Jet and the Black Knight
LoZ © Nintendo
Chapter Ten: Adventure of Avalon
The scene opens to the distant gulf in the southern region of King Arthur's Kingdom. Though the destination was the only island in the whole kingdom, its existence remained unknown to those who do not already know where it is. A single raft lapped over the drifting tide towards the island, carrying a young mare and her master. Jet the Hawk patted the side of his horse's head to keep her relaxed while keeping his gaze attentive on the surrounding mist. The heroes had been washing through the sea for two straight days and have found no trace of Avalon's existence.
"Argh, this is getting annoying." Jet groaned. "Everywhere I look, I only see more mist. It's like being back in Nimue's palace."
"Well, Avalon was Nimue's original domicile." Caliburn informed. "And besides, Avalon is a sacred island that was not meant to be discovered by mortals. Sailors could travel for years and not discover its location."
"And how do you expect me to find it?!" Jet snapped.
"There is no need." Caliburn said calmly. "We're already here."
Before the emerald knight could question his meaning, the mist suddenly parted and opened a rift of golden light. After shaking back his senses, he was quick to realize that the suddenly light was not caused by the sun. The unknown island contained a large castle much taller than the one in Camelot and was made entirely of gold. The air was free of smog or pollution and the water around it could only be compared to Nimue's lake. As the raft docked at the beach of Avalon, they found the sand that the sand did not shift and was actually made of copper dust. Not far from the beach, a road made of silver bricks and gilded arches opened a path into the city.
"Holy Babylon." Jet murmured amazingly; his beak in gape. "This place is awesome. I wouldn't mind sleeping in this place for the rest of eternity." He mounted Epona, never taking his eyes off the golden castle. "I wonder if they got a treasure room here."
"Please roll your tongue back in your mouth." Caliburn ordered. Jet blinked and snapped his extended tongue back inside his beak. "Anyway, Avalon is a place of peace and rapture. It is not a realm for greed and immortality."
"That sucks." Jet commented.
"Keep your mind sharp." Caliburn warned. "The Black Knight has claimed this island as his domain. He could be lurking in these streets, watching our every movement."
Jet nodded and tapped Epona's sides, requesting her to trot slowly into the island streets. They traveled through the silent streets – Epona's hooves echoing – while the Knight of the Winds took a better look at his surroundings. The sanctuary reminded him of Babylon Garden before its true form was revealed. Both lands contained structures that withstood the boundaries of time and both provided a bountiful of beautiful flowers and trees. Jet thought of bringing back some violets for Wave; they were her favorite. Unfortunately, his passive daydream was rudely interrupted when Epona gave a compulsive neigh while a blur of black crossed the sky.
"He is here." Caliburn said sternly.
"Time to end this." Jet said lowly.
As the emerald hawk draw Caliburnfrom his scabbard, a dark stallion galloped from the sky and crossed paths in front of the heroes. The Black Knight halted his steed and his deathly gaze pierces his adversary through the openings within his helmet. His breath rattles with a hint of despair, but Jet remained impassive to the king's threatening appearance.
"So we meet again, bold knave." The Black Knight scowled.
"You better listen up, pal!" Jet shouted eagerly, pointing Caliburn forward. "Because I'm only gonna say this once! The name is Jet the Hawk, Knight of the Wind! It's time to settle this once and for all, King Arthur!"
"You have not changed since the last time we met, Jet the Hawk." The Black Knight stated calmly. "But I will admit that your impersonation of an actual knight has improved farther than I expected."
"I still don't understand how you know me, but I don't really care." Jet sneered. "But I do know that I have you to thank for all this. If it wasn't for your reign of tyranny, I would never have realized what kind of potential I had. So, thanks."
"How easily you forget, bold knight." The Black Knight laughed. "Come ye. Let us have one final look at your unsightly swordsmanship." He grasped the bone handle of his sword, Deathcalibur, and released the dragon blade from its scabbard. "We will finally see who is the better knight."
"You're going to be sorry you asked." Jet grinned. He pulled Caliburn closer for only them to hear. "This is it, old pal: the big fight we've both been waiting for."
"Indeed it is, my friend." Caliburn said softly. "I havefaith in your skills. Give it everything you got and your will prevail over this tyrant of a king."
"You forget who you are talking to?" Jet smirked deviously.
"I suppose I have." Caliburn laughed. "Then we shall not be defeated. Onward, Jet, Knight of the wind!!"
"Way ahead of you!" Jet shouted.
