Cornered

"How can you forget something so important?" Iris inquired as we strolled back to camp from the library.

"I got sidetracked with everything else, alright?" I responded with a sigh. "Between dealing with daemons, training, and overseeing the unit..."

"And a lot of making out," Iris interjected with a sly grin.

I gave her a playful shove. "Yeah, that too."

She smirked, satisfied with my reaction. "So, when is he arriving?" she asked, giving me a knowing look.

"Tomorrow. Though I'm not sure of the exact time," I replied, furrowing my brow as I tapped my earbud. "Minerva, what time is Gawain expected tomorrow?"

"Late morning," the AI responded. "But there's something else."

"Oh? Is he bringing gifts?" I raised an eyebrow, half-joking.

"No, nothing like that. I just received a message from Ace," Minerva's usually composed voice carried a hint of annoyance, as if mentioning her twin left a bad taste in her digital mouth. "The High Queen will be accompanying High Prince Gawain."

"Guinevere? Why?" I asked, taken aback.

"I haven't gotten the reason, and I am not obliged to ask that annoying floppy disc," Minerva replied, her tone chilly.

I sighed. "Honestly, Minerva, Ace is your sister."

"And an incredibly annoying one at that."

"Fine," I relented, ending the conversation.

Iris shook her head with a knowing smile. "Minerva could really use a vacation. But I get where she's coming from. Ace gets all the fun—adventures with Merlin—while Minerva's stuck here, overseeing criminals and dealing with horny teenagers, sending them off to their deaths."

"Merlin's a real piece of work," I muttered.

"Absolutely. It's no wonder Minerva's a bit cantankerous and cold," Iris replied, her tone lightening.

I looked at her, impressed. "Cantankerous? Impressive vocabulary."

She winked at me. "I'm a bloody genius, okay?"

"Of course you are," I said, rolling my eyes.

She chuckled and said. "Anyway, the High Queen's up for a visit? No wonder the Commander's been tidying up his office."

"And what about you?" Iris turned to me, her expression softening. "How do you feel about seeing your stepmother after all this time?"

Her question caught me off guard. How would I feel seeing Guinevere?

After all, she was one of the few who had shown kindness to the old Mordred.

After Morgause passed away, Guinevere stepped in to care for her best friend's children, including the outcast Mordred.

She even sneaked into the Dawn Palace to nurse baby Mordred after putting her own child, Elaine, to sleep.

Yeah. She is an awesome person in my eyes. The High King should take some notes on parenting from her.

Now, dear readers, Guinevere may be a benevolent queen, cherished by the people of the Kingdom, but her kindness should never be mistaken for weakness.

Through my fragmented memories and the knowledge I've gleaned about this world, I've understood that Guinevere's compassion is matched only by her ferocity in battle.

She is one of the strongest Coders in the world after all.

My mother, Morgause, was a powerful sword master whose blood thirst was even greater than Guinevere's.

Together, they were a fierce duo on the battlefield, renowned as the Mad Warmaidens.

Yep. My mother and Guinevere were badasses.

But there's something weird. Mordred only ever addressed Guinevere by her name, no familial title like "aunt."

So how should I address her?

Calling her by her name feels too personal, too awkward, especially given our... weird history.

Yeah, in my past life, Guinevere temporarily became my wife when I assumed the throne. And she was still my aunt in that world.

Now I'm feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

I shook my head, snapping back to the present. "I have no idea."

Iris grinned, "Better start thinking, then. You've got all night." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh yes, aren't we supposed to welcome the new recruits tomorrow?"

I nodded, frowning. "But that's the same time Gawain and the High Queen are arriving. I won't be able to see them."

"Oh, you'll see them," Iris stopped in front of me, locking eyes with mine. "I'll take care of the recruits. You go meet up with your brother."

"Are you sure?" I gazed into her sparkling blue eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation.

"I'll assign another Deathwalker to handle the male recruits, but I'll personally greet and discipline the recruits at the entrance," she assured me.

She shrugged, adding with a wry smile, "As you know, my familial situation is one big steaming pile of dragon poo. I don't want anyone else to experience the same difficulties."

I stared at her, surprised by her sudden understanding. "Since when did you become so compassionate?"

That remark earned me a punch to the gut.

"Oh, shut it," Iris retorted, turning on her heel and striding ahead.

"Come on, Mordred! We've got a simulation session scheduled for this afternoon," she called over her shoulder.

Rubbing my aching stomach, I caught up to her. "Ow. I swear, I'm going to cleave you in half."

Iris smirked, "Oh, I'm going to enjoy the slaughter."

I raised an eyebrow, cautioning her, "If you do manage to kill me, don't do anything weird with my body, even in a simulation."

She feigned shock. "You think I'm some kind of pervert?"

"Of course you are," I deadpanned. "Just yesterday, I caught you sniffing my boxers."

"I was just checking if they were properly cleaned!" she protested.

"By burying your nose in them? That's just gross," I retorted.

