VitaVitaAR

Fate/aberrant destiny

The Einzbern preparations for the Fourth Holy Grail War had been going just as planned. They had obtained this catalyst many years ago, a true divine relic that could only summon one of the most powerful Heroic Spirits from the history of mankind. Combined with the intended Master, the pinnacle of their craft, there was no way that they could fail this time. In addition, she would be supported by her family, her maids… finally, it was their path to victory. They had taken extensive time to plan their course of action after the delay of the Fourth War due to the farce that had become the Fifth. To think, someone had tried to steal the Greater Grail itself… and met his end at the hands of the Tohsaka Family’s representative, body blown apart and burned to cinders. They had even lost one of the founding families with the death of Matou Zouken…

But now, the grail would be ready, would it not?

Except…

It soon became clear that they were not the only ones who had been waiting for this day.

To those who were present, the Ainsworth raid on the Einzbern mansion in Fuyuki’s forest had been a shocking, chaotic event. Dozens of empowered dolls led by the most powerful among the Ainsworth family’s magi descended on the mansion and begun their assault. In spite of the mayhem, it became clear their target was indeed Illyasviel von Einzbern herself. The ensuing conflict lead to the deaths of many of the Ainsworth dolls, but also the crippling of Emiya Kiritsugu and the loss of many resources due to the devastating attack.

In the end, the Ainsworths had failed to obtain Illyasviel. However…

They had claimed the ritual. Through careful manipulation, they had installed their own Masters, members of their family or others tied to them, in every available spot in the Holy Grail War.

There was no way to obtain entry into the war, now, with all seven spots filled.

Or so the Ainsworth Family thought…

Soon they learned that the Einzbern, and the Tohsaka, were far more resourceful then they had anticipated, and the damage the grail had sustained all those years ago had allowed for even further manipulation of the ritual known as the Holy Grail War.

Two teams of Seven Servants and their Masters.

The Great Holy Grail War.

---

Avalon.

The Holy Scabbard of King Arthur. The Everdistant Utopia that the King was said to wait in after his death, biding his time until the world needed him once again.

The ideal catalyst for a Saber-class Servant. The Ainsworth family had also clearly been intent on capturing it for their own use, but they had been unable to locate it.

For good reason. The Einzbern family had placed it somewhere it would be truly impossible to obtain by anyone else.

Illyasviel von Einzbern had been able to conduct the summoning in a safe location, under careful supervision. Until she obtained her Servant, it was deemed unsafe for her to be left alone at any point. The Ainsworths were awaiting any chance they had to try and obtain the girl, after all. And so their backup location, the Emiya residence, specifically in a shack behind the home itself. It was an unlikely place for such a legendary figure to be called fourth, but it had proven to be an ideal location to peroform a more stealthy ritual while the Einzbern mansion itself was still being prepared.

And indeed, as expected, Illyasviel had conducted the ritual perfectly. Nothing had gone awry, and there had been no mistakes in the process. It was indeed just what everyone had hoped for.

And yet…

“Servant Saber, successfully summoned into this world.”

The figure that had been summoned was not the man they had expected. Instead, a slender, beautiful blonde girl in an armored dress stood before Illyasviel. In one hand, she gripped a weapon cloaked in swirling air, hiding even its shape and length from sight.

“I ask of you, are you my Master?”

Indeed, Saber herself had been somewhat confused by her Master, just as the onlookers had been surprised by her gender. She had never expected to be called to fight in the Holy Grail War by what appeared to be a child no older then ten years of age.

It was not long before she was informed of the truth of the situation, and the nature of the conflict she had been called to.

It was an even greater battle then she had anticipated.

---

The Einzbern Mansion

The anticipation that had been built up was almost thick in the air. And yet, Tohsaka Tokiomi seemed as cool as ever, collected and confident as he oversaw his daughter’s arrangements for the war as one of the two heads of the current faction. Preparations had been conducted both at their own home and now here in the Einzbern mansion. It had been somewhat chaotic, arranging for the impending meeting between the Masters of the Tohsaka-Einzbern faction of the Great Holy Grail War. The decision to utilize his daughter as the representative for his family, rather then himself, had been a conclusion fueled by her position as his successor as the head of the family.

