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A sound of burning. The burning sound came from the black mud, stretching out from what would have been a simple lake like a black carpet. A red haze stretched across the air and the sea of black tar covered nearly all the water.

Above the lake however was a circular void like a black full moon, the mud flowing straight from it. The mud of course, was not created by any person. It was power, leaking out of the void. A colorless power that should have been 'omnipotent' flowing from the void known as the Holy Grail. Now opened, all it can do is flow. A thing filled with every evil, something that curses everything in the world. A wish-granting device, now corrupted compared to its original form. Not just a mere device however, this thing was fairly sentient. It didn't come from this place, but it did not care to differentiate between where it was and where it is now.

The black mud around the lake had already began to form its own defences. Black, snake-like tendrils moved through the surface of the lake. It didn't lash out at intruders, existing as curiosities that lured the various life that dared approach. Weak existences like fairy's would probably not be bothered... at least until curiousity got the better of them and they touch the mud. The Grail's first thoughts upon contact with these simple, creatures of magic was that as a source of prana. It began to feed, devouring them slowly, though the energy consumed never actually went anywhere, stored... but for no apparent reason. Humans who venture too close to the lake meet the same fate, but they are few and far between.

It was by chance that the Grail sensed something different from its small 'meals.' A more powerful existence had wandered in. This time, the tendrils did not act passively, the black mud immediately had to drag the creature into the mass of the Grail, investigating it and its enormous capacity for prana. It would be such a waste to consume it right away. The youkai, spirit, or whoever it was... had been blackened and corrupted. Clothes dark, vein-like markings on the skin, something certainly changed. Whoever it was that the Grail tainted now served as a Herald of sorts. They retained much of their personality, but twisted in a way to fit the Grail's purpose.

This event however. meant that it was bound to be noticed. It is an outside force, not native to Gensokyo. Should it continue to thrive, the Land of Illusion is threatened with the mass of black mud that continues to spew. It may only be contained in the lake now, but once it begins to flow more freely, it is anathema to the various existences that reside there.



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A garden of sunflowers... strange. Laying on his back, he could only pause and stare at his surroundings. The man was a complete mess and a small area of flowers that surrounded him was flattened, as if he himself was the cause of it. Still, he looked desperately weak. Had he been just a human, he would be presumed dead.

By all rights, he should be. Though the clothing seemed to be from the outside world, he certainly looked almost like a regular human, though a foreigner from the looks of it. A white shirt, a dark coat and matching black pants, blonde hair, an exotic existence that somehow found his way into this place. His crimson eyes however, identified him as something more than just a human.

He could barely move though. He looked briefly to his right, the tattered parts of his sleeve flowing in the soft breeze. His right arm was gone, cut off most likely. There was also a deep wound in the center of his forehead and a broken sword laying scattered unusually close by. Maybe he had been stabbed in the head and the sword only caused a glancing blow, who knows? At his current state, he didn't think he could last long. Independent Action can only help his condition for so long, but he didn't even feel the presence of his Master anymore. He hated being reduced to this state, but if he were to continue his existence, he needed to make a new contract with someone.

"Strange that I would be forced to look up instead of down at once." Gilgamesh murmured to himself, blood trickling down from his forehead. "Ah, I could abandon this physical body, but what would be the point?"

"'Where am I?' would probably be the first question normally asked. But in my case, 'Who are you?' would be more apt." Gilgamesh muttered, his eyes gazing towards the source of this new voice. The woman standing there stood out from the rest of the surrounding area and her eyes, crimson like blood, did not look at all amused by what happened. But there was a radiance in it that identified her as more than what she seemed. Whatever the case, he wasn't prepared for any type of interrogation in his present state.

"What happened here is none of my doing. Though I do apologize for this mess;" he continued briefly closing his eyes. As the self-proclaimed 'King of Heroes,' his words and mannerism were more humble than one would expect. Of course, he wasn't stupid. Issuing a challenge or insult would probably just lead to an earlier demise.

Still, the woman's questions were sharp, and it didn't sound like she'd have the patience to spare. Indeed he should not entrust his life to such a dangerous character. But what choice does he have now? There was no one else around to make a proper contract with and he didn't know how long he would last before his physical form completely vanishes.

