Hello, this is my first time writing a fanfiction. If you notice any errors, please feel free to give me constructive feedback. English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please mention them in the comment section at the end of the chapter. Let's begin the story!
Word Count: 3600 Words
Note: Just a reminder that I've changed the Guild Auxiliary chapter. I've made some changes to it. I've removed a couple of NPCs and added a few.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lord of the Mysteries looked back at Sakura as Fire Orb made its way to him. In the nick of time, he had activated infinity.
The Fire Orb slowed down as it got closer to him till it was extinguished. Though a magical attack of this level would not harm. It would do nothing because of the magic nullification he has.
"There's no reason for you to attack me. I won't harm you unless you wish to go down by fighting me."
'That's the last thing I wish for. I've already killed Zouken and it is going to change a lot of things. Killing Sakura is not on my watchlist. It was also for this reason that I didn't kill Shinji.
Wait a minute! I killed someone. I killed someone just now. I killed someone for the first time. It was my first.
How can I reason that? How did my thought process even come to such a conclusion and I even executed it.'
Lord of the Mysteries dragged himself, not sure of himself. He dragged himself out of the dead worms and the mess he had created. He walked back to the magic circle and turned around. He looked at Sakura as she stood watching him helplessly.
She watched as a throne materialised behind HIM. He sat on the throne.
Lord of the Mysteries comfortably sat on the throne he had created using Create Greater Item, he laid back on the throne. With his right arm supporting his chin.
'I was Batman in the old world. Even as Batman, I've not killed anyone. Though I watched as they died and I did not move in to save them. It might be the same as killing them myself but it is still different.
Huh! It is the same same but different, but still the same thing.
Yet I have killed someone after coming to this world. Moreover, It hasn't even been an hour since I came to this world.
Though it was he who attacked me first. I've only responded kindly to him.
It might be my foreknowledge of him that I've painted him in such bad light, enough to readily kill him.
Is it my Karma that did this or my lore? I have Zero Karma value, I'm neutral. Is that why I did not hesitate to kill him when he attacked to kill me? Also, where does Shinji stand in this?
Though Shinji deserves to be killed as much as Zouken I let him go just because he did not attack me.
It's interesting. Is this what it means to be of neutral alignment?
I don't like it.
I don't like it one bit. To have something so intangible control your thought process is quite vexing.
It was different with ROB. I was utterly helpless against HIM. He is a boundless and Omnipotent being, I had no choice back then. It wasn't even my decision to make.
Now this is the result of my decision, my work. I hate it. I hate the control this body has on me.'
"Hmm!"
Sakura who had given up looked up to see The Fool sigh.
"So let us start anew. You don't mind it do you Sakura?"
Lord of the Mysteries retrieved a piece of cloth and he threw it at her.
Having given up all hope, she looked up at The Fool. She took the cloth and wrapped it around herself after she looked down to see herself. She had forgotten the state of her clothes after the spectacle she was forced to watch. However, she didn't wish to give up on her as she thought of her sister and Shirou. She relented.
"So let's introduce ourselves once again."
"Yes", agreeing to his suggestion. Sakura got up and once again introduced herself.
"I am Sakura Matou."
"Hmm! You can address me as The Fool"
"Address you as The Fool, then what is your name?"
"I have many names. The Fool is one of them. So, let's get to the crux of the situation."
"Yes, but before that. I have something that I wish to ask you?"
"Yes"
"What did Grandfather mean by summoning did not fail?"
Sakura asked something that had been bothering her. She was still standing as she asked him. Seeing it, Lord of the Mysteries created a Chair for her to sit on.
Though she refused at first, on his insistence she sat down.
"That I'm not sure. I don't care what he thought of but if I have to make a guess. It would be that it wasn't you who summoned me. You were performing a ritual to summon a Servant from the Throne of Heroes and I happened to hijack the summoning and come here."
"You forced your way here. That explains why you are still alive and are not a spirit."
"I am very much alive. Though I am not sure what you qualify as being alive?"
