Starting to Move
TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki City.
Not long after Tatsuo sensed Bazett entering the city in a taxi cab, Elicia also sensed her. However, they did not worry about her for now. Instead, they continued with their tasks of setting up the room and replacing the threads, respectively.
By the time the two were finished with their tasks, they could feel Bazett heading straight towards the Grand Hyatt.
"It looks like Bazett is here." Tatsuo said as he finished activating the [Concealment Magic Cercles] he set up around the suite. "And it looks like I finished just in time. Oh, you should wear this, too, Lici."
As he spoke, Tatsuo used the [Metal Magic] he learned from Alfonzo to create a thin necklace with a circular pendant that was inscribed with a magic circle meant to conceal the wearer's magic power. Then, he handed it to Elicia.
"Good thinking, Tatsuo." Elicia said as she accepted the pendant. "I don't wanna have to fight her just as she arrives at the hotel. Anyway, let's head out. We should check the status of the war at the Kotomine Church."
"Yeah, let's go." Tatsuo replied.
A moment later, Tatsuo flickered with particles of light. Then, he vanished from where he stood, changing into his astral form.
After that, Elicia picked up her purse and left the suite with Tatsuo following her.
Not long later, Tatsuo and Elicia left the hotel and started walking through the city to arrive at their destination. Luckily, when Elicia's identity in this world left her home to participate in the Grail War, she was given a map of the city. So, they would have no trouble finding their way to the church.
"By the way, what's my Saint Graph look like, Lici?" Tatsuo asked curiously.
"Oh, now that you mention it." Elicia muttered as she concentrated on the three spell markings on the back of her right hand. "Gimme a second, I'll check it out."
A moment later, Elicia's steps came to a stop. At the same time, she could see a transparent panel appear in her mind. And sure enough, that was the Saint Graph that contained Tatsuo's information as a Servant.
{Saint Graph
True Name: Kenós
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Chaotic-Neutral
Strength: B Endurance: B
Agility: B+ Mana: A
Luck: B Noble Phantasm: A
Class Skills
Presence Concealment: B+
Independent Action: EX
Personal Skills:
Magecraft: B
Weapon Concealment: B
Divinity: C
Dragonoid Transformation: A
The End: EX
Noble Phantasms
Name Type Rank
Maiestas Divina: Anti-Unit B++
By manipulating the fabric of space, the user can shift part of their body into a separate dimension. As a result, attacks with ranks lower than A are nullified.
Exacuere Vade Inanis Anti-Unit A++
A slash executed with one or both of the equipped daggers performed with such precision that it was said that the user was able to cut through the fabric of space.}
"Wow! You're kind of a monster, Tatsuo." Elicia said after reading Tatsuo's Saint Graph. "I mean, with an EX in Independent Action, you don't need to be near me at all for the whole Grail War. Then, there are your Noble Phantasms. You might even be able to fight Berserker."
From there, Elicia went on to explain her take on Tatsuo's Saint Graph. And although he was not unbeatable, he was probably one of the strongest Assassin-Class Servants that had ever been seen. And from the little bit about Fate Tatsuo knew, he tended to agree.
"Yeah, this kinda seems a little OP." Tatsuo muttered to himself while in his astral form. "But I could still get got by Lancer or Saber. Actually, Caster could get me pretty easy with high sorcery, too. You know, I'm not sure that I'm actually all that hard to kill."
"But they would have to hit you first." Elicia pointed out. "And with your [Blink Skill], that would be pretty hard, wouldn't it?"
"Actually, I can't use that." Tatsuo said while reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "But [Riftwalk] or [Flash Step] should be just as good."
Hearing that, Elicia once again came to a stop. At the same time, she widened her eyes in surprise.
"What do you mean you can't [Blink]?" Elicia asked. "Does that mean that's the first thing to get nerfed?"
"Looks like it." Tatsuo replied. "Actually, I can't use many of my manipulation skills. It's probably because it's not mentioned on my Saint Graph. As for [Blink], that's a form of teleportation. And I'm pretty sure that falls into the category of True magic."
"Hmm… I guess that makes sense.' Elicia replied as she started walking again. "*Sigh* Well, from what I can tell, I can use all my magic. The problem for me is that my magic power refills much more slowly than it does on Earth land. I guess the conversion from mana to magic power isn't as good as mana to Od, huh?"
