"... There. That should be it."
Caren knew her actions were against what was allowed as an Overseer, though the current circumstances could easily make this little act be ignored. A Master had violated the neutral zone and was even attacking a Master (and she used this term loosely, since the girl was technically not a Master at this point), thus regulations had effectively gone out the window. The church's neutral status had changed into that of a warzone, much like the rest of Kuoh if her guess was on the mark.
Finished with her work, Caren stepped back, revealing a circle etched into a floor. It was different from standard magic circles. For starters, the lines had been drawn with a special bone powder, made from a Dead Apostle, (which was very hard to obtain, she would like to add), mixed together with a special oxidized metal. Afterwards, the lines were remarked with silver fluid, a little something she picked up from Tohsaka during the Redux Event. Of course, it was incomplete. It required something else.
That was where it's user came in.
"Now it's your turn, Asia."
Off to the side, the blonde nun shifted uncomfortably as she stared at her hand, where the faded red markings rested. They had become much more defined, as if becoming a shape. "A-Are you sure this isn't a mistake, Sister Hortensia?" she asked. What the woman was asking her… she just couldn't comprehend it. Even if what she said was true, how can she expect her to go through with this? "I-I mean, this must be a mistake."
"It is not a mistake. You were chosen by the Holy Grail." Caren stated firmly. "Whether you like it or not, Asia Argento, the Grail has selected you to become its Eighth Master. The question here, however, is if you are willing to accept what shall come of your decision?"
The nun was silent. How could she even answer? This was all too much to take in in such a short period of time.
However… if what she said was true, then Haru was fighting for her sake. To ensure her safety from Freed.
How could she let him fight alone?
There was no reason for him to do such a thing. They had literally met only today. There was nothing between them. She doubted he would go so far as to consider the two friends. Even so, there was this feeling in the back of her mind, this idea that someone who didn't know her was fighting for her sake, that brought a warm feeling. It was foreign to her, understanding none of it. Closing her eyes, Asia's hand wrapped tightly around her cross. The only remaining vestige of her status as a daughter to the House of God. The people of the Church often said that serving in the Holy Grail War was possibly the same as being recognized by God, despite only a handful of those being chosen to participate. You could count the number of participants that were apart of the Church in some way on your hands.
With a shaky breath, Asia slowly nodded. Caren smiled and held out a hand for Asia to take. The girl placed her limb into the woman's as she produced a small dagger. The sharp edge slowly traced over her delicate skin, making the smallest cut. She winced, feeling a sting shooting up her arm as blood was drawn. A small drop splattered into the circle.
A moment later, it lit up with an ephemeral green light.
"The rest is up to you, little girl." Caren told her as she stepped back. "Now, choose. Will you stay behind and remain powerless… or will you give yourself to the Grail for the sake of having your Wish granted?"
Asia didn't have a wish. If she did, it would have been to remain a faithful servant to God, no matter what. Yet that wish had long since been fulfilled. Yes, even though it was her brothers and sisters that marked her a witch and threw her out into the harsh cold, left to die, she remained His child, now and forever. Thus, there no wish for the Holy Grail to grant.
… Except one. A tiny wish that blossomed in her heart as she stepped into the heart of the circle and extended her hand. Slowly, she drew a breath. In. Out. Her lips parted, speaking the words that would finalize her role in the World. The back of her hand lit aflame, a flash of red glowing faintly as a cross held by a hand and wreathed in a laurel branded her.
"Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone. The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate."
The words were ones she knew well from the scriptures, yet speaking them felt so strange. Very different from the arias spoken in the holy verses. Yet their words filled the air with a power she didn't recognize, yet welcomed all the same for its warm comfort.
"Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Repeat. five times. Yet, with each time, destroy it!"
The circle beneath her feet began to gather wind around her. Her garments flapped, yet she remained firm. Her heart was racing. A small part of her told her it wasn't too late to back out. Yet she refused, for the image of Haru battling Freed was burned into her mind. She refused to allow a stranger risk his life for her. If God has chosen her for this battle, she would see this through. She must, no matter the hesitation. Was she scared? Deathly so. Even now, her knees were shaking and her palms were sweating.
Yet even so, she pushed forward, one hand squeezing the cut to drop more blood and feed the circle's thirst and another clutching her cross tightly.
"―I announce. Your self is under me, my fate will be your sword. In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer. Here is my oath! I, who serve God, shall be all the good within the world! I, who oppose all things wicked, shall be the one who will defeat all evil within the world!"
The circle's light grew in intensity. The air was now burning, wisps of light flowing around her. Asia's eyes were shut closed, deep in prayer for a Servant that would be as she hoped it would. Someone who, like her, answered to the righteousness of god and for the sake of his teachings.
Unknown to her, however, Twilight Healing had begun to glow magnificently in tandem with both her Command Seals and the magic circle she stood in.
"You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence! Guardian of the Scales―!"
Upon the chant's completion, a bright light burned from the summoning circle, causing the nun to shield her eyes. The wind picked up until it practically grew into a storm inside of the enclosed space. When both the burning glare and turbulent wind died down, Asia opened her eyes, surprised by the new figure that appeared from the summoning.
Perfection. That was the word Asia could think of to describe the woman before her. She was endowed with beauty and seemed to drip with charm. Her violet hair was long. Reaching down to mid thigh with bangs covering her forehead. Her complexion was clear and light, almost like porcelain. Her blue eyes radiated solemnity and kindness.
Her attire however, seemed quite provocative. It resembled a nun's robes, but it was so different that Asia blushed lightly from all the exposed skin. The dress was open at her chest, displaying quite a heavenly bust size, and was low cut, stopping barely at her nether regions while black straps held the two sides of the opening in place. A black belt with a golden buckle was wrapped around her hips with the buckle on her left hip.
In addition to the low cut dress, it had two slits on the hem, one for each leg, showing off creaming flesh at the upper thighs while the rest was covered by blue stockings with metal shin guards with articulate designs. Around her shoulders was a red and white cloak with a metallic scale pattern, also open at the chest.
Tied up in her hair was a pair of white ribbons with gold clips. Her forearms were encased in metal gauntlets with the hands free. In her right hand was a cross staff that was as tall as her. The shaft was a velvet red with a gold ornament ribboned around it, while the upper part was a silver cross with a purple inner design.
When her eyes locked onto Asia's she spoke, her voice smooth and melodious.
"Follower of God Almighty and Servant Rider has answered your summons. I ask you, Sister... Are you my Master?"