Act I: Chapter I — The Mysterious Mark

The most unbearable thing for a person is peace, undisturbed by passions, work, entertainment, or pursuits. In such moments, one feels their insignificance, abandonment, imperfection, dependence, powerlessness, and emptiness. From the depths of their soul, endless melancholy, sorrow, bitterness, anger, and despair crawl out.

© Blaise Pascal

[Three years ago — 1991...]

How did it all begin?

If we turn to the research of occultists, we can learn that numerous theories about the "other world" — the Source — have been proposed since ancient times. All the world's magicians crave to reach this place — the void where all things are born and where existence itself perishes, where the history of the past and future of the universe is recorded, the domain of the creator who made the cosmos.

Two hundred years ago, a handful of magicians dared to find the key and create a true miracle. The heads of three families (the Einzberns, Makiri, and Tohsaka) decided to materialize a legendary artifact, about which countless legends have been told — the Holy Grail. To summon the Chalice, they exchanged secret knowledge and techniques and combined their efforts.

The founders managed to create the legendary chalice... However, the Grail could only grant the wish of one person. Once this was discovered, the alliance immediately dissolved, and friendship turned into a bloody massacre.

Since then, every sixty years, the Grail has been summoned again in the eastern edge of the earth, in the city of Fuyuki.

Before this, the Grail chooses seven magicians, giving them the chance to possess it, and to do so, it grants them colossal magical energy, all for the primary purpose — the summoning of Servants, spirits of great heroes from ancient legends and tales who come to life for the fleeting chance to fulfill their cherished dream. Alongside them, the competitors enter into a brutal battle to determine who is worthy of obtaining the Grail.

... This was roughly how it was explained to Kotomine Kirei.

— The mark resembling a tattoo on your hand is known as 'Command Spells.' This is joyous news, for you have been chosen, Kirei. With it, you can command a Servant, a mighty hero," explained a man named Tohsaka Tokiomi, somewhat monotonously but pronouncing each word clearly.

He, Kirei, and Kirei's father, the priest Kotomine Risei, were conversing while comfortably seated in exquisite chairs in the living room of a large villa. The villa was located near the city of Salerno in southern Italy, on a low picturesque hill.

It was Kirei's father, about to enter his eighties, who introduced Kirei to an old ally and friend, who turned out to be surprisingly young. The extravagantly dressed Japanese man looked hardly older than Kirei and carried himself with the composure befitting the head of a family.

By the way, the place where he was receiving guests served as the summer residence of his noble family. However, the most surprising thing was that Tohsaka Tokiomi easily introduced himself as a magician during the meeting.

What's so astonishing about that? Kirei and his father belonged to the clergy and were priests, but not from ordinary temples. The "Holy Church" was engaged in searching for all kinds of miracles and mystical phenomena that went beyond dogma, hunting heresy and ruthlessly eliminating all its manifestations. In simpler terms, the Church eradicated any manifestations of witchcraft.

To protect their teachings and oppose the growing power of the Church, magicians joined forces and organized the Association. And although a truce had been established between the organizations, a friendly conversation between their representatives was considered the ravings of a madman. However, if you dig up old agreements, it would reveal the friendly relations between the Tohsaka family and the Church.

The mark itself resembled three shapeless spots. Upon noticing it, Kirei immediately sought advice from his father. The next morning, greeting the rising sun, they arrived in Salerno, where Risei introduced his son to the young magician. After the introductions were over, they began discussing the main reason for their gathering: the upcoming Holy Grail War and the fact that the legendary artifact would be revived for the fourth time, and Kirei would need to engage in an unseen by ordinary people battle for the right to possess the wish-granting Chalice.

Not that he refused to fight… Kirei's duty as a member of the Holy Church was essentially to directly eliminate heresy, and this meant that he was a seasoned warrior. He could be compared to a crusader who, without sparing any effort, hunted witches and other servants of the devil. The only thing that troubled Kirei was his future role as a magician, those whom he had previously hunted.

