The King of the Grail's Fate (Fate/Nasuverse)

Chapter XCIV: Chill

"Why are you so fast," Harrison panted as he resigned himself to his loss. With a new level of tongue and cheek, he had yet to see from Salter she responded with, "A magician never reveals their secrets." Harrison couldn't help but roll his eyes as he buckled his seatbelt. The air went still for a moment as the two of them sat in silence in the car, both of them knew the weight of what might be shared and the tension was thick enough that you could cut it with a knife.

As Salter started the car she let out a long sigh, "You know you are certainly something Righter," she said after a moment. This bewildered Harrison as he did not expect the conversation to take this turn. It seemed that Salter knew this however as before he could even ask for clarification she continued. "Just look around you, you have so many people that just can't help but befriend you. Servants, Master, or anyone in between you have an effect on people that I can't even grasp." 

"Sal-" Harrison tried to protest but as he looked to the woman to his right her smile stopped the words in his mouth. It was as breathtaking as watching the colors of a sunset streak across the sky with piercing pinks and oranges, and as genuine as a mother's love for her child. "Thank you, Righter," Salter said simply almost as if it was meant for herself more than Harrison's ears. Harrison turned to look out of the passenger side window suddenly, not for any of the normal reasons like a cool car they just passed or excellent senary, but because he couldn't control the tears that slowly rolled down his face. Harrison had lived a majority of his life feeling outcast and not fitting in exactly, in fact, most people he had to deal with on a regular basis openly despised him, but now for the first time in his life, he had people around him that cared for him just as much as he did for them.

Salter coughed awkwardly after a couple of minutes allowing Harrison adequate time to reflect before starting with what Uriel had told her. 

(Read as if being told to Salter from Uriel [Also so sorry for the sudden exposition drop])

"Salter, Harrison as well as those like Yor, Stella, Alice, and Zerik have gotten themselves into quite the holy grail war. From the very beginning that I was summoned from the Throne of Heroes, I knew that something was fundamentally wrong with this war, Masters and servants were being chosen seemingly at random with no limit put in place, and with the abundance of adequate magical energy, the Holy Grail has had a lot to draw on.

I cannot tell you everything but I can tell you what this war has divulged into, and what the Game Master is seeking to do. The Grail already exists within this realm it just needs an anchor, that anchor being a core master. The only problem is that it can't be any, no the core master has to have an overwhelming amount of command seals compared to the rest of the participants in the war. I cannot tell you the exact number of differences but I can tell you that it is the reason the Game Master set up this event.

He banked on the cautions masters would take, only betting a single command seal, and then when a winner was decided he would kill the weakened loser of the match easily and take the remaining command seals and/or potentially their servant if he thought they were especially strong. Regardless it will come to that Harrison and he will have to clash and there is a chance that I do not make it out of the fight, if that does come to fruition, you and the rest of the allies you have gathered will have to get much stronger for the battles to come. Most importantly, there is a second Ruler one even out of my sight, Harrison will have to confront him I only ask that you support him as best as you can."

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Harrison's mind was spinning with all the information he was just given there was so much to unpack. The victor is decided with the volume of command seals, two rulers, and a final battle. He couldn't make heads or tails of any of it. He didn't even notice they had arrived at their destination until he heard his hydraulic e-brake engage. "You want to know the real reason I wanted to bring you here," Salter said as she held his hand in support. Harrison only looked at her confused.

"I like to imagine that I know you pretty well now Righter, you care about people a lot, and I know that your mind is racing with all the blood on the Game Master's hands, and the fact you may be able to win the war without any more bloodshed. I just know it, but I also know that is a lot of pressure to put on someone so young, so before we talk through all of that I figured we would have some fun, besides I have never skated before," Salter said with an infections smile that was hard for Harrison to remain tense while it beamed down upon him like a warm sun. "Neither do I," he said after a moment squeezing Salter's hand.

It was as Salter watched Harrison get out of the car and make his way toward the mall that she couldn't help the memories from reaching her. The young girl from her dream, except more grown up possibly, had long white hair that flowed gracefully as she turned and twisted in the winter snow. Salter couldn't explain why but she felt regret run through her being like lighting.

"... Sal... Salter.... . . .. SALTER!!"