Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I didn't get the chance to release it last week because I was busy with helping out at a wedding. I had no time to get any of my chapters done, sadly. However, I managed to finish this now, at least. Better late than never.


Chapter 12: Old Wounds

"It's been a long time, Arthur."

Sitting before Arthur and his team was a hooded figure within a crystal cave. Arthur was mystified with the definite meaning of what this person was saying. Had he met this hooded figure before? Or was he talking about King Arthur?

Standing up, the hooded figure removed the cover over his head. He looked younger than expected, around late-20s or early 30s. His hair was grey and long, reaching his shoulders. He had a goatee with eyes that were like golden amber. His build was slim, almost typical of a wizard who'd never fought with brute force. Yet, Arthur didn't pay attention to any of that. He could sense the wizard's intense and suppressed aura that had layer-upon-layer of strength bound under a thick mask. Crossing him the wrong way would be unwise.

"Why the long face? Is it because you don't remember me? I'm Merlin, if that's who you're looking for." Merlin gave him a knowing smirk.

"And just how would we know that?" Bikou asked

"How, indeed? Well, that won't be a broad thing to prove. After all, you all were born in this era, while I've been cooped up in here before Camelot fell." Merlin scratched his beard.

He then smirked.

"Alright, then. I've got a simple idea."

Snapping his fingers, a dimensional hole appeared over Merlin's hand. Appearing from it, was a longsword that had a piece of decorated gold metal holding the blade to the hilt with a gap in the middle. The hilt was long, black, with a sapphire gem at the pommel. Marked across the blade's flat were several magic carvings. Completing it, was a radiant gold and blue aura that danced like flickering flames.

"Caliburn…it's been a long time since I saw it, or even held it." Merlin chuckled.

Arthur immediately understood.

"Whosoever pulleth this sword from this stone, is the rightful king of all England." Merlin recited.

"Only three individuals can hold this weapon: Nimue, a chosen one, and me. Nimue and I had helped forge this holy sword, while King Arthur had the qualities necessary to wield it. However, he's dead, so the spot vacated to you. Only one person can own Caliburn at a time. So, until you die, the weapon can't be used by anyone else. No other can use it, not even those so-called holy-sword wielders from the Church. As one of its creators, I put a small clause on the enchantments placed on it. One of them, was that the ones who created the swords, could also hold them. Honestly, it's deplorable with how the Vatican behaves, these days, in regards to holy swords and their wielders. They pretty much let anyone use their blades without thinking what they're like. It's like watching parents give their children guns." Merlin sighed.

"What do you mean?" Bikou asked.

"First off, there's no genes that allow someone to use a holy sword. It comes down to whether someone's will, determination, and heart are strong enough. The only reason that Valper Galilei could harness that ability, was because he was collecting soul essence, which served as a proxy to make up for the lack of willpower and capabilities that a person lacked. Descendants of Holy Sword wielders only claim that they're natural-born because their genetics gave them the physical aptitude to make up for the lacking of qualities in other departments. So, they're not really worthy, they're just strong enough to making up for improper personalities and beliefs through willpower and brute force. Second of all, the Vatican is trying to claim credit for things they had no hand in. They had no hand in forging Excalibur or Caliburn. They just came up with those stories for reasons, like the Crusades. Filthy mongrels tried to do anything to justify themselves." Merlin scoffed as he sipped some tea that he summoned from a tea cup…which was summoned from thin air.

As soon as Lefay and the others blinked, they too, had cups of tea and cookies in front of them.

"But, weren't the knights of England involved with the Templars?" Bikou raised a brow as he sipped his tea.

"Just because some of them took part, it didn't mean all of them took part. History isn't as accurate nor justified as it's written out to be. Humanity will twist anything if it helps them achieve certain goals, whether they be beneficial or self-centered. That includes when they wrote your textbooks in school." Merlin shook his head.

(Doctor Who OST – A Secret He Will Take To His Grave. Play Song.)

"Honestly, it's been almost too long since I've gotten to speak with others or stretch about. Not since Nimue sealed me, anyways." Merlin exhaled in satisfaction.

"Why did Nimue seal you?" Lefay asked.

Merlin derisively smiled, as if it were aimed at himself. Despite seeming so chatty, he had now gone completely silent. Lefay had struck a very sensitive nerve.

"It was…complicated."

"We have some time." Arthur said.

"Then, I'll be brief. I'm not one to turn down conversation. Old people like me like to talk a lot." Merlin chuckled.

He snapped his fingers, crafting chairs from the crystalline cave. Taking their seats, the three listened as Merlin spoke.