"Hmm! Then why did you kill him"
"Is it not simple? He was the one to attack me first. All I did was respond to him kindly."
"But why would he attack you?"
'Even I'm not sure of it. Maybe he identified me as someone, not of this world. Though I am not sure how he did it. He might have thought of me being an Alien God. Fate verse does have them. He despite his craziness did start with a dream to create a paradise. He might have turned on me to stop the Alien God from destroying this World or something. Not that I care. It might very well be that he saw me as an obstacle. He wished to control me through Command Spells and when that failed, we go into a fight.'
"What is it?"
Sakura seeing him silent asked out.
"An interesting question but only he knows the answer to it. He is gone now, never to return."
'After all,l I did use the cane on his worms. Worms were connected to him. I may have erased him for real. I should have thought more before acting out on impulse.'
"Okay"
"So, Sakura what is your opinion of your brother? Do you wish to bring him back? I will stand with you no matter what you decide."
"It's his choice. He can come home if he wishes."
"Great now that it is out of the way. What do you think of the Holy Grail War?"
"I'm not sure. I was told to fight in it to win the Grail. The Grail can grant any wish can it not?"
"Yes, but it is not as simple as you think it is. Do you have any wish that you wish for it to be granted?."
"Yes", 'I wish for us to return when I used to live with my parents.' Sakura thought as she answered him.
"Well, you should take your time to think about it. After all, it was the Holy Grail War that has claimed the lives of your father and mother."
"How do you.. "
"How do I know it? There are a lot of things I know. I can see a lot of things that you can't."
Sakura nodded at his remark as she thought back to what she had seen when she first made eye contact with him. How could she forget what she saw in his eyes and still pick a fight with him?
She was a bit nervous when she asked him, "So Mr Fool, what would you do if I said yes to joining the Holy Grail War?"
"I'll support you. Do not be mistaken, I'm not here for the Holy Grail. I have no desire for a toy. Why would I covet an item that grants wishes when I can grant my wishes? Moreover, I have no wish that the grail could grant.", 'A corrupted grail would only spell trouble and I am not sure if I can handle it. Even Gilgamesh was not spared by it. My biggest insurance in this verse is my Gilgamesh Template. I also have Wish upon a Star, as long as I can offer experience, it can grant any wish. I also have the Book of Summoning for any item I would desire.'
"Yes", 'Well, since when did Gods have any wish to be granted.', Sakura replied thinking back to what she saw back at the temple. And all those people offering prayers.
"But you should think about it. The Holy Grail will appear after all the servants have gathered. But it would still be in incomplete form. For it to be completed, only a single master and servant should remain in the War. Rest should be sacrificed to the Grail."
"I understand."
"It won't be easy. You may face your sister in this battle."
"My sister?"
"Yes. You should think about it. It won't be just her. You may have to fight someone close to you."
"I'll think about it.", Sakura replied nervously as she looked down, thinking back the the happy times she had spent with her family.
"Don't leave your home till then. Now that I have come here. You are officially part of this war. There will be mad dogs roaming around the town hunting other masters."
"I understand."
"You shouldn't worry about school till then"
"Okay"
"Unless you wish to drag those close to you in this."
"I understand"
"Good."
Sakura accepted the warning. She got up from the chair and was returning to her room when turned around to ask him.
"What class are you? You may have brute forced your way to the War but what class have you been assigned?"
'A good question. I've replaced Medusa who happened to be of Rider Class. Also, why was I summoned to Sakura? It might be, I am not sure but could it be...'
Sakura kept looking at him, as The Fool retrieved a cube from his coat pocket.
"I am not sure. But it could be Rider class. Unlike others, I don't have access to the Throne of Heroes to fill me in, on the situation."
"Is that so."
"Yes. You see this is quite a cube, It can turn into any vehicle I desire. So it could be Rider. You can think of this as something similar to an NP."
"Okay. So the Cube can turn into anything."
"Yes, we can go on a ride later. You should rest for today."
"Yes."
Lord of the Mysteries sat on his throne thinking of his situation for almost an hour. Trying to remember anything he could get. Thinking of future events.
