Unknownfate
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Chapter 13
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 00:13:18 +0000 UTCHill crossed her arms, her face skeptical. “Regardless of its accuracy, the outcome doesn't change. Intentional or not, this image carries a calculated resonance. It evokes sympathy, admiration, and even hope. Those emotions can be as impactful as any deliberately crafted story.”
Fury grunted, clearly assessing both viewpoints. “Intent is secondary to impact. Whether they’re rewriting history or simply living it, the result remains: people will see this and be compelled. They’ll see a boy burdened by fate, rising to meet it. That’s a narrative that will captivate.”
Natasha resumed the footage, speaking softly but firmly. “Coulson might have a point about their intentions, yet I stand by Hill. Whether deliberate or not, the effect is undeniable. It’s more than just a statue; it’s a call to action.”
The screen showed the delegation moving past the fountain, their pace slowing as they entered a new area. The group passed through a corridor lined with tall, intricately carved columns, the light filtering through stained glass windows and creating a dazzling array of colors on the polished stone floor.
Natasha paused the footage again. “This is where it became obvious: everything in this city is designed to inspire awe. Notice how the light touches the floor, how the columns draw your gaze upward. It’s meant to make you feel small but not insignificant—like you belong to something larger.
Coulson tilted his head, observing the screen. “Almost religious.”
“Precisely,” Natasha replied. “It’s not just a city; it’s a temple. And the King is more than a ruler—they’re akin to a divine being. They don’t just seek loyalty; they inspire devotion.”
Hill tapped her arm thoughtfully, her frown deepening. “And that kind of veneration is more challenging to combat than any army. How do you oppose such a powerful idea?”
Fury’s expression was inscrutable, his voice calm and steady. “You don’t confront it directly. You erode it, bit by bit. Identify the weaknesses and exploit them. Romanoff, continue. What else did you observe?”
Nodding, Natasha quickly fast-forwarded to the most critical moment—the meeting with the king.
The golden light poured in, illuminating the flawlessly polished stone and the towering columns adorned with intricate carvings; all of it exuded grandeur and authority. The atmosphere in the car seemed to freeze as the King’s throne came into view.
She paused the footage just as the King came into focus, sitting on the throne, fully armored, and radiating an almost ethereal presence. Even through the screen, the weight of their presence was unmistakable.
“That’s a positive match to the mysterious Knight seen in London," Coulson remarked, quickly displaying the image of the Knight, clad in the same armor as the King on the throne.
“And the same goes for the motorcycle, suggesting they are adept with technology, implying the King has been around long enough to understand and use it," Hill added.
Fury’s brow wrinkled as he contemplated this. “If they’ve been here long enough to blend in, they’ve had time to observe and strategize. They possess greater knowledge about us than we do of them... We must uncover more, every legend, every clue from ancient texts; we need to gather as much information as possible.”
Natasha resumed the footage, showing the delegation moving towards the throne. The knights flanking the King stood silent and still, their shining armor reflecting the light like sculptures. The King’s presence overshadowed the room, even as they remained seated.
She halted the playback again just before they had to kneel; shortly after, the camera unintentionally pointed downwards, obscuring the view, but here everything was clear, including the two knights beside the King.
“These two,” she began, indicating the figures to the left and right of the King, “are Sir Agravain.” She pointed to the knight in black armor. “And Sir Gawain,” she stated, indicating the other knight.
“Agravain, the same name Arthur mentioned outside the British Museum," Hill observed.
“Which raises the question, why? Why go there? Stand for hours, speak his name, and then create Camelot overnight?"
Fury leaned back, his gaze fixed on the paused image of the King flanked by Sir Agravain and Sir Gawain. “We need to stick to the facts. Speculation without evidence will only waste time. Romanoff, focus on observations. What do we know about Agravain and Gawain?”
Natasha nodded, resuming the playback briefly before pausing again on the two knights beside the throne. “Sir Agravain,” she said, gesturing to the figure on the King’s right, “is strategic and calculating.
His tone during the meeting was sharp and even confrontational. He positioned himself as the enforcer, steadfast and loyal. He was the most vocal about Camelot’s right to govern England.”
