The Will of a Pendragon

Guinevere, The Traitor

    We've been on Crystallis for a couple of years now. My body has completely adapted to the changes in my environment and has surpassed the expectations of what my parents and teachers thought I would be able to do once that happened. Young and I aren't like others. They think that because of our shared connection that we are able to combine our strengths in order to do certain things but the truth is that Young has a completely different kind of strength. 

    His ability to pull things from other realms is beyond what it once had been. Should he want it, Young can manifest an entire planet from another realm. We've been practicing and he can now pull people from anywhere if he really concentrates. The coolest part, he can put things back now without destroying them. We've been pulling textbooks from all realms to learn more about our powers. It's limited. A lot of what's been printed doesn't go into detail about what we can do. It's all theory. 

    "This switch will turn the lamps on. This specific bulb is made to scatter the light as far as it can go. Most creatures in the trenches will try to hide from it as soon as the lights come on. We need to take advantage of that and locate any structures in your areas. It's going to be a little harder to communicate since we're going to be so far away from one another. But the moment you find something let us all know so we can head your way. Any questions?" Young asked the knights. 

    "Wouldn't we be teaching these creatures who live in fear of the light that they shouldn't fear it?" Talia asked.

    "They don't fear the light because they don't know what it is. They fear it because the sunlight can kill them. This light is artificial, it won't harm them," he rolled his eyes.

    "That's a bit barbaric, is it not?" Lizard boy asked. "We are trained to help not harm," 

    "We are trained to protect our people from monsters. That's what these things are. The Red Mages need to be apprehended as soon as possible. We all lose if William gets his hands on that cup," Young brushed him off. 

    I had asked him that last night as I manifested what he wanted. They have specific intell about what's on the other side. It sounds a lot like rumors, but we have nothing else to go on. It is barbaric but the importance of this mission needs to be our priority and no one has any other idea that can help us right now. My questions go out to the red mages in there. How are they surviving in there? Why this place of all other places they can hide?

    "You worry too much," Leon scolded when as we approached the dark barrier. 

    "I'm not worried about us," I sighed. "All this time we've been trying to get the people on our side. This is a form of attack. Whatever they are in there, I''m pretty sure they're important to one another. They're people in their eyes. s**t, they might be people just like us. A different kind but people nonetheless," 

    "So call it off," Preston suggested. 

    "If I call it off and they get their hands on the cup, everyone is f****d. Regardless of what we do, we're going to look back. Let's go with the plan that can be settled over a pint," Meer shut them up. 

    "Team two and three are in position. Gab's team is almost there," Leon informed us.

    "Get everyone onboard into position. I want this done as fast as possible. I don't want to be in there too long," I ordered. 

    "What if we're wrong?" Meer asked. When the other's stepped away. 

    "We improvise like we always do," I sighed. She smirked, shaking her head. "Ready up. If we have to change our plan, Lucille is going to need a power boost," 

    "Right," she nodded. "I'll be prepared," 

    "We can take the high ground, princess," I looked back at Andre who climbed up the side of my body until he got to my left shoulder. "There are three flight dragons here. Not to mention that we glow in the darkness," 

    "Get the others up. Let them know we're coming," I agreed. 

    This place never ceases to amaze me. It's literally like a wall of darkness. Endless oblivion over the edge of the planet. The kind f darkness that changes people, the warning says. I gasped when Excalibur pulsed along with my armor. He knows what's down there or at the very least he knows what to expect. 

    "You should probably stick with us," Leon sighed when Andre expanded into his full form and leaped off the side of the ship.

    "I'm going up. It's better this way. You have one less thing to worry about down here if a fight breaks out. I'll just be in your way. It'll be hard for them to pinpoint Andre and the other dragons,"

    "You're right," he nodded. 

    "She's in position," Meer let us know. I looked back at everyone present. 

    "This is a search mission. We are here to locate the Red Mages. Bann, Riley, and I will go first. I will let you know when you'll follow. Agree?" I asked. 

    "My lady," they all replied. The others answered in my head. 

    "Ready?" I asked. Bann and Riley confirmed. 

    Andre jumped up, easily sweeping the ship's perimeter. I jumped onto his back when he was right below us. My armor activated on its own. I can feel Excalibur's inviting aura around me. 

    "In position, my lady," Bann and Riley announced. Our connection is strong. 

