Fate/Very Fake

Chapter 5 - Saber

Today I had a nightmare, lying paralysed on the ground at the bottom of a river. The sound of rushing water all around me, unable to open my eyes or even feel, knowing only that I was about to die. I thought about what I was leaving behind... but if I died some people wouldn't be burdened by my ineptitude. I'm the oldest, the first disappointment and a failure, both as a Mage, and a son... I stopped thinking and accepted my fate, when I suddenly heard my body being pulled to the surface.

Among the deafening sound of rain beating against steel, a soft whisper spoke to me in the distance, it was then that I passed out. When I opened my eyes, I was on the ground beside a campfire, looking up at a beautiful woman clad in delicate steel armour. My fingers scrunched up into a fist, my eyes fluttered, my lips bent into an unconscious smile. I was glad to be alive.

Hyoubo lay on the cold, stone floor besides the gentle flames of the fire, tearing up as he thought more in depth about what he would be leaving behind. All those that cared for him, his lecturers and friends, his family that cared for their useless son. The woman beside him, looked down at with a comforting expression, her deep blue eyes calming his tears as he sunk into her divine presence. Even beside the fire, she glowed brightly, radiating a soft golden light from her delicate white skin.

''Good morning, Master'' she said, as Hyoubo returned a look. ''I'm her Master?'' he thought.

Hyoubo glanced over to his left hand, seeing the red wings drawn on the back his hand and was initially unable to comprehend it. Lifting himself off the floor, he stood before his woman, seeing her in a new light or disbelief. These are command seals?

''Are you sure I am your Master?'' he asked, looking away from her, hiding himself in his thick black hair.

She stood up before the man only to kneel before him. A sword manifesting in her hand as she struck it into the ground as a symbol of loyalty, her weaved golden hair shimmering in the wind now that swept through cave. ''There is no mistake that you are my Master'' she replied in earnest.

She really is an ancient spirit... But, I don't deserve this - no, this is my chance! I'll take it.

''So, uh, what's your name?'' asked Hyoubo timidly, unable to face her.

''I am Jeanne d'Arc, it's good to meet you, my Master'' she said, rising from her stance just as the sword vanished into thin air, ''What is your name'' asked Jeanne before she began to fret, ''I shouldn't have spoke out of place, I'm sorry Master''.

''I'm Hyoubo, Hyoubo Ogawa. I hope I can help you'' he said, extending his hand out to Jeanne, who looked it with some wonder for a moment before grabbing it. There was a smile on her face that said she was happy, and so was Hyoubo, different but the same. In a way, a perfect match as Master and servant. ''I am truly fortunate to have a master as kind as you. I will do my best to serve not to disappoint'' she replied in earnest.

-Kindness, Humility, Honesty, Purity, Faith - the Maid's heart carried only these things and nothing else. Even as she was burnt at the stake, her mind took no heed to the fire at her feet, thinking it only as thing to overcome. When she took her first step onto the battlefield she abandoned all feelings of fear, disappointment, and regret, the fire was nothing compared to that but this Jeanne knew nothing of this.

She was the first incarnation of Jeanne, a war hero and a saint, unaware of her future betrayal. Known as 'the fool that tossed away her chance to live a normal life' in her village. Through out her life she had never read a verse of any books of prayer, barely able to write her own name, she came to the conclusion that it was enough knowing that she could still pray. She rode out onto the battlefield with nothing but a sword, and a weak body, and a silent prayer. Fighting beside her comrade Gilles de Rias, with sword in hand, they emerged victorious as heroes of the 100 year war. This was the essence of this incarnation of Jeanne d'Arc.

And now, she had emerged onto a battlefield once more, standing before her new comrade and leader, Hyoubo Ogawa. A Magus born into a great house, destined for greatness, but unable to muster any aptitude for his families secrets. He was abandoned as a mage for his little brother, outcasted from his own family tradition. His heart was filled with doubt and regret, taking his first step into the Mage world that his family sheltered him from, he ran to the Clocktower with only a few scraps of paper money left to pay for his tuition. His goal - to redeem himself in the eyes of his parents.

He had no success in any class besides one, Mineralogy, the study of the magical properties of Minerals - Meryn Uvalls class. She taught him more than any other lecturer could in a mere week, she had given him hope, following the torch of Lord El-melloi II, he was finally able to muster his first display on Magecraft. But he was impatient, hearing rumours of the Holy Grail - a device capable of granting any wish, then heard that Meryn Uvall's class was going to cancelled from another lecturer.

'Meryn would never cancel a lecture to go on holiday so suddenly!' He thought, and followed her to the airport where she boarded a flight bound for Las Vegas, taking a ticket on the next flight, he jumped aboard and departed for the City of Sin in search of the Holy Grail. Spending the last of his money on one final bet, he arrived in Las Vegas but something happened as soon as he entered the neon city his memories had become a blur.