Fatecraft
She closed her eyes, the songs of the distant utopia whispering sweet bliss into her ears. She was going back, back to the beginning, when she had made the promise, the contract, which binds her to her infinite battle. But at least she would forever remember this round of this war. It was a good fight, she thought, so tiredly. She wanted to close her eyes forever and sleep. Perhaps then, she would finally dream of the peace she so lonely soughtà
àBut such a happy ending was not to be, not for the King Arturia Pendragon of Britannia and Camelot!
Her body formed once again, unlike the magical construct which tied her spirit to the mortal planes before. Now, she feltà digital. Instantly, strange information flowed into her mind, but she could not comprehend it. It was strange. She looked around, scanning her new surroundings.
She was in front of an abbey of marble stones, surrounded by trees taller and thicker than any that she had ever seen before. Outside of the abbey was a small caravan of merchants and an old soldier, who walked up to her.
This is a game, this is a game, this is a gameà!
The data made no sense. What was a game? Was she tied to yet another Holy Grail War so quickly? This did not feel like one at all! Outrageous!
Play the game, play the game, play the gameà!
ôAh, welcome young Paladin!ö The old soldier walked up to her. She realized that he was not really old, with such a strong, muscled body. He only appeared so because of his graying hair. Actually, he did not really have any hair, just a cartoon-like, gray mustache. ôWelcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö
ôIùô Arturia began, confused by what was happening, but the old soldier talked again.
ôHey, citizen!ö He saluted her, causing Arturia to frown in further confusion. ôYou look like a stout one. We, guards, are spread a little thin out here, and I could use your helpàö
Again, before Arturia could even make a gesture, he took out a stack of papers. Arturia squinted and noted that all the old parchment he had in his hands were blank.
ôSo, youÆre the new recruit from Stormwind, eh? IÆm Marshal McBride, commander of this garrison. Glad to have you on board,ö the old soldier looked down at his papers again. ôArturia Pendragon. It is Arturia Pendragon, right?ö Without bothering to look up at Arturia, he continued, ôYouÆve arrived just in time. The Defias Bandits have been plaguing the outskirts of the Abbey's farmland. My soldiers are doing what they can to push them back, but I fear they will be overwhelmed soon.ö
He grabbed ArturiaÆs shoulders and shook her roughly. ôHead northwest into the forest and kill the attacking Defias Bandits! Help my soldiers!ö
After that, he reset his stance back to how he was before Arturia approached him. Her frown deepened. What was a game?
ôAh, welcome young Warrior!ö The old soldier walked past her, to a blue-clad, blue-haired man who just appeared out of nowhere. ôWelcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö
ôWaùWhatÆs going on here?!ö The man shouted.
Arturia studied the man closely, resting a hand on her sword. He did not seem hostile, but where did she see him before? ôServant Lancer!ö She shouted when she realized who it was, ôFor what purpose are you doing here?ö
The man turned to her, ôWell, well, if it isnÆt the Servant Saber!ö He smirked, ôIÆm not obligated by any pussies to keep myself hidden anymore, so letÆs fight! IÆm Cu Chulain! Servant Saber, get ready to taste the hard thrusts of my Gae Bolge!ö
ôI shall face your challenge head on,ö Arturia narrowed her eyes at her enemy. Her invisible sword within her hands shimmered as the winds around it gathered and bellowed in response to the LancerÆs challenge.
Suddenly, a flag dropped out of the sky between them and a voice whispered into her head again, this time much louder, ôDuel will begin in 3à 2à 1àö
It was then, that Arturia realized that everyone, including Lancer, or Cu Chulain, had a bright green aura around them. But the moment this æduelÆ began, his aura changed to a blood-red color.
Before they could begin their duel, another interruption appeared!
From the skies fell a red-clad, black armored man, who crashed into some of the wares of the merchantsÆ, breaking some furniture. He groaned and pushed his white mop of hair back. It was her noble ally, the Archer, who had sacrificed his life to stall the legendary Heracles!
ôServant Archer?ö She asked, questioningly, noticing from the corners of her eyes that Lanùer, Cu Chulain had backed up into a Defensive Stance and his eyes were swerving between Archer and herself.
Archer rolled his eyes, ôCall me EMIYA. IÆm sure you figured it out already.ö
ôI, I guessed, butàö Saber muttered, feeling hurt by his crass attitude.
ôIà I should not be here,ö EMIYA growled, curling into a fetal position and ignoring Arturia. ôIÆm not here, IÆm not here, IÆm not hereàö He muttered as he rocked back and forth.
ôAh, welcome young Hunter!ö The old soldier walked up to EMIYA, who ignored him, and said, ôWelcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö
ôI am not here, I cannot be hereà!öá EMIYA muttered as he kept rocking himself. Arturia almost sputtered when she saw tears threaten to leak out of the ArcherÆs eyes.
ôEnough! We must clash our weapons and display our flaming spirits like real men!ö Cu Chulain shouted, twirling his hard, long spear in one hand as he charged at Arturia.
Arturia blinked. ôIÆm a woman.ö
Cu Chulain tripped and planted his face into the dirt, before his body skidded to the large, dueling flag and his head collided with its pole. Shakily, he stood up and righted himself into a Battle Stance and stared incredulously at Arturia. ôSeriously?ö He asked, ôI thought you were just a midget or somethingàö
ôSon of the Suns,ö Arturia cut him off coldly, ôDare you have an insult you would say it to my face?ö
ôAh-ha! LetÆs rumble!ö He charged again.
But once again, he was interrupted. This time, a giant fell out of the sky.
ôAh, welcome young Warrior! Welcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö The old man walked to the giant, adamantine form of the Servant Berserker, Heracles.
Heracles stood up and shook Marshal Mc BrideÆs hand, saying in a smooth tone, ôThank you, my good man, and just call me Kevin. Kevin Sorbo.ö
ôServant Heracles?ö Arturia asked incredulously. How many Heroic Spirits were actually here?
ôAh, King Pendragon,ö Heracles nodded to Arturia. He strolled towards their duel, walking between them with his hands on his hips. ôNow that I am no longer under the influence of the Mad Enhancement, I can properly congratulate you on your splendid victory.ö
Arturia just stared, unsure of what to say.
Luckily for her, she did not have to say anything, as yet another Heroic Spirit flashed into appearance. It was the hooded Servant, Caster. With a dramatic wail, she placed a hand on her head and cried, ôOh, oh, where is my Souichirou-sama? Why must the Fates be so cruel?ö
ôAh, welcome young Mage! Welcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö Arturia knew by now that were was something seriously wrong here, especially with the Marshal. But before she could contemplate what was happening, several other Heroic Spirits also came out of the wood works. The old Marshal called out quickly, almost like an echo for Arturia to hear him three times.
ôAh, welcome young Rogue! Welcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire. Ah, welcome young Rogue! Welcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire. Ah, welcome young Hunter! Welcome to Northshire Abbey, home of the Brotherhood of Northshire.ö
The blindfolded Rider, Medusa appeared beside a shadow which disappeared almost instantly and the gold-clad figure of the King of Heroes.
Even before anyone could say anything, Arturia slapped a gauntlet-clad palm against her forehead. She felt a migraine coming on, and she could do nothing about it. ôT-Thisà is going to be one of those centuries, isnÆt it, World? Why are you doing this to me?ö