"*Sigh* And that's why I'm glad that I got the [Universal Energy Veins] as an Admin Reward when the [Chat] first opened up for me." Tatsuo replied in a grateful tone.
"That's so not fair." Elicia said with a pout. "I wat that, too."
"Then, you'll have to save up." Tatsuo said with a shrug. "Anyway, let's hurry to the church to register with the psycho priest. After that, we've got some stuff to take care of."
"Right." Elicia replied with a stern nod.
With that, Tatsuo and Elicia hurried along to the Fuyuki Church, where the Grail War's overseer, Kotomine Kirei could be found. The church was also a place where Masters who have lost their Servants can take refuge. However, if they were to do so, they would be required to give up any remaining [Command Seals], as they would not be eligible to contract any of the Servants who have lost their Master during the War.
About an hour and a half later, Elicia, along with Tatsuo, who was still in his astral form, arrived at the bottom of a hill. Looking up, they could see the steeple of a church. However, before they could ascend the hill to reach the church, they would have to walk through what appeared to be a cemetery.
"I hate cemeteries." Elicia muttered as she walked along the path leading towards the church. "They always feel so gloomy."
"They don't' really bother me." Tatsuo replied with a shrug.
"Weirdo." Elicia muttered. "Anyway, after we see Kotomine, what's the plan?"
"Well, one of us needs to stay here to stop him from taking Bazett's [Command Seals]." Tatsuo thought aloud. "One of us should get rid of Zouken and Shinji as fast as possible, too."
"Yeah… But what if they've already summoned Rider?" Elicia asked in a concerned tone. "It might not be as easy as you think in that case."
"Even so, it needs to be done." Tatsuo insisted. "By now, they've probably already been having her set up that spell around the school to absorb life force from the students."
"I wish I knew more about the timeline of this war." Elicia muttered. "I just don't know when anything happens before the day Saber is summoned."
"*Sigh* That makes two of us." Tatsuo replied. "The only thing I know for sure is that the psycho priest steals Lancer from Bazett before Caster's Master arrives in Fuyuki."
Continuing to chat as they walked through the cemetery and up the hill, Tatsuo and Elicia eventually arrived at the entrance of the church.
"Well, here we are." Elicia muttered. "After I report, we'll start moving."
"Got it." Tatsuo replied.
With that, Elicia put her hands on the doors to the church. Then…
*Squeak!*
… with a push, the door squeaked open, revealing a dimly lit church. Looking around as she walked inside, Elicia eventually laid her eyes on a man wearing simple black vestments under a black cassock with a golden cross hanging around his neck. This man, appearing to be in his late thirties had shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes. On top of that, he wore a well-practiced, gentle smile on his face.
{"It's no wonder Rin can't stand this guy."} Tatsuo said over the telepathic connection he shared with Elicia. {"That fake smile is disgusting."}
{"What makes it even worse, it looks so natural."} Elicia replied. {"But even if I didn't know it was fake, it would make me feel uncomfortable. Something about this man is just unsettling."}
Tatsuo, in his astral form, could not help nodding in agreement.
"Ah! Ms. Taylor." The priest, Kotomine Kirei said in a welcoming tone. "I had received news that you were chosen by the Grail to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War. It's wonderful to have you with us. I pray for your success. The Taylor family has been among the front runners in America's magical community for quite some time."
"Thanks, Father Kotomine." Elicia replied with a cheerful smile on her face. "Yes, my family is expecting a lot from me during this Holy Grail War. I can only hope that I manage to make a good showing. Though, as long as I can live through such a grueling experience, I'm sure I'll grow stronger as a Magus."
"Indeed." Kirei replied with a generous nod. "But I'm sure you would rather spend more time getting ready for the battle to come. So, I won't keep you too long with pleasantries. Would you mind allowing me to see your servant so that I can verify their class?"
"Of course." Elicia replied with a nod. She then turned to her left and continued. "Assassin, show yourself."
In the next instant, Tatsuo, now wearing a cloak over the attire he appeared in when he was summoned, shimmered into existence. AS he did, he cautiously looked around the church with his brows furrowed.
"Is something wrong, Assassin?" Elicia asked, pretending to be concerned after seeing the expression on Tatsuo's face.
