(Titus's (Lot's) POV)
The first hint of Artoria's sniffles led me around a corner, where I found her curled up on the floor, a tiny tornado of tears threatening to sweep away her composure.
"Unkie..." she mumbled, wiping away a stray drop, but her sniffle betrayed her attempt at normalcy.
My heart gave a pang. Scooping her up from her watery perch, I brought her face close, a sigh escaping my lips.
"Eh, unkie!" Artoria's cheeks puffed out, a blush blooming under her smudged mascara. But it was a sight so endearing, even her messy face couldn't detract from it.
A playful smirk tugged at my lips. "Googa time!" I declared, nuzzling my beard into her neck, sending tickles skittering down her skin.
"Waaa!" she shrieked, bursting into laughter. "No, wah! Stop!" she cried, but her protests were laced with giggles. After a few minutes of ticklish mayhem, she surrendered to exhaustion, snuggling into my arms.
Huffing and puffing, she settled against me, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck like a vise. Even though spoiling youngsters wasn't my usual modus operandi, I let her rest for the time being.
'Man, she's grown,' I mused, adjusting my hand on her backside. It felt... different. Rounder, somehow. Almost like the curves she'd sport in her anime glory days. Just add her trademark hair buns and armor, and bam! Our very own Saber from Fate Stay Night.
"Artoria..." I spoke softly, and she stirred, her eyes still downcast. "Would you like to come with me somewhere? I have something important to tell you."
My serious tone pricked her up like a wet cat noticing a dangling feather. Her eyes, now clear and determined, met mine. A silent nod was her answer.
---
Artoria and I approached a lake, not far from Camelot. Yet, it was evident that this forest existed in a different reality. I requested Artoria to wait as I stepped into the lake. In the blink of an eye, reality shifted, presenting a clone of Morgan before me, distinguishable by her blue eyes. She introduced herself as Vivian, the fairy of the lake, with a charming smile.
Welcome, milord," her voice gurgled like a summer brook.
"Thanks for the invite," I replied, then suggested, "You might need to take out Excalibur, though."
After a few minutes:
"I see," Vivian remarked after I shared my story, ""So, you want me to hand Excalibur to a girl who's supposed to be King Arthur and just forget about getting it back?"
"Not exactly. I'll ask Artoria to return... yeah, you're right," I admitted, unsure if Artoria would willingly return Excalibur, given her stubborn nature.
Vivian sighed, a gust of wind whispering through the ethereal willows. Just as quickly, she reappeared, a shimmering longsword and two velvet-wrapped boxes materializing in her hands.
"Milord, these two are your weapons," Vivian said, handing me the two ring boxes.
My fingers trembled as I slipped the rings onto each palm. They pulsed with arcane warmth, whispering secrets into my mind. In a blink, they materialized into weapons, each a potent extension of my will.
[Gungnir-Fae EX
Odin's signature weapon.
Effect 1: Never miss its target when thrown.
Effect 2: Can be morphed into a whip.
Effect 3: Contains Bifröst energy in the blade.
Effect 4: Multiply (Draupnir enhancement). Added spear heads will disappear after five minutes.
Effect 5: Detonation: Added spear heads can be detonated on the weapon's call.]
In my right hand, Gungnir roared to life, its familiar golden form now adorned with shimmering silver markings.
This wasn't my grandfather's spear, not anymore. This was Gungnir-Fae EX, Odin's signature weapon, imbued with the magic of this ethereal fairy realm. The inscriptions promised feats that would make Valhalla sing: unerring throws, whip-like flexibility, Bifrost energy coursing through the blade, multiplying spearheads, and detonations upon command.
My eyes crackled with excitement as I swung the legendary weapon, the air singing with each whoosh. It felt both familiar and utterly alien, a power beyond even Odin's grasp, though it's true potential, I knew, rested on the wielder's skill.
[Excalibur- Mirror World A+
Effect 1: 'Complete Hypnosis' meaning that the victim will fell into complete illusion, along with their senses. Complete Hypnosis will not work if the enemy is blind or doesn't witness its activation.
Effect 2: You can channel elemental magic to your sword and slash in air. Default element is fire.]
The left ring birthed a different beast. A sleek katana, straight and deadly, inscribed with forgotten runes and fairy scripture. It was Kyoka Suigetsu, Aizen's blade of absolute illusion, reborn in this twisted mirror world.
