Ch. 6 A Knight's Courage
The next day saw a subtle change in the forest; Gone was the oppressive fog that had dominated the area, replaced by a warm glow from the morning sun as its rays filtered through the treetops. For the first time in days, the forest was filled with the sounds of small birds chirping and insects rustling through the trees. And it was this ambiance of life that the odd trio woke up to.
Drum was the first to wake up this time around, yawning wide as the sleep cleared from his mind. He glanced up, seeing Axia's barrier above him, still as strong as the night before. He then looked down at the dragowizard in question, who he still held tight in his arm, and smiled warmly as he watched him sleep peacefully. After all that had transpired the night before, it felt…nice to hold him so closely. He felt warm and pleasant like this, as if all his worries and cares were a million miles away. He lowered his head to nuzzle against Axia's cheek in a small gesture of tender affection, the gesture coming naturally to express how he felt.
Axia roused from the small motion, coming face to face with the larger dragon. His mind was still clouded in a sleepy haze, and he thought for a moment that he was still dreaming. He'd dreamt of embracing Drum like this too many times to count, and he eagerly leaned his head into Drum's nuzzling, sighing as he felt the warmth of the red dragon against his scales… A warmth that was more real than he remembered it being in dreams past. He blinked his eyes rapidly, almost unbelieving as to what he saw; that tough ol' Drum was looking at him fondly while holding him tenderly. The warmth in Drum's eyes was something he'd only seen in his fantasies, and he so fervently wished it to be real.
His eyes caught the forest in his peripheral vision, giving him the last bit of courage he needed to test how real it all was, and he leaned up to gave Drum a small peck on the cheek. The reaction was just as he'd hoped; the real Drum was shy and reserved, unlike the Drum in his dreams, who would've been much more bold in returning his affection. And while he did miss the tender nuzzles he'd been given earlier, the red dragon's bashful smile was proof that he felt similarly. Emboldened by this fact, Axia moved his head forward, catching Drum's retreating snout and kissed him square on the lips. Drum's eyes widened at the sudden move, but made no objections, and simply let his eyes shut as he melted into it.
The kiss was brief, but meaningful; a confirmation of what they already knew, but wanted to be reassured of. Last night had really happened, both the bad and the good. Axia gently pressed himself against the bigger dragon after their lips separated, and cooed as he felt Drum's arm squeeze him back. That arm had never let go of him during the night, he realized, and it made him feel safe to be held by such a strong dragon.
"This really isn't a dream, is it?" Axia murmured to himself as he nuzzled against Drum's chest. "It feels too good to be true."
"Well, I could pinch you but…" Drum glanced over to a nearby tree, settling on a still snoozing swordsman. "I think we'd better wait until we're really alone."
Axia's head jerked towards their third party member, his face heating up at the thought of being spied on, and let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Shosetsu was still sleeping soundly.
"For a moment there, I thought…"
"Relax," Drum reassured him, "He's out like a light. No need to freak out."
"I feel like I should be saying that to you," Axia chuckled, but nuzzled back against the larger dragon regardless. "I never would've thought I'd get to do this with you again. Especially not after what we went through."
"It's like you said. It'll take a lot more than some spooky old forest to keep us down." Drum smiled and gave the Dragowizard a comforting squeeze. "And I'll make sure we can spend as long as we want together once this is over."
"Oh, Drum-kins," giggled Axia, "I never knew you could be such a romantic!"
"I don't know about that! It's just how all dragons should treat their-" He stopped short, feeling a different sort of warmth creep up on him at what had almost come out. He really had no idea what they were at that point, but he knew it was something deeper than just plain friendship.
Axia meanwhile, was blushing furiously at the implication. Though their time together was miles better than before, he never once thought that Drum would return his feelings so fully. Did he really intend to call me his… He couldn't even finish the thought without shaking and instead looked up at the armordragon, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Seeing Axia stare at him in rapt attention, Drum fumbled with his sentence. He didn't know what he considered them, but he could at least say something that fit what he felt. "Y-you know… really… special someone…" He cringed to himself at how lame it sounded, but it seemed to make Axia look even more expectant.
"And you consider me someone like that?" He asked shyly, ignoring the odd phrasing.
That got a grin from Drum, his haughtiness coming back in full force. Now that he had an answer to. "Well, you tell me. Not counting all that we've done, you felt how much I cared through that empathy spell, right?"
He gave Axia a cocky smile and the teal dragon felt himself warm up as he recalled what he had felt during their connection. Determination and passion, which Drum always had in spades, but he also remembered the fondness and affection he felt; those warm and subtle accents had been a large part of his emotions and he couldn't help but giggle at how easily Drum summed up his feelings.
"You really are one of a kind, Drum-kins," Axia smiled, burying his snout into Drum's shoulder.
"I have my moments," he said, resting his snout against Axia's. In the privacy of their own little world that the morning sun provided, the usually gruff and reserved armordragon let his guard down, and let himself revel in the moment.
Across from the pair, the not-so-sleeping swordsman shifted in his spot. Shosetsu smiled at the calm silence they shared, risking a peek to watch the two dragons fawn over one another. So that's how he shows his affection? What a pair. He waited until they settled for simply resting against one another before feigning a yawn, waking up from his 'sleep'.
"You two look comfortable together," he said lightly. It was loud enough to startle both dragons out of their affectionate trance, but not enough for either to do anything to disentangle themselves from their position. Drum snorted at the swordsman, a cross look on his snout, while Axia blushed at being found in such a compromising, if affectionate, position.
"Much as I hate to disturb your session, we still have a mission to accomplish." He turned back to smile cheekily at the dragons. "There'll be time to snuggle later."
This guy's doing this on purpose, I know he is, Drum thought with a huff.
Axia laughed and stood up with a stretch. "He's right," he said, brushing off the dirt and leaves that clung to his robe. "We've still got a job to do, Drum-kins!" Drum watched as the dragowizard took back his staff, humming to himself as he twirled the mystic item around before slamming it to the ground, dispersing the field with just a little bit more flair than necessary.
"Someone's eager," Drum said to himself. That got a chuckle from the swordsman, and Drum turned to him, honest curiosity on his face. "What?"
"Not used to being the one shown off to?" teased Shosetsu quietly. "Seems like he's picked up a habit from you."
"Shown off to?" mumbled Drum. Shosetsu nodded towards the diligent dragowizard, who was treating clean up duty as if it were a makeshift target range. He used his staff to launch the discarded bento boxes into the air, then blasted them with a small bolt of magic, vanishing them into non-existence.
"After last night's events, he's probably more than eager to show off his own abilities to you." Shosetsu smirked and knelt down, grabbing the forgotten blanket and shaking it free of debris. "Just don't forget what we talked about." He patted Drum's shoulder, smiling easily as he started packing up his supplies.
Drum was about to help him finish cleaning when Axia came up to him, still practically glowing with his good mood. "C'mon Drum-kins!" he said, taking his hand. "We have time for a quick breakfast before we head out!" Drum spared a glance at the human, and he knew he was wearing his feelings on his sleeve when Shosetsu smiled knowingly at him.