"Long ago, before the Fall of Camelot, I had become enamored with Nimue. Honestly, love was so much simpler and naive back in the days, but at the same time, it was much more altruistic than how it is nowadays. These days, kids your age just like to bang for the thrill and act proud about it. That's why humanity is just continuing to go down the toilet. People these days don't think enough. A large number of humans are too ignorant and don't think deep enough. Of course, not all of them do it, but a majority does."

"Please stay focused." Arthur cut him off.

"Right, sorry. Ahem. So, as you are aware, Nimue and I collaborated twice, which was when we forged Caliburn to choose a king to unite England and again when King Arthur needed a new weapon to solidify his rule. During that time, we grew closer and before too long, we fell in love." Merlin sighed, almost smiling happily.

Yet, his gaze was distant, as if zoning out.

"I daresay, I couldn't look at anyone but her. She was becoming my world. Before, I was just a wizard that did things for the good of the realm or because it interested me. When Nimue came along, I wanted to do things for her, to make her happy and to help get rid of that sad look in her eyes. Then, one day…" Merlin's nostalgic look became disturbed, sad.

"I approached her one day and led her here. I praised her, showering her with gifts and confessions. Then…something happened that I'd never wanted to do. Trust me, what I say next, wasn't in my control. I had lost total control of myself and it felt as if I'd become another person. It was like blacking out and faintly remembering images and damaged footage from a recording. I had become a prisoner of sorts within my own body as I assaulted Nimue and tried to ravage her. I'd almost succeeded but thanks to her own magic, she stunned me and locked me in here. To this day, I don't know what happened. Something else, whether it was a curse from someone, or a ghost, or a dark enchantment within this cave, forced me to act that day. Back then, men raping women and doing whatever they wanted wasn't uncommon. It was a more barbaric age, honestly. People took whatever they wanted. I still question why she didn't kill me then and there." Merlin sneered at himself.

"How is it that you're aware of so many things that you weren't there for? How do you know so much about the current state of the world? And how come you didn't find out what influenced you?" Lefay asked.

"Well, it's a given. Back then, wizards of the ancient eras had clairvoyance and the ability to either see into the future or see what happens far from their own line of sight. Thanks to my ability to see what happens far away, I have knowledge of a lot of things. Also, I have a limited version of future-sight, so that helped too. However, to this day, I haven't been able to come up with an answer. I don't even know if something like that will happen to me again." Merlin smiled.

"So, bottom-line is, you tried to rape Nimue and in retaliation, she locked you in here for all time?" Bikou summarized.

"Seriously too blunt, but yes. However, it was different than what a stranger would feel. It was an attack from someone that she saw as close. We were like best friends, maybe even boyfriend and girlfriend, in modern terms. But, just because you have those labels, as long as it's not consensual on both sides, it's not justified. I know of a guy far and away who can give you a lecture on how twisted humans are and just how grey everything is." Merlin sighed.

"And how can you prove that? How do we know that you're not just trying to get us to sympathize with you?" Arthur asked.

"Lad, you can impale me in the head right now, if it so pleases you. I may not be able to die by disease or time, but I can still hurt. You can even put that wall back and I won't complain. I was too weak that day and Nimue was permanently scarred. She never took on any other form of romance or companionship since. She became known as the Lady of the Lake because of the mystery around her and her solitude. I can never make up for that. So, if you despise me, then it's alright and it's no surprise. I despise myself as well. At first, I was an angry man, unable to make sense of the ill fortune that befell me. I blamed her for not seeing sense and for jumping to conclusions. However, I've been inside this cave for over 2,000 years. I've had far too much time to think and grow a bit wiser. What happened that day was not Nimue's fault. Honestly, I don't know who's fault it is, but I've learned not to misplace my anger." Merlin professed.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's address the reasons as to why you're here." Merlin reclined in his chair, crossing his legs.

"We've come here to talk about Mordred."

"Yes, and how he's gathering people to his side when he's not even likeable. Also, there's the fact that the future of the Pendragon House and maybe even England is at risk. I wouldn't want to be known as a member of a family of butchers either." Merlin finished.

"How did the original Mordred manage it?"

"He used Clarent, King Arthur's ceremonial sword, to pull others to his side. Clarent was a sword of peace, meant for knighting and ceremonies. King Arthur always took it with him when attending diplomatic matters. You see, Clarent was enchanted. It calmed and relaxed those around it and through its magic, Arthur was able to safely perform politics without conflicts erupting like they normally would. It kept everyone from jumping to conclusions and kept swords sheathed. However, once King Arthur went to war with Lancelot, the original Mordred stole the sword and with the help of some dark magic, twisted it. The sword that calmed and pacified others, became a tool of control and brainwashing. During King Arthur's absence, Mordred used Clarent and nudged others into joining his cause, and in doing so, brought about the Fall of Camelot."

