Lady in the Lake (2)

"Oh dear, you've improved again. I'm afraid I will run out of things to teach you."

An old man said as he was coming in from one of the side passages, witnessing the whole scene. He wore a worn-out gray robe and had an unkempt, wispy beard with long white hair.

"Grandpa Merlin, you're back."

Priscilla lost her stoic and fiery look and instantly became a little girl in front of him. She ran over to hug him, but he whacked her on the head with his walking stick.

"Hmph, do you want to crush this old man? You aren't little anymore."

Priscilla rubbed her head shyly and her face turned slightly red at the embarrassing scene. She pouted and puffed out her cheeks out of habit and almost began to fake cry. Merlin gave her a quick hug to cajole her.

"Bah, you're still so sly. I can't imagine where you learned that from."

Priscilla giggled and could only think 'obviously you' when he complained. Although old, Merlin could defeat any of the knights in the kingdom with just his walking stick. But instead, he pretended to be old and feeble so people often forgot he was a powerful wizard, so they gave him liberties.

"You've recently been activating your bloodline more often. Didn't I warn you that you're still too young to withstand it?"

Merlin noticed her golden eyes were reverting back to blue a lot slower than when she first activated it as a child. He had warned her that the dragon blood in her was stronger than any previous generation since the first Pendragon, because being born with this power was a lot different than acquiring it later in life.

"It's fine, I had to aid the researchers in finishing your newest spell. I did not expect to encounter an invader with a blessing on the same day. I promise I won't use it again in a short time."

"Lady in the Lake is finished? Why didn't you say so! Quickly, let's go test it."

Although he turned around excitedly, Priscilla could see the tang of guilt on his face. It was due to him trying to save her father's life that he tore the veil between worlds with forbidden magic. Although her father did live for a few more years, the invaders began showing up, throwing Camelot into chaos.

…

Research Facility Alpha

"Long live the Empress!" The room sounded out as soon as Priscilla and Merlin walked in through the magical elevator. The room was a lot cleaner than when she was here earlier. Since the spell had stabilized, much of the machinery and electronics that weren't necessary were removed. The four surfaces shimmered in a magical light as they gave a small preview of their destination.

"Master Merlin, these are the compiled files for the spell Lady in the Lake. We have included todays readings and all that's left is a live test."

While going over the data, one of the screens began rippling and the image turned blurry on the other side. Warning sirens began going off as a string of data was being collected by one of the researchers.

"Lady in the Lake is detecting a weakening in space around the western quadrant."

"Perfect, I shall take this opportunity to test two new spells today."

Merlin walked up to the watery screen that showed the image of a rampart, with Priscilla following close behind. Another guard wearing black and red stood close behind her.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you should sit this out, today has been arduous for you."

"No matter, I am just going to watch. Besides, I aided in completing Lady in the Lake personally, I am confident in its safety. Thank you for your concern, Sir Gawain."

Gawain nodded and followed the duo through the portal. It was an alien feeling, as if being wrapped in the arms of a mother. Although the screen was made of a liquid substance, no one's clothes were drenched. Instead, they each felt warm in the spells embrace, unwilling to leave. After what seemed like a long time, Gawain finally exited the spell, only to find himself in a new, yet familiar land.

"Sir Gawain, we thought we lost you in there. Do be careful, we do not know what will happen if you choose not to leave the embrace of Lady in the Lake."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have shown you something shameful."

"Cousin, don't mind the titles when its just us, we're all family here."

Gawain's stoic face showed a stubbornness to maintain his way of speaking, so Priscilla acquiesced. However, if anyone witnessed this scene, they'd be shocked, as three adults just walked out of a large lake without any signs of being drenched in water. Merlin had already begun to chant a spell which created a small wisp of light that began traveling on its own.

"Let's go, the anomaly is nearby."

Meanwhile, in a nearby village, a young girl was finishing bandaging a middle-aged gentleman with life-threatening wounds all over his body. She was collecting herbs when she encountered him, and her good nature wouldn't allow her to leave an injured person unattended. As she finished, the man seemed to regain consciousness and began to speak in a strange language. She thought he was a foreigner from across the border. She was about to ask him a question, until her door was forced open by a young soldier.

"Maia, who is this man? Don't you know the Empress has warned us not to take in strangers?"

