London, Clocktower Mage Association HQ

Chapter 0 - Prologue to a Terrible War

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The afternoon day here in London was a nice one, and the sun shined brightly around the city. The Clocktower that the Mages trained in the Clocktower went about their everyday activities doing what they would to further their own knowledge. However the Clocktower today was holding a little darker shade then it usually did, and the Clocktower was home to many dark secrets already. Today the Team of Black was being formed. Church Officials, and Mage Associates all gathering to form an alliance against the Family Grey. The mage family known for their mage superiority views now held the keys to the 'new' Holy Grail. However only the top officials knew the exact details. In order to assure secrecy the Association has yet to tell the exact details to those outside their domain in order to prevent leakage of their plans. Thus the group was gathering at the Clocktower in order to form a more cohesive group.

Normally the Association would go for mercenaries, and thugs for a job like this however with the Greys being former Mage Association members they have decided to make this more personal. The Association had left Director Orson Archibald as the one in charge of Allied forces. The Church for their part was sending a master of their craft their way as well. It was in the headmaster's office that the group would be meeting. The world would change for the better, or for the worse this day as a Great Holy Grail War was to start.

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Leon stepped through the halls moving out of the way of a few students here, and there. It was on this day that he had arrived with his contact that had met with his parents. His breathing was calm but it was underlayed with a nervous tension. He wasn't use to big time missions like this. Ever since his father completed his training as a wind elemental mage he was just going about his life as he tried to manage something to make his life worth living. His grand father insisted he live life to the fullest, and that 'life's complications can fuck themselves'. His father cautioned a more honest, and straightforward approach to learn the secrets of magecraft. In the end he got involved with the local tournament organizers.

Unlike European mages the Midwest region where a conclave of North American Mages rised, like Leon, had a more combative sense around them. While working on contemporary mage to reach the root was still precedent it made many mages choose a more passive route; others chose to fight in arenas to improve their physical bodies, and their skills with more offensive magics. It was in the world of mage fighting that Leon honed his skills. And in place of his parents here he was.

Leon looked about the beautiful area that sprawled out in all directions around him was ancient, as it was full of potential. This place was sacred ground for up and coming noble families for the Association. It made him wonder what his life would be if he had turned out just a little differently. If he had come here from his hometown instead of staying with his father. It would have made his life a whole lot different no doubt. He wondered if it would be for the better. Leon looked at the pot in his satchel that he had brought with him. It contained the components for the summoning ceremony.

He wondered who would come to him...this piece of legend ripped from the round table. He considered how many heroes were apart of Arthurian lore. It was a vast subject. If he was truly to become a 'master' then he would need to put the thoughts out of his mind of what it meant. Uncle Collins told him once, 'a man chooses, and a slave obeys' he didn't want to be a slave. He couldn't imagine whoever this was in his satchel would want to be too. But it was simply the fate that had been chosen for both of them.

As Leon rounded a corner he looked for the office of the Headmaster. He had been told where to go by a younger mage he had ran into at the front of the clocktower. It wouldn't be much longer until he got there. It was hard to keep pace, and not lose himself in the sprawling corridors of this place. No doubt others found it easier if they lived here, and learned what it meant to be a mage here. But to him it was a mess. As he nearly bumped into a master mage carrying some boxes he apologized, and moved out of the way and finally arrived at the office. He knocked on the door, and someone inside told him to enter.

As he entered he saw a large man with scars on his face wearing a long white jacket staring at him with indifference but them smiled at him when he noticed Leon was looking at him. He had messy brown hair, and grey eyes. His body was muscular but not to a freakish extent. And his size made Leon a bit intimidated he wondered how many fights this man had survived. At a desk sat the man called Director Orson. He wore a black vest with a red tie. His graying hair was slicked back, and he looked at Leon through cold blue eyes.

