Arthur woke up in an unfamiliar home. Though recognized the old woman standing next to the bed. His head was pounding, he looked up at Astor. His palm on his forehead.
"Why am I here? What happened?"
Astor sat down next to the bed and sighed.
"Two women, I assume acquaintances of yours…they came by and dropped you off. Saying you got into an accident with a wild beast. The woman with white hair defended us from the Oni for the night."
"Really? That's it?"
Astor paused for a moment. Before speaking again.
"The woman with black hair said to give you a message. She said to go to the imperial palace, depart immediately. To proclaim your innocence. I don't know what exactly that means and why you need to do it. But I hope you do."
Arthur just nodded.
'The imperial palace? Is she insane? They're just going to kill me…'
Arthur grit his teeth.
"Thank you for everything, Astor."
"I assume that means you'll be going then?"
Arthur nodded and stood up from the bed. Grabbing his half burnt cloak that was left on the table and putting it on over the lumberjacks garbs.
"Yes. I'll return the first moment I can."
Arthur slipped his boots on and stepped into the snowy landscape. He looked down at his shadow.
"You can come out now. You know."
A silence came over the area for a few moments before a wolf made of shadow slipped out of Arthur's shadow.
"Don't let your guard down around those women. I have no idea how that young lady made a contract with…"
"She was the goddess of light, correct?"
The wolf stared at him for a few moments in slight astonishment before nodding.
"Yes. It seems she's been greatly weakened, though much stronger than this form I can barely keep. And much stronger than you. I decided to make an escape before she could erase this form with that blasted fire…"
Arthur looked at the wolf with curiosity.
"How exactly did you get erased from the mortal realm? Doesn't the black flame only have that ability?"
The wolf shook his head.
"The white flame can basically eradicate all things made of darkness. And since my form in the mortal realm was exactly that. She could just erase me."
"Ah well…that makes sense. Now let's go…"
And so they departed the village forgotten by light. Making the few weeks long journey to the imperial capital. A land only shrouded in eternal light. The place where the sun shone the brightest.
And so weeks passed…and two noble houses gathered at the imperial palace. Two carriages were placed in front of the imperial palace. One black with blue patterns. And the other one black with red. Stepping out of the black and blue one were two men, one older, black hair that had silver falling out of its orderly comb. And the other younger with black hair and blue eyes that matched his father's. These were Uther and Mordred Pendragon, there were once 3 members of the house, but 3 had become 2 years ago.
A young man with white hair and golden eyes emerged from the palace. A great smile on his face.
"Mordred! Old friend! How have you been?"
The man with white hair hugged Mordred and pat his back. While Mordred reciprocated.
"I've been fine. Lancelot."
The two released from the hug and Lancelot shook Uther's hand.
"Well what are you waiting for? Come on in…I've been eager to duel you since the news of your rising to a sword master."