— In essence, the battle for the Holy Grail is fought by the Servants, and their summoning requires at least basic knowledge of magic. Therefore, the Grail primarily chooses participants from among magicians. In your case, Kirei, this was a real shock for us."

— Doesn't the Grail care whom it chooses?" Kirei asked, still not fully digesting what he had heard.

Tokiomi nodded in response to Kirei's still unconvinced question.

— I already mentioned the three families who started it all — the founding families receive the Command Spells first, which means… — Tokiomi raised his right hand and showed the back of his palm. The familiar pattern resembling three inkblots was clearly visible there, — that I, the current head of the Tohsaka family, will participate in the upcoming battle."

Kirei was puzzled: did this mean he would have to cross swords with this gentleman who was kindly explaining this fact to him?

— I would like to know more about the Servants you mentioned earlier. Heroic Spirits used as familiars, you said...

— I agree, it's hard to believe, but it's the pure truth. And another confirmation of how powerful the Holy Grail is...

Legends of great people, incredible individuals whose names have been preserved in history or local folklore. They are those who remained in the memory of humanity. After death, they found peace in an unattainable realm — the Throne of Heroes. They are Heroic Spirits. They are different from the vengeful demons or malevolent spirits that magicians summon as familiars. To command such supernatural beings is something beyond the realm of possibility.

— However, the Chalice can work miracles, and this is just a small fraction of its power. Just imagine the boundless power contained in this treasure,— the magician fell silent, as if he himself was imagining the unimaginable. Calming his breathing, he paused, sighed, and shook his head. — After the summoning, seven warriors and magicians will begin the ritual that will determine the victor. Thus, the greatest heroes of different eras and different parts of the world will manifest in our world. Fuyuki will become the battlefield.

— And what, such a grand battle will happen right in the city, in front of tens of thousands of people?"

Naturally, magicians were not used to publicizing themselves and conducted all their affairs secretly. In times when science dominated the earth and people's minds, the magical community was forced to remain in the shadows. Like any such organization or community.

However, in the Grail War, ancient heroes from legends and myths, once rulers of the world and mighty warriors capable of standing against entire armies, will be summoned. Though there are only seven, it is a conflict worthy of being called a war, and like any war, it will be accompanied by massive destruction and casualties.

— Of course, everyone adheres to the unspoken rule of fighting away from civilians. This condition will be strictly monitored by the arbiter, — Kirei's father suddenly spoke, breaking his silence. — The Holy Grail War is a ritual that takes place every sixty years; this will be the fourth. Japan was rapidly developing even during the second one, and now waging a destructive war even on the God-forsaken Far Eastern islands without attracting attention is a difficult task. Therefore, the Holy Church acted as a mediator; we are obliged to conceal this event and minimize possible casualties.

— The battle of magicians will be judged by the Church?

— Oh yes, precisely the Church, for the 'Mage's Association' is fragmented, each group with its own interests. Finding an impartial judge is impossible. Thus, the choice fell on the Church. Moreover, we could not remain indifferent when we learned what the prize was. What if it is the very Chalice that was filled with the blood of the Son of God?

They belonged to the Eighth Sacrament order — a special branch of the Holy Church, which deals with the search for sacred Christian relics. The Holy Grail was often mentioned in scriptures and apocrypha, so the Church's interest in such a relic was quite understandable — the artifact could strengthen the teachings and status of the Church.

— Speaking of which, I'll say that the last time the Holy Grail War unfolded during the height of the world war, I was still a young man. And now I have the honor once again to take on the responsible role of arbiter. As in the last time, I will carefully monitor your conflict.

Hearing what his father was saying, Kirei involuntarily raised his eyebrows.

— Wait, the arbiter is chosen from among the clergy precisely because he is supposed to be impartial, isn't he? What kind of impartiality can we talk about if a close relative is involved?

— Well, what can I say… any rule has its exceptions, — and a mysterious grin spread across Risei's usually stern, wrinkled face. Kirei still didn't understand what it concealed.

