As they all stood frozen in silent desperation, Sir Bedivere took charge with a sense of urgency, urging Fujimaru and Mash to quickly make their escape before the imminent strike of Rhongomyniad descended upon them. The noble knight grimly acknowledged his own fate with the words, "This is where my journey ends." However, just as all hope seems lost, a beacon of valour emerged in the form of Arash, who, despite his grievous wounds and his body drenched in his own blood, found the strength within himself to rise defiantly.
"Do not surrender, Bedivere," Arash proclaimed, his voice resonating with unwavering resolve as he advanced towards his comrade. "We have not exhausted our options. This is not the end for you." A surge of magical power surged through Arash at that pivotal moment, infusing him with an overwhelming surge of determination as he boldly stepped forward to confront the formidable might of The Holy Lance.
The valiant Arash, his heart pounding with a fierce determination, stood tallest amongst the brave souls gathered around him. With a steely glint in his eyes, he raised his hands high, the sinew of his arms flexing as he notched an arrow on his bow, all aimed at the Holy lance ominously descending towards them like a divine judgment. Bedivere, his loyal comrade, took a step forward, a plea in his voice as he urgently tried to halt Arash in his tracks, fully aware of the dire consequences that awaited should Arash continue on his unwavering path towards the descending threat.
"Arash, please stop," Bedivere's voice carried a weight of sorrow and concern, a warning wrapped in a cloak of heartfelt anguish. But Arash, with unwavering resolve etched on his face, met Bedivere's eyes with a gaze full of steadfast courage. "That loyalty of yours, show them you can protect it to the end," he declared with a tone as solid as the mountains that surrounded them.
As the valiant hero Arash prepared to atone for the unknown secrets that weighed heavy on his heart, he spoke the sacred words that resonated with an otherworldly power. "O secret Lord in heaven, radiant Lord, merciful who bestowed upon me wisdom and strength," he began in a reverent tone, acknowledging the divine being that had guided his path thus far. With unwavering faith, he continued, "I call upon thee to witness my heart, my thoughts, and everything I have achieved."
In a moment of profound introspection, Arash turned his gaze skyward, addressing the very essence of creation itself. "Now creator of the moon and stars, behold my deeds, my death, and the spenta Armaiti," he intoned, his words carrying an air of solemnity and resignation. With each syllable, he felt the weight of his destiny pressing down upon him, a burden he had long carried with unyielding resolve.
As he grasped the bow with a steady hand, his eyes fixed on the distant Holy Lance, Arash felt a surge of determination welling up within him. "As I unleash this final arrow," he vowed, his voice resolute and unwavering, "let my very being…be shredded into dust." In that fleeting moment of clarity, he knew that his sacrifice would not be in vain, that his legacy would endure long after his mortal form had been consumed by the winds of time.
With a fierce cry that echoed across the battlefield, Arash drew back the bowstring, channelling all his remaining strength and resolve into a single, decisive shot. The arrow, christened with the name "Stella," soared through the air with a brilliance that outshone even the sun. The valiant hero Arash launched his final attack with unwavering determination. As he released the arrow, it soared through the sky, reaching towards the heavens with remarkable speed and precision.
The arrow, imbued with Arash's energy and purpose, flew unerringly towards its target—the Holy Lance. Crackling with magical energy, the arrow struck the lance, the clash of forces echoing across the battlefield. The impact was monumental, as the magical energy surrounding the arrow collided with the ancient power of the Holy Lance, creating a dazzling display of light and sound.
In that climactic moment, as the Holy Lance began to shatter under the force of Arash's attack, a wave of awe and disbelief swept through the onlookers. The legendary weapon, believed to be invincible, was now fractured and falling apart.
As the Holy Lance crumbled into pieces, a solemn silence descended upon the battlefield. Arash's essence, his heroic spirit that had fueled this final, devastating attack, began to dissipate. The hero himself, having given everything in this last incredible feat, started to fade away, his form slowly disintegrating. And thus, in a final act of heroism, Arash, the valiant archer, met his fate with courage and resolve.
Just as Fujimaru and his companions turned their heads towards the valiant hero, all they could see was the heartbreaking sight of the shattered essence of Arash. Upon witnessing the tragic spectacle, a heavy silence enveloped them, each one struck by a profound sense of loss as they grieved for their fallen comrade, Arash, whose noble sacrifice had brought them to this sombre moment. Disbelief and sorrow mingled in the air as they stood frozen in time, remembering the bravery and camaraderie that had bound them together during their perilous journey.
Bedivere, known for his unwavering loyalty and deep sense of duty, felt a surge of emotions welling up inside him, threatening to spill over in the form of tears. Despite the pain of their recent loss, a fierce determination ignited within Bedivere's gaze as he solemnly proclaimed, with a quiver in his voice, "No matter the cost, I pledge on my honour that this time, without fail, I shall confront my king and end his reign of tyranny with my own hands, even if it means facing the ultimate sacrifice myself."
The weight of Bedivere's oath hung heavy in the air, mingling with the echoes of Arash's heroic final act and the unspoken bond that connected them all. In that moment of profound sadness and newfound resolve, the group stood united in their shared purpose, ready to confront the challenges that awaited them as they embarked on the next chapter of their epic quest.
