For Those Without

Foreword:

So I've finally grabbed my rather lazy buttocks and started doing something I've always had in mind; writing a fan fiction.

The idea that a specific character gets summoned into the world of Halkegenia is an extremely overused trope, but it's loved for a reason. It's simply exciting.

Not to mention 95% of these Fate and ZnT crossovers seem to bring up good ol' Shirou(both versions of him) and it's getting slightly old. Unlimited Blade Works is fine and all, but you sometimes want something new, you know? There is a LOT of heroic spirits in the Fate universe, and it'd be a shame to not give others a chance.

So from here I present you my first fiction, For Those Without.

Now, let us see how the great Hero of Charity will fare in Halkegenia!

The Tristan Academy of Magic was a celebrated educational institution. It is among the most esteemed in raising young nobles into outstanding magic users as well as leaders. To have magic is to be nobility, and vice versa. For those without magic will always need help from those who have magic, many mages learn how to properly wield their power for the sake of their people, which they will eventually lead as Tristan's esteemed nobility.

'So what does that say about me, I wonder.' Louise thought gloomily, sitting on her luxurious bed.

Louise, or Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière was not in the best of moods. She was yet again ridiculed by her arch nemesis Kirche Von Zerbst today.

They simply had met during their way to their lessons. She was ignoring that shameless cow on purpose, but she dropped this on her.

"Hey Louise, you got any plans for tomorrow's Springtime Familiar Summoning Ritual? I heard if you fail you can't stay in this school anymore! Shouldn't you be packing up your things to prepare your glorious return to the Valliere estate? It's been an honor knowing you, Louise!" Kirche said, smirking.

The entire hall roared with laughter.

Damn her.

Yet, as it pains her to admit, she knew every spell she attempted ended in failure. For all her time here, all colleagues had already figured out their primary Element and some, like that infuriating Zerbst, had got themselves to a higher level, such as Lines or Triangles.

Yet here she was, not having cast a single spell. Others could float, transfigure, or shoot flames from their wands. When she tried the same, they simply exploded. Boom.

It's not like she didn't try hard. She always had the top marks on her classes, and she was proud of it. She memorized every incantation, every want movement, every concentration method, and even the great history of founder Brimir, in hopes that he would grant his blessings onto his faithful servant and let her cast something.

Everything still ended up in explosions. Boom.

Louise looked up towards the twin moons that blessed Halkegenia with their presence, and prayed.

"Oh Great Founder Brimir."

"Tomorrow is the day of the Springtime Familiar Summoning Ritual."

"Apparently, if I don't summon a familiar tomorrow, I'll be regarded as hopeless and sent back home. You've always said that having magic means responsibility, and we should wield them to guide those without. Yet here I am, unable to cast anything. "

"Please, dear founder. I simply… want…"

What did she want? A powerful familiar? A dragon? A manticore?

What would that prove? That she's not a failure?

She thought about many things that night. Sleep would not come to the lone girl for many more hours, as she laid on her bed, thinking about the potential consequences.

Throughout the history of Gaia, the home planet of humanity, there have been many cases of extraordinary individuals who stood over the rest. Some wished to save humanity. Some wished to wipe them out. However, all of them without exception - approved of humanity. They embraced humanity's nature – regardless of their positive or negative aspects.

These individuals – and their extraordinary deeds – would naturally be passed down among others. Through tall tales, scribed history, or even ancient legends – their bodies may have rotted away long ago, but their wills still continue.

And such souls are called heroic spirits.

And such souls are too precious to be whisked away to the many variants of 'afterlife' which presides within the Phantasmal Lands beyond normal recognition. Through the humanity's collective wishes, or Alaya as it is sometimes called, they are stored within a specific existence displaced from time and space.

This place is known as The Throne of Heroes – where the human race's strongest and smartest are brought together to save humanity in times of crisis. It is the closest notion the world has had to Valhalla – heroes exceeding space and time gathering together in preparation to do the ultimate deed.

