The rogue Matron's lakes glowed brighter with each passing night as more eggs hatched, releasing a new generation of Inphel into the world. The hatchlings, a seamless blend of human and alien traits, moved with an innate curiosity, their glowing eyes scanning their surroundings with wonder.
The Vanguard arrived at the edge of the largest lake, their movements cautious but deliberate. Arthur led the way, Excalibur sheathed but ready. Bandruí walked beside him, her fae guardians hovering protectively.
The rogue Matron emerged from the water, her luminous form reflecting the ethereal glow of her brood. "You've come," she said, her voice calm but resonant.
Arthur nodded. "We have. It's time we understood what you've created—and what it means for all of us."
The hatchlings gathered behind the rogue Matron, their movements fluid and graceful. They ranged in size and appearance, some resembling their human progenitors more closely, while others bore more prominent Inphel traits.
One stepped forward—a young woman with translucent skin and faintly glowing hair. She regarded the Vanguard with wide, unblinking eyes. "Who are they?" she asked, her voice a soft blend of curiosity and awe.
The rogue Matron placed a hand on her shoulder. "They are our neighbours. Our potential allies—or adversaries."
Arthur's gaze softened slightly. "We are neither yet. The choice is yours."
Firebrand muttered under his breath, his flames flickering faintly. "This feels like a bad idea."
Shadowleaf shot him a sharp look. "Keep it together. They're not attacking us."
"But they could," he countered, his voice low but tense. "And then what? Hope they remember how to play nice?"
Bandruí stepped forward, her presence calm but commanding. "Fear will only make this worse. They are not their ancestors. Let them prove that."
The young hatchling tilted her head, her glowing eyes fixed on Bandruí. "You're not like the others," she said softly. "You feel... different."
Bandruí smiled faintly. "And you are not like those who came before you. Perhaps that is why we're here—to find a way forward."
The rogue Matron gestured toward the water, where more hatchlings swam beneath the surface. "They are learning. Exploring. Each one carries the memories of the past, but they are not bound by them. They can choose a new path."
Arthur watched the hatchlings, his expression thoughtful. "Memory can be a gift—or a curse. If they choose peace, we will stand with them. But if they choose conquest..."
"They won't," the rogue Matron interrupted, her voice firm. "I have ensured it. They will grow with the knowledge of both worlds—human and Inphel. They will understand the cost of war and the value of coexistence."
Christopher exhaled a plume of smoke, his tone sceptical. "And if one of them decides to ignore your lessons? What then?"
The rogue Matron's gaze hardened. "Then they will answer to me."
The Vanguard and the hatchlings spent hours in cautious interaction. Bandruí knelt by the water's edge, her fae guardians flitting around her as she spoke with the young hatchling.
"What do you want?" she asked gently.
The hatchling hesitated, her glowing eyes reflecting the light of the lake. "To understand. To belong. We learn from the mistakes of the past, but we don't want to repeat them."
Bandruí smiled. "Then perhaps you have already taken the first step."
News of the first contact spread quickly, reaching Camelot and the resistance networks across Europe. Reactions were mixed—some saw the hatchlings as a sign of hope, while others viewed them as a ticking time bomb.
In a crowded pub on Camelot's outskirts, a heated debate erupted.
"They're monsters!" a man shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "We should've wiped them out when we had the chance."
"And what makes us better if we do that?" a woman countered. "They're just children. They haven't done anything wrong."
"They will," the man growled. "Mark my words."
A psychic wave rippled across the planet, reaching the rogue Matron and the Vanguard. It was the voice of the High Matron, cold and seething.
"You defy me," she croaked, her voice filled with venom. "You abandon your purpose and your people. But you cannot escape your nature. You will fail, and when you do, I will destroy everything you have created."
The rogue Matron's expression did not falter. "You are wrong, Mother. This is not failure. This is evolution."
Arthur turned to the rogue Matron, his expression grim. "Her patience is wearing thin. If she decides to act, will you be ready?"
The rogue Matron's gaze was steady. "I will be. But I cannot do it alone."
As the Vanguard prepared to leave, Arthur addressed the rogue Matron one last time. "You've taken a step toward something new. But steps alone won't change the world. The path you're on will test you—and us."
The rogue Matron nodded. "Then let us walk it together, King of Men. And let us hope it leads somewhere worth reaching."