7:30 pm Hana residence
"You three are late. To leave this poor injured woman at home alone." Misuki says as she watches the hour that the trio arrive.
Misuki is seen placing four plates on the table full of today's dinner.
Tamamo does not need to eat but it feels weird having a guest and not eating with them. Issei would feel bad if she was left out. To make her master happy Tamamo went along with it.
"Gomen. We were having too much fun. We lost track of time." Issei apologizes, feeling bad for forgetting Misuki was at home.
"It's fine Issei. Kaa-san is just being dramatic." Yuuka says, annoyed at her mom's poor attempt at winning Issei's sympathy.
"Darling is truly naïve and innocent." Tamamo hugs him, rubbing her face with his. Now that she can phase out. She won't spend a second away from him.
"You truly don't have to worry. I'm just glad my daughter has such a considerate friend." Misuki giggles at Issei's cute honesty.
The family soon sat and ate. While the food was delicious, the people could not enjoy it as they waited for Sherri, who would begin explaining the war. They did not have to wait for long.
"Now that everybody is present. I shall explain the war and our opponents to those who don't know." Sherri spoke from the watch.
(How lucky of you, partner. If we didn't have this Ai. We would have gone in blind to this fight.) Ddraig interjects.
"As said the war involves seven magus summoning seven servants to battle for supremacy. The last one standing obtains the Holy Grail. An artifact capable of giving one true wish."
"A wish? Can it truly be anything?" Misuki wonders if it's true.
"Must be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands." Yuuka brings a good point. "Issei what's your wish?"
"Haha. Funny that you should mention it. I do have one but I kind of want to accomplish it by myself and not cheat. I am going to be Harem King."
"That's nice..." Yuuka says with a sweat drop at his wish. Hopefully, she can keep the number small.
"Darling. You don't need anybody else. You have me." Tamamo says.
"What are servants?" Misuki says wanting Sherri to continue.
"Servants are heroic spirits, reincarnated heroes of the past, future, and present. Like Tamamo no Mae, you see before you. Each servant is given a total of seven classes that will either limit or strengthen the hero. Tamamo is given the class of Caster. A master of magecraft. Because she is the incarnation of the sun goddess Amatsuru, who has control over magic. Even though she has never used it during her time as Tamamo no Mae."
"That's not true. She and I are totally different people."
"Sherri, who are the seven magus?" Misuki just ignores her, not caring.
"The first is Kiritsugu Emiya, the master of Saber. To the rest of the world, he is a mercenary and a terrorist. To the Mage's Association, he is the Magus Killer. A master of firearms and explosives. A man who hunts down any monster or rogue magus through any means uncaring of who gets in the way. Or that is what he wants the world to believe."
"I've heard of this man. The USA is searching for him and placed a big bounty for any information regarding him." Misuki said.
"Does he have any weaknesses?" Yuuka says, worried at knowing he was a terrorist.
"Weaknesses: His wife and daughter."
"I mean anything Issei can use against him in a fight."
"Has not trained in any known martial arts. But is able to reinforce his body with magecraft making him stronger and faster than normal humans. Always carries around personal hand grenades, stun grenades, smoke grenades and firearms. While he can kill humans with ease, he does not have the power to kill servants. Issei can now protect himself but it's highly unlikely he can kill the man unless completely caught unaware."
"Wait to kill!" Yuuka and Issei spoke up.
"Yes, kill."
"I don't want to hurt anybody!"
(Partner. While I understand your unwillingness to finish your opponent. You must understand that they will not give you that kindness. This is a war and they will stop at nothing to end you and your loved ones if it gives them any advantage.) Ddraig finally speaks up, telling him some hard truths.
"Is there any way I can beat them without killing them."
"There are three ways that are possible. First is the death of the servants. Second would be to take their command seal, but the only way for that to happen is if they willingly gave them away or broke the contract they formed with their servants. The third is to destroy the Holy Grail completely."
"How do I do that?" Issei wonders over the third one.
