"Dammit!" Llew cursed as he punched his fist into the earth.
He wasn't completely sure about what had happened, but he was certain that the mysterious nightmare he had experienced had something to do with it. He shouldn't have given in.
But now wasn't the time to blame himself.
Now was the time to act like a knight.
Unclasping his usual iron sword from his belt, he dashed off into the forest, sharpening his eyes in search of any clues.
…
After a brief investigation of the room, Morgana had discovered a stairway leading to a trapdoor in the ceiling. But the door was locked shut and wouldn't budge.
She had half a mind to slash it open but the noise would definitely alert the enemy. So she chose instead to investigate the skulls.
Human. Dragon. High Dog. And many more that she didn't recognise. Some looked like they belonged to demons and monsters.
"A curious one, aren't you?"
Morgana whirled around in a flash, arming herself with her laser blade and positioning it before herself defensively.
A woman had entered the room, leaving the trapdoor open behind her. No. Not just a woman, Morgana realised with surprise, but an elf.
Long ears extended through wisps of silky lilac hair that twined around her face that was of a sickly white complexion. As pale as death, yet enchantingly beautiful.
Skimpy black armor clung to her thin and voluptous frame, revealing much of her fair skin as she floated an inch above the dusty ground, her arms folded across her chest.
Something triggered in the depths of Morgana's memory.
"The Skull Witch, Nemain." she recognised.
The dark elf smiled. "So you know of me. I'm flattered."
Her voice was sweet and venomous, causing a tickling effect as the words resounded through Morgana's skull.
"An S-Class criminal and enemy of the state. Wanted for several charges of kidnap, murder, and forced human experimentation. I heard that you fled the Capital years ago and went into hiding, so why this? And what have you done with the others? You know very well that I could arrest you right now as a member of the Royal Paladins."
"You can try. But I doubt you can. As for why I'm interfering with you knights like this.. how am I supposed to resist when a couple of children sneak into my domain with a juicy little present?"
Morgana's eyes narrowed. "The Blaster Blade."
"Exactly." With a soft hum, crystals of dark obsidian gathered around Nemain, their lethal tips crackling with a cold light. "If only you had obediently stayed in bed. I was planning to just drop you off somewhere like I did with your friends. But now.. you know a little too much."
And as the mystic projectiles darted at Morgana like a swarm of angry bees, the Knight of Roses roared as she lunged into the fray, fending them off with skill and finesse.
…
"Wingal! Wingal!" Llew was crouched over the unmoving body of his long-time companion which he had discovered by the roots of a tree.
Worried, he was shaking the High Dog vigorously in an attempt to awaken him. Fortunately, there seemed to be a pulse. But just as he was about to give another shout, he felt something at the back of his neck.
"Don't move."