Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Calm before Storm
Tanya's POV
The city stretches out beneath me, a bustling organism of normalcy, blissfully unaware of the conflict about to tear through it. Standing atop one of the tallest buildings, I can see the expanse of Fuyuki, its streets crawling with people who have no idea their lives might be at risk. Civilians — soft, weak, oblivious to the war we Masters have been thrust into. It's frustrating, to say the least.
Behind me, I can feel the quiet, suffocating presence of my Servant, Light Yagami — or rather, Assassin. His aura is cold, his intentions veiled behind a calm, calculating mask. He's no ordinary hero, that much is clear. His reputation as a manipulator of death speaks volumes. And yet, for all his power, I know he won't trust me fully. He's a tool, nothing more. A tool I intend to use to win.
"How long do you plan on staring at the city, Master?" Light's voice is smooth, almost dismissive.
I narrow my eyes, watching the people below like ants. "I'm analyzing the layout. Every war is won by preparation and strategy. The city's layout will be crucial when the battles begin. We need to know the best routes for ambushes, where civilians might get caught up. We can use that to our advantage."
Light smirks, an unnerving smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You sound like you've already made your decision on how to play this game. But remember, this isn't a typical battlefield. Each of these Servants has powers beyond the understanding of normal soldiers. Don't underestimate them."
I glance back at him, sizing him up. "And I expect you to do your job — eliminate the Masters. Quietly."
He chuckles softly. "Oh, don't worry. I have no intention of being caught. Just point me toward a target."
Shiba Tatsuya's POV
The city is unnervingly ordinary. Streets filled with people going about their day, unaware that a deadly war is brewing just beneath their feet. In a way, it's perfect. The chaos and unpredictability of a modern city can be leveraged to create traps, distractions, and opportunities for ambushes. It's all just a matter of planning.
Accelerator, my Caster-class Servant, floats lazily beside me as we walk down a side street. His white hair blows in the wind, and he seems entirely uninterested in the world around him.
"You know, this place is boring as hell," he says, glaring at a passing car. "When are we going to actually start fighting?"
His voice is filled with impatience, as though the very idea of restraint bothers him. I can sense the raw power he exudes, the incredible force he's barely containing. It would be easy for him to tear this city apart, but I won't let that happen. Not yet.
"Patience, Accelerator." I keep my voice even, controlled. "The Grail War isn't about brute force. The ones who strike first without understanding the enemy always lose. We'll observe for now. Once we know the other Masters and their Servants, we'll plan our attack."
He scoffs. "Fine, but if you're holding me back from a good fight, I'm not going to be happy."
"You'll get your chance. Just wait."
Still, his eagerness for violence troubles me. If I don't control him carefully, he could cause more problems than he solves. The thought of reigning in such power gives me pause, but I know I can handle it. I've dealt with worse.
For now, we wait. And we watch.
Elsa's POV
The streets are crowded, the noise overwhelming. I pull the hood of my cloak tighter around my head, trying to blend in with the flow of people. The presence of others always makes me nervous, but this city... it's too chaotic, too uncontrolled. I can feel the magic in the air, thicker and more dangerous than anything I've encountered. My own magic stirs in response, reacting to the instability around me.
Beside me, Darth Vader, my Saber-class Servant, walks silently, his imposing presence drawing wary glances from the passersby. His black armor gleams in the afternoon sun, the ominous hiss of his mechanical breathing cutting through the noise.
"This place reeks of weakness," Vader says, his voice deep and distorted through his mask. "They are not warriors. They are sheep, ignorant of the battle that will consume them."
I shiver slightly, not from fear but from the sheer coldness of his words. He is right — these people are fragile. They don't know the danger they're in.
"We must be careful," I reply, my voice soft. "There are other Masters and Servants out there, and they'll be watching for us. If we cause too much of a scene, we'll be targeted."
Vader turns his helmeted head slightly, regarding me with unseen eyes. "You fear for these people? They are inconsequential."