"The easiest way to do that would be to destroy the lesser grail. Which are the foundations of the Holy Grail."
"Where is it?" If he finds it first maybe the war wouldn't have to happen.
"Master, the question is who is it? Irisviel von Einzbern, She is the wife of Kiritsugu Emiya, a homunculus of the Einzbern. A white-haired female with red eyes."
"Homunculus?" Yuuka asks.
"An artificial human. Capable of speech and actions just like any humans"
"Is that possible?" Misuki asks.
"She is the vessel of the Holy Grail. A humanoid-shaped vessel that has a consciousness and that can be independent to defend itself from harm. When four Servants have died, her body would be destroyed and give birth to the Holy Grail."
Silence
"You mean she just dies?" Issei asked, his voice quieter than before.
"Yes"
Misuki's hands clenched into fists. "That's awful. Did that man do this to her?" She asks, barely hiding her disgust.
"No, her fate was decided long ago by the Einzbern family that she would be sacrificed and turned into the Holy Grail."
"And she just… accepts it?" Yuuka mutters bewildered.
"Why?" Issei says, truly bothered with this.
"In fear that the grail is damaged or stolen they created these vessels to defend itself."
"Why doesn't he stop it? I mean isn't he, her husband. How can he or she accept this?" Issei asks.
(Partner, you should know why. A true wish is truly something humans would die for.)
"From what I can tell. This situation is killing the man Kiritsugu, breaking him further. Irisviel has accepted her fate as she was programmed for this."
"Is there any way to destroy the grail without killing her?"
"I am uncertain since the grail is infused into her organs. I'll have to look into her design and structure."
"How do I get that?"
"It's usually impossible but luckily we are connected to the root which gives me access to the akasha records to look up her making. Just give me time. For now, let's get back to devising a strategy against the other masters."
"Right. Thank you." Issei says with relief. Destroying the Grail was now no longer an option if it involved murdering an innocent woman.
"Darling you're too kind." Tamamo says hugging Issei who was still seated. Her breast soothing the worried boy.
"What makes Emiya Kiritsugu even more dangerous would be his magecraft and mystic code."
"Magecraft?" / "Mystic code?" Says the two non-mages.
"Magecraft or Thaumaturgy is the artificial reenactment of Mystery, which is ordinarily possible by a person's magic circuit. It is the ability to bring about what is possible through science with supernatural means; although the process is considered a miracle, the end result is not. The one you should watch out for is his Innate Time Control. Which-"
"Sherri dumb it down so everyone can understand."
"Understood. It allows him to speed up or slow down objects by controlling the time around it. It only affects him and doesn't affect the actual world. Better." Is she pouting?
"Crystal."
"Don't worry Sherri you can tell me everything next time?" Yuuka says, trying to reassure her. Her interest in magic is growing.
"Next is his Mystic Code, the Thompson Contender. While the weapon could be considered a hunting rifle the power it releases to shoot an opponent is greater than your average gun. The bullets aren't simple either. Origin Bullets, which can cripple living creatures that are fired upon. The effect could be described as the corrosion of the nerves. It's worse for magus as the bullets even affect the magic circuits, destroying their magecraft abilities and causing excruciating pain within the body as the nervous system spasms while being broken down. Their internal organs are then destroyed as if the victim was poisoned, and numerous muscles and nerves are damaged."
"Th-that's? What would happen if Issei was hit?" Yuuka says terrified. Hana and Tamamo are also worried.
"Who knows since Issei has no circuits in his body? Instead, he has something called a magic core. Do make sure you avoid getting hit by it. I'll do my part and tell you if he decides to use it against you."
"R-right." Can he even dodge regular bullets?
"Saber. A blond hair woman wielding an invisible blade covered in wind. Her true name is the legendary King Arthur. Her Noble Phantasm is Excalibur. The sword of promise victory. A master swordswoman whose skills are so great she can even predict her opponent's attack. Normally her Magic Resistance would make Caster's attacks ineffective. But Tamamo's Divinity can go around it allowing her to cause damage. Weakness would be her chivalry of fighting honored duels."
