Fate Zero The Loyal Servant

Chapter 2 (Rewritten 2020)

6 cameras were facing the podium, and the Overseer stepped out before them. His grey hair brushing his white ceremonial garb, that ever-present smile on his face. No one trusted that smile, not even his own child.

"Welcome, and let me apologize for this change in tradition." He motions off camera and the wait is tense as a door squeaks open. "I do hope you'll accept this sudden intervention. I have planned this for a while in hopes of it helping you all in this coming battle."

The camera lenses all adjust as a new person enters their field vision. None of them could have expected this, and none of them could stop staring when the person took a knee, hand over heart bowing before them all. The Overseer put a hand atop their head in a fatherly gesture but they knew there was no love between the two.

"I'd like you all to meet, Karsyn." He smiles down at the female below him.

She had dark brown hair in a braid down her back. A deep muted red bandana covered her mouth and neck, draping over her shoulders ever so slight. Black half cloth and half leather arm sleeves that left her fingers exposed and went up to mid-forearm. A dulled plated armor shoulder piece covered her right shoulder. Her left shoulder was left exposed. Her top was a half leather and black fabric, with fabric straps going up. She had dulled metal coverings over her hand, with a thicker leather covering her lower arms for added protection.

She had a slanted skirt that was held up by a leather belt that also held a set of knives and a sword in its sheath. The skirt went all the way to her heel in the back on the right side, while the left was all the way up at her left thigh. Her right upper thigh was exposed with a strap across her skin. A garter under her skirt kept her thigh-high black coverings up. Leather boots with armor coverings went past her knee. They held a slight heel but it was all for combat with metal covering the top of her foot over the boot.

"She has been trained to be at your service during this Holy Grail War. She is a perfect Servant." The Overseer smiles as Karsyn rises and stares ahead, past the cameras. She couldn't have been older than 25.

They found her eyes terrifying. Their green color seemed so eerie in this lighting, but there was no emotion in those depths. So devoid of life it was almost as if she was dead.

"I'd like to ask a couple questions." A voice, gender unknown due to a filter. The Overseer nodded and silence filled the place before the static voice spoke again. "Who do you serve?"

"I serve you all," She answers, voice devoid of any feeling and eyes staring straight ahead.

"How do we know we can trust you?" Another static filtered voice questions. She turns around and begins to undo the straps across her top. She peels back the leather shirt to expose long scars across her backside. She covers up as she speaks, still devoid of any emotion.

"I have had it trained into me. I shall never cross any of the Masters that I serve." They waited for her to be finished with her top before another asked her a question.

"How old are?" The Overseer actually lost his full smile for a moment before he chuckles and places a hand on her shoulder.

"I do not believe that is an appropriate question. Master and Servant relationships in any sexual regard are forbidden. You should all know that she is to be treated as a Servant in this War." He says voice the same as it had been before but they knew the threat.

"I did not mean in that regard." The static voice says. "I simply wish to ascertain her in all regard before a decision is made." The Overseer nods.

"She is 24, 25 this coming September. You should all know she has been forbidden to drink any alcoholic beverages." He still has that smile but they all understand. Those marks on her back were not just for her loyalty.

"What kind of weaponry have you been trained in?" A different static voice this time.

"She has been taught everything. She is quite skilled." The Overseer answers for her, his hand still atop her shoulder. "She has also been taught a numerous number of languages as well as magic. Though she has been given strict orders to use it only in extreme circumstances."

"Is there a time schedule for her to go between us all?" The old man seemed pleased by the question. They wanted her and his time had not been wasted.

"Yes, when I get confirmation from you all then a schedule shall be put in place." He continues to smile.

"The Lancer-class shall take her." His smile grew at the first one to claim her.

"The Saber class will also take her."

"As will the Archer class."

"Rider class wants her!" He tries to hold back his chuckle. He steps forward letting his hand fall from her shoulder finally.

"Perfect," He claps his hands together. "If that is all I shall send out a schedule to you in a short bit. Thank you all for tuning today and accepting this into our Holy Grail War. I do hope you get your wish granted."

The cameras flicker off, the red lights fading and he turns to Karsyn. She had not moved. His smile falls and he glares her slightly. He really did not like her dulled expression.

"Don't mess anything up, or I will have you sent back. Are we clear?" He asks and she nods her head knowing not to meet his gaze. "Good. Go get your things ready while I figure out a schedule."

The night ended there.