》

has claimed its core.”

》

The notion of Galahad caused Artoria to fall silent, a moment of prayer within her strangled heart. Even as altered, or one would say “corrupted,” Artoria’s heart belonged to her court. Such was that of a king.

“Correct. As for Excalibur, it has not lost its value but a darkness, too,

》

“Bearable.”

It was an echo and out came a dry laugh. A laugh of a hyena, a feral sound that dissolved within the wind’s trail.

“Again, I’m relieved to hear that this anomaly has not made any major impact to you. Your parameters may change, but they often do based on numerous circumstances.”

》

》

of her head, her blonde hair cascading like poured gold. Her smile widened. An eerie aura surrounded her very essence despite her otherwise juvenile appearance.

“I’ve come to your request. Consider me your mentor. Shall you make your dream a success?”

》

of autumn’s undeniable demise, a last farewell to the earth. Her lips parted to speak, and the world bent over in grief.

“Correct me if I’m mistaken, but are you the one who claims to be Hakuno Kishinami? I’ve heard your voice from the abyss. You’re in need of a swordsman.”

A gentle cant

》

The dark knight caught the young lad within her crosshairs—a potential foe or an unwitting prey. Neither was the case to the she-king, for a taut smile graced upon her equally grim visage.

“So.”

Artoria’s voice was a church bell in the gloom of winter’s eve. An echo of an echo at the cusp

》

》

air, the space where she stood now void.

In another location shadowed by towering beasts shaped as buildings, Artoria crept in silence with her blade at the ready.

》

I trust you won’t paint yourself a fool based on your actions. As I said, you are under my command. Follow me.”

A step forward, and the grass bowed to her reign. Another step to the next destination until her body began to vanish from view. Particles of her essence floated in the

》

》

trees that danced within the symphony of light and shadow. Returning her attention to Merlin, she caught the gleam of reminiscence plastered on his face. A half-chuckle wrapped in cynicism fell from her tongue.

“You disappoint me in your crude comments and behavior. That I can set aside.

》

“Be my fortification, be my vanguard.”

Her words were steady, each syllable fell to the ground and rooted into the earth; a statement that even the planet’s core will remember it when they were merely foggy thoughts in minds not yet formed.

Her gaze wandered to the horizon. An expanse of

》

》

and it is not without purity. A corruption took over the Grail… and with that, myself.”

》

no longer under the ill effects of your damnation.”

Was it curiosity that caused Gawain’s lips to be so loose? Now the focus was placed back upon her. Artoria’s eyelids met as she pondered her words in total darkness.

“The Holy Grail we have spent our youth fantasizing about. It is real,

》

A gesture only that of the brave, of those who offer respect. Pale gold eyes almost softened at the mere idea, but only a flicker of her lips prompted a thin-lipped smile.

“Rise, Sir Gawain. Much like myself, this new form will take some time for me to get used to. I am relieved that you’re

》

》

alone. I am Artoria Pendragon, and you are Merlin Ambrosius; our identities carve out our legacies.”

A gauntlet rested on Merlin’s hand.

“I will not have you lose your mind, old man. I implore you—do not allow me to lose my heart.”