He remembered his conversation with the human, as well as his own musings from the night before, and as he watched Axia start helping to get their day started, he remembered the promise he made to himself. Forget what we talked about? he scoffed quietly as he made to join his friends. As if he even has to ask.
After a modest breakfast, the size of which resulted in a slightly grumpy Drum, the trio resumed their trek through the forest. Their mission remained mostly the same: make sure Lancelot's forces could not gain access to the lake or the power it held. The only change was in the execution. Instead of intercepting the oncoming army, they would defend the lake itself.
With their minds shielded thanks to Axia's spell, Durandal's perception and inner connectivity to the world had been restored. The sword was indeed as old as its legend proclaimed, and with it came a recognition of the lake's energy. Now guided by Shosetsu's Buddy, the group walked through the wilderness with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
However, all the determination in the world couldn't hide the fact that their breakfast had indeed been too meager, and Drum soon found himself dragging his feet. "It feels like we've been walking for hours," he groaned tiredly. "Have we even gotten any closer to it?"
"We're in luck. It's not much farther right now." Durandal reported. "We must've managed to get closer to it in the commotion last night threw us in."
"Good to know we didn't suffer through all of that for nothing," Drum huffed and straightened himself up, doubling his pace. "Let's hurry. The sooner we get out of this forest the sooner I can get some actual food in me."
As if pleading his case, Drum's stomach growled loudly in agreement, managing to sound like wild beast. Axia giggled and even Shosetsu couldn't help but crack a grin at the grumbling dragon's plight. Drum sighed but continued on, motivated by the promise of tasty snacks. He gulped down the drool that had been threatening to spill out as he imagined getting to sink his teeth into a huge bowl of pudding.
He was so enraptured in his fantasy that he stopped watching his footing and yelped when something snared his feet, forcing him to trip and fall hard onto the ground. "Ow…what tripped me?" He flipped over, looking at his foot, and paled when he saw the long, tube-like thing coiled around his ankle. "I-is that a…?"
"Vine," Shosetsu finished, using Durandal to slice apart the foliage. "Don't worry, none of the fauna here is poisonous."
"Thanks," Drum sighed, shaking the loose vines off him. "I thought that was a snake at first."
"You wouldn't have to worry about that," said Axia. "I would've been able to sense any kind of creature, no matter how small. It's all part of the protection spell." He beamed proudly before a thoughtful frown overtook him. "Though come to think of it, we haven't seen very much wildlife here. I haven't sensed any signs of any creatures since yesterday either."
"Oberon's curse is unbiased in its victims," Shosetsu said solemnly. "More than likely, it affected the creatures who lived here the same way, causing them to flee." Both Axia and Drum looked conflicted, but he continued before ether could think on it too much. "But that might change soon." Shosetsu pointed up at an open part of the canopy where several small birds fly around the treetops, seemingly unaffected by the curse. "Look."
"They all seem just fine," Axia noted happily, smiling softly at the small birds. "No signs of any magic on them either."
"Defeating that incarnation seems to have taken a lot of energy out of the spell, enough to let those birds roost once again," Shosetsu said, taking a moment to watch the birds fly to their hearts' content. "When this is done, I'll talk to Arthur about this curse. There may be a better way to secure the lake without harming anyone."
Smiles were exchanged between the three, and the group continued their trek in quiet camaraderie…
…A peace that was readily interrupted when an all too familiar roar echoed throughout the forest.
"Please tell me that was your stomach, Drum-kins…" pleaded Axia. Drum's grimace told him all he needed to know.
"If only it were. Can you tell where that came from, Durandal?" Shosetsu asked his Buddy.
"It's close. Very close," warned Durandal. "How that thing manages to mask its energy, even I don't know, but it must know that we're not far from lake."
"If that thing is coming for us, then they've either found the lake, or are close to it." Shosetsu murmured. "We must be as well. Why else would they send out that beast?"
"What are we gonna do, Drum?" Axia asked anxiously. "We didn't stand a chance last time."
Drum held his head down, and squeezed Axia's hand. He's right. Even when we fought together, we couldn't beat that monster. It was just too strong… He grit his teeth in frustration. If only there was a way to even the playing field. Then we'd… His eyes zeroed in on the vine he'd tripped on earlier and widened in realization before he turned to the other two. "Shosetsu, do you think you'll be able to make it through the forest without us?"
"We should be able to," he hesitantly affirmed. "Axia's spell is quite potent. Even now, Durandal is radiating with its strength."
"Go on and find the lake," urged Drum. "Axia and I will deal with old tall, dark and gruesome while you fight off whoever's at the lake."
Shosetsu looked hesitantly at the dragon for a moment before nodding. "Stay safe." With that, he took off into the forest.
"Drum, how are we going to fight this thing off?" Axia said once the swordsman was out of earshot. "We're not strong enough to take it out. Even working together, we couldn't make a scratch on it."
"We'll be fine," Drum reassured, a cocky grin on his snout. "We've got terrain on our side." At Axia's questioning look, he pointed to the treetops. "Help me up top. I've got a plan."
The quiet that had once settled on the great forest was disrupted by the lumbering steps of a large beast, a variety of small birds flapping away as their homes were destroyed. The draconic being plowed through the dense foliage, its eyes darting from tree to tree, searching out any signs of movement. Its task was a simple one: locate and eliminate the human's traveling companions.
Its leg caught some resistance and it barely had a chance to glance down before its body was ensnared. A net of thick vines from the forest floor wrapped around the beast's body and tightened their hold on it. At first they seemed like a frail obstacle, but to the beast's great surprise, an electrical current surged through them, sapping its power. The beast roared in frustration as it tried to shake the vines off, only to entangle itself further.
"I can't believe it, your plan is actually working!" Axia grinned from his hiding spot amongst the higher tree branches. "The vines I enchanted are holding tight!"
"What did I tell ya?" boasted Drum. "Doesn't matter if its strong as a tank, so long as you weaken it, it'll be easy pickings." He cracked his knuckles, crouching down on the branch. "Now all that's left is the finisher!"
Drum sprung from the treetop, drills aimed at the monstrous creature's unguarded back. Just before they connected, the creature managed to move its legs enough to step backwards, narrowly avoiding Drum's attack. Several sharp spines shot out of its hide, piercing the enchanted vines and shredding them to ribbons.
"Guess that plan's gone…" Drum deadpanned before spinning his drills again. "Looks like we gotta do this the old fashioned way! Axia, cover fire! I'm gonna bring the hurt on this thing while it's still weak!"
"On it!" Axia nodded and descended from his perch, firing several blasts of electricity at the enormous creature. The rapid fire assault forced the beast to raise its arms in defense, and keeping it from focusing on Drum. It still tried, lashing out with an armored claw whenever the dragon got too close, rending the earth or destroying a large tree with every swipe.
