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The sun was already high in the sky. I felt the morning breeze, as we were walking between the tree of the forest. We didn't say a word, we just walked silently to the temple. We were wary of our surroundings. The war started, and even though we were not supposed to be attacked, some masters can be ready to do anything to win, including breaking the rules.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the base of the stairs leading to the temple. We didn't really know what to expect up there. We briefly glanced at each other, then went up the stairs. When we reached the top, I couldn't help but gasp. 6 people I knew were already there, looking like they were waiting. They were six of my childhood friends. There was Tatsuki, Juuichi, Shin, Kounosuke, Kouya and Kyouji.
Rider went into her spirit form before we reached the top, so the others didn't see her. She was as surprised as I was, and said to me:
"Master, do you know who those people are?"
As a servant, she had the ability to directly talk to me, without anyone else hearing, but to talk back, I had to whisper, so I replied:
"Yes, they are some friends, but I don't know what they are doing here."
"Be careful, they are all masters, stay on your guard."
I was surprised by her declaration, but I took a look at Juuichi's hand, who was the closest to me, and I noticed on its back 3 red marks. Their shapes were different, but they were indubitably command spells, like the ones I had. I couldn't really see the others, but I assumed it was the same for them.
What did that even mean? Why were they masters? Why would they join a holy grail war? I couldn't understand anything that was going on. But before I could ask any of those question, I heard footsteps near the door of the temple.
It was Ten Kodori, the overseer of this war. He walked down the few stairs in front of the closed door, and started talking to us:
"Hello there everyone. You all know why you are here, it's because you are all masters in the 5th Holy Grail War of Minasato. I am here to explain to everyone the rules of this war, to avoid unnecessary tragedies."
"Hold on a minute" Kouya interrupted, "what do you mean the fifth? Isn't it the first time?"
"Of course not." Ten sounded a bit displeased by his remark, "This is a ritual that has been ongoing for years. The three founding families created everything necessary for the wish-granting miracle to be possible. Anyway, that's not what you are here for today. You have to know all the rules."
He took a deep breath, ready to explain all the rules.
"First of all, the most important rule. It is strictly forbidden to kill any Master. Any master or master's servant killing someone who result in their elimination of the war. Their command spells would be removed, and their servant would disappear. Even my command spells, used normally to control your servants when needed, would disappear if I killed someone."
Everyone seemed relieved, me included. Even though we were all friends, perhaps someone would go as far as killing someone to achieve their dream. But now, there is no need to worry. I was a bit surprised to learn that he too had command spells, but it makes sense for him to have some.
"Now then, about the grail. The grail isn't an object someone can steal or destroy. The temple itself is the grail. The front gate will open once the energy needed to summon all the servants but one returned to the grail. In other words, there need to be only one servant standing. Well, it would be different if there was any extra servant, such as a Ruler, but I didn't detect any summoning of such."
This time, it was my turn to interrupt, I had no idea what a Ruler was, and, given the confused look of some other, I wasn't the only one.
"Excuse me, but what is a Ruler? You never told us about it." I asked
"It's an Extra class, basically, they were meant to oversee the grail war, just like me, and they have command spells. There was one in the previous war, and apparently, there isn't one this time. At the end of the war, they are supposed to disappear, so the grail can be used by the victor. As it is their duty, they can't refuse, and are forced to disappear when it's time for them to." Ten explained
He paused a bit, so we could all process this new information. Then he resumed:
"When your servant is defeated, your keep your command spells for an hour. During that time, you can give them to someone else if you want, or form a contract with a stray servant. But that last option isn't very likely, given the rules of this war.
�gAnyway, that should be all the rules. Is there any question?"
We all glanced at each other, but nobody said anything. After all, we would be fighting each other not so long after this. But at least, nobody will die, so I'm relieved.
"Alright then," Ten said, breaking the silence, "it is now 11. The war will officially start in an hour. It goes without saying, but do not let the other villagers know about the war. We, magi, have to remain hidden. That's all I have to say, you may now leave."
He was done talking, and went back behind the temple. Shin, Kouya and Kyouji were the first to leave, presumably to their house. Kounosuke giggled a bit, saying how fun it will be, then left as well.
"Well, good luck to both of you." Juuichi said calmly
"Hey, Juu, Tatsu, don't you want to do some kinda alliance? Like, an non-aggression pact, or something like that?" I proposed, as I didn't want to fight them
"Thank you, but I have to refuse Tora. I would rather fight alone. I hope you understand." Juuichi replied. He sounded sorry, as if he wanted to accept, but couldn't.
"Yeah, I gotta refuse too, my pops wants me to win this by myself, sorry dude." Tatsuki said
"Alright then, don't worry about it, good luck to you two, and see ya soon!" I said, before walking toward my house. I heard them saying me goodbye and wishing me luck as I was leaving.
The war would start very soon. I will have to fight my friends with my servant to fulfill my wish. Even though I'm not sure of my wish, I won't give up this once in a lifetime occasion. Rider materialised next to me, and talked with her cold voice.
"You now know the rules master. Are you ready to fight your friends?"
"Yes, I am." I said, knowing how hard it will be
"Are you prepared to possibly lose, and thus never fulfilling your wish?" she asked, she probably wants to see if I am ready to fight
"Yes, I am ready Rider. I'm ready to fight with you."
"Very well. We will discuss our strategy once we get home."
She went back in her spirit form, and so I walked alone in the forest to my house, hurrying so I can get there before the war starts.
