#perfectsinews

"Surely you jest Sir Gawain. I cannot believe they would fancy myself over you."

Armstrong was unfamiliar with his surrounding. Moments ago he had turned in for the day and had fallen asleep immediately in his quarters within the Central. The scent of winter night wafted through the still air. He found himself standing near the ruins of an abandoned mansion that stood eerily in a forested area. 

Immediately he sensed that something was different about the flow of energy in this region. He instinctively placed his right hand on the earth. In Amestris, the alchemists took energy from the volcanic activity of the earth's crust to act as catalysts to their transmutation. But here something strange was circulating beneath the surface, and Armstrong couldn't quite put his finger on it. 

Before he had more time to think, pain suddenly shot through his right arm.

"Mmmm!?"

A tattoo of unrecognizable symbols had been singed into his right arm. Along with the tattoo, new information trickled into his mind.

A Grail War...A Battle of Heroes..

He now understood that the stream which flowed beneath the ground was leading to an enormous energy source, the Grail.

Wars have never left good impressions in his mind. The one war he had fought in was nothing more than a senseless slaughter for selfish motives. This one was no different in that the participants are fighting to claim a prize. Yet, the idea of being able to spar with heroes of the past and alternate universes tugged at Armstrong's love for a good fight. 

Armstrong looked now at the so called "Command Seal" on his arm. The Grail had already prepared a companion to fight alongside with. He drew from his pocket a strand of braided hair. The silver-brown strand gleamed in the moonlight.

Armstrong followed the instructions from the Grail and easily drew the summoning circle in a clearing, placing the braid in the center of the circle. He directed the flow of magical energy as he had directed the flow of volcanic energy, which replaced the need for an incantation.  

"Join me--my comrade in war--"

He struck his fist into the earth.

"----LANCER!!"