erbe | Eins

Eins

For the elements, silver and iron. For the foundation, stone and the Archduke of Pacts. And for the ancestor, my great master, Schweinorg. Close the gates of the four directions. Come forth from the Crown and follow the forked road leading to the Kingdom. Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times. When each is filled, destroy it. Set.

Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me! I hereby swear that I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world. Thou Seventh Heaven, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding, Guardian of the Scales!

[This is a master (haha) post for Fate/PSLs! If you need anything specific tailored to your character (like a starter that doesn't start with the summoning like the above) let me know! We'll work something out over PM or Plurk.]

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[Goodness, but she's cute, isn't she? He does so love people who aim to be ideal in some way. That must be why she wanted a Saber; that class probably would compliment her abilities the best. He chuckles.]

Would you have preferred for me to manifest as a Saber? I am good with a sword, but I must confess... there's someone that's likely to appear as that class that I would very much like to see.

[And perhaps to dissuade from erasing herself. He really should just learn his lesson and never meddle again, but if he just influences the outcome here a little he can nudge things toward the one he would prefer.]

[Oh, that's troublesome to hear. She's not sure what he means by that. She can take a guess, but it sounds like it could cause a problem in the future. Another servant he wants to see? But here's here to do battle, not to have a heart-to-heart. Rin's wonder-struck expression fades as a small frown tugs at her lips. Though she turns her back to him to hide it. She must not show any imperfections in her composure after all.]

Probably Caster then, right? Meaning not a knight class, so we have to take that into account. We should avoid Rider, and plan carefully for for the knights since they could have high magic resistance.

[Shoot. Caster is a class she can relate to, but damn does it have its disadvantages. Strategy will be key in the upcoming War.]

My whims displease you, I see.

[Not that he's surprised. No one wants a servant with their own agenda beyond the grail. Merlin steps forward to place a hand on her shoulder.]

You have nothing to fear in that regard, Rin. I see no outcomes in which my desires interfere with your ambitions.

[Which doesn't mean much coming from most people, but when it comes from someone who possesses the eyes which see through the world, it carries a great deal more weight. He closes those eyes, considering her words on Rider.]

...yes, Rider must be dealt with quickly. Thankfully, eliminating the Servant will be enough. The Master will not be a danger afterward.

[It puts her on edge when he comments like that. Reading her mind or... her feelings? As someone from a magician's bloodline she should be pretty resistant to psychological influence, but her Caster is probably very skilled.

His hand on her makes Rin jump in her skin. She's not sure if it's because she doesn't want to be touched or if she does, which is a very frustrating predicament to be in. In the end she decides to ignore it, and the way her heart kicks up its pace a notch. Rin steps forward to lead out of the workshop.]

It's late. There probably isn't much else we can do tonight.

Just a moment.

[Without opening his eyes he moves to where Rin stood as she summoned him, the best place in the house to cast. Once he's found the spot he smiles placidly.]

Shall I teach you to renew these wards? If you're going to rest, you should be safe.

O—oh. Well yes, but... I just used a lot of mana summoning you.

[She doesn't feel the fatigue yet, but it's bound to catch up with her overnight. Expending more mana is probably not advisable if she's to function tomorrow.]

I have plenty stored. I can provide.

[He's been storing it for ages, a tiny thing like this won't hurt a bit. Figuring that will be easier if they're properly joined, he dematerializes.]

Go on, stand where I was. I'll guide you.

[Tired, sleepy, but not one to disappoint a mentor she might like, Rin steps back into the middle of where she had summoned him. She shifts about to make sure her stance is perfect. Slowly she rolls her shoulders to prepare herself. She's not quite sure how using his mana is going to be, but it'll probably be ~~weird~~ different.]

[Weird is one word for it. The pool Merlin gives her access too has a distinctly ancient feel to it, and he's been in Avalon for so long that it's exceptionally pure.]

Now, let's see... close your eyes. We shall see how these wards were originally put up.

[Provided she does as he bids, when Rin closes her eyes she'll see straight into the past, to the last time Tokiomi renewed the wards. Clairvoyance is just a natural ability of his, so it won't tire her out.]

[The sensation makes Rin shiver. The power is overwhelming, and there's a brief moment where she wants it all. Her lashes flutter, but her eyes never open. Eventually the desire fades away, but what comes into view is her father. The sight gives rise to a lot of emotions that swell inside her. After ten years... to see him again like he was before he died...

She almost forgets what they're supposed to be doing.]

[Through Merlin's eyes, it's easy to see how her father renews his wards. She'll be able to see how the mana flows through him and how much, where he directs it, and the usually invisible threads of it weaving their way through the grounds. All she has to be able to do is remember the incantation and exactly what he does, then copy it.]

I see... modern mages are really almost scientific in their methods, aren't they?

[It was all a lot more artful back in his day. Of course, he had a lot more to work with, and he's not exactly human. There's an elegance to this method he can appreciate regardless.]

It's not as if we have the power to preform miracles. True magic is only attainable by those with the power to make the impossible possible. All else is just magecraft.