The red dragon ducked and weaved around his target, using the destroyed foliage as cover to keep from getting skewered. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he mentally prepared his next line of attack. This was different from their first battle; Axia almost seemed to predict when the creature would lash a claw out next, and fired a lightning blast accordingly, which gave him the precious few extra seconds needed to dodge the creature's next attack.
Both realized it wouldn't be enough. The beast wasn't leaving any open spots for Drum to exploit, and only side stepped to keep from exposing any open areas from Axia's assault. In the midst of his frantic sprinting, Drum glanced back at Axia, and the two shared a look, their eyes gleaming as a plan was formed and shared between them thanks to their mental link. Drum jumped back as another clawed hand slammed into the ground, landing next to Axia. The two shared one more nod before Axia stepped up.
"Alright, you beast! Get ready to experience my newest technique!" he twirled his staff, building the energy around it and gathering it at the tip. As the monster roared and charged at him, he aimed his staff directly at it, and yelled at the top of his lungs. "Great Thunder Break!" An enormous beam of energy shot out from it, rivaling Drum's own Mega Blast Bunker, and collided with the massive beast's chest, pushing it back into several trees.
A deafening roar rung out and shook the forest as the monster was forced to all fours, electricity from the blast crackling around it. Seeing his chance, Drum charged, his drills spiraling as he aimed at the beast's exposed back. "This is what happens when you underestimate a dragon's strength!" He yelled as he leapt up, fist extended as he descended upon the monster…
Neither dragon noticed the creature's tail swing up, and by the time they noticed the limb heading towards Drum, it was too late.
The prehensile appendage grabbed Drum's wrist, its thick hide grinding his drills to a stop, and used the momentum the dragon had built up to slam him into the ground, kicking up a large cloud of dirt. It all happened in the blink of an eye, and Axia hadn't even had a chance to properly process what had happened before the beast's tail swung again, slamming its prey against a nearby tree. Drum yelled out in pain as the tree splintered from the impact, unable to do anything as the beast slammed him to the ground once more.
"Drum!" Axia cried, having come to his senses after hearing Drum's cry. It faked us out, Axia realized, his body shaking as he watched the creature stand back up on its hind legs. It knew Drum would go for its exposed back and managed to keep its tail free.
The assault was over as quickly as it had begun, leaving Drum wincing in the monster's grasp. A growling chuckle echoed out from its maw, quite satisfied with the work it had done. The creature turned to face Axia, the dragowizard cringing but maintaining his battle ready stance.
Drum wouldn't show any fear, so neither will I! This is what I've been training for!
Axia sprinted towards the monster, a harsh glare in his eyes as he readied his staff with electricity. The monster chuckled insidiously again and thrust one of its large arms forward, its claws outstretched with every intention of skewering the teal dragon. Despite his studious nature, Axia was no slouch in combat. He leapt up over the outstretched limb with ease and used it as a step to jump up towards the behemoth's head. Again though, the creature seemed to see ahead of his moves and threw its tail out in front of him to act as a barrier, with Drum's body as extra insurance.
Axia winced for the barest of moments at the sight of the armordragon limply dangling in the monster's grasp, but regained his focus when he saw Drum weakly reach out to him, his eyes still bright and burning. Even battered and buried, he still has the will to fight. Axia's face hardened, and he grabbed onto Drum's outstretched hand, yelling as the red dragon threw him up and over the tail's range. "You won't trick me that easily!" Axia growled as he poised himself above the monster's head, twirling his staff and making the electricity spark wildly.
The beast still had some fight left and quickly stepped back once more, only to stumble as it hit a particularly thick wall of trees, halting its retreat and giving the dragowizard ample time to strike. Axia flipped in the air, throwing himself forward and ramming the end of his spear into the monster's chest, unleashing a steady current of electrical magic into it. He spared a glance back at Drum, happy to see he was unaffected by his magic, and was content to keep up his output until the armordragon was freed.
After several long moments of constant electrical discharge, Axia knew something wasn't right. The creature wasn't flinching at all, and he glanced upward to see the thing smirking at him. Axia noticed the monster move out of the corner of his eye, and barely had a chance to put up his arms in defense before a hard fist slammed into him, dislodging his spear and sending him tumbling onto the dirt.
Axia groaned as he picked himself up, holding onto his spear with a determined look in his eye, but his opponent seemed content with things and focused on the armordragon in its grasp. It shook Drum about, as if to rouse him from his unconsciousness, but it amounted to nothing. It snorted in disgust and flung him into the dense forest to let momentum do a little extra damage.
Axia paled as he watched his friend soar into the forest, out of sight. He turned to go after him, but a loud stomp reminded him of his predicament. Drum's assailant stood over him, eyes set on him now. Axia didn't back down though. If anything, when he turned to face the creature, his eyes matched the beast's intensity.
"How dare you…" He hissed, clenching his staff hard in his hands. "How dare you do that to my Drum!" Axia charged, unleashing rapid and wild thunder strikes against the creature; his mind was clouded with anger, with rage, all in an attempt to save his buddy.
The creature stood still, lifting its thick plated arms to deflect the attack. It held an amused smirk at the attempts and stalked towards the angry Dragowizard. Axia yelled and leapt into the air once more, staff charged at full power for a full frontal assault. The creature roared back and slammed its tail into Axia, disrupting his attack and propelling him through the trees in the same direction Drum had been sent.
Before it lost sight of his target, the monster let loose a plume of flame from its mouth, the blast sending a massive shockwave through the trees. The creature roared victoriously, its cry piercing the air before its body began to fade, dissolving into a black mist that returned to a human female's hand and reformed into a card, which the girl took deftly and tucked away inside her robe.
The female figure glanced at the underbrush, narrowing her eyes at the lack of bodies. She closed her eyes in concentration, a dark aura enveloping her body. After a few seconds, the girl opened them again, seeming satisfied. "Mission complete. Target eliminated."
Shosetsu dashed through the forest as fast as he could, occasionally glancing back to see if the beast was still on his tail. This wasn't like before when he was beset by illusionary enemies at every turn. He could feel his mind being guarded by the remnants of Axia's spell, and his nerves calmed at his lack of pursuers. Drum and Axia had its attention, now he had to reach the lake before anyone else could.
"Shosetsu, stop!" Shosetsu halted at his Buddy's call, and he paused for a moment to check his bearings. "We've arrived."
The swordsman glanced around the area, seeing nothing but trees and foliage, and was about to question his Buddy when his eyes focused on an oddly thick patch of vines. Trusting his instincts, he slashed Durandal through them, cutting through the plant life with ease. To his surprise, instead of falling to the ground, the vines vanished into this air, along with a fair number of the trees that surrounded them.
"Forest of Illusions indeed," Shosetsu murmured as the plant life slowly vanished from his sight. In their place was a spectacle of wonder; The fabled lake spread out before them, reaching to the edges of their vision. Sunlight shone from above, the shade from its previous camouflage no longer blocking its rays from dancing on the water's surface. The water itself seemed to glow with a mystic light that radiated from its depths.