I frown, feeling the cold creeping into my veins. "I don't want to hurt them, but if they get in our way..." I trail off, knowing I'm treading a dangerous line.
Vader doesn't respond. He merely continues walking, his presence as heavy as ever. It's clear that he doesn't care for the lives of innocents, but I do. I have to.
I glance around nervously, wondering where the other Masters could be hiding. We need to find out who our enemies are before making any moves. The first battle could happen at any moment, and I have to be ready.
Tony Stark's POV
"Well, this city's a dump."
I'm standing on a busy street corner, surveying Fuyuki with a critical eye. Sure, there are skyscrapers and people everywhere, but there's a certain grime to it all — like a place that's trying too hard to look like a metropolis while barely holding itself together. Doesn't help that I've got a magical contest of death hanging over my head.
Beside me, Bumblebee, my Rider-class Servant, stands in his full robot form, towering over everything. It's not subtle — definitely not. But who needs subtlety when you've got a giant alien robot on your side?
"You sure it's a good idea to walk around like that?" I ask, glancing up at him.
Bumblebee's optics flash, and with a series of whirring sounds, he transforms into a sleek yellow car, settling onto the street beside me. "Better?" he says, his voice modulated through the car's speakers.
I grin. "Much. Now we won't cause a panic."
It's strange, knowing I'm in a battle royale with some of the deadliest beings in the multiverse, and yet here I am, standing on a street corner like I'm about to grab a coffee. There's something almost amusing about the whole thing.
But I know better than to let my guard down.
"So what's the plan?" Bumblebee asks, his car form humming quietly.
"Recon for now. We've got no idea who's out there or what their Servants can do. And call me paranoid, but I'd rather not be taken out by some magical assassin the minute we start."
Bumblebee revs his engine in agreement. "Works for me. You want me to do a sweep of the city?"
I nod. "Keep it quiet, though. We don't want to announce ourselves too soon. If you see any Servants or suspicious activity, report back."
Bumblebee speeds off down the street, leaving me to consider my next move. I've got the tech, I've got the Servant. Now I just need to figure out the players in this game. Time to start making some noise — but not yet.
Subaru Natsuki's POV
I can't stop shaking.
The streets are packed with people, all of them walking around like nothing is wrong, like there isn't a magical death tournament going on right under their noses. I'm stuck in the middle of it, trying to keep my head low, but it's hard to hide the anxiety that's clawing at my insides.
EMIYA, my Archer-class Servant, walks beside me, looking as calm and composed as ever. His red cloak billows slightly in the breeze, and I can't help but feel out of place next to him. He's the real deal — a heroic spirit from some far-off time. And me? I'm just... me.
"You're nervous," he says, not bothering to look at me.
I swallow hard, forcing a smile. "Well, yeah. I've never done this before. I don't know how I'm supposed to act, or what I'm supposed to do. It's not like I've ever been in a... magical war."
He finally glances down at me, his expression unreadable. "That's understandable. But you'll need to adapt quickly. The other Masters won't hesitate. They'll strike the moment they see weakness."
His words send a fresh wave of panic through me. What if we get attacked right now? What if someone's watching us? What if I screw up?
"You'll be fine," EMIYA says, as if reading my mind. "You have me. Just stay focused. We'll get through this."
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. EMIYA's right — I can't afford to freak out. This isn't just about me. If I can win, if I can get the Holy Grail... I can fix everything. I can bring Rem back.
"Alright, let's do this," I say, trying to sound braver than I feel. "But... let's not rush into any fights, okay?"
EMIYA smirks. "No arguments there."
Conclusion: The Calm Before the Storm
The Masters and their Servants move through the city, each of them preparing for the inevitable clash. The streets are full of people, completely unaware of the war brewing around them. Fuyuki City will soon become a battlefield, a place where legends clash and lives are changed forever.
For now, though, the Masters bide their time. They watch, they wait.
But the first strike is coming.
And when it does, none of them will be ready.