"Where is Clarent, now?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know, exactly. I can't see very far into the future, and at that time, I was unable to witness anything, so I can't tell you. Supposedly, Clarent was lost at the Battle of Camlann, as it was the sword that fatally wounded King Arthur. As for what this current-day Mordred is using to sway others in this era, I can't say, either. Something's clouding my vision. It's like someone put a pitch-black blanket over him, so I can't see what he's up to." Merlin sighed, exasperated.

"Then, can you tell us anything else?"

"If it concerns Mordred, then no. I can't break through that veil that obscures him from my sight. However, I can tell you that he's getting some outside help. He's not doing this alone and I don't mean he's getting help from the Pendragon family. I mean someone from the outside, far from all this, is helping him." Merlin said.

"I see." Arthur immediately began thinking of just who could help him.

"However, there's something that I want to talk to you about." Merlin smiled.

"Yes?" Lefay asked.

"There's a friend of yours that's in Cornwall right now, I believe. Just got into a car accident, unfortunately."

Immediately, the trio knew who Merlin was talking about. They face-palmed. There was only one person likely to get hit by a car.

"Issei." They sighed.

"Yes, the peculiar but fun one. I want you to bring him here." Merlin said.

"Why?" Arthur asked.

Immediately, Arthur began feeling cautious. What did this old wizard want with his friend? Did he know that Issei was the host of Bahamut?

"It's been a long time since I've done any talking with a Host of Bahamut. I believe I can help him. You'll have to forgive me, but it's better that I tell him all this in person, rather than by message."

"Why not just go with us?" Bikou asked.

"There're some things that even I'm unaware of. I really don't know what'll happen if other see us meet. Not only that, but the ancient ones of the old world wouldn't like it if they knew the current Host of Bahamut was talking to somebody like me, who's witnessed a lot of things. If he were to grow stronger or get caught talking to me, they'd try to nip the rose in the bud." Merlin hinted.

"So, Mordred might be doing what his predecessor did, and is using magic to control people…" Lefay mused, bringing the conversation back to its original point.

It made sense to Arthur, to an extent. Through magic, it would be harder to notice someone's turn and left little-to-no traces to analyze or track. Instead of talking to other people and trying to persuade them, Mordred could be much more practical and efficient with mind control. Not only that, but it was the least likely to warrant force, so it looked as if he was taking a fight into consideration. It made Arthur wonder if he was aware of Lefay and his return.

"It'd be a waste of time to go searching for Clarent. We'll have to meet up with Vali and the others so that we can narrow down who's involved and then deduce the direct cause. After that, we can find a way to neutralize whatever Mordred did." Arthur decided.

"Is that it? You just wanted to know the medium that Mordred used?" Merlin raised a brow.

He expected more questions, like the secret to life or something.

"Yes. I wanted to know what the exact method he used was. Now that we've got hints, we'll need the other pieces of information that the rest of our team has. Once we've convened, we'll have a better idea of where to go and what to do." Arthur nodded.

Before the three could depart, Merlin spoke up.

"Before you go, boy, let me ask you something."

"Just when will you forgive others and yourself?"

Arthur was perplexed.

"It's one thing to feel resentful, but to hold a relationship-severing grudge is another. King Arthur may have done a lot for the good of the realm, but he was far from perfect. He also held grudges much like you. He severed his relation with Guinevere, Mordred, and Lancelot. In doing so, he lost everything and everyone. Even when Lancelot came back to offer his aid to his beloved king, Arthur refused and held onto his disdain. His knights turned on him. His kingdom fell and ultimately, he lost his life. So, tell me, are you content with meeting the same fate? You can keep telling yourself that it's just a small thing, but that's short-sighted. A spark can ignite into a wildfire, if fanned and given time. So, ask yourself, is it worth it to resent someone your entire life for something such as this? Is it worth it to lose a relation just because you've felt controlled your entire life? If you were to try and become Caliburn's master back then as you are now, you'd never have moved it from the stone kept in your family's care."

Arthur remained silent, leaving without a single word. Merlin was left alone, returned to his solitude as he pondered what would happen now.

(Doctor Who OST – A Secret He Will Take To His Grave. End Song.)


When he returned to the Pendragon Compound, Arthur was met by his mother, Eldwynn.

"So, did it go well?" She smiled.

"Not exactly. Not much changed. We know how the original Mordred turned others against King Arthur, but we don't know if Mordred is doing the same thing." Arthur responded.

