Chapter Thirty-Four: The Once and Future King

Alora stood in the shadows of an abandoned chapel, her emerald eyes darting toward the door with every creak of the wind. Christopher leaned casually against the wall, his cigarette glowing faintly in the dim light.

"This is madness, you know," he said, his tone laced with humour.

"Then why are you here?" Alora shot back, her voice soft but sharp.

He smirked. "Because it's fun. And because you're right. Someone needs to stop those two lunatics from burning the world down in their pissing contest."

The sound of cautious footsteps echoed from outside, and the heavy door creaked open to reveal Lumina, her glow dimmed to avoid detection. She slipped inside, her expression both cautious and hopeful.

"You made it," Alora said, relief evident in her voice.

Lumina nodded. "I wasn't followed. But if Callum finds out..."

Christopher grinned. "Don't worry. Between me and Shadowleaf here, we'll make sure your fiery overlord doesn't get a whiff of this little rebellion."

The three of them huddled in the chapel's shadows, their voices hushed as they shared their frustrations.

"We can't keep doing this," Lumina said, her voice trembling with emotion. "This isn't what we signed up for. Callum and Angel are too focused on beating each other to see the damage they're causing."

Alora nodded. "It's not about the people anymore. It's about proving who's right. And that's not a war I'm willing to fight."

Christopher exhaled a cloud of smoke, his tone light but serious. "So, what's the plan? Do we overthrow the golden boy and the walking fire hazard? Start our own little merry band of misfits?"

"Why not?" Lumina asked, her voice firmer now. "If we combine our teams—those of us who still believe in what we're fighting for—we can build something better. Something real."

Alora smiled faintly. "A team that fights for the people, not against them."

Christopher chuckled, his grin widening. "Well, count me in. Someone's got to keep you lot entertained."

As the meeting concluded, Christopher's attention was drawn to a faint shimmer on the far side of the chapel, barely visible in the moonlight filtering through the cracked windows.

"You two seeing this?" he asked, gesturing toward the wall.

Alora and Lumina followed his gaze. The shimmer grew brighter as Christopher approached, a faint hum filling the air.

"It's magic," Alora whispered, her voice tinged with awe.

Christopher's grin widened. "Well, isn't this interesting?"

He extended his hand, the air around him rippling as he bent reality to match the magical frequency. With a crackling surge, the shimmer coalesced into an archway, revealing a dark, stone tunnel descending into the earth.

"What is that?" Lumina asked, her glow brightening instinctively.

"Only one way to find out," Christopher said, stepping through the arch with an almost childlike enthusiasm.

The tunnel led them to a vast, cavernous chamber illuminated by an otherworldly light. In the centre of the room lay a massive stone slab, and atop it, a figure clad in resplendent armour slept in a stasis-like glow.

Alora gasped. "It can't be..."

Christopher approached the slab, his grin replaced by genuine curiosity. The figure stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal piercing blue eyes.

"Merlin?" the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "Is that you? Did we defeat Mordred?"

Christopher froze, then burst out laughing. "Merlin? Me? Oh, mate, you've got the wrong guy. But I like where this is going."

Alora elbowed him, her eyes wide with shock. "Christopher, this isn't the time."

The man sat up, his movements fluid despite the age of his armour. He looked around the cave, his gaze settling on Christopher.

"You... you are the spitting image of him," the man said, his tone filled with wonder. "Where am I? What year is this?"

"Welcome to the apocalypse," Christopher said with a flourish. "And I think we've found our new leader."

The man stood, his full height imposing as he surveyed his surroundings. "I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot," he declared. "If this is truly the end of days, then I have awoken in a dark hour indeed."

Lumina stepped forward, her glow illuminating his face. "We need your help, Your Majesty. The world is broken, and those who claim to lead it are tearing it apart."

Arthur's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Then it seems my time has come again. But where is Merlin? I will need his counsel if we are to face this new darkness."

Christopher smirked, leaning against the slab. "Hate to break it to you, mate, but it looks like I'm the closest thing you've got."

Arthur studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Very well, Merlin. If you are to be my guide, then guide me well."

Alora stepped beside Christopher, her voice steady. "You'll have both of us. We're not just fighting for a kingdom this time. We're fighting for everyone."

Arthur's gaze swept over them, his presence filling the chamber. "Then let us begin. Together, we will forge a new path."