— Mr. Kotomine, there's no need to deceive your son. Let's get to the point, — Tohsaka emphasized meaningfully and passed the word back to Father Kotomine.

— Hm, you're right... My son, everything you've heard within these walls must remain between us. I introduced you to Tohsaka for another reason.

— Then what is the reason?

— The Church has long had compelling reasons to believe that the Grail, which appears in Fuyuki, has nothing to do with the holy relics or the Cup from which He drank. It is a mere imitation. For magi, it holds value, but for the Church, it does not.

The priest's revelation explained much. Would the Church be content with just the role of an arbiter? No, they were merely playing a role. If the artifact were genuine, an army of inquisitors would have already besieged the city, seizing the coveted cup by force despite any truce.

— The purpose of the ritual is to open a path to the Root — a long-standing goal of the magi society. But since it is a dangerous ritual involving a powerful artifact, we cannot merely observe. If it falls into the wrong hands, it's hard to predict what might happen.

— Why not just kill them, like heretics?

— It's much more complicated than that. The magi would vigilantly guard the Grail. If we act openly, a major conflict would be inevitable. The entire Association would be involved, which would affect the world at large. But what if we look at it from a different angle? What if we allow a trusted person to obtain the Cup?

— Hm, I see...

Kirei began to understand the essence of this farce.

— There are several tragic chapters in the history of the Tohsaka family. They were persecuted for their religious beliefs, for following doctrines similar to ours. Therefore, if such an important artifact were to fall into the hands of a worthy person like Tohsaka, we would be at ease.

The mage, who nodded in agreement, took over the conversation:

— My goal is Akasha. This is the main legacy of our family, and nothing else matters. The Einzberns and Matous seek the same goal, but unfortunately, with each generation, they stray further from the chosen path. They have forgotten the legacy of their ancestors. I don't care to consider the motives of other participants; no one can know what base desires drive them.

Kirei guessed the role he would play in the upcoming battle.

— So, I am to enter the War to secure victory for Mr. Tohsaka?

— Indeed!

For the first time during the meeting, a smile flickered across the mage's stoic face.

— Of course, in public, we will appear as bitter rivals, but we will work together to track down and eliminate other enemies. Victory will be ours!

Risei nodded in agreement. It turned out that the story of an impartial arbitrator chosen from the Church was nothing more than a farce. In reality, the Church had its own agenda.

However, Kirei was little concerned. He was accustomed to following the will of the Order without asking unnecessary questions. His goal was clear and simple, and as a faithful disciple, he would undoubtedly achieve the best possible result.

— So, Kirei, my boy, you will be transferred from the Holy Church to the Mage's Association, where you will become an apprentice, — Tohsaka stated, confirming what had already been decided.

— Transferred?..

— All the formalities have been settled, — Father Kotomine added, handing his son a letter, an order for the transfer. Kirei was surprised at how quickly and easily the matter had been resolved.

In just one night, the documents had been signed and sealed.

No one had asked what Kirei Kotomine wanted; everything had been decided for him. But he was the kind of person who never objected and simply carried out his tasks.

— From now on, you will live in my estate in Japan, where I will train you in the magical arts. We have three years left. In that time, you must become a true mage, learning how to be a master and control a servant.

— Won't that raise suspicions? If others find out, our plan will fail.

Tohsaka shook his head at this remark, a cold smile on his lips.

— You have no idea how magi usually behave. When interests clash, all decorum and morality fall away. An apprentice will not hesitate to raise a hand against their master. This is common in our world.

— Yes, you're right.

Kirei neither knew nor cared to know the blasphemous principles by which magi lived, but he had an idea of their twisted inclinations. He had seen what they were capable of when he purged heresy. The number of Tohsaka's fallen colleagues had long exceeded double digits, but he had stopped counting.

— So, do you have any other questions or doubts? — Tohsaka asked, hinting that it was time to end the conversation. And then the priest asked the question that had been bothering him from the start.