"No, it's nothing." Tatsuo replied. "Just an occupational hazard. I always need to get a feel for the area."
"If you say so." Elicia replied as she turned back to Kirei. "So, is this enough?"
"Quite the cautious Servant." Kirei said while looking at Tatsuo with an appraising eye. "But I guess that comes with the territory when you summon an Assassin-Class Servant, doesn't it?"
"Probably." Elicia replied with a shrug. "First time summoning one. So, I'm kind of flying by the seat of my pants, you know?"
Hearing that and getting to see more of Elicia's playful, uncaring, demeanor, Kirei could not help taking nother look at her.
"You… you're quite different than most Magi that I know, Mis Taylor." Kirei said in a probing tone.
"I hear that a lot." Elicia replied. "But it's never bothered me any. And I still have great results with all my research. So, I don't see any reason to change the way I am."
"Indeed." Kirei replied with a nod. "Well then, I believe I've seen enough to verify the Assassin-Class's summoning. So, you're free to do as you please until the War starts. But as you know, there are to be no battles during the day. Also, you must ensure that there are no witnesses, no matter what it takes."
"Sir! Yes, Sir!" Elicia said while playfully saluting. "Well then, we'll be going."
With that, Elicia gave Kirei a little wave before turning around. Meanwhile, Tatsuo looked around the church for a moment longer with that same look of discontent on his face before transitioning back into his astral form. Then the Master-Servant duo left the church.
*Bang!*
A moment later, after the door slammed shut, Kirei was left alone in the church with a contemplative expression on his face.
"Those two might be trouble, Kirei." A male voice said as a man with golden blond hair and red eyes wearing a white jacket with a fur collar, a black shirt, black pants, and white sneakers walked into the chapel from a door behind the alter. "That woman has quite the amount of Od in her body. And that Assassin, I wouldn't be surprised if he sensed my presence. Though, I doubt he knew that I was a Servant."
"Interesting." Kirei replied. "Well then, I guess we'll have to get a little more involved in this Holy Grail War than we initially planned. I heard that the McRemitz girl summoned a Lancer-Class Servant. Perhaps I should relieve her of that burden. The Holy Grail War is a dangerous event, after all."
"Oh my, you're so kind, Kirei." The blond man said with a smirk. "Exactly what should be expected of a Father from the church."
With that, the blond man began walking towards the church's entrance.
"Well, I'm sure you can handle it." The blond man said as he passed Kirei. "For now, I think I'm going to go out and have a little fun. This era has so much clothing that would fit well in my treasury. Fashion has truly come a long way since the days I ruled Uruk."
"As you wish, Your Majesty, Gilgamesh." Kirei said respectfully as he watched the blond man, Gilgamesh, approach the doors to the chapel.
A moment later, Gilgamesh left through the same doors Elicia and Tatsuo used. He then looked around as soon as he stepped outside.
"Hmm… Those two are fast." Gilgamesh said with a smirk spreading across his face. "That mongrel definitely sensed me. No matter. I just hope he can entertain me before this is all over."
With that, Gilgamesh walked down the path leading away from the church and into the rest of the city.
Meanwhile, Tatsuo and Elicia, both using their stealth techniques watched Gilgamesh leave the church from their vantage point on the church's roof.
"I really wanna kill him right now." Tatsuo muttered to himself as he tried not to stare at Gilgamesh.
"But if you do, Kirei will know." Elicia replied. "And I have no idea what he'll do if we get started too early."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Tatsuo replied. "Anyway, I'm gonna get going. I've got some pest extermination to take care of."
"Right." Elicia replied. "And I'll stay here to save Bazett. Just don't take too long. If Kirei is in danger, he might use one of his [Command Spells] to call Gilgamesh back. And I'm not sure I could handle him by myself."
"Don't worry, this shouldn't take too long." Tatsuo replied. "The only question is if I should take care of [Purifying] Sakura first or getting rid of that worm pit first."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Elicia said as she patted Tatsuo on the shoulder. "Now, go forth and slay evil."
Rolling his eyes at his partner, Tatsuo leapt from the church's roof. Then, before he touched the ground, he transitioned back into his astral form before darting through the city towards the suburbs known as Miyama Town.