Chapter 31: The Truth Revealed

Arthur's eyes were fixed on the woman, his mind racing with questions. Who was she? What did she want with him? And what was the meaning of the strange, glowing light that had consumed the sorcerer's body?

The woman smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth and kindness. "My name is Eriol," she said. "And I am your mother."

Arthur's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled backwards, his mind reeling with the implications. His mother? But that was impossible. His mother had died when he was just a baby.

Eriol nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. "I know this is a shock, Arthur," she said. "But it is the truth. I was a powerful sorceress, and I was forced to make a terrible choice to save our kingdom. I had to leave you behind, and I have been trapped in this place, waiting for the day when you would come to rescue me."

Arthur's eyes filled with tears as he stared at Eriol, his heart heavy with grief and regret. He had always felt like there was something missing in his life, and now he knew what it was. His mother.

But as he looked at Eriol, he saw that she was not well. Her skin was pale and clammy, and her eyes were sunken with exhaustion.

"Eriol, what's wrong?" Arthur asked, his voice shaking with concern.

Eriol smiled weakly, her eyes filled with sadness. "I'm afraid it's too late, Arthur," she said. "The sorcerer's magic has consumed me, and I don't have much time left."

Arthur's eyes widened in horror as he stared at Eriol, his mind racing with despair. No, this couldn't be happening. He had just found his mother, and now he was going to lose her.

Eriol reached out and took Arthur's hand, her eyes filled with love and regret. "I'm so proud of you, Arthur," she said. "You are a brave and powerful warrior, and I know you will do great things. But I'm afraid I won't be here to see it."

Arthur's eyes filled with tears as he stared at Eriol, his heart heavy with grief and regret. He knew he had to say goodbye, but he couldn't bear the thought of losing his mother.

As the life drained from Eriol's body, Arthur held her close, his tears falling onto her face. "I love you, Mother," he whispered, his voice shaking with grief.

Eriol smiled weakly, her eyes filled with love and regret. "I love you too, Arthur," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

And with that, Eriol's body went limp, and she was gone. Arthur held her close, his heart heavy with grief and regret. He had found his mother, only to lose her again.

As he stood there, frozen in grief, Arthur felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Gedeon, his eyes filled with sadness and concern.

"Arthur, I'm so sorry," Gedeon said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur nodded, his eyes still fixed on his mother's face. "I have to bury her," he said, his voice shaking with grief.

Gedeon nodded. "We'll help you," he said.

Together, they carried Eriol's body to a nearby clearing and dug a grave. Arthur placed his mother's body in the grave, and they covered her with soil and rocks.

As they stood around the grave, Arthur felt a sense of emptiness and loss. He had never known his mother, and now she was gone.

But as he looked at his friends, he knew he wasn't alone. They were there for him, and they would support him through this difficult time.

"We should get back to the kingdom," Thorne said, breaking the silence.

Arthur nodded. "You're right," he said. "We have to tell the king what happened."

As they made their way back to the kingdom, Arthur couldn't shake the feeling of loss and regret. He had found his mother, only to lose her again.

But he knew he had to keep moving forward. He had a kingdom to protect, and a destiny to fulfill.

And so, with a heavy heart, Arthur continued on his journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they approached the kingdom, Arthur could see that something was wrong. The gates were closed, and the walls were guarded by heavily armed soldiers.

"What's going on?" Arthur asked, his heart racing with concern.

Gedeon frowned. "I don't know," he said. "But I think we're about to find out."

As they approached the gates, a soldier stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Halt!" he said. "Who goes there?"

Arthur stepped forward, his eyes locked on the soldier.