ARTIZEA
THREE DAYS AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION.
The air grew colder as the group ascended the rugged trails of Angle Point Mountain. The towering snowy peaks seemed to pierce the heavens, hence the name. This was not the safest climate to travel in this time of year, but the rumors had been too strong to ignore, and the command of the king.
Arthur pulled his horse alongside Artizea's as the path narrowed. "I wonder what fate has in store for us today." He sighed
Artizea shot him a glare meant for her thoughts. "With our luck, anything is possible."
He smirked, clearly enjoying her irritation. "Ready for anything, right?"
In that moment, one of the knights ahead of the group called out, "Your Highness, there's movement up ahead!"
Artizea raised a hand, signaling the group to halt. She scanned the path before them, spotting faint figures moving in the fog. She dismounted. Arthur followed behind, unsheathing his sword, crouching low, while advancing. The knights spread out behind them, their weapons at the ready. The first arrow sliced through the mist, embedding itself in the rocky ground inches from Artizea's foot.
"Ambush!" Arthur yelled, lunging forward to deflect the arrows raining down.
The knights raised their shields, forming a protective line around the siblings.
"No— they want us boxed in!" Artizea shouted. "Circle left to force them out of their cover!" The knights obeyed her orders, just as predicted. The shadowy figures emerged from the fog. She deflected several blows from an assailant. "Time to use all those years of training experience, Brother."
Arthur grinned while parrying an incoming strike. "Right behind you as always, Sister."
The attackers fought fiercely, but they were not prepared for the skill and coordination of the Pendragon party. Artizea's blade flashed, disarming one mercenary, then disemboweling another, while Arthur fought beside her, his strikes heavier but equally effective, scoring a four in 1, his grin never quite left his face as the last of the attackers. The fog began to clear, and a cliffside came into view, along with a path that led to a hidden cave entrance.
Arthur pulled his blade free. "I told you I don't need any pointers. Now I am all for fate's fun and games," glancing at the bodies scattered around them. "But, this does not feel random," he said with a grim expression.
Artizea sheathed her sword, "They seem like they were protecting something… the question is what."
One of the knights approached, his brow furrowed. "Your Highness, tracks are leading inside the cave. It looks as if it has been used recently."
Artizea nodded, her mind already racing. "There could be a link to the disturbances here. Sweep the place."
The air inside the cave was damp and cold, along with the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the dark corridors. Torches flickered in the hands of the knights while they moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath them.
Arthur sighed, "I hate these dark ass places…no wonder mother said I was always kicking her in the womb," he mumbled.
Artizea rolled her eyes, then stopped upon reaching a large chamber, its walls etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. At the center stood an ancient altar, surrounded by scattered artifacts. She stepped forward, her eyes narrowing while examining the jars. "Necromancy?"
Arthur approached cautiously, then turned to one of the knights, "Check the fallen," he commanded.
One of the knights returned at a brisk pace, his expression pale beneath his helm. "Your Highness, there are no men."
Arthur frowned. "What?"
"No bodies. No blood. Nothing. It is as if no one was ever here at all."
Artizea's head snapped up. "The Traveler—" She exhaled slowly, connecting the threads. "This must be what he meant when he said he saw men who were not there. No one believed him."
"What is the plan?" Arthur asked.
Before she could give her orders, the torches flickered violently through the chamber. The horses grew restless from outside, their ears flicking nervously. A figure emerged from the shadows, clad in dark robes and radiating a dark aura. Its gaze flickered over the group before settling on Artizea.
"You are not welcome here."
"A Watcher," Arthur muttered, his grip tightening on his sword. "Bloody Wonderful."
Artizea stepped forward, meeting its gaze without flinching. The Watcher snarled, raising a hand. The runes on the walls flared to life, and the ground beneath them trembled from the unleashed wave of energy, sending The Pendragon party scattering. However, the siblings moved instinctively, dodging the attack.
"Any brilliant ideas, Tizea?" Arthur shouted, blocking a strike from one of the glowing runes.
"Working on it!" Artizea shot back, her eyes darting to the glowing altar. Realization kicked in while its pulsing rhythm fell in sync with the Watcher's attacks. It had to be the source of its power.
"Arthur!" she called out, "Keep it distracted!"
"On it!" Arthur replied, already charging toward the Watcher.
Meanwhile, Artizea made her way to the altar, dodging blasts of energy and slicing through constructs with precision. She reached it, her hands automatically falling upon it. In that moment, she saw true chaos.
Artizea found herself in a dark cavern, glowing faintly of palpating runes that lined the walls, binding her to a reality she did not understand. She walked forward, her steps echoing in the vast emptiness, until she came upon a massive cage. Inside, a figure writhed, barely visible in the dim light. The sound of chains rattling and the soft, heart-wrenching whimpers of the captive filled her ears. She moved closer, her heart racing as recognition dawned. It was not just any cage. It was a prison. The figure within was her, yet it was her head bowed, her body scarred by the golden chains that clung to her. The whimpers turned into words, faint but clear.
