Zuria Kingdom

[Apollymi]

He was his own knight? What was with the men in her life today, trying to make their own choices? Had everyone in this place forgotten who they worked for? The only people still standing that didn't seem to have completely lost everything that they were since Merlyn's unveiling were Cador and Arthur. Though she recognized that Lot was likely enchanted, it still wasn't to her liking that he could be so easily swayed. "Watch what you say..." was what Kolin said in the moment, but she was truly just upset. She should have taken that advice herself. Merlyn had always said that words had power in this world, and she meant that lesson to be taken to heart. Merlyn knew what was happening, her hands still in chains still standing within that anti-magic circle. Hector said her idea was wonderful and Kolin was a bit antsy about it. She didn't really want to lose Hector for Elyan but she supposed if he didn't consider himself hers anymore there was hardly anything worth being upset about.

"Ugh, you make decisions like that when feeling free... its a wonder any of you actually live to serve," Kolin mentioned. Only, her eye twitched, the words Merlyn spoke hit deep within her body like a sharp dagger. Bringing up that man here and now was just more proof that Merlyn should die the fact that she couldn't would remain a source of anger for Kolin. "I cannot kill you sorceress but you will suffer!" she exclaimed which made Merlyn laugh aloud. There was no torture that Kolin could offer her, and there was nothing she could do to her which would ever do real harm. As for the switch taking place apparently Charles demanded that Kolin acknowledge it. He was always like this when these sorts of things happened. "Fine, its his funeral... Hector instead of Elyan." Kolin stated. The amount of negative Karma she accumulated meant nothing to her. Kolin was so far beyond crazed nothing could have stopped her. She was always plotting, always planning. What would she do in this instance? Have one of the other Knights harm Merlyn, Lot seemed apt enough. Perhaps she'd let any man here have a turn with her, turn her into a whore she so obviously wanted to be given her desire to take her men. And once she was a broken crying mess, she'd toss her to the side, maybe overboard that ship of Jason's just like she planned with Leorio. Still she acted as if she wasn't about to watch someone she apparently favored be killed because of her rash over-reaction.

[Bloodedge]

Watch what he said? How moronic. Hector's words were chosen with great care, as always. His death would be the one offered, so long as Kolin gave her executioner the order. Lo and behold, that was precisely what the mad queen did, after expressing her unbridled rage to Merlyn. Charles took this order as he always would. "Oui," he said, raising his blade before its guillotine-tip slammed into the floor. Hector happened to be in the perfect position. With a single phrase, the execution would begin. "La Mort Espoir: Death is Hope for Tomorrow," was his command to the sword, which proceeded to call forth a massive guillotine likened to a gate, right in the center of the throne room. Dark tendrils featuring hands reached out from the guillotine to claim Hector's arms and legs, passing judgement on him. Of course... this didn't occur the way it normally should have. Those same shadow arms rose around Kolin as well, maneuvering from the ground for the sake of caressing the queen's body from toe to head, almost intimately. Their touch's intensity ranged from a gentle caress to a violent claiming, all depending on how the world viewed its bounty. With Kolin as a stand-in for said bounty's judgement... well, that was dependent upon the number and quality of her calls for unjust execution. . .

This technique of Charles' was one which checked the value of life, letting the world decide if Charles' target was an acceptable execution target. Any who were more likely to receive an execution than to fall in combat were its victims, but Hector was not such a man. None of Charles' targets under Kolin's order would pass that check, but Kolin always would... so it was her value used in exchange to sacrifice life, and that value for execution grew greater every time she called upon him this way. Bypassing the viability of the soon-to-be dead, the guillotine pulled Hector into itself. "Does anyone have words to share for this lost soul?" the executioner asked. Cador had nothing, nor did Dagonet. Lot still did not care. Elyan could only manage to scoff and look away, and Arthur... was still seeking the right opportunity before making any rash decisions.

