#prep phase poll

Tumblr Holy Grail War: Wave 7 - Day 3 (Masters from Beyond)

The Masters of Tumblr chose to summon a Foreigner-class!

The Masters put out a call into the abyss… and the abyss SHRIEKED back. Happily. Gladly. The voices from beyond the void would gratefully lend any one of their treasured Servants for your endeavors. The abandoned church shuddered and quaked, the bounds of the Grail War's already fragile reality beginning to rip and tear apart.

The 'Servant' set to protect the Grail, useless for all other things, stumbled forth as his perch began to corrode and twist.

"You geniuses decided to pick FOREIGNER? Listen, I can't speak for all Avengers, but at least they want to keep reality intact! I told Team Rider that Ruler was already waterlogged with data, and so you called up a virus? What exactly was the plan there? Remind me NEVER to ask you guys for computer help!"

Before the 'Nothing Servant' could complain further, a shape began manifesting. Not simply the Spirit Origin of a common Servant, but one that caused the fabric of reality and logic itself to crumble and twist.

It was shapeless, yet solid. Chaotic, yet aligned. Tendrils of smoke shot outward, draining away whatever it could from the dilapidated church, taking in magical energy as it hungered for an answer.

'Who will answer the call?'

The 'Nothing Servant' drew a pair of reverse-fanged blades, clutching them tightly in his hands. His own mana signature- as pathetic as it was- began to flare up around him. A Servant worse than any other Servant, but greater than any human. Stuck in the middle of being 'something' and 'nothing'.

Of course, that made him a perfect match for a Servant that 'wasn't quite anything', at least for now.

"...Her rule-- the ruling of 'Ruler'-- was that there were seven Servants, excluding herself. Two are out, so that means there's a gap left for this thing... and me!"

As confident as he was trying to sound, the pathetic Servant was already desperately trying to dodge out of the way of the incoming corrosion lest he succumb to it, trying to hide the clear panic in his voice.

"Okay, we can't stop the summoning, but maybe we can mess with the connection a bit so that they don't crawl out of the summoning circle at full power. If at least half of you aren't total maniacs, I'll need you to lend me your mana in order to pull this off! Sorry, but I'm breaking my promise, Overseer! Guess I'll need to be somebody! Nice to meet you all! Just call me 'Avenger' for now!"

Tumblr Holy Grail War: Wave 7 - Day 3 (Team Berserker)

Kintoki didn't go down easily. He put up as much of a fight as he could. Fists bleeding, axe cracked, desperately trying to keep up with an opponent that he couldn't see.

...Unfortunately, even with his strength, overcoming the dangerous Noble Phantasm he was put up against was difficult.

"I lost… my bad."

Warriors come and go. That was a fact of life. When you swore yourself to battle, then you couldn't even afford to see death as something to be afraid of. And besides, to the Berserker, he had already died once- what was twice? Perhaps that's why he looked so unafraid, keeping his body turned to face his Master's so they didn't see the horrible vivisection that the Assassin had performed on his back.

...Or perhaps he just realized that if he left with a frown, then his Masters would be even more upset.

"…Y'know, one of you said that I hoped I didn't regret anything- and I said I had no regrets. Now that I think about it... that was a lie. One regret. I've got one regret."

He beamed, letting out a deep, hearty laugh.

"I didn't get to show you all how golden the Golden Huge Bear is!"

Tumblr Holy Grail War: Wave 7 - Day 3 (Team Caster)

The territory was in ruins from Lancer's attack. Perfectly aimed, executed, and shattering the defenses even with Dante using the best of his ability to block the assault.

A deadly spear. A deadly strike.

"…Ah. So we lost. Well, that's simply how things are."

A voice of calm acceptance after a strained cough, as Dante slowly began to fade away. The Shades had already turned to dust as his concentration broke, leaving him as the only one left, a barbed spear lodged within his chest. It was truly painful, but he didn't dare to verbalize that sentiment. This wasn't a tragedy, after all. So, he simply spoke about matters otherwise.

"I never did truly have a wish for the Grail." He admitted, wryly. "It's an artifact that shouldn't be used by anyone except the Lord Himself. If it was real, I would have hidden it away. If it it was fake, and if I had won, you'd have needed to spend all the Command Spells you had to stop me and my Shades from destroying it. I suppose in some way, I was going to betray you from the beginning. I apologize."

For the first time, he truly laughed. It was unclear as to what. His foolish desire for the Grail… or perhaps thinking about what had occurred in the past few days.

