Chapter 12: The beginning of The End

We materialize in a new place, a new world. A mistake we'd soon regret.

The ground is littered with golden-crimson grass, the vast array of multiple coloured trees that spring up to touch the sky. The sunlight is brighter than usual here and the view is definitely more amazing.

I search for a word, maybe two, something I can say to break the silence and I realize Carol is doing the same thing too. She's been rendered speechless by the new lively environment.

"I think we're here," I finally manage to murmur.

"Yeah, this place is amazing. I mean... Look at that, that is literally a purple tree." Carol mumbles in amazement.

"Look there's a red one, and one's blue, The sun feels so good on my skin." I say.

"We should look for someone who can tell us about this second rising thing," Carol suggests while looking around for any signs of activity.

"I don't know, this place seems deserted. Let's look around," I say and we both move.

We walk through a thicket that lies just ahead and our eyes open in amazement. A large grassy and flora filled horizon greets our eyes. My eyes experience an eyegasm as I marvel at it. No wonder the Danann didn't want to come back to Ireland. This place is amazing.

We both take a minute, breath in the new air and begin our exploration. The golden-crimson grass continues to cover almost everywhere, puddles and small dams litter the ground, some are puddles. The plants make up most of the life. We see a bunny, a dear and then a strange animal that looks like a gigantic bunny, other strange animals also tussle about.

"We've been walking for two hours now and we haven't seen a person. All we've seen are strange animals and plants and mystical looking water." I complain as we keep walking with no idea whatsoever where it is we're going.

"Well, we're already here and we have a whole week. Might as well make the most of it. Besides this place is gorgeous. Imagine the nights."

Carol has always liked night time, she thinks it slightly more beautiful than day time. The stars sparked her natural curiosity.

The only thing that comes to my mind though is her and I doing naughty things. I miss the feel of her skin under my touch.

"That's what you're thinking about? We're in an unknown foreign land, Angy," Carol states as she walks beside me.

Shit, I forgot she can read minds. Abhartach immediately locks her out of my head once again. This time I think he's made sure that the only way she comes back in is with our permission.

"Hey, not my fault. I'm a hormonal teenage boy, what did you expect. Besides I've imagined worse."

"Boys," She says with a sigh before complaining about Abhartach locking her out again.

As we continue wandering about looking for anything we hear a sound. Like sharp metal objects clashing. We should totally head for the opposite direction but Carol prefers to stare the situation right in the face, tell it to fuck off, and she does just that.

"Come on, let's check it out," She says with a stern expression.

"When you hear sounds of struggle in a magical land, you go the opposite direction then check it out after. In fact we shouldn't even check it out at all. What if it's someone who'd kill us."

"And what if they have the answers we need. We have to see."

I don't want to, I remember the vision I had. She died in my arms, I will do whatever I can to prevent that, but I know that she can take care of herself and she's definitely way stronger than I am.

"Fine, let's go," I say and we rush towards the loud clinging.

We see a heated battle between four individuals. One seems to be surrounded by the other three. Looks like the three are allies as they are wearing similar armour. The one in the middle wields a sword that looks familiar.

He takes a deep breath then he attacks. He dodges an attack from the one on the right and slides his sword across his neck, then he turns in the blink of an eye and beheads the one in front of him. His movements are swift, no mistake in his form. He blocks an attack from the remaining foe and lets the attacker's weapon slide right down his sword, then he redirects the direction of it so that it gets stuck in the ground and with that, he slices through the enemy's abdomen.

"You can show yourselves," He says calmly as he sheathes his sword.

Carol steps out and looks at him in silence, I follow.

"You guys don't look like you're either Fomorian or Danann, are you lost?" He asks.

"No, we're here looking for some information," Carol says. I let her do the talking and take some notes.

"I wonder what information you're looking for, maybe I can help. It'd be a shame to watch a beautiful lady like you spend her time exploring this large place." He says while analysing Carol from head to toe.

"Right..." Carol responds.

He walks closer to us but stops about two meters away. He looks at me then his gaze moves to Carol. I don't like the way he looks at her.

"The name's... Albert," He says slowly in his british sounding accent.

He has well kept brown hair, emerald green eyes and wears decorated blue armour. His handsome features look like he came out of a fairytale, Great.

"I'm Carol, and this is my boyfriend Sam." She responds and extends her greetings. Albert's smile fades for just a moment before he smiles once more.

"Now, what are you two looking for?"

"Do you have any friends or some other people? We really need to rest up before tomorrow." Carol asks and I know exactly what she's doing. Incase he has friends or allies, we wouldn't want to start a conflict. She wants to know as many things about him as possible.

" Unfortunately I came here alone. I'm looking for something that could give me what I once lost." He says. "Something extraordinary."

We walk for a few minutes and stop half a kilometre away and make camp for the night. Carol sets up a tent, she really was prepared for everything.

