Chapter 10:
By sunset, fighting in the village had finally died down. Many of the surviving mercenaries either fled or were apprehended by the Aval. The trio surveyed the damaged; many of the buildings were heavily damaged by fire and numerous crops and animals were destroyed, though fortunately, the majority of the civilians had been evacuated on time.
"Where is she?" demanded Edge Master, "Where is Alura?"
"We're bringing her in for questioning," said one knight, leading the trio to her, "We just…Oh my God!"
There was no sign of the assassin, and the two knights watching over her were lying dead in a pool of blood.
"Damnit," said Edge Master, "She had only been feigning defeat. She is cunning, indeed."
"The assassin is on the loose!" said the knight, "I need to warn the others. Please, stay here."
As the knight ran off, Thomas bent down to inspect one of the bodies. Their throats had been slit with a small knife.
"Hm," said Edge Master, "We need to leave this village now and figure out our next move. Thomas, you said that Alura knows the location of the third tablet?"
"That is what Harold claimed, yes," Thomas claimed.
"Then, we will likely have to face the BoP again."
"The question is," began Christine, "Where do we even go from here?"
Just then, the group heard a groan nearby. When they turned to look, they saw Geweldich limping toward them, clutching the wound in his side. His skin and clothing were blackened by soot, and his breathing was pained and laboured, but he was otherwise fine.
"Geweldich?" said Thomas, "My God, you need medical attention!"
Thomas ran to Geweldich, but the knight merely shoved Thomas aside.
"What I need," he began, "Is for you three to stay the hell away this village! You've brought nothing but chaos and ruin since you've arrived!"
"We never intended for this to happen," Thomas pleaded, "Nor did we intend to destroy Camelot. But it was the only way to stop the men inside from causing more harm."
"You've done more than enough harm on your own," Geweldich said, taking a seat on the ground, "I know you found your tablet. Just take it and leave now, and I will not have my men pursue you. We've all been through enough."
"I don't understand," said Christine, "Now you want us to find Excalibur? What changed?"
"I'm afraid I can no longer trust my own organization; that map of Camelot you carry? I know it didn't just materialize out of nothing."
"Adelwald gave it to us," Edge Master confirmed, "He mentioned that the Aval was growing fractured."
"Then it seems he too has fallen in with those fools; the ones who believe that they can 'save' humanity by using Excalibur's power to turn men into gods. But they fail to realize the truth."
"Which is?" asked Thomas.
"That Excalibur is no miracle sword," Geweldich replied, "It was made from a fragment of its cursed counterpart, and as such retains many of its vile properties. Even Arthur was not immune to its effects. There was a reason Mordred betrayed him; he was terrified of what became of his father! Something that powerful will destroy mankind, not evolve it!"
"Adelwald also mentioned something about the final tablet being in Leith," said Christine, "What do you know of that?"
"We believe it's in Holyrood palace," Geweldich replied, "But with the current situation over there, we have not been able to get close enough to confirm. Given the circumstances, I believe you are our last hope for that."
Just then two Aval knights appeared behind Geweldich and helped him up.
"If you truly are seeking to destroy the two swords," he began, "Then it is better that it ends up in your hands than those of traitors like Adelwald. But heed my words: Do not allow Excalibur to consume you as it did countless others!"
As the men led Geweldich away, Thomas turned to face Edge Master:
"Is it all true?" he asked, "What Geweldich said about Soul Calibur?"
"I'm afraid so," Edge Master replied, "It is exactly as I warned Algol all those years ago, yet he did not listen. Still, I am partially to blame, as I did little to stop him from crafting the sword. In my youth, not even I was immune to empathy."
"You cannot blame yourself," said Thomas, "Empathy is what sets us apart from killers like the BoP. The most we can do is focus on the road ahead, right?"
Edge Master thought back momentarily to his discussion with Alura.
"You're right," he said.
As the trio reached the village's outskirts, they ran into Professor Crawley.
"I say," he began, "Thomas, what's this I hear about you destroying Camelot? And where's Harold?"
"He didn't make it," said Thomas, "I don't know if he had the chance to tell you, but…He was dying of illness and chose to go out on his own terms."
"My word," said Crawley, "I-I had no idea! At least the old chap is in a better place now."
"We need to get going," said Edge Master, "For as long as the Bird of Passage remain at large, there is a risk of them attacking the village again."
"Apologies," said Crawley, "But if you three don't mind, I think I'll stay here. I've grown rather fond of this place."
"What?" Thomas demanded, "But you're free to leave!"
"Yes," added Christine, "And we still need your help in translating the last of the three tablets! It is the whole reason we came to find you!"
"Ho, ho," Crawley chuckled as he removed a small notebook from his robes, "You won't need me for that! Not when you have this."
"I thought the Aval confiscated your work?" asked Thomas, grabbing the book.
"Yes, but they missed the most important piece I had, which, thankfully, I keep close to my heart. I have spent much of my life deciphering the language of Camelot. It's how I was able to communicate with these villagers and come to know them rather well. I think you will need this now more than me."
As Thomas skimmed through the notebook, he found images of runes matching those on the stone tablet.
"Well," said Thomas, closing the book, "If you insist. Just keep in mind this may be your last chance to leave in a while."
"It's quite alright. By leaving those coordinates in my office, I feel I am partially responsible for what occurred here today. The least I could do is help rebuild. Just know that I will be rooting for you on your quest to find Excalibur. Any idea as to your next destination?"
"Leith," said Christine.
"Ah," Crawley said, "In that case, I can direct you to a contact in Leith. Here, take this letter. I meant to deliver it before I was captured. His address is on the envelope and he will want to see proof that you know me."
Crawley handed Thomas a note.
"Say hi to the old bean for me," continued Crawley, "And, er, try not to take what he says too personally, hm?"
"Uh," said Thomas, "Sure. Thanks for all your help."
"No, Thomas," said Crawley, "Thank you for saving my skin back there. Oh, I remember when you were just an eager young chap. You've grown into quite the warrior since then. I am certain your mother would be proud of you."
"That means a lot to me," said Thomas, "Best of luck to you."
Once the trio said their goodbyes to Crawley, they returned to their carriage and set off. The final tablet awaited them in Leith, but so did a deadly trap, potentially. It was just another obstacle Thomas knew he had to be ready for. Soon enough, Excalibur would be within their grasp.
Atop a hill, far outside the village, Alura knelt in front of a small, crudely-dug hole in the earth as the morning run rose behind her. In her hands, Alura cradled her deceased bird before placing it inside of the hole, then burying it. As she performed her task, Fenrir approached from behind. He was scarred and filthy from the collapsing cave, but was otherwise unharmed.
"No doubt they've set off," she spoke somberly.
"Hm," said Fenrir.
"Let us make haste," Alura continued, "We cannot lose those bastards now. We must find them...And make them suffer."
Fenrir nodded in agreement. Once they were set, Alura, Fenrir and all surviving mercenaries began their own journey toward the final destination.