Trees painted crimson filled the sprawling vegetation of an ancient city, swaying under the icy gusts of the approaching winter. The sun was the only thing that could soften the environment's biting cold.
The sun's rays shone down upon the two newcomers. Granger, surprised, got to her feet after the abrupt change of scenery they were now in an alley between some trees in the city.
"Wait! I've seen this before! This city... It can't be!"
"What... hap... pened... Granger…?" Aka questioned, still struggling for air.
"We're in my reincarnation's homeland... damn it. Hikari, hold on to me! I'm going to get help." Ryoka held her friend in her arms and ran to find the alley's exit.
After a few turns, they found the city's main street. They noticed the populace was stirred up, captivated by some attraction.
Granger walked toward the crowd with Hikari in her arms. As they got closer, they saw a young woman atop a white horse, her crown reflecting the sun's warm, gleaming light. She wasn't the same person Ryoka was used to seeing. Her predominant color wasn't the usual blue, but a blood-crimson red.
As she reached the crowd's edge, she was stopped by guards trying to prevent her from approaching. She yelled in a final attempt to get help for her friend: "Help us! My friend needs help!"
The knight on her horse looked over the crowd and saw Granger and her friend pleading for aid. Hikari slightly opened her eyes, surprising the knight with what she saw. The knight halted her horse, keeping them in view.
"Soldiers! Stand down!" commanded the crowned knight. "You two, what are your names?"
Ryoka, still somewhat flustered because this wasn't her reincarnation, replied: "I'm Granger Ryoka. My friend is Aka Hikari. A pleasure, my King..."
"It can't be... Hikari? With those eyes? I must get her to safety..." the young knight thought.
"My name is Mordred Pendragon, King of Camelot. Please, come with me."
The crowd was stunned, falling silent at the King's action. Granger sat behind the horse of one of the King's companions, while Mordred carried Hikari on her own mount.
"Ryoka, I will ride ahead and get her to the infirmary. Afterwards, I want to see you in the Round Table Hall. My soldiers will guide you."
"The Round Table?!"
The King rode off, galloping towards the castle. Ryoka was confused about why Mordred was so interested in Hikari. She sensed that Mordred radiated a good and honorable energy. Even though it felt unusual, they rode quickly behind her.
Mordred galloped hard to reach the castle. Even at that speed, the path was long. Although it was the main road to the castle, there were many people passing through, market stalls, and narrow sections that made the way quite tight.
"Who... are... you...?" Hikari coughed, spitting up blood.
"Please, sleep and hold on tight. I will take you to get help."
"Why?... Are you... doing this...?" Her eyes grew heavy, and she fainted again.
"I have to hurry... If I don't... She won't make it... Damn it!"
Just ahead, a young girl walked calmly towards Mordred's horse. Her cloak billowed in the wind, and a white owl perched on her right hand. The King slowed down to avoid running her over.
"What are you doing?! Get out of the Wait..."
Mordred stopped her horse, addressing her with a tone of familiarity: "You must be... Papess Joan?"
"Yes, I saw you needed help... May I assist you?"
"Please! This young woman named Aka Hikari... I need to heal her..."
"Hikari... Alright... I will help her."
Mordred dismounted her horse, with Hikari in her arms, and explained what had happened to the Papess. Joan touched Hikari's cheeks with her hands: "May the Lord protect you, Amen!"
Hikari's eyes snapped open in surprise, her face flushing. Startled, she jumped from Mordred's arms... "What are you doing?... A woman I mean... two women...?"
"Even if you're feeling better thanks to the Papess, you still need to rest. Get on the horse. Your friend is right behind us."
"But why do I have to get on a horse? A horse? Isn't there a taxi around here? How antiquated..."
"This is no time for that! Just get on and be quiet..."
"Where do you think you're taking me? And who are you!?"
"I am the King of Camelot, Mordred Pendragon. Now let's go! Get on!"
"What? King of Came…" A blow to the back of her neck made her faint again.
"I should have left her unconscious... Farewell, Joan. We shall see you at the castle."
The Papess waved her arm, letting them go. Mordred galloped once more towards the castle. As the sunset approached, they reached their destination. Hikari was placed in the nobility's guest room.
Granger was guided to the castle, walking through tall, enormous corridors. The walls were richly decorated with paintings and banners of red and gold. Crimson carpets covered the marble floor, and the huge, imposing double doors were immense in both width and height.
Entering the hall, the enormous door creaked open. It revealed a great room, and in its center, a circular table of a bright, intense red. Seated in the central seat at the far end, was the King.
Mordred greeted the newcomer: "Welcome, Granger Ryoka. This is the Round Table. The reason we have brought you to my castle concerns a certain individual. Enter, my servant!"
Entering from a rear door was a young woman with tied-up hair who resembled a mage, holding a huge silver staff adorned with blood-red tones.
"Yes, my King! How may I assist you?"
"This young woman you were carrying, whom you claim is your friend, named Aka Hikari. She possesses characteristics similar to mine. I felt something familiar... the same soul emanating from her."
Ryoka's eyes widened at Mordred's words. Confused, she asked: "What are you implying by that?"
"I am almost certain... Though I cannot yet prove it. Aka Hikari is a direct descendant of the Pendragon family."
Everyone present in the hall looked at Mordred in surprise...