Preparing For War

Kuoh, Japan

A young boy named Issei Hyoudou is currently walking through a park. After his old friend Irina Shidou moved to England, he find himself alone without friend. He decided to take a walk through a park, hoping to find something that can ease his mind.

Issei then feel a shadow blocking the sunlight from reaching him. When Issei raises his head, he see a huge old man with spiky grey hair and a beard, wearing a black cape that covered a black tuxedo. The old man also has a gold cane. What catch the boy's attention though is the old man's eyes; they're deep crimson like blood.

"Hey, boy. Is there something wrong? You look down." Ask the old man.

The old man waits for Issei to answer his question but it never come. He then snaps his left hand.

"You mother must had told you to not talk to stranger, am I right?" Said the old man. Issei nods in response.

"Well, while that's good, it also makes it harder for me... I know! I'll be your friend, boy!"

"W...what?" Ask Issei surprised.

"I'll be your friend. That way we can talk to each other."

"I don't want to be your friend! You're too old to be one!"

"Hey, watch your tongue, boy! I bet your mother also told you to respect elders!"

Issei stops talking and remembers what his mother told him. She told him to respect elders.

"I am sorry about that. But I really don't want to be your friend, sir." Said Issei.

"I see. In that case I'll be your acquaintance." Replied the old man.

"Acquaintance?"

"It's a person that you know but not close enough to be friend. Like a postman for example."

"I see. So, what do you want, sir?"

"First of, mind telling me why you look so down?"

"Well, my friend had moved away from his home. He's the only person I consider my friend. So with him gone, I am all alone now."

"Ah, unable to play with your best friend. That obviously can make anyone sad. Anyway, why you friend moved away."

"His...father has a job in England, so he had no choice."

The old man rubs his chin as he hears Issei's story.

"What do you guys usually do?" Ask the old man.

"We used to play 'Hero'." Said Issei with cheerful tone as he remembers the old days.

"Hero, eh? What an interesting game." The old man let out a few laugh.

"Don't laugh, old man! Being hero is cool! Someday, I will become one. Then I will ask Irina to be a hero too."

"Then tell me this, boy. What do you see in hero that makes you interested in them?"

"Because they saved people! There's nothing better than saving other!"

"If they saved people, does that mean that there's people who hurt others?"

"Yes, they're called villain. The hero beats the villain so that people can be happy."

"Except one."

"Huh?"

"If hero supposed to make others happy by saving them, then why he beats the villain which will obviously make him sad? Villain is a person too, you know."

Issei stops talking for a while as he realizes the logic.

"But the hero has no choice. He must beats the villain otherwise the villain will hurt others."

"That...is what makes them hero."

"Eh?"

"They sacrificed the happiness of the villain for the happiness of many people. Bonus the fact that the villain's happiness comes from hurting others."

The old man then gives Issei a serious look.

"This is real world, boy. You can't save everyone. Even in fiction people tend to die. Same thing also happened in here. There are many things you need to learn to become a hero."

Issei seems to take the words seriously as he puts his right hand on his chin and thinks about it. The old man smiles as he takes out a card.

"That's a good talk we had, boy. Think this as a gift." Said the old man as he gives Issei the card.

"What is this?" Ask Issei as he looks at the card.

At the card, there's a picture of a knight in armor with what appears to be a long red hair at the helmet and both of his hand are holding a sword that pointed upward. Beneath the knight is a word "Saber".

"This, boy, is a card of Saber-class, fighters whose skills with swords were so great that they rivaled even the gods."

"Wow, that's awesome! Why are you giving this to me?"

"I told you, a gift. Also, I think Saber-class fits you really well. Think Saber as your inspiration. I don't mean you must be able to wield a sword with skills that rivaled gods. Sabers gained those skills through training from hell. If you can pass the test, the result should can help you in becoming hero."

"I see. That makes so many senses. Thank you, sir!"

"Don't mention it... Oh, almost forgot!" The old man then search for his suit and takes out a book. "Here's another one."

"What kind of book is this?"

"You will find out about it when you read it at home."

Issei looks at his gifts with a happy face. He bows to the old man, saying thank you once more, and proceed to go back to his home.

The old man turns around and walks through the park. He has a smile at his face as he saw his plan is working. He then looks at the cops who are arresting another old man. He knew what that perverted old man wanted to do and had called the cops. Sure, he can do it himself, but he's not in the mood for that.

Sicily, Italy

A young girl named Asia Argento is currently walking around a church. She's going to be in the island for a while to heal the people there. However, there are some preparation need to be done. So for the first few days, Asia is allowed to walk around the church.

Asia stops her walk when she see an old man sitting at a bench. His face shows a little sadness. She decide to approach the old man to find out what happened to him.

