No matter how high the casualties were, Morgan and Lott had decided: that the knights would press forward and attack the fairies without hesitation. They would handle Melusine themselves. If everyone focused on attacking Melusine, they would fall into the trap set by the Wind Clan's patriarch, who wouldn't hesitate to use any means, even attacking her own ally, Melusine, if it served her purpose.
Morgan and Lott knew they had to keep Melusine occupied. This wasn't a battle where anyone could step in; it required someone with immense strength.
"Melusine, we meet again," Morgan called out, her voice calm and steady as she addressed her opponent. Before the battle commenced, she wanted to acknowledge their past encounters.
Melusine turned her gaze towards Morgan, her expression composed. "Yes, here we are again."
She then glanced at Lott, who stood beside Morgan. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn't place where she had seen him before. No matter, she thought. Once she dealt with Morgan, she would figure it out.
On the other side, Morgan continued, "I'm giving you one last chance, Melusine. Lay down your weapons and surrender, and I promise you will be safe."
Before Melusine could respond, the Wind Clan's patriarch, emboldened by the protection of her fairies, stepped forward and shouted, "Impossible! You've come at the perfect time. Melusine, get rid of her!"
"You don't deserve to speak to me," Morgan replied disdainfully, her gaze piercing. "Your strength might be adequate, but your character is pitifully lacking. I have no respect for you."
The Wind Clan patriarch's face twisted in anger, and she barked orders at Melusine, "Go on, what are you waiting for? Attack her!"
"Yes," Melusine replied quietly, drawing her swords and charging toward Morgan. She believed that if she could defeat Morgan, the battle would be over, and the casualties on both sides would cease to matter.
Morgan turned to her knights and commanded, "Charge!" She had full faith in Lott to protect her. While there was a part of her that was concerned, she knew that her knights were well-trained and wouldn't falter.
As the knights surged forward, the Wind Clan patriarch shouted, "Release your magic!"
The air lit up with a brilliant display of magic, aimed directly at Camelot's knights. Despite the heavy casualties, the knights pressed on, knowing that if they could just break through, victory would be theirs.
The memory of the patriarch's cowardly retreat yesterday had left a bitter taste, and the knights were determined not to let it affect their morale today.
Seeing Melusine charging toward them, Lott unsheathed Vasilis. He knew he couldn't match Melusine's strength alone. However, he only needed to hold her off for a little while until reinforcements arrived.
But before he could act, someone rushed past him, much faster than he could have anticipated.
"Your Majesty Lott, leave this to me!" Altria's voice rang out as she sprinted forward, determination radiating from her every step. On her back, a long case was strapped, clearly containing a weapon.
Morgan and Lott exchanged a glance. So, she had made her choice. They could see that Altria was carrying Rhongomyniad, the Holy Spear.
I hope she won't lose herself to this power, they both thought silently.
Rhongomyniad was more than just a weapon; it was an anchor that stabilized the surface of the world. Just wielding it wouldn't bring catastrophic change, but it could affect Altria deeply.
If the world changes because of this... well, that might not be such a bad thing, Lott and Morgan both mused. After all, the fantastical power the spear held could strengthen Camelot.
Outside the battlefield, Merlin watched from a distance, his expression thoughtful.
"Giving Altria the spear might add strength to Morgan and Lott's side. It's certainly better than doing nothing," he murmured to himself. "But is it really the right thing?"
Merlin's gaze shifted to the fairies, his mind drifting. The fairies' presence here was an effect of the parallel worlds. He wondered what his own life might be like in another version of the world. Perhaps, in that other world, he wasn't dealing with a ruthless Lott and his formidable wife.
Why is it always me who gets hurt? Merlin thought with a sigh, feeling an uncharacteristic pang of self-pity.
On the battlefield, Melusine tilted her head as she watched Altria approach.
"You're not my opponent," she said dismissively. Yesterday's battle had proven that, in her eyes. She had defeated Altria then, and nothing had changed.
Altria's response was firm. "The outcome of a battle can't be decided before the fight is over."
Without another word, she drew Caliburn and Excalibur, charging straight at Melusine. She hadn't yet revealed the Holy Spear on her back.
"Is that so?" Melusine smirked and met Altria's charge with a flurry of attacks.
The clash of their swords rang out across the battlefield. Melusine's movements were precise, her strikes hitting their marks with unrelenting force. But Altria, too, had learned from their previous encounter. Her instincts had sharpened, her reflexes honed by the intensity of their past battle.
As they fought, Melusine's attacks grew more fierce, both swords swinging with deadly accuracy. Altria, relying on her intuition, dodged and parried, countering whenever she found an opening. Her improvement was undeniable.
Despite Melusine's superior strength, Altria held her ground. She was no longer the same as she had been the day before.
Still, Melusine's physical stamina was far greater. If the fight continued like this, Altria would be worn down. The inevitable result would be Melusine's victory.
Meanwhile, the knights had almost reached the fairies' line. Under the patriarch's orders, the Wind Clan unleashed a barrage of spells, aiming to decimate the advancing soldiers.
The front line of knights was hit hard, but Morgan was quick to react. With a wave of her hand, a protective barrier formed around the knights, shielding them from the worst of the magical onslaught. Under her protection, the knights closed the distance and engaged the fairies in close combat.
The Wind Clan's mages were caught off guard, their spells ineffective at such close range. Chaos erupted as the knights plunged into their ranks.
The Wind Clan patriarch's face turned pale. "Melusine! What are you waiting for? Finish this!" she screamed, panic evident in her voice.
Melusine felt a surge of relief at the command. It's better to end this quickly, she thought. I don't want to be forced to go back and save her like yesterday.
Her grip tightened on her swords as she pressed forward, determined to bring the fight to a swift conclusion. But as she advanced, Altria's expression shifted. She stepped back, then reached for the case strapped to her back.
Melusine's eyes narrowed as she saw the spear being drawn.
Altria, her heart steady and her resolve firm pulled Rhongomyniad from its case. The air seemed to hum with energy as she held the Holy Spear aloft.
"Let's see if you're as confident when I use my true strength," Altria said, her voice calm yet powerful.
Morgan and Lott watched from a distance, their hearts filled with both hope and apprehension. Whatever happened next, it would be a turning point, not just for the battle, but for Altria's future as well.
The clash of blades and the roar of battle faded into the background as Altria and Melusine faced off, both prepared to give everything in the fight ahead.