Eldwynn looked dismayed with the lack of progress, to Arthur, at least. However, the reason as to why she looked so disappointed was because she suspected another fight between father and son.

"I see. Well, your friends are waiting for you in the Gardens, so let's get going."

Following her lead, Arthur and Lefay conversed with their mother.

"So, Arthur, have you met any pretty girls out on your travels? And what about you, Lefay? Any boys catching your eye?" Eldwynn asked.

Arthur went silent. Lefay, on the other hand, turned into a blushing mess.

"W-W-Well, no, not really. I mean, I've made friends but nobody's caught my attention." Lefay lowered her hat down her face.

"I see. Remember what I told you. Don't go with any bad-boys that hang out with a lot of people. Often-times, they're of the less-savory kind. Although, I guess some girls do like the edgy and angsty boys too." Eldwynn shrugged.

"Mom!" Lefay looked at her in objection.

"I only jest, dear." Eldwynn then looked at her son.

"What about you, Arthur? You seem reasonably close with daughter of the Lucifers."

Arthur's brow only ticked. Eldwynn smiled warmly. Without a doubt, she knew that she'd struck a nerve of irritation. Arthur rarely ticked his brow unless something bothered him. In this case, it was the questioning of his hidden loyalty to Elaine. It pleased her to know that her son was still salvageable and unwilling to let go of the people he cared about. She was scared that he would become heartless and cold after 3 years of traveling alone.

Just then, Elaine walked up to the group, bowing.

"Milady, Lord Uther wishes to see you. He says that it is of the utmost urgency."

"I see. Well, then, you two should head towards the Garden. Elaine, would you be so kind as to accompany them? After we have a small chat?" Eldwynn asked.

"Yes, Milady."

With one last glance at her children, Eldwynn walked the other way with the maid.

"So, now you've got a reaction from him. What do you think?" Elaine raised a curious brow.

"Milady?" Elaine looked oblivious.

"I'm aware that you heard us talking. You were in the area looking for me, after all. Now, it's clear that my son still cares about you. It's just that he's being his usual self and is keeping his thoughts to himself. If someone like you saw him, I'm sure you could come to the same conclusion as I have."

Elaine didn't say a word.

"Oh, come now, you don't need to restrain your thoughts with me. Tell me, how do you feel about my son?"

Eldwynn felt sorry for the poor girl. Her father was barely present at home to support her emotionally. Her friends weren't around often either since she only saw them on weekends when they weren't at school and she didn't have to worry about home-schooling. Lastly, her mother had passed away from illness when she was barely 6 years-old. She had no grandparents left and her aunts and uncles were killed by accidents during magical experimentations. The sad child was alone. Eldwynn, as the Lady of the House, saw it as her duty to watch over those that served her House. What sort of Lady would she be if she didn't do that at the least?

Elaine sighed before speaking.

"I still love him. Very much so. It hurts me when I look at him and he looks back at me with those cold eyes. I've tried to put up my own mask, but unlike his, I feel mine's cracking by the minute. It hurts me immensely that despite the messages that I've sent him for the past few years, he hasn't chosen to speak to me once when it wasn't necessary. When he looks at me, I feel that he only sees me as a thing of the past and not someone that loves him." Elaine turned to look at Arthur's distant figure.

Eldwynn patted her on the shoulder to comfort her.

"Arthur is many things, but ruthless and cold isn't one of them. If that was the case, then he'd have probably threw Lefay away a long time ago. I'm sure my son has his reasons for leaving you. However, knowing him, you can't just wear a mask to parallel his. You need to get through to him. Lest, this relationship will decay into nothing. You two are already ambiguous and it's doing none of you favors. I think it's time for you two to stop messing around. Let your emotions free, Elaine." Eldwynn whispered before walking away.

Elaine shook her head to snap herself out of her thoughts. She would think about all this later.

"So, Elaine, what've you been up to?" Lefay asked as the maid walked up to them.

So many things had happened since they'd arrived at the Compound that Lefay had barely gotten the time to catch up to Elaine. She looked up to the maid who was like an older sister to her and had taught her much of the magic that she knew.

"I've merely been doing my duties as before you left, Lady Lefay." Elaine flatly responded.

"I see. Has my father done anything against you?" Lefay asked.

"No, he has not. Ever since your departure, he has merely taken to work, don't worry." Elaine said.

Lefay bit her lip. She hated the awkward atmosphere around them. Back then, Arthur and Elaine would laugh and enjoy each other's company. Now, they couldn't even look at each other, out of sheer awkwardness and complicated emotions. She hoped the two would be able to resolve this soon.