"We've found it," Shosetsu said reverently. As he gazed at the water's surface, he noticed a slight distortion in the air. He approached the water's edge slowly, reached out his hand and met resistance in the air. "A barrier?"
"Most likely a last line of defense for the lake should an unworthy intruder make themselves known," Durandal supplemented. "It seems to be holding though, so that means the lake hasn't been tampered with."
"That will change soon enough!" A voice called out from behind them.
Shosetsu twirled around, drawing his sword in one fluid motion and intercepting the blade that had been coming down at him. An older man in dark armor pressed an equally darkened blade against Durandal, having no difficulty or qualms continuing the stalemate. The swordsman locked eyes with the man, noting the experience his gaze held.
"My thanks to you, young knight," the warrior said without any signs of strain. "Were it not for you, we would never have been able to find this lake."
Shosetsu broke his stare down with dark swordsman, and took note of his appearance. Though the color scheme was darker than he remembered, the black, ornate armor and stylized cuirass were instantly recognizable to him, having memorized his own knights' armor style from countless fights alongside them. "Lancelot!" He grunted out.
"It's nice to know my name is still so well known!" The traitorous knight said with a sneer.
Shosetsu glared harshly at the older knight, pushing forward to gain some leverage. "Yes, gone down in infamy as one of the greatest traitors in Legend World!"
"Don't give me that, I really am quite grateful," the warrior mocked with a sarcastic smile. "You've found the lake I've been searching for!" His arms tensed as he pushed back against his opponent's efforts. "As a reward for helping me, I'll make your end quick and painless!"
Shosetsu bent his knee just as the older swordsman put added pressure on his thrust, ducking down into a roll and sliding behind his opponent in one fluid motion. He kicked off from his position, his right arm already in position to slash Durandal down the exposed knight's back. But Lancelot caught sight of the young knight and slid his foot out, regaining his footing after his brief stumble and threw out his arm, his gauntlet catching against Durandal in a flurry of sparks.
"An attack from behind?" Lancelot sneered before pushing his arm up in an attempt to rid Shosetsu of his weapon. "That was a little underhanded, boy."
The young knight felt it coming and jumped backwards, stepping back several paces before reasserting his guard. "You have threatened to end me. That is something that not even honor can allow my holding back. Besides," the human smirked, "If you were cut down by that attack, you would have no right to even attempt to obtain the lake's power."
"You're a cheeky one aren't you?" Lancelot remarked as he sheathed his sword. "It's clear now that this contest will only end in frustration. So why not settle this the honorable way?" He held up his hand, a card materializing between his fingers. A card baring his image. "With a Buddyfight."
"A Buddyfight?" Shosetsu narrowed his eyes, keeping his body poised for attack. "How could I accept that? You were forbidden from taking on a Buddy."
"There are ways of circumventing even the most complex of curses," the older knight said as he walked to the other end of the clearing. "Not too long ago, I was introduced to an interesting power. By a very interesting human."
"A human?" Shosetsu asked incredulously, relaxing his guard but keeping his eyes trained on the other knight. "A human freed you from your curse?"
"Is it so surprising? Their ability to link with monsters is a miraculous one indeed. It is this link that has given you control over Excalibur after all. And after we defeat you, my new Buddy and I shall claim ownership over that sacred sword."
"Excalibur would never let itself be wielded by someone who betrayed their comrades," Shosetsu remarked confidently. "It will only accept a virtuous fighter!"
"Oh, my Buddy has ways of getting over that detail," said Lancelot dismissively. "And even if that fails, I'll gladly take the powers of the lake for my own. After all, once we crush you, there'll be nothing left to protect the lake! And that little barrier stands no chance against my Buddy's might."
"So where is this mysterious fighter then?" Durandal spoke up, "I'd assume you'd be rather attached to your new Buddy after so long."
"Oh, she should be here any second." Lancelot answered, crossing his arms expectantly. "She's just taking care of a few loose ends."
Loose ends? Shosetsu felt a cold chill run up his spine at what that implied. He couldn't mean…
"Ahh, hit a nerve, have I?" Lancelot chuckled at the human's discomfort. "Yes, I would imagine you'd be afraid. After all, those two were no match for the monster my Buddy sent back on the edge of the cliff."
Though he didn't like telegraphing his mood so clearly, Shosetsu couldn't stop himself from grimacing at the situation. So, it was his Buddy that had attacked us? Unbelievable. How could someone have that much power…? His eyes widened as he remembered one crucial detail that had been lost in the panic of his illusion. That voice I heard before I fell! It was…!
"Here she is now." Lancelot's voice interrupted the swordsman's brooding. Shosetsu turned to face where Lancelot was looking, his eyes widening as he recognized the familiar female fly overhead and land next to the knight.
Sofia Sakharov stared impassively at the young knight before turning to face Lancelot. "It has been done. There should be no more distractions."
Shosetsu tightened his fist, frowning intensely as he glared daggers at the woman. I was right, that voice I heard before was hers.
Lancelot raised an eyebrow at the other knight's reaction, his face splitting into a smug grin as he saw the connection. "I see you two are already acquainted with one another."
"да," the Russian girl confirmed succinctly.
Shosetsu regained his composure and sheathed Durandal, glaring harshly at the pair. "I should've known one of them would be able to break that curse. You truly have lost all reason if you're pairing with her," he spat.
"On the contrary, I've never felt more sane. With her help, I will be able to reshape all of Legend World as I see fit!" Lancelot drew his sword again with a flourish, aiming it at the other swordsman. "Now, what say you, young knight? Do you accept my challenge?"
From the way Sofia spoke, it sounds like she's already incapacitated Drum and Axia, he thought anxiously, his left hand gripping Durandal's sheath. I'll have to face her myself, and make sure they're alright. He raised Core Gadget, embedded in Durandal's sheath. "Very well. I accept this challenge, traitor to the Round Table, Lancelot!"
"How very formal of you," he sneered before turning to Sofia. "Let's go, my Buddy! We shall teach this whelp a lesson in respect!"
Sofia said nothing, but still brought up her Core Gadget to float next to her. The two fighters activated their Buddyskills and took their places hovering high above the shimmering lake. Before they could Luminize, a silver UFO materialized out of thin air and a familiar red haired reporter popped out of it. "Warp successful! Wherever there are Buddyfights, Paruko Nanana will be on the scene to cover them!" After a moment, she actually bothered to look at her surroundings. "Even if it's not anywhere on Earth," she finished sheepishly.
"Where did she come from?" wondered Shosetsu. "Did she just warp without knowing where she was going?"
"She's a tenacious one," Durandal quietly commented. "Coming all the way here just to record our fight."
"Not her again," grumbled Sofia, glaring at the reporter.
After seeing both contestants, Paruko gasped in astonishment. "I can't believe my eyes! It's Sengoku Academy's Demon General Shosetsu Kirisame and Student Vice President of Aibou Academy, Sofia Sakharov! Could this be a rematch for Sengoku's loss back at the Gaen Cup!?"
