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Guinevere stared at the window of her bedroom. A month had passed ever since the Ashuran King was declared forever dead. His killer was unknown, but there's a rumor floating around it was the Death Chanter. Because of the rumor, the Ashurans are seeking revenge, albeit they wouldn't be able to find him.
For he's been in a coma and almost all of doctors in the Empire weren't able to cure him. But one suggested one thing.
Guinevere would visit him at least once or twice a month although Lancelot wouldn't stay out for too long from their new home in Swan Lake. There was now a royal task force assigned only to find her and her brother. Yes, they wouldn't be able to leave Swan Lake without disguises at all. It would be a fool's move not to.
Lancelot came in after given permission to enter by his sister. Guinevere leaned against the window with a pout.
"Is there something wrong?" Asked Lancelot.
"I want to visit Granger again, dear brother. It's been too long and God would only know if he's already awake."
"Only God would, so now that you've ran out of disguises, stay low for a little while."
"Why can't he be transferred here? We have hundreds of empty bedrooms in this castle, don't we?"
"He's owned by the Empire, Gwen. Whether you like it or not, taking him by force isn't an option."
"They don't own him. He only serves them."
"For a lifetime. They basically own him, Gwen."
"Well, all I want to do is to give him a visit. If he's still in a comatose then my return will be quick. That is all."
Lancelot scratched his chin, pondering. "Fine. But stick to your word, Gwen. As soon as you had your satisfaction, leave at once or you might never have to see him again."
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The guards smiled at the lotus outfit she was now wearing as she casually stepped inside the Monastery of Light. It was very beautiful, especially the dress and the big lotus flower bracelets around her wrists. Her hair had been magically dyed black, transforming her into a completely different person.
Men who happened to pass by took their time to cherish her alluring sight. It was rare for attractive and feminine women to come and go in the Monastery. Guinevere acknowledged the attention but her focus was only for one person.
A cute young lad flirted with her along the way but she didn't bother to respond. Her heart was already owned by someone else. They should know that.
Only then Guinevere stopped walking and spoke to someone when she needed to know where the hospital wing was at. Perhaps short term memory was hereditary, but she just kept forgetting the directions to Granger's room. Either that or the monastery is a labyrinth.
"Tell me, what is a lady like you doing here?" The man asked of suspicion after he gave her the directions.
"I came from the Southern Seas, bearing great reward for the Death Chanter's sacrifice of killing the evil Martis from the Ocean Goddess, my liege."
My, Guinevere sure was one great liar.
"Ocean Goddess? You mean Kadita?"
"Yes. Now would you pleaseease excuse me." Guinevere bowed in respect and calmly made her leave. Thankfully he didn't follow her.
Everyone here seems to be ready to fight and willing to die. Guinevere was safe, for she look too much a threat. She arrived at the hospital wing safe and sound. Her feet stopped in its tracks though when she sees Alucard coming out of the door. Alucard sees her, but doesn't seem to recognize her.
"Do I know you?" He asked, smiling. It was obvious his next move was to flirt. Seeing the coast was clear, Guinevere returned to her original identity. Alucard's smile becomes a frown. "You came again?"
Guinevere nodded. "Is he there still?"
"Um..." Trailing off, Alucard cancelled responding.
Guinevere winced in confusion, feeling something bad had happened. Guinevere comes into the room immediately. She looked over the bed to see it empty and made.
"Alucard, where is he?" She asked in desperation.
"He's off to another mission."
"Another mission? You mean he's already awaken?"
"He woke up the day after the last time you visited."
"Why didn't you inform me?"
"You might get disappointed."
"Why would I get disappointed?"
Alucard furrowed his brows in concern. He closed the door first before proceeding. "You know he was in a condition where his foot was already at his grave and had it not been for the technological care."
Guinevere nodded, remembering the life support that was always on Granger's side and the tubes and fluids that were keeping him healthy and alive whilst in his unconscious state.
"A Doctor Rooney from Eruditio offered to give Granger a new and better body."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "And?"
"Granger has been transported to Eruditio for the surgery."
"He doesn't need surgery. He's only in a comatose. During the fight, I protected him at all costs!"
"He's very healthy, yes. Well, only physically. Mentally? The Grandmaster thinks not."
Her lips curved into a frown. She could feel herself slowly breaking apart. His mind was being altered, but why? Unless they wanted him to become a true killing machine.
"Alucard. Am I... gonna lose him?" Her voice had cracked from a squeak.
Alucard's shoulders weaken sympathetically. He walked over to give her a hug showing his support. "Let's hope for the best."
"He's going to become a cyborg, isn't he? He won't be able to remember me anymore..."
Alucard had tightened the hug, almost like he wanted to push her off her footing. She was confused, until she saw a silhouette firing a long sniper from the dark end of the hall.
Alucard grunted in pain. Guinevere looked back to the silhouette only to see it now gone.
"Alucard!" Guinevere crouched down beside him. His back has been brutally shot. A second later, his eyes closed shut.
From the opposite direction, two Hunters sauntering by immediately sprinted over. Guinevere gasped as she noticed they were about to attack her, mistaking her as Alucard's shooter.
Guinevere was running for her life, sharpening her reaction time as she turned to every corner possible, hoping she would lose them and avoid suspicion from the other Hunters she passes by.
"Is that blood on your hands?"
Guinevere cursed under her breath. She gave the stranger with a sword on his belt a sheepish smile. "I'm on my period."
"Oh, sorry for asking." He said, dismissing their talk as he scurried away.
Guinevere was getting closer to the gates. Just a little more, she encouraged herself. She managed to kept her walking pace at a relax state as she walked through the gates and into safety, succeeding her escape.
She only thought she was safe.
The assassin emerged from the dark corners of the bridge, suppressing fire at Guinevere's direction. There weren't anymore guards at the gate, giving Guinevere a huge disadvantage.
Guinevere stumbled trying to dodge from the bullets. The shooter revealed herself by walking forward, never losing her aim on the redhead.
It was a woman with a black eye patch. Her hair with a strong shade color of pink was tied into a ponytail and she wore a blue suit.
"Surrender yourself, Guinevere." The woman said.
"Who are you?" Guinevere asked, roughly.
"I'm the one who will be taking you back to where you belong, milady."
Guinevere stared at her grudgingly for a moment. Once the female shooter was distracted, Guinevere jumped to her escape, heading for the jungle.