'I can't plan for the future when I don't know which route this is. If it's Saber or Rin route. It would make my plans a lot easier. Not only will Sakura play by my rules, but Zouken's influence is a lot less in those two compared to Sakura's route.'
As contemplated his options, he got up from his throne. It disappeared as he got away from it. He had noticed a hidden room in this underground Lab. The room was filled with Magical Items and Books filled with knowledge of the magic of this world. He couldn't contain his curiosity about reading this.
Now that Zouken and Shinji were out of the way. He could do as he pleased. Though Shinji was still alive he would never dare to set foot in this house as long as he stayed.
He got himself to read the books in the underground chamber to then move on to the Hidden Room for more Books and scrolls.
---
A Week Later
Sakura got up, there wasn't anyone in the mansion except for her and Mr. Fool. She checked just to make sure. Her brother had also left the house, his location wasn't known. And he had yet to return.
She got up and made breakfast. She arranged them on a plate. She prepared coffee to go with it. She took them in a tray as she went down the stairs to the underground chamber. The tray contained enough food for two people.
After opening the door, she found Mr. Fool busy reading a book from the secret room.
She was curious about the content of the book but couldn't gather enough courage to ask about it. Neither could she understand why a being of his calibre was required to read or why was Mr. Fool even reading those Mortal Books on magic. Despite having such a treasure trove of knowledge on magic and being a strong Magus, Grandfather still lost against him. Yet Mr. Was interested in reading those books.
"Oh! Good Morning Sakura."
"Good Morning Mr. Fool. I've prepared breakfast."
Lord of the Mysteries kept the book he had been reading down as he answered her.
"You can't tell the difference between day and night while you're reading a book."
"Yes, once you're immersed in the book. You tend to forget the flow of time.", 'Moreover, why would Gods bother with time? They have all the time in the universe.'
"True. So, what do you say we go out today? We could scout the parameter."
"Don't you already know the surroundings?"
"I thought it would do you good to take a walk outside. Maybe enjoy a bit, enjoy what this city has to offer."
Sakura stopped as she looked at The Fool thinking of his proposal as she answered him. "I understand. We can leave after having our breakfast."
"Yes, we can.", 'This girl is quite peculiar. I must have scared her a lot by my display of power. She readily agrees to everything I say not objecting to it. It is quite dull this way.'
---
Lord of the Mysteries walked outside the mansion as Sakura followed him.
"So from where do you think we should start the tour?"
Sakura turned to him as she thought of his question.
"Tour?"
"We are going to roam the city are we not? Then why not use this chance to explore and enjoy the attractions this city has to offer."
"Hn! Yes"
Sakura was distracted thinking of school when she heard The Fool mention roaming around the city.
---
Sakura readily agreed to the suggestion, of what bad could happen from touring the city. The Holy Grail War was taking a toll on her.
Firstly she had summoned an ancient horror. A god, an alien God at that.
She wondered where they going to go.
She waited and watched as a being of shadow rose with a wave from The Fool. She watched as the shadow opened the gates of the Mansion. The Fool had hypnotized and sent everyone else in the Mansion on vacation. It was only then in the Mansion now except for the Monsters that The Fool had summoned.
After the gates were opened, The Fool pulled a Cube from his coat pocket. It was the same cube that The Fool had shown her on the day she had summoned HIM.
The Cube had the power to turn into any Vehicle that the Fool wished it to. She watched as the Cube turned into an old car. Well to her it looked like those cars, she was not sure but she had her classmates talk about it, The vintage cars.
The car looked attractive. The Fool opened the door for her and he got into the car.
"So, do you have any particular place that you wish to visit?"
Sakura was busy looking at the car interior when he asked her the question. She turned to him as she thought of it. She couldn't think of any place that she could visit.
"I don't any place that I wish to visit."
"You should have thought of a place when I mentioned about the visit. Did you not?"
She thought of it once again and replied as she turned to him.
"We could try seeing the city layout. It will help us fight better. Would it not."