    "Dive in," I instructed. 

    As soon as we were in the darkness, Andre pulled upward taking to the sky. If he didn't glow the way he does, it would be pitch dark. There's something wrong with this place. This isn't the atmosphere. It's artificial. 

    "Is this smoke?" Riley asked. 

    "It's a form of smoke," Bann added. "It's the black Daliah miasma," 

    "That explains the hallucinations," Riley agreed. 

    "Alright. Everyone is it to wear full armor upon entree," I ordered. "Young, clear the air," 

    "Yes, ma'am," he answered. "Fall in," 

    My cannon instantly began to pick up-land and cities all around as my eyes scanned the area. There are people down there. It's night, but it's not the pitch darkness as before. The water is purifying the skies exposing everything. How did the former knights of the realm not know that? 

    "Are you f*****g kidding me?" Gray asked. "Cursed my ass. More like hidden. All of it was nothing but rumors," 

    "We have incoming," Bann pointed out a ship brilliantly lit, coming from a very luxurious port. 

    "I'm coming up," Lucille informed me. "Stay still," 

    "Andre, steady," I whispered placing my hand flat on his neck. A portal opened up behind me and Lucille stepped through it. "Approach with caution," 

He dove towards the ship and hovered around it. 

    "You are not the Queen or the King," the man on the main deck of this ridiculously beautiful ship addressed me. 

    "No, those would be my parents," I informed him. 

    "Princess," he bowed his head. "Lily, I presume," 

    "Correct. I thought this was a wasteland," 

    "You and your knight may come on board," 

    "If anything happens to either of us, the others have instructions to blow the place to hell," Lucille threatened. 

    "Lancelot's daughter. You share his sense of humor," he chuckled. Luc and I looked at one another. The two of us jump off of Andre at the same time. I'm facing the man and she's facing away from me in case anyone tries to attack us from behind.

    The man is freakishly tall. Originally, I thought it was the angle I was seeing him in but no. He's at least seven feet tall. Very big and I think he's one of the little ones because the others are bigger. Another amazing feature is his pale skin. It's almost paperwhite. He's handsome for an older man. His dark hair and beard make him look scary but I'm willing to bet there's a babyface under all of that. His brown eyes are soft. He's not the kind of person who seeks conflict.

    "You're taller than I expected," he smiled at me. 

    "Likewise," I smirked. He returned to gesture. 

    "I'm considered short in this part of our world. Gravity and what not is much different," 

    "I see that," I looked down at my feet feeling like I've gained a lot of weight all of a sudden. 

    "Is it customary to greet new people with your armor on?" 

    "It is when we're on missions," I sighed. "And when the air is filled with a deadly poison," 

    "Your parents have been here before. They don't remember. It's the way of things here. Visitors are not welcomed. Those such as yourself and the other knights, will not remember once you leave. This place comes with its own defense. What can I help you, young warriors, with?" 

    "We're tracking red mages," Lucille answered. 

    "Red mages?" 

    "We're looking for a boy," he's not going to come out and say he's hiding terrorists. "William Mordred. He's in here. I can feel him. This boy is special," 

    "He shares your blood. Of course, he is," he nodded. I projected an image of Will. He seems surprised.

    "This one is extra special. He and his associates are fugitives. Terrorists. Now, I know I have no jurisdiction here. You are not obligated to tell me where they are or if you've ever seen them," 

    "You are correct, princess," 

    "Right, just as I am not obligated to treat you or your people with the same courtesy I would my own. I have three dragons in the air. All areas of your nation are surrounded by knights. Some of us have water familiars. King of the ocean himself is on the Eastside. We've all been training for a long time and we're a little excited on our first mission, Mr?" 

    "Gavin," he sighed. "King Gavin Valencia," 

    "King Gavin Valencia," I bowed respectfully. 

    "You're not like other Pendragons are you?" 

    "No, I'm only half Pendragon. The other half is a little darker and I've been exposed to it longer than the Pendragon in me," 

    "Right. Amaryllis stormed through here when she was about your age. There used to be more of us," I get that a lot old man.

    "The boy?" I insisted.

    "I'm just a distraction, Princess," he shrugged. "He has a lot of men with him. They're headed North. His threat was a lot more terrifying than yours," 

    "Gab?" 

    "On it, princess," Gabrielle answered right away.

