Fate: Insurgence (Chapter 1)

The city looked like a warzone. It was the closest thing hell could look like on Earth. Buildings collapsing, people running for their lives. The red mist in the sky enveloped all, yet amidst the chaos and death stood a hero. A young girl wielding a red blade.

She looked behind and looked straight at me.

[Rest easy Master. I'll definitely save her... a knight never backs down on their word!]

She was brimming with confidence yet I knew deep down that she was probably scared as well.

Who could've imagined such a scene 6 days ago...

**[Alarm Blaring]**

The loud noise suddenly brought me back and I woke up in a cold sweat. Was that a premonition of what was to come? Or was it nothing but a deluded fantasy restricted to that of a dream? Nevertheless, I glance around my cluttered and unorganized room.

[crap... I slept in again] I mutter to myself [oh crap, she’s going to kill me]

I hurriedly put on my crumpled-up uniform, got my bags, and quickly ran downstairs.

The hustle and bustle of the city streets here in Biringan is as loud and welcoming as ever. Nothing but the smell of car smoke and the deafening honking of the jeepneys to greet you first thing in the morning.

Running through the busy street I hear a familiar voice greet me.

[Good Morning Miguel!] A boy screams at the top of his lungs while running straight at me.

**[CRASH]** He tackles me to the ground and we both fall over.

> [hehe, slept in again haven't cha? dude you really gotta fix your sleep schedule]

> [thanks for the advice Marc, but you can't really scold me for that seeing as you're late as well]

> [yeah you got me... ah crap we should really start running if we still want to make it]

The dude that just barged in was Marc Dimaraan, one of my few friends at the university. I don't really remember how we became friends, but I think it had something to do with his homework.

We pick up our stuff and start running. The university I'm currently attending is Colegio de San Jose Biringan. It's a pretty spacious and expensive uni, only reserved for those of the elite and upper classes of society. I somehow passed the entrance exams combined with the good graces that my sister put in. I'm pretty lucky, to say the least.

**[RIINGGG]**

> [Ah crap, I'll see you during lunch dude!]

I gaze up at the beautiful sky as the heat of the blaring sun touches my skin. I make my way through the school halls and down to my classroom. As I open the door, I can already feel my heart vigorously thumping

> [Mr. Diaz, I see that you’re late. Again…sigh go take your seat]

The girl that just scolded me is none other than my older sister and teacher, Natalie but I mostly refer to her as Nat.

As I take my seat I catch her glance, it’s as if her stare is piercing my soul.

**[RINNGGG]**

As the sun sets and night falls, I see Nat waiting for me by the university’s entrance hall.

> [There you are. I’ve been looking for you the entire day.]

Silence…

> [I know that you’ve been sneaking out every day to party with your friends.]

> [Look you can’t keep going outside on your own, you know how dangerous it gets after curfew.]

> [I just don’t want to see you get hurt. That’s all.]

> [Please promise me, that this is the last time you're doing that ]

I only sheepishly look back at her and catch a glance at her saddened and worried look.

Deep down I know she’s right. The world we live in right now is risky, and breaking the rules can get someone killed. But, the feeling of being cooped up and caged like an animal just doesn’t sit right with me.

> [I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die.] I reply with a smile on my face

> [Good. Now let’s go home, I still have a lot of things to do.]

A simple bald-faced lie. But a lie that I would soon regret

Walking down the dark streets at night feels ominous and unsettling compared to the loud and welcoming aura during the day. Guards patrol and fery the streets, watching a close eye on every single passerby

> [Hey Miggy, what time is it?]

> [Around 9. Why?]

> [We are cutting it a bit too close. Let’s take the shortcut around here]

Passing by the tight alleyways of the city, felt suffocating and unnerving. It’s as if someone is always watching you.

We both know, that we shouldn’t be here.

**[ARgHHH]** We hear a haunting scream just around the corner

Nat suddenly puts her hand on my chest, indicating for me to stand back

She holds onto one of the jewels within her bracelet. A sudden small glow starts appearing within it. Suddenly an owl pops out. From which the former amethyst flies and starts surveying the skies above us.

She suddenly lets out a small gasp, it’s as if through the owl’s eyes she saw something horrible

> [We need to go now]

she suddenly grabs onto my hand and starts pulling as we make our way in the opposite direction. I felt a sudden chill behind my back. It’s as if something is following us.

> [This way!]

Someone cries out to us within the shadows. Before we can even catch up to the voices. I felt a sudden sting and one of my legs suddenly gave out.

> [Miguel!]

A horrified look cloaks her entire face.

I glance at the figure in front of me. It was cloaked in a robe-like apparel while being masked within the shadows. The only thing rushing within my mind now, was “Am I going to die here?”

I catch a sudden glimpse of a projectile being thrown at the entity and glance back at Nat She has begun to charge up one of her jewels again. This time she threw an emerald, which suddenly released a gust of wind.

She took my hand and helped me up as we began running again. A girl, who seemed around my age, suddenly appeared as well. Accompanying her was a man in a luxurious attire.

> [We know a place that we can reconvene at. Please follow us] the girl muttered

> [What the hell was that? And why did it attack us] I asked her in a worried tone

> [It’s better if you don’t know. You might even live tomorrow] she replied back

**> [...!!!]**

> [Master, watch out!] the man next to her yelled out.

Suddenly a barrage of bullets comes flying down. The man lifts up his coat and covers us with it. It manages to block some of the bullets.

> [Caster! Are you ok?!]

> [I’m fine. Just a few scratches, nothing that I can’t handle. However, I might need a new suit.]

She looks back at us.

> [Please go to this place here] as she gives my sister a map.

> [I’ll buy you both some time, please just do what you have to do]

> [Understood. Thank you]

> [This is the only way I can think of to repay you back.]

We began sprinting as fast as we could. However, some shadowy figures started to follow us again. Unfortunately, my legs are beginning to give out. All the adrenaline I once had, is now being replaced with fear instead.

[Tch. Are they real or merely projections] Nat mutters to herself

She suddenly spots an abandoned house near us. She puts me down and glances back at me.

[Okay. sigh Miguel stay put for a bit] she tells me with a worried smile on her face

I already knew that there was a chance that she was not coming back inside. All I could do at this very moment was to pray. I poured my heart and soul wishing to the world, to give me a way to save her somehow.

Suddenly the ground below me begins to emit a bright glow. With a sudden flash of light.

A young girl appeared before me.

> [Servant. Saber.]

> [I have come forth to answer your call.]

The light illuminating her entire body looked like something out of a fairy tale. Her mere presence gave off a regal appeal, signifying strength and authority.

She gives off a bright and cheerful smile. She gleefuly asks.

> [I ask of you. Are you my Master?]

> [eh... well I suppose I am?]

> [Then. Our contract is complete]

She takes my hand and proudly proclaims these words.

> [Let us both emerge victorious Master!]