The moment the ship docked.
The sound of little feet running across the wooden planks filled the air.
"DADDY!"
Rhyssand barely had time to react before two small bodies collided into him.
Calisto and Seraphina.
Their tiny arms wrapped around his legs as they both jumped up and down excitedly.
He laughed, sweeping them both into his arms, planting kisses on their chubby cheeks.
"My little troublemakers, did you miss me as much as I missed you ?"
Seraphina giggled. "No!"
Calisto, much too honest for his good, nodded rapidly. "Yes!"
Rhyssand smirked. "That's my boy."
"Rhyssand Pendragon ."
The color drained from his face.—as his blood ran cold. A voice, sharp as a blade, cut through the air.
There she was. Artizea.
His very angry pregnant wife.
Standing at the docks. Arms crossed. Tapping her foot.
Waiting.
He smiled nervously. "Tizea, my love, my heart, my celestial star—"
She didn't look impressed.
He sighed. "I see you're upset."
She glared. "Upset? Oh no, I passed upset DAYS ago. I am FURIOUS, Now!"
He steeled himself. Then, before she could react, he swept her off her feet and into his arms, just like he did the children.
"RHYS!" She gasped. "PUT ME DOWN!"
"Nope! Not until you forgive me."
He proceeded to smother her with kisses.
On her cheeks.
Her forehead.
Even her nose.
The more she swatted at him, the more he held on tighter, grinning like a fool.
"I hate you!" She shrieked, flustered beyond words.
"I love you too," he murmured, nuzzling against her.
Eugene, halfway off the dock, rolled his eyes. "Get a room."
Then, without another word, he dropped to his knees and kissed the ground.
"Sweet, sweet land! Thank the gods! I will NEVER get on a ship again! NEVER!"
Arthur, having just stepped off the ship, barely heard him.
His gaze immediately locked onto his mother.
Arthuria.
She was waiting for him, her expression gentle but solemn.
Arthur's throat tightened. "How is she?"
Arthuria exhaled. "Stable. Did you find it?"
Arthur nodded.
Before he could show her, the water stirred.
"Daddy, look!"
Elizabeth's voice rang through the air, excitement lacing his tone.
Rhyssand gently put down his wife and slowly walked to the edge of the dock —and then he saw it.
Or should he say Her
A massive shadow moved beneath the waves, sleek and powerful.
And then—
The Megalodon breached the surface.
The children gasped in awe as the enormous creature leapt into the air, crashing back down in a dazzling display of cascading water.
Seraphina's mouth parted slightly in shock. "No way…"
But Rhyssand did not flinch.
Instead, he smiled, stepping forward as the mighty Megalodon rose from the depths, its massive head breaking the surface, water cascading down its shimmering scales.
The Pendragon children gasped.
"WHOA!" Lizzie exclaimed, her ginger curls bouncing as she practically vibrated with excitement.
Seraphina hid behind Rhyssand's leg at first, her golden eyes wide, but when she saw the calm expression on her father's face, she hesitantly peeked out.
Callisto, however, was already trying to climb onto the beast
Rhyssand turned, motioning to them. "It's okay."
Gilgamesh, arms crossed, raised a brow but said nothing.
Artizea, standing beside him, gave a slight smirk. "If any of them get eaten, I'll kill you, you know."
Rhyssand rolled his eyes. "Oh, have a little faith in your husband."
The children stepped forward, Lizzie leading the charge.
The Megalodon let out a low, rumbling sound, something deep and ancient, but there was no malice in it.
Rhyssand placed a hand against his nose, his eyes glowing faintly as a connection sparked between them.
He looked over at the children. "Go on, she won't hurt you."
Lizzie, never one to fear the unknown, reached out first.
The moment her tiny hand pressed against the rough but warm skin, her eyes widened.
"Oh—!" SERAPHINA gasped, looking back at her cousins. "She says she is sad."
Elizabeth frowned, placing her hand beside his. She couldn't feel it.
