Chapter 17: The Masked Man

Though Guinevere was King Arthur's Queen, it was just for show Guinevere's real lover was Lancelot.

During the fierce battle of Camelot, Guinevere lost her life Protecting the People of Camelot During the Knight's Action her death resulted to the corruption of Lancelot's Soul during it's transfer.

It has ever since plagued all the Avatars/Vessels of Lancelot's soul whenever they lost someone they romantically love.

This extreme distress gave birth to the Creature of pure hatred and rage.

Present Day

Markus continiously attacked the creature using the Caliburn.

Markus can feel the sword draining his Aura but he kept on going, the masked man continued on absorbing the Creature using the King's authority.

"Hey Princess if he continued using that sword without proper training he'll drain his Aura and ones he drain his Aura the sword with start to drain his life, you have to help me, use your chi to redirect the creature's aura to me and After that Marwin will be free of it's control, and then kill me to end the cycle of the creature" The Masked man said

"Why are you doing this? and that nickname? how the fuck did you know I can redirect Aura using my Chi?" Margarette said

"That doesn't matter, my goal is to end that Creature for good, I know it's full capability, I know how dangerous it is if kept uncheck, it destroyed my world" The masked man said

"Your world?" Margarette asked confused

"JUST DO IT! WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TIME, IF THIS CONTINUES YOU WILL LOSE THE MAN YOU LOVED" The Masked man said

Margarette transformed into her Queen's Mode and started using her chi to redirect the Creature's Aura into the Mask man, it started to Crack his Mask.

"Keep on Going!" The Masked man said

The creature regained some of it's strength and casted a barrage of sharp ice and started shooting Margarette but Markus in his Partial King's Mode, started protecting Margarette and fighting the Creature while it's Aura is being Absorbed by the Masked man.

As all of them are trying their best to save Marwin, the Cold Titan's mind is in complete darkness

He was standing in a dark void, he looked at every direction until he saw himself, he first thought it's just a reflection of himself but it's not, he felt that whatever he is looking at is just another him.

"Feel's weird looking at yourself right?" The other him said

"Who are you? are you the creature?" Marwin asked

"Well, I used to be, when I was in your place, well I am you, just a different you" The other him said

"What do you mean?" Marwin said

"Just hold on, your ally are saving you, once you knew who I am it's hard not to disclose anything, I am here to save you, from yourself, because you still have a lot of things to do a world to protect, a child to love" The other him said

"What child? what do you mean? do you mean Saki?" Marwin asked

"No, your child" The other him said as the image of the other him started warping, aging until the man became the masked man.

The creature slowly fades away, The masked man's Mask fall's apart and fell into his face, unconscious, Marwin Regained his control while Markus passed out due to extreme exhaustion.

Marwin stood up and cares Margarette's cheeks and smiles, he then continued to walk towards the masked man and rolled him over to see his face, and the realization hits him.

"Oh my god, what have I done, or? what did you do? why are you here? did we fucked up in the future?" Marwin trying to asked a passed out person out of confusion.

Margarette walked towards Marwin and was surprised to see what the man looks like under his mask.

"That scalera, why is it black? who is he?" Margarette said

"I was able to talk to him in my dream, he's me, not a clone or a copy, he's another me, I don't know how it's possible but I was able to tap into his earliest memories and he is me" Marwin said

Margarette Covered the face of the Masked man trying to hide his face from the others.

2 days later.

The Excalibur was kept away from Markus in the mean time as it continues to absorb his Aura dry, it was kept in a laboratory and incased in a synthetic force field created using an avenium core

Avenium is a metal discovered by Leonel and Marwin it can only be found in the Quezon Province of Laguna

Marwin and Margarette looked at the Unconscious Masked man as he slowly opens his eyes.

"You're finally awake, it took you 2 days, the creature has not yet corrupted you, I wonder why" Marwin said

"Because, I already had it inside me, to be exact, I already have another creature in me, so taking another does not corrupt me easily" The man said

"Who are you?" Marwin asked

Marwin gestured Margarette leave him and the man alone.

"If you need anything just call me" Margarette said.

The man introduced himself.

"I am you, Not a clone, not a copy, I am you, just not from this world" The Man said

"What can I call you? it would be confusing if I call you Marwin" Marwin said

"Call Me Tako then" Tako said

"That's my mother's family name" Marwin said

"Our mother's family name, as what I've said I am you, just not from this world" Tako said

"What do you mean not from this world?" Marwin asked

"Well, you are a genius, I think you already figured that out, I'm from an alternate reality, I was accidentally sent to this reality after mine was destroyed by my failure to stop Dratos and the Creature from fusing, everyone died, while I was sent here, in another Reality and a few years back" Tako said

"How old are you? and how different is this reality from yours?" Marwin asked

"I'm 62, I'm 10 years older than you, first of all, I was never an Arthur in my Universe well not until Markus Died, my goal here to eliminate all the things that gave way for him dying, this red eyes on my right side of my face is not Leonel's this is Markus' I can't tell you everything but you have to protect him no matter what, he is much special to you, and he is our only hope if you don't want this reality to end like mine, protect the kid" Tako said

"Okay then, I think I know myself enough to listen, if you can't disclose anything else, I won't press you, but you have to keep wearing a mask, do you know what the black knight is?" Marwin asked

"Yeah, we killed him" Tako said

"Yeah I did here, and you know what else?" Marwin asked again

"That knight is another Version of us from a different reality I know" Tako said

"Well, no one else knew about that, since you have to keep wearing a mask to protect your identity, I made an exact replica of the Black knight's Armor, wear it for the mean time"

"I guess you never knew he was a version of you" Tako said

"Well, I had a guess now that I've confirmed it I don't know what to do and think knowing that an infinite version of me exists somewhere, and why just me? why just us" Marwin said

"I've been here for many years and I've wondered why I'm here, why me?" Tako said

Meanwhile.....