She redirected her attention to the left. “In contrast to Sir Agravain, Gawain rarely spoke; he was more like a guard, while Agravain seemed to communicate for the king. He remains loyal—one of the most loyal, if tales hold true—yet it’s evident that Agravain acts as the second in command.”
Fury folded his arms, his voice measured. “And the King? What’s your interpretation of Agravain handling all the dialogue?”
Natasha hesitated briefly before answering. “The King had little need to speak. Agravain’s voice represented their voice. I can’t say for sure, but it felt as though it was beneath the king to speak for himself. Or it could be anything; I’m no specialist in ancient court procedures.”
Fury's eyes narrowed slightly as he absorbed Natasha's insight. “So, you’re suggesting it might be a strategic power play or simply the norm of that time? Either way, it creates a vivid image.”
Natasha nodded. “In any case, those four Knights are the only ones I noticed, so that makes five people, including the King, if we presume the blue knights aren’t actual humans. It suggests a very limited population, although I can’t say if there are more Knights of the Round Table.”
“From this point on, there’s minimal visual; we were all instructed to kneel, and even when we could straighten up, the camera's position captured little, yet the audio should be clear.” She proceeded to play the recording.
The footage changed as Natasha resumed playback, showing the delegation lowering themselves to their knees. The camera, angled downwards, revealed little of the throne room, but the sound was distinct and steady, capturing every exchange.
Fury leaned closer to the audio feed, his expression neutral yet attentive. “Let’s listen.”
“You now stand before The Lion King, the Lord of Storms, Sovereign of Camelot, Bearer of Rhongomyniad, and Shepherd of Justice. His Majesty, Arthuria Pendragon. You will only speak when addressed and conduct yourselves with the reverence fitting this hallowed hall.”
Natasha paused the playback for a moment, allowing the words to resonate. Fury furrowed his brow, softly repeating the name, “Arthuria Pendragon.”
Coulson leaned forward, frowning. “Arthuria. Not Arthur.”
Hill crossed her arms. “It’s subtle, yet significant. Arthuria. A feminized form. Could it imply…?”
Fury raised a hand to hush her. “Let’s avoid assumptions. Romanoff, what’s your assessment?”
"The armor concealed them entirely, though the contour of the breastplate could obscure a pair of breasts. The earlier statue depicting them as a boy could also represent either a boy or an underdeveloped girl; given the age, both interpretations are valid.
Fury discreetly retrieved a screenshot of the statue for a closer examination and did the same with the image of the King outside the British Museum. He could not determine their sex definitively.
"Moreover, Mordred, the king’s son, seems to exhibit feminine features, which adds further complexity to the situation, yet Agravain did refer to ‘His’ Majesty, indicating a strong male possibility," she continued. "It could mean anything; pronunciation might differ from our expectations, or it could be recorded as Arthur. We can’t know for sure."
Fury tapped his finger against the armrest of his chair, his tone calm and deliberate. “The King’s sex, name, and lineage are less significant than the image they are constructing—an impeccable ruler beyond reproach. Every detail strengthens their legitimacy, and every enigma complicates challenges against them."
Turning back to Natasha, he instructed, "Let’s concentrate on what we can analyze: the name Arthuria, the title Lion King, and the weapon Rhongomyniad. Hill, gather all information related to those links. Coulson, cross-reference any potential artifacts with similar descriptions. Romanoff, proceed with your work."
As the delegates introduced themselves, Natasha fast-forwarded, pausing on moments of interest. Hill raised an eyebrow. “Their reaction to the UK being a democracy is noteworthy."
Natasha rewound slightly, stopping at the moment Agravain dismissed the notion of governance by the people.
"You talk of democracy as if it represents the natural order,” Agravain retorted sharply in the recording. “But it is merely chaos masked in rhetoric. A King fosters unity. A King is appointed by destiny, not the caprice of the masses."
"That’s more than just loyalty," Coulson remarked. “It reveals disdain. Agravain perceives democracy not merely as flawed but as inherently illegitimate."
"And the King allows him to voice this perspective," Hill added. "This implies agreement—or at the very least, a lack of strong disagreement to correct him."