She knew that Arthur still loved Elaine deeply. The way he would gaze at her quickly to check on her expression before looking in the other direction. The way Elaine would glance at Arthur and see if his stoic expression cracked. All of it, made it clear that despite how detached they acted, the two of them loved each other dearly.


After a ton of complications, mainly wheeling an unconscious Kuroka and a wheelchair-bound Issei out of a hospital, Vali and her half of the team managed to return to the Pendragon Compound.

"I swear, Bikou and Kuroka already cause me enough grief. I don't need you to add to it." Vali sighed.

"Sorry." Issei sheepishly apologized.

Thanks to some painkillers, Issei was already back on his feet. That was what worried Vali. A normal human should've died or been crippled by the crash with the bus. Yet, Issei was already moving around like nothing had happened. He didn't have a single broken bone or bruise. He didn't even have a blister. It made Vali wonder. Was it because he was the host of Bahamut? Or was it because of something else? Even as the host of a Heavenly Dragon, her healing wasn't very fast. Then again, she did have a stronger body than any human, despite being half of one. Aside from some painkillers, he needed nothing else to start walking again. It worried her.

As they arrived at a secluded spot in the Gardens, Issei felt that strange sensation again. He felt like his body was heavier. It was as if gravity was exerting itself even more upon himself, dragging him into the ground. Just what was the cause of that? Shelving the thought, Issei waited along with Vali and Kuroka for Arthur and the others.

"Do you think they managed to accomplish their side of the mission?" Kuroka asked.

"No idea. They were doing the same things as us, searching for information. Their side is just less likely to get something, is all." Vali replied.

"So, things really don't seem as bad as Elaine said." Kuroka muttered.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, now. From what I've heard, a lot of people are losing their jobs within the Pendragon business. Not only that, but it looks like some members of the board are disappearing completely. So, Elaine's not too far off."

At that moment, Issei looked out the corner of his eye and saw that Elaine was leading Arthur, Lefay, and Bikou to the Gardens.

"How'd it go on your end?" Issei asked.

"Not very good, but not bad, either. Honestly, we got a small clue, but…" Bikou shrugged.

"What about your side?" Arthur asked.

"It went well enough. Besides Kuroka and Issei getting landed in the hospital for a few hours, we got the documents." Vali handed them to Arthur.

Reading them carefully, he sighed.

"I knew that a lot of people sided with him, but to think it was this many…"

"What's the next step?" Vali asked.

"We're going to be paying some visits. We'll have to find out what we can through interrogations." Arthur said.

"Then let's get started." Vali nodded.

"Arthur, you'd best come watch what's happening at the front door but stay out of sight. He's here." Eldwynn walked into view.


Arriving the door into the Compoun, was the man whom had always caused Arthur endless trouble: Mordred Pendragon. He had dirty-blonde hair, with streaks of brown hair and green eyes. He wore a black suit with a red shirt and black tie. To an extent, he resembled Arthur, minus the braid and glasses.

"So, what brings you here, Mordred? I heard that you'd recently returned from a long trip outside the country" Uther politely regarded his nephew.

"I was away on some private business. I just came by to visit. I also heard that my cousins may be back home. Apparently, someone spotted Arthur and Lefay around the Compound, so I wanted to come and say hi. Also, I have news for you, Uncle." Mordred said.

"I see. Let's discuss it over some dinner." Uther gestured.

"I can't, Uncle. I have work to attend to." Mordred politely smiled.

"Well, then, what did you wish to speak about?"

(Naruto Shippuden OST – Hatred. Play Song.)

"I've just received news that Roland Westcott was found murdered this afternoon, butchered in an alleyway. I came to relay the news to you and also, I wanted to ask you a few questions."

Uther was unfazed but Lefay and Arthur stood frozen in wide-eyed shock. Roland Westcott was basically the right-hand of their father and a powerful mage who taught Elaine magic. He was also her father. To think that someone as accomplished and skilled as him was dead was stunning. Not only that, but he'd been a close friend to the family, namely the youth of the Pendragon Compound. It was Roland who'd helped Arthur sneak out of the estate back then.

"Questions like what?" Uther looked at him suspiciously.

"Like who do you think would murder him?" Mordred looked at him seriously.

He almost seemed genuinely accusational. It even threw Uther for a bit of a loop. Was Mordred trying to initiate a game with him?

"What do you mean?"

"Roland Westcott was a skilled mage and a talented researcher and botanist. He would've been of use to anyone. The only two conclusions that I can come up with, is that someone approached him and tried to recruit him or he knew something that others didn't. Either way, he was killed for declination. That's why, Uncle, I've come to you. Roland Westcott was a close confidant to you and knew many of your secrets."

