The first pale light of morning barely pierced the mist. Arthur, already armed, sent Bedivere and Palamedes to fetch the Celestion for a council of war. Purnama, Suria, and Gema had been deep in conversation in their resting chamber inside the rock when the two knights arrived to escort them to the round table.
"The plan is threefold," Lancelot stated, his voice ringing with the weight of a seasoned warrior. "The city of Avalon, forged in the heart of steaming earth, is divided into three mighty fortresses, each guarded by a Darkseed of immense power and its legion of fiends."
Lancelot traced a line on the table map.
"King Arthur, Sir Gema, Kay, Percival, and I shall ascend the central path to confront Bota." He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. "Westward, let Sir Purnama, Galahad, Lamorak, and Gawain confront Kelembai, the vile wretch who possesses Lady Suria's kris. Concurrently, let Tristan, Palamedes, Bedivere, and Gareth, escorted by our fair lady, take the eastern flank to face Simalaun."
"We shall hold our position safely beyond the entrance," Percival declared. "When the signal is given, we march forth as one. This will be no stealthy strike—let them feel the weight of our approach."
"Engage in battle with wisdom and restraint," Kay urged solemnly. "The safety of the people must remain our foremost concern."
"Our sacred duty, valiant knights, is to vanquish this foul creature of darkness and awaken the slumbering iron pathways that once bound this isle of Avalon to the broader realm," Galahad proclaimed, his words carrying the gravity of their mission.
"Those who venture across the vast ocean sail beneath the banner of a single, formidable leader," Palamedes declared. "They employ a vessel of iron and steam, which awaits their arrival at the quay every three weeks to replenish their stores."
Suria arched an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"If we're not crossing the bridge, does that mean we're to seize one of the ships instead?"
"Nay, we shall journey by other means..." Tristan responded, his tone resolute.
"Follow my knights," Arthur commanded, Excalibur raised high, its power gleaming in the air, a symbol of hope and strength. "We shall travel by Bertangkup," he continued, referring to a mystical mode of transportation known only to a few.
The knights rose and marched towards the path where Purnama and Suria had first entered.
Purnama turned to Gema, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Do you know their plan?"
"It seems we'll cross the treacherous sea using this colossal rock," Gema replied, his expression serious.
"This rock?! How is that even possible?" Suria exclaimed, incredulity evident in her voice.
"Fear not, my celestial brethren," Lamorak assured them, his voice steady. "Bertangkup is no mere stone. Our king commands it through the very essence of his soul."
A brilliant golden aura erupted from Excalibur, spreading like molten light across the rock's surface. Slowly, the giant rock, previously flat, began to rise, awakening from a deep slumber. Bertangkup opened its maw slightly, and Lancelot stood firmly in the center. A blue light illuminated his eyes through his helm, guiding their path.
"Now, our path becomes clearer," Gawain said.
"Behold, Lancelot—he has become the very eyes of Bertangkup," Lamorak explained.
"Whoa! What just happened? Is it moving now?!" Suria exclaimed, struggling to maintain her balance.
"Indeed, Bertangkup stirs," Bedivere warned, gesturing toward the yawning hollow behind him. "The journey will be rough—hold fast, lest you fall into its depths and find yourself colliding with our king."
Purnama turned to Gema, a worried expression on his face.
"That sword is not from this world. The power it emits... feels familiar."
"Purnama, you have to trust me on this," Gema replied, his tone serious.
As Bertangkup approached the vast canal, an abandoned port town appeared on the far right, marked by a colossal gear—a silent sentinel of a bygone era, once crucial in securing the steam bridge.
"This fair burg, once teeming with the vibrant throngs of merchants and wayfarers journeying by iron bridge or seafaring vessel, now lies in an eerie silence. Since the passageways have been restricted to the minions of the Darkseed, it has become a desolate and forsaken haunt," Gareth explained.
Bertangkup advanced, plunging into the tumultuous current. The rushing waters engulfed over half its massive form, testing its stability. Dark clouds gathered ominously overhead, swirling like a tempestuous shroud, as rain fell in relentless sheets, drenching the land in a somber embrace. A splash of seawater surged up to strike Bertangkup's head, sprinkling those within its grasp. The ascent of the titan was slow, and its progress through the churning sea was a laborious endeavor. No steam-powered ship was spotted on the waters that day, leaving only the whisper of the wind and the roar of the waves.