The recording continued to Sir Andrew Farrow’s challenge to the King’s rulership, and Natasha paused it again as the King plunged Caliburn into the ground. She halted the footage at the exact moment, the golden light of Caliburn illuminating the hall. The inscription along the blade was clearly visible on the screen.
Coulson recited it with a tone of reverence. “‘Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise King born of all England.’” He leaned back, brow furrowed. “The Sword of Selection. It’s not merely a weapon—it symbolizes legitimacy. At least, that’s the narrative being spun."
Fury drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. "Setting the symbolism aside, I’m more intrigued by the act itself. When did he pull that sword out? The camera didn’t catch the motion; one moment, the king was seated, the next, the sword was present, and his hands had shifted."
Natasha rewound the segment, slowing the footage to frame-by-frame. The King’s actions were subtle, nearly undetectable. One moment, their gauntleted hands were on the throne’s arms; the next, Caliburn was plunged into the ground, gleaming with a golden light. There was no seen transition.
“Whatever transpired, it occurred so quickly that we missed it, meaning it happened between frames… implying she moved at incredible speeds," Natasha said cautiously.
Fury tapped his desk in a steady rhythm, his face inscrutable. “If they can move that fast, it’s not merely a ceremonial trick. That speed indicates combat capability. We must consider this in any potential engagement."
Coulson quickly jotted down notes. "Moving faster than human perception represents a significant threat. And if that’s just the King, what about the others? Agravain, Gawain—are they comparable?"
Natasha shook her head. “It’s tough to determine. None of the knights exhibited similar abilities during the meeting. Agravain was authoritative, sure, but his movements were measured, typical. Gawain remained mostly silent and still."
Hill interjected sharply, "What about the sword? Caliburn—what’s the assessment?"
Natasha reset the footage to highlight the moment the blade started to glow. "This isn’t just a prop. That glow—notice how it illuminates the room. It’s not reflecting light; it’s generating it. That’s not normal material."
"So, we upgrade the threat from ordinary humans wielding sharp objects to superhumans with glowing, sharp objects, and their speed could evade bullets, posing a serious threat against contemporary weaponry," Fury affirmed.
His tone turned more intense. “We need information on that sword. If it aligns with the legends, it could change the game as much as the King himself."
Natasha nodded, resuming the footage to let the scene progress. “The delegation didn’t push the King further after that display. You’ll see Sir Andrew trying to steer the discussion, but the sword effectively ended any substantial debate. It wasn’t merely a demonstration—it was a declaration. They don’t need to persuade anyone; they simply assert it as truth."
The screen displayed Sir Andrew’s uncertain actions, his words faltering as he attempted to regain his composure. Hill shook her head. “That’s the strength of theatrics. Even a seasoned individual like Farrow couldn’t maintain focus after that display."
Fury’s voice resonated throughout the room. “We need information; we must ascertain what we’re contending with, whether it’s an army of superhumans or just one. We have to understand their capabilities; they know about the modern world yet still dare to challenge London."
Everyone recognized what that implied. “Anything to add, Natasha?”
Natasha paused briefly, then rewound the recording to the moment when the delegation introduced themselves. Leaning back slightly, she explained in a measured tone, “I didn’t mention this earlier because it felt... personal. But you should see their reaction.”
The footage resumed, displaying Sir Andrew Farrow introducing himself with diplomatic finesse, followed by Sir Richard Cole’s astonished reverence. Then, Professor Marlowe, anxious and reserved, offered his concise introduction.
Finally, Natasha’s voice came through the recording. “Your Majesty, I am Emily Ross, here as a security operative to ensure the safety of this delegation. It is an honor to stand before you.” They observed the responses of the Knights, notably Mordred, who appeared offended that they felt the need for protection within the city of Camelot.
Fury, Coulson, and Hill couldn’t comprehend why Natasha had kept this private. However, they remained focused as the atmosphere shifted further when Agravain mentioned deceit. He paused dramatically. “Especially when someone here dares to lie before his Majesty’s throne!” he bellowed angrily.
