Arthur's Odyssey :Rise of the King

Arthur darted to the side, narrowly avoiding another fireball that streaked past him, its heat grazing his skin. His silvery aura flared as he rolled to his feet, a determined expression etched across his young face. Across the field, Merlin stood with a faint smirk, his hands glowing faintly as he prepared another small spell.

"You're improving, Arthur," Merlin said, his voice calm yet encouraging. "But remember, predict your opponent's movements. Don't just react."

Arthur wiped his brow, sweat dripping onto the ground. "Yes, Grandpa," he said, his small frame trembling slightly with exhaustion. Yet his resolve was unshaken.

Before Merlin could respond, a familiar voice rang out behind them.

"Merlin."

Merlin turned, his sharp eyes narrowing as Uther approached the training grounds. His aura, though restrained, carried a weight that made even the air around him seem heavier. Arthur immediately straightened, bowing respectfully to his father.

"Uther," Merlin said, his tone tinged with curiosity. "I assume you're not here just to observe."

Uther's gaze softened briefly as he looked at Arthur, but his expression quickly hardened again. "I've come to inform you that I will be leaving for the Southern Sector. Elyan is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I intend to assist him personally."

Merlin's brow furrowed. "Unprecedented? Uther, Elyan is a King-stage awakener. He should be more than capable of handling any situation alone. What could possibly require the two of you at the same time?"

Uther sighed, glancing toward the horizon. "The Night Elves are attacking on too many fronts. Their forces are overwhelming, not because of individual strength but because of sheer numbers and strategy. Even Elyan cannot be everywhere at once, and Elrador is a critical stronghold. If it falls, the rest of the South will crumble."

Merlin nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Still, it's not like you to leave the North unguarded, especially with Morgana and Arthur here."

Uther stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Merlin's shoulder. "we have our differences, and I still can't bring myself to forgive you for what you've done..but.. you're the strongest and wisest person I know, and in your own way I know you care deeply for my children.

That is why I'm entrusting them to you. Watch over them, Merlin. Should anything happen here, you are the only one I can trust to protect them.. "

Merlin's gaze hardened. "You know I will. But Uther, if this is truly a diversion…"

Uther's expression darkened. "Then we'll deal with that when the time comes. For now, I need to show Elyan that he doesn't stand alone. If the Night Elves think they can divide us, they'll be proven wrong."

Arthur, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up. "Father, will you come back soon?"

Uther knelt before his son, his stern features softening. "I will, Arthur. But while I'm gone, I need you to keep training and listening to Merlin. Can you do that for me?"

Arthur nodded resolutely. "Yes, Father. I'll work hard."

Uther smiled faintly, ruffling the boy's hair before standing. He turned back to Merlin. "Keep me informed of any developments. If Kael'Thar makes a move toward the North, I'll return immediately."

Merlin crossed his arms. "You'd better. I have no desire to clean up after your messes."

Uther chuckled dryly, his rare moment of humor fading as he strode away.

As the King's figure disappeared into the distance, Merlin turned back to Arthur, his gaze contemplative. "Well, boy, it seems we've got more work to do. If we're going to protect the North, you'll need to grow stronger, faster."

Arthur squared his shoulders, determination gleaming in his eyes.

Uther strode through the castle halls, his boots echoing sharply against the stone floor. Servants and guards quickly stepped aside, bowing deeply as he passed, but he paid them no mind. His thoughts were already on the battle ahead, the stakes growing heavier with each passing moment.

Reaching the estate's main courtyard, he paused briefly. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of dew and the distant hum of life in the North. He looked up at the sky, its expanse clear and unmarred by the chaos brewing to the south.

Without hesitation, Uther extended his hand, summoning his spirit. A radiant light enveloped him, and in an instant, two enormous draconic wings of pure energy unfurled from his back. They shimmered with hues of silver and white, their edges flickering like flames. The air around him grew heavy with power, the sheer force of his presence making the ground beneath him tremble.

Uther crouched slightly, then launched himself skyward with a force that cracked the stone beneath his feet. The world below blurred as he ascended, the Pendragon estate shrinking into a speck. His wings beat rhythmically, propelling him forward at a speed that split the air around him.

As he soared, his mind raced.

*Too many fronts... too many lives at stake.*

Elyan's words echoed in his thoughts, and for the first time in years, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind. The Night Elves were no strangers to war, but their current strategy was unlike anything he'd seen before. Their attacks were coordinated, their movements precise, as though someone was directing them with an intimate knowledge of human defenses.