"My name, is Gilgamesh." he said simply, not bothering to hide his name at all. "Under the Servant class, Archer. I've lost a battle and ended up here. How? I do not know. But..." he paused, opening his eyes again, "regardless of what happens, my time in this world is short. I will not be able to maintain my existence for long, not unless I make a contract with someone to act as my master."

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so the saying goes. He himself was desperate enough to make a contract with the first person here, regardless of her intention or desires. "Again, I apologize for what happened to this place. But I assure you, should you make a contract with me, I can attempt to set things right. My body shall rest under thy dominion. I shall obey your mind and reason and respond when you call." he raised his right hand up, as if to reach for the woman. "If you don't mind a Servant, then take my hand. I would be greatly honored if you do."

"It was merely a simple suggestion." Gilgamesh replied, and lowered his hand. With no fear of being intimidated, he stared at the woman, scrutinizing her with his blood-colored eyes. It would be very hard to convince her with his own viewpoints though... this flower has its own charm to her.

"Assuming that these flowers are for you to tend to, I can only imagine the kind of burden to tend to them by yourself. Such bitterness to those who ruin it, so many tangled webs. I couldn't help but feel that I could truly give some comfort for the burden you have on your shoulders."

A smirk was on his face as he forced himself to sit upright. It was a painfully slow process, but as long as he wasn't attacked, he should be able to recover... within a few days. Having a master to accelerate the process and restore his reserves of prana is something he desired at the moment. Still, he watched Yuuka with renewed interest as she faced him like a king. This reminded him of something... or someone. Ah, now he remembered who it was.

"The entire world had always been my garden. If you want, I may grant you parts of it to call your own," he replied almost seriously as he studied her appearance. Judging only from his eyesight, one would not be able to read his intent. But there was an amount of lust and maliciousness hidden within his gaze. At her next words however, he seemed to pause further as if deep in thought.

How interesting. "Something that tears at the sky... I wonder, is it possible?" Gilgamesh asked himself. "The thing that tears at the sky," he paused, expression turning dead serious, "Does it have what appears to be a Black Full Moon above it? I can't say for certain, but if it is what I think it is, perhaps that is the reason why I ended up here in the first place."

He respected the high prestige that this woman showed him, an arrogance that could almost hold up to his own... barely. But to think that his tolerance would be tested so much and so early...

"I don't think you quite understand the situation here." Gilgamesh replied, his tone a mix of seriousness and a hint of playfulness as well. "If that is the reason why I'm here in the first place, I doubt it would have any reason to 'take' me back. Or leave this realm anytime soon." The existence of the Holy Grail had always been an anomaly in his eyes. It certainly wasn't what most people made it out to be and very few know of its capabilities. Twice now he had been submerged in the mud and twice he managed to get out. All that really needs now is to confirm if it really was the Grail itself.

"Do you honestly want to get rid of someone who had done you no harm?" Gilgamesh chuckled as the girl explained her intentions. "You may find me more useful than you think. Though..." he paused as he took her hand, "...I will not be able to do much with my current reserves of prana. I still need someone to act as my master. May I assume that this is your way of agreeing to my original request? Temporary as it may be?"

So he was correct. Though she may be a woman, she was still stronger than she looked. More than just her prana capacity, even her physical abilities likely rivaled that of even a Servant. How fascinating.

"You needn't worry about my usefulness. I have the tools for nearly any situation." he replied as the woman pulled him up to his feet. "This seems vaguely familiar though. I do recall a discussion with one of my previous masters before he was eliminated when his usefulness ended." Of course, this wasn't such a bad thing. Perhaps this woman may even meet up to his expectations as a master. There was no rule that said his master had to be human after all.

He nodded his head as a cruel smile played upon his lips. "I so swear. Thy offering shall be my flesh and blood. Yuuka Kazami, my new master. I accept this contract under the class of Archer."

The prana supply opened the moment the informal contract completed and as a result, a small part of the back of Yuuka's left hand received three markings, suitable to her origin almost as if they were scorched on.

A violent wind briefly picked up around them. Gilgamesh must have regained his true powers by obtaining a true master and he was now unlike the almost broken man earlier on. Rising swirls of magical energy surrounded him and as the wind receded, he stood in front of Yuuka, tall and dignified and wearing a golden armor. A young man with golden hair standing up like a blazing flame, handsome with an elegant face. With his injuries gone and his arms restored to their original state, he seemed pleased enough.