"This is a Legend World dispute," said Sofia harshly, readying a spell in her hand. "And you are interfering."
"Now now, my Buddy," Lancelot calmly called out. "There might be merit to this girl's interference. Girl!" He called out, making Paruko shrink back into her UFO buddy. "Am I to understand that you record and broadcast Buddyfights with that device of yours?"
"Yes, that's right," Paruko said, doing her best to maintain a professional air. "I record exciting and fast paced Buddyfights that-"
"Excellent!" Lancelot bellowed out. "Record this fight and then deliver a message to the world that I am Legend World's new King!"
"You're delusional if you think I'll let you have free reign!" yelled Shosetsu, bringing Lancelot's attention back to him. "This lake and its powers won't be tainted by your ill will!"
Lancelot smirked back at the knight. "Believe me boy, that's the least of your worries."
Paruko floated quickly down, putting herself in-between their line of sight in order to break up the argument. "A-anyway, we're here now, coming to you live from Legend World where these two are about to start a medieval match for the ages! Both fighters, please Luminize your decks!"
"A thousand swords! Defeating the enemy with a thousand vows! Luminize! Fortress of Swords!" Shosetsu called.
"A blade forged from a dark ambition, carrying with it the legend of a hundred! Dark Luminize! Hollow Duality!" Sofia recited.
Compared to other players, their movements were relatively subdued, but both fighter's voices rose as they proclaimed, "Time to raise the flag!"
"I fight for Legend World." Shosetsu declared, his chosen banner floating over him.
"I, too, fight for Legend World." Sofia replied cooly, her own identical banner appearing behind her.
"The flags have been raised! Now let's get ready to see some action, folks! Say it with me now!" Paruko called out, flying high above the arena. "Buuuddy! Fight!"
"I'll start things off," Shosetsu declared, flicking his hand over his Core Deck Case. "Charge and draw." His cards floated over in separate flashes of light, and just as quickly, he whisked his hand over the middle-left card of his hand. "I call Great Magician Merlin to the left!"
His card flew out to the left side of the field, his monster materializing in a flash of light. Merlin surveyed the field impassively, his black robes flowing in the breeze, and grunted in annoyance upon seeing the knight that was at Sofia's side. "So the traitor has returned to make another vie for power, has he?" he said, tiredly.
Lancelot kept a steady gaze as soon as the spellcaster took to the field. "Merlin…" he mumbled, before smiling smugly. "Always a pleasure."
"Pardon me," Paruko called, floating down near the old wizard. "But it sounds like you two share some personal history. Care to explain for those at home who haven't taken an advanced course on Buddyfight history?"
Merlin shut his eyes and took a deep breath to compose himself before speaking. "Lancelot was a prominent member of the Round Table, easily one of our best. He had a list of accomplishments under his belt and was second in strength only to Arthur himself," His eyes snapped open, and he glared fiercely at the knight. "Until he threw away his loyalties and betrayed us all for a foolhardy quest for power!"
"Such biting words Merlin. Especially after what Arthur put me through afterwords…" Lancelot wore a calm smile as he turned his sword towards Merlin, giving the wizard a hollow stare. "The things I saw during my trials were horrific. They tore at my very sanity! One would think that our noble king would allow for a reprieve after a time, but alas, I was fated to remain trapped in that nightmarish realm for the rest of my days." He turned to Sofia, his smile becoming smug again. "At least until this young dame freed me from that tyrant's curse."
"You have only given yourself up as the pawn to another," Merlin sighed sadly. "To think you had fallen so far. Shosetsu! Let us teach this fool that his allegiances now lie only with ruin!"
The knight nodded and continued his turn. "I pay one gauge and discard a card to activate Merlin's ability! Incubus Blood!" Merlin's staff radiated power, and Shosetsu's arm moved on instinct, the activation of Merlin's effect readily committed to muscle memory.
"Shosetsu sets up his field by using Merlin's effect to look at the top five cards of his deck and adding two Hero item or spell cards to his hand!" Paruko commentated.
A card from his hand -which briefly turned to reveal Percival - and gauge disappeared only to be replaced by two others, one of which he held up in front of him. "I equip Famous Sword, Hrunting." A massive broadsword materialized in the swordsman's hands, his arms sagging from the weight of it. It didn't stop him from hefting it over his shoulder as he declared his next move. "And I attack!"
He charged and slashed at Sofia, letting the heavy weapon's weight do most of the damage. She grunted as her life was brought down 3 points, but quickly recovered and took her turn just as Shosetsu returned to his post.
"Draw. Charge and Draw." The Russian fighter's movements were slow and deliberate, her eyes scanning the cards in her hand before picking one. "I discard Ice Shield Deity, Svalinn and Buddy Call Knight of the Lake, Lancelot to the left."
"You're too kind, my Buddy!" Lancelot said as he jumped into position. "It feels so good to be on the battlefield again."
"Sofia opens up with a Buddy call, and gains one Life from the Buddygift!" Paruko said from her perch.
"I pay one gauge and Call Knight of the Blood, Mordred to the right." She threw her next card out, the called knight appearing in a flash of light. He was younger looking than her Buddy, with dirty-blond hair that framed his roguish face. His build was slimmer than Lancelot's as well, and his armor, which sported a similar design to his elder's, had a silver tint to it. He also sported a long, red scarf that was pinned to his armor and draped over his left shoulder.
Merlin looked shocked and visibly recoiled at the sight of the younger knight. "You cannot be serious!" He shouted. "Allying yourself with a rouge fighter is one thing, but partnering up with that louse…!?"
Mordred looked up at the wizard, a morbid smirk on his face. "It's nice to see I haven't been forgotten since my departure."
"One could scarcely forget the havoc you brought to our noble court!" Merlin was fuming now, any semblance of calm tossed aside in the glare he fixed the knight. This time, Mordred remained silent, but kept his smug grin on all the while.
"This is a new one for me, folks," Paruko said while the group below glared at one another. "It seems we've stumbled into a heated Legend World feud!"
Sofia, uncaring for the monsters' dialogue, continued her turn. "Mordred's skill will put Svalinn into his Soul. Then I Call Disgraced Knave to the Center." A smaller man in black armor materialized in front of Sofia, standing readily at attention. He wore a pointed helmet that obscured his eyes and carried a spear that was pointed dutifully at the opposing fighter.
"So you even brought the stragglers who believed in your misguided quest…" Merlin noted piteously, his ire slowly burning down to cinders.
"I told her that she would have full access to my arsenal!" Lancelot laughed, much to the magician's irritation. "This is only a small taste of what my warriors can do."
"Knave's skill will put him into Mordred's Soul." At her fighter's command, the young warrior bowed his head obediently towards Mordred, his body dispersing into a ball of light that was quickly absorbed into Mordred's sword. "I pay one gauge and Equip Demon Sword of the King, Klarente," Sofia continued, brandishing a sword of her own. It was completely black, from blade to pommel, with red accents that ran down the middle of the blade all the way to the jagged hilt, separated only by a gold divider that held a red gem.