This was an opportunity to showcase her position and her capabilities, as well as a crucial battle for their family, and indeed the remaining founding families of the Holy Grail War. The fact that the Matou no longer existed as a family of magi was regrettable, but that had been before his time as the head of the Tohsaka.

By this point, his wife had been safely sent out of town, and out of harm’s way. Only himself and his daughter remained in the Tohsaka residence.

Rin had performed an admirable job, taking to her position as one of the organizers for their faction quite well. Now it was simply time to provide her with the final piece required for a Master’s participation in the battle for the Holy Grail.

The gem that would serve as the core of her summoning ritual. The instrument that would allow her to bring fourth a hero of legend, even if it was not a proper catalyst. The time it had spend storing up mana for all those years…

Soon, the other Masters would arrive. Tokiomi knew the Einzbern had already called fourth their Servant, but he was admittedly uncertain about the others. Regardless, it was time.

“Since everything is ready, Rin… I believe it is time to give you this.”

He held up an elaborate, decorated box. Within was a summoning catalyst he had obtained some time ago.

Everything had been prepared.

Even if Rin waited until the others arrived to summon her Servant, there could be no denying that she would summon an excellent and reliable Heroic Spirit.

As for the others, they had all conducted their summonings in this mansion. But that didn't necessarily mean they had ever interacted with one another before now. In others, they would perhaps be acquaintances. Whatever the case, they were now allies against the Ainsworth in this Great Holy Grail War.

This was where Tokiomi's involvement ended. It was time for his daughter to take center stage as the heir to the Tohsaka bloodline.

By the time they arrived, it was possible Rin would have already summoned Servant(or Servants, the system put in place by the Einzbern allowed for more then one to safely be contracted to one Master) to her side. Regardless, it would be time to begin immediately preparations.

The Ainsworth had to be defeated. Their attempt to hijack the ritual for their own purposes, to flood each slot with their own Masters, could not be allowed to stand.

For just what purpose were they so determined to obtain the grail through such means, anyway...?

---

Seven Servants.

They had been called to claim the Holy Grail.

Yes, of course.

The Seven Servants of the Ainsworth family, each a powerful foe for whatever the other alliance brought to bare.

A smirk crossed her face. At last, she would obtain her goal.

At last.

@Raineh Daze@Crusader Lord@Anza@PKMNB0Y@KoL@1Charak2@Rin

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

@jdh97: You can notice it, Fanilly's not in position to.

@ERode: Sorry to hear that.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

"..."

Fanilly was silent for several moments.

Then...

"Rickart. His name was Sir Rickart," she said, finally. She hadn't known him very well. She hadn't known many of the knights very well, not yet. And now, in Rickart's case, she wouldn't get a chance to know him any better at all. Had she performed better, had tighter command of her forces, would he have perished?

In spite of the others' words, she didn't move immediately. The blonde-haired knight was silent. But... no, she was Knight-Captain. She had to keep pushing on. Sir Rickart's death couldn't be allowed to stop her, because there was no way any knight of the order would want such a thing to happen.

Fanilly took a deep breath.

"Ensure the wounded are properly transported and cared for," she ordered, ""Prisoners are to have their hands bound and be transported in a single file line. Do not harm them, they are already facing punishment for their crimes. Causing them pain is pointless cruelty."

She paused for a moment.

"... Sir Rickart's body is to be returned to his family."

---

The return trip was rather uneventful. The prisoners were utterly crushed, defeated by the loss of so many and the slaying of their leader. Who could ever have prepared them for the Iron Roses? The injured were transported with care, thankfully there were very few with any serious injuries. But that was to be expected, really, as the Iron Roses were an order of legend.

Fanilly traveled at the head of the Knights, upon her white mare. The farmer who had been used as bait by the bandits seemed to be capable of making a full recovery. His injury had looked worse then it actually was, apparently, though it was still bad enough that, if they had not found him, he would have perished.