"This is fine. For the time being, I will do as you say. I will be your lion, and I expect to be amused. The details, I leave to you." he replied, crossing his arms and smiled back with amusement at the flower youkai.

"Oh? I think this confirms my suspicions." Gilgamesh said, more interest glinting in his crimson eyes. "Those markings at the back of your hand, they are Command Spells, the symbol of your authority over me. You may use them up to three times to give me an absolute order that I have to obey so do be prudent in your use of them, if you even need to."

He turned towards the lake's direction, the dark aura emanating from it a familiar sensation. "Those markings confirm what resides what threatens your garden. The existence of a so-called Holy Grail, but in reality, an embodiment of all the evils of the world. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've been submerged in its black mud twice now and survived with my will alone." he grinned haughtily as he snapped his fingers.

Ripples in the air appeared in the empty air behind him, another harbinger of a strange event as he pulled something out from within it. Two, golden wine bottles already filled with a strange liquid. Taking a sip from the first cup, he offered the second one to Yuuka with his right hand stretched out.

At her mention of 'putting on a magic show,' he narrowed his eyes. "Do you still doubt my abilities after what you've just witnessed? You offend me, master. Perhaps it would be best to give you a glimpse of my true abilities so you may lay your suspicions to rest before I accompany you to your intended destination." he said, eyes closed. "Ah, but do not worry. I shall go easy on you. I wouldn't want to cause harm to my master after all."

"Three commands? Then you are a genie? That armor must be your lamp?" Yuuka laughed, hiding her lips behind her fingers. "Just don't expect me to rub you any time soon~"

Even as the space distorted behind the strange man, the event didn't phase the Gardener. She had seen much over the years, and this small display of magic was nothing she hadn't witnessed before. Yuuka stared plainly past the cup Gilgamesh offered, straight into his eyes even as she took the vessel. Holding it with her arm outwardly stretched, she tipped it over, spilling its contents into the soil. "Doubt? No, I do not doubt your abilities, Sir Gilgamesh. I simply don't care. But if your pride needs to be deflated, then I will happily oblige. I won't have an unruly Pet."

Yuuka dropped the cup onto the ground just as Elly spoke. She had sensed her approaching, so her vocal intrusion didn't come as a surprise.

"Oh, my dear, loyal Elly..." With her back to the porter, Yuuka didn't even turn to face her, instead smiling under the guise of the parasol. "You must learn to be more assertive. You must also learn to trust in your Master. Am I clear?"

An amusing thought came to mind, eliciting a sharp smile from the Flower Youkai. "On second thought, I have a lovely idea. If you wish to display your power to me, Sir Gilgamesh, then... Elly? My dear, sweet Elly~" She raised a hand, pointing a finger to Gilgamesh.

"Attack."

"Disobeying a direct order, Elly? That simply won't do~" Yuuka's smiling face briefly turned to a glare. "I'll deal with you later..."

With that, Yuuka returned her attention to Gilgamesh, who was busy preparing himself with a myriad of magical armaments, suspended in dead space by his power. The gleam these weapons held spoke of royalty and commanded respect, as did their wielder. Gilgamesh stood, his eyes intently fixed on Yuuka, perhaps concealing some other agenda. She could see that he didn't look like one who would willfully give into servitude; there must be some underlying motive behind his actions, and until she learned the extent of his power, he still remained a threat.

In spite of all this, however, Yuuka's outwardly expression didn't change at all, and still bore a curious smile. "Well then, let's hope that you, Sir Gilgamesh, learn to properly take orders from your Master. Do you hear that, Elly? You may be looking at your replacement~ Think about that next time you decide to disobey me."

Yuuka brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, sweeping it behind her ear. "The playing field is your choice, Sir Gilgamesh. However, do try to not harm my flowers during your display - for every one you destroy, I'll make your punishment worse~ Okay?" The gardener outstretched the same hand in a wide motion, releasing a sort of glowing pollen from her fingertips. The pollen traveled on the wind, to the numerous Sunflowers that surrounded her and Gilgamesh; they responded by growing and nearly doubling in size upon contact with the magic, their already magnificent yellow petals glowing with a brightness and energy that matched the sun's.

"Now that the pieces are in place... It's your move~"