There's something off about that card she just equipped… Shosetsu thought as he scrutinized the black blade. Klarente…It's giving off an ominous aura…
"Klarente and Mordred will perform a Link attack," Sofia called, drawing her sword as she charged toward Shosetsu with Mordred hot on her heels.
"A Link attack this early?" Shosetsu's eyes narrowed at the advancing fighters, his hand reaching down to his cards. "No chance! Cast! Holy Grail!"
The twin blades clanged loudly as they connected with the impeding Grail, forcing both combatants to their original spots. "Shosetsu negates the attack early on," Paruko commented. "And who can blame him? He was about to be skewered like a shish-kebab!"
"You think you've saved yourself some damage, but it makes no difference," Mordred chuckled ominously, raising his sword in the air, the blade glowing with a golden aura. "My skill will allow Lady Sofia to perform a second attack, since she Link Attacked with me!" He pointed his blade at Sofia, the aura spreading and enveloping Klarente. "What's more, the Knave in my Soul will let her draw a card after I perform a Link Attack."
"Incredible!" Paruko yelled, "Despite having her attack negated, it seemed to do her more good than harm!"
Sofia drew her card wordlessly before raising Klarente once again, her eyes never leaving her target. "Lancelot and I shall attack next," she declared, jumping to the battlefield soon after.
"Prepare yourself, young knight!" Lancelot joined in, his sword already drawn. "You shall soon bare witness to the mettle of the Round Table's greatest knight!"
Both their blades ran through Shosetsu's body and he screamed out as his life dropped down to 6 points, doubling over soon after. He winced and held a hand to his chest, clutching it tightly as he felt pain lance around the area. Something's not right. I could feel the malice in the attack… He looked down at his hand, and while he didn't see any signs of injury, he still couldn't ignore the stinging he felt where Klarente had struck him. I must be more careful. My body might be done in before my Life Points are.
"Shosetsu isn't looking too good after that double assault!" Paruko said, keeping an impartial tone to her voice. "Because she participated in a Link Attack, Sofia gains one gauge and a Life point from Lancelot's effect, bringing her back up to 9 Life Points! This is one old knight that still has a few new tricks up his sleeves!"
"Tread carefully, Shosetsu," Merlin called out. "That sword holds a sinister magic. It was foretold to bring an end to-"
"Think you're safe enough to give advice, wizard!?" Lancelot bellowed as he dashed towards his former comrade. "I too have a Double Attack!" The dark knight leapt up, baring down on his target. Sword and staff collided, both combatants struggling briefly before Lancelot pressed his advantage. He slashed through Merlin's staff, piercing through the magician's stomach with the tip of his sword soon after, and dispersing him into light.
"Sofia takes out Merlin with a well timed assault," Paruko commentated from above. "With a series of Double Attacks, she's reduced Shosetsu's field, hand and life points considerably in just one turn!"
I have to turn the tides of this battle, Shosetu thought frantically. I can't be outdone, not with Drum and Axia still out there. Right now, I need to take care of Mordred. Once he's gone, I'll have an easier time dealing with Klarente.
"Draw. Charge and draw." Shosetsu looked over the cards in his hand, his eyes zeroing in on a monster that seemed all too appropriate to call. Following his instincts, he threw the card to the battlefield, shouting out, "I pay one Gauge and Call Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur to the Right, as well as Knights of the Round Table, Gawain to the Left!"
At this point, it didn't surprise anyone that Shosetsu's knights had more than a little familiarity towards the other monsters. But to see King Arthur, the ever stoic leader of the Knights of the Round Table himself, manage a baleful glower at both Lancelot and Mordred was a new spectacle. He locked eyes with Mordred first, causing the younger knight to practically seethe on the spot, before shifting to Lancelot, a piteous look crossing his features.
His fellow knight was less composed about his disbelief. "Sire!" Gawain gasped out. "Aren't they…!?"
"Indeed they are, Gawain," Arthur answered glumly. "Two former Knights of the Round Table, led astray by their own failed ambitions."
"Now, this is a treat." Mordred chuckled after composing himself. "Now not only do I get to take down the King himself, I get to have it recorded for posterity!"
"You'll do nothing of the sort. I return Hrunting to my hand and Buddy Equip Immortal Sword Durandal!" Shosetsu declared, returning the broadsword in his hand to card form. In its place, he drew a slender sword from the sheath at his side. Durandal's blue blade shone brightly as his wielder pointed it evenly towards the others.
"Shosetsu's all set up to go on the offense!" came Paruko's voice. "He gains one life with the Buddy Gift!"
"With Arthur by my side, I shall Link attack the fighter!" The pair shared a quick look before charging at the Russian fighter, the rushing wind and Paruko's commentary filling their ears.
"Shosetsu goes in for a Link attack as well! And with Arthur's skill, his gauge increases!"
Sofia braced herself, grunting in annoyance as the knightly duo took turns slashing at her being. She didn't so much as glance as her Life dwindled back down to 6, instead choosing to focus her gaze on the remaining knight.
She's not defending, thought Shosetsu. I would've thought she'd opt for destroying Arthur, but she might be saving her spells. He followed her gaze to his remaining monster before turning his gaze toward Mordred. Much as I'd like to take another swing from her life, I don't have a follow-up strong enough to end it next turn. In that case…
"Gawain attacks Mordred," Shosetsu declared as he returned to his position. The named knight nodded and charged at his counterpart, their swords clanging against each other briefly before Gawain's overtook Mordred's. His slash was clean, and took out his opponent in a hail of light, but before the knight could return to his spot, the red particles that had been Mordred turned green and reformed, the dark knight slashing Gawain's body in two before he was out of reach.
"Mordred avoids destruction with his Soulguard, and his Counterattack takes out Gawain!" the pink haired reporter called out. "Sofia's knights continue to amaze! Their array of tricks have put the halt on Shosetsu's advance! It's Sofia move now, and who knows what other secrets we'll learn from them!"
"Draw. Charge and Draw," Sofia barely gave her cards a passing glance before she took up a battle ready stance. "Mordred, with me. We'll attack Arthur."
The named knight nodded to Sofia, practically bristling with excitement. "At your command, Lady Sofia. I shall see to it that my blade strikes true!" He raised his sword up again, energy pooling around Klarente, before leaping into battle.
"Once again, Mordred gives Klarente a Double Attack!" Paruko's voice rang in the fighters' ears. "Can Shosetsu hold out against this all-out assault!?"
Holding out is one thing, Shosetsu thought. Their field is acting in complete synergy with each other. I have to find away to disrupt that! His eyes frantically scanned the cards in his hand and settled on a card that he wasn't particularly too fond of at the moment. King's Wave, Caliburn Grief… The card that had been the catalyst to his own nightmare in the forest sat in his hand, almost taunting him to use it. With this, I could destroy her field, and stop their attack… but… He saw Arthur in his peripheral vision, and flinched at the thought of showing such mindless destruction to the king.