[Apollymi]

Charles took his order, as only he could. Merlyn knowing what he was, couldn't hold this against him. He was a true neutral in this situation, he did only what needed to be done... in this case he was locked into the Mad Queen's will but being so was doing something very interesting. Merlyn noted, that Kolin upon the throne was the one being checked. It would figure that she alone could be the only one this weapon of the world wished to claim. And every unjust death she caused using the world as its mechanism tainted her very being. This face alone accumulated enough negative karma, that the intimate touch of these hands were near violent in their aim to claim her. She sat on the throne prepared for this assault as she always would be. The hands closing around her throat, angrily gripping her arms and legs, clutching her ankles as if aiming to drag down each and every ounce of her being. It obviously wished to claim her, but this wouldn't be allowed. Merlyn watched in disgust. "So, that how you get around it." She said wondering exactly what Kolin had done to claim the World's Executioner and finding that instead of letting the natural order lay claim to whom it may, she was simply using and accumulating her own negative karma for every kill she decided when the world didn't align with the wish for that same death. Whose deaths were added to Kolin's list? The deaths of the former King and Queen of the Nation of Zuria, the head of the Princess of a foreign land, many innocent lives, of women prettier than her, men who refused her, any who stood in her way or even just angered her a little. The blood of innocence tainted this woman's very being. Obviously, this was Charles way of balancing out the will of the world with his need to act as death. Kolin had to realize that she was damning herself, further and further with each kill she made in this way... but Kolin was mad. Merlyn doubted this woman realized the full gravity of the situation. As a being who didn't know death, Merlyn wouldn't be surprised if Kolin was a being who would experience it for every unjust death she'd caused.

As Hector was prepared for death, none of the Knights had anything to say. Arthur was also without words, likely still thinking through his best course of action. Merlyn knew this was one of her many times to shine, the lives of each of the Knights of the Round Table would be forever etched into her memory. She looked at this man with those glowing eyes of hers. "Sir Hector de Maris, Saint of Swords and most Just of Knight of the Round Table. May the Light of his sacrifice shine forever in my memory," her eulogy spoken she bowed to this man and gave him a wink along with contact with those glowing eyes. A death was owed and one would be paid. There was naught to be done about this, the Mad Queen managed scoff at this lass' words and offered none of her own, for a knight whose worth she claimed to treasure. At this point Kolin simply assumed that like many others she came across this lass known as Merlyn was taking her Roleplaying aspect in this world too seriously. She wasn't court mage to the round table, she was simply following around a boy she wanted to make King Arthur. Whatever, none of it would matter. Lies... everything about Kolin was absolutely trash, Merlyn couldn't help but feel this way.

[Bloodedge]

This method of execution was one which disgusted even Charles, the executioner himself. No matter; he was in position to claim a life, and that was all that mattered. Hector was pinned beneath the guillotine, ready for death, but one voice spoke. Merlyn shared words to honor Hector, even acknowledging him as the most just member of the Knights of the Round Table. Those specific words struck Hector in a very interesting way, and the same could be said of Arthur, Cador, and Elyan. Of the group who inhabited this room, most were fated members of the Round Table. Just like that, Arthur understood Merlyn's true purpose in bringing him here. Lore-obsessed as he was, how had he not seen it before? All of these names appeared on the physical representation of the Round Table in writing, and now that he looked out, he could visualize it perfectly.

There was but one thing for Arthur to do now. Arthur moved from his location, taking a seat upon the throne next to Kolin. These would be his knights, would they? He hadn't given a single reason for any of them to follow him, so that time would come soon. Yet... he could not stop this death so readily accepted by even Merlyn, nor could he strip Hector of his honor by sullying his sacrifice. The only thing to do, was give this alleged Knight of the Round Table the honor of his would-be king observing the execution. Hector saw this, and actually respected the blonde who sat upon a throne with his sword drawn, tip against the floor. With that, Hector bowed his head. The guillotine fell, decapitating Hector without fail. Elyan looked away, Cador closed his eyes afterwards, but Arthur continued looking forward as Hector's head rolled along the floor.

The life was claimed. The doors of Charles' guillotine gate faded away, and his sword was lifted before it began to fade as well. "Is that all?" he asked as the world's hands around Kolin also began to subside.

