Prologue: Prison Tower of Icarus
The first step to save humanity begins within the depths of Chaldea.
The Prologue: Prison Tower of Icarus serves as the introductory chapter and tutorial arc for Fate/Grand Order. It establishes the core premise of the game, introducing players to the Chaldea Security Organization and the dire state of humanity in a future where civilization has collapsed. This narrative segment focuses on the awakening of the protagonist, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and their first encounter with key figures like Leonardo da Vinci. It culminates in the summoning of Mash Kyrielight, setting the stage for the time-travel missions that define the rest of the series.
- Chapter Title
- Prologue - Prison Tower of Icarus
- Location
- Chaldea Security Organization (Underground Facility)
- Key Characters
- Ritsuka Fujimaru, Leonardo da Vinci, Mash Kyrielight
- Timeline Context
- Post-2016 Extinction Event
- Arc Function
- Tutorial and Narrative Introduction
Lore & Background
The Prologue serves as the foundational narrative block for the entire Fate/Grand Order saga. It establishes the grim reality of the future where humanity has been extinguished, forcing the remaining survivors at Chaldea to take drastic measures. The organization utilizes forbidden time travel technology to correct distortions in history known as Singularities, hoping to restore a timeline where civilization survives. The title references the myth of Icarus, symbolizing both the danger of overreaching ambition and the necessity of flight to escape destruction. In this context, Chaldea represents humanity's final attempt to soar above its own demise. It introduces the core relationship between the Master and Servant, highlighting the bond required to wield magical energy effectively against supernatural threats. This arc also sets the tone for the series' blend of high-stakes sci-fi and mythological fantasy. By grounding the story in a near-future setting before expanding into ancient history, it creates a bridge between modern sensibilities and legendary heroism. The stakes are personal yet global, defining the mission that will span the rest of the game's timeline.
In Their Own Story
The sterile air of the underground facility hummed with latent energy. Ritsuka opened their eyes to the glow of monitors, memories fragmented like shattered glass. Da Vinci stood nearby, her expression unreadable behind a mask of professional calm. She spoke of a world that no longer existed, of humanity reduced to ash in a single year. In this moment, the weight of salvation settled onto shoulders too young for such burden. The summoning circle flared beneath them, light consuming the darkness as a new ally stepped forth from the void.
Reader's Guide
The adventure begins when the protagonist awakens within the underground facility of Chaldea Security Organization, suffering from amnesia regarding recent events. After a tense but informative encounter with Leonardo da Vinci, they learn that humanity was wiped out in 2016 due to a catastrophic global anomaly. To prevent further destruction of history, Chaldea initiates the Human Order Reconstruction Project using time travel technology. The player must summon their first Servant to aid in this desperate mission against impossible odds. Mash Kyrielight is summoned as Shielder, an artificial Heroic Spirit designed specifically for protection and combat support. Together they face anomalies threatening the facility's stability while learning the mechanics of Command Spells and magical battle. This arc serves as a comprehensive tutorial for gameplay systems and narrative delivery before the true journey begins. It concludes with the team activating the Grand Order system to travel back in time, setting course for their first Singularity in London to correct historical distortions.
Did You Know?
- Mash Kyrielight was created specifically as an artificial Servant to support Chaldea's operations.
- The name Icarus alludes to Greek mythology regarding hubris and the danger of flight.
- This chapter functions as the primary tutorial for new players entering the game world.
- It introduces the concept of Command Spells used by Masters to command Heroic Spirits.