"A good idea. We could roam around the city.", Mr. Fool after conveying his decision drove the car outside the Mansion.
She had been wondering about it. Mr. Fool was not of this World. He was an Alien God. So, how was driving a car? Moreover, how did he know about cars or this car specifically? It was a good car. She could tell, as she observed many pedestrians turning heads to take a look at their car.
'It might not be his first time in our World.'
She threw the thought at the back of her mind and put her mind to enjoy the passing scenery from the car. To enjoy the ride.
Mr. Fool drove the car through the streets. She was surprised to see him drive the car into a mall parking.
She had been wondering about the license. If he was of eligible age to drive the car. 'He is a God. An Alien God who could be older than our planet. License is for humans and not for Gods. As for this car license, I don't think it would affect us.'
She was sure of it. If the police did come to them, Mr Fool would hypnotize them and send them back on their way. From what she had observed of Mr. Fool these days, she was certain of it. He was not someone who engaged in violence unnecessarily.
When asked about it, he did speak about being an Entity of Neutral Alignment. He cared not for mundane things.
---
In the Mall
Sakura was truly surprised today. Mr. Fool was not what she had expected him to be. Unlike the image she had portrayed of him in her mind. Her concept of what a God is was crumbling by the moment.
Mr. Fool bought many electronic products. She watched as He bought himself a Phone. A laptop with it. It was a first for her. She watched as an Alien God bought and used a mobile phone. Though she was not sure of how he purchased it.
From what she saw, he bought it with a card. She wasn't sure where he brought the card. He even encouraged her to buy anything that she fancied.
Surprisingly enough, a chess tournament was taking place in the mall. It was a local event. A selection for the World Championship. She would have never imagined him to participate in it.
When she asked him for the reason, he replied.
"Just curious about it. You do need something to cure your boredom in between those boring fights."
She had quite a unique day. It was evening when they got out of the mall. She watched as the car drove through the silent roads. She watched as he drove the car near a park. She knew of the park. It had been a part of a residential area for 10 years.
She looked at the park and spoke to The Fool.
"Due to the huge fire from a gas leak ten years ago, this place had burned down. They developed the rest of the area but let this place be as it is. In the end, they developed it into a park."
"It wasn't a gas leak. This here is the aftermath of the fourth holy grail war. It's a corrupted grail."
Sakura listened silently as she contemplated his words.
It was a surprise to her but she saw her sister. She was standing idly in the park. She wasn't sure of what to do. In the end, she turned to Mr. Fool. Sure enough, he neither asked her any questions nor forced any task on her.
He drove the car from the park. They soon reached home. Mr Fool was getting out of the car after her when she noticed a blonde man walk up to her.
She had seen this man before. She had seen him with her father and with the priest.
She was surprised to find to not changed in ten years. He walked up to her, she was nervous to find out why he would come to her. She saw him look at Mr. Fool for a brief moment before he turned to her, apparently after losing all interest in him. That's what she could presume from his expression.
She was nervous but she had Mr. Fool here with her. If things were to get out of hand, Mr. Fool would handle it.
She wondered about it. The Blonde man was just about to talk to her when Mr Fool came to her side.
"What would the legendary King of Heroes want with a high school girl? Or am I stepping out of my boundaries by asking you about it?"
She watched as Mr Fool tipped his hat at the Blonde man as he spoke to him.
"You know of me, Mongrel. It matters not. But I take it that you have decided to participate in the Holy Grail. This must be your servant. A corrupted fragment of holy grail trying to win holy grail. You should just die, it is better for everyone."
Saying what he had to say, the blonde man walked past Sakura and The Fool.
Sakura turned to see Mr. Fool looking to the side, ignoring the blonde man.
"What is it? "
"Just saw some cats."
-----------------------------------------------------------
**The End**
Drop a comment and leave a review. Be it negative or positive but make sure to give constructive criticism. Also if you think you can add anything of value to the fic, then you are more than welcome to comment. Any thoughts or questions, ask them in the comment section. I'll try to answer them as soon as I can.