sassy1085
GubGarSuzaku Kirishima
Fuyuki Church, earlier that morning
Suzaku panted with exertion and excitement, his limbs shaking with the effort he'd put into the spell. He'd... he'd done it. He'd done it! He'd summoned a Heroic Spirit, a Servant! He glanced down at the back of his right hand, specifically the red markings etched into it. Excellent. He then looked up at the Servant he'd summoned and... was caught significantly off guard. Lightning. Lots and lots of lightning. The man was practically cloaked in it. It was... exhilarating to watch, and slightly frightening. Then, he stepped forward to introduce himself.
"I am servant Archer, a man who has grasped the power of the gods in his hands. If it pleases you, you may call me Nikola Tesla. Now then, there is much work to be done if we are to grasp the Holy Grail."
Suzaku blinked. Archer? Tesla?
"...Who?"
Suzaku shook his head in wonderment as he walked about the outskirts of Fuyuki, pondering that which his Servant, Tesla, had told him. To be honest, it was a lot to take in. From what he could understand, Nikola's legend was from the future of this world- one in which he'd grasped the knowledge of lightning, harnessed it, and turned it into a power source for all mankind to use. It was difficult to wrap his head around the implications; an Age of Man to rival the Age of Gods. It was a tough pill to swallow, but also strangely enticing, in its own way. He pondered what kind of wonders might be unearthed in such an Age...
But it wasn't exactly what he should be focusing on right now. Right now, he was still at war, and so he needed protection, defenses. As nice as having a Servant around was, he still needed things to keep his sanctum safe, should the enemy come knocking while he was out on patrol.
My taking of the Leyline won't stay secret for long. I need weapons for that eventuality. Which is what led him out here, where the poor and starving congregated. Not people, no- he wasn't that desperate, and killing someone just to get a bodyguard is exactly the sort of thing he disdained. Still, it wasn't like the thought of his plan of action didn't turn his stomach anyway. He'd prefer a corpse, but, if worst came to worst...
Thankfully, at least this time around, his luck continued to hold. The mutt looked like it had already been on the wrong end of too many fights before whichever one took its life. It looked strong enough, though. It certainly hadn't died from weakness. It would need some reinforcement, though... some strong, flexible metals... What he wouldn't give for support from the clan, but they'd been rather clear- if he was set on this escapade, then he was on his own. Inwardly, he shrugged, heaving the corpse of the dog over his shoulders. He wasn't looking forward to explaining his profession to Archer when he got back; the dog would raise enough questions on its own...
As it turned out, Tesla wasn't too perturbed by a dead dog or two. Dead was dead, in his opinion; a man after his own heart. Moreover, Suzaku wasn't the only one who'd been busy that day- Archer had had some projects of his own, fortifying their position in the church. Suzaku almost grinned maniacally from the explanation the Servant had given- whoever tried to ambush their position here was in for more than a few nasty surprises, especially given the modifications he'd suggested to his undead. Things were definitely looking up for this war...
Fuyuki Church, First Night
Suzaku had just been putting the finishing touches on the ritual to raise the dogs he'd found earlier when Archer burst into the mausoleum- politely, of course- to tell him that the signal for the war's start had been sent out. Suzaku nodded, then stepped back, careful to avoid the draugr he'd raised. There were a few of them, at least half a dozen, though they lacked the effort he'd put into the pair of mutts he was about to raise. Armor plating just beneath the skin. Flexible reinforcement around the ribcage (the flexible part was important, given the tricks he'd installed in them), plus a few additions by Tesla, to interface with "Keuranos." He wasn't exactly sure of the specifics, but the modifications would be a massive boost to the Wolves' efficacy.
Suzaku raised his hands toward the circle in front of him, quickly addressing Archer before the ritual began.
"Just a moment. Let me finish reinforcing our ranks, and then... we hunt." In a dark voice, Suzaku began to speak as he gathered his Od, and the ritual began.
Victor Frankenstein and Franziska
Nikolic Compound, First Night
"Ah, Master," said Victor as Vlado entered the room, his address far less vitriolic than it had been. One step at a time. He went back to his feverish workings as the boy prattled on, though he at least seemed to have an interest in the work. Good. That was a point in his favor, at least. Victor finished with the corpse he'd been preparing, snipping the last suture with a pair of shears. "Excellent timing. You are to bear witness to the key to your victory."
He grasped the crystal lantern at his hip, raising it to eye level, so Vlado could see inside.
"My life's work, here in this bottle. Oh, certainly, my New Life is enticing. But it is only possible through this. I spent a lifetime working to harness it. I call it, 'Azoth.'" He held the lantern closer to Vlado, showing its contents- a spark of lightning, twisting and warping in odd, sinuous, impossible ways, like some kind of eel or serpent. It was almost as if--
"Yes. It is alive," smirked Victor. "Or, rather, it IS life. The very same energy that flows through and animates our bodies can be found in lightning. My method takes advantage of this principle, in far greater quantities than is considered 'natural,' to do what was once considered impossible- to reanimate, to confer life once again upon that which is lifeless."
The lantern was starting to glow brighter now, illuminating the unhinged smile on Victor's face. "Watch closely, Master. Behold the future. Behold... our victory!" He whipped around, pointing the lantern like a scepter of authority at the corpse he'd been working on. "Return! Be reborn! Azoth!!" A searingly-bright bolt of blue shot out toward the corpse, writhing and twisting around its limbs, sparks sinking like teeth into its flesh, jerking it awake.
"Yes! YES!! It's ALIVE!! IT'S ALIVE!!" Victor cackled insanely as the corpse's eyes flickered open, its fists clenched, and its body catapulted upward, a roar emanating from what was once dead vocal cords. Victor continued to watch with manic glee as he plied his craft, already eager to begin work on his other children.
Oh, this war was going to be fun...
@floodtalon