The premise sounds extremely thrilling, but the truth was not as glorious. The truth was, the Throne is simply a giant, storage space, where it stores the preserved souls of the mighty from both history and mythology. All souls transcend simple notions such as time or space, and are simply kept until they are needed by the Alaya to be used before being stored indefinitely again.

There are no clashes of swords between King Arthur and Saladin, no revolver duals between Billy the Kid and Francis Drake, and no philosophy discussions between Confucius and Aristotle.

There is simply silence. Each soul is displaced within its own world, made from the heroic spirit's memories and dreams.

This is natural, of course. The storage space does not wish for interactions between its data. Its purpose is to conserve them as precisely as it can, not mix them up.

However, that's not to say that these spirits are simply cryo-frozen. They think. They learn. Most importantly, they view their memories from their previous summoning. The heroic spirits, if they could tell someone, would say that these memories are a lot like a dream – they view themselves out in the real world, committing deeds they would have done, speaking like they would have spoken, but without actually doing such themselves. After all, it is extremely rare for a heroic spirit to be fully summoned into the world. Mostly their copies are housed in false 'plate' created by a powerful prana-based artifact.

And one specific servant was viewing his 'memories' inside his 'throne'

A knight in shining gold armor is fiercely fighting a knight wearing silver and black armor.

Both are relentless and brave. They care not for their lives, as they both shine brightly as the sun and the moon respectably.

A lone man garbed in shining golden armor, leans back casually against his golden spear and watches the battle unfold. He is essentially the man in the vision, and at the same time, not. For the heroic spirit Karna, the visions are simply the fluttering wings of a long-gone butterfly. Hazy and distorted, as if it were a dream.

However, the essence is there. He was called by someone who needed him. He fought against worthy rivals. He acted upon his fullest, as he always has done.

He was satisfied. To him, that was enough.

Was it?

He honestly did not know.

What would have happened had he won that war? Would he be granted another chance at life? Would he have taken it? How would he have lived it

Again, he had no answers to such questions.

Not like he'd ever get to answer them, as he lost that war.

However, if he had maybe, just one more chance at living a normal life…

The day was bleak.

Louise got the short end of the stick when picking orders, and now she gets to summon her familiar dead last.

This had several cons, in Louise's opinion.

First, she had memorized the incantation word-to-word last night, and she was afraid she'd forget it in the time she was kept waiting. She was just that nervous.

Second, seeing her colleagues summon one familiar after another without a single failure was making her even more nervous. What is she summoned something inconsequential, like an ant? That would show everyone she had near zero potential. Zero, like her hated nickname. Or worse, what if she couldn't summon a familiar at all? What would happen then?

This feeling of dread got worse once that Zerbst woman managed to summon a Fire Salamander of all things. Why does she get all the luck? Louise was sure she worked way harder than her. All she does is flaunt her…assets… to men all day. Why was she a failure while Kirche was a Triangle mage?

As Louise pondered on, she realized that it was her turn already.

A balding teacher in his forties, wearing glasses and a kind expression helped her to the summoning circle.

"Now, Ms. Valliere, are you ready to summon your familiar?" Asked Professor Colbert

There was no way she was. There were more than butterflies in her stomach. But alas, this wasn't a choice.

"I'm ready, Professor." Said Louise.

"Very well, you may now begin!" Said the teacher with enthusiasm. He honestly hoped she would summon a familiar successfully, and maybe even awaken her latent talent for magic, if she even had any. It was painful to see the girl being looked down upon constantly.

"Bye, Louise, so long! Hope you had a great time at the Academy!" hollered a voice from the crowd.

Snickers were heard everywhere in the courtyard.

"Shut up, Guiche! At least have more creativity than just blindly repeating the same thing Kirche said yesterday!" Louise hollered back. That bastard!

The crowd snickered regardless.

"Now now, students. Let's not disturb our fellow classmate. She is trying her best as well." Said Prof. Colbert. However, even Louise could tell he was having his doubts. It wasn't as if the professor was a bad individual – just that every spell Louise cast up till now was a large failure.