Kicking into his steed's sides, Epona pushed herself on her hind legs, neighing in imminent victory, and charged at the Black Knight. The dark king pulled at the reins of his stallion and galloped down the silver road with the emerald knight at his side. Neither warriors made an attempt to attack and raced once around the island streets while taking the moment to study their opponents. The Black Knight was heavily protected, but Jet was much faster between them. As the twin horses approached the archway from where the battle began, both knights maintained a firm grip around their swords. They archway passed.
"You will regret raising your sword against me!" The Black Knight growled, swinging Deathcalibur to the hawk.
"Not a chance, bub!" Jet responded, using Caliburn to block. "If you want, I could show you a nice place where you can have your armor fixed after your lose!"
"You dare to mock me?!" The Black Knight sneered. "You will suffer greatly."
Th dark tyrant grinned Deathcalibur against the Sacred Sword – Jet wildly thought he was going to shoot lightning. The Black Knight drew back his sword and stabbed ti for Jet's chest, who barely avoided it will only having his coat partially ripped. With the king's blade directly across from him, the emerald hawk gripped Caliburn and slammed the pommel over the tyrant's gauntlet. But instead of releasing the blade as Jet had hoped, Caliburn vibrated in his hand, which traveled down his own spine and into Epona. The young mare staggered in momentary confusion, allowing the Black Knight to gain an impressive lead in front of them. Jet grabbed his steed by the neck, which successfully ended the violent shock between them. Unfortunately, they small reprieve was short-lived as the Black Knight and his stallion raced towards the heroes, surrounded in a sphere of red energy. The Knight of the Wind screamed frightfully before jumping off Epona's side and dragging the mare to the ground as Deathcalibur soared over their heads.
"Whew, that was a close one." Jet said relieved.
"You call that close?!" Caliburn snapped; he was buried in a flower pot. "Your foolish shenanigans nearly cost us our lives."
"I don't get what you have to worry about." Jet frowned as he recovered Caliburn. "You're a sword, so you can't technically die. And besides, how was I supposed to know the guy was made of metal?"
"The fate of the kingdom rests within this battle." Caliburn stated worried. "And if we lose, there will be no hope for the future."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Jet waved nonchalantly as he mounted Epona again.
"Have you given up yet?" The Black Knight laughed mockingly. "I thought you were supposed to be the superior knight."
"I'm just getting warmed up." Jet said confidently. "I'll defiantly kick your can across the island."
"Same old Jet the Hawk." The Black Knight shook amusingly. "Even after all this time, you still can't read between the lines."
"Huh?" Jet questioned confused.
But a moment later, the Black Knight was once again charging through the streets with a sphere of red energy surrounding them. Jet frowned at the sight. If that was the way it was going to be, then two could play at that game. Issuing the command for his steed to move forward, the emerald hawk raised his Sacred Sword forward and summoned his magical barrier. The red and blue spheres collided with one another, forming purple sparks between them. Jet could feel Epona struggling beneath him and mutter words of encouragement into her flapping ears. As if by magic, Epona suddenly gained the strength to push back the Black Knights barrier before it shattered under the pressure. The dark tyrant sputtered intangibly in shock from losing in magic until he was forced to recognize that Epona's charge had not ended. The Black Knight forced his stallion to the side as the young mare passed by.
"Impressive." The Black Knight complimented; Jet released his barrier. "Clearly, I have underestimated you."
"Obviously." Jet sniggered.
"But that's enough of the warm up." The Black Knight proclaimed. "Let up begin round two."
"Jet, be careful." Caliburn warned. "King Arthur has only been taking this battle lightly. You must be on guard."
"You worry too much." Jet said uncaring.
The Black Knight and the Knight of the Wind raced one lap around the island once more before beginning the second round. To Jet's surprise, the dark tyrant replaced Deathcalibur within his scabbard and raised a hand over his head. Suddenly, a cluster of black spores erupted from his gauntlet and made a direct path for their prey. Jet attempted to steer Epona around the dark spores, but the black pods continued to chance after him. When he wasn't looking, one of the spores attached itself to Jet's heel, burning a hole through the sole.
"Whoa!" Jet screamed, lifting his boot away. "I've heard of foot burn, but this is ridiculous!"
You see, I told you have had strong magic!" Caliburn shouted boastfully. "You need to take better care of yourself and be mindful of your opponents if you seek victory."
"Instead of nagging me, how about helping me?" Jet snarled.
