The first light of dawn cast long shadows across the Plateau, setting the stage for the battle that was beginning to unfold. The distinct sound of steel meeting steel echoed across the land.
Hidden cleverly behind his vast army, Mordren plotted. His goal was clear: he aimed to exhaust Veronica. He was hoping she'd tire out by facing his men before she could reach him. It was a tactic to weaken her and to drain her strength.
Veronica was determined on cutting a direct path to Mordren. He wasn't going to get away that easily. She moved with such force and purpose that it appeared nothing could stop her. But Finn and Malone saw the trap Mordren was setting. Acting swiftly, Finn launched herself into the heart of the battle, drawing the attention of many enemies.
Meanwhile, Malone, with urgency in his voice, reached out, grasping Veronica's arm. "Veronica!" he exclaimed, "We need to think! We can't just charge in!" He tried to pull her back, to put some distance between them and the chaos.
As the battle grew, Finn wielded her weapon with masterful precision. She found herself facing a group of lizard men. Their reptilian features made them ugly appalling opponents.
But Finn was unflinching. With swift and acrobatic movements, she danced around them, using her agility to land powerful blows. Each slash of her blade was calculated, and every dodge displayed her keen sense of awareness.
On another front of the battleground, the fierce Amazon women faced off against a horde of cannibals. The Amazons employed coordinated attacks, their spears and bows coming into play as they managed to keep the cannibals at bay. With each thrust and block, the women proved they were not to be underestimated.
Inside Avalon's walls, Veronica was visibly upset. "Why did you pull me from the battle? I was prepared to take on Mordren!" she shouted at Malone.
Malone met her fiery gaze with a calm one. "Veronica, we need you at your best when you face Mordren. The fight outside is just a distraction. Save your energy."
Before Veronica could respond, the sound of clinking glass and metal reached their ears. They followed the noise and found Challenger, surrounded by beakers, tubes, and bottles. He looked up, relief evident in his eyes when he saw Malone.
"Malone, I need your help," Challenger said, gesturing to the brew he was working on. "This Greek fire is almost ready, but the final step is tricky."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Malone nodded and moved to assist Challenger, leaving Veronica to process everything. The fate of Avalon hinged on their next moves.
As Malone approached, Challenger was deeply engrossed in his work, measuring out a peculiar looking liquid into a large flask.
Malone glanced at the array of chemicals and tools spread out on the table.
Challenger held up a vial with a dark, viscous substance. "This is the key ingredient, but the mixture ratio is crucial."
Malone, recalling his days of study, said, "You need a stabilizer. Something to make sure it ignites at the right time. Too soon, and we're toast. Too late, and it's ineffective."
"Exactly!" Challenger exclaimed, clapping Malone on the back. "Your memory serves you well. I was thinking of using this." He held up another vial filled with a powdery substance.
"Is that... saltpeter?" Malone inquired.
Challenger nodded, "Indeed. But I need steady hands to add it. Too much, and we risk an explosion."
Malone took a deep breath. "Alright, Challenger. Tell me what to do."
As the two of them worked in tandem, the gravity of the situation hung in the air, but there was also a distinct sense of hope. If they could perfect this weapon, they might just have a chance against Mordren and his forces.
Roxton and Marguerite stood at the entrance of the cave, peering into its dark expanse which unfolded as a maze. The dim light from the entrance barely revealed its intricate turnings, hidden secrets and potential dangers.
Marguerite, her voice a mix of anger and concern, shouted at Roxton, "You should have stayed behind, John! You would have been safe within Avalon's walls!"
Roxton turned to face her, his eyes firm yet understanding. "Marguerite, you know I couldn't let you come here alone. We're in this together, always have been, always will be."
As they delved deeper into the cave, they reached a spacious chamber with three doors, each one with latin encryption above.
Fortuna Audaces Iuvat.
Abyssus Abyssum Invocat.
Scientia Potentia Est.
Roxton, glancing at the inscriptions, admitted, "My Latin is a bit rusty, but I recognize they are Latin proverbs. Do you know their meanings?"
Marguerite nodded slowly. "The first means 'Fortune favours the Brave.' The second translates to 'Sin follows the sin' and the last is 'Knowledge is power.' I have no idea how these connect to ancient druids, to be honest."
Roxton pondered for a moment before suggesting, "It might date back to the era of Roman Britain. Druids and Romans were known adversaries, after all."
She sighed, her gaze drifting between the doors. "Yet it doesn't mean anything to me," she confessed with a hint of frustration. "I don't know which is the right way."
Roxton suggested. "We'll take the first two doors. Ten minutes in, and then we head back here, no matter what. We can't afford to get lost or separated for too long."
Suddenly, a voice, as clear as day yet seemingly emanating from deep within Marguerite, whispered, "If you believe in yourself, the path will reveal itself. It's a Divine Law." Recognizing the voice of Morrighan, she hesitated momentarily.