— Just one: how does the Grail choose who to appoint as a master?

Tohsaka, taken aback, changed his expression and began searching for the right answer.

— The Grail… chooses only those who need it. At the top of the list, as I've already mentioned, are the families who founded the ceremony.

— So, all participants have a clear goal for which they fight for the Grail?

— That's not always the case. To summon the Cup, exactly seven masters are required. If, by the end, that number is not reached, the command spells may randomly appear on anyone, even against the rules. There have been incidents before… Ah, I see… — Tohsaka suddenly paused. — Kirei, do you know why it chose you?

Kirei admitted he did not. No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand why him.

— Hm, it's indeed a curious question. The only link between you and the Cup is your father... But if we think along those lines, it all makes sense.

— What do you mean?

— The Grail must know that the Church supports the Tohsaka family. And if a member of the Church enters the fray, it would be a great advantage for our family, — Tohsaka shared his vain thoughts and paused for effect. — In other words, when the Grail chose you, it intended to provide the Tohsaka family with two chosen ones! So, does this explanation satisfy you? — the mage concluded proudly.

Kirei remained silent. He saw that the mage before him was confident to the point of arrogance. However, for someone like Tohsaka Tokiomi, self-admiration was fitting. He was undoubtedly an outstanding mage, fully aware of it, and proud of it.

— When do we depart? — Kirei, suppressing his disappointment, changed the subject.

— I need to take a short trip to England, my boy. I have some business at the Clock Tower. You can head to Japan without me; the family knows about you.

— I understand... In that case, I will depart immediately.

— My son, return alone. I have unfinished business with Mr. Tohsaka.

The standing man nodded, bowed, and left.

Tohsaka and Kotomine were left alone. Both watched the retreating silhouette through the window.

— What a diligent son you have, Mr. Kotomine.

— He is indeed an exceptional executor, unparalleled. Among the disciples, he is the only one who approaches the task with such zeal. I fear it may one day play a cruel joke on him.

— Really? Isn't he a model? A true defender of the faith?

— Indeed. But, to my shame, I must admit that Kirei is the only one I can be proud of in my old age.

— Imagine, I lived to fifty years, and fate never blessed me with a son. I nearly despaired, and then… And now, just think what a worthy man he has become!

— But I was surprised at how easily he accepted this mission.

— For the Church, he would go through fire and water. His faith knows no bounds.

The mage did not argue, although he did not see Kirei as a true defender of the faith. He seemed to be a phlegmatic, even indifferent person.

— To be honest, I'm slightly disappointed. He doesn't seem interested in the upcoming battle.

— No… I think it will be the only thing that brings him relief, — Risei responded vaguely. — What I'm about to say is very personal. I hope it remains between us. Kirei recently… lost his wife. Their happiness was short-lived; they didn't even live together for two years.

— I see… I… — Tohsaka was so shocked by the revelation that he struggled to find words.

A fresh breeze ruffled Kirei Kotomine's hair as he descended from the hilltop along the winding narrow path.

Kirei thought that Tohsaka had faced many hardships, yet each one added to his greatness without breaking him. He knew how this happened firsthand. His father was of the same kind. Such people know why they were born and tirelessly pursue their goals and dreams. They are not plagued by doubts. They sacrifice themselves for the cause and strive to perform their roles as best as possible.

In the case of his father, the reason for his persistence could have been an unshakable faith in God. For Tokiomi, it was a belief in his own significance, his chosenness, in the idea that he was not just an ordinary mortal, but a man with a great destiny. Only pureblooded aristocrats, who are seen as relics in the modern world, think like that.

This man... Tokiomi would play an important role in his life. But while much united his father and Tokiomi, there was almost nothing that connected Kirei with his future mentor. Someone who is always straightforward, obsessed with their goal, could never understand the essence of someone like Kirei—a man wandering in darkness in search of the meaning of life.

For over twenty years, he had not seen even a glimmer of hope, nor had he found any grand purpose.