"You would rather win at the cost of your friends' lives than lose at the cost of your own. That's who you really are." His double's words haunted him and he stood stock still while the opposing pair charged, eyes closed as he waited for the impending impacts.
"Shosetsu!" The knight glanced up, seeing Arthur himself standing in front of him. Time had frozen around them, leaving his assailants stuck in mid-assault. Though neither seemed aware of it having happened. The human then turned to his monster, the king glowing with a warm radiance.
"It is a king's duty to know when to use what he has at his disposal," he said, words echoing. "There are times when an ally's life will be put in danger, but you must not allow doubt to enter your mind! A knight dedicates his life to the greater good, even if it would cost him his own life."
"But if I use this card now, I'll only be saving my own life…" he clenched his fist, unable to look his monster in the eye. "I won't cast a spell knowing that it would only lead to senseless destruction!"
"It won't be senseless!" Arthur said firmly. "You will be using it to protect the lake, and to keep its power from those who would misuse it." His voice lost its intensity, replaced with a somber smile. "And in this case, I would be lost either way. It is up to you to make sure my demise is not in vain." The knight looked up at Arthur, his eyes slowing lighting up in understanding, and the king nodded in affirmation once more. "Now go, and unleash the Wave of the King! Turn Caliburn's Grief into your hope!"
Time returned to its normal pace, with Sofia and Mordred closing in on him. With Arthur's words resonating within him, Shosetsu threw out the card that had been his bane, yelling out its name. "I pay two gauge and Cast! King's Wave, Caliburn Grief!"
Arthur nodded and thrust his sword down, the blade meeting resistance despite being in the air. Immense waves of energy billowed forth from Arthur's sword, the king vanishing in a hail of light while both Mordred and Lancelot winced as they were caught up in the maelstrom of energy.
"Lady Sofia!" Lancelot yelled, bracing himself the best that he could against the onslaught of energy. "Use your power to stop this magic! Then together, we shall show this louse what happens to anyone who would dare defy Lancelot and his Buddy!""
"Cast!" Sofia shouted dutifully from behind Klarente, but her spell wasn't aimed at Shosetsu. "Oswira Gard!" A lance of energy shot out from her card, hitting Lancelot in the back, the knight's eyes widening as a variety of runes covered his body. He looked back at Sofia, silently pleading her to take back what she had done, but he burst into light before he could say anything.
"Sofia destroys Lancelot before Shosetu's spell could!" Paruko shouted over the gale that ripped through the field. "Now her gauge is increased and she can draw a card as well. Too bad the same can't be said about Mordred!"
Mordred cried out as his form was torn asunder by the blustering winds. Both fighters relaxed once the card's effect came to an end, and Mordred reformed with the last of his Soulguard, a scowl directed at the caster. "Coward!" he growled. "What kind of knight are you? Running away from a fight like that! And destroying your king, no less!"
"You don't need to be a king to protect your ideals," shouted Shosetsu. "You need only believe in your own potential, and be the king of your own self. That is something you've clearly forgotten."
Before Mordred could launch a retort, Sofia continued her move and dashed towards Shosetsu, Klarente drawn. "The attack may have been interrupted, but Klarente still has double attack this turn," Paruko yelled as the Russian fighter made her way through the air.
Sofia crossed the distance in a matter of seconds, and brought down her sword across Shosetsu's body, cutting his life down to 5. Once more, the knight screamed as pain lanced through his chest, and had to take a few seconds to compose himself before it faded. His breaths were ragged as he held a hand over where Klarente had assaulted him. That sword is no joke. I can feel its power increasing with every strike. Once again he checked his body, but saw no sign that he had been physically wounded, even though every nerve in his chest told him he should have a large gash in it by now. Its power is frightening, but I can't allow myself to falter here.
"Draw. Charge and Draw," The knight's eyes widened briefly as he saw his card, a small grin coming to him as he continued his move. "I Pay one Gauge to call Arthur once more. To the right!" The king took to the field with little fanfare, but smiled and nodded at his fighter. "I then call Knights of the Round Table, Gareth to the left." A knight in slim, silver armor joined the group, holding his sword at the ready. "Now, both of you, Link attack the fighter!"
The two knights charged, while a card floated up to Shosetsu's gauge as per Arthur's effect. Before either of them could make contact, a large golden grail materialized in front of them. "Cast, Holy Grail!"
"Sofia cast a spell to nullify the attack!" came Paruko's commentary. "She's not giving an inch!"
"So this is all the vaunted power the King of the Round Table possesses?" cackled Mordred as the knightly duo was forced back to their positions. "After all that talk about staying true to your ideals, one of your greatest symbols of achievement has ended up saving your foe!"
"Those are some pretty candid words coming from a knight with no defenses left!" Shosetsu said crossly to Mordred. He charged at the traitorous knight, bringing his sword down in a hard slash. "It's about time someone cut you down to size! With no Soul to protect you, this'll mark the end of you!" The knight tried to guard, but his sword was cleaved in two with barely any resistance. The rest of him followed shortly, and Mordred yelled in dismay as he was once again destroyed.
"He did it!" Paruko yelled, professionalism forgotten in the heat of the moment. "Shosetsu has vanquished Mordred and left Sofia's field wide open! Things are looking up for the swordsman from Sengoku!"
Despite losing her entire field, Sofia looked as calm as ever. "You're a fool for letting your guard down so early. Draw. Charge and draw." Her eyes narrowed at the card she drew. "I pay one to play the Set Spell, A Fleeting Dream." The orb that represented it hovered next to her, while she threw her next card with a flourish. Then I pay one gauge and call Great Sorceress, Morganna to the left."
All eyes were on the newly called monster; A raven-haired woman, wearing a long, flowing dress that danced in the breeze, materialized in the open area. An armored corset framed her midsection reaching up to her chest, and covering part of her arms. But unlike the male knights' armor, hers blended in with the fabric of her dress, making it appear as if she wore not armor, but a marvelous gown. Pauldrons adorned her shoulders, indistinguishable from a dress's ruffles if not for the gleam from the sun that reflected off its surface. Her glare was deadly, and she seemed to fixate on Arthur more than his fighter.
"My, my, you've certainly had a time dealing with this lot, haven't you, Sofia?" the sorceress chuckled. Sofia offered no response, but that didn't stop Morganna from continuing. "Still, it wouldn't be right to miss this. Not after all I've done for these good knights."
"Of course she would have something to do with this…" Arthur murmured distastefully.
Paruko's hair antenna perked, having just barely heard Arthur's comment, and she rounded on him in an instant. "I assume you have some knowledge of this new monster?" she asked eagerly.
The king sighed deeply before fixing a steely gaze at Morganna. "It is my great misfortune to say that I indeed know this woman. She is a skilled but cruel sorceress that has caused nothing but frustration for both me and most of my court. Never has there been a time where her presence didn't cause my knights strife."