Pushing her fears aside, Marguerite focused, surrendering to the voice and allowing the essence of Morrighan to guide her. As she did, a soft glow began to radiate from the ground. Slowly, a path illuminated before her.
"This way." She said and directed them towards the first door.
"How do you know?" John asked in confusion.
"Morrighan showed me the right way." Marguerite replied and swiftly stepped forward.
As they continued their journey, Marguerite confidently led the way through the tunnels and corridors. She paid no further attention to inscriptions and potential clues, relying solely on the path that Morrighan seemed to have laid out for her.
Roxton, however, felt a growing unease. The winding paths and endless turns made him anxious, and he began to worry that they were losing their way. But Marguerite's determination was unwavering, and she pressed on with a singular focus.
They finally reached a vast chamber where a familiar sight of a red-headed woman stood in the middle. She wore a mischievous smile that seemed to promise danger. When they first met her she had posed as the Grim Reaper, but now it was becoming extremely clear that she was actually some sort of a formidable sorceress. Marguerite and Roxton exchanged a quick glance, preparing themselves for whatever game or challenge the woman had in store for them.
The woman's voice echoed through the chamber, dripping with amusement. "My, my, my. What a surprise to see you two again," she mused. She paused, her gaze fixing on the pair, "You know, Mordren and I had a little wager. He was certain you'd stay safely tucked away in Avalon. But I knew better. I was certain that you, John Roxton, would never let your beloved Marguerite venture into this place alone."
Roxton met her gaze without flinching. "Of course I wouldn't let her walk this path alone."
"That's too bad for you." The woman smirked. With a snap of her fingers, chains that lay scattered on the ground came to life, coiling around Roxton and binding him to a pillar situated in the center of the room.
"Roxton!" Marguerite screamed, rushing over to him, desperately trying to figure out how to release him from his binds.
Roxton's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Marguerite's voice. "Marguerite..." he managed to croak out, the cold chains biting into his flesh.
Almost immediately, the chamber began to fill with water.
Marguerite's fingers scrambled over the chains, trying to find a weak point, but it seemed impossible. "Hold on," she shouted, her voice echoing throughout the chamber, "I'll get you out of this."
Time was of the essence, and with every passing second, the water level rose, threatening to seal Roxton's fate.
The sinister laughter echoed throughout the chamber as the red-headed woman enjoyed the show.
Marguerite turned to face her and her eyes settled on the silver attire the woman was carrying.
"This," the sorceress began with a hint of reverence in her voice, "is the attire of Morrighan. To truly sync with her spirit and harness her power, you must wear this and perform a sacred ritual. Only then can you hope to break these chains." Her eyes gleamed, daring Marguerite to make a choice. The dress shimmered under the dim light, beckoning Marguerite with promises of immense power.
"You know Mordren's offer," the red-haired woman said coldly, her eyes fixed intently on Marguerite. "Do what he asks of you, and Roxton lives. Do otherwise, and he drowns."
Marguerite's heart raced, torn between the desperate need to save Roxton and the knowledge of the potential consequences of her decision. Every second counted, and as the water level slowly crept up, Marguerite knew she had to make a choice, and fast.
From his precarious position, Roxton called out to Marguerite, "Leave me and go to Veronica! My life is not worth the cost. If Mordren wins, he'll bring disaster upon us all. We can't let that happen!"
Marguerite's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can't leave you, John. I can't let you die. I can't… I can't live without you."
Roxton's eyes bore into hers with a fierce intensity, his resolve unwavering. "Marguerite, I love you, but we have to think bigger than just us. Veronica is our best chance against Mordren. You need to be there for her. Promise me you'll do what's necessary."
Marguerite inhaled deeply, her emotions threatening to overcome her. "You don't understand…" she murmured, her voice quivering with emotion. "I can't do it. I can't leave you… I can't leave you, because I'm… carrying our child." As she spoke, tears spilled from her eyes, each drop heavy with the weight of their sliding future.
Roxton's eyes widened in shock. A mixture of joy and sorrow crossed his face. With a choked voice, he replied, "Others will tell our child what their father died for..."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Marguerite fell to her knees beside Roxton, her sobs echoing through the chamber.
"You two are truly adorable," The woman sneered, her gaze flitting between the trapped Roxton and the desperate Marguerite. "Almost enough to make me a believer in true love."
The woman approached Marguerite, laying the ornate attire gently on the ground next to her. Leaning down, she whispered, "You can still have that future with him. The moment the power of the plateau is transferred to Mordren, these chains will break."
The woman paused, giving Marguerite a lingering look. "I will leave you now. The rest is up to you, Marguerite." She took a few steps back and, as if melting into the shadows, disappeared from sight.