"They will never let you be free…"
Artizea's hands were hovering over the temple when she came back to reality, in shock, until Arthur's voice grunted out, "Tizea!" She turned to see him struggling to hold defense. She shook her head, raising her lance in preparation to deliver the final blow, when a sudden voice echoed, but not aloud; it was within her mind. It was faint, feminine, trembling with pain.
"Please… help me…"
Artizea's body froze mid strike. More voices…she tried to shrug it off until another.
"Help me…Please—"
"What are you waiting for?" Arthur shouted from across the chamber. The knights around her were barely holding their ground.
Artizea lowered her weapon, her eyes narrowing. "There's someone inside," she shot back. "We have to save her."
"What—," Arthur grunted, but did not argue. "Shield!" He barked an order, "Artizea, this is not what I meant by ready for anything—,"
"Just trust me!" Artizea said, leaping from the altar, advancing pass defense, slashing at its attacks, then back leapt above the watcher onto its back, planting her hands on either side of its grotesque, bone-wrapped head, and closed her eyes, Please work. she thought. "Is someone there? Can you hear me? "
"I… I did not mean to… I didn't want to hurt anyone… I would never hurt anyone…"
Flash of the past ran through Artizea's mind; she swallowed them back, focusing on the present. "What is your name?"
"Katherine…"
Artizea's expression softened. "Katherine… take my hand. We will figure this out together."
"I do not deserve it…"
"You deserve to live. Do you wish to live?"
Katherine's eyes closed for a moment, then she replied, "Yes. Yes, I do."
From reality, Arthur yelled again, struggling under the weight of the Watcher's thrashing. "We cannot hold on much longer, Artizea!"
Artizea pressed harder, "Quick—take my hand, Katherine!"
The woman's hand reached out through the spell; in an instant, a blinding light burst from the creature. The dark magic shattered with a scream of a thousand souls, the summoned runes collapsing into the floor, reducing to ash. The remnants of the Watcher's form melted away, revealing a pale, trembling girl within the hollow shell.
Arthur lowered his sword, breathing heavily. "Possessed or not… she will still have to answer for what has happened."
The girl collapsed to her knees, guilt in every line of her frame. "I accept my punishment, Your Highness."
But Artizea stepped forward and placed herself between her and her brother. "No," she said quietly.
"Father will not agree with this—."
"Father is not here. This was my mission. "Artizea said firmly.
Arthur clenched his jaw. "Tiz, whatever is going on between you and father has nothing to do with the duty we serve to the realm; we cannot just ignore—"
"You of all people know what it is like to see someone possessed by a monster," she interrupted. "Should I be punished for what I have done, along with the pain I have caused as well?"
Arthur's shoulders slumped. "You know my answer."
Artizea quickly turned to Katherine, "As Crown Princess of Babyloniyah, on behalf of the King… you are pardoned. Speak nothing of this toanyone."
Katherine's eyes filled with grateful tears. She bowed her head deeply. "Thank you… Crown Princess." Then quickly turned to Arthur, avoiding eye contact. "My Prince-"
Artizea gestured to one of the knights. "Escort her back to the city, make sure she is provided with food and rest." Then, she turned a glare to her brother.
Arthur exhaled and sheathed his sword. "What are we going to tell him?"
"The truth. The enemy has been exterminated." Artizea commanded, "Is that understood?" She turned to the remaining knights upon exiting the shadowed cave, watching as they nodded in confirmation. "Crown Princess." They said in union. She turned back to her brother as he, too, nodded reluctantly.
"We should set up camp," Arthur suggested, pulling his cloak tighter.
"There should be a village up ahead," she replied, already scanning the horizon.
They passed into the northern lowlands of their mother's kingdom, the Homes stood silent, their doors open as the biting wind swayed them gently. Livestock pens were empty, and no footprints were left in the snow, while the fields, where winter crops should have bloomed, were frozen over, coated in an unnatural frost.
Arthur slowed his horse. "It is worse than the reports said," he muttered, eyes narrowing while they rode past.
Artizea nodded grimly. "Her stories said it used to be the most beautiful this time of year." She said softly, watching as the skeletal trees danced. But in the back of her mind, A woman's voice, laced with venom. Screams. Rage. And then… emptiness. The memory vanished, slipping through her thoughts like water through cupped hands, leaving behind only the aching chill of dread that crept up her spine.
"Are you okay?" Arthur's concerned voice cut through her daze.
She blinked once, "I am fine." Kicking her horse to move forward.
That night, as their camp settled under the stars, Artizea stood watch, her thoughts drifting. During the argument with Eugene, the air around her had grown unbearably hot, causing the practice steel to melt. But that was not the first time. During her training at age fourteen…
Artizea had clashed swords with Arthur, her frustration building up while he continuously mocked her stance. Next thing she knew, her practice sword exploded in her hands. Splinters of wood shot outward like shrapnel, embedding themselves into the ground, even grazing Arthur's cheek.
"By hell, what was that?!" He shouted.
"I… I did not mean to," She whispered, staring at her trembling hands as smoke rose from her palms.
