《Twin Worlds: Warriors and Mages》Chapter 08: Arthur Crane
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Lancelot followed Aisha, who was walking briskly towards the landing space at the rooftop of the Camelot Castle. She was about to visit someone's grave situated at a nearby mountain. It was the grave of her savior, the legendary Wisp. She got the location of the grave through Lancelot, who had revealed to her that Wisp was his master and that he knew where his remains were laid. The minute they arrived at the rooftop a large flying ship, helmed by a gigantic man—seven foot in height and muscular in built—slowly descended. When the ship had finally landed, clamping its landing gears on the ground, Aisha and Lancelot immediately entered through the doors that had opened for them. They were then greeted by the crew members with courteous smiles.
The owner of the ship, as well as its crew, were all mercenaries whom Aisha had hired to bring her to that place. Why was it so important to her that she visit Wisp's grave? Because she had promised to him, that one day, the moment she got to the right age, she'd go and find him to thank him personally. However, the day she arrived at Branch, she asked about him from many high-ranking officials but received the same reply—he was already dead. It shocked her at first but then she resolved to find his grave. That same day also, she was late for her date with Pendragon and ended up accidentally mistaking Arthur Crane for him. However, now was the day she would be able to uphold her promise, hoping that even beyond the grave, Wisp could hear her gratitude.
The master of the ship personally greeted them, towering over their small statures.
"Miss Aisha," said the man, "I'll get right to the point; I do not want money as payment."
"Eh? What?" Aisha was perplexed, after all, the purpose of a mercenary group was business, yet his words defied that altogether.
"Is there anything you want other than money?"
"Yes," said the large man, "it's something I've always wanted, to see my old friend's grave." The man looked at the restless Lancelot, "I've been asking this brat all this time, but he kept telling me it's a secret."
"Secret? But he told me right away."
"I don't know why he'd be so open to you but that's not my concern, I just want to see my old friend."
"Do you, by any chance, know each other?"
"We do," replied the man. "I, Wisp and that boy following you, although he was just a small recruit in the past, were all comrades."
"Oh, I see," said Aisha, smiling, "you were an agent too."
"Indeed," responded the large man. "Anyway, let me introduce myself. In the old days they called me Mammoth, but nowadays I'm simply called—"
"—Baldy," joked Lancelot, laughing hard. Indeed, the man was bald.
"Shut up brat!" chided the man. He calmed himself down before continuing, "I am Mesh, it's a pleasure to meet you." He extended a hand.
"No, the pleasure is mine," Aisha responded, grabbing his hand in a handshake.
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"Alright!" said the man, turning around to his crew members. "Full speed ahead!"
Aisha and Lancelot went inside the passenger's cabin and talked about many interesting things, including the legend behind Wisp.
"Did you know? My master had a peculiar ability. He had two swords you see, one on the left and one on the right. Whenever these two swords were in his hands he was formidable. One sword could pierce anything, another could break anything."
"Is that so?" Aisha voiced, careful not to say anything to contradict Lancelot, seeing how he was too enthusiastic about his master. However, in truth, Aisha found it too difficult to believe that such an ability existed; this was because, for every attack there would always be a counter; even high-level spells had their own weaknesses; thus, she could only think of Lancelot's claims as merely him trying to be figurative.
"Did you also know?" continued Lancelot with a bright expression. "My master had this woman friend, she was beautiful too, and she was also called Wisp."
"Another Wisp?" questioned Aisha, slightly surprised. "Wouldn't that be confusing?"
"Um..." expressed Lancelot, looking up with a finger placed underneath his chin. "How should I explain this," he said, looking at Aisha. "Master was Wisp and madam was Wisp too, they were like twins? No wait, hmm... what figure of speech can I use?"
Aisha sighed in exasperation, "It's alright," she said, "if you don't know how to explain it then just—"
"I know!" screamed Lancelot joyfully, cutting Aisha mid-sentence. "Madam was like a grass in a forest while master was a seaweed under the sea."
"I don't get it," flatly expressed Aisha.
"Um... so madam was called Wisp because she was the strongest of all the Cast Shadow members at that time, but then master was called Wisp in battle because of the way he fought—he was like a ghost. Madam was in the forest while master was in the sea, but they're both grasses."
"Ah, I see," Aisha let out, scratching her head. "You seem to see the world in your own unique way, huh, Lancelot?"
"Of course Miss," Lancelot crossed his arms to his chest, "that's what my late master said too."
Hours passed by and the Magellanic Ship vibrated as it descended down to their destination.
When they had descended and had gotten out of the ship, they were surprised to meet Arthur Pendragon standing before Wisp's grave. Nonetheless, the trio—Aisha, Lancelot and Mesh—walked undeterred towards the grave.
"What are you doing here?" asked Aisha, "How did you know of this place?"
"I overheard you with your friend right there," Arthur said, turning around towards them and pointing at Lancelot. "The moment I got wind of your plan to visit this place, I used my technique to get here first."
Arthur was wearing a black and stylish suit, contrasting the antique look of the sword sheathed to his waist.
"By the way Razor Blade," he said. "What made you defy orders?"