Calliso hesitated. Then, finally, she reached out as well. He couldnt hear anything. but he felt a feeling. A whisper, carried through the water and into their minds.
Lonely.
Rhyssand's expression softened.
Of course. It was the last of its kind.
For centuries, it had ruled the waters alone—a predator, a king of the sea, but a solitary one.
It had no pack. No family.
Lizzie's eyes filled with unshed tears. "It doesn't have anyone."
Seraphina looked up at Rhyssand. "Can't we help? Papa."
Rhyssand let out a low hum, considering.
Then, he closed his eyes and extended his hand. The air around him shimmered—light bending, power rippling.
The Megalodon's massive, ancient body trembled, sensing the shift.
And then—the gift was given.
A blessing.
A chance.
A whisper of possibility.
The creature shuddered again, and then, as if sensing what had changed, it let out a deep, resonating call before slowly, gently, retreating into the ocean.
Elizabeth blinked. "What did you do?"
Rhyssand watched as the waves calmed once more, a rare, almost fond expression on his face.
"It won't be lonely anymore."
Seraphina tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Rhyssand smirked. "I gave it the ability to have a family."
Calisto's golden eyes widened. "You mean…?"
He nodded, his voice gentle. "One day, there will be more."
A silence fell over them, not heavy—but peaceful.
Arthur, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke.
"You're telling me it's going to have more mini beasts? "
Rhyssand shrugged, stretching lazily. "It's the least I can do after you ate her child."
Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose.
Before anyone could say more, a small shadow swooped down from the sky, landing gracefully on Rhyssand's shoulder.
"Humph."
Rhyssand glanced to the side, immediately recognizing the ruffled, self-important attitude of the bird now perched beside him.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Fin."
Fin ruffled his feathers dramatically. "Everything looks good on me."
Artizea burst out laughing, "He's not wrong."
Fin let out a satisfied sound, then spread his wings and took off, disappearing into the sunset.
Rhyssand sighed. "Dramatic bird "
Artizea chuckled, wrapping an arm around Rhyssand's waist. "You have a soft spot for things in trouble, don't you?"
Rhyssand smirked, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"It's why I married you."
She elbowed him playfully, but there was warmth in her gaze.
Callisto, still watching the waves, smiled. "I hope it has a family like ours, too."
Rhyssand placed a hand on the boy's head, ruffling his hair. "That's right, little dove."
And with that, they watched the ocean together, knowing that somewhere, in the vast, open sea, a new story had just begun.
The Megalodon let out a deep, resonating sound, a call of gratitude—of recognition.
Rhyssand lifted a hand in farewell, feeling the warm pulse of its mind one last time before it turned back towards the open sea, leading its young to a future of their own.
The children waved enthusiastically, their voices echoing across the water.
"Goodbye, Happy!" Lizzie shouted, naming the creature on a whim.
The Megalodon let out one last playful splash before vanishing beneath the surface, its new family trailing closely behind.
Rhyssand exhaled softly, feeling Artizea's warmth against him.
Arthur, still watching the ocean, smiled faintly.
As he moved toward the waiting carriage, Arthuria turned to Gilgamesh, watching him carefully.
"Good trip?"
Gil sighed, rubbing his temples. "It was. Although I was surprised to see you here and not in bed, where we agreed we would stay for at least three weeks. He gave her a pointed look. "I mean it, Arthuria. I am done."
Arthuria giggled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Let us help our son first. Then, I promise, a long, long break away from court."
Gil huffed but didn't protest.
Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and murmured,
"Hold yourself to that, woman."
The Pendragon family arrived at the palace, urgency in their steps as they made their way to the royal chambers.
Cesealia's skin was paler than usual, her breathing shallow.
She had given too much.
Arthuria was already waiting for them, her expression unreadable.
Arthur took Cesealia's hand gently, brushing her hair away from her face.
Arthuria studied the situation carefully, her hands already summoning Avalon's magic.
"The bond between her and Excalibur is incomplete, that is good." she murmured, golden eyes glowing.