His professional nature spoke volumes about him as he reeked of a man who had spent his life teaching those younger than him. Still Leon could not help but feel as if he was staring at a terrifying man. Leon had not met him but he was known by many as a great mage. He was not the head master they were simply borrowing the office for sake of convenience. "Why hello there son! How are you doing this fine day?" the man in white said to Leon as he nodded at him in return.

"I'm fine nice to meet you, I'm Leon, Leon Winchester. It is a pleasure to meet you sirs." Leon said as he nodded his head at them. "Winchester? Ha there's a name I never thought I'd see pop up again. Your grand dad was a pain in my ass when I was a younger man you know. All the same you shouldn't worry we're all friends here. I have a colleague around here somewhere. Should be here soon. Oh and my name is Prichard Anderson. But please just call me Anderson." the man said as Director Orson cleared his voice,

"I hope the others will show up soon. If not we will simply proceed with business as we should. I specifically marked today as a meeting day for everyone. If no one else shows up I can only assume they are operating on their own volition." Director Orson said calmly as he motioned for Leon to take one of the chairs in the office. Leon obliged with a quick thanks to the Director.

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He had enough self-awareness to come early. Thus, it was no problem that he wandered the halls peering into open doors, fixated on one thing after another.

So that's what that ritual did. He always killed mages before they could finish.

No way, were they fighting? Hand-to-hand mages? The door fell closed too quickly to be sure.

The place was like a museum, but more fun because you had to be quick and sneaky to see the cool parts. Fortunately, Romeo was both. Despite that, wasn't it almost time to meet the mages? For a place called "The Clock Tower" he actually couldn't find a way to figure out the exact o'clock. Being unsure, he decided to head what he felt was probably the right direction. A few minutes later, he got what he wanted. Romeo had half a mind to kick down the door and start interrogating the mages that would surely be inside about what kinds of cool things they could do. Instead, he gave two rapid knocks, waited for an invitation, and then stepped inside.

There were three already sitting inside, and despite the intimidating guy who was obviously the higher-ranked executioner he was meant to join, his instincts told him the scholarly-looking fella behind the desk would be in charge. With that in mind, he made a quick stop there to announce his arrival. "Good afternoon, sir. Executioner Romeo Tallis from the Holy Church reporting for duty." He spoke just loud enough that he could be sure everyone currently in the room would remember his name. "If you don't mind, I'll be joining my senior now."

Looking more thoroughly at the scarred man sitting nearby, it was obvious that he must have had an insane amount of experience, hopefully against magi specifically. As the junior priest in black approached the senior one in white, he wondered if perhaps he was meeting someone truly legendary, as he had always taken more of an interest in the terrible mythic blasphemers who had antagonized the Church throughout history than in the legendary warriors of the Lord. "Pleased to meet you, Father." He extended a hand while guessing at the man's status, "I hope you're doing well, and that you're ready to embark on this unusual mission."

The Clocktower. She had promised herself not to return until she had become sure of who she was, and what she wanted out of life. If she stepped past the doorway into this building once more, it would mean her worldly travels had come to an end. Cassandra La Cassidin too a long breath. A deep breath that filled her lungs, and she stepped over the divide. For a moment, she felt nothing, and then... She pushed onward. She had been called all the way to this place for a reason. Her periods of time overseas had mad contacting her difficult, so the mere fact that she had been contacted at all was part of the reason she came here. If she was needed, she had to come. Or all that effort would have been wasted.

Cassandra climbed the stairs, two at a time with her cloak billowing around. Billowing, and smacking the odd student in the face as they tried to walk past her. "Sorry about that," she said, pausing to help one of the students collect a book he had dropped. "Alchemy, huh?" She said, upon seeing the title. It was the same kind of book she had read when she attended the academy, and part of her had to admit it was indeed funny that teachers kept the same books the same. Despite how much magecraft was trying to advance. "I was never all that good at alchemy myself. Much better with golems and familiars." She smiled, and placed the book on top of the pile, and was away before the student could speak up. She had a place to be.