"He has nothing to do with this," defended Aisha. "I personally asked him to bring me here, in any case, he's still guarding me—"
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"Precisely," said Arthur, "He's guarding you. That boy's unstable and dangerous, I've personally put him under strict orders never to go near you, and yet he defied all that." Arthur turned his attention towards Lancelot. "I purposely did not do anything at Camelot Castle because I wanted to discover your objective. So it was to steal Aisha from me huh? You traitor!"
"But weren't you," asked Aisha, "the one who gave him orders to guard me?"
"He lied to you," replied Arthur, "what a crafty fellow you are, Razor Blade. Tell me, whom do you work for?"
Lancelot responded with a confident shrug, enraging Arthur.
Arthur stamped his foot on the ground and a circuit activated, exploding the earth and causing a small earthquake. It rendered the trio to loose balance, enough time for Arthur to move in a flash towards Lancelot's side. He unsheathed his legendary long-sword called Excalibur and proceeded to slice the air to eventually slice Lancelot in half.
However, Lancelot was quick enough to use his sword techniques and defended himself by clashing against Arthur's sword. Nevertheless, the power behind Arthur's slash was too strong, so Lancelot merely redirected its path, causing it to hit the ground beside him, pummeling the earth to crackly bits. Lancelot flashed backwards to make distance between them.
"Sorry Miss," he said, "I have to go now."
After saying goodbye, Lancelot disappeared within a flash of light.
"What was that for?" asked Aisha angrily towards Pendragon.
"He's a traitor," replied Arthur, "dying wouldn't even be enough to repay his treachery; and as for you—"
Arthur raised his right hand, ready to slap Aisha. The moment he launched his palm to slap her, a gigantic hand stopped him.
"Mister Arthur, this is no way to treat a lady," threatened Mesh, with a scary glare. "I am old and have received my fair share of scars. Although you are stronger than me, if you hurt this young woman here, don't expect to go away with merely a scratch."
Arthur heeded Mesh's warning and turned around, walking towards the ship. "Very well," he said, I'd respect your experience Mr. Mesh, but should you get in the way of my plans I won't hesitate to dispose of you. Now, finish your business here and take us back to the castle."
Aisha turned to Mesh, "Thank you," she said with a tone of relief. "How about Lancelot will he be alright?"
Mesh looked at her, "Do not worry about that boy, he's well trained in espionage, hiding and escaping are two of his best skills. For now, let's focus on finishing what we went here for."
***
Meanwhile, at the hero's graveyard, Arthur carried Maya in a bridal carry and faced off against their attacker. Maya wanted to release the 'seal' put on her but that would mean risking her sanity. However, if all else failed she wouldn't hesitate to do it. Nonetheless, she was surprised at how agile Arthur was at dodging the dozen fireball hurled at him earlier.
"Don't worry," assured Arthur, "I will protect you."
"Says the guy who can't even use unarmed techniques."
"That's not a problem," whispered Arthur, "I know basic bodily enhancement, so I can fortify my body to perform beyond what ordinary humans can do."
"That's not enough," sighed Maya, "Bodily enhancement can only take you so far."
Arthur shrugged with a confident smile, "What can I do?" he said. "It takes a level five to learn unarmed techniques."
"Precisely why I should be fighting here," chastised Maya, "I may not be able to move but I still have an ace up my sleeve."
"Of course," said Arthur, "but I have my own tricks."
Having created a considerable distance from their opponent he decided that it was safe enough to put Maya down. He laid the immobile Maya on the ground, leaning her back on the trunk of a tree. "I'll show you," he continued, "the power of a level 4."
Arthur ran towards their attacker at speeds barely able to be called inhuman—it was basic bodily enhancement after all. Arthur's expression began to take on seriousness as he pulled the pistol holstered in his pants. The mysterious figure however, merely laughed at his foolish dash.
"Eliminate my enemies, O twilight of the ever-night sky!"
With that incantation, shadows began to loom before Arthur, each taking the shape of various animals. Some were lions, some were apes; there were those that looked like birds and tigers and many more, and they all launched towards him.
"All seeing eyes!" Arthur said.
Suddenly, Arthur's eyes glowed in a strange blue hue and the world around him seemed to have slowed down, and he saw through it all: the structure of his assailant's magic, every particle of mana, every connecting dots that made the spell possible. He saw through where they were directed at and predicted where they would hit. He began dodging the shadow animals one after another as though he were dancing.
"Incredible!" said Maya. "Who would have thought that bodily enhancement could be used like that."
Indeed, rather than the brisk and quick motions used to perform unarmed techniques Arthur's movements were like the fluid dance of the sea. It was as though he was one step—no, two steps ahead of each attack. Thus, despite the shadow animals being faster, he could dodge them with ease.
"My, my" expressed Maya with a grin of defeat, "The guy has some trick up his sleeve too, huh?"
Arthur kept on dodging but never attacked, if the fight would drag on any longer Arthur wouldn't be able to land a hit on his target, after all he didn't have enough power to do so—or so Maya thought. However, she thought wrong.
"Enough Gaian!" proclaimed their attacker. "In this space," he continued, referring to the anomaly, "I am stronger!"
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