuyuki."

The tea was good... Of the various leaves brought from Trifas, he had even calculated which brand she most liked to drink on days preceding stressful undertakings. Yeah, this was a Servant she could work well with, even if he was a little odd at times. Of course, if his mind was that sharp... "Can you tell I'm trying to praise you?" Fiore let out a quiet, awkward laugh, and tried to smile. "Sorry. It's because next I'm going to start working you as hard as possible. That 'Enchant' ability of yours is only as strong as the man-hours you put into it, right?"

Resting her feet but not her mind had definitely been the best way to put it. Since the moment she had confirmed Carroll possessed the same sort of ability that Shakespeare was known for winning subspecies wars with, her mind had been at work trying to figure out the best way to apply it. While over half the shelves in the room were filled with literature of Caster's choice, two short cabinets near the window had been filled by Fiore personally--and every book inside was completely blank. An author needed somewhere to write, after all.

"I have to focus on my own craft, so I can't hold your hand through this part. The items in question will be sent up here individually." Fiore was the sort of person who often came off as inexperienced and overly kind, but if Caster was so good at calculating, he damn well better have been able to calculate that she wasn't about to let him slack off.

---

Miyama Town

@Turboshitter

---

There was really no time for slacking off, apparently.

It would have been pleasant to walk through Japanese streets on his own two feet again after nearly 200 years, but Lancer wasn't in material form. He followed his Master as the wind, passing through buildings and cars, focusing primarily on detecting the presence of any nearby Servants while giving a half-thought to the mage's mutterings about Japanese culture.

His Master was obviously prepared to fight in the Grail War itself, but Lancer couldn't help but feel that he wasn't particularly ready to operate in this country. "We like them because they kill bugs and ward away sickness. If people knew there were mages peeping through the little critters' eyes, they might think twice." It must have truly appeared to any outsider that the foreigner was talking to himself, because Raiden's voice was only audible inside his Master's own mind. He was still unsure exactly what sort of man he was dealing with, so he actually put a bit of energy into explaining this. "Finding a gecko in your home's a sign of good fortune, and you should never ever kill one or drive it away. If you don't know stuff like that, Master, then I should be doing the shopping in your stead!"

The Lancer's invisible presence followed Berzinsky as he moved away from the small businesses and into the housing section of Miyama town. Even in the hour since they had first started pet-shopping, the energy of the city had changed and grown stronger. Most of them weren't close enough to be fully made out, but more Masters had definitely summoned their Servants during that time. The tournament would be starting soon.

"...We have a lot of matches ahead of us."

He wasn't exactly groaning. Judging by his tone, Raiden was looking forward to them.

"Before the evening rush starts, tell me something, boss." He continued, not sure if this was some kind of sore spot for the man. "Why lizards? No matter how you look at it, you're even more into them than we are."

Some people just had their weird obsessions, right?

Fate/Profane Covenant

Riverside Workshop, Southern Moor

@hatakekuro

---

This was right around the time they would have done it, if things had been different. Fiore would be in Trifas, with her brother and the rest of their clan. That night, they would've summoned their heroes and made a miracle happen. It would've been scary, turning her back on everyone at the Clock Tower, but she would've been surrounded by people she had faith in. This was much worse. This was all wrong. The people she had been standing beside were gone--either dead or under house arrest for the crime of conspiracy against the Mage's Association.

The true crime would be not finishing what they had started.

Instead of Trifas, she was in Fuyuki, hiding in a vacant building that overlooked the river Mion from its East bank. It wasn't dilapidated, but even after setting up a workshop in the basement, the whole place felt pointedly alien to her. Not home-like in the slightest. Still, it was a well-balanced location that served her nature as a magus about as well as any Eastern land could, while also meeting her other requirements. That, of course, included a Study where her Servant could do his work.

It had been a gamble, summoning someone like this. His page on the Wiki was so small that Fiore wasn't certain if he had ever actually been summoned before or if it was just one of those filler pages with a smattering of speculation. The fact that it was so unclear was just another example of how unusable the Wiki was, but everyone who had made it to this point was hopefully past the point of needing to use something like that. When it came to "Author" Heroic Spirits like Shakespeare and Dickens, they had the major advantage of being relatively young and therefore easier to obtain a catalyst for. Even if that auction for Cúchulainn's right boot was legitimate, word would've travelled quickly if she had gotten involved. Staying beneath the Three Founders' radar for the moment was key. As for why she had chosen this man in particular...

It had been a hunch about what sort of abilities he would have, and in Fiore's eyes, it had paid off. He wasn't strong in the way that a warrior like Beowulf, or even a witch like Circe was strong, but with him by her side, she could win. He could get her across the finish line.

A hand that wasn't trembling in the slightest rested on the knob, then pushed open the door to the study.

"Caster--!"

Actually, there was a hand pulling on that door from the other side as well. Fiore stepped back with a start, but it was too late. The surprise and the extra force applied to the door had been enough to send the being on the other side falling flat on its behind.

"Ah..."

Stunned into silence for just long enough that it began to feel awkward, Fiore collected herself as quickly as she could and extended a hand. The homunculus was already halfway to his feet at that point, so what followed couldn't properly be described as helping him up, per se, but he took it nonetheless.

"Sorry, Goro. I'm just here to see Caster. You can go." She did her best to make eye contact with him while she spoke. It was hard, knowing what he was and what would have to happen to him, but she couldn't be a coward. Not anymore.

She imagined the homunculus had been sent by her Servant to fetch something or other, as he had been assigned to be the Caster's attendant, but since he hadn't been prompted to explain what he was up to, he just bowed and left the room without another word. As soon as he moved down the hallway, the homunculus standing guard--Either Gordon or Gordius. Fiore couldn't really tell those two apart--Left his post and trailed behind. They both walked with the same steady, balanced gait.

At least they don't have much in the way of personality, she thought to herself, hopefully.

Fiore took a deep breath, looking her Caster up and down. His Parameters were... Certainly telling of the function he was meant to serve. She had provided this study, and given him leave to furnish it with anything that could be reasonably obtained. Every artist had different things that would inspire them to work, after all. "Are you settling in all right, Caster? Tonight will be the start of everything, meaning this place could be attacked at any moment... And, well, I'm not strong enough to protect you yet."

She half-smiled, wondering if it would really come to that.

No, if things went to plan, that was definitely how their war would end.

As long as her legs still worked, she would keep moving forwards.