Trees painted red filled a small alleyway in what appeared to be an ancient city, rustled by the icy wind of the approaching winter. The wilted piles of leaves symbolized the end of an era. The setting sun was the only thing that could soften the coldness of the environment.
The sun's rays shone upon the two newcomers. The alley around them was narrow, walled by low barriers of cobblestone. Ryoka's face was struck by the light, waking her from her faint.
Looking around, she realized they were no longer in the same place. The environment felt denser than Glastonbury, saturated with more mana, forcing her to consider the possibility.
"Wait! I've seen this before! This city... It can't be!"
"What... hap...pened... Granger?" Hikari questioned, still short of breath.
"We're in the Age of Fairies..." Ryoka thought aloud. "Hold on tight to me! I'll help you." Lifting Hikari in her arms, she began to run, searching for a way out.
Within a few paces, they found the city's main street. The great thoroughfare was bustling, and they realized some kind of spectacle was underway.
Granger walked along the stretch of packed earth, which transitioned into a road of stones. The crowd was a mix of different kinds of people and social classes.
From afar, atop a white horse, she saw a young woman whose crown reflected the sun's warm, gleaming light. This was not the same figure she was accustomed to. Her predominant color was not the usual blue, but the shade of crimson blood.
Ryoka tried to step into the street but was stopped by guards attempting to prevent her from approaching. She shouted to get the knight's attention: "Help me! My friend is injured, please, I beg you!"
The knight on her horse looked to see where the shout originated. Hikari opened her eyes for a brief moment at Ryoka's yelling, which left her surprised.
*That girl... That mana, it can't be!* the knight thought.
She reined her horse in abruptly, addressing the two and demanding.
"Soldiers! Stand aside!" said the crowned knight. "You two, what are your names?"
Ryoka, caught off guard and anxious, replied with caution: "I am Granger Ryoka. This is my friend, Aka Hikari. It is my pleasure, my King..."
*It can't be... Hikari? With that mana and that name? I must bring her to the castle immediately.* the knight thought.
"My name is Mordred Pendragon. I am the King of Camelot. I kindly request that you come with me."
The crowd was astonished, falling into a hushed silence at the King's action. Granger sat in the carriage of one of the King's companions. Mordred took Hikari into her arms and placed her on her own mount.
"I will ride ahead to have her healed. I will await you in the Hall of the Round Table. My soldiers will guide you."
"Understood..."
The King departed swiftly, galloping towards the castle. Though anxious, Ryoka was confused about why Mordred was so interested in Hikari. She sensed Mordred had a good heart, but she didn't recall any of her research mentioning Mordred Pendragon, the Knight of Treason, ever being the King of Camelot. She waited for the carriage to depart.
Mordred galloped hard to reach the castle. Even at great speed, the route was long. Though it was the main road to the castle, many people filled the area, passing through the street, with market stalls lining the sides, making a fast crossing quite complicated.
"Who... are... you...?" Hikari asked, coughing up blood.
"Please, hold on. I will take you to be healed."
"Why... are you... doing this...?" she asked, before fainting once more.
*I have to hurry... If not... She won't make it. Damn it!*
Ahead, a maiden walked calmly towards Mordred's horse, her cloak flowing in the wind. The King slowed down to avoid running her over.
"Wait..."
Mordred stopped the horse, addressing her with a tone of familiarity: "You must be... Papess Joan?"
"Yes, my King. I saw you needed help... May I assist?"
"Please! This young woman named Hikari... I need to heal her..."
"Hikari... Alright... I will help her."
Mordred dismounted from her horse, holding Hikari in her arms. Joan placed her hands on Hikari's cheeks: "May the Lord protect you. Amen!"
Hikari woke quickly. She looked around, surprised and blushing, then startled, and jumped from Mordred's arms... "What are you doing?... A woman—I mean... two women...?"
"Even though you are better thanks to the Papess, you will need to rest. Get on the horse. Your friend is following close behind."
"But why do I have to get on a horse? A horse? Isn't there a taxi here? How antiquated..."
"This is no time for that! Just get on and be quiet..."
"Where do you think you're taking me? And who are you!?"
"I am the King of Camelot, Mordred Pendragon. Now let's go! Get on!"
"What? King of Came—" A blow to the back of her neck sent her unconscious once more.
"I should have left her as she was... Farewell for now, Joan. We shall see you at the castle."
The Papess waved her arm, seeing them off. Mordred resumed her course. With the sunset at its peak, they arrived at the castle. Hikari was placed in a guest room for the high nobility.
Ryoka was guided to the meeting hall. Passing through the tall, enormous corridors, the walls were ornately decorated, with many paintings and banners predominantly of red and golden tones. Crimson carpets covered the marble floor. The huge door was imposing in both width and height.
She entered the hall; the great door creaked open, revealing a large room. In the center was a large circular table, its strong red tone quite brilliant. In the seat at the far end sat the King.
Mordred gestured in greeting: "Welcome, Granger Ryoka. This is the Round Table. The reason we have brought you to my castle concerns one individual. Enter, my handmaid!"
Entering from a rear door was a blonde with her hair tied up; she looked more like a magus than a handmaid. In her right hand, she carried a large silver staff adorned with crimson tones.
"Yes, my King! How may I assist?"
"This young woman," Mordred gestured to Ryoka, "carried in her arms one who claims to be Hikari. She possesses the same characteristics and traces of ancestral mana, similar to my own. I felt something familiar... the very soul that emanates from us."
Ryoka's eyes widened at Mordred's words. Confused, she asked, "What are you implying by that?"
"I am almost certain... though I cannot yet fully prove it at this moment. Aka Hikari is a direct descendant of the Pendragon family."
All those present in the hall looked at Mordred in astonishment...