"Christoph, I couldn't leave this man alone, my heart ached at the sight."

"You're too childish and soft-hearted. I don't wish to come home one day to find you've been hurt by your own kindness."

He had begun to raise his voice in anger, but it was due to his care for the girl. However, the stranger seemed to have delusions about the situation. The gears in his mind began to turn and he seemed to come to some sort of conclusion. His eyes turned red and the wounds tore open again. With the sudden surge of power, he sent a fist flying towards the 'villain' to protect the 'scared girl.'

However, just as he was about to kill the young soldier, a fist of chainmail snatched his wrist inches from the soldiers' head. Previously, Gawain had already noticed something wrong and charged forward. Seeing the 'invader' attacking a commoner, he immediately dropped pretenses and went into action. The middle-aged man, however, was a lot stronger than Gawain expected, and he was thrown out of the window, sending shards of glass everywhere. The man had gone into a frenzy at this point and charged out after him.

Merlin and Priscilla were already waiting by the side, with the spell Merlin was casting already finished. A series of runic drawings appeared in the air around the invader and burned into his skin. As the last one seared the flesh on his forehead, space twisted around him and he was sent through a crack. Merlin began to sway from lightheadedness but was caught by Priscilla.

"It's a success, the invader was banished back through the same crack he entered; however, the formula wasn't able to activate in time and the space in this area will remain weakened."

"Its alright Grandpa, you will figure it out. As long as we have Lady in the Lake, this place will be safe. Sir Gawain, are you alright?"

"Your Majesty, I've shown you two shameful things today, I have disgraced you."

Just then, the young soldier and girl both came out with pale faces. They did not know what was happening, but they recognized a knight of the royal guard. When they saw the beautiful and regal looking Priscilla, they immediately ran forward to kneel.

"Long Live the Empress!"

"Young lad, I can see you have a brave heart and strong resolve. You will make a great knight one day."

"Thank you, sir knight! It has always been my dream to join the Round Table!"

"Haha, it seems you have quite the story teller in this village, only the older generation remembers that name."

Merlin smiled while listening to their conversation. The mention of the Round Table really brought back old memories, some sad but many happy. However, when he gazed upon the young girl, he was shocked. He looked over at Priscilla and saw that she noticed the same thing.

"Young lady, what are you called?"

"Y-your Majesty, my name is Maia."

"It is a pretty name. We have seen your actions and find your kindness to be a strength and a weakness. We have also noticed your affinity with magic. Would you be interested in returning with Us and training as a druid?"

Maia was shocked, she had been without family since young, but the village raised her. She did not want to leave them after all they have given her. She also looked over at Christoph and was reluctant to leave his side. Her face started to turn red at her self-awareness. She didn't notice Priscilla smiling and rolling her eyes at the innocent girl.

"Of course, We would give you a salary of 1 gold a month. And a druid must have an escort to protect them when they go out, since this young soldier wishes to be a knight, he may come and squire at the castle to protect you in the future."

Having been seen through, Maia covered her face in embarrassment but nodded her head repeatedly in agreement. Christoph was shocked, but when he realized Priscilla's intentions he saluted and thanked her with a zealous look in his eyes. Gawain handed them a red and gold pin in the shape of a standing dragon with instructions. They explored the area for a while longer before returning to the lake.

"By your rightful rule, I bid thee, sword in the stone, Excalibur!" Priscilla chanted as she drew a normal steel sword from the scabbard. The magic imbued itself into the blade and caused gold and silver wire to sprout out from the guard and fuse into the sword. She then threw the sword into the lake, and as it sank, the water boiled until the scene of the research lab was clear.

"The path is opened, lets head back."

"I still think using that legend as the key to Lady in the Lake is a bit embarrassing…"

"Haha, grandpa Merlin, if you didn't want the world to know of the great Excalibur, why did you scam my father all those years ago."

"Sigh, I was young and foolish, turning a regular sword into a legend felt like a grand accomplishment at the time, but now I am ashamed."

The trio entered the shimmering portal once more and returned to the research lab. As they disappeared from the western lands, a pair of eyes, which seemed to hold the cosmos in their pupils, appeared in the sky and looked down at where they departed. Although only their eyes were visible, one could tell they were smiling. This only lasted for a few seconds before the eyes disappeared completely.