Unknownfate
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Chapter 36
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 00:28:44 +0000 UTCI met her sharp gaze, my tone calm but edged with authority. “I am King Arthur, sovereign of Camelot, protector of the realm, wielder of Excalibur and Rhongomyniad. That is not up for debate, Sorcerer Supreme.”
The Ancient One leaned forward slightly, her expression unyielding. “You claim to be Arthur, yet your story contradicts the world’s most ancient records. Even the mystics who observe time itself know Arthur as a man. You tell me history is twisted, but this? This defies even the fabric of what is known.”
I allowed a faint smile to cross my lips. “I had expected you to be smarter than this, oh Sorcerer Supreme. Can’t two things be true at the same time? I am Arthur, but am I the only one?”
I knew not why she didn’t see it, why she hadn’t thought it, or maybe she had, but had thought it unlikely? It didn’t matter; my hint was enough to get her in the right direction.
The Ancient One’s expression shifted subtly as realization began to dawn. She leaned back slightly, her hands steepled before her, her gaze calculating. “Ah… the possibility of parallel realities. Divergences in the timeline, alternate paths taken. You speak not as the singular Arthur of legend, but as an Arthur.”
I inclined my head, acknowledging her understanding. “Exactly. The multiverse is vast, and within it are countless iterations of what could be, what was, and what will never come to pass. Your Arthur may have been the king you know, but I am the Arthur of this Camelot.”
She studied me intently, her piercing gaze seeking any sign of deception. “If that is the case, then I ask, why are you here? Why come to this universe?”
Her question was sharp, direct, and laced with suspicion, as expected from someone who safeguarded the balance of realities. I leaned forward slightly, resting my hand on the armrest of my throne. “Why am I here? That’s the question, isn’t it? The truth is both simple and complex.”
I let my gaze sweep the room briefly, returning to meet hers with unwavering resolve. The room grew heavy with seriousness. “I don’t know.”
And instantly, the tense atmosphere was shattered.
The Ancient One blinked, clearly not expecting such a blunt and honest answer. For a moment, the air seemed to still as she processed my words. “You… don’t know?” she repeated, her tone tinged with disbelief.
I leaned back, letting a faint smile play across my lips. “That’s right. I don’t know why I’m here. I am however the once and future king, destined to arrive in my kingdom’s time of need, so I will deliver it salvation all the same.”
The Ancient One’s expression softened, though her sharp eyes continued to study me with measured scrutiny. “Salvation, you say? You’ve arrived without knowing the purpose behind your presence, yet you carry the mantle of destiny with such certainty. That is… remarkable.”
I met her gaze, my tone steady but unyielding. “It is not certainty, Sorcerer Supreme—it is duty. I could do anything, but I am always a king, and as such, I must bear the burden of a king.”
The Ancient One’s piercing gaze remained locked on mine, her calm demeanor unwavering. “A burden, you say. Few understand the weight of such words, let alone live by them. Yet here you are, a stranger in this realm, bearing a duty that transcends even your understanding. Admirable, if not dangerous.”
I leaned forward slightly, my voice resolute. “Dangerous, perhaps. But what is a king if not a servant to their people? A ruler who shirks their duty is no ruler at all. Camelot needs me, and whether this world understands that or not, I will not falter.”
She tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “A servant to the people you say, yet it seems like you will force your rulership down on them no matter if they want it or not.”
Her words hung in the air, sharp and probing. I knew what she wanted; I knew her purpose, she was naturally worried that I would be an evil tyrant.
Even she could see how unlikely it was that I, who came to this world on mysterious ways, would chain myself down with a duty like this, rather than have fun.
Even I had to admit that at times I thought about it, just to have fun, use my powers for myself, yet I was Arthuria Pendragon, I was a king deep in my heart.
So I didn’t blame her for doubting me, not at all.
“The people, they are lost, they have been lied to, they believe they are free, that they rule themselves, but I know the truth, they are suffering, and worse yet, ignorant about it, I will deliver them truth and justice, even if they don’t yet see that the need it.”
