The Phantom Queen’s Champion - Part 2

The cockpit trembled, the shining green carvings along the walls flickering like embers. Galen's hands tightened, his knuckles white as frustration rose in his chest.

"You are not Chulainn," Morrigan spat, her voice resonating through his mind. "You are not whom I summoned. Why have you been brought to me?"

Galen exhaled sharply, trying to keep his temper in check. "I don't know, lady. I didn't exactly book a ticket to the afterlife and sign up for your celestial fight club."

Morrigan's presence flared, pressing against his thoughts like a storm cloud, her disappointment a palpable weight. "You dare to mock me? I am Morrigan, the Phantom Queen, goddess of war! My power was not meant for you to squander."

"Squander?" Galen barked, his patience snapping. "You dragged me here, remember? I didn't ask to be your hero. If you've got a problem with it, maybe you should take it up with whoever's brought me here."

The air in the cockpit thickened, and the green glow of the Abyssal Warden dimmed further. The machine groaned, its massive frame faltering as though it shared Morrigan's anger.

[Warning: Arcyn Instability.]

"Fantastic," Galen muttered. He tried to focus on controlling the mech, bringing it back to operation.

Morrigan's echoed in his mind. "The Abyssal Warden is bound to my essence. If our bond fails, it will cease to function."

"And so will I, I'm guessing," Galen shot back. "So maybe instead of complaining, you help me fix this thing?"

The Sentinel loomed ahead, its massive sword held in a ready position as it approached, its movements deliberate and menacing. Its footfalls sent ripples through the bog, the mud clinging to its armored legs.

"You dare to command me?" Morrigan hissed, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief. "You are no Chulainn. You lack his honor, his skill..."

"I'm not him, okay?" Galen interrupted, his voice rising. "Get over it. Right now, I'm the only chance you've got, so either work with me or we both die. Your call."

Silence hung in the air, tense and heavy. The green glow of the cockpit flickered uncertainly, as if waiting for Morrigan's response.

Finally, the cockpit brightened, her anger diminishing just enough to let a tiny bit of acceptance through. "Very well," she said, her voice colder than before. "Do as you must. But do not fail me."

Galen didn't waste time acknowledging the victory, small as it was. The Sentinel's two-hander was raised, ready for a sweeping strike. Galen tightened his fist, his mind syncing with the Warden's movements.

[Night Shroud]

The Abyssal Warden unleashed a cloud of dark mist, obscuring its position. The Sentinel hesitated, taken surprised by the move. Galen seized the moment, maneuvering the Warden to circle behind the enemy. Its feet sliced through the water with fluidity, the bond between pilot and Effigy strengthening again.

The Sentinel swung blindly, its blade slicing through the mist with a whoosh. Galen waited for the arc to pass, then lunged forward, the Warden's claws slashing across the Sentinel's side. Sparks erupted as the enemy Effigy stumbled, chunks of armor falling into the bog.

[Emerald Veil]

A shimmering green barrier materialized just in time to catch the Sentinel's retaliatory strike. The sword struck the Veil with a crash, the force of the impact rippling through the Warden's frame. Galen gritted his teeth, feeling the vibration in his own chest.

"Finish it!" Morrigan commanded, her voice regaining some of its edge.

"Yeah, working on it," Galen muttered, pushing the Warden forward. The Sentinel struggled to recover, its movements sluggish in the bog's water. Galen felt the weight of every step, the Warden was already in a damaged state even before the battle started. His eyes locked onto the exposed plating on the Sentinel's side, a weak spot he couldn't afford to miss. With a surge of determination, he lunged forward.

The claws tore through the Sentinel's defenses, striking true. The Sentinel's armor buckled under the force, its metal screeching as the claws punctured deep into its torso. The Sentinel shook violently, sparks erupting from the wound. Its lights flickered, each pulse weaker than the last.

For a moment, it stood frozen, its sword hanging limp at its side. Then, with a final, metallic groan, the Sentinel collapsed into the bog, its form sending a wave of water rippling outward. Galen pulled the Warden's claws free with a wet, grinding sound, watching as the enemy mech sank slowly into the bog, swallowed by the thick mud. Silence fell on the area.

