When I opened my eyes, it felt as if the entire world had changed. The icy lake was gone. In its place stretched an endless plain, bathed in an otherworldly light. No clouds, no wind only a strange silence, almost sacred. At its center stood a colossal tree, alone, its branches reaching as though to touch the sky.
Beneath that tree was a figure. A man, motionless, gazing at the horizon. His very presence seemed to fill the air with a strange gravity.
I struggled to my feet. Each step on the grass made the faintest rustle. The closer I came, the clearer his form became.
A tall man, broad-shouldered, not clad in battle armor but in the simple garb of a knight at training. His blond hair gleamed, so bright it seemed to capture the sky's light. His face bore the mark of war: a deep scar slashed across his left eye, and far from marring him, it gave his gaze a commanding intensity. His eyes, a brilliant green, shimmered with an unexpected warmth.
When he turned to me, a smile touched his lips a smile of relief, almost paternal. I felt a strange unease stir within me.
"Hello, Aiden," he said in a calm, deep voice. "You must be lost. That's natural. I'm here to tell you everything. To finally show you who you truly are."
My brows furrowed, my heart quickening. "Who are you?"
He gestured toward the hill beside the tree. We sat there together, our eyes on the horizon. Then he spoke:
"Introductions first. My name is Arthur Pendragon. I was once king of a land once called Pendragon. Today, it bears another name. One you know well: Toussaint."
I jolted. "The… king of Toussaint?! Why have I never heard of you? Why does no book, no song, tell your tale?"
Arthur smiled serenely, though sorrow lingered in his eyes. "Because my name was inconvenient. Because those who coveted power erased even the memory of my reign. And because some truths were too dangerous to survive. But listen, Aiden. I will tell you the story… the whole story."
"From childhood," he began, "I was told I was destined for greatness. They said nothing could stop me. I excelled at everything: the sword, strategy, diplomacy. But glory has a price. I learned that too late… I lost my brother because of me."
His voice grew heavier. "Lancelot. Two years younger. My shadow, my cadet. His whole life he was compared to me. I, the promised king; he, the eternal second. I thought that when I took the throne, I could mend it. That together we would rule as brothers united. But Lancelot disappeared. I believed him dead. Until the day he returned…"
Arthur's gaze hardened. "He returned, not as a brother but as an enemy. Consumed by hatred."
I swallowed. "But… why?"
Pain shadowed his features. "Because of the woman who stood between us. Guinevere. She was promised to me from birth. At first, it was duty, an arranged bond. But with time, love grew real. Lancelot burned with a love he could never have. That forbidden love became poison."
He lowered his head, his voice breaking slightly. "Guinevere and I came to love truly. Even the Lady of the Lake would later join our fate. But Lancelot… he was lost. When Thúrlas and his vampires rose, when our kingdom drowned in fire, it was he who chose a side. Not family… but chaos."
I clenched my fists. "Thúrlas…"
Arthur nodded slowly. "Yes. The prince of the first elves. One who should have vanished with the old world. Yet he returned, bearing a power no man could match. His vampire legions ravaged my land. For weeks we retreated, sacrificing our dearest friends to buy time. Then, in one final battle, Guinevere and I faced Thúrlas. After hours of endless struggle… we thought we had won."
His eyes drifted into the void. "But at the moment we believed him defeated, Lancelot came. Not to save us… but to end us."
A chill ran through me.
Arthur continued, his voice trembling though his bearing remained regal. "I told Guinevere to flee, to save our child. To protect what little remained of us. I stood my ground. I struck and struck, until my brother's blade pierced me. In his eyes there was no regret, no pity. Only hate. And in that moment I knew: I had not only lost a battle. I had lost my brother."
Silence weighed between us. Then he added: "When everything collapsed, she carried me. I, king and knight, broken, drenched in blood, unable to stand she lifted me like a child. Dragged me to the lake, though her own body was fading. She had lost everything she loved, yet she never abandoned me. She died there, beside me. She died smiling, despite it all."
Arthur closed his eyes, a painful smile touching his lips. "It was because of her, Aiden. It is thanks to her. If you see such strength in Princess Syanna, it is because her blood carries Guinevere's legacy."
Arthur's gaze softened. Then, with tender conviction, he said:
"For you are our son, Aiden."
I stared, stunned. "Me?!"
He nodded, his green eyes alight with paternal fire. "Yes. You were there, in your cradle. Helpless, freezing to death. I was already a specter, unable to aid you. Guinevere collapsed, and the Lady of the Lake slew our pursuers. But it was too late. Your body would not survive. So, in despair, I called upon a forgotten power."
His expression darkened. "I called upon Hísië. And he came."
My breath caught. "Hísië… but…"
Arthur raised his hand. "I know. You have met him. But he never told you the whole truth. It was I who bargained with him. I gave him my hope. My final wish: that my son live. Hísië agreed but with a condition. Your soul would be sent far away, into another world, safe to grow. Then returned, the day your true body awaited you."
My chest tightened. Memories surged—my life on Earth, my parents, my frail body. It all made sense. "Then… that other life… my parents…"
Arthur placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "They were your family too. Nothing was stolen from you. You had two lives. Two chances. And none of your choices were imposed. They were yours, Aiden. Yours alone."
I stayed silent. Then Arthur drew the sword at his side. Aerondight. Even sheathed, the blade glowed with silver light, as though it breathed.
"This is Aerondight," he said softly. "My sword. Only those who bear my blood can awaken its full power. But know this: it is no ordinary weapon. Aerondight mirrors the faith of its wielder. As long as you believe in what you fight for, it will not fail you. But if doubt takes hold… it will betray you."
His eyes locked onto mine. "Aiden. You do not have to go on. You can refuse. No one will blame you. You have already given so much. But if you accept… then you must carry this name. Not because I gave it to you. But because you choose it."
Arthur smiled, his eyes shining with silent pride.
"My son… what choice will you make?"