The morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson as Arthur gently shook Elizabeth awake.
"Come on, love, there's something you gotta see."
She stirred, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Daddy… is it another butterfly cloud?" she mumbled, voice groggy with sleep.
Arthur chuckled. "No, better."
That got her attention."What could be better than a butterfly cloud?" she protested as She stood up, blinking away the sleep as he scooped her up into his arms. She let out a small yawn as he carried her up to the deck, Cesealia following close behind.
As they reached the top of the stairs, the sunlight bathed them in warmth, and there it was—a distant hush of land on the horizon.
Elizabeth squinted, her little nose scrunching up in concentration.
Arthur knelt beside her, holding out the spyglass. "See that Land in the distance?"
She pressed the spyglass to her eye. "Mhm?"
"That's our next stop."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Have we ever been there before?"
He smirked. "You haven't… but I have."
She looked up at him, curious and eager. "You have?! What's it like?"
His gaze softened, his voice taking on a nostalgic warmth.
"It has the greenest gardens… the most welcoming people… and inside that castle, there's a family that's been dying to meet you."
Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Are we going home?!"
Arthur nodded, Home
She instantly beamed in delight. She bounced in place. "Can I say it? Please??"
Arthur grinned, lifting her high into the air. "Attention, everyone! Captain Lizzie has something to say!"
The entire crew looked up, pausing their work, watching the little Pendragon standing tall in her father's arms.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, looking at her mother and father.
Cesealia and Arthur met her gaze, smiling, and together, in one loud voice, they declared—
"LAND HO!"
A roar of cheers erupted across the ship.
The crew rushed to their stations, sails unfurling, the Pendragon flag billowing in the wind.
Elizabeth's voice rang out with pride. "Release the sails! Full speed ahead!"
The crew echoed back, "Aye, Captain!"
Arthur and Cesealia laughed, watching their daughter take command.
And at long last, after three years of adventure, of storms and sea and distance—
They were finally going home.
The Pendragon Palace was lively with morning chatter. The family was gathered in the grand dining hall, breakfast well underway.
The usual bickering, teasing, and storytelling filled the room.
And then—
A letter arrived.
Fin swooped into the hall, landing gracefully on the King's table, a sealed letter clutched in his claws.
Gilgamesh, barely glancing up from his goblet of wine, waved a lazy hand. "Get rid of it."
The maid, confused, asked, "But, Your Majesty, it's from—"
"Burn it," Gil said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Arthuria, ever the calm and patient Queen, frowned and turned to her husband. "Gil, what if from Arthur ?"
Gil froze. That's exactly what he was worried about.
Arthuria narrowed her eyes, sensing his hesitation.
Too late.
Elaine was already on her feet, reaching for the letter. She snatched it from Fin before anyone could react.
"It is from Arthur!" she announced.
Silence.
The entire hall went still.
Gil's eyes widened, his goblet clinking against the table as he set it down.
Artizea, who had been absentmindedly stirring her tea, stopped.
Rhyssand looked up, curiosity piqued.
Eugene leaned forward. "Well? Read it"
Elaine ripped open the seal, her eyes scanning the parchment.
And then—
A scream.
A mix of shock and excitement tore from Elaine's throat as she slapped a hand over her mouth.
"WHAT?!!"
Artizea snatched the letter from her, reading it aloud before her father could intervene.
'We are coming home.'
The room erupted.
Eugene's chair scraped backward as he jumped to his feet.
"They're coming back?!"
"To finish the job"
All eyes snapped to Gil.
His hand was on his forehead, looking defeated.
Arthuria, trying to keep a straight face, patted his arm. "Breathe, love. Just like we practiced."
Elaine was already rushing out, nearly tripping over herself. "No! There here! "
Eugene was right behind her, shouting, "What?!!"
"I'm getting there first!" Elaine shrieked.
Without hesitation, the two of them bolted from the hall to their horses.
Artizea transformed into her dragon form, wings unfurling as she soared through the open balcony.
Gilgamesh—still in his seat—sighed deeply. Then, he disappeared. Gone. Vanished.
Arthuria rubbed her temples.
Rhyssand, who had remained seated, watched the chaos unfold with a smirk.
He turned to his mother-in-law, then to his two young children, Calisto and Seraphina, who were watching in confusion.
"Well," he said casually, "Shall we join them?"
Arthuria shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Ridiculous, this family."
Rhyssand simply opened a portal and gestured toward it with a smirk.
"Ladies first."
The Pendragon Harbor was alive with movement, sailors preparing for the arrival of an unfamiliar but familiar ship.
The King of the Seas.
The sun shimmered over the waves as the ship neared the dock.
Arthur stood at the helm, his top-knot bun messy, the golden streaks of his long hair flowing in the wind. His royal blue captain's coat billowed behind him.
Beside him, Cesealia held Elizabeth, who was bouncing excitedly at the sight of land.
Everyone at the port gathered around; it wasn't everyone; the entire royal family was seen anywhere other than the heart.
