A Meeting Of Crowns

"Hey there, Pendragon. It's been some time."

A tall man with striking golden eyes and tanned skin greeted them as the servant ushered Arthur, Merlin, and Morgan into the dining hall.

The High King nodded at the man. "It has been some time, Nero."

Emperor Nero Ragnarok grinned and strode forward, his long azure hair swept back neatly, save for a single blue strand on the side of his face.

He wore a dark navy blue suit that shimmered slightly under the soft light of the intricate chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the ornate and modern dining hall.

Silver embroidery adorned his jacket, intertwining into ornate designs on his shoulders and cuffs. Beneath the jacket, he wore a matte black shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, displaying the sleek platinum chain hanging from his neck.

A long coat, similar to Arthur's, was draped across his shoulder, except Nero's was a deep midnight blue that shimmered like ink, and his black leather shoes with silver accents gleamed with polished perfection.

Two rings containing two different types of rare stones decorated the elegant fingers of his right hand, and a golden earring shaped like a spear point dangled from his left ear.

His presence filled the dining room and caused the very air to ripple, a sign of his position as the ruler of the Ragnarok Empire and as a Crown, one of the three official X-rankers in Asteris.

"You look rather haggard," Nero remarked, his eyes sparkling with mischief, and he extended his hand to Arthur. "Managing a huge nation is taking its toll on you, my friend."

Arthur clasped his hand firmly. "I see you've remained as insufferably observant as ever."

Nero laughed. "What can I say? I am that good."

He then turned to Merlin with a mischievous smirk. "I see that our little warlock has grown a bit. What happened, Merlin? Tired of being a teen celebrating her sweet sixteen?"

Merlin smirked back. "Not exactly. Nero. I realized I looked quite beautiful as a nineteen-year-old."

"Well, I must say you were quite right in that," the Emperor remarked, and his attention turned to Morgan, who slightly flinched under his piercing golden gaze.

She felt an aura radiating off him, similar to her father's, an overwhelming and powerful presence that filled the space and was just as chilling as Merlin's peculiar constantly fluctuating, and sometimes nonexistent aura.

"Crown Princess Morgan. Nice to meet you. You look quite lovely in that outfit," Nero greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes glinting like polished gold.

Morgan curtseyed before the Emperor and addressed him respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you, Emperor Nero."

Nero chuckled and looked at Arthur. "Your daughter is more polite than you are, Pendragon."

Arthur gave a small smile that betrayed his cold eyes. "Her mother taught her well."

"Indeed." Nero nodded in agreement and tilted his head. "I see that Guinevere didn't come with you this time."

He narrowed his eyes. "Is she still mad at you?"

Arthur closed his eyes and shook his head. "She has another meeting to attend to. As High Queen, she is sometimes busier than I am."

Nero arched his eyebrows, definitely not believing it. "Right. It had nothing to do with the death of your son, eh?"

Arthur's eyes glinted dangerously. "I am telling you, he is not dead."

"Let the child rest," Nero said softly. "You ignored his existence while he was alive. Don't dishonor him by refusing to accept his death."

He looked at Morgan with an apologetic smile. "No disrespect, Crown Princess, but your dad can be a lousy father at times."

Merlin chuckled. "Well, there is no denying that."

Morgan didn't know how to react, so she glanced at her father. His face was unreadable.

His lips curled into a smile as if he enjoyed the remark made by the Emperor.

"Speaking of lousy fathers…" he tilted his head. "How is the search for your daughter, Nero?"

"Going quite well," Nero replied with a dangerous glint in his eyes as well. "My best trackers are doing their best to find her."

"You have my full support in the search. I could mobilize the best tracker in the Knights of the Round to help you," Arthur offered with a smirk.

Nero's eye twitched, and the air began to tremble as he spoke. "Are you saying that my trackers are not good enough?"

Arthur shook his head. "On the contrary, I am saying that your daughter covered her tracks quite well, so much so that your trackers are still searching despite the passing of a whole year."

"And you are saying that your best tracker can find her?" Nero asked with narrowed eyes.

"She would have a better chance, but it would largely depend on whether the Imperial Princess wishes to be found or not," Arthur replied cooly and shook his head.

"And can I blame her? When a tremendous power is thrust into their arms, isn't it natural to be overwhelmed and do something drastic like running away from home?"

The air began to crackle, and a terrifying aura descended on the room, shaking the very palace to its foundations.

Nero's voice was like a sheathed blade, ready to slice. "I see you are still as infuriating as ever. Arthur."