The door to the office shut behind her, stepping inside with a smile. "I apologize if I was late. There was an accident in the stairway. And besides, I was all the way in Africa. Do you realize how hard it is to get here with only a three day heads up?" Nodding to the others, she adjusted her cape.
"Pleasure to meet you all. I am Cassandra, and what is this all about?"

@Reflection@ManyThings

As Romeo entered the room he smiled at him, and chuckled as he came in and announced his allegiance to the church. "The pleasure is all mine. I thought I was assigned all the names already it seems yours slipped through. Bloody bureaucrats need to get their work together right?" Anderson laughed as Leon smiled at Anderson's cheerful attitude but made sure not to get to close to either of the church's members. His father had a certain disdain for the church and his grand father more so calling them 'haggard laggards who couldn't handle a beer let alone anything sacrilegious.' Leon himself had not found issue with the church but he was raised in the backwoods he didn't have much to base his knowledge on. "My name is Leon Winchester nice to meet you Mister Romeo." commented the young magus as he nodded in his direction. "Unusual? Ha! This is just another day in the park for me kiddo. The world is full of strange circumstances even holy grail wars aren't new to me." Anderson stated as he ran his hand through is hair.

Before the Director could so much as mouth another word another person came through curtly he nodded at Cassandra as she entered. "Cassandra? I've heard things about you from your teachers you will be a solid addition to this team being assembled. It would seem we have some key members here now. It would be for the best if we at least began to state our current situation." Commented the Director as he ran his fingers across the desk in front of him was a series of picture taken from the scene in Poland. Dead mages, a forest, and a city.

"This is a village just somewhere south of Danzig in Poland. It is quite the historical area however it is now home to the Grey Family's castle. Using magic they have strategically placed themselves in the center of some fairly substantial leylines, and are using them to channel mana for their servants. We don't know who they're using to fight but there's reports of monsters, and humans alike around the forest. Any attempts to get into it have been stopped after the butchery of the mage scouts, and our specialists vanishing without a trace shortly after. The grey's have no doubt summoned several servants. What they have planned is unknown to us however it is known that the forest is not natural likely it is a by product of magic or their own illusionist power. Perhaps they had just grown it there to give themselves cover. Either way There is a small village we have set up as a 'base' therefore we intend to send you all there." commented Orson as he pointed at the pictures for emphasis on his points.

"Illusionist magic is not a thing to take lightly it could be covering darker magic. I assume we have plans to deal with
that? It is something that executors like me, and the lad here can take care of but it appears advanced if a whole party got lost in it." Anderson stated as Leon spoke up "I believe that the Director wouldn't send us out there without help. Do you have someone in mind?" Leon questioned the Director who nodded. "It would be a student of mine skilled in all sorts of occult arts including Illusion. A prodigy of sorts in the field of countering such things. She had even unraveled some ancient magics...basic ones but undoubtedly useful ones. I will show her to you later should you agree to the terms I have for you. But for now I will answer any questions about the mission, or the Greys that you may have for me. I will warn you we don't know too much."

Everything honestly sounded good. A solid plan. A well crafted plan. One problem.
"Poland! But I've never been to Poland. Why, I'd need to get a map, make a list of the customs!" Cassandra had already begun to pace, and dug around in a bag she had slung over he chest. Flicking through a rather large book of tourist places, she finally settled on Poland. "Okay... So..." She paused with a sigh. "Oh this will never work. I need at least a week to be ready. I'd need to check the place before I moved in. Then I'd need to have my lab set up beforehand. And that's not even getting into how I'd need to know all the nearby restaurants."

This went on for a while. She listed off at least a dozen things she would need, until finally, she paused. Finally realizing just what she was doing. "I mean! I'm just so... Never been to Poland. I mean, I understand I'm a candidate, but are you sure I can really go to Poland? I mean, this whole servant war thing... I've only read about it. I haven't even had time to think about what kind of servant I'd want! Or what to do with them!" Taking a deep breath, Cassandra finally let it out into a sigh. "Okay... We can do this."