Mistenial Empire Capital

The Central Cathedral was covered in Gold like metal, the walls of the Castle shimmers in Gold chrome, yet the building around them looks similar to that of the 18th century England, yet it boast modern technology everywhere.

In the Throne Room of the Central Cathedral.

Mordred was throwing a fit after knowing Tako's Betrayal.

"I knew that trash is up to something! did anyone find out his real identity?" Mordred said towards his inner circle.

No one answers.

Mordred started to flip all the objects in the throne room and berating all his Top knights, the knights just stood there and took the berating unfazed.

as Mordred was throwing a fit a man entered the room.

"Highness! The project was a complete! the vessel is ready!" The man said

Mordred's face lit up after hearing the news.

"TAKE UP YOUR SWORDS AND PREPARE FOR THE RITUAL!" Mordred announced.

Everyone went to the research facility in the Imperial Capitol.

There was a ritualistic Circle and in the center was the Cryopod of the Clone they have stolen in Japan.

One of Mordred's Trusted Knight, Leonor Hard-Born went into Mordred's side and said

"Your Highness are you sure we can do the ritual right now? even without the Excalibur? or the Caliburn?" She said

"We have successfully created something that could make this possible, unlike before the Technology of this era is advanced enough thanks to the research of the Titan Knights, now we can use them to Destroy Humanity and the Titans As well, if only they stopped creating weapons but thankfully they don't even learn from the mistakes of those that came before them" Mordred said

"Your highness? are you saying you have successfully created a sacred weapon?" Leonor asked shocked

Mordred Laughed maniacally as one of the servants hands him the new Sacred weapon they have just developed.

"WITH THIS WE CAN FINALLY DESTROY THE TITAN KNIGHTS AND THE ENTIRE HUMANITY!" Mordred Announced.

Mordred went into the cryopod and placed the sword inside with the body of the Clone, everyone kneeled encircling the pod.

And the Ritual started.

One of the servants went outside and started to chant a spell.

a bird materialized and started flying away.

"May this reach you and the Titans, please save us too, we need you as well" The servant said.

Meanwhile....

Margarette, Markus, Riafe and Amy was in the huge Training room inside the Camelot

(TITAN's Huge Mobile Ship)

"We have existed for centuries our purpose is to protect the people no matter where they are, no matter what they are for as long as they are in the side of good, it was a misconception that we are created as humanity's protector but we aren't, we are here to protect every living being in every world in every reality, keep that in mind, that means Humans are not the only race of living being that can be Titans, right Ria?" Margarette asked

"Uhm, why are you telling us this? we already loved her" Amy said as she smiles towards Ria and Riafe blushed a bit.

"Because Just like her my entire Nation is not completely Human" Margarette said

"Oh yeah, you're uhm, an Oni? that's why unlike the other Titans you can fight for many hours without depleting your Aura because you're also an Esper" Amy said

"Well, you're right but also wrong, I'm not an Oni, I learned ESP from Oni Tradition but I'm actually a human before I became a Titan" Margarette said

"Uhm I was wondering? does Ms. Amerie still has her power? didn't Amy just inherited the Power of Gawain? so I wonder if she is still a Titan? or what would happen to you if someone inherited Merlin" Riafe asked

"Well, good Question, Actually inheriting a Titan's power does not mean taking it away from those that came before you, when a human is blessed with the Titan's power, his Body transforms into that of a titan, genetically and spiritually, a copy of the Original Knights' soul are being transferred therefore granting them the power and knowledge of those Knights, but Leonel is Different, because he was not Blessed, he was Chosen by King Arthur himself, there's actually no known reason for him to choose all that bore his power throughout the centuries, the way he chooses his kin is unknown to us" Margarette Said

"So there can be as many knights but only one king?" Amy asked

"Theoretically yes" Margarette said

"Well why didn't Lord Leonel just spam the blessing then? and make as many as 100 knights" Riafe asked

"A Titan knight symbolizes Peace and Order, only few can be blessed, because power corrupts absolutely, it has been a tradition to have 6-12 knights, to prevent people from using the power of the Titans in a wrong way" Margarette said

"Hmmm, I understand now" Riafe said

as they Margarette was teaching the essence of the Titans, A bird flew in, everyone looked at it as it glows and shimmers.

"Wooah what's that?" Amy asked

Margarette drew her sword and charged towards it as she knew what it is but Riafe blocked Margarette and the bird landed on Riafe's arms

"What are you doing? that's a mistenial scout!" Margarette said

"no no no, it's my friend's familiar" Riafe said

"Are you absolutely sure? we can't let the enemy compromise our location right now" Margarette said still confused.

"I am sure, I'm sure she's here to send us an important message" Riafe said

Riafe looked at Margarette said and started projecting her memories through Margarette's mind.

Riafe's memories ran towards Margarette's Mind.

Margarette closed her eyes and said

"Okay, sorry for doubting you" Margarette said before she opened her eyes and follower with "Wait? you can project memories? why didn't you just did that when we were interrogating you?" Riafe followed with "well I did to Sir Marwin"

"oh, okay he's not the kind of guy to tell a lot of stories now adays" Margarette said

Raife absorbed the Bird's memories and played it, and she shared it with everyone in the training room.

"Oh my God! I NEED TO REPORT TO NOAH AND MARWIN, MARKUS! GET TO THE CALIBURN INITIATE THE KING'S AUTHORITY RIGHT AWAY! Amy! go with Markus! Riafe you go with me" Margarette said visibly panicking.