*This can't be just Kael'Thar's doing *, Uther thought grimly. * He's a warrior, not a strategist. Someone else is orchestrating this, and they're playing a long game.*

The Southern Sector was vast, its cities and strongholds spread out across a sprawling landscape of hills and lush forests. Even with Elyan's unmatched power, defending it all was a monumental task. Uther understood that better than anyone. A King-stage awakener was not invincible. Their power, while immense, could not be in two places at once.

And that's exactly what they're counting on.

His fists clenched as he pushed himself to fly faster, the landscape below becoming a blur of color and movement.

Uther's thoughts shifted to Elyan. The man was a formidable ally and an unyielding ruler. Yet even he had reached out for aid, a rare admission of the gravity of their predicament. Uther respected him for that. Asking for help did not diminish one's strength,it was a testament to their wisdom.

The wind howled past his ears as he approached the southern coastline. The icy blue waters stretched endlessly below, their calm surface betraying the tension brewing just beyond the horizon.

* I can't shake the feeling that this is just a diversion, and if it is Kael'Tar will expect me to come to Elyan's aid....could the North be their real target?* Uther thought, his jaw tightening. *If that's the case, I can't afford to waste any time.*

His wings flared brighter as he adjusted his course slightly, aiming directly for Elrador. His presence alone would bolster the Southern forces, but he knew that wouldn't be enough. They needed a decisive victory,a show of strength that would shake the Night Elves to their core and force them to retreat.

But even as he steeled himself for the battle ahead, a question lingered at the edge of his mind.

*What are they after? What could they possibly want in the North that warrants such a dangerous gambit? It can't be simply for Arthur can it ? Sure a perfect grade affinity is incredibly rare and valuable, but not to the extent of undertaking such a risky invasion...*

The horizon ahead began to shift, the faint outline of the Southern Continent coming into view. Mountains rose like jagged teeth, their peaks capped with snow. Beyond them lay the sprawling lands of Elrador, where the Night Elves had begun their assault.

Uther narrowed his eyes, his resolve hardening. He would uncover the truth behind their actions, no matter what.

With a final, powerful beat of his wings, he surged forward, his destination drawing closer with every passing second.

---

The battlefield on the Eastern border of the Southern Continent was a frozen wasteland. Elyan Leodegrance stood amidst the devastation, his aura emanating an icy brilliance that frosted the air around him. Eternal Ice surged outward in crystalline waves, consuming everything it touched armor, weapons, and the unlucky soldiers who dared approach him.

Night Elves, once a disciplined force, now scattered in fear. Elyan moved with measured precision, his blade carving through their ranks like a sculptor shaping ice. The ground beneath his feet cracked and groaned under the cold, each step spreading frost further across the terrain.

Above him, the sky churned with storm clouds conjured by his power. Shards of frozen energy spiraled downward like meteors, striking with unerring accuracy. The elves' retreat turned chaotic, their cries lost amidst the howling winds.

Elyan surveyed the remnants of the enemy force, his eyes, one a deep gray like tempered steel, the other a vibrant green cool and calculating scanning the battlefield.

Most of the Night Elves were retreating toward the dense forests on the horizon, but Elyan had no intention of letting them escape.

Raising a hand, he unleashed a torrent of icy mist that surged forward, freezing everything in its path. Trees and fleeing elves alike were encased in frost, their forms stilled, as if time itself had stopped.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the crackle of ice and the distant calls of crows circling above. Elyan exhaled, his breath visible in the frigid air. His attention suddenly shifted as he felt a powerful presence approaching from the distance.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I never expected that stubborn old fool to come himself," he said, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and begrudging admiration. "I suppose I'll owe him one."

Elyan turned to a commander who approached cautiously, careful not to step too close to the patches of lingering frost. The man saluted, awaiting orders.

"Secure the border and eliminate any remaining threats," Elyan instructed. "No one crosses further into our territory."

"Yes, my lord!" the commander replied, his voice firm despite the icy air.

Satisfied, Elyan ascended into the sky , the battlefield shrinking below. He set his sights northward, where the reinforcement from the North awaited. As he flew, his thoughts turned to Uther .*How I envy the Pendragons and their spirits, they can fly without expending mana* Elyan chuckled to himself as he soared higher into the sky, his thoughts now shifting to the crisis at hand.

*The Night Elves wouldn't launch such widespread attacks without a clear objective. What's their endgame?*

The winds carried him swiftly across the expanse of the Southern Continent, his mind focused on unraveling the mystery behind the enemy's strategy.