'Up until now, that is.' Louise thought, steeling herself.

She had pondered many thoughts last night, but she came across only one answer. Honestly, she still had no idea what she would do if she failed to summon a familiar. Or summoned something inconsequential. Whatever. However, she knew one thing. It was something she always wanted. It was –

A Chance.

A chance to prove herself.

A chance to show, that she is nobility.

A chance to prove, that she isn't a complete failure.

Louise shouted with determination.

"My servant that exists somewhere in this vast universe!"

Inside the Throne, Karna was again, leaning on his spear when he noticed something interesting.

Amidst the endless plains created from his mind, he saw something he has never seen before.

A strange circle made of Prana, completely unknown to him.

No, it wasn't Prana. It was something else. Something more unique.

And it was beckoning him.

A voice sounded upon the silent plains. "A gateway to another world. How peculiar."

Karna looked back to find a figure shrouded in light.

"Who?" asked Karna.

"Greetings, hero of charity, I am the World." Said the being.

Karna thought so. This WAS the Throne of Heroes after all. The only administrator over this wide database was the World itself. The question he had was something else though.

"And what would be the world's reason for invading my soul?" asked Karna.

"I am here to explain. Surely someone such as you would be lost without an explanation for such a strange phenomenon." Said the being, as if it had all the time in the world."

Karna couldn't fathom what this circle was, but he knew it was an anomaly. Perhaps it was trying to correct it? Then why bother talking to him? The Counter Force was extremely well known for using its subtle means to get to its desired end.

"That, my friend, is a gateway to another world! A world of adventures, romance, and blah blah. You get the geist." It continued on.

"Hmm." replied Karna. He assumed it was going to now get rid of it. For what intelligent force would willingly throw away a weapon? And Karna knew he was a good weapon. One of the few things he was sure.

Even Karna knew if a soul is removed from the Throne of Heroes, it's actually removed instead of creating a container copy such as a Servant.

"That's it? And I tried so hard to get you fired up too. No questions, no anything?" The world said, pouting.

"No." replied Karna. The world still hasn't got rid of the circle.

The figure said, with what seems to be a vague smile. "What if I told you, that circle is a summoning circle? Somebody out there is calling for you, Karna."

"!" Karna knew the implications. To summon a full Heroic Spirit was a feat nearly unheard of. Perhaps, in a distant digital dream on the moon.

"Yes! That's the reaction I want. Someone, or something has managed to hack into the Alaya, and is now requesting your summon. Yes, a request! It's a choice! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! For god's sake! Whoever is hacking into me has me completely unable to resist, but instead of grabbing my heroic spirits like it should be able to, it's offering you a choice! How hilarious!"

The being almost doubled with laughter. However, Karna knew it was furious. Furious that its defenses were so easily broken. Uncertain what the perpetrator's motives were. A Counter Force is never uncertain. It simply does not happen, since it has direct access to the planet's Akashic Records which includes all possible branches of the future.

Unless of course, the crisis in question was not recorded in the Akashic Records. This planet's records, at least.

"So, you going? I doubt you'll be able to come back easily. Besides, being removed from the Throne of Heroes... you know what that means, don't you?"

Karna knows. It means his deeds will go forgotten. His mythology, his self, his records will all be wiped from the world bar those that have met him. His legacy will disappear.

"You have your own wishes here, don't you? Like your dear brother, Arjuna for example." continued the being.

Karna does not say anything. He knows it's trying to dissuade him. However…

Karna grabs his spear and starts to walk towards the circle.

"Wait! If you stay, I'll grant your wish. A fight to the full, without any hindrances against your great brother!"

It sounds desperate now. It reminded him of his old best friend, Duryodhana. He too, when things became dire did not waste any time to beg. He assumed that was intentional. After all, the Akashic Record houses everything. He wouldn't be surprised if the world could emulate a personality by downloading its data.

And what better way to persuade him than emulating the personality of his closest friend?