    "We need you to release the miasma back into the air," Gavin sighed heavily. 

    "The miasma has been purified. If you can't make more, that sucks," I shrugged.

    "You kids have no respect anymore," he groaned, stopping me from turning away from him.

    "You adults think we owe you something because of what you've accomplished. You're reluctant to accept that your time is over. It's why you feel so insulted. Relax King Gavin. I'll be sending someone to negotiate a treaty. The new world order is being set. The heirs aren't kids anymore, sir," 

    "You won't remember being here," 

    "See this armor?" I tapped my chest. "It was created by the same person who removed your so call darkness. Your basic ass magic doesn't work on us," 

    Lucille opened a portal for us to get back to Andre. As soon as we were settled, we headed North. Using her portals, Lucille got the others to us as fast as she could. He wasn't lying when he said that Will had a lot more men. There are twelve massive ships waiting for us. Perfect. The more men we detain the less, red mages there are out there.

    "We're going under," Young informed me.

    Team two specializes in underwater attacks. Bann is their lookout. Team three specializes in surface attacks. Riley is their sky approach. My team attacks from the skies. Meer is our lookout. This is the first time we're putting this strategy into play. Lucille and Young had come up with the idea. Something new opposing the old strategies that got armadas eliminated. It's sneaky but it's efficient. 

    "You think you scare me with your fire breathing pets?" 

    William's voice has changed. The boy I once knew is almost gone. The guy who loved computers and talking about RP Gaming is gone. His beautiful blue eyes have been replaced with the red flames of hatred, just like Mordred's. It's like he's possessed by his power. The aura around him is sinister. 

    "I think I scare you just by breathing," I taunted. 

    "Scare and hate are two different things," 

    "Do you know the difference?" I laughed. "What are you doing, Will?" 

    "The same thing you are. You're gonna hover up there and tell me you don't have a wish? What is it that you want? For your life to be normal again? Peace for this shitty world, maybe?" 

    "Maybe," I shrugged. "What do you want?" 

    "For you and your friends to burn," 

    "Cute, does that include you?" 

    "I'm not your friend. That ended when you killed my mother," 

    "I didn't kill your mother, Will. You should ask her what happened that night. I wasn't even on primal when it happened," 

    "You know she's alive then?"

    "I had my doubts but you just confirmed it. i***t," 

    "You've always been an amazing liar. You were taught by the best," he sighed.

    "Yeah? Is she teaching you now? Does she take the time to make sure you get what you need or is she preoccupied with giving you what you want to get you to shut the f**k up?" 

    "You think you're clever," his eyes sparked brilliant red. 

    There's something different about him. The aura around him wasn't there before. It's like standing in front of a completely different person. My eyes scanned him. His mana is different as well. Not the same as when I scanned him the first time. 

    "What did she do to you?" I asked. 

    "Do not engage," Meer shouted in my head. "He's not our Will anymore," 

    "She gave me power," he whispered. "Power that not even you can ever wish to have. I am no longer held back by sentiment. Things like love and friendship don't apply to me anymore," 

    "You sound like a dumb ass," Lucille shouted. "Whatever she did to you, we can fix it. You're not the only one who's lost someone in this," 

    "I know," he smirked. A woman walked over to him on his right side. She looks just her. Guinevere. 

    "Mom?" Lucille stepped forward. I held onto her so she wouldn't jump down. 

    "You look good, Luc," the woman smiled at Lucille. "How have you been?" 

    "f**k you," Lucille growled. "You f*****g b***h. I'm going to kill you," 

    "You can try," the woman laughed. Her eyes are red as well. "I have to warn you. Many have tried and have failed. Even before I became a red mage. It's why the King fell in love with me. Why Lance couldn't look away. They destroyed me. I would have made a great Queen," 

    "Don't make me laugh," Lucille scoffed. "You a Queen? The w***e of Crystallis. I've met Queens and I can tell you that you would never have cut it. You're weak and on top of that, you're a traitor. Traitors don't get trails. There is no forgiveness for what you have done," 

    "I hear you like women," the woman brushed her off. "In love with the Princess are we? You know that's not real right? It's fate's cruel twist on your life to ensure that you stay by her side no matter what she does. The Pendragon bloodline is a f*****g curse. One you'll never be free from if you remain at their side," 

    "We're in all in position," Young's voice echoed in my head. 

