Issue #12

(Well... Fuck me. Looks like a wrote another chapter around the usual time. Guess I'm just gonna say that I will post daily and not sure when in the day then.)

Red veins of magical energy appeared on the Ebony Staff as Lancelot charged forward. Bitterhand hurried to block the blow but was not ready for the force behind it. The Dark Elf ended up being sent flying over 20 meters and into the interior of the castle.

"There goes the castle," Morgan held her head while thinking about how troublesome it would be to repair the castle.

Bitterhand and Lancelot's battle was unseen by most but all of them could hear it. As blade and staff clashed, the clinging of metals and explosions from the strength behind each blow was heard by all.

"He really decided to challenge her in the second most foolish way that he could," Doom commented from the side

"Really? Why is that, Doom?" Loki had a puzzled looked on her face

"I assume you have heard a little of Arthurian Legends. She calls him Lancelot not to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies but because that is his true name. He is truly the greatest knight to ever live," Doom explained

Doom had learned most of what he knew about magic from Morgan so he had the best idea of her strengths and weakness. While the woman was a powerful sorceress/cleric herself, she also had many traits of a stereotypical magic user which was her weakness in close combat.

This was where Lancelot came in. Originally one of the knights of the Round Table and rumored to be the strongest after King Arthur. His skill with a random weapon he picked up on the side of the street could surpass a master that had been using the same weapon for years.

After betraying Arthur, Morgan killed several members of the Round Table, one being Lancelot. She then used her powerful magic to bring back part of his soul that focused on a certain aspect of his life as her servant/familiar. Using this method, Morgan was able to create the perfect knight for her that could protect her from all foes.

~Boom~

With an explosion and cloud of dust, Bitterhand and Lancelot emerged from the castle once more. It was easy to tell who was stronger between the pair when they looked at them.

Bitterhand was lying on the ground while barely being able to hold onto his blade. His entire body was covered in wounds of various degrees. Lancelot looked completely unharmed on the other hand.

"Raaarrrreerrr!" Lancelot let out another frenzied roar before raising the Ebony Staff above his head. He then brought it down with all of his strength onto the head of Bitterblade.

The Dark Elf's body was almost completely destroyed from the attack. Both his torso and head were turned into a paste that fell into the small crater the blow had created.

The other Dark Elves looked on in horror as their strongest warrior was killed without even damaging his enemy. They would definitely think twice about rebelling against Morgan due to this.

Morgan walked over with her dress swaying in the wind as she walked. When she reached Bitterhand's body, she bent over and picked up the Bitterblade before feeling the dark, magical energy course through her.

'My gosh. Although it needs some new enchantments, this blade was made with excellent qualities in mind,' Morgan thought to herself as she gave it a few practice swings before nodding in approval

The woman then threw the blade to Lancelot since she believed that swords were not as elegant as a staff. So she walked over and grabbed the Ebony Staff from his hands as she had gotten her new weapon.

"Show us to the treasury."

Malekith did so reluctantly. The treasury had several of the greatest circles in all of the 9 Realms there. He had managed to take them from Asgard and the other realms thanks to the Black Bifrost allowing his forces to move around as they pleased.

Loki and Doom stayed on the surface since they were getting something else of benefit (their entire realms) so Jack and Lancelot were the ones who accompanied Morgan to the treasury.

When they entered the vault, it was not large. It was only about 5 square meters in size. But what it had in it was worth so much.

There were 7 pedestals with items on each of them. One of these items immediately attracted Jack's attention. It was a small silver casket.

'The Casket of Future Winters!? It was supposed to be in Odin's Armory!'

Jack rushed up to the casket before picking it up and examining it closely. When he felt the chill that it was giving off, Jack could confirm it was the real thing.

"Can I have this? I was planning on asking Loki to get it for me if it was still in Asgard but since it is here, I may as well ask you."

Jack did not beat around the bush and directly requested it. As long as he had both Caskets and killed Ymir, he would gain power that could match Odin.

"Take it. You have given me the Ebony Staff so I can give you this," Morgan replied indifferently

"They are not on the same scale. This is worth so much more so I will owe you a favor," Jack told her honestly. Although he was fine with deceiving his allies for a purpose, he wouldn't just take advantage of others for no reason.

Morgan nodded when she heard Jack's words. Although she did not understand what made it so valuable, she would not reject the chance to get a favor from Jack. She could already tell that he was the linchpin to their entire alliance.