The High King stared back at the Emperor with an equally terrifying gaze. "And you are still as insufferable as ever."

"How about we have a go at each other before dinner?" Nero suggested in a deadly tone, a crackling golden glow surrounding him. The entire room trembled under the pressure of his aura.

Arthur's eyes glowed, and a terrifying bloodlust that matched Nero's emanated from him, his own aura clashing with that of his fellow Crown.

The temperature in the room plummeted, and an oppressive pressure filled the air, making the very act of breathing a difficult task.

Alarms began to blare all around them. The lights flickered, and cracks began to appear in the walls.

Morgan was completely overwhelmed. Despite being an S-ranker, her body refused to move. Her limbs felt like lead, paralyzed by the sheer intensity of the auras surrounding her. 

Every instinct screamed at her to flee, yet she stood frozen, helpless against the onslaught of power radiating from these two monsters.

Her eyes darted desperately to Merlin. Surprisingly, she remained unaffected, her expression one of amusement, even eagerness, as though she was watching an exciting drama unfold.

The alarms continued to blare, and Morgan could hear the pounding of boots outside the room as palace guards rushed to their location, though she wondered what they could even do if two X-rankers started fighting.

She could already imagine the pandemonium outside the palace walls as ardor sensors all over the world went absolutely mental, broadcasting the terrifying news all over Asteris.

A clash between X rankers is cataclysmic. Like a battle between Incarni, unleashing massive amounts of energy and untold destruction that could reshape the very landscape.

The only reason why the dining hall they're in didn't collapse or straight up disintegrate is because of the unique and enhanced construction of the entire palace, making it quite robust against the power of an X-ranker.

But even it cannot handle the power released by the clash of two X-rankers.

Morgan clenched her fists, her breathing shallow and rapid, trying her hardest not to succumb to the monstrous pressure while Merlin, the only one who could stop them, was doing diddly squat, standing there with her usual mischievous smirk.

Just as it seemed to Morgan that her father was about to pull out Excalibur, an equally powerful aura washed over them like a gust of wind, cutting through the storm of power.

"That's enough." The voice was soft, yet the power in those words was unmistakable.

At the entrance stood a young woman who appeared no older than nineteen, her calm expression radiating an air of quiet authority.

Her long, wavy auburn hair caught the flickering light as it transitioned to a bright golden hue, cascading down her back, glowing faintly like her fair skin with the power of Lux.

Her sky-blue eyes, calm and unwavering, glittered like sapphires and swept over the scene with a calm confidence.

Like the monarchs, the very air seemed to hum with her arrival, a low, comforting vibration that resonated deep within the soul.

Morgan recognized her immediately. Only one other human in existence could stand on the same level as her father and Emperor Nero.

Joan O Arc, the Saintess of the Order of Lux, and the third Crown of Asteris.

Morgan wondered. She is called the ultimate genius in the Kingdom, and yet this girl younger than her is far more powerful.

She watched in awe as Joan entered the room, each step soft yet deliberate, exuding an effortless grace that belied the immense power she wielded. 

At just nineteen, she had already carved her name into history as the youngest X-ranker ever recorded, a living legend.

Once hidden from the world as the Order's secret weapon, her existence was revealed only after the brutal murder of her predecessor and guardian at the hands of the infamous Vanis Hectus. 

Joan is known far and wide for her radiant kindness, and she possesses a bright, infectious energy, the kind that makes it impossible not to smile in her presence. 

Yet behind this well of kindness and warmth is an unbreakable will strengthened by her experiences, along with a ruthlessness that was as cold as her radiant warmth and kindness.

The white suit she wore was a reflection of herself, a masterpiece of refined elegance. The tailored jacket fit her slim frame perfectly, with gold and silver embroidery tracing intricate patterns along the edges of her lapels and cuffs.

Beneath the jacket, she wore a white shirt of the purest silk with subtle silver patterns that almost glowed. 

Her pristine white pants hugged her long legs and ended just above her white boots, which were embroidered with golden vines that spiraled around the ankles.

A golden brooch shaped like a four-pointed star with light rays radiating from it and surrounded by a ring of flames was pinned to her jacket, the symbol of the Order of Lux.

Flanking her on either side were two paladins in their signature sleek white battle outfits, a fusion of formal attire and futuristic armor. Their faces are hidden behind white and silver full-faced visor masks.

Joan walked toward Arthur and Nero, her aura subtly yet powerfully pressing against theirs, causing the two monarchs to suppress their own power.