To the young captain, it felt entirely too long to reach their destination.

But it was dawn when they came upon their destination. The walls of the capital loomed ahead of them.

Aimlenn had been built long, long ago, construction having begun shortly after Thaln itself was founded. In spite of the country's embattled history, the capital had never wavered, never fallen. Its tall, strong walls held fast. Aimlenn, among the people, was known as the fortress-city, as the white-grey stone walls, lined with sturdy towers, were a sight known far and wide across the land.

The immense steel and wood gate stood before them. In this time of peace, it remained open, and Fanilly led her knights through it.

The streets bustled with activity, merchants transporting goods, citizens going about their business, and as they headed in further, nobility and the rich with their entourages of guards, maids, and manservants walking the street. What was universal to all these people is the glance they cast up as the Iron Roses entered. Many, especially the average citizens, looked on in awe as the knights of legend proceeded in, taking with them what could only be those bandits who had hurt and killed so many.

The guards, many of them soldiers of Thaln, cast dark glares towards the prisoners.

Fanilly did her best not to react to any of it. Even when it was looks of awe, she was Captain of the Iron Roses. She could not let anything distract her from her duty.

The stone fortress that was home to Aimlenn's garrison and prison soon received the bandits. Their fate was essentially sealed, an execution would greet them. Barring some sort of sudden reprieve(which seemed highly unlikely, to say the least), they were set to die for their murders and thefts.

But Fanilly did not remain there. Instead, she lead her knights further down the winding streets.

The Iron Rose Knights were based near the Royal Family's castle. It was an impressive building, blue tiles lining the roof and windows of stained glass, displaying roses. The Iron Rose itself was displayed above the entrance, gleaming in the morning sun. The structure itself was known as Candaeln.

Within, the wood floors were spotless and clean, and the plastered walls displayed portraits of past Captains, and another notable Iron Roses. Display cases of weapons of previous knights lined the walls, but one was placed above all.

The Saint's Blade, the Starlight Sword, Bane of the Vos Korvungand. The sword that had taken the head of Meryn the Kinslaughterer. The weapon that had pierced the heart of Volkstraad the red dragon. The silvery, almost ethereal-seeming blade of the Starlight Saint of Roses, Elionne herself, stood in the center of the room, carefully locked inside of glass case. It was the only thing that remained after the first captain of the Iron Roses had vanished. The blade was strong, but elegant, a sharp tip and a razor edge with a star-shaped crossguard.

Fanilly turned to her knights.

"Take the injured to the healers," she ordered, swiftly. The healers were to the left of the entrance hall, stationed in their own wing of Candaeln. "For everyone else, I would take some rest. You've earned it."

Fanilly glanced towards the stairs, and began to approach them. As she ascended, she had to admit to one desperate thought:

The Captain of the Iron Roses desperately desired a bath. There were many other thoughts that weighed on her mind, though she had already dispatched a messenger to Sir Rickart's family. She tried her best to change gears, to focus on recuperating instead.

Of course, moments after she left the sight of the others, a courier would arrive at the front of Candaeln.

Oh, dear. What timing.

@HereComesTheSnow@Raineh Daze@Asuras@jdh97@Click This@OwO@Animal@TheFake@ERode@Crimson Paladin@ghastlyinc@PaulHaynek

Fate/Eternum

Saber - Benienma

It still didn't sit well with Benienma.

Undeniably, she had dealt a lethal injury to Hijikata Toshizo. His body had nearly come apart in two halves. There was no question of the fact that the Berserker had died. And yet... Something felt wrong. The way his presence had vanished suddenly, rather then simply fading away. The manner in which he had disappeared in such a way... it did not feel as if he was a Servant that had perished. It didn't sit well with the redheaded enma, and so she was not going to hesitate to say as much.

"Mastah," she began, glancing up towards Hakuno as she did, "Something doesn't add up here dechi. It feels like there's more going on."

She frowned to herself as she did.

"We should continue the investigation dechi."

@PKMNB0Y@RoleplayerRoxas

Fate/aberrant destiny

@Rin: Accepted!