Leon looked over with a bit of confusion to the lady who had just arrived just after him with a bit of skepticism...did she really have what it took to summon an ancient spirit? She seemed a bit...out there she looked like she was a mage of some skill but was really flustered about Poland of all things in specific. "Um Miss it's just Poland. I've never been there before but our objective isn't sight seeing its fighting we'll probably not have to worry about the local area so much as the Grey Family's Castle." Leon said as Anderson stifled a chuckle. He looked at Cassandra with a smile, and nodded his head before speaking, "You have to understand lass the world itself is a vast place. More over we will probably be arriving by way of connections through The Mage Association. If you want help I can lend you some of my own supplementary materials on the Polish people, and language. But YES we have to go to to Poland because the Grey Family ain't moving from Poland. We can't exactly achieve our goals if we don't make a move to do so." Anderson stated politely as he kept his creepy grin on his face.

Director Orson looked at Cassandra with some embarrassment on his face. He looked at her with a stern face in comparison to Anderson. "I thought we already informed you of the location, and its place? Regardless you were given the task of finding a proper catalyst at the very least. Look if you don't have one we will loan you something from the vaults here. You don't get to pick the servant behind it. The best you can do is invoke Berserker. Unless you know a relic is specifically made to tailor towards one individual person like a sword from that specific warrior. You're objective is simple: Fight. Fight, and defeat the family Grey. They are disruptors of the balance of the world. Fools who seek greed. You are no tourist. You are an anchor. A human designated to make a greater being able to stand in this world. A in between. You will fight yourself when needed but you need only rely on the person in front of you the servant bound to you once it is summoned.." Orson said with a cold disregard for Cassandra's silly comments about lack of preparation. They needed good warriors not novices. He wondered if his superiors, and fellow directors weren't fools for picking these specific people.

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Being an executioner, Romeo had seen plenty of mages in vulnerable and human states before, but this was different. The flustered lady, the polite guy, and the disappointed old man. It was like a sitcom or something. That being the case, he thought, it would be best to strike while the iron was hot and start interacting with mages in a friendly way for the first time in his life. "It's true that a Servant is the best tool to rely on in battles like these, but even so..."

He stood up and quickly approached Cassandra. "...I'd love to know what kind of magecraft you guys are good at!" Before he even finished that sentence he remembered his superior was in the room and tried to wear a face with a little more seriousness. "I mean, when you work with someone you have to know what they can do for you." Even when he tried his hardest to be professional, he still sounded a little bit like a nerd asking about the powers of a comic book character.

"I myself am partial to sneaking around, then running up and going for a hand-to-hand takedown. It's not the kind of thing mages are used to, so it tends to be sorta effective against them." As he described each part of his "battle plan" he made mostly unconscious hand motions to illustrate them, tensing up and shifting his head from side to side as if sneaking before raising his fists to about neck level like some sort of terrible boxer. "As for questions to you, Director, do you have any clue who the head of the family is or what kind of structure they have beyond that? The average family as I understand it will have the head, their spouse, and one, maybe two kids. That's not enough to support a full Servant roster unless they call in a bunch of aunts and uncles or favours from allied houses."

"Beyond that, who else are we waiting for? If this student of yours has already been cleared with you then there's not really much reason for her to be here, so that leaves me, father Anderson, Leon and Cassandra. My plan is mostly to take out the enemy Masters and let their Servants disappear, but it's good to have a full team, right? Especially when the bad guys are hiding in an illusion forest." Now that he was standing again, Romeo's body language exuded energy as he shifted repeatedly from one foot to the other.