The Abyssal Warden straightened. Inside the cockpit, Galen leaned back in his seat, his body aching with exhaustion.

"For someone who's not Chulainn, I'd say that wasn't bad," he said, his tone laced with defiance.

Morrigan's presence flared again, but this time, it was lesser, her pride clearly hurt. "Do not mistake survival for skill," she said coolly. "You still have much to prove."

Galen let out a laugh, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "Guess we'll see how that'll go, huh?" His breaths came heavy as he tried to process what had just happened.

"Okay," he began, breaking the silence, "you want to tell me what kind of cosmic dumpster fire I've landed in? Because 'dead guy fighting magic mechs for a war goddess' wasn't exactly on my bucket list."

"This world," she said in his mind, "is one of power, dominance, and ancient struggle. Here, champions rise and fall, their might channeled through Effigies... war machines forged from the essence of gods and legends."

"So, basically, it's a glorified gladiator pit," Galen muttered, rubbing his temple. "Great."

"It is more than that," Morrigan snapped, her presence flaring. "It is a contest of wills, where avatars, mortals like you, become conduits for forces far greater than themselves. You are bonded to me, and through the Abyssal Warden, you fight for my survival."

"Bonded to you," Galen echoed, shaking his head. "I still don't even know what you are. Some kind of… god, you said?"

Morrigan hesitated. When she spoke again, her tone was quieter, almost vulnerable. "I am Morrigan, the Phantom Queen, goddess of war and sovereignty. Or I was. My power has waned over the centuries, my dominion forgotten by this world. I summoned Chulainn, my chosen champion, to restore what was lost. But you…"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not him," Galen interrupted. "We've been over that. So where do those other mechs fit into this?"

"The Effigies we fought," Morrigan said, her voice hardening again, "were Vassals of Richard the Lionheart, a champion of another power."

"Wait," Galen said, sitting up straighter. "The Richard the Lionheart? Like, crusades and all that?"

"The same," Morrigan confirmed. "Though his essence is now bound to this realm. He, too, is an avatar, like you, serving an unknown god."

"Of course he is," Galen muttered. "Because why wouldn't I be fighting medieval kings in giant magical robots?"

He slumped back into the seat, letting out a laugh. "This just keeps getting better."

Morrigan ignored his sarcasm, her focus unwavering. "Richard seeks to expand his influence, conquering lands and bending them to his will. His Effigies are only the first of many threats we will face."

"'We, huh?" Galen said, shooting her a sidelong glance. "So I'm stuck with you."

Morrigan's presence flared, not hiding the fact that she felt hurt by Galen's presence. "If we are to survive, you must learn to wield my power. Your defiance only weakens our bond. And the fact that you are a mere mortal... will make things even harder."

"Yeah, well, excuse me if I'm not thrilled about being drafted into your divine pissing match," Galen shot back. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But fine. What's the plan?"

Morrigan's voice steadied, regaining its commanding tone. "We must travel to Moonnight Castle. The nobel family there are allies of mine... or at least of my mortal guise. They will provide us sanctuary and resources."

"Mortal guise?" Galen asked, raising an eyebrow.

Morrigan's response was sharp. "Precisely. My form can shift as needed to suit mortal eyes. They know me as Ana, a noblewoman of considerable influence."

"Convenient," Galen muttered. "And what happens if they figure out you're actually a goddess in disguise?"

"They will not," Morrigan said firmly. "And you will ensure it remains so. Your role is to act as my escort. Nothing more."

Galen let out a low sigh. "You've got this all figured out, don't you?"

"It is not a matter of having it figured out," Morrigan said coldly. "It is a matter of necessity. Now prepare yourself. The castle lies to the east. We leave immediately."

As the Abyssal Warden stirred to life once more, its battered frame groaning under its weight, Galen felt the gravity of his situation settle in. He didn't trust Morrigan, not fully, but for now, she was his only ally in a world that felt more alien by the second.

"Moonnight Castle," he muttered to himself. "Let's hope their hospitality's better."