"My magic cannot block this particular darkness." Caliburn informed. "But the blade is mightier than magic."
The emerald hawk did not question his blade, only that he had no other choice. As another cluster of spores began flying for Epona, Jet firmed his grip over Caliburn and took a wild swing. Much to his amazement, the dark spore deformed on contact with the Sacred Sword. Even those that were within inches of the blade, but not touched, were evaporated in its presences. Jet thrusted him arm in victory before he realized his position. The Black Knight used his spores as a distraction and was racing back with a fist thrown for Jet's beak. Fortunately, he used the broadside of Caliburn to deflect his fist.
"Heh! Almost got me there!" Jet chuckled playfully.
"I see that my current level of magic is not enough to defeat you." The Black Knight said thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should start taking you seriously."
"You weren't serious before." Caliburn asked nervously, literally shaking in Jet's hand.
"What are you cowering about?" Jet questioned in disbelief. "I can take on anything he throws at me."
"Then shall we go?" The Black Knight gestured with a wave of his hand.
With a swift nod from the hawk, both knights galloped another lap around the island streets. As they passed through the archway that acted as a checkmark, the Knight of the Wind half expected the tyrant to pull out Deathcalibur. But instead, the Black Knight jabbed his fist and summoned a spear of purple lightning. The attack was instantaneous and left Jet no room to counter. The strike of lightning stabbed at his chest and left the knight paralyzed. He feel forward on Epona's neck and unconsciously dropped Caliburn on the silver streets. Sensing that her master was injured, Epona skidded to a halt. Unfortunately, the dark stallion of the tyrannical king stood close to where the mare stopped, allowing the Black Knight a presentable position to attack.
"Poor, unfortunate soul." The Black Knight mocked, brushing his cold gauntlet over the hawk's feathers. "You naively thought you could defeat me again. It seems that your previous victories were mere luck."
Jet moved his beak as if to speak, but his voice appeared to be caught in his throat.
"You stand away from him!" Caliburn shouted defiantly. "If you so much as harm a feather on his head, I'll...!"
"You will do nothing." The Black Knight said assuredly. He grabbed the bone handle of Deathcalibur and drew the scaled-blade from its scabbard. He turned the blade around and raised the point over Jet's head. "I will conceded that you were a worth opponent, but your time has come. Farewell, Jet the Hawk."
But before the dark king could deliver the final blow, Epona turned herself in the opposite direction and raised her hind legs to kick at the evil king. The Black Knight roared in shock as her hooves dented into his chest armor. It was clear that his hold over Jet relied on concentration as the emerald hawk could suddenly move freely once more. After delivering his own kick at the Black Knights head, Jet kicked at Epona's side to gallop back down the street. The Knight of the Wind was forced to ride on the side of his saddle to recover Caliburn from the ground before seating himself proper again.
"How ya doing?" Jet smirked.
"You arrogant, brash, mediocre of a knight!" Caliburn screamed furiously. "I told you that King Arthur would try to pull something like this and you fail to listen to me! You could have been killed! He could have slain you at any given moment!"
"You were worried about me, weren't you?" Jet grinned playfully.
"Yes." Caliburn admitted sheepishly.
"The time for games is over!" The Black Knight called. "Now, we shall finish with one final round!"
"Then let's get to it." Jet challenged.
Both warriors trotted calmly beside one another, both of them replacing their swords within the respective scabbards. Silence befell between the dueling knights as their steeds broke into a swift run and resumed their regular lap around the island. As they approached the archway at the end of the road, Jet reached over his shoulder in preparation for the next attack. But as they passed the archway, the Black Knight suddenly came to a halt beneath the structure. The Knight of the Wind glanced backwards for a few moments before he commanded Epona to stop a short distance away. He watched the dark tyrant reach for his sword and drew his own before he realized that the Black Knight drew Deathcalibur, but with the scabbard still attached.
"What's going on?" Jet whispered to Caliburn.
"I have no idea." Caliburn answered honestly. "But if the scabbard is truly as powerful as the Lady says it is, this is not a good sign."
"We have reached the end of our story, Jet the Hawk." The Black Knight proclaimed, holding the covered blade directly in front of him. "I will command you on your bravery and valiance, but it is all for not."
"That's what the villain always says before I kick them to the curve." Jet said confidently.
"Yes, but I have learned from my mistakes." The Black Knight stated ominously. "But I will not fall to the same defeat I suffered within the confines of the Arabian Knights."
