CESAGA

Purnama, ever mindful of Suria's safety, reiterated his concern before they separated into different groups.

"Remember, Suria, if things get out of hand, use the Dykin seed without hesitation."

"Still worried about Suria, huh, Purnama? She's one tough Kshatriya; the Darkseed is the one who should be worried, am I right, Suria?" Gema asked, a grin on his face. 

"I know, right! I'm going to crush all of them today!" Suria replied, her energy infectious. 

"Alright then, all the best to both of you. Let's end this quickly so we can resume our mission," Purnama said, his tone determined.

They then split into three groups, each taking a different direction: Purnama's group took the left path, Arthur and Gema went down the middle, while Suria headed to the right. Arthur's group had the shortest distance to cover.

As they walked, Arthur seemed troubled by a question he had been meaning to ask. His knights formed a formation, with Kay and Percival guarding the rear, Arthur and Gema in the middle, and Lancelot leading the way.

"Who is that lady, Gema?" Arthur finally asked. 

"Huh? Do you mean Suria?" Gema replied, surprised by the question. 

"Who is she truly? The power that dwells within her surpasses all I have ever witnessed—perhaps even exceeding the combined might of the three Darkseed lords we are destined to confront. Yet, it is fraught with instability. By the fates, I am grateful she fights alongside us..."

"So, you're aware of that after all. Just like you, that's what keeps bothering Purnama. When I was still a Kshatriya, we discussed it once. There was a time when Suria went berserk, destroying everything in her path. Our leader, Purba, found a way to get Suria under control. For now, we have nothing to worry about; as long as Purnama is around, Suria should be just fine," Gema explained, noticing Arthur's worried expression.

"What if Purnama were to be taken from the fray?" Arthur's concern deepened, the weight of his words heavy. 

"Then we should pray that she stays on our side," Gema said, placing a reassuring hand on Arthur's shoulder and giving him a small smile. 

Meanwhile, on the western path, Purnama outlined his strategy for attacking Kelembai's forces. He explained that he needed the knights to engage the army without him, with Zirko providing crucial support by focusing the fight on one side.

Purnama planned to infiltrate the tower area undetected, searching for Suria's kris before engaging Kelembai in battle.

On the eastern side of the entrance, Suria yawned, clearly bored from the long walk.

"How much longer do we need to walk until we reach the marked point? Can we just go in and kill the Darkseed?" she asked, stretching her muscles as she turned left and right. 

Palamedes stopped and indicated to Suria that they were almost there; they only needed to wait for the right moment before proceeding as discussed. 

"By the way, what kind of curse is powerful enough to bring the dead back to life?" Suria asked again.

"My lady, the curse of which our king spoke yestereve was wrought by the ancient incantations of his great ally, Merlin. He alone invoked it; it resembles a wish more than a curse. Unbeknownst to him, each of us vowed to the same oath—be we alive or departed, our blood and our souls are for our noble King Arthur," Bedivere elucidated. 

"That's a different level of loyalty you knights carry. I'm impressed; it reminds me of Purnama..." Suria remarked. 

"Yet still, Lady Suria, dost thou possess any stratagems we must heed before we engage with Simalaun?" Tristan queried, his tone earnest. 

"No, I'm not Purnama; we go in and kill that bastard," Suria replied firmly. 

"We have reached the place of waiting, Lady Suria," Palamedes proclaimed. 

Suria lay back against a tree, crossing her arms behind her head, the bark marked with an X carved by a sword. 

"Well, I think you guys can do me a favor," Suria said.

"Aye, anything thou desirest, my lady. We stand ready to heed your command, as instructed by King Arthur," Gareth affirmed, his loyalty unwavering. 

"Good to know. First of all, cut the 'my lady' stuff. Since we have some time to spend before the sun aligns, please find some food to eat before the battle," Suria said, her hunger evident.

Tristan stood guard while the other knights ventured into the forest, searching for something to serve Suria.

The weather grew windier as the rain that had been falling steadily transformed into a heavy downpour. Despite this, sunlight remained visible, unobscured by clouds.

The current intensified around the walls of Avalon, swirling in a clockwise direction like a spiraling vortex.

The sun reached its zenith, its rays pouring down upon the colossal solar panel atop Avalon's spires. As the panel absorbed the peak solar energy, the city sprang to life.

Gears whirred, steam hissed, and the ring of water surrounding the city surged with renewed vigor, powering the city's machinery.

This was the signal.