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

I'll be getting a post up today or tomorrow.

The Nameless City — Invite Only!

As the trio advanced into the fog, they emerged into a wider street once more. This one lead in two different directions. To the left, the cobblestone street lead towards what seemed to be some sort of overlook, bounded by an iron fence. In the other direction, however, there was a far more gruesome sight.

One of the wolf-beasts had been strung up on a strange wooden symbol, almost as if it had been crucified. It was quite clearly dead, throat sliced open deeply enough that the head was considerably close to falling off completely. Beneath the corpse a fire was lit, and around it there stood a gaggle of the distorted townsfolk wielding a variety of weapons, similar to the group that they had encountered prior. For the moment, not a single one seemed to notice them, as if they were far too entranced by the blazing flames and the beast's hanging corpse.

Most importantly, this area seemed rather familiar, as if it had definitely appeared in the video that had guided the group here in the first place.

Unfortunately, they didn't go unnoticed for long.

There was the harsh sound of a dog's barking, its source a distorted mutt with a vicious look and shaggy tan hair hanging off of its gaunt body. It had rounded an abandoned carriage, and its barking immediately caused the deformed-looking men around the fire to take note.

Some were already raising their weapons, two drawing rifles.

"Beasts! Foul beasts!" came a voice crying out.

@Raineh Daze@PKMNB0Y@RolePlayerRoxas

The Nameless City — Invite Only!

Almost immediately as Youmu entered the cavern, an enormous blast of energy rocked it, blasting away the water and sending the fishman escort to the ground. Another of Nanoha's spells... it reminded her a great deal of some of the repertoire of a certain Perfectly Ordinary Witch. But at the moment that wasn't the thought that occupied her mind.

As she'd entered the cave, she'd seen it. That awful, monstrous fish creature, far larger then any of the others... it was clearly a leader of some sort, wasn't it? And yet something was strange. It had hair, unlike any of the other creatures they had encountered. Long, flowing hair... her hand was still on Roukanken's hilt as she approached. That wasn't the only thing. All of the other creatures... they'd attacked mindlessly on sight. Made no effort to flee, made no effort to communicate, nothing. If any of them had been human, that humanity had been utterly lost.

And yet this one...

Rather then attack, it had hesitated. Youmu had seen its eyes fall upon them, watched its motions. A practitioner of swordplay was quite capable of recognizing even the tiniest moment of reluctance, of fear, of guilt or hesitation. It was a very... human response...

The long flowing blonde hair, the vaguely female body shape, the fact it had hesitated...

"Takamachi-san!" called the petite half-phantom, "The large one, the one with the blonde hair... do you have any way to stop it from moving entirely? I think... that may be..."

If she still had some sort of human response, then perhaps...!

@PKMNB0Y@KoL

The Nameless City — Invite Only!

Even as Nanoha swiftly blasted her path through the swarm of fishmen, it was being refilled, the creatures trampling the unconscious bodies she left underfoot as they moved to bar Youmu's path as well.

She wouldn't be stopped. Whatever terrible thing was beyond this wall of these monsters, she would pierce right through it and take it down. After learning just what these awful creatures did to people, she couldn't allow them even the slightest opportunity to do it to anyone else.

The petite, silver-haired girl slid her feet into a ready position, both hands now on the hilt of Roukanken. Hakuroken wouldn't be much use here, after all, not against flesh and blood opponents who she had no intention of allowing to live.

Youmu sucked air in through her teeth, just as the furthest forward of the fish creatures drew their spears back to toss them towards her...!

She slammed one foot forward, an exploded with motion, a noise like a sonic boom echoing through the caverns. The young half-phantom's movement could only be tracked by what seemed to be a glint of silver light suddenly darting through the enormous crowd of fish creatures, a straight path cleanly through the middle.

She came to a halt on the other side.

Behind her, the bodies of every fishman she had passed beside split apart, falling to pieces with ugly, wet splats and spurts of blood.

@KoL@PKMNB0Y

Fate/Eternum

@ghastlyInc: Alright, I think you're good now.