Yet, in time, the outline of land emerged from the mist, marked by the silhouette of another massive gear anchored upon the shore, its bridgehead starkly visible beneath its embrace. Bertangkup approached the land, its great hands formed a hook and a stair for those brave enough to ascend to the higher ground of Avalon. With a mighty rumble, Bertangkup opened its maw wider, beginning to petrify and transforming into a monument of stone. The hard surface of the titan facilitated their ascent.
From their elevated vantage point, they beheld a majestic city divided into three grand sections. Avalon was encircled by a ring of waterways, safeguarding the town and harnessing the currents as a source of hydropower. Three towering spires pierced the mist, continuously releasing steam plumes into the air, a testament to the city's industrious spirit.
"Why not use Bertangkup to fight the Darkseed? It could be helpful, right?"
"Or it could herald our doom, my lady," Arthur explained, his voice heavy with regret. "Little do we know that the wretched beast, Kelembai, commands the soulless thralls. We were fortunate to escape with our lives... yet I mourn the loss of three noble knights. If Bertangkup were to enter the fray, it could spell our end. The bitter truth is that I bear the weight of my knight's demise. Thus, I declare it a perilous folly."
"You hear that, Purnama? It sounds like Kelembai is a next-level soul eater. Not only can it consume souls, but it can also manipulate them to its advantage," Gema added.
"Thou speakest true, Sir Gema. Kelembai binds the souls of the fallen to the soulless, wielding dominion over them. With the might of Bertangkup, it would serve only to enhance Kelembai's dark power..." Lancelot elaborated, his gaze unwavering.
"Well, that makes sense. Bertangkup is not a living creature, after all. I almost forgot that while crossing the canal..."
"We need to report all this to Aurea later. The Darkseed is evolving to a different level," Purnama remarked, unease creeping into his voice at what Lancelot and Arthur had shared.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I didn't mean to bring up those bad memories," Suria said apologetically, unaware of the situation.
"It matters not. None among us possesses full knowledge of this threat... We must press onward," Arthur replied resolutely, resuming his journey as his knights followed closely.
Gema, Purnama, and Suria followed behind through the forest path leading to the steam city of Avalon. Rain still fell like a sorrowful hymn around them. Their journey, though challenging, was a crucial step in the epic quest they had embarked upon.
Arthur and his knights stopped at a clearing where the path split into three junctions. The steam city of Avalon became increasingly visible, though fog and rain still hindered their sight.
"Here, brave souls, we must bid farewell. When you stand nigh unto the entrance, wait for Sol to align with the grand plate that spans the towers," Arthur instructed, gesturing toward the massive plate atop the towers. "The city shall be shrouded in momentary darkness—that is our signal to commence the assault. I pray that fortitude and fortune attend you all. Until our paths cross once more."
Arthur's knights, who would not accompany him, knelt to receive a blessing before going their separate ways.
Purnama, ever mindful of Suria's safety, reiterated his concern before they separated into different groups.
"Remember, Suria, if things get out of hand, use the Dykin seed without hesitation."
"Still worried about Suria, huh, Purnama? She's one tough Kshatriya; the Darkseed is the one who should be worried. Am I right, Suria?"
"Yeah! I'm going to crush all of them today!"
"Alright then, all the best to both of you. Let's end this quickly so we can resume our mission," Purnama said, his tone determined.
They then split into three groups, each taking a different direction: Purnama's group took the left path, Arthur and Gema went down the middle, and Suria headed to the right.
As they walked, Arthur seemed troubled by a question he had meant to ask. His knights formed a formation, with Kay and Percival guarding the rear, Arthur and Gema in the middle, and Lancelot leading the way.
"Pray tell, Gema, who is that fair maiden?" Arthur finally asked.
"Huh? Do you mean Suria?" Gema replied, surprised by the question.
"Her power surpasses all I have ever witnessed, surpassing even the combined might of those three infernal lords we are destined to confront. Yet, a tempestuous spirit resides within her. By fate's decree, I am most grateful for her aid in this perilous endeavor..."
"So, you're aware of that after all. That's what keeps bothering Purnama. When I was still a Kshatriya, there was a time when Suria went berserk, destroying everything in her path. Our leader found a way to get Suria under control. For now, we have nothing to worry about; as long as Purnama is around, Suria should be just fine."
