The night skies above Earth burned with war.
From orbit, the Royal Flagship Avalon unleashed destruction on the planet's surface. The remaining five Round Table Gundams descended like divine judgment, each landing in a different sector to spearhead the assault.
Federation bases fell one by one.
Bunkers were crushed under steel feet, mobile suits shredded by beam and blade. Anti-air fire lit the clouds, but against the Knights of Camelot, it was nothing.
---
[Cockpit – Gundam Galahad]
The world shook with every impact. Galahad advanced, his massive tower shield absorbing a barrage from a Federation artillery squad. A single push of his thrusters sent him crashing through the defensive line, his lance piercing an enemy suit's cockpit in one clean thrust.
Then—a sharp, urgent alert pierced his HUD.
IFF SIGNAL LOST – BEDIVERE
Galahad froze for a fraction of a second, eyes narrowing.
He opened the secure Knight channel.
Galahad: "Bedivere's signal is gone."
Lancelot: "What? Impossible. Bedivere is the most stronger—"
Galahad: "He activated Agateram."
Lancelot: "…What?"
Static and silence filled the line. The weight of the unspoken hit all of them at once.
---
[Cockpit – Gundam Lancelot]
Far on the eastern front, Lancelot weaved between tracer fire, twin sabers cutting down Federation suits in rapid succession. His grip on the controls tightened at Galahad's words.
If Bedivere had truly unleashed Agateram… then for his signal to vanish meant only one thing.
Lancelot: "…This doesn't make sense. No one on Earth should have the power to—"
Tristan: "Unless…"
Gawain: "We don't jump to conclusions. Continue the operation."
---
[Cockpit – Gundam Tristan]
In the west, Tristan's halberd tore through a fortified bunker. His eyes flicked between targets and the comm channel.
Tristan: "Could be jamming, but…"
Lancelot: "Not here. Not now. And not after Agateram."
Galahad: "Exactly. Which means—"
Gawain: "Enough. Finish the mission. We investigate after."
---
[Cockpit – Gundam Gawain]
With a single swing, Gawain's broadsword split a Federation artillery emplacement in two. He didn't look up at the carnage he left behind. His voice on comms was low and heavy.
Gawain: "Whoever's responsible… will pay. But until we know for sure, this stays between us."
The channel went silent again. One by one, the Knights pressed forward—destroying, burning, claiming—while the shadow of Bedivere's disappearance loomed over them like an omen.
---
Switch – MC POV
Ferius Nura's eyes opened slowly to the dim light of the camp tent. His head ached, his vision blurred until the outlines of people came into focus.
Outside, voices murmured over the flicker of a television screen. On it, a news anchor spoke over shaky battlefield footage:
"…Camelot's forces have annihilated multiple Federation strongholds. Sources confirm at least six Gundam-class units are involved in the offensive. Colonies and Mars leaders have issued harsh condemnations, calling for immediate mobilization…"
Lieutenant Kaedin, young but already hardened by war, stood watching silently, arms folded. Nearby, General Halsten and General Kurein were in hushed discussion, their expressions grim.
Nura's gaze stayed on the screen. Footage showed a Gundam with a massive shield, Galahad, crushing an enemy before driving its lance through the wreck.
Five of them were still out there.
And none of them knew yet who had taken down the sixth.
---
Rebel/Federation Joint Camp near Elysion Elevator
The low hum of the television and the faint rustle of the camp's night wind were the first things Ferius Nura noticed as his eyes adjusted to the dim glow of a lantern.
His body felt heavy, every muscle sore, but the sharp sting at the side of his head told him he was still alive. He slowly sat up from the makeshift cot, blinking at the blurred shapes of soldiers and civilians moving about outside.
Nura: "…Where… am I?"
A familiar voice answered from the tent flap.
Lieutenant Kaedin: "You're back at camp. Near the Elysion Elevator. We… pulled you out of the cockpit after the fight."
Nura's mind raced. The last thing he remembered was the blinding light… Bedivere's scream… and the moment his greatsword split that Gundam in two.
He rubbed his temples. "How long was I out?"
Kaedin stepped closer, his young face shadowed by worry. "Almost a full day. You lost a lot of blood."
From outside, General Halsten's deep voice cut in.
Halsten: "Good. You're awake. You've got questions, I'm sure—but answers will have to wait. Right now, we're holding position until we can move to the Elevator."
General Kurein entered next, arms folded.
Kurein: "And in case you're wondering—yes. That was one of Camelot's Gundams you fought. But don't get comfortable. They're still out there."
The television behind them continued its broadcast.
Footage of burning Federation outposts. Columns of smoke rising from the ruins. The anchor's voice grim and heavy:
"…Multiple Federation installations destroyed. Casualties estimated in the thousands. Camelot's forces show no sign of halting their advance…"
Nura sat there in silence, his mind still trying to process the weight of what happened—and the even greater war that was now marching straight toward them.
---
The television droned on in the background, but General Kurein's gaze was locked on Nura. His arms remained crossed, but there was an intensity in his eyes—not quite admiration, but something close to it.
Kurein: "So… how does it feel?"
Nura blinked. "…Feel?"
Kurein: "To fight two of Camelot's Round Table Knights—and walk away alive. To kill them. Not many can claim that."
Kaedin, still standing near the cot, looked between them. "He's right. First Bors… now Bedivere."
Nura exhaled slowly, staring at the floor. "…It doesn't feel like a win."
Halsten stepped in from the tent flap, his arms behind his back. "Explain."
Nura's voice was quiet, but it carried weight. "They're not just machines… and they're not just pilots. Every strike feels like it carries something more. Power, rage… and something I don't even understand. Bedivere—he had this… light. This power that shouldn't exist. When it came at me, I didn't think I'd survive."