"Is that really any way to thank the one who told you of Lancelot's betrayal?" The female magician asked smoothly. "Without me, he and your oh-so loyal wife would still be consorting in secret right under your nose with you none the wiser. I should say you owe me a great deal of gratitude. "
"'Gratitude'," Arthur scoffed, slowly losing all pretense of calmness. "What reason would we have to be grateful, after you have done nothing but taunt and provoke my knights?"
"Your words wound me, dear Arthur," Morganna said melodramatically. "I simply listened to their concerns. Everyone has them. Is it my fault some found a more worthy cause? Or is it a slight on your part that you kept such weak willed warriors close to your heart?" she smiled slyly. "A knight who held the affection of one who was beyond his reach… was it so wrong of me to offer him an alternative to simply wallowing in his unrequited love?"
Morganna smiled as the king bristled, clearly following along with her veiled analogy. "To him, I gave a glimpse into the future, one which foretold the consequences of his actions should he let his love simmer. And from that, I gave him a better alternative. One in which he would sit on the throne and rule the land as its new king."
"Are you saying you were behind it all?" Arthur asked, barely contained fury on the edges of his voice. "The attacks and threatening declarations? All of it?"
"That was more of a collaborative effort," she answered. "It wasn't until after I had met this girl here that I had enough preparation. Loathe though I am to admit it, she helped immensely when it came to freeing Lancelot from the forest's curse. I needed someone to make the threat feel real, and he fit the bill quite nicely."
Arthur sneered at that, but turned his attention to the silent Russian fighter. "And what of you? What do you hope to gain from all this?"
"Such things are beyond your understanding," Sofia answered calmly. "It is irrelevant. You are but another obstacle in my way."
"You can see why I like this girl," Morganna said with an airy laugh. "Cold and ruthless, with the strength to back it up. It takes a lot to break a fairy's enchantment, and even more to impress me. But she has done both with ease." She crossed her arms, her grin and gaze sharpening. "All the pieces have been set. Lancelot has served his purpose well, and now it's time for us to begin the final act!"
From the ethereal plane that was the dropzone, Lancelot watched on in a state of shock. His fist were clenched in anger while the witch continued to explain herself, revealing just how deploy her deceit ran. And how much she had used him.
To think that i could've been led astray by the both of them. He bowed his head, ignoring the continuing fight. I was a fool to trust her and her empty promises. It's no wonder I'm regarded as a traitor.
"What's wrong, old timer?" Mordred asked from behind. "Sad your little dream kingdom plan isn't panning out?"
Lancelot stayed still, ignoring the younger knight's presence. "Don't talk to me," he muttered.
"Someone's touchy," Mordred snickered. "Doesn't feel nice to be toyed around with now, does it?"
A look of genuine confusion befell Lancelot, and he turned just enough to catch a glimpse of the younger knight. His eyes asked a silent question that Mordred was all too happy to answer.
"I knew whatever you and that sorceress were up to wouldn't involve me getting any glory. But now the game has changed, hasn't it? She's the one calling the shots now," He pointed at Sofia, the Russian girl staring passively while the monsters bickered. "She has more power than she lets on. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if she betrayed Morganna after gaining access to that lake."
Lancelot looked closely at Sofia. In the time he'd known her, she's always stayed out of sight, just out of the corner of his vision. Always present, and yet never there; unless the situation called for it. Now, he could see what his counterpart meant. Though her movements had been calm, her eyes held a ruthless precision to them. Lancelot recognized the eyes of a seasoned warrior, even at a distance.
"And what makes you so sure she won't betray you just as readily?" he asked, shaking himself from his musings.
"Nothing, really," Mordred shrugged, a smug grin on his face. "She could just as soon stab me as well. But unlike you, that might not be a sure thing. If she has a use for me, I'll give her my allegiance. In the short term, I'll enjoy my power for all its worth."
A scowl crossed Lancelot's face. "So this is nothing but a power trip for you?"
"In a sense," Mordred answered, much to the surprise of the older knight. "I know she'll give me power, and I know she wants Arthur and his fighter dealt with. I'll deal with Arthur first. For now that's more than reward enough."
Lancelot opened his mouth to say something, but stopped short once he saw Mordred's body start to glow.
"Looks like I'm being called back into battle," he smiled derisively at the older knight as his form slowly started to dissipate. "I told you she still had use for me. Farewell, traitor."
His words echoed in the empty space, the old knight bowed his head as he was once again left with his thoughts.
Alone.
"Arthur," Shosetsu said, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the group. "Was she really your source for all this?"
"Regrettably so," the king replied disdainfully. "Truthfully, she had tried several times to disrupt the court with visions of potential futures. It was only by chance that I discovered that her prediction was correct. I may have listened, but I am in no debt to her. We shall stand together and stop her ambitions once and for all."
"You underestimate me if you think it'll be all that easy," Morganna said as a dark aura enveloped her body. The sorceress threw her hands out if front of her, creating a large portal in the air. "Allow me to show you the power I have obtained!" She pulled her hands forward, dragging a single card out from the portal. "Now, return to the field, Mordred!" She swiped her hand to the right, flinging the card to the unoccupied right area where became engulfed in her dark energy. It swirled around the card, creating a sphere around it briefly, before the once fallen knight burst out with a shout.
"Mordred!?" Shosetsu's shouted in disbelief, his monsters narrowing their gazes in frustration at the black knight's resurrection.
"Yes, he has returned once more," the sorceress smirked at her accomplishment. "All thanks to my skill. For when I enter play, I can revive a Size 1 or lower Hero without paying its call cost."
"I may be without my Soulguard at the moment, but it's a small price to pay for what I get in return," Mordred chuckled as he stretched his limbs to work out the stiffness in them.
"Unbelievable! Sofia has just returned Mordred to reinforce her field!" Paruko whined. "She's more determined to keep that monster than a bargain hunter on Black Friday!"
"A Fleeting Dream's effect calls Disgraced Knave to the Center." Once more the lesser warrior took his place and raised his spear obediently. "Using his skill to put him in Mordred's Soul," she continued. The warrior bowed his head, turning into a ball of light that entered into Mordred's body, his soul fortified yet again.
Ever the dutiful commentator, Paruko summed up Sofia's current field. "Not only has Sofia called out her knight, but now when she Link Attacks with Mordred, her weapon will get the Double Attack ability thanks to his skill. What's more, she'll be able to draw a card on top of it because of Disgraced Knave's ability in the Soul! Things aren't looking good for Sengoku's Demon General."
"The girl is right, young knight." Morganna spoke. "Your forces have been weakened, and you stare certain doom in the face. Why do you continue this futile resistance?"
Shosetsu glared at the group, his eyes still alight with fire. He knew there was some truth to the witch's words, but he couldn't afford to doubt himself. Not with Drum and Axia still in trouble. "I am a knight of my oath, and I've sworn to protect this lake from all who would abuse its power! I shall not let any such evil hurt my friends. Even if I must face one hundred of your allies…" He grunted and braced himself. "I will not falter!"
"Say those brave pledges while you can, young knight" Mordred sneered. "On this day, the golden age of knights shall come to an end. And our reign will begin!"