"Wait. King Arthur is a girl! Is she hot?" Issei says.
"Darling don't go focusing on other Master's servants. You already have me!" Tamamo yells.
"I'm just surprised the stories are true," Misuki says.
"Why was she called King? If she was a girl." Hana questions
"Back then women couldn't rule. But she was the only heir to the throne and the sword chose her. So she had to disguise herself as a man."
"That's so sexist," Yuuka says angrily.
"Next would be the Master of Lancer, is Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, a high-ranking aristocrat from the Mage's Association and a so called prodigy. He is a noble from the El-Melloi family, known for their prestige and deep knowledge of magical theories. Kayneth is incredibly prideful and looks down on those he considers beneath him, which, unfortunately, means just about everyone."
"So… an arrogant rich guy?" Yuuka summarized. Just hearing the description makes the Hana's frown. Bringing memories of a man they did not want to remember.
"Precisely," Sherri confirmed. "His servant, Lancer, is the tragic hero Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, a warrior of the Fianna from Irish legend. He is a peerless spearman who wields two cursed spears—one that inflicts wounds that never heal and another that nullifies magical protection."
"Sounds like a nightmare to fight," Misuki noted, frowning.
"He is," Sherri admitted. "Lancer is an expert in close-quarters combat. His agility and precision make him a deadly opponent. However, his greatest weakness is his unwavering loyalty and sense of honor. Unlike Saber, whose chivalry is grounded in duty, Lancer's code of conduct can be manipulated. If you challenge him to an honorable duel or appeal to his knightly nature, you may be able to control the flow of battle."
"So I can just be like, 'Hey, fight me one-on-one!' and he'll go for it?" Issei asked.
"Indeed but I doubt the master of Lancer would allow for a fair fight. Thinking it to be a waste of time and effort" Sherri said.
"Ugh. A rich snobbish rich guy with an ego complex. I know the type." Yuuka groaned with Misuki nodding.
"This is how most magus think and act. They can be quite prideful of their abilities and privileges. Now be warned—Lancer's Noble Phantasm allows him to bypass most defenses. Even Tamamo's magic barriers might not fully stop his cursed spears."
"Great. Another way to die horribly," Issei groaned.
"Darling, you won't die. I, your divine and beautiful wife, shall vanquish all who threaten you." Tamamo declared, dramatically pressing herself against him.
"Right, right," he wheezed as he struggled for air.
Sherri moved on. "Kayneth himself is no pushover. His signature magecraft, Volumen Hydrargyrum, is a fluid, mercury-based Mystic Code that can shift between offense and defense instantly. It's a near-indestructible metallic liquid that can pierce, crush, or restrain enemies while forming an impenetrable shield around him."
"How the hell do I fight liquid metal!?" Issei blurted out.
"With patience," Sherri replied. "It is powerful, but not perfect. The mercury relies on Kayneth's concentration. If you disrupt his focus, it becomes significantly weaker. And while his Mystic Code can protect him from physical attacks, it has trouble dealing with wide-area magical assaults."
"Meaning I can fry him with my flames," Tamamo mused.
"Exactly," Sherri confirmed. "But you'll have to act fast. If he sees you as a major threat, he won't hesitate to take you out first."
"Then Issei will have to be smart," Yuuka said, rubbing her chin. "If his mercury defenses are tricky, we need to force him into a situation where he can't use them effectively."
"That would be the best approach."
"Alright, next. Who else do we have to worry about?" Misuki prompted.
"The next Master is Waver Velvet, the youngest and least experienced participant in this war. He's a student from the Clock Tower who stole his way into the Holy Grail War by taking Kayneth's relic."
"He stole from another master." Issei asked, baffled.
"Waver intercepted a relic meant for Kayneth and used it to summon his own Servant. He's nowhere near as skilled as the other Masters, but he makes up for it with creativity and adaptability."
"And his Servant?"