However, Karna did not flinch. He simply continued walking towards the circle.

"Why? Why would you go to something with so much uncertainty?" wailed the so-called-World.

"Simple." Said Karna.

"Someone out there is calling for my help."

With that, Karna touched the circle.

FLASH

Karna felt his soul slipping… and vanished without a trace.

Only a single figure was left, with its mouth(if it had one) open wide flabbergasted.

"My divine, beautiful, wise, powerful servant, heed my call!"

"I wish from the very bottom of my heart and add to my guidance and appear!"

"Pentagon of the Five Elemental Powers! Heed my summoning and bring forth my familiar!"

…

The world felt silent. Nothing happened.

One.

Two.

Three.

Still nothing.

"Ha! Nothing! Expected from the Zero!" Shouted someone from the crowd.

No. It can't be.

Louise shouted "Professor! Please let me try again!"

Colbert was confused. Did she truly have no magical potential at all? He thought he felt some great power when she spoke the words. However, what was done(or couldn't be done, sadly) was done. He had to tell here there were no seconds. Maybe it will be more merciful for her to be within her manor than here, where she had no talent and only existed to be an object of ridicule –

CRACK

As on cue, the summoning circle started glowing a fiery red. Smoke was emitting from its edges, as if the magic circle couldn't hold in what it was trying to bring forth. Then, as if it couldn't keep itself together anymore, the circle started crackling as a giant explosion burst forth.

Immediately Colbert sprang into action. How did he not expect this?

"Take cover!" he shouted unto the students, who were already stumbling in oblivion.

Everyone was coughing due to the storm of dust the explosion caused.

"Even during the summoning? Really, Louise?" someone shouted.

"I guess she does live up to her name." another voice spoke up.

"Rest in peace, Louise." another.

To everyone's surprise, something was standing in the middle of the circle.

A man in slightly tattered clothes is standing in the middle of the circle. His silver hair almost transparently glows under the sunlight, but they seem slightly dusty due to the explosion Louise caused previously. His skin is pale and white, as if he hasn't seen the sunlight for while. It reminded Louise of her dear sister, Cattleya. However, unlike her sister, this man was full of vigor. There was something she couldn't place – watching this man, with his skinny disposition, silver hair and white skin – strangely felt like she was looking straight into the sun.

Couldn't be, right?

Louise, was absolutely stunned. No one has ever heard of a human familiar before.

The man slowly walks towards Louise. When he reaches her, he bends down a knee and looks into her eyes.

Such powerful green eyes.

She feels like she is being seen right through. It is NOT a pleasant experience – the feeling she was bare naked before the man even with all the clothes she was wearing.

The man speaks to her. The voice is serene and calm.

"I ask of you, are you my master?"

"Y-yes! I am your m-master!" stutters Louise. Damn.

She was perhaps more stunned than she should have been. No one could have expected a man to show up as a familiar! His garbing is downright strange - strange, gold-plated metal armor was attached to black clothing the likes of which she has never seen before. There is a blaring red jewel attached to his chest

Who is this, some trader from the desert?

There is a blaring red jewel attached to his chest. Is it some weird barbaric practice from the unknown lands?

She is awakened from her pondering by Colbert.

"Ms. Valliere, the familiar contract." He states rather calmly.

Ah, right. She was the one who summoned this man.

"Th-this shouldn't be! Professor-" Louise started protesting.

"Ms. Valliere, I must inform you that re-summoning is not allowed under any circumstances. It has been that way, for decades, and I plan on following suit." Colbert told her without any room to argue.

There really was no choice, huh?

"Pe-pentagon of the Five Elemental Powers! Grant your blessings upon this creature and bind him as my familiar!" Shouted Louise a little louder than she intended.

The man smiled and was now getting up.

Louise tries to push the man down, but he seems to be quite a bit stronger than she is. So she had no choice but to finish the job at this angle.

She grabbed the man's head, and attempted to bring it down. Surprisingly, he simply followed her movement.

She sealed the contract with a kiss.