**********Several Days Later********
Below the towering mountain where the ancient mausoleum stood, the Old Man Of The Mountain, who bore the name Ziusudra, finally beckoned forth Sir Bedivere to put his resolve to the test. With a voice as old as the stones surrounding them, the Old Man proclaimed solemnly, "The toll of the evening bell echoes the will of the heavens." Prompted by these cryptic words, Sir Bedivere inquired, his tone tinged with confusion, "Old man of the mountain, why do you present me with such a sight? Why must this decision be made now, at this moment in time?"
Ziusudra, his gaze as piercing as the mountain winds, responded to the perplexed knight, "O wandering Knight, there exists but one path through which you may free the one you serve. However, take heed, for once your task is done, your very soul shall bear the weight of its accomplishment, tearing it asunder. And nevermore shall you be called upon by the heavens." Undeterred by the foreboding warning, Sir Bedivere rose to his full height and proclaimed with unwavering determination, "It is my fate to see this through, to seek my redemption."
In a tone that hinted at both caution and respect, Ziusudra offered one final piece of guidance: "Wear your resolve openly; let all witness its unyielding strength. For without this steadfastness, the fulfilment of your destiny shall remain elusive, and my blade shall not be lent to one whose purpose falters." And thus, amidst the echoes of the mountain and the weight of destiny pressing upon them, Sir Bedivere departed the mausoleum.
After Sir Bedivere encountered the old man of the mountain, a mysterious figure hidden within the secluded depths of the village, Fujimaru and Mash felt compelled to approach him, their curiosity piqued by the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air. Fujimaru, the ever-inquisitive seeker, was eager to ascertain the details of Bedivere's meeting with the enigmatic mountain sage, his inquiry hanging in the air with anticipation. "Did you come face-to-face with the old man of the mountain?" Fujimaru's voice was laced with a mix of wonder and concern, reflecting the gravity of the encounter.
In response, Sir Bedivere, the knight with a heart burdened by a past that resonated with challenges and revelations, chose his words carefully. "Display my determination... That is what he required of me," he revealed, his voice carrying a tone of solemn resolve, hinting at the depths of the pact forged in the shadows of the ancient meeting.
With a sense of shared destiny lingering between them, Sir Bedivere turned to Mash, the steadfast shieldmaiden. In a moment of clarity, his gaze locked with hers, and he spoke with a knowing certainty that transcended mere words. "I know the name of the heroic spirit who resides within you," he declared.
Back at the Holy City, Sir Lancelot, filled with a sense of urgency, found himself in a state of disbelief upon learning that the Holy Lance had been fired at innocent villagers. Determined to uncover the truth behind this grave atrocity, he turned to Sir Agravin for an explanation. In a solemn voice tinged with regret, Sir Agravin hesitated before revealing, "I thought I told you. The old man of the mountain... there was a need to absolutely make sure that the leader of those assassins was laid to rest."
Upon hearing this, Sir Lancelot's brows furrowed in deep contemplation as he locked eyes with Sir Agravin and delivered a piercing question, "Were those thoughts, Sir Agravin, or were they our King's?" The weight of his words lingered in the air, demanding clarity and accountability for the reckless actions that had transpired.
Just as the tension between the two knights reached its peak, the formidable Lion King, a towering figure of authority and power, intervened with a chilling proclamation, "The sacred lance has now entered the final stages. The tower at the end of the world will finally be welcoming us." His words held an ominous prophecy, hinting at a destiny shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.
Undeterred by the complexities of the situation, the Lion King's resolve remained steadfast as he further declared, "Therefore, I hit all of the rebellious forces at once." His resolute tone left no room for doubt, symbolising his unwavering commitment to maintaining order and justice in the face of adversity. With a sense of grim determination, the Lion King concluded, "Even if the survivor were to invade the Holy City... Sir Gawain can manage their extermination on its own."
Sir Lancelot, with intense conviction, turned towards the Lion King and spoke in a voice that demanded attention, "But if that's the case, there was no need for enforcement. If the defence of the Holy City is complete, there is no need to so recklessly rob the villagers of their lives." His words hung in the air, charged with a sense of duty and honour, before he was abruptly interrupted by the sudden entrance of a mysterious figure into the grand palace chamber.
The figure, shrouded in shadow, slowly revealed himself to be none other than Sir Tristan, whose supposed demise in battle had become a tragic tale whispered among the knights. As the astonishment rippled through the room, Sir Tristan fixed his gaze on Lancelot and delivered his chilling message, "The threats that disturb the king's heart yet live. That village hasn't been eliminated, unbelievable as it may be." The weight of his words echoed in the silent hall, underscoring the gravity of the situation at hand.
With a solemnity that pierced the tension-filled atmosphere, Sir Tristan proceeded to unveil further unsettling truths. "They blocked the king's light completely. Arash Kamangir, one with impeccable skills, true to his legend." The gravity of his revelations deepened as he added, "And one more thing." In that charged moment, Sir Agravin's inquiry prompted Sir Tristan to disclose another startling revelation: "I saw him among the rebels, our sworn friend Sir Bedivere."
The once regal and serene Lion King's Palace was now engulfed in a palpable sense of unease and uncertainty. The knights, gripped by the revelations unfolding before them, found themselves teetering on the precipice of a conflict that threatened not just their king but the very essence of their sacred brotherhood.