"Rider, a giant of a man—loud, boisterous, and larger than life. His true identity is none other than Alexander the Great, the legendary King of Conquerors."
(Hoo. Now that's someone even I know.)
"Alexander the Great!? Are you serious!?" Yuuka gawked with everyone except Tamamo, bewildered by the fact of fighting such a legendary historical figure.
"Very," Sherri replied. "Rider is one of the most formidable servants in this war. He possesses overwhelming strength, charisma, and a powerful Noble Phantasm—Ionian Hetairoi, a Reality Marble that summons his entire army of heroic spirits to fight alongside him."
"Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me he can summon an entire army!?" Yuuka exclaimed.
"Yes. That's what makes him so dangerous," Sherri said. "Unlike the other Servants who fight alone, Rider brings the full force of his legend into battle. He is also incredibly durable and nearly impossible to fight head-on."
"Then how do we deal with him?" Misuki asked.
"His weakness lies in his Master, Waver. Unlike the other Masters, Waver lacks resources, combat experience, and powerful magecraft. If you put enough pressure on him, Rider might be forced to retreat to protect his Master."
"So, take out the squishy mage, and the army disappears?" Issei mused.
"Essentially, yes," Sherri confirmed.
"That's… not exactly reassuring," Issei muttered.
(Now hold on, partner. I don't believe it will be wise to count your defeat just yet.)
"What do you mean Ddraig? I can't fight an army."
(Hah! Not yet. But give it time, who knows with enough training maybe one day you'll have the strength of an army. Plus you never know how a battle will play out.)
"Issei, let's look at the positives. We probably won't be his target. I believe the master of lancer will start attacking the master of rider first if it's true he stole from him." Yuuka says, reassuring the boy to not freak out.
"Of course," he sighed. "Alright, hit me. Who's next?"
"The next Master is Kariya Matou, and his Servant is Berserker."
The room grew tense.
"Berserker…? That's never a good word," Yuuka muttered.
"No, it isn't," Sherri agreed. "Kariya Matou is a tragic figure in this war. Unlike the other Masters, he didn't enter for personal gain—he did it to save someone. But in exchange for his participation, he was subjected to horrifying magical experiments that have left his body in constant agony."
"That's messed up," Issei murmured.
"It is," Sherri said. "And his Servant, Berserker, is unidentifiable."
"WHAT?" Said everyone in the room.
"Sherri, what do you mean you don't know who he is?" Issei groaned.
"It must be one of his Noble Phantasm that is blocking me from obtaining more information from him. For now I will just give a trait most berserkers are given. Their Madness Enhancement gives this servant monstrous physical strength and agility. However, it makes them extremely unstable. His rage can be used against him if you can force him into a situation where he loses control."
"So we gotta make him angry… but not too angry," Issei summarized.
"Exactly," Sherri said.
"Great, we have to fight a complete unknown. Who's left?"
"Just two more Masters,"
"Alright, hit me."
"The first is Tohsaka Tokiomi, the Master of Archer. He is one of the three main families responsible for creating the Holy Grail War and an extremely powerful magus. A man of nobility and refined manners, but also ruthless when it comes to achieving his goals."
"Wait… Tohsaka?" Misuki blinked. "That name sounds kinda familiar."
"It's a well-known family, here in Fuyuki." Sherri explained, "They have a long history and are known for their powerful jewel-based magecraft. Tokiomi is the current head of the family, and he wields powerful magic accumulated over generations."
"And Archer?"
"Archer is the legendary Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes."
The air in the room grew heavier.
"King of Heroes?" Misuki echoed. "That sounds… concerning."
"It is," Sherri admitted. "Gilgamesh is, without exaggeration, the strongest Servant in this war. His treasury, the Gate of Babylon, contains countless Noble Phantasms—more than any other hero in history. Unlike other Servants who have just one or two legendary weapons, Archer possesses an entire arsenal of divine weapons that he can summon at will."
"Hold on. You're telling me this guy has every legendary weapon?" Yuuka asked in disbelief.