Uther immediately glared at Mordred like a lion glaring at a hyena intruding upon his territory.

"Are you accusing me of killing him?"

"I'm asking if you know why or who." Mordred retorted.

"Why the sudden interest, Mordred?"

Mordred merely glared at Uther before shaking his head.

"Roland was a close person to the family. He was always there for others and tried to guide everyone…even me. For him to be killed and thrown unceremoniously into a trashy alleyway…that's not something I'll excuse. He was already heavily approached by everyone for his skill and capabilities. So, that's nothing new and not a single person before has tried to kill him because it wasn't worth risking reputation and freedom. However, what if he knew something that others were aware of? What if he knew about a prize so good that it was worth killing him over?" He retorted.

Uther raised a brow. His nephew was quite deceitful and unpredictable. He remembered how Mordred would play tricks on Arthur when they were young, setting up pranks for a laugh. Back then, he thought nothing of it, but as time grew, Mordred seemed to grow more resentful. It went from dropping a bucket of water on top of Arthur to exposing the forbidden relationship between Arthur and Elaine, fracturing the family into pieces. Was Mordred now aiming to deface him as well? Was he acting like he cared so that Uther would confess something vital?

"Are you accusing me of withholding secrets on top of murdering Roland to keep him quiet?"

"No. I want to know if you know anyone that wants what you're protecting. I don't care what it is. I want to know if you have a connection to all this." Mordred growled.

"I'm sorry, Mordred. I have nothing to give you. After all, aren't you busy taking over my company and firing a ton of my employees?" Uther stepped forward.

The air around the two immediately thickened, swirling up above like a brewing storm. Mordred lowered his aggression and took a step back. This was going nowhere. Any more than this, and a fight was going to take place.

"Uncle Uther, if you find anything, then by all-means, tell me." Mordred solemnly said before turning around to leave.

(Naruto Shippuden OST – Hatred. End Song.)

As the doors closed behind him, Uther looked towards the stairs.

"You can come down now."

The Vali Peerage came down to speak as the head of the Pendragon House sighed, ruffling his hair. Arthur knew that he was particularly stressed when he did that.

"That was different." Lefay noted.

"Yes, he's changed within the past 3 years since you left. He's much less noticeable and more serious nowadays. I find it a little odd, actually. After what happened, he just…changed. I presume it's his attempt to curry favor." Uther nodded.

That was when father and son met gazes.

"Come with me, there's something that I want to show you. His little visit tonight has made things much clearer to me." Uther said to Arthur and Lefay.

He gave Vali and the others a stern look, telling them not to follow. This was for the eyes of the family only.


Uther led his children into his study. Locking the door and closing the blinds, he pressed a button beneath his desk. Immediately, locks began clicking as metal gears started creaking from the ground.

Lefay and Arthur stepped back as Uther's desk moved from its original place, revealing a hidden dear that dislodged and sectioned open. Walking down the stairs that led down, the three went on for what felt like a mile.

"Father, what's down here?" Lefay asked.

"You'll see soon enough. What you're going to see, you must never tell anyone. Only your mother and I know of its existence. This is probably why Roland was killed."

Arriving at a massive metal door that was bolted down with locks and magic spells, Uther put his hand upon it. Unlocking upon coming into contact with his hand, the door sectioned apart from the outside as door-upon-door began moving up.

"This is the secret vault of the Pendragons. In here, are the most secret belongings of our family." Uther declared.

Stepping past the threshold of the entrance, Arthur laid eyes upon the secret treasure of the Pendragons.

Suspended in the air, was a longsword made of glistening metal. It had a long blade that was crystalline blue. Running down the blade, was a golden piece of metal that had an inscription upon it. The pommel was golden with a sapphire gem in the middle. The hilt was black, with gold marks trailing down the handle. The pommel had another sapphire gem at the end. Around the blade, was a powerful aura that rivaled that of Caliburn, matching its radiance but it felt slightly different. While Caliburn felt solitary and silent, this sword felt royal, commanding.

"This is the true Excalibur."

"What?!" Arthur and Lefay were stunned.

"The true Excalibur remained after the death of King Arthur, where Bedivere returned the sword to Nimue after the Battle of Camlann. However, several years ago, one of our ancestors went to her to stop a battle during a prior war. She gave it to him and allowed him to wield it until the war ended. However, one day, when that ancestor went to return the weapon to Nimue, she was nowhere to be found. So, he kept the sword and guarded it secretly, never drawing the weapon since the day he obtained it. Yet, we knew that the Vatican would want to collect the sword since they wanted all holy weapons. So, we lied. We gave them the fragments of a sword that we'd blessed with enchantments to the best of our ability. We lied that it was made with alchemy and magic, when it was just a ruse to keep the Vatican from getting their hands on a weapon that they would misuse." Uther explained.