"I mean don't get me wrong I love a good fight as much as anyone but this is a war with our lives on the line Mister Romeo. I'll fight if I need to but I'll depend on my servant to do the heavy work. I don't want to risk more than I need to, and if you don't mind me being blunt sir you shouldn't either. I've heard of you're group and the sacramental order. I don't know much but you're badasses right? But even then illusion magic is notorious for being underhanded. Running into a defensive battle against a family that specializes in it seems dangerous." Leon said as he turned to Romeo he tried to keep a neutral face but he couldn't help but feel the man was being a bit eager. As he layed out his own set of skills Leon felt more obliged to share his own, though his skill set was by no means secretive, he'd feel more comfortable if he had it on the hush side. His grand father had warned him about the church's underhanded ways. But that was no way to think about an ally in a war that was going to involve the fate of the world.

"For the sake of being honest, and up front with you Mister Romeo I specialize in kinetic energy based combat. Mage on mage fights are my specialty. I have control of Water, and Wind elemental styles of magecraft. I can fight in the open rather well but I prefer to have cover. I had no actual war experience only practice bouts, and controlled fight. But I am my father's son I am capable of adapting on the fly. My family wouldn't have trusted me with this if I was a novice." Leon spouted off as he listed his experience off to the man wondering if the information was of any use to the man irregardless. At least he could feel good about being up front with the man. Even if it didn't ease Leon's nervousness at the prospect of summoning a person from a by-gone era.

"You don't know my skill set lad? HA! That's a new one! I specialize in anti-magecraft warfare. I have fire, wind, and earth elemental affinity. I have practiced most sacramental magecraft styles offered by the church, and am a expert in close quarters combat, medium range combat, and have a expertise with melee weapons. Specifically our black keys. I prefer stealth based quick executions that instantly kill the opponent be it through cutting a man's throat, or putting a black key through his head. I have also studied various other magecraft forms like Alchemy, and Necromancy in order to further my own skillset against rogue magi. You don't need to worry lad. I know how to kill a man well enough." Anderson said with a smile as he clapped his hands together at the younger executor's excitement, and thrill for his new assignment.

When it came the Director's turn to speak he adjusted his clothes, and pulled out a small picture of an elder man. Medium length white hair covered his aging skin, and body. He had dulled blue eyes, but despite this he still appeared to be quite fit. The picture was taken alongside two men in the Atlas Institution's uniform. "You should've been briefed on this. The Head of the Grey Family is Arnoldo K. Grey. Former professor of Necromancy, and Illusion magecraft study here in The Mage Institution, and former benefactor of the Atlas Institution prior to the cold war. Arnoldo was a perfectionist, and very few students gained his respect. He was only twenty three at the time of his induction as a teacher here in the clocktower. He was a grouchy man even back then, and was very obsessed with mage superiority. However when Adolf Hitler began killing off jews he included the magi along with them which set him against the nazis. After the war he broke most ties with the Clocktower, and went to Moscow to learn more about the rising Soviet Union."

"He also was said to have explored the Baltic coasts from time to time but such information is up to speculation. He has known to have father three sons, and one daughter. It is unknown where the sons are however one of them is known to be dead, and the daughter has been missing from the public eye for years. It is speculated that he has at least two grand kids who he has kept sheltered from us for years. It is unknown if they used illusion magic to do so or not. It was when the Soviet Union fell that he slunk back into isolation. The Greys have only been heard from on occasion until this point. Arnoldo loves his privacy hence the heavy magical forest hiding around his god forsaken magic." The Director stated as rested back into his chair. His exposition was very heavy but he spoke clearly, and fairly slowly as to not need to repeat himself. "We are not waiting on anyone else for the moment there may be more, there may not be. I'll send out a notice to our contact just in case. Where there any other questions, or inquires?" questioned the Director as he looked around the room.

Leon shook his head the information was pointless to him his plan was to simply adjust to circumstances as it came. He didn't know what to expect he'd never even left the states before let alone go to Europe. This was his first outing in the big world. And he wasn't one to botch it over some dumb question, or another that would come out of his mouth. He lacked confidence in himself at the moment with two executors in the room. He was in the big boy pool, and it was sink, or swim so he'd let the more responsible adults, if that is what you call these people, handle the planning for the moment.