    "You're not getting your hands on that cup, Lily." Will turned away from the woman to address me.

    "There are portals opening-up under the ships," Camilla informed us. 

    "Luc, you're up," I whispered.

    "More like down," she sighed. 

    "Don't let her get in the water," Guinevere shouted. 

    Andre swooped down. As soon as we were close enough she jumped. I used the shield of my armor to cover her, us expanding it as far as I could. His magic smacked against my shield. Andre was pushed from the impact. She definitely did something to him. The parts of him that were completely mortal are gone. All I sense is mana. 

    Excalibur pulled me forward when Guinevere jumped from the ship. I was able to catch her by her hair and pull her back out to keep her away from Lucille. Excalibur's mana kept me above water as I held my sword up to keep her from following Luc. 

    "Where did you get that?" she bit out, pointing at my sword.

    "A very dangerous garden," I answered. She unleashed her sword. It's black, like Durendal. Not as strong. Not even a little bit.

    "I will not show you any mercy just because you are his daughter. In fact, having your blood on my blade will make it so much sweeter because you are their daughter," she took her attack stance. 

    "My mom has been itching to get you to face to face, Guinevere Lancelot," 

    "Don't call me that," she shouted and rushed towards me. 

    Our swords clashed. The impact released a surge of blue and red mana. I pushed off of her getting space between the two of us. I've been training with my eyes close for a while now and I've gotten used to the feeling I get around people when they intend to strike. Her energy is almost as strong as my dad's. I didn't want to wear this until I really had to but if I try to fight her with my eyes open, she'll be able to get me. The visor Young had given me two knights ago materialized in place of my helmet. 

    "Lily, be careful with her," Young shouted in my head. 

    "I need silence," I sent back blocking them all off. 

    "He's training you blind," Guinevere scoffed. "Why would he do that? Why would he push his daughter into the darkness like that?" 

    "It's a personal choice," 

    "Those who live by the darkness become the darkness, Princess. You're making a mistake by fighting this way,"

    "I think it's better. What you can't see can't hurt you." 

    Her mana surged as she rushed towards me. The sound of her feet smacking against the water gives her footing away and the loud ringing of her sword cutting through the air gives away her strike. I blocked her attack and went low. My foot met her belly, my mana gave the kick an extra push and she was knocked back pretty far. 

    A second surge flared behind me. I moved low and turn around blocking the blade coming down towards me. Using a small surge of mana I pushed him away. My visor opened up to see the two of them moving around me in a circular motion preparing to attack. She's hurt. I can smell blood.

    "Why are you training like that?" he demanded. "You have perfect eyesight. Better than my own," 

    "I don't like blood. It makes me squeamish," I shrugged. Durendal materialized in my left hand. The visor covered my face again. "I trust my instincts and they trust me," 

    "You wield both swords," Guinevere stopped Will from coming at me. "Stay back. That demon sword will break ours apart. You can't wield them both at the same time. Do you know what that can do to anyone close enough?"

    "Do you know that I house the energy of both swords inside of me? I can control it. My body isn't weak like yours. I know why the swords left my parents after you tried to use them to kill my mom. You murdered forty-six innocent bystanders on your way out of the village," my visor dematerialized again. "They forgave you for what you did and you still turned your back on them,"

    "He wouldn't have told you that," she shook her head. She's angry. The aura around hers is similar to Will's. Whatever was done to him was done to her as well.

    "No, he didn't. No one did. Lucille wanted to know why you left and she figured it out. They wanted you to come back. They thought you were being manipulated by the red mages, but she knows better now. They all do. As the official knight of one, it is her responsibility to bring you back and execute you in front of all of the people you took from," 

    "She won't do it. She's too kind-hearted. Just like her father," she rolled her eyes.

    "That's where you're wrong. Lucille is kind-heart but there is a part of her that hates just like you," the water under us began to boil as the massive portal opened up under us. A whirlpool began to form.

    "Lily, now," Lucille shouted. I closed us all in a massive box and put a barrier around it. 

    "No f*****g way," she shook her head, she placed her hand up protectively in front of Will. "She was right. That f*****g psycho was right. You're a creator," 

    "What?" Will stepped towards me. "No, she can summon things. Like Grayson. I've seen the two of them do it before," 

    "No," she shook her head. "It makes sense. The blind training. Your reserves of mana. They created a god,"