Astonishment lit my eyes as the sword glowed with fiery energy upon channeling my magic.
"Please," Vivian cautioned, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes, "don't unleash your toys within my sanctuary."
I chuckled, holstering Gungnir and hanging the katana. "How do I look, Lady of the Lake?"
"It would have been better with a hammer instead," she teased.
Right, I was in my Viking form so Thor would suit me more but I wanted to Isshin. All I needed was a gun, and I'd become the Sword Saint.
Vivian then presented another weapon, its scabbard shimmering with celestial light. Excalibur. The true Excalibur, pinnacle of holy swords, hummed with ancient power.
My fingers itched to grasp it, to unveil its secrets. But I stopped. No, this wasn't mine to claim. This was a legacy for another, a girl destined to become King Arthur. Gently, I returned it to Vivian.
"This belongs to Artoria," I declared, my voice firm. "Its first gaze belongs to its rightful wielder."
Vivian accepted the blade, a faint sadness clouding her features. Tears threatened to spill. "Milord… you will hurt Morgan…"
My heart ached. I stepped forward, engulfing Vivian in a tight embrace.
"Forgive me…" I whispered, the words heavy with unspoken apologies.
The sunlight filtering through the leaves splashed dappled patterns across the tranquil clearing as I emerged from the lake, sputtering and wringing water from my beard.
Artoria, bless her innocent heart, stood knee-deep in the water, her eyes closed and hands clasped in fervent prayer. Artoria... was praying?
"Please let me unkie's bride! Please let me unkie's bride! Please let me unkie's bride!"
I facepalmed so hard I swear I felt brain cells vibrate. Spoiling her rotten had its downsides, and apparently, a maiden's love knew no bounds, even when the maiden in question was the legendary King Arthur. Vivian, ever the picture of ethereal grace, looked at me with an expression that could curdle milk.
"Ahem, Artoria." I cleared my throat, breaking her hypnotic spell. "This is Vivian, the Lady of the Lake."
Vivian, having rematerialized with her usual air of mystery, covered her face with a shimmer of water before presenting Excalibur to Artoria.
"Artoria Pendragon," she spoke in her archaic tongue, "this sword belongeth to King Arthur. Even if he exists not, thou art still meant to wield this weapon. King Lot here shall expound upon the precise connection."
Artoria completely ignored the epic pronouncement and launched into a flurry of practice swings, the blade whistling through the air like a golden comet. Vivian, once again, shot me a look that could have pierced through my Viking armor.
Yeah, Artoria, despite being a Caster, was a die-hard sword enthusiast. She called her staff, Caliburn, a sword and used it like a blunt instrument, leaving a trail of splintered furniture in her wake. I'd envisioned her as Artoria Caster, but she seemed to be a delightful blend of Saber and Caster, with a dash of berserker thrown in for good measure.
Suddenly, Artoria stopped mid-swing and sniffed the air. Like a bloodhound on a scent, she stalked towards Vivian, eyes glinting with suspicion.
"Did you kiss unkie?" she demanded, her voice laced with a ferocity that made me gulp.
Both Vivian and I sputtered, then Vivian promptly dissolved into the lake, leaving me alone with a fuming Artoria and a very awkward silence.
"Ahem, let's move somewhere else," I stammered, hastily leading her away from the watery crime scene. "I need to talk to you about something… important."
We found a quiet spot under a majestic oak, and I handed her a thick leather-bound book. "Legends of King Arthur?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
I simply nodded, and Artoria started reading. As she turned the pages, a kaleidoscope of emotions flitted across her face: excitement, disbelief, disgust, and finally, sheer horror. When she finished, she looked at me with wide, bewildered eyes.
"Unkie, what is the meaning of this? Why do the characters sound so familiar? Why is my sister Morgan so… evil? Is King Arthur…"
"Yes," I said, taking a deep breath. "You are King Arthur. Your alternate identity, the one I have changed now. Artoria, my real name is Titus Dusklock, and I come from the future."
===
Sup, Mfs. Just wanna say that I have started Volume 6 and it will be for Archer. I loved Atalanta so yeah, this time it will be with her. I will also be adding some more heroes since there we a lot of servants from Greece.
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