Chapter 170: Shadows of the Mirror Clan

Shadows of the Mirror Clan

In Britain, the fairies did not fully retreat into the Sea of the Planet; many still inhabited the human world. Among them was the Mirror Clan, a fairy clan renowned for their prophetic abilities. Once indifferent to their fates, the Mirror Clan now stood in fear, their predictions clouded and their visions obscured.

For them, the future had become an impenetrable mist, a vast expanse of whiteness with no clarity. This state of confusion had persisted for nearly ten years. For a clan that thrived on foresight, the inability to see the future was more unsettling than death itself. Even if they knew their entire clan was on the brink of annihilation, their responses were muted. Yet, this fog had warped their mentality; they grew increasingly manic, their emotions spiralling out of control.

It wasn't just the Mirror Clan; all fairies sensed a significant shift in their mentality as if something external was influencing their state. As they contemplated the source of this change, they recalled pivotal events from the past. Aside from the demise of the previous generation of Orkney and the rise of King Lott, no major occurrences had transpired. Yet, the future was deviating from the Mirror Clan's predictions.

Altria, the one who had drawn Caliburn from the stone, had not ascended to the throne. Instead, it was Lott and Morgan who had taken power, leading Britain in an unexpected direction. Contrary to their predictions, Morgan's actions had only fortified Camelot, further diverging from the future they envisioned.

Faced with this dissonance, the fairies resolved to alter the course of destiny itself. The first step in this plan involved dealing with Lott and Morgan. However, they recognized that defeating Lott alone would be a daunting task. Thus, they decided to ally with Vortigern, believing that together they could confront their common enemies.

Panic washed over the clan leader of the Mirror Clan as he surveyed the chaotic future. He made his way to the council hall of the fairy kingdom, where the clans lived closely together, despite their divisions. Upon entering, he found two goblins embroiled in a heated argument.

One of them, a towering figure with a werewolf-like body, voiced his frustration, "These humans have arrested our people! We should help them, and bring back our compatriots. Last time, many of my people were sent to the battlefield, and few returned. I endured that, but this time I can't stand by!"

Opposite him stood a gentle-looking blonde fairy with delicate wings—she was the patriarch of the Wind Clan. Her demeanour remained calm amidst the turmoil. "Please, calm down. The ones arrested are my people and those of the Earth Clan. There's no need to rush. What's your real worry?"

"I'm not here to sing your praises," he replied, his voice steadier now. "I just want to address the arrogance and greed of these humans."

Seeing his agitation settle, the patriarch of the Wind Clan replied, "Our goal is to restore balance to our world. We must face many challenges in this endeavour, and right now, we need a calm heart."

"The land we've chosen is currently under the influence of the false king. We must awaken her," she continued, referring to Altria, not Morgan. Despite the previous prophecies of the Mirror Clan, which foresaw Altria's rise to power, the reality was different. Morgan and Lott's policies were perceived as malevolent by the fairies, and this could not stand.

"We must make Altria a queen again," insisted the Wind Clan leader. "If she takes the throne, we can return to our rightful path, and our people may remain on this surface rather than retreating to the depths of the stars."

With this in mind, they had crafted Excalibur, intending to present it to Altria at the right moment. However, they were caught off guard when Excalibur vanished from their grasp, only to reappear at Altria's side. Confusion swept through the fairies.

"How did this happen?" one of them gasped. "We meant for Altria to receive it from us, not like this!"

The realization that Lott had bestowed the sword upon Altria sent shockwaves through the fairies. "Why is she grateful to that insufferable Lott?" they lamented, disbelief evident in their voices.

"If Merlin heard this, he'd be thrilled to have someone share his sentiments!" one fairy exclaimed, sarcastically. "Finally, someone sees Lott and Morgan as I do."

The patriarch of the Tooth Clan, regaining his composure, proposed, "What should we do next? We should use this opportunity. With the three of them isolated, we can attack Lott and his allies. We could eliminate them all!"

"Do you think brute force will suffice?" countered the Wind Clan leader. "If the Tooth Clan can't even manage that, they aren't trustworthy allies. I suggest a more subtle approach with Lott, Morgan, and their kin."

The two leaders faced each other, their disagreement was palpable. Each held firm to their perspective—one advocating for a direct assault, the other favouring cunning strategies.

"Why take the long route?" the patriarch of the Tooth Clan scoffed. "A swift strike is the best way to achieve our goals."

But the Wind Clan patriarch cautioned, "What if we lose? Lott and Morgan have defeated Vortigern. They won't hesitate to crush a few fairies clans that defy them. We cannot afford a reckoning if Camelot's army comes knocking."

Caught in this deadlock, both patriarchs contemplated their options, realizing that separation might offer a better outcome. However, they also understood that history would not allow such a division. With the humans holding the upper hand, if the fairies splintered further, they would be left vulnerable.

And so, they could only brace themselves for what was to come.