"Let's not test the durability of the Emperor's palace, gentlemen," she said with a smile, her voice gentle but commanding.

Arthur looked at her, his gaze piercing. "You have a thing for timing, Saintess."

Joan laughed, her voice like a sparkling stream. "You flatter me, Your Majesty."

She turned to Nero and bowed her head. "Thank you, Emperor, for agreeing to host this dinner between the constant search for the princess. I hope you will quickly find her, and I'll be happy to assist you if you need it."

Nero nodded with a smile. "Polite as always, Joan." He glanced at Arthur. "That is how you offer help."

The High King shrugged. "I have my way of speaking, and she has hers."

Joan's eyes gleamed as she turned to Merlin. "I see you're still mischievous as ever, Lady Merlin."

She strode over, and they shook hands. "I guess we're both the same age," she chuckled.

Merlin smiled back. "Well, I realized people don't actually take a sixteen-year-old seriously. Being older is much better."

"Indeed." Joan grinned. "I look forward to your classes."

"With your genius, you'll breeze through them," Merlin replied with a chuckle.

Nero raised his eyebrows. "Ah. I've heard that you'll be attending Avalon this year."

Joan nodded. "Yes, your Majesty. Lady Merlin was kind enough to let me enroll."

She turned to Arthur. "I should thank you as well, your Majesty, since Merlin is your aide."

Arthur waved his hand dismissively. "Don't thank me, Saintess. Avalon is an independent organization. The Kingdom has a mutualistic relationship with them, just like every other nation in Asteris."

Nero laughed. "Yeah. An independent organization whose head just happens to be your best friend."

Ignoring the obvious jab, Arthur looked at Joan. "I am curious, though. You are already a powerful warlock, and you were the top student at the Order's academy. Why attend Avalon Academy?"

"It's true that I am a graduate of the Order's academy," Joan agreed, clasping her hands behind her back. "But it was a training academy for paladins."

She looked at Merlin. "Avalon is more diverse with a far more reservoir of information and knowledge about the world. I could have a proper academic life and learn a lot more things."

Merlin puffed out her chest with a smug smile. "And you will, Saintess! I assure you. You will experience the best academy arc of your life!"

Joan laughed. "Thank you, Lady Merlin."

Her attention then turned to Morgan, who was still reeling from the clash of auras. Joan's face brightened, and she rushed over and enveloped Morgan in an embrace.

"Morgan! It is so good to see you again!" 

Morgan, snapping out of her daze, blinked in surprise but quickly returned the hug. "Me too. Your Holiness."

"Your Holiness?" Joan pouted. "I told you to call me by my name, like how I'm calling you by yours."

Morgan stammered. "But you're the Saintess, and I'm just—"

Joan silenced her with a grin and hugged her again. "Not important. Friends first."

"I missed hanging out with you."

Morgan was taken aback by this sudden show of affection from the Saintess. Though flustered, the warmth of Joan's embrace grounded her, helping to ease the tension that lingered in her chest.

She smiled. "Me too, Joan."

Morgan's mind drifted briefly to the day of Mordred's funeral, the first time she had met the Saintess.

Joan attended the funeral of her own volition, even going so far as to ask the High Queen for permission.

That day, Morgan had remained in her room, unsure whether she should attend the funeral at all, given her complicated past with Mordred.

That was when Joan accidentally stumbled into her room. What followed was an unexpected but heartfelt conversation with the Saintess.

Sometimes, Morgan wondered if it was her mother's doing or simply Joan's kind and empathetic nature that led to that moment, but by the time she left, Morgan had become good friends with her.

Joan's voice pulled her back to the present. "I see that you are still being haunted by your guilt, Morgan," she said gently, her eyes filled with understanding.

"If you want to talk. I'll be here to listen."

Patting Morgan's shoulder, she said, "Let's enjoy dinner, shall we?"

Turning around, she looked at Nero, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, Emperor Nero. What is the menu for tonight?"

Nero's lips turned into a smile that screamed trouble. "The finest Ragnarok can offer, Saintess."

He turned to Arthur with a playful glint in his eyes. "I hope you are not too picky, my friend."

The High King gave a nonchalant shrug. "I have tasted the cuisine of your homeland. You can't surprise me."

Nero laughed. "Oh, you're in for a treat!"

Merlin smirked, her multicolored eyes shimmering with excitement. "Let's hope no one blows up the palace before dessert."

She nudged Morgan gently."You must be hungry after all that drama, Morgan. Let's eat."