Everyone watched intently until the Lion King spoke once more. “Natalia Alianovna Romanova,” he declared, leaving Natasha in shock as her true name was revealed—far from Natasha Romanoff, but the name spoken by someone she had never encountered before.
“You cannot deceive us, so do not try. I know who you are; before this throne, there are no secrets,” the king asserted. Fury’s expression darkened as he leaned closer to the screen. “Romanoff, how did they know that?”
Natasha paused the footage, the king’s voice fading as her shocked expression remained on screen. Taking a steadying breath, her tone was resolute but calm. “I don’t know, sir. That name isn’t found in any current records. It’s buried so deeply that even SHIELD’s files contain only fragments.”
Coulson frowned, scrutinizing the still image of the king. “If they can extract information like that from nowhere, we’re facing something beyond even the highest levels of intelligence gathering. This isn’t mere espionage—this is omniscience.”
Hill’s tone became sharp, almost doubtful. “Omniscience, or they’re using something we don’t grasp. Magic, technology—whatever it is, they’re clearly showing they see through any guise.”
“This situation is dire, and their strategy is impressive.” Fury stated, his tone as frigid as winter.
Fury swiftly elaborated on how severe the circumstances had turned. “The King claimed that no one can lie in front of their throne, but how can we trust that? We know they've recognized agent Romanoff’s name, but when did they find out?”
His comments made it clear to everyone just how critical things had become.
“Did they learn it the moment she entered the city? In the throne room? Or when the king first looked upon her? All we know is that the king can ascertain at least someone’s true name, even if they’re not using it.”
“But what other information do they possess? How? There are countless questions, and we must prepare for the worst since we can’t verify anything.” He added.
“’Before this throne, there are no secrets.’” He echoed her words. “That statement is not trivial. It asserts the throne as their source of authority and influence. However, without confirmation, we must treat it as a lie, a deception, leaving us in the dark about the true reality.”
Hill agreed. “And we still lack knowledge on their limits. Can they interpret intent? Strategies? If so, deploying agents to Camelot becomes a significant risk.”
Coulson leaned in, his voice deliberate yet urgent. “If they can recognize our operatives and understand their intentions, it does more than undermine our efforts—it reverses them. Each agent we deploy becomes a potential risk, whether as a captured asset or an avenue for disinformation.”
Natasha solemnly agreed. “Exactly. If they can see through deceit, they could embed truths meant to lead us astray. We could mistakenly think we’re acquiring valuable intel when it’s merely a trap placed openly before us. And if they identify our agents the moment they step in…”
Hill completed the thought. “Then it’s not merely about halting our missions. They’d have full knowledge of our actions, who dispatched us, and our objectives. It risks more than one operation—it jeopardizes the entire command structure.”
Fury ceased his tapping as he leaned in, his expression resolute. “This isn’t merely a security issue—it’s a strategic disaster. If they can render undercover operations ineffective, they entirely govern the narrative. The instant we move, they’ll be ready.”
Hill slightly tilted her head, her demeanor sharp. “Then we must uncover the nature of this power—or whatever it may be. Is it genuinely tied to the throne? The city? Or is it the King themselves?”
Natasha pointed at the paused footage. “The timing indicates it’s probably connected to the throne or their presence. The assertion about ‘no secrets’ arose once we were all in the throne room, and the King addressed me directly right after Agravain’s claim. Yet, we cannot be certain.”
Fury spoke firmly. "Then we assume it’s everywhere until we can prove otherwise. No agents will enter the city until we gather more information. And Romanoff, you’re correct—truth can be weaponized. Every encounter is potentially a strategic move.”
Coulson nodded thoughtfully. “If traditional intel gathering isn’t an option, we might need to tap into the legends themselves. Investigate any historical records regarding this throne or claims of omniscience.”
Fury scanned the team. “This certainly presents a challenge. For now, we need to gather more intel and monitor the situation. If they remain in the city, we won’t take action. Instead, we’ll research, watch from above, and collect information.”
Although the strategy was straightforward, it didn’t mean action wasn’t necessary. The public needed answers, time was crucial, and involving the UK government was essential in these discussions.