"More or less," Sherri confirmed. "As the oldest recorded hero, every weapon in existence is said to originate from his collection. He can rain down Noble Phantasms like arrows, making direct combat nearly impossible."
"That's not even fair!" Issei groaned. "What's his weakness?"
"Arrogance," Sherri said simply. "Gilgamesh considers himself superior to all beings. He rarely takes his opponents seriously and often toys with them rather than finishing fights immediately. If you can exploit his ego, you might create an opening."
"So he's the type that looks down on everyone?"
"Then we can use this to our advantage." Yuuka says, tapping her fingers on the table. "If Issei can bait him into underestimating him. He might be able to get a surprise attack before he notices."
"That's a huge gamble." Misuki warned.
"It is.Master, don't underestimate him. If he decides to fight seriously from the start, there may be no way to stop him."
"I'll try my best, mostly not to get killed." Issei muttered. "Okay, who's the last Master?"
"The final Master is Kotomine Kirei, the Master of Assassin."
"Kotomine Kirei… What's his deal?"
"Kirei is a student of Tohsaka Tokiomi in the art of magecraft and an Executor of the Church," Sherri explained. "On the surface, he appears to be a devout man following the will of the Church. But underneath, this man feels nothing. No joy, no sorrow, no purpose.
"Nothing?" Misuki asked, her expression darkening.
"That's creepy" Issei says with a chill down his spine.
"He doesn't understand why he was chosen to be in the Holy Grail War and is searching for meaning and answers.He's a highly trained combatant skilled in assassination and hand-to-hand combat. Even without magecraft, he is a terrifying opponent. He has superhuman strength, speed, and precision, capable of killing experienced magi with ease."
Issei gulped. "And his Servant?"
"Assassin," Sherri said. "Unlike the other Servants, Assassin is not a single person, but an entire group—Hassan-i-Sabbah, a lineage of legendary assassins. This allows him to appear in multiple locations at once and gather intelligence across the city."
"So he can be everywhere at once? That's insane!" Issei exclaimed.
"Yes, but Assassin is not built for direct combat. Individually, they are weaker than most other Servants. Their strength lies in deception, ambushes, and espionage."
"So we gotta be careful not to get attacked from the back," Issei muttered.
A heavy silence filled the room.
"So what's the plan?" Yuuka asked.
"For now, we need to gather information and locate the other Masters. We also need to determine which ones are the biggest threats and if any can be reasoned with."
"Are you saying we should team up with some of them?" Issei asked, surprised.
"If possible, yes," Sherri admitted. "Some Masters have conflicting goals, and alliances can be formed if it benefits both parties. However, we must be careful—trust is rare in a war like this."
"Great… So we either make allies or fight an uphill battle against broken Servants and insane Masters," Issei muttered. "No pressure."
"My precious beloved husband!" Tamamo purred, draping herself over Issei. Taking a lot of his worries as her boobs heal his mental health. "Fear not! I, your perfect and adorable wife, shall protect you from all your enemies."
"Tamamo… air…" Issei wheezed,his face turning blue.
"Ah! My apologies, my beloved! I just love you so much." Tamamo says letting go.
"Thanks, Tamamo," Issei smiled. 'What an awesome way to die!'
"Alright, then. Let's get ready. If we're gonna survive this, we need to be smart."
(For now partner we will continue focusing on your physical training.)
CLAP
"Now I believe that's enough serious talk. I believe we should go to a lighter subject. Yuuka, how was school?" Misuki says while she clapped her hands to change the subject.
Soon the heavy talk went to the mundane. With Issei giving his own input. While inside his mind was full of worries.
(Everything alright partner?) Ddraig talks in his mind.
'I'm just… worried. I have never really done this before.'
(It's normal to feel afraid.)
'I know. But what if I freeze up. We could die. I can't let that happen.' Issei says while clenching his fists.
(That is why you train. Just prepare yourself the best you can and hope for the best)
'Your right. I just have to survive for two days of this war and then we can leave.'