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The sun was already high in the sky. I felt the morning breeze, as we were walking between the tree of the forest. We didn't say a word, we just walked silently to the temple. We were wary of our surroundings. The war started, and even though we were not supposed to be attacked, some masters can be ready to do anything to win, including breaking the rules.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the base of the stairs leading to the temple. We didn't really know what to expect up there. We briefly glanced at each other, then went up the stairs. When we reached the top, I couldn't help but gasp. 6 people I knew were already there, looking like they were waiting. They were six of my childhood friends. There was Tatsuki, Juuichi, Shin, Kounosuke, Kouya and Kyouji.
Rider went into her spirit form before we reached the top, so the others didn't see her. She was as surprised as I was, and said to me:
"Master, do you know who those people are?"
As a servant, she had the ability to directly talk to me, without anyone else hearing, but to talk back, I had to whisper, so I replied:
"Yes, they are some friends, but I don't know what they are doing here."
"Be careful, they are all masters, stay on your guard."
I was surprised by her declaration, but I took a look at Juuichi's hand, who was the closest to me, and I noticed on its back 3 red marks. Their shapes were different, but they were indubitably command spells, like the ones I had. I couldn't really see the others, but I assumed it was the same for them.
What did that even mean? Why were they masters? Why would they join a holy grail war? I couldn't understand anything that was going on. But before I could ask any of those question, I heard footsteps near the door of the temple.
It was Ten Kodori, the overseer of this war. He walked down the few stairs in front of the closed door, and started talking to us:
"Hello there everyone. You all know why you are here, it's because you are all masters in the 5th Holy Grail War of Minasato. I am here to explain to everyone the rules of this war, to avoid unnecessary tragedies."
"Hold on a minute" Kouya interrupted, "what do you mean the fifth? Isn't it the first time?"
"Of course not." Ten sounded a bit displeased by his remark, "This is a ritual that has been ongoing for years. The three founding families created everything necessary for the wish-granting miracle to be possible. Anyway, that's not what you are here for today. You have to know all the rules."
He took a deep breath, ready to explain all the rules.
"First of all, the most important rule. It is strictly forbidden to kill any Master. Any master or master's servant killing someone who result in their elimination of the war. Their command spells would be removed, and their servant would disappear. Even my command spells, used normally to control your servants when needed, would disappear if I killed someone."
Everyone seemed relieved, me included. Even though we were all friends, perhaps someone would go as far as killing someone to achieve their dream. But now, there is no need to worry. I was a bit surprised to learn that he too had command spells, but it makes sense for him to have some.
"Now then, about the grail. The grail isn't an object someone can steal or destroy. The temple itself is the grail. The front gate will open once the energy needed to summon all the servants but one returned to the grail. In other words, there need to be only one servant standing. Well, it would be different if there was any extra servant, such as a Ruler, but I didn't detect any summoning of such."
This time, it was my turn to interrupt, I had no idea what a Ruler was, and, given the confused look of some other, I wasn't the only one.
"Excuse me, but what is a Ruler? You never told us about it." I asked
"It's an Extra class, basically, they were meant to oversee the grail war, just like me, and they have command spells. There was one in the previous war, and apparently, there isn't one this time. At the end of the war, they are supposed to disappear, so the grail can be used by the victor. As it is their duty, they can't refuse, and are forced to disappear when it's time for them to." Ten explained
He paused a bit, so we could all process this new information. Then he resumed:
"When your servant is defeated, your keep your command spells for an hour. During that time, you can give them to someone else if you want, or form a contract with a stray servant. But that last option isn't very likely, given the rules of this war.
�gAnyway, that should be all the rules. Is there any question?"
We all glanced at each other, but nobody said anything. After all, we would be fighting each other not so long after this. But at least, nobody will die, so I'm relieved.
"Alright then," Ten said, breaking the silence, "it is now 11. The war will officially start in an hour. It goes without saying, but do not let the other villagers know about the war. We, magi, have to remain hidden. That's all I have to say, you may now leave."
He was done talking, and went back behind the temple. Shin, Kouya and Kyouji were the first to leave, presumably to their house. Kounosuke giggled a bit, saying how fun it will be, then left as well.
"Well, good luck to both of you." Juuichi said calmly
"Hey, Juu, Tatsu, don't you want to do some kinda alliance? Like, an non-aggression pact, or something like that?" I proposed, as I didn't want to fight them
"Thank you, but I have to refuse Tora. I would rather fight alone. I hope you understand." Juuichi replied. He sounded sorry, as if he wanted to accept, but couldn't.
"Yeah, I gotta refuse too, my pops wants me to win this by myself, sorry dude." Tatsuki said
"Alright then, don't worry about it, good luck to you two, and see ya soon!" I said, before walking toward my house. I heard them saying me goodbye and wishing me luck as I was leaving.
The war would start very soon. I will have to fight my friends with my servant to fulfill my wish. Even though I'm not sure of my wish, I won't give up this once in a lifetime occasion. Rider materialised next to me, and talked with her cold voice.
"You now know the rules master. Are you ready to fight your friends?"
"Yes, I am." I said, knowing how hard it will be
"Are you prepared to possibly lose, and thus never fulfilling your wish?" she asked, she probably wants to see if I am ready to fight
"Yes, I am ready Rider. I'm ready to fight with you."
"Very well. We will discuss our strategy once we get home."
She went back in her spirit form, and so I walked alone in the forest to my house, hurrying so I can get there before the war starts.
Third chapter of my story of Minasato's Holy Grail War
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Male
Size 120 x 120px
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