[Which is what modern magic is. Science based magic that has limits due to its nature. These days mages can only scratch the surface of real, true magic. And that's why they search for the Root.

Rin begins mimicking what her father had done. Word for word, and with every ounce of effort she can put into making it perfectly like Tokiomi's incantation. She emphasizes each word, pronounces each syllable, exactly like him. She used to spend her life trying to emulate her father to impress him, so copying him now is a familiar action that brings forth a feeling of nostalgia.]

[Though he feels a little sorrow for the loss of magic in the world, he thinks it's beautiful, too. Isn't it just a testament to how far humanity has come? So much is possible now — the impossible shrinks year after year, taking the mystery of magic but leaving progress in its wake. Perhaps someday, even his powers will be in the realm of possibility...

With Rin's discipline and Merlin's large pool of raw mana to pull from, renewing the wards is simple. They practically hum with life when she's finished, and she'll be able to tell he's pleased.]

Very good. Now you can sleep easy!

Thank you for your help, Caster.

[Is... she being praised? It's too much to handle after seeing her father and following in his footsteps so closely. She's feeling... a lot. Too much. Her heart feels heavy or maybe just too full with confusing emotions. Rin also uses his title even in private. It — it'd just be too familiar to call him by name, wouldn't it?

She starts off to bed, leaving the workshop.]

[Ah, so formal! Well, it can't be helped, he knows he has an intimidating presence at times. Hopefully, the fact that she can't see him now will allow her to relax a little.]

Of course. Isn't it only natural for us to work together?

I'm sure some pairs that have come before us haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye, so I believe 'natural' might be pushing the envelope a little. Caster, is there anything you need from me before I retire?

[Despite her creeping fatigue and the late hour she does her best to stay perfectly polite. She can't have one of the greatest magus in history thinking she's some kind of lowbrow mage without any manners!]

There is not. Sweet dreams, Master.

[Perhaps he'll even join her in them? No, it's best to let her rest mentally as well as physically for now. But he's easily bored, so he'll probably watch from within her. If he materialized he could even try sleeping himself, but it seems safer to remain with Rin.]

[Her sleep that night is deep. Her dreams are of her father, and they're all confusing. Some are simply memories, others are warped scenes that make no sense but still include Tokiomi. There are a couple of Kirei, but those are warped as well. None of them last very long, and their short 'lifespan' means she won't be remembering them in the late morning when she finally pulls herself awake.

She feels like warmed over death. The drain on her mana was such that even if the hour wasn't late last night she'd still be skipping school. Unless Merlin makes himself known, she'll have a small lapse of memory forgetting she even summoned him at all. That's how awful she feels. Rin forces herself out of the warmth of her bed and into the chill of the winter morning.]

[Merlin politely waits until she's finished all the tasks a lady would want to before seeing anyone else (dressing, using the bathroom, and so on). Only then does he manifest physically, tilting his head slightly as he regards her.]

You seem unwell, Rin. Am I too much of a burden?

What? No! I'm fine! [Oh yes, the immediate responses of denial probably give her away.]

This is normal. I expected this to happen. Summoning can take a lot out of a magus, you know?

This isn't exactly a normal summoning. I'm still alive, after all.

[He's simply capable of choosing to manifest as a Servant on his own. Though it shouldn't take that much more of a toll on Rin from now on, the summoning did take more than usual.]

...come. I'll make you some tea with some of the flowers I brought from Avalon. Though they aren't cultivated for their taste, so I can't promise it will be palatable.

[Tea? Her interest is immediately piqued and her heart flutters. Good tea is one of the things Rin is willing to spend her money on. While she has plenty in the house, to be offered to steep petals and leaves from Avalon of all places... It's exciting. A once in a life time treat!]

Thank you, Caster. I'll head to the kitchen now.

[However as she descends the stairs something comes to mind. Legends of Avalon come back from memory, and she starts worrying if this decision is advisable. Some say the waters in Avalon are magic, and make you immortal. Others claim amazing restorative healing properties in everything at Avalon. Some say it's an island of fruit where the apples grant you immeasurable power.

While all those are exciting she doesn't know if any of those legends are real, or if any of the good things that could come of this also have a downside.]

[Some of the tales are true — in this case, he's brought a flower that will help restore her mana. It's the least he can do since he shouldn't technically be here. Merlin reaches into his robes once they get to the kitchen, producing a pouch that he pulls out a single blossom from. It resembles a camellia, but its white petals have the same iridescence in the light that Merlin's hair and eyes do. He holds it out to her to examine before he dries and brews it.]

Here.

[There's a small gasp from her. She cups his hand from the bottom and encourages it to lift while she leans forward to inhale its scent.]

It's beautiful.

[He lifts the flower to her nose, giving her time to appreciate its sweet scent before lowering his hand to dry the flower out for brewing.]

If nothing else, Avalon is beautiful. I hear that Masters and Servants share dreams — perhaps you'll see it in one of mine.

[But she won't be able to see it in person, for only those free of sin may pass. Merlin himself can't physically pass beyond the gates now. He turns to start making the tea, wondering what it might taste like. Camellia blossoms are used in tea, so it shouldn't be terrible, at least.]

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