The battle between the two nobles raged on. As countless waves of psychic blasts and flames flew across the warehouse, the other bystanders had to duck for cover. Tails peaked over the storage boxes and ducked by quickly to avoid any hits.
"They're still going at it."
"We're gonna lose our only shelter at the rate." Knuckles looked over, fired up. "C'mon, let me at 'em!"
Sonic glanced the two other knights that were accompanying them, both watching in awe of their newly aquired abilities. "Aren't you two gonna help them? You're fellow Knights of the Round Table. Snap some sense into him!"
"This is his fight, not ours." Bors advised. "If we were to interfere, what honor is there left?"
"Besides," Bedivere added. "This not only a fight, but a test. How loyal is he before the king? Is he really willing to obey his every command? Is he willing to take responsibility for his actions?"
They do have a point. The outcome will prove Lancelot's chivalry as a knight.
Sonic scratched the back of his ear. "Okay, if you say so."
Time eventually wore down Guinevere. As a noble, she didn't really have much experience as a fighter. The last wave sent by Lancelot exhausted her as she was forced back into a wall. The 1st Knight smirked as he approached her with his sword. He pointed its tip to her neck. "Any last words, Princess Guinevere?"
Guinevere stood silent and shook her head. She close her eyes as Lancelot raised his sword. Sonic couldn't take this in and almost charged in with Calibur brandished, but was stopped by Bors' arm in his path. "Wait..."
"How can I just sit here and watch Guinevere get killed!?"
"Trust me..." Bors insisted.
An echo of a clanging sword and a watchtower bell awoke Guinevere. Lancelot stood there before her, quaking entirely. As much as he wanted to 'execute' her, he couldn't. He did love her afterall. "Go..."
"Lancelot?"
"I said go... Don't worry about me." The King's champion glanced at the other bystanders. "Same with you."
"You heard him." Bedivere said. Everyone within the vicinity nodded and ran out, leaving nothing behind them.
Guinevere turned to Lancelot and embraced him. "Are you sure you will be okay?"
"I'll be fine. I promise." Lancelot smiled, holding her hand. "I'm only worried about you. Now, go."
"Alright, take care." Guinevere gave him a kiss on his cheek as a parting gift. She let loose of her grip and followed rest of the group. "Don't forget me, Lancelot."
The 1st Knight hesitantly felt his muzzle. "I... won't." He sheath his sword and rushed to the castle. He was late; The Round Table was completely full except for two spots. Lancelot placed his sword on the table before taking his seat.
The other knights glared at him for his tardiness. It's not like the 1st Knight to be late for a gathering. Every knight present bombarded him with various questions, yet he refused to answer any of them.
"Explain yourself, Lancelot." The armored king broke the scattered chattering. "Is there any reason why you're late to this gathering amongest your fellow knights?"
"I..." He started, recollecting the recent events. "...I had other business to take care of."
"Important enough to miss a gathering?"
"N-No, sire. I wasn't expecting the bell anytime soon. I haven't got a single clue where those three are."
King Arthur rose from his seat and held Lancelot around his neck. "You're lying to me!" The other Knights cowered at this sudden action, knowing the king's anger at work. "Tell me everything you know, now!"
"...Never..."
"Such futile resistance..." Arthur tightened his grip on Lancelot before throwing him down to the table, frame nearly shattered. The remaining six knights back away as far as they could, trembling as the punishment continued. Several beatings were given to him before raising Lancelot's now limp body. "I didn't expect that my most loyal knight, my champion, would do such a thing." He shifted his gaze towards the six. "All who oppose me shall feel my wrath, is that understood?" They all immediately nodded in agreement. "You two..." addressing Galahad and Gareth. "Come with me. Gawain, you are charge of annihilating all resistance."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The largest knight stood tall as the 1st knight was dragged away, smirking. "You heard him." The remaining three nodded and followed the 2nd knight as he left the table and stormed out of the castle.
Galahad and Gareth watched helplessly as King Arthur threw Lancelot into his cell, deep within the castle's interior. "You two keep an eye on him." He commanded, confiscating Lancelot's sword on his way out.
Gareth walked up to Lancelot's cell, hands gripped around the bars. "Psst, Lancelot." The gentle knight tried to catch his attention. "What's going on? You've been acting strange lately."
What started out a light chuckle turned into an insane laughter. The laughter echoed from within his cell to the underground hallways. The 1st knight continued 'til he noticed the 4th. "I'VE been acting strange?! You saw him... didn't you, Gareth, Galahad?" He smirked, manicial eyes glared. "The King is the one 'acting' strange. I'm only doing MY part."
"Stop this nonsense, Lancelot." The 5th knight intervened. "Talking in such way will resort to treason."
"Nonsense? Treason?" The 1st knight chuckled again. "What is treason? Betrayal to one's country? Wrong... I'm not betraying anyone. I WILL restore Camelot to its former glory... whether you help me or not." He raised his head to the 4th and 5th knights. "Now, tell me. Are you with me... or against me?"
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KK: Not really much to say here, but my vacation is over. Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter. I support Silvaze.