"Why do you distrust them so much, Father?" Lefay asked.

"Take a look at history, daughter. Look at what the Vatican has done. They've done nothing when their religion was used in name for acts of horror. The Salem Witch Trials where innocent women were burned, drowned, and murdered were never stopped. The Crusades that killed nonbelievers were never stopped. The Vatican was untrustworthy to us. Look at what their members do nowadays. Even armed with mere light swords, they cause tragic damage through their lack of discipline with their members. It would soil our name if we'd allowed them to use the true Excalibur. The only reason why we gave them fake shards was because we knew they'd tear our lands apart if they didn't get what they wanted." Uther scoffed.

Arthur shook his head. His father was about to go on a tirade about the family legacy again. It was always about the family legacy to Uther Pendragon.

"That's why I brought you two here. I want one of you to take Excalibur. Take it and keep it from anyone who would want it. I can already tell that Mordred knows about its existence. Thus, it can't remain here. I don't know what was happening earlier, but he was playing particularly nicer than before. Whether it's a facade or a whole new thing, I don't know. All I know is that a weapon this dangerous can't be let loose in Morded or anyone else's hands. The people of this era have finally approached a less tumultuous time. I'd prefer it if things stayed that way. I've worked long and hard to try and keep things as quiet and peaceful as possible, but I clearly can't do that anymore. With this sword in the wrong hands, it'd only bring chaos to the innocent people all around us."

Arthur was surprised. Uther hadn't talked about the family legacy after all. Instead, he was concerned about the common people who didn't know of the supernatural. Back then, at almost any chance, he would talk about how the family had to carry itself with dignity and characters befitting their station. Now, he sounded more altruistic, even if only a little bit.

"We can't let this weapon fall into the wrong hands. It is our duty to the people to keep them safe. That is part of a knight's oath." Uther turned to his children.

"Excalibur has the same enchantments placed upon it as Caliburn does. Only one chosen wielder is allowed to own it at any time. If one of you take it, then it will be yours until the day you die."

Arthur looked at Lefay, gesturing for her to try. They were of the same blood, so he assumed that she might be worthy of it as much as their ancestor. She was bright, energetic, caring, and good at heart. In his eyes, she was more worthy of the sword than him.

Stepping into the middle of the room, Lefay reached for the weapon but found that she couldn't even budge it. It stayed suspended in the air as if locked in time. Even with all her might, Lefay couldn't take the weapon. Soon enough, she gave up.

"Well, clearly, I'm not meant for swords." Lefay shrugged sheepishly.

Arthur took a deep breath. If it was like with Caliburn, then he should be able to lift it too, right? Lefay gulped as the intense atmosphere became more tangible to her. Arthur was already capable of wielding Caliburn, which was widely regarded as the strongest Holy Sword in history. If he were to wield Excalibur in conjunction, he'd probably become the strongest human ever.

Arthur took hold of the sword and tightened his grip. Taking another deep breath, he pulled. He stood still, pausing in place, becoming as still as a statue.

"Arthur, what's wrong?" Lefay asked.

"It's not moving." Arthur said.

"What?" Uther gasped.

Arthur had tried to pull with all of his strength and willpower, but this sword refused to move.

"I don't get it. If you can wield Caliburn, then you should be able to wield Excalibur." Uther shook his head in disturbed confusion.

Arthur let go of the hilt and stepped backwards.

"Unless, Nimue placed a stronger enchantment on Excalibur." Lefay theorized.

"What?"

"The enchantment on Excalibur might be even stronger than the one placed on Caliburn. In legends, if someone could remove Caliburn from the stone, then it was free to be used by others after that. It wasn't until Caliburn was broken and reforged that its enchantments were made stronger so that only the creators and chosen wielders could use it. Maybe, with Excalibur, it's a different sort of enchantment. What if your heart has to be in the proper place to be used?" Lefay theorized.

"In the proper place?" Arthur mumbled.

"Meaning, something's bothering you and Excalibur isn't deeming you worthy because of that. Remember, Merlin said that determination and willpower are what's needed to wield a true holy sword. That must mean that you don't have enough of it for Excalibur to accept you." Lefay sadly said.

Uther let out a disappointed sigh.