[Apollymi]

Merlyn watched as Arthur moved. It seemed he finally understood some of the greater purpose of bringing him to this land. She'd come here to spare as many lives as possible. To do what needed to be done to give fortitude to as many of the individuals within this land as she possibly could. Of course, even then, some sacrifices had to happen. Without Hector being freed of Kolin this scenario would have played out very differently. The death of Elyan would have changed Guin in a fundamental way. She saw it in her head clearly as day. That abandoned time where Guin lone survivor of this family took this land back by force and blood shed. When Guin gave herself over to the spirit of the land, and it forced out Kolin with the same force the Executioner's blade wanted, her killed. Where Zuria was trapped in ice to protect it from invaders, and she sat upon an icy throne a single eye glowing for eternity with none but the whispers of the ice to keep her company. That future avoided for this one instead, where a just knight died for his comrade because a mad woman decided to throw a tantrum. Here, a blonde future king sat upon the throne to honor a man who would have been dishonored by the queen he served with utmost respect. Terrible.

At the same time, Kolin seemed satisfied. Even as Hector's head rolled she was immediately smitten. She looked to her side and Arthur was there!! How exciting. The idea of him at her side as her King was beyond what could be expected. She was pleased beyond belief, especially when she considered the actions of the others, he'd taken this seat of his own accord. He and Cador were without question the tops of her Knights. None of the other Knights ever dared approach her while she did this little dance with the Executioner. Arthur stayed proving his worth to her, and in her own twisted logic, if all this cost her was the life of a single Knight, she'd sacrifice a thousand more. A huge smile spread across this woman's face, "Yes, that's all... you can go." she said to Charles as if she had the Aurthority to give him orders. As if she didn't truly understand that the Execution was just waiting for the day her name rolled. In light of the death here, everyone even the chipper Merlyn seemed a bit solemn. It would have been disrespectful of her to sully this man's sacrifice, she'd honor him as she said and she turned and shook her head. Kolin was truly a disgusting existence. In all the time she'd walked this world, there were none who made he feel less appreciative of the human condition than her. "Alright, I've calmed down now... and you... still haven't given an oath. So, Merlyn give it... or I'll keep killing people. If you can't die... everyone else can." she said to the white haired woman in the anti-magic circle. Merlyn looked at her and sighed. "You truly think to threaten me, with suffering?! Again?!" she said as if utterly surprised. Madness truly was repeating the same actions without deviation and expecting a different outcome. "A man literally just died... an honorable one, and you really think that threatening more deaths will result in acquiescence to your wishes?" she said. "I didn't think a human could properly disgust me, but you alone in the centuries stand as a monument to be the worst humanity has to offer... all for what? The attention of a man who doesn't want you..." she said. "Never would I bow to such an existence, nor would I swear an oath to it," she said flatly. "It would be a disservice to every human light extinguished... and I never would." Kolin heard Merlyn's words and for the third time she was infuriated by them. How dare she?! She would learn... "Fine. One of you run her through. I don't care whom or what tool you use, but make sure she shuts her fucking mouth!" This was Kolin, in her purest form. She couldn't kill Merlyn, so why not have her tortured or raped instead. She would submit if she suffered enough, everyone did eventually.

[Bloodedge]

Nothing remained by way of work for Charles, so he would take his leave. Alas, the male would not be allowed to go very far, for reasons yet to come. Kolin delivered yet another threat to the sorceress who angered her repeatedly, only to have another outright refusal of an oath. All but Kolin seemed to expect such a reaction from Merlyn. There was... one thing Kolin demanded in exchange for this further angering. Merlyn was to be run through, and not necessarily with a sword. Who would show visible excitement over this? Lot. The Lancer-Class knight lowered his weapon at last, beginning to tug on his armor. Clearly, the answer here was the rape of Merlyn. There wasn't even a thing the sorceress could do about it while in that circle, the red-haired knight thought.

Arthur knew this could not be tolerated. If he was truly to be king of the knights before him, he had to make a stand. He very well couldn't have his would-be court wizard violated before his Round Table was even established. Excalibur was lifted slightly, only to strike the floor loudly to grab the attention of all present. Even Lot could only be attentive when startled in such a way. "Stand down, Lot. You've already proven yourself incapable, haven't you?" Arthur asked. If nothing else, being addressed this way by a newer knight was enough to earn Lot's ire, resulting in the redirection of his attention. Who was this pitiful bastard sitting upon that throne, ordering him around and demeaning him? Lot was quick to retrieve his spear, brandishing it against Arthur. "Queen Kolin, where did you find this cur? Is he allowed to sit on the throne next to you so casually, ordering around your loyal servants?" he asked, seeming to have raged his way out of the intoxicating effect of Merlyn, if only for a moment.