Her gaze remained steady, unflinching as she absorbed my words, her expression unreadable. The weight of her silence was palpable, but I held my ground, unwavering in my resolve. After a moment, she spoke, her tone measured but laced with skepticism.
“Many have called themselves heroes of justice, believed that they did what they did for the people, yet they were nothing more than crazed tyrants. What makes you different?”
I unleashed my divine aura at her question, letting it overflow from me. Normally, my divine might stay tightly controlled and contained, but now I put it on full display: the power that had once been unleashed in the sixth singularity, that of a true divine spirit.
“Because they were men, and I, I am more than that, where their humanity led them to failure, my lack of it will lead me to victory, to success.” Barely had the words left my lips before Agravain entered in a rush.
I knew he had been standing outside, holding off on entering to give me privacy, yet clearly, he couldn’t hold back once he felt my aura like that.
“Your Majesty!” he exclaimed, his voice carrying a rare edge of alarm. Glaring at the Ancient one, hand on the hilt of his sword.
“No need to worry,” I said, glancing at him. “The witch just questioned something, and rather than use words to answer, I decided to show it.”
“Indeed” She answered with a sigh. “I should have thought about that.” She really couldn’t deny what I was trying to get across.
I wasn’t human, I was divine, or well I was a mess and a mix of things, my heart was human, yet my soul and body divine in nature.
Therefore, I was unlikely to fall for the same traps as a normal human; my thinking was just different.
Agravaine reluctantly stepped back but did not lower his guard entirely. “Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty. I felt the surge of your power and feared the worst.”
I allowed a faint smile, acknowledging his loyalty. “Your instincts are admirable, Agravain. Your vigilance serves Camelot well, but there is no need for alarm. The Sorcerer Supreme is not an enemy—at least, not yet.”
The Ancient One’s lips twitched into a faint smile at my words, though her eyes remained steady and unreadable. “I hope it will never come to that.”
I leaned back, my divine presence now fully contained, and regarded her with an air of calm authority. “I can’t see why we would, you wish to protect the world, and so do I, we need not fight, I will even allow you to keep your sanctum.”
She nodded slowly, folding her hands in her lap. “I thank you, and while I have many more questions, it would be rude to ask.” She said, casting a glance at Agravain.
“Then watch, see what I will do, and let my actions be your answers.” I said, not willing to send him out.
There was an unspoken understanding between her and me that we wouldn’t speak about things around others, which meant that by not sending Agravain out, I ended things there.
I was sure we would meet again, but I had done my best, or at least the most I would to ease her about me.
Having a strange god appear wasn’t something someone of her position could just ignore, yet honestly, I couldn’t be asked to put her mind at ease further than what I had done.
Thankfully, she didn’t push things further and just left after a short goodbye, leaving just Agravain and me, who still looked troubled.
“I guess you don’t trust her much.” I said softly.
“It's just… a witch… it reminds me of… of my mother, and I worry.” He admitted, showing a rare bit of weakness.
“She is very different from my sister; you need not worry.” I tried to reassure him.
Though even I was curious about the Morgan of this universe, was she alive? Or dead, trapped in Avalon?
I honestly didn’t know, but I had no fear of her. Even if she was strong, she couldn’t be more troublesome than the Ancient one, and even she didn’t dare take me head-on.
I was curious about how a fight between the two of us would go, but I figured that I might have to use the lance, and then, I was unlikely to lose.
“Enough of that, I have an order for you.” I said, wanting to take his mind away from that depressing topic.
“Anything, Your Majesty.”
“I want you to arrange for ten people to come to Camelot, I will have them in audience, and I shall even allow them to use their technology to broadcast it across the realm.”
Agravain looked shocked at my words, but quickly nodded. “As you wish.”
“I want one to be from the current Royal family, one from their government, and the rest; they shall all be ordinary citizens, the common folk.” I declared.
Agravain bowed deeply. “It shall be done. I will ensure the selections are fair and represent the people of this land.”
“Good,” I said with a faint smile. “Make it known that Camelot is not a fortress hidden from its people but a beacon that welcomes them.”
With that, Agravain departed, his steps purposeful as he went to carry out my will. Alone once more, I allowed myself a moment of quiet reflection. This was only the beginning.