"I see. If that's the case, then we'll need to fortify the seal around Excalibur. For now, we'll have to protect it as best we can until someone comes along to earn Excalibur."

Uther began walking back up the stairs but he turned around when he noticed that Lefay was still behind.

"What is it, Lefay?" Uther asked.

"What's this, Father?" Lefay walked over to a pedestal.

"That is a gauntlet that was entrusted to us by a stranger. It happened several centuries ago. One day, a friend of our ancestor came to our home and told us to guard that gauntlet with our lives. He said that one day, someone would come back for it. Until then, absolutely no one is to touch it." Uther explained.

Resting on a marble pedestal was a gauntlet that was grey and dull, looking absolutely simple like a regular one from a suit of knightly armor. Lefay couldn't put a point on it, but she felt that there was more to this gauntlet than it seemed. Sure, it was rusted and dingey, but the feeling it gave off was entirely different. Regardless, her father had been calling for her, so she had to follow him back. She'd ask more about it later.

After re-locking the Vault, Uther began talking to Arthur and Lefay again.

"What was the outcome of your missions?" He asked.

"The other team managed to find who was involved with Mordred, but as for our side, nothing much came of it."

Arthur heard his father give a disappointed sigh, but he could tell that Uther was restraining a snarky remark. That was some improvement, at least.

"Go on."

"We found Merlin and Nimue, who both pointed at Clarent as the main method that the original Mordred used to cause the uprising in Camelot. Nobody knows where it is, but I'm willing to bet that Mordred has it right now. He's had poor relations with others before, bordering solitude. I don't think he'd have the charisma and normal means of gathering so many allies. Not even Uncle was supportive of him before." Arthur noted.

"Yes, you have a point. However, the fact remains that we'll need to undo the mind control if we're going to reverse Mordred's takeover of the company. I'd prefer it if we didn't break out into a fight." Uther decided.

"Well, I think I can try something." Lefay cheerfully volunteered.

"Huh?"

"Don't forget about me just because I'm not a swordfighter. I'm also capable of magic. I think I can try and create a spell that'll wipe any brainwashing or mind-control from the people siding with Mordred. Just give me some time and I'll have something ready." Lefay confidently said.

If it meant helping her family and putting this issue to rest, then Lefay was all-for-it. She wanted this tension to go away so that her brother could repair his relationships. Perhaps that contributed to why Excalibur refused Arthur. He was reluctant to repair his bonds.

"I understand. As for gathering those members, I shall deal with it." Uther nodded proudly at his daughter.

"Still, despite your side of the mission being for naught…" He resumed his stern tone.

Arthur huffed.

(Naruto Shippuden OST – The Road Continues. Play Song.)

"You found Nimue and released her from her prison and did the same for Merlin. Not only that, but you've worked tirelessly towards your goals and for the good of the people here…excellent. I'm proud of you…my son and daughter." Uther awkwardly said before walking up the steps. For a small moment, the two could see a faint smile on his face.

Lefay smiled before looking at Arthur. She raised a brow, sternly mimicking their father.

'Say something back.' She seemed to say.

Arthur cleared his throat. All of a sudden, he felt a lump forming there. Now he was the one who felt awkward. How could he not? Just a few days ago, he was barely on speaking terms with his father. A few days before that, he couldn't even stomach the thought of coming back here.

"Thank you…Father…"

Uther paused, standing still in surprise before nodding and going back to his Study.

"See? It wasn't too hard to say three words, was it?" Lefay asked with a cheeky smile.

"Don't let it go to your head." Arthur chuckled as he poked her forehead.

"So, what's gonna happen now?" Issei asked as the two walked back to the Peerage.

"Well, knowing our father and how people within the company work, there'll most likely be a dinner. The company dinner is coming up to commemorate the founding of King's Grail and Leaf, so our father will be inviting many people to come. By then, I should have a spell ready." Lefay saluted.

"I'll help you out." Kuroka said.

"Then, I'll do a bit more snooping. I can disguise myself, after all." Bikou nodded.

"And I'll follow along to make sure that you don't slip up." Arthur folded up.

"If that's the case…" Vali turned to look at Issei.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"Training." Vali retorted.

(Naruto Shippuden OST – The Road Continues. End Song.)

'NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!' He screamed in his head.


And that's the end of this chapter. I'm honestly kind of tapped out from all the wedding preparations and cleanup, so I don't have anything to say. Lol. Anyways, thanks for reading, please feel free to post a review/comment. I'll make sure to read it. If you've got questions, feel free to message me. However, if it's a spoiler question, then my answer will depend on how much of a spoiler it'll be.

Anyways, have a great day/night, wherever you are.