"Excuse me, sir. But, is there something wrong?" Ask Asia.

"Hmm?" The old man looks at Asia for a bit. "Yes, I am supposed to talk with a friend here, but she can't come. So I feel a little lonely."

"I see." Asia thinks about it for a while until she says what's in her mind. "How about if you talk with me? I know I am not your friend, but I suppose I can help you dealing with your loneliness."

"I guess that's a good idea." The old man puts his right hand at his chin, thinking about what kind of talk they should have. He looks at Asia's clothes before he gets an idea. "You're a nun, right little girl?"

"Not really. I am a nun-in-training to be exact."

"Not so different then. Say, what's your opinion about hurting people?"

Asia us surprised by the question. Nevertheless, she says her opinion.

"It's not something people should do to each other. God ordered humans to love each other, not hurt."

"So does that means doctors are bad?"

"Eh? Why is that?"

"You know that doctor sometimes use syringe to a patient, right? It hurts the patient and by your logic the doctor is bad. Same thing with surgery."

Asia thinks about it for few minutes before saying her reply.

"No, they can't be called bad. While what they did indeed hurt others, but at the end their action saved them. Hurting someone a little bit I guess can be accepted, provided the reason is noble."

"You can say the same thing to soldiers. While they hurt other people – their enemy – they do it to protect the civilians...most of the time anyway." Added the old man. "There are many things you still need to learn about the world."

The old man then look at his wrist, probably a watch. He stands up from the bench and looks to Asia.

"Well, it might be only a while but it was fun to have a talk with you, little nun-in-training." Said the old man with a smile.

"T-Thank you for the compliment." Replied Asia.

The old man then take out a card. He then also takes a book out and slip the card into the book. He then gives it to Asia.

"Take this, little girl. Consider this as a thank you gift for speaking with me." Said the old man with a warm face.

At first, Asia wants to refuses the book because she doesn't feel to deserve it. However, the old man shows a face that makes it really hard to do. She decides to accept it.

"Thank you again, sir." Said Asia as she grabs the book.

The old man shows a face that says "You're welcome" and goes away from the bench. Only few more people need to be visited and his plan will come to fruition.

Unknown Location

Inside a bedroom, a little girl with grey eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair is sitting while reading a children book. Suddenly, she feels there's something in front of her...or rather, someone. When she looks away from her book, she sees the old man.

"Who are you?" Ask the little girl.

"No one. I am just a visitor of this place." Replied the old man.

"No one should be here."

"Well, I am here. Anyway, can you please just listen to my story?"

The little girl tilts her head in confusion. But she decides to just do it.

"Alright. What is it?"

"First, about the Holy Sword Project you're partaking in. You do realize that something is wrong with it?"

"I am. But I am just a child and not that popular with other kids, so no one would listen to me."

"There's nothing you can do with that. Tell me, what do you think about assassin?"

"Assassin? By history, assassins were people that were members of an organization with the same name. Personally, they're just cowards who kill people for less important things like money."

"Believe it or not, there's a way for an assassin to be more than a coward."

"Really? Mind telling me how, sir?"

"Because no one respects life more than someone who has to take it away. When they do the killing, they would never enjoy it but at least make it as painless as possible. That's the way."

While the little girl shows no emotion, it's clear that the words put her into a deep thinking. The old man takes a card and gives it to the girl.

"Think this as the reminder." Said the old man.

The girl looks closely at the card. On the card is a picture of a man wearing a skull mask, a pair of long gloves, nothing at the chest area, and a black trousers surrounded by clothes. He wields a pair of black, big knifes and there's a word "Assassin" beneath him.

When the girl looks at the old man, she sees that he has gone. Suddenly, someone enters the room. It's a boy with same hair and eyes as hers. It's his twin brother.

"Is there something, brother Isaiah?" Ask the girl.

"Yeah. The bishops are calling us. There's something we must do." Replied Isaiah.

The girl looks at the card, puts it at her pocket, and then exits her room.

Somewhere far, far away...

Emiya Residence

The old man looks at the residence with a smile. He has just finished the first step. Now, it is time for the next one.

He looks at the yard as the Masters and Servants are talking, playing, or working together. It's a perfect kind of live.

Sadly, it's too boring for him.

So, he decided to spices things up.

This is going to be so much fun.

And the prologue is complete.

So, this is the current situation of the DxD verse:

Issei Hyoudou (Master)/? (Saber-class Servant)

Asia Argento (Master)/? (?-class Servant)

? (Master)/? (Assassin-class Servant)

Now, can you please give me a suggestion for the Servants that will appear at this story as Servant for the DxD Masters? For Issei, my highest choice is either Mordred or Souji Okita. Still, gives me your suggestion

If you have question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.

Review please.