Arthur's heart clenched. "Can you sever it?"
Arthuria gave him a look. "My connection to Avalon is gone. You have to "
Arthur froze. "How do I do it?"
Arthuria placed her hand over Cesealia's heart, feeling the fragile thread of magic still clinging to her.
"Excalibur has already taken ten years of her life cycle."
Silence fell.
Arthur felt his stomach drop.
Gilgamesh, who had been watching from the shadows, narrowed his eyes. "Can it be restored?"
She shook her head. "No. But if he severs it now, she won't lose any more."
Arthur turned back to Cesealia's sleeping face, his jaw tightening.
She had given so much. Too much. And she never even knew.
Finally, he exhaled. "Show me."
Arthuria nodded. She lifted his hands in hers; they glowed with the power of Avalon.
She guided him as they began to unravel the bond that had slowly been draining Cesealia for years.
A surge of light engulfed them, the ancient magic of kings and queens breaking the tether that should have never existed.
Cesealia gasped sharply, her eyes flying open—then, just as quickly, she collapsed again, her breathing steady, but weak.
Arthur caught her, his heart pounding.
Arthuria lowered her hands, a flicker of exhaustion on her face.
"It's done," she said quietly.
Arthur held Cesealia close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"You're safe now, love," he whispered. "Rest."
Arthuria, however, wasn't done. "The damage is still there."
His shoulders stiffened. "How bad?"
Her gaze was heavy. " It will take at least seven days for her to regain the strength. But the years are gone."
Arthur clenched his fists, guilt eating at him. He should have done something sooner. Should have protected her better.
Gil, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke."Then we make the most of it."
Arthur looked up at his father and nodded slowly.
He wouldn't let Cesealia suffer for his mistakes.
Not again.
Not ever.
4 days later.
The sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room.
Cesealia's eyes fluttered open, her body aching, but the familiar warmth beside her brought comfort.
Arthur's voice—low and steady—was the first thing she heard.
"And so the great warrior raised his sword, standing against the storm…"
She turned her head slightly.
Arthur sat at the edge of the bed, his long hair loose over his shoulders, his blue eyes focused intently on the book in his hands.
Beside him, nestled comfortably against his arm, Lizzie listened intently, gripping her father's sleeve as if it were her lifeline.
It was a peaceful moment.
For the first time in weeks, there was no chaos, no battles, no pain—just them.
Cesealia blinked. Then, she found her voice.
"Arthur—"
Arthur froze mid-sentence, the book slipping slightly from his grasp.
Lizzie gasped. "Mommy!"
Arthur shot up instantly, abandoning the book as he rushed to her side.
His hands trembled as he reached for hers.
"You're awake," he breathed, pressing a lingering kiss against her knuckles.
Cesealia could see the exhaustion on his face—the dark circles beneath his eyes, the worry that had been carved into every line of his expression.
Lizzie, climbing onto the bed, hugged her mother's waist carefully, her tiny voice soft. "You were sleeping forever, Mommy."
Cesealia looked at her daughter, then at Arthur, and managed a weak smile.
"I'm here now."
Arthur exhaled sharply, his hands never letting go of her own. And then—his next words nearly broke her heart.
"I'm sorry, love."His voice cracked. "It's my fault. I should have—"
Cesealia squeezed his fingers, stopping him. "You saved me, Arthur. Just as I did to you."
He shook his head, his grip tightening. "I almost lost you."
She cupped his cheek, her thumb tracing the tired lines on his face.
"But you didn't."
Arthur looked at her for a long moment.
Then, he let out a shaky laugh, pressing another kiss to her palm.
Lizzie snuggled closer, sighing happily.
"Daddy found a big fish," she whispered. "It pulled the ship all the way home!"
Arthur huffed a laugh, rubbing Lizzie's back.
Cesealia smiled weakly, resting her head against Arthur's chest.
"Tell me everything," she whispered.
And so he did.
Every moment was going to count from now on.