"Fine! I'm a pervert! You happy?" she exclaimed, throwing up her hands and shooting me a glare.

"You are so dead, Mordred."

*******

"Damn it! She's too fast!" Ava cursed as we leaped from building to building, our gaze locked on the fleeting shadow darting through the labyrinthine streets of the abandoned city.

"Stay focused, Ava. We still have eyes on her," I reassured her, bringing up the holographic map of the area.

A rapidly moving dot on the map indicated the whereabouts of our quarry.

I scanned the map as we raced across the rooftops of dilapidated buildings, their structures crumbling from years of neglect.

This was just a simulation, but the stakes felt real.

Krystal and Apollo ran ahead of me, utilizing their respective abilities to hasten our pursuit.

To my left, Carlo crackled with crimson lightning, channeling Fulgur to enhance his speed.

On my right, Artemis maneuvered with her Yoyo, propelling herself forward by flinging it toward nearby structures.

Ava covered our rear, her claws glinting under the crimson sun peeking through the heavy clouds as she sprinted, relying solely on her physical prowess.

"We could cut her off and box her in," Carlo suggested, his eyes fixed on the flickering shadow ahead.

"But she can use shadow travel," Artemis pointed out, her tone calm despite the adrenaline pumping through us all.

I shook my head. "Shadow traveling is highly taxing. She's likely to save it for emergencies."

Glancing at Carlo, I instructed, "You and Apollo, bring down the buildings around her. It'll put pressure on her and restrict her movements."

He nodded, relaying the plan to Apollo. "You heard that?"

"Yep!" Apollo replied with a grin, "Let's rattle the viper."

With that, he and Carlo leaped off the building, heading straight for the streak of darkness that was Iris.

"Ava. You and Krystal block her off. Use ice walls, buildings, anything," I instructed the young Baskerville behind me.

"Got it!" Ava replied, leaping ahead to join Krystal.

Releasing a powerful shockwave, they rushed ahead.

Artemis and I halted at the edge of the rooftop, peering down at the street below.

My gaze tracked the black streak darting along the road, effortlessly navigating obstacles with precision.

"You think she is doing that on purpose or is it the power of her strand emanating from her?" Artemis asked, her voice tinged with admiration.

I shrugged. "Well, she is boosting her speed with Tenebris. Plus, it makes her look cool."

Artemis nodded in approval, "Yeah. She does look pretty cool."

Just as she spoke, a deep rumbling filled the air, drawing our attention.

As we watched, multiple buildings along the street began to crumble, cascading down like towering stacks of blocks.

In the distance, I felt a surge of ardor and saw massive jagged walls of ice rising up between the buildings.

Another surge of ardor, and I observed dilapidated structures collapsing, engulfed in silver flames.

This wasn't just about catching Iris. It was about controlling the battlefield, forcing her into a corner where her options would dwindle.

"Looks like everyone has started," Artemis remarked, her golden eyes fixed on the buildings ablaze with silver flames.

"Indeed," I agreed, casting a glance at her. "I guess we ambush her."

"You. Not me," Artemis replied, striding toward the opposite edge of the building, which dropped into an alley below.

"There's a possibility that she might attempt to escape through the underground sewers or subway tunnels. I'll handle that," she explained, then smoothly dropped down into the alley below without a sound.

I sighed, knowing that while the plan was solid, Iris was anything but predictable.

This was going to be a tough one.

"I guess it's up to me," I muttered, focusing on the task at hand.

Lightning crackled, and chains clanked as Carlo and Apollo brought down buildings upon our quarry, who effortlessly stayed ahead of the falling debris and lightning strikes.

As she neared the walls of ice and burning buildings on the road, it became apparent that Iris would soon run out of space to maneuver.

Just as I was about to jump off the roof, a mechanical cry pierced the air.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," I remarked as a mechanical falcon appeared in the sky above me.

His silver feathers gleamed in the sunlight, and his glowing blue eyes locked onto mine.

Perry was here.

With another shrill cry, the falcon tucked in its wings and hurtled toward me.

"Sorry, Perry. But I am not playing with you," I murmured, holding out my arm.

The white Ouroboros bracelet adorning my wrist shimmered, its emerald green eyes glowing. With a hiss, the white snake unfurled its body and lunged toward the approaching mechanima in a flash.

In a blur of motion, Basil expanded into her full form, her white metallic scales shimmering as she swiftly wrapped her elongated body around the silver falcon mechanima.

A cacophony of cries and hisses filled the air as the two mechanima engaged in a fierce midair struggle, ultimately crashing into the opposite building.

I winced at the sound of metal clashing. I know it's a simulation but still, that noise keeps me on edge.

A grin spread across my face as my gaze landed on Iris, her bright blue eyes and the bright blue ends of her black hair standing out even in the dim light of the simulation.

Drawing my sword, I stepped to the edge of the roof and ran my finger along the sharp white blade with emerald edges.

"Time to cleave you in half, love," I declared and jumped, the thrill of the hunt pulsing through me.