Each incident felt like a warning, and yet, no one addressed it—not her father, not her mother, not even Arthur. It was as if they pretended not to notice.
Arthur joined her by the fire, handing her a cup of steaming tea. "Mother packed half the damn apothecary—jasmine, valerian, and this other premixed shit, choose your weapon," he joked.
Artizea stilled at the statement, then gave the mixed one a good sniff. Chamomile. She straightened."Best I take the per-mixed, the healers said it is best for nerves and sleep…"
"Coming up, Your Highness." Arthur gave a little bow, then predictably reached into the fire pit for the kettle bare-handed. "Ow, that is hot—" he hissed.
Artizea laughed behind her hand. "Whoever marries you will have to be the best cook in the realm to keep you alive."
Arthur smirked, "And whoever marries you will need fireproof armor. Here."
Artizea chuckled again, shaking her head, accepting the cup from him.
Arthur huffed upon settling beside her, pouring the water with a bit more caution this time, his tone softened. "So… what is keeping you up at night that you need the help of mother's drugs?" he grinned
"Just thinking," she said hesitantly, offering a faltering smile.
"You know what your problem is?" Taking a seat next to her, "You think too much," he teased, leaning back against a log.
She chuckled softly. "And you act without thinking."
"So I have heard," he said with a grin. "Which is why we make a good team." He said while watching the campfire crackle softly. He saw his sister follow them in silence while they floated away. "So, Care to finish what you started earlier?"
Artizea's grip tightened on the mug, and she sighed heavily. "It is nothing," she said, though the crack in her voice betrayed her.
"Come on," He said, nudging her shoulder lightly with his own. "You know you cannot fool me. I am your brother, remember? I have way too many bruises from you to pull the 'nothing's wrong' act."
For a long moment, she did not respond. The weight of her thoughts pressed heavily on her chest. Finally, she set the mug down and turned to him, her expression raw with pain, but still nothing came out.
He sighed, settling back against a log. "Alright. How about this, I will tell you a story if you tell me yours."
She finally looked up, her brows knitting together. "Taking A page from our father's book now? Since when do you like to read?"
"Who knows—" he shrugged, "maybe it was in my lantern."
"New Year's resolution without me?" she pressed, then threw a grape at him, which he caught effortlessly.
He gave a faint smile. "Last time I checked, you weren't there."
"Fair." She hesitated, then nodded slightly, "Fine. You go first." She declared.
Arthur's gaze drifted to the flames, fighting down the memories that came with them. "I had a friend, once. We were close, someone I cared for, someone I thought would stand by me no matter what." He said, his voice tightening slightly. "But things change. Choices were made, Paths were taken, and in the end, we were on different sides of the same coin after all."
Artizea studied him carefully, the way his jaw clenched, the way his eyes did not quite meet hers. She knew there was more to the story, but she also knew her brother; He would not give her anything more. "I am sorry."
Arthur's eyes gained back a shade of blue. His sister's voice turned back time; he shrugged, though the motion was stiff. "Your turn."
Artizea exhaled deeply, her breath visible in the cool night air. "I cared for someone," she began, her voice softer than usual. "I trusted them even, I thought they…cared for me, too. But… they did not. Or maybe they did, but not enough. Not enough to be honest. Not enough to—"
Arthur's expression shifted, his usual stoic mask giving way to something gentler. "They betrayed you, too, huh?" he said, his tone careful not to mention Madeline's name.
Artizea's lips pressed into a line, then she nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands. "Something like that," she said, inaudibly.
There was a long silence between them, filled only by the crackle of the fire and the distant sounds of the forest.
Finally, Arthur spoke. "Who was it?" he asked.
Artizea shook her head. "It does not matter," her side eye met his side eye, "And your friend?" Hestiant to mention Cesealia's.
Arthur shrugged, "Like you said, it does not matter."
"I bet I could guess," she mused with a sad curve on her lips.
"You'd have no idea," Arthur murmured with his signature grin widening by the second.
Artizea sighed, lowering her head to rest against his shoulder. Her brother's quiet presence was enough to remind her she was not alone. Arthur tilted his head until it touched hers. The two of them sat in silence while watching the fire flicker, casting light against the darkness of the world before them.
Far above, beyond the mortal realm, a queen watched the scene unfold through a mirror of swirling light. Shadows obscured her features while she leaned back on her throne of shimmering black and gold with a smile curving her lips.
"So, they dare to interfere, do they?" The queen said calmly. "Humanity's heirs are stronger than anticipated. It seems the hour of escalation is upon us."
A shadow moved beside her, in the intimidating form of a young man, "What would you have me do, My Queen?" His voice was dangerously smooth.
The Queen turned to the figure, his dark wings folded neatly behind him as he knelt. "It would be rude to let our guests leave without our blessing. Why don't we say hello?" She purred. "Do make sure to stay within the rules. There is nothing I would despise more than changing my plans, once again."
The man stood, then spread his wings wide. "As you command," he said with an edge of reluctance. The moment he stepped into a swirling portal of light, the queen's smile widened.
"Let the games begin, Gil," she giggled.