Adventure on the Lunar War

[Aiden Fenix]

I refuse to give up…

I summon all of my strength in an attempt to get back on my feet.

However, as I try to move, an unbearably intense pain shoots through my entire body.

If that's how it's going to be…

No, if this is…

[Please, just let it end now]
[I still refuse to give up]​

…That's right.

I can't give up now.

Even if I'm forced to concede defeat eventually, it'd be unforgivable to do so now.

…I feel as if something's wrong.

All of my senses grow faint.

The pain running through my body has long passed my ability to endure it.
I now know what the damned suffer.

-Even so

I must stand.

The drive to go on is something I do not understand. It's not like the fear of death is urging me not to give up.

I just want to be at peace. Keeping that in mind, why am I trying with all of my might to get back on my feet?

I cannot figure out the reason why. I don't know why my life needs to be ended. Why am I here-?

-I understand now.

That must be the reason why.

There were those many corpses.
There were those many questions.

Now-
I can't continue without knowing.

No.

Now that my spirit has been awakened, I cannot allow things to come to an end without knowing…!

"I see, so that is your choice. Out of all the people I've met on my journeys I've never seen one who shares my curiosity to this degree."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there sooner, but I'm heading there as soon as I can so sit tight."

The sound of breaking glass is accompanied by a light cutting through the gloom. I manage to move my weary body and aching head to see what's happening.

I didn't notice it before, but something was slowly rising up from the floor in the middle of the room.

That form-

Spoiler

It's appearance isn't much different from a human being, but something was different. Clearly so.

The power emanating from it transcended that of any human, or of any enemy I've faced in getting here.

An awesome power that seems as if it'd vaporize anyone it touched swirls within my body almost against my will.

"... I see so it forced me into this age... Well better than nothing I guess. As promised I'm here now."

"You've done well in holding on, so it's time for me to pitch in."

"What? Is there something in my face? You are my Master... right?"

[Yes.]

[No.]
​

"I see, so I wasn't mistaken. Let's keep this short for now, we still have other more important things to do. Don't worry our contract has been established."

He takes a hold of my hand and helps me to my feet.

From the hand he had grabbed comes a sudden warmth… and then a sharp pain, like I've been cut by a knife.

On the back of my hand, as though tattooed, is a strange symbol that looks like some kind of crest.

Totally confused, I alternate between staring at the mark on my hand and the person standing before me.

And then-

A noise behind me brings me back to my senses.

Turning around, I see that the effigy from before is still there, now in a fighting stance.

I wince uncontrollably, recalling my previous defeat at its hands.

But instead of cowering like I did the man instead smiled brightly as he looked at me and then the reanimated puppet.

"Guess I get to show off a bit, keep steady and focus on your health for now."

"I might be a lot weaker than before, but I'm personally used to this sort of stuff."

"Now then. Let's go, partner!"

Battle Start!

"I see this doll is full of openings, let's finish this quickly, Partner."

[Guard][Attack][Break][Attack][Attack][Attack]

"Guard yourself," Hakuno said

"Right!"

The red haired man blocked the effigy's lunge with his sword, parrying it just enough for him to slip into its range.

As he got close he counterattacked by slicing its chest area and then he raised his sword and swung down as the doll tried to block.

"Here's another one," he said.

He swung his sword in 3 directions cutting through its defenses again.

"Let's keep this up."

After a few more strikes the effigy finally fell. There's no way it'll still function after being effectively torn apart.

"Looks like I still got it, not bad for our first battle. Not bad at all."

He continues to talk.

…However, the sound of his voice doesn't quite reach my ears.

The heat coming from the mark on the back of my hand grew in intensity during the fight and the resulting pain has become unbearable and burns through my consciousness.

"The mark implanted in your hand is your Command Seal. It is proof that you hold dominion over a servant."

"You can use them to give three orders that must be obeyed. Think of them as disposable strengthening spells."

"It is also proof of your participation in the Holy Grail War. If you lose it for some reason, you will die."

Once again, I hear that voice. I somehow manage to ignore the pain and listen to what it has to say.

"I understand your confusion. But before I forget..."

"Congratulations. You have endured much to make it here. Now rest for a while; you've achieved your first goal."

"It was an incredibly clumsy effort to say the least, but that's what made it all the more entertaining."

"I've had this duty for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen a Master as helpless as you."

"Nevertheless, be proud of your achievement. Your quick thinking came as a result of nerves and rashness."

Thinking about it, the voice sounds like that of a thirty year old man. And it's really irritatingly smug.

For some reason, I can see the owner of the voice as a priest, dressed in a somber cassock.

"Oh, you are curious about my identity? I am honored, but I am insignificant. I am merely a part of the system."

"I am just a guide, tasked with giving a standard message and given the personality of a prior participant."

"I am no more than words, no more than the mountain you just conquered, no more than a record of the past."

A record- So if I raise any objections to his voice, does it mean I won't receive any answers in return?

"Exactly. -Well, this is unexpected. You have received a commendation. Something about you "having a light." "

I have no clue who would say such a thing about me.

…But that short phrase struck my heart because, for some reason, I knew the words were sincere.

And as for "I expect good things from you." It seemed like more of a command than an encouragement.

"Now let us commence your baptism. You have proven yourself worthy of the honor."

"For most, the monotony of everyday life continues on without end."

"Your decision to look beyond the accepted and progress means you have earned the right to exist."

"However, you have but taken the first step. Be jubilant, young knight, for the Holy Grail War begins now!"

I have no idea what he's talking about. The Holy Grail War…? The right to exist…?

"That is correct. An object of great power has once existed in the world. One that could grant any desire."

People called it the "Holy Grail" and fought endlessly in an attempt to gain sole possession of it.

"This war- The system you find yourself in now is an evolution of those struggles."

"You stand at the entrance of a deadly struggle where many magi will perish in pursuit of the Holy Grail."

"Listen, magi. Had I not bestowed upon the Earth desire, you'd be merely saints capable of committing sin."

"Now, fight to the death. The fiery throne of heaven will only receive those with the strongest of desires-"

The voice reverberates throughout this hidden chapel, as if it were the voice of a god.

Kill…?
Magi…?
Holy Grail that grants wishes…?

These questions, and more, swirl inside my head and almost seem to carve themselves into my flesh.

"In war, a weapon is needed. That is your Servant. They are the spear that pierces, the shield that protects."

"A Legendary Soul whose purpose is to clear your way to the Grail. That is the one who stands beside you."

I glance over at the young red-haired man standing next to me, who glances at me and then looks away.

He's my Servant…

"It seems you have decided, and with that decision as payment, I now open the gates to the Holy Grail War."

The marks on my hand, my Command Seal, once again begin to become excruciatingly painful.

It's over.

I can't take it anymore.

I reach the limits of my endurance and my mind starts to shut down.
As I lose consciousness,

I can vaguely hear the voice's final words.

"Now, let the Holy Grail War begin."

"No matter the era, deciding who is worthy through battle is the divine providence of man."

"Magi who have been invited here by the moon; show me your true strength-"

 

[Aiden Fenix]

Hey guys, made this while not knowing how QQ works so very sorry for the edits

 

[Arcana Xenos]

Lets go solo thread!

 

[Aiden Fenix]

Lets go solo thread!

Click to shrink...

Thanks for showing up man