Lost record III

"Yes… no matter what sort of end awaits… our King will not accept it."

Pale petals soared in the sky as a wise sage mused inside his towel in the middle of the endless blue sky.

"The road ahead will be tough indeed, and painful." Resting his chin on his hand, lazily he looked at the flowerbed that was spearing as far as eyes could see. "The wrong choices may be made and they may fail to reach their intended destination…"

"But whatever happens, happens. I'm just going to sit here and watch it all unfold..."

:::::::

"I will not stay."

Long ago, there was another King who had announced those words, right here, at the border of the Reserve Side of the World.

She, who had caught a glimpse of the strength of the human [the boy] in it, who was finally freed, chose to walk among the people once more over an eternal slumber of peace.

"Legend says King Arthur would return in Britain's hour of need." He told [warned] her. The binding of fate wasn't something one could easily shake off. Leaving behind her Authority [the Golden Sword], ahead of her was going to be nothing but another difficult and painful journey. So much that there were no words was able to describe it.

Also, the magus had titled his head. "Shouldn't a King wish for such a thing? In the end, that was all but a fleeting dream ."

She remained silent. An old habit. As much as his words might get to her, she always patiently listened and contemplated his words before answering.

So he waited.

Just like the good old days.

"...I was reminded of the reason I had picked up that sword." At long last, she spoke. Her voice was light. " It was not because I wanted to be a King, nor I dreamed to be someone else's hope."

"All I had wanted that time was merely the ability to aid my people."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Wry. "At that time, the only thing I could do was to take on the sword. So I did it, and I failed. Somewhere down the way, I had twisted my own ideal... But the wound that I thought would never heal in my homeland eventually did."

"-It was fortunate." Two green eyes like melted emeralds raised to meet his, gleaming and refined as he had once seen long ago. "One kingdom failed for a new, better era to arrive. Human strength is much greater than you, or I, or anyone, could anticipate. So maybe it's time for me to let go, and return to what I was supposed to be: a simple village girl, and... maybe, somewhere in the future, I could have that same fleeting dream again."

Her last line was dropped into a whisper and the magus fell silent. An extremely selfish decision that was made, even for her. "Had you grown a rebel streak when I was gone? " His spontaneous question was answered with a laugh that twinkled like a star.

Involuntarily, the corners of the magus's lips also curled up. To think he, of all beings, would develop such a fatherly feeling.

It was unthinkable, for both him and her.

"Farewell, Merlin. Thank you for everything. "

Just like that, the King entered the Circle. Not once had she hesitated, and not once had she looked back. A firm determination just like the day she had grabbed the hilt of the Sword in the stone.

Putting down the golden crown, the King returned to be a human.

Renouncing her wish [regret], she turned her back to the Throne.

All that had been left was a girl, without the power to protect anyone.

A girl, who chose to embrace a dream.

:::::::

"If the uncured wound in that man could be healed, then one day I, too, will be able to look back and say "I have come a long way" with a smile ."

:::::::

The magus snorted, in amusement and fondness.

It was unthinkable, indeed. Yet, to think there'd be a day she'd left just to chase after a boy …

Humans, humans... they were, and always, interesting creatures.

After a resigned sigh, an amused smile played on his lips. The magus hoped that girl wouldn't mind his parting gift cause he, might or might not, have broken his own rule and accidentally arranged a few things in the spur of a moment. Although a bit sad that the little cub now no longer needed him, he truly hoped for their happiness, both her and him.

… That lucky bastard better took good care of his little girl or else.

The magus let out a low, creepy chuckle when unfathomable ideas of what he'd do if that little shit failed ran wide inside his head, only to come to an end the moment the small beast on his shoulder thrusts its pawn at his cheek. It gave him a glare in return for the dirty look he shot at it. Your laughter was disgusting, it stated. The white fur ruffled even so slightly.

Grumbling, the magus shrugged off the rude remark and idly glanced over the sea of flowers again. His pale irises seemed to reflect what laid beyond the horizon, and even what was past the restrictions of time and space.

"What will they seek?" He half lifted his eyes when a breeze combed through his long, silver locks. On his shoulder, the white beast titled its head, listening. "What will they leave behind?"

"What will they prove?"

A young woman with hair of the twilight sky.

A young man with eyes of the ocean.

And a girl with a dream of the star.

Wisdom, courage, and determination…

"I am certain whatever it may be, all will be valuable to you."

The final closure was laid at the end of the journey. In the midst of it, this tale would serve to liven up the sandbox.

Now…

"It is time to begin the battle."