He wasn't a warrior- a legendary hero like the others- he was simply a poet and a traveler. The fact that he had made this far was amazing enough to him- and of course, there was only one reason why he was able to last this long. He hoped that his gratefulness would carry in his tone.

"…Farewell, o' nonsensical Masters of mine. If you can honor my last request, ensure that this story remains a 'Commedia', and that the ending here is a happy one."

...And like a dream, he was gone. The Heroic Spirit Dante was no more in the story of this Holy Grail War.

Tumblr Holy Grail War: Wave 7 - Day 3 (Team Assassin, Team Saber, and Team Rider)

After a successful kill, there wasn't any other option but to celebrate. Killing Berserker was a quiet, uneventful assassination... well, not particularly. The Servant fought like hell. Nursing a few wounds by using the best cure-all, booze, Izou seemed to be in a good mood.

Izou: "Drinks are on you guys, right? Hell, I'd even throw up a cheers for Berserker. Hell of a Servant, making me sweat like that during a job."

As the Assassin partied, another Servant stumbled in- unarmored and in more casual clothing, but luckily unscarred by the rain of spears.

Mandricardo: "...That... happened, right? But we were the only ones freaking out about it. Normally, wouldn't people go like 'oh crap, it's raining spears'? But it's... just us. Maybe some other Servants, but that's it... there's definitely something weird about this Grail War, Masters..."

As Rider wondered, a third Servant stepped inside, with a to-go bowl of udon... and luckily uninjured as well.

Musashi: "...Sheesh, talk about a day, huh? Was that Lancer? Guess we lucked out, considering he hasn't used that against me. But... well, now that we're here, can we talk, Masters? I've had some thoughts about this Grail War, and..."

Swiveling on his bar stool, Assassin turned around.

Izou: "Figured I recognized that pretty face. Been a while, Saber."

Standing up from his seat, Rider quickly approached the other two.

Mandricardo: "...You have thoughts about this Grail War too? I know we're supposed to be killing each other, but... well, do you want to talk them out?"

Musashi: "Uh... well, I don't mind chatting, but isn't that sort of thing up to our Masters?"

Current Team Statistics:

"Well... I can't say I was ready for that. Talk about a tough fight, but that Assassin- Izou, right? He's a hero from the East, and way after my time, so without the Grail I'd have no clue who he was... but apparently he's a genius. Let's stay sharp, Masters."

Cu Chulainn discovered Okada Izou's True Name! He gains a +5% boost against Assassin unless he's ambushed!

You currently have all 3 Command Spells!

Cu Chulainn has [2] wounds! Due to Battle Continuation, he can take [2] more before fading!

Cu Chulainn's Noble Phantasm:

"You guys really are something else... I figured I was a goner, but here I am! But... Okada Izou... he was way past my time, but I guess that explains his sword skills. The guy is genius, even if he's a bit rough around the edges. Still, this is what a Grail War is all about- information is just as important as power and technique."

Musashi learned Okada Izou's True Name! She gains a +5% persistent boost against him as long as she isn't ambushed!

Musashi is on her final wound!

Tumblr Holy Grail War, Another Start: Wave 2 - Day 4 (Forgotten Caster) - Investigation

_CASTER: "There. I've let your Servants go. They'll be returning to their allies to continue this Grail War, fighting for whatever answer you all find. Hopefully you'll find a better one."

_CASTER: "I am a witch with no country. A Servant with no name. A remnant of a forgotten past. But, even with you forgetting everything, I suppose you all aren't too bad."

_CASTER: "...So, I will grant my magic unto you. Choose wisely, Masters."

'Shared Skills' belong to every Servant in whatever is considered to be the largest alliance! When a Servant severs themselves from an alliance, even if they were the one to uncover the skill, it'll be lost to them!

You've gained the trust of the 'Schoolteacher'! She's willing to impart a gift to the Masters!

'Forgotten Caster's' Skills:

Investigation Skill, Argon Coin (EX) - If not attacked during a 'Investigation', the Servants involved recover from one wound.

Getting Archer away was difficult enough. Despite not sustaining any injuries, he collapsed as soon as he returned to his home base. He was quiet, not talking about anything he either did or saw within the confines of Dante's Noble Phantasm.

Arjuna is still under the effects of Dante's Noble Phantasm! He'll have a -30% demerit to his score in the next round!

Arjuna learned Dante's True Name! He has a persistent +5% boost against him unless ambushed!

Arjuna's True Name was revealed to Berserker and Dante! They have a persistent +5% advantage against him, as long as they aren't ambushed!

You currently have [1] Command Spell!