Night falls and the sky is gorgeous. The stars decorate the sky and the plants change their colours. Red becomes blue and pink becomes violet. The grass turns to a dark green.

The fire crackles between us while I lay my head on Carol's lap. Don't judge me, I just like being close to her. She plays around with my red hair.

"So, what is it you're looking for?" Albert asks as he sits across us from the other side of the fire. "Something that can tell us about the second rising." I answer and his eyes widen.

"The second rising of the Fomorians. They wish to reclaim their land and conquer the rest of the world. I've been here looking for a weapon that might help." Albert says.

"Wait, you know about it?" I ask.

"Of course I do, I am linked to an ancient and wise being. For all this to end. I need the holy sword. My sword of light alone won't be enough." He says.

"Wait, you mean your sword is Nuadu's sword of light?" I jolt up.

"Yes it is. I recovered it back in Scotland. It was beneath a small mountain."

"You don't by any chance mean the sword-"

"Excalibur," He interrupts my sentence in excitement. "Only the worthy can wield it, and those who can are destined for greatness."

"Seems you already have a plan. Guess we weren't the only ones that could wanted to save the world huh, Carol?" I say to her as I put my head back on her lap.

"Maybe, we have a long day tomorrow, we should go to sleep." Carol yawns as she pulls me up and directs me to our tent.

"Goodnight gorgeous and... Guy." Albert says while ogling at Carol.

I wanted to do... "Things" to Carol but with prince worthy outside I don't think that's possible. So I kiss her goodnight. Tell her I love her and try to get some shut eye. She pulls me closer to her until my head is on her chest, then she holds on tight and falls asleep. Strange but sweet. I follow her shortly.

"Angy... Angy," a whisper wakes me up, it's Carol and It is the middle of the night.

"What is it?" I whisper back feeling unfathomably sleepy.

"I don't think I trust Albert. Sure, his story checks out but he just has a certain vibe to him." Carol says.

"I get what you mean. He's just way too... Knightly." I say.

"Yeah, He is kinda cute," She says.

"Yeah... Wait what?" I ask her with a puzzled look.

"My bad," She bursts into a small giggle before kissing me on the lips. "Don't worry love, you know I don't think anyone can be better looking than you, If I had things my way, we'd both be naked right now while I had my way with you under those gorgeous stars outside." She says and I know she means it.

"I love you, Angy."

"I love you too, Carol."

We wake up a few minutes after dawn and make our way along with Albert. He has a map of where Excalibur is. At least we know where we're supposed to go.

"Hey Albert, is it normal for your sword to start glowing like that?" Carol asks while pointing at his bioluminescent blade.

"No, it isn't. It's attracted to something." The sword rattles around his waist for moment when I try to get close it but stays calm when I move away, strange.

We finally arrive at a small clearing that leads somewhere ominous.

"We're here," Albert says casually as he takes out his blade. "We might have company. Be on your guard."

Carol emits a small gust of wind as she changes her appearance. Her hair turns from white to a bright red and so do her eyes. Her green hoodie turns into a dark cloak and that covers her black leather under armour.

I change my appearance to Abhartach's apparel with a few modifications I made. I wear a black hood with a half mask that covers my mouth. I also wear black light leather armour underneath with white lining.

Carol clutches her staff in her right hand and Albert has the sword of light in his. I honestly feel a bit awkward with nothing but a dagger.

We near the entrance and the two guards on duty charge at us roaring.

"Halt!"

Albert and Carol rush ahead. Carol blocks the attacks of one with ease then sprouts vines from the ground and crushes the guard until he stops moving.

Albert parries the attacks from the incoming enemy's spear then he effortlessly dispatches her by impaling him on his sword.

Didn't even have to do anything this time.

Albert pulls sword out from the guard and she utters her final words.

"You Fomorian spawn will pay," Before succumbing to her fatal wound.

"Wait, why did she call us Fomorians?" I ask Albert.

"Because that's what I am, that's what we are," He answers.

"What the fuck is going on?" Carol asks.

"What is going on is that you led me to where Excalibur was kept. And for that I thank you."

"What are you talking about?" Carol asks.

"Carol, he is a Fomorian linked. He's been tricking us the whole time, lying to us. We were right not to trust him." I say in an angered tone.

"Yeah, but why did he need us to lead him, he had map of the place."

"Because only Danann can enter the cove where Excalibur rests. We just helped end the world." I say in fear.

He cackles maniacally before walking towards the cave lavishly.

I should have known. His handsome features, the blue armour, the sword wielding. That can only be one man. Bres.

"How are you here. You should be dead." I say to him.

"Oh, Foolish boy, I was dead. But we Fomorians can also link to a human. The only difference is that we can completely overcome our hosts, while they can only assist, we take over."