Kurein tilted his head. "But you did. And you cut him down."
Nura's hands clenched at his knees. "Because I had no choice. If I'd hesitated, I'd be dead—and all of you along with me."
The tent went quiet for a moment. The hum of the TV filled the silence again, showing footage of Camelot banners being raised over captured bases.
Halsten finally spoke. "We're not celebrating, Nura. But you've shown us something important… Camelot's knights can bleed. And they can fall."
Kurein gave a faint, grim smile. "That's the only reason our people are still here tonight."
Nura didn't answer. His mind was still back in that blinding light, hearing Bedivere's voice screaming For Bors! as the sky split apart.
---
Nura finally tore his eyes from the TV and looked toward Halsten and Kurein.
"…The Elysion Elevator… is it still intact?"
Kurein glanced at Halsten before answering. "Surprisingly, yes. Even after your fight with Bedivere, the structural scans show no serious damage. The explosion site was close, but not close enough to hit the foundation."
Halsten stepped forward, unfolding a small holo-map on the table beside Nura's cot. "We've already sent recon drones to check. The main shaft is clear. The problem is…" He tapped the holo, highlighting several red markers. "…Camelot patrols have started moving in the area since the blast. They're sniffing around, probably to find whoever fought Bedivere."
Nura frowned. "So we can't use it yet?"
Halsten shook his head. "Not until we're sure it's safe. The elevator is our only ticket to the Moon and the colonies. If Camelot takes it, we're finished."
Kaedin leaned against the tent pole, arms crossed. "Best case? We start moving in two days. Worst case…" He exhaled sharply. "…We never get to use it at all."
Kurein's voice was firm. "We'll move sooner if we can. But right now, we need every soldier and civilian rested. Your fight bought us time, Nura—but not much."
Nura sat back, staring at the holo-map. The Elysion Elevator loomed like a giant lifeline in his mind. Two days… Maybe less.
---
Camelot Royal Flagship Avalon
The throne room aboard the Avalon was dim, lit only by the cold light of tactical holoscreens. Arthur King sat motionless on his high seat, the sound of marching knights echoing faintly in the distance.
Merlin approached, his expression unusually grave. He knelt. "Your Majesty… Bedivere's signal has ceased. His Gundam's core is silent."
Arthur's eyes didn't move for a moment. His hand tightened slightly on the armrest. "…Bedivere… so you're gone too." His voice was quiet, but carried a weight like stone. "Even after calling upon Agateram… you still go far away from me."
Merlin lowered his head. "It may have been an overwhelming foe. Even Bedivere's—"
Arthur raised a hand, cutting him off. "No need for sympathy, Merlin. Bedivere fought as a knight should. To fall in service of Camelot… it is the highest honor he could attain."
For a brief moment, the King's gaze softened, as if remembering a comrade-in-arms rather than a subordinate. Then his tone sharpened, cold and commanding.
"How goes the progress of the others?"
Merlin straightened. "The remaining five Round Table Knights are advancing. Galahad and Lancelot have crushed the Tokyo Defense Line, Percival and Gawain are sweeping the South American Federation, and Tristan is pushing through the African continental strongholds. Earth Federation resistance is collapsing sector by sector."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, the glint of a conqueror's will in them. "Good. Then soon, this fractured Earth will be united—under Camelot." As Arthur's look the Earth from Camelot Royal Flagship Avalon.
---
Round Table Knights – Various Battlefields Across Earth
The encrypted Camelot command channel crackled to life in every cockpit, cutting through the gunfire and explosions.
A cold, mechanical voice from Camelot's central command announced:
> [PRIORITY ONE – CONFIRMATION: Knight Bedivere, pilot of "Light of the Spear," has fallen. Final signal lost near Elysion Elevator. Cause unknown.]
Static faded. Then silence.
---
[Galahad ]
Galahad raised his massive shield, intercepting a barrage meant for his squad. His voice was low, but heavy with disbelief.
"…Bedivere's signal is gone."
---
[Lancelot ]
From the other end, Lancelot's tone was sharp.
"What? That's impossible! Bedivere was unmatched—his defense and offense were absolute!"
---
[Galahad]
"He activated Agateram before the signal cut out."
---
[Lancelot]
"…What? You're saying he used Agateram… and still fell?"
---
[Percival ]
Percival's deep voice rumbled over the comms as his Gundam tore through a Federation bunker.
"If Agateram wasn't enough, then whatever he fought… wasn't an ordinary pilot, or even a conventional machine."
---
[Gawain ]
Gawain's laughter was harsh, almost mocking.
"Bedivere wasn't the type to underestimate an opponent. Whoever—or whatever—this was, it wasn't by chance."
---
[Tristan ]
Tristan's cold, detached tone broke through.
"No recorded visuals. No surviving witnesses. The enemy's identity is irrelevant until confirmed. Assume any unknown contact is hostile."
---
[Galahad]
"I want the battlefield scanned. Wreckage, energy signatures, anything. Bedivere deserves more than to vanish without a trace."
---
[Percival]
"Hmph. And if we find his killer?"
---
[Lancelot]
"Then we will bring them before His Majesty. Alive… or in pieces."
---
[Gawain]
"And if they're already gone?"
---
[Tristan]
"Then we wait. They'll show themselves eventually. Warriors always do."
---
[Lancelot]
"Bedivere's death will not go unanswered. Mark my words… whoever took him from us has signed their own death sentence."
---
No one on the comms knew the truth.
Not that Bedivere's final opponent was a Gundam.
Not that it still roamed Earth.
And least of all… that its pilot was already preparing for the next battle.