"What if Purnama were to be lost to the fray?" Arthur's concern deepened.
"Then we should pray that she stays on our side," Gema said, placing a reassuring hand on Arthur's shoulder and giving him a small smile.
Meanwhile, leading the way along the western path, Purnama outlined his strategy for attacking Kelembai's forces.
"Gentlemen, we need a diversion," he stated. "A major one, to glue Kelembai's attention to the main assault. Zirko, my companion, will assist your battle by focusing the fight entirely on one flank."
The knights' focus, fixed upon Purnama, anticipation building.
"This will give me the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the tower undetected." Purnama chuckled, a low rumble that belied the seriousness of his plan. "While Kelembai is distracted, I shall seek out Suria's kris."
As he strategized, Purnama stepped forward and slowly began sinking into a patch of quicksand. By the time he realized his predicament, he was waist-deep, a look of comical dismay spreading across his face.
"Perhaps this diversion was a bit too effective!"
The knights, with a mixture of concern and amusement, quickly sprang into action, pulling Purnama from the treacherous quicksand.
At the eastern part of Avalon.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of rushing water. Suria yawned, clearly bored from the long walk.
"Anyway, what kind of curse is powerful enough to bring the dead back to life?"
"A binding oath forged in the fires of loyalty," Palamedes began, his voice echoing in the stillness of the forest.
"My lady, the curse of which our king spoke yesterday was wrought by the ancient incantations of his great ally, Merlin. He alone invoked it; it resembles a wish more than a curse. Unbeknownst to him, we vowed the same oath—be we alive or departed, our blood and souls are for our noble King Arthur," Bedivere elucidated.
"That's a different level of loyalty you knights carry. I'm impressed; it reminds me of Purnama..."
"Yet still, Lady Suria, dost thou possess any stratagems we must heed before we engage with Simalaun?" Gareth queried, his tone earnest.
"No, I'm not Purnama; we go in and kill that bastard," Suria replied firmly.
Tristan, ever vigilant, halted the group, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword.
"My lady," he whispered, "I believe we have company."
They could see a small encampment through the dense foliage—a crudely constructed fire crackling in the center, smoke curling lazily into the air. Around it, rough-looking men were hunched over a makeshift meal, their laughter coarse and boisterous.
Suria, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint, grinned.
"Bandits," she declared, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "And they seem to have a hot meal in this rainy weather. Perfect."
Before the knights could react, Suria was already moving. With a burst of speed, she darted through the undergrowth, her movements fluid and silent as a panther. The bandits, startled by the sudden intrusion, scrambled for their weapons, but Suria was too fast. She moved like a whirlwind, disarming and disabling them with swift, efficient movements.
"Tie them up," she commanded the knights, her voice crisp and authoritative.
The knights, though surprised by her sudden initiative, obeyed without question. They quickly secured the bandits, their ropes binding them tightly to the sturdy trunks of nearby trees.
Suria, meanwhile, approached the fire, her gaze fixed on the steaming pot bubbling over the flames.
"Smells delicious," she remarked, her nose twitching. "What kind of stew is that?"
"Rabbit stew. Best you'd ever taste." One of the bandits, sputtering and cursing, grumbled.
"We'll see about that." Suria chuckled.
She ladled a generous portion of the stew into a bowl and savored the rich, savory flavors.
"Not bad," she conceded, wiping a stray bit of sauce from her chin with the back of her hand. "Thanks for the meal!"
Tied and helpless, the bandits exchanged bewildered glances as Suria and the knights continued their walk to the marked location. They had never encountered an opponent quite like this—a warrior who was both fearsome and… appreciative of a good meal.
"We have reached the place of waiting, Sir Gema," Percival proclaimed as he rubbed the bark marked with an X carved by a sword.
The weather grew windier as the rain that had been falling steadily transformed into a heavy downpour. Despite this, sunlight remained visible, unobscured by clouds. The sun reached its zenith, its rays pouring down upon the colossal solar panel atop Avalon's spires.
The city sprang to life as the panel absorbed the peak solar energy. Gears whirred, steam hissed, and the ring of water surrounding the town surged with renewed vigor, powering the city's machinery.
The signal for battle had arrived.