Gilgamesh, because he teleports like a damn wraith.
Like an annoying omnipotent force that simply refused to obey the laws of physics.
One moment, he was at the palace. The next—he was at the dock. No one knew how he did it. No one questioned it.
Elaine and Eugene had ridden in on horseback, practically trampling people to get there.
Rhyssand stepped through his portal, carrying Seraphina, while Arthuria stood beside him, holding Calisto's hand.
Arthur could see them all from the ship.
His insane family. His beautifully chaotic, loud, and ridiculous family.
He let out a deep exhale.
"Daddy! Daddy! Look! A dragon!" Lizzie gasped, pointing excitedly.
Arthur turned his head just in time to see Artizea's massive dragon form circling the ship.
"That your aunty Tizea …" Arthur muttered.
She gasped in uncontrollable excitement.
As the ship docked.
Arthur glanced then at His father, his mother, his niece and nephew, and—despite everything, despite years apart—they were all still as he left them, still waiting.
"Well." A smirk pulled at his lips. "Did anyone miss me?"
Arthur could barely take a step before he felt it.
The presence. The shadow looming over him.
And before he could react—
His father was standing right in front of him.
Arthur blinked. "Mother's people…"
Before he could prepare, Lizzie—bless her heart—wriggled out of Cesealia's arms and ran toward him. Her Thick, wild curls of ginger that glowed under the sun, with Arthur's blue eyes shining beneath them
"GRANDPA!"
The Pendragons collectively lost their minds.
"AWWWW!" Elaine gushed.
Rhyssand, who was holding Seraphina, almost dropped her.
And the grandpa in question was frozen in fear.
"You're fucked.," Rhyssand mouthed.
Arthur sighed. "Yeah, I know." He mouthed.
And then—
Gilgamesh scoffed, "Out of the way, boy," and muttered slowly.
"Excuse me—Dad? Protocol Son here?"
The king completely ignored him, bending slightly to look at Lizzie.
She smiled up at him."Good Marrow! My name is Elizabeth, but my Daddy says you can call me Lizzie!"
The entire Pendragon family melted again.
Arthur threw up his hands. "What about me?"
Then he heard a voice, "Arthur?"He froze at the sound of its bass. Too deep. He turned slowly—and his jaw dropped. There stood Eugene. His baby brother, or at least… he used to be. Now he was as tall as Arthur—broad-shouldered, calm-eyed, arms crossed like he hadn't just committed the crime of puberty in full.
Arthur blinked frog-like. "What the hell did you eat—a temple!"
Eugene rolled his eyes. "Welcome home, big brother, feel free to claim back your title as first prince, I hate it."
"Told you so," Arthur squinted upon walking up slowly, circling him like he might be an illusion conjured by the real Eugene. Because that is exactly what his brother would do.He poked Eugene's arm. Solid. Then touched his cheek. Real. He leaned in, narrowing his eyes. "Let me see your teeth. Only Eugene had that tiny chip in the back from when I put metal in his meatballs—"
"Arthur!" Eugene groaned, batting his hand away. "What are you doing?" Then laughed. And that laugh rumbled. Rumbled.
Arthur stepped back with a yelp, horrified. "What in the—your voice is deeper than mine!"
Eugene smirked. "Genie pool."
Arthur's jaw somehow dropped lower. "Okay. I've been gone too long. You're a man now, and I—I feel attacked." watching as Eugene wiped away an imaginary tear.
Gilgamesh exhaled heavily, his jaw twitching upon pinching the bridge of his nose. He simply stood there, staring down at the tiny flower of a granddaughter before him.
His bloodline was flawless; his father's legacy had been broken. He thought he could rest. Until now. At last, he crouched down, leveling his molten crimson gaze with hers. "Elizabeth Pendragon," he murmured, voice softer than anyone had ever heard before. "Am I correct?"
Elizabeth nodded eagerly and held out the flower. "For you, Grandpa!"
Gilgamesh took he flower, smiling through the pain. And without another word, he just walked away.
"Dad?" Arthur called after him.
The king raised one hand in the air. And just like that, he vanished.
Lizzie giggled and turned to Arthur. "Grandpa is more funny than you told me he would be."
Arthur scooped her up and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Yeah, we learn something new about him every day."
Arthuria, shaking her head, sighed deeply and turned to the family "You must forgive your father. The ginger reminds him of your grandfather. He was determined to erase his presence… but I guess now he'll have to face it." She smiled softly at Lizzie."Come on, Let's get inside. We have so much to catch up on."
Rhyssand lowered his voice. "Why does no one talk about the old man?"
"He's the reason we know nothing of our grandmother," Eugene said. "Not even her name… or the color of her eyes."
"We do know she liked to paint!" Elaine added.
"How do you think he's taking it?" Rhyssand asked.
Arthur glanced toward the path their father vanished down. "Better than I thought," he said.
TO BE CONTINUED
[VOLUME V1]
THE FATE OF SALT AND SEA