"The Arabian Knights?!" Jet repeated shockingly. "What were your doing in the Arabian Knights?!"
"The time for talk is over!" The Black Knight screamed. "Farewell, Jet the Hawk!"
Raising his covered sword over his head, the Black Knight brought the dark blade down with merciless force. A blade of red energy formed from the air and soared across the street, fracturing the silver bricks in its wake. With barely a moment to react, Jet held out his blade and summoned the protective barrier around them. The glistening shield between them vibrated from the impact of the energy blade, but did not give in to its power. Under the command of its creator, the energy blade slowly began to pierce its way through the barrier; a fraction of it had already slipped through.
"This...isn't...working!" Jet grunted.
"Do not yield to him!" Caliburn advised. "Remember, magic is the force of will and imagination! I know you, Jet! You never back down from a fight, no matter what the odds!" Suddenly, the energy blade began to drag backwards. "And that is why you will win!"
With a powerful roar of determination, Jet pushed the energy blade away from the barrier and shot it back towards its master. The Black Knight, stunned by the force of Jet's will, made no attempt to move and the blade cut through his stallion's torso. Without any means to support himself, the dark tyrant fell forward as he steed vanished into the darkness. Using his scabbard as a mean of support, the Black Knight slowly pushed himself to his feet, but in vain. By the time he looked up, Epona had galloped by and Jet swung Caliburn across the king's helmet. The Knight of the Wind restrained himself to not kill the Black Knight, but cut off the golden crown and left a large scar cutting across the mask. As the defeated tyrant fell to his knees once more, Jet stepped off Epona and confronted the fallen king.
"This is your last chance, Arthur." Jet offered. "Give up now and restore your kingdom to what it once was."
"How quickly you forget." The Black Knight Cackled as he raised his scabbard. "Have you forgotten that I am immortal? You cannot hope to defeat me."
As a golden glow resonated from the scabbard, Caliburn warned his carrier.
"Now, Jet." Caliburn whispered. "This is the chance you've been waiting for. Use the Six Sacred Swords."
"Already on it!" Jet claimed assertively.
While reaching into his coat, Jet began racing in a circle around the fallen knight. At five separate points, he pulled out of the five swords he collected and stabbed them into the ground around him. First came Arondight, Clarent, Galatine, Crewennan, and finally Laevatein. As the five Sacred Swords slowly began to form a golden crest on the ground, Jet stabbed Caliburn at the pinnacle to complete the seal. The Black Knight could only stare in horror as the healing light from the scabbard faded.
"How can this be?!" The Black Knight questioned frightfully.
"It's over, Arthur!" Jet exclaimed.
Releasing his grip from his trusted sword, Jet jumped into the air and shot his foot into the Black Knight's face. With no strength to protect him, the dark tyrant fell backwards into the ground as Deathcalibur slipped from the scabbard. The Knight of the Wind caught the prized artifact in midair and landed softly behind Caliburn; Deathcalibur faded from existence.
"Finish me, Jet the Hawk." The Black Knight moaned in defeat. "My time has come."
"It won't happen." Jet said stubbornly as he replaced Caliburn his scabbard and starting collecting the other sword. "I already told the others before, I will not kill you. I know you have changed for the worse, but I believe you still have some light inside you somewhere."
"Same old Jet the Hawk." The Black Knight laughed. "Even after all this time, you still can't read between the lines."
And with that, the Black Knight lost all consciousness.
"You have done it, Jet." Caliburn said praising." You have defeated King Arthur and have given hope to the kingdom. Nimue will honor your greatly upon your return."
"Yeah, that sound nice and all." Jet shrugged. "But honestly, I just want to go home. It's been a long week."
"Highly understandable." Caliburn said sympathetically. "Let us return to Camelot and put an end to this madness."
Jet nodded, glad to finally put this insane mission behind him. But as he prepared to mount Epona, a sudden gust of wind kicked up with a mixture of sand and dust. It seemed impossible for either element to exist since the beaches were made of solid copper and the island was free of any speck of dust. And before he could register what happened, Jet felt himself being lifted off the ground and hugged by a familiar pair of arms.
"Oh, I have missed you so much, Master!" A feminine voice cried happily.
"Shahra?"
The control of darkness is not always so obvious. Has Jet truly completed his mission within the Arthurian tale? Why has Shahra appeared within the foreign land? And what is the meaning behind King Arthur's words? Find out on the next chapter of Jet and the Black Knight!
Please, read and review.