Throughout his life, as long as he could remember, Kirei had not understood higher values—everything was equally meaningless to him. He did not know what joy was. Everyone else could find some purpose or activity, gaining simple happiness from it, but for Kirei, who was deprived of such a world, there was no meaning.

But he believed in God. Or rather, in some higher entity, incomprehensible to him due to his lack of knowledge and experience. Even Kirei himself understood that no matter how devout his faith was, someone like him would never find salvation.

Despair and self-hatred drove Kirei to self-punishment. Using righteous deeds, he tortured himself repeatedly. But any torment only strengthened his body, tempering it like fire does to steel. Kirei didn't even notice when he rose to the rank of executor in the Church. Over time, he gained great renown. The higher-ups praised his selflessness and stoicism, setting him as an example. His father saw this and was proud of his son, which only filled Kirei with burning shame. Kirei knew they were all mistaken. That his father was wrong, but even a lifetime wouldn't be enough to convince him otherwise.

That in the mighty body, there was no mighty spirit, that Kirei's character lacked a backbone. This emptiness in his heart... Even Kirei's only beloved could not uncover this flaw.

Suddenly, Kirei felt dizzy, and pressing his fingers to his forehead, he slowed his pace. The memories of his wife clouded his mind. It felt as if he was standing in a thick fog above an abyss, and any careless thought would lead him into the void.

Snapping out of his daze, Kirei thoughtfully looked down at the mark engraved on his right palm.

The Holy Grail... Why would the almighty chalice choose me out of all the people on this earth?

Desire...

But what could I possibly desire?

Costa d'Amalfi Airport was located in Italy and served Salerno.

It was thirteen kilometers from the city center.

Kirei had arrived here to travel to Fuyuki City, which was in Japan. After going through all the formalities and sitting down on a bench, he silently observed people, sinking into his thoughts.

— Whoever watches the wind will not sow, and whoever looks at the clouds will not reap," a voice pulled him out of his reverie, and Kirei sharply turned his head in surprise. The stranger's presence was abrupt and sudden, as if he had simply materialized out of thin air. At least, that's how it seemed to the priest, who had failed to notice the guest.

The guest, with a slight smile, was watching the passersby. Soon they would be scattered to distant corners of the earth, but the stranger showed extreme interest in each of them.

— You...

— Sir, don't you think people are quite fascinating creatures? They fly through life like arrows shot from a bow, even if they don't know where they're headed. They pursue great goals and rejoice like children when even their smallest wishes come true.

— ...

The youthful-looking man seemed unusual to him, the ease with which he changed emotions was astonishing. One moment he appeared happy, the next sad, and even... empty, like a doll.

His short silver hair resembled moonlight, and his deep emerald eyes scrutinized everything down to the smallest detail, every tiny thread.

It seemed that he possessed compassion worthy of saints and heartlessness reminiscent of demons...

Blinking and pressing a hand to his head, Kirei fought off a headache and tensed—whoever was sitting next to him was clearly not an ordinary person.

— You're an interesting case, Mr. Kotomine. That emptiness in your heart... it can be filled with anything, but of course, the decision is yours, dear priest. I'll be watching your search.

The throbbing in his temple suddenly cooled, and the man, who had lost concentration for just a moment, didn't even notice when his mysterious companion disappeared, as if he had dissolved into the air.

But his words made the dead heart of the man named Kirei skip a beat, a faint feeling, unfamiliar to him before, arose somewhere within.

Driven by sudden curiosity, Kirei picked up a small business card lying before him, as if it were a parting gift: "Nihil verum est licet omnia — Nothing is true, everything is permitted." — your friend, Mr. Aleister Crowley.

Emptiness... fill it... search...!!!

Like a divine revelation, this insight struck Kirei's mind.

Indeed, if the Grail is as mighty as the legends say, it will be able to answer him, a lost lamb, and grant the meaning of life.

But the Chalice fulfills only one wish, and if he wants to know the answer...

Kirei's pupils involuntarily narrowed.