[Apollymi]

There was so much tension in this room, and still Kolin could not be happy with what she had. No, she desired Merlyn's punishment, quite obviously this time by some sort of penetration. Ah, well... it seemed that Merlyn would be killing someone today. Or at least that would be what she thought. The man known as Lot seemed rather apt to take up this place, he'd practically already tried and been told he could not do anything for the sorceress. She supposed if she killed him dead by his own desires, it couldn't be held against her. After all, a succubus needed a defense mechanism, lest they be reduced to nothing but sex slavery. But though she knew she had nothing to fear, but no one besides Cador might have been casually aware of that. But not much to her surprise Arthur had something to say about it. It was he alone who spoke for the sorceress while the rest of his would be Round Table watched on. After all, the decisions of royalty were always watched by their potentially followers. Merlyn stood there looking quite harmless, knowing that if Lot put himself within the range of her body he'd be dead in seconds, but Lot's attention refocused.

It seemed that Arthur's words to him, upset the man in someway. Kolin for her part in this seemed rather surprised. No one truly dared contract her, but, he'd taken the seat beside her of his own accord. Perhaps she'd allow him this as a reward for his candor. "He walked in the front doors. And... he took this seat, after resisting whatever magic isn't stopped by that Anti-magic circle," she said with a casual shrug. Merlyn almost wanted to say something but was now the right time? Well, since she was the one up for a rape she might as well right? "So, any bossy blonde will do?" she uttered under her breath, but everyone was having a moment... she doubted anyone heard. "I'll humor this for now..." said Kolin. She'd never had another just take seat beside her, not since Cador in his own Kingdom. So... she'd see what it was Arthur decided. Did he wish to order someone specific to harm Merlyn would he act mercifully so she could be harmed outside of his eye-sight? Well there wasn't much left to do but wait and see. The funny thing was, that Kolin somehow still thought she was in control of this situation and hadn't even noticed that Charles had yet to vacate the premises. Oh well, when deluded people went off the deep end, they tended to lose all sense of reason.

[Bloodedge]

Why hadn't Charles left the throne room? The reason would soon be revealed, and it happened to be the same reason Arthur had no further words to share. The late Hector's body dispersed strangely into Mystic Code, as if his soul were being put on display. Segmented as his head and body were, the code lines converged upon one another, forming the shape of... a large feather─ specifically the design of one belonging to a legendary Phoenix. It was from this structure that Hector formed anew, fresh as when he'd arrived earlier this day. That sheathed sword of his was held out, pressed against Lot's neck as if its blade were brandished. "Right. Where was I? Oh, right... A knight's blood was shed, wasn't it? I guess that means Kolin's head should be next," was the speech he offered, though many residents of the castle were far too busy looking on in shock. What sort of sorcery was this? Of the men in the room, it seemed Cador was the only one not surprised by this sudden revival.

Arthur's mouth hung agape, having been prepared to speak with Lot... but what could he say when a beheaded man reconstructed himself casually right in front of him? "I─ you─... Merlyn, what the hell is this?!" he demanded, naturally assuming Merlyn's earlier words had been some sort of customized revival incantation. Could she do that? Had she already placed one on him? If so, he'd like to know before further risking his life in the future.

[Apollymi]

Everyone in this room was indeed surprised when Hector stood again. A phoenix feather above him before he completely reconstituted himself. The one known as Nerys almost fell over, never before had she seen such a thing. How was it possible? She too made an assumption it had something to do with the unknown magic type of the sorceress. In the meantime Kolin managed to look absolutely shocked, she'd seen his head roll, it was literally on the floor, there were few ways people could live again, but this one simply didn't make sense. Her eyes immediately shifted to Charles, if he killed surely there was no mistake, he hadn't betrayed her so what was this!? Both her hands were open in front of her as hse pointed at this man who should have been dead. "What happened here?" she demanded of the Executioner.

In the meantime, Merlyn was likely the only person in this room who was not surprised by Hector's resurrection. "Welcome back, Sir Hector!~" she said turning to offer the man a bow. They'd have to have a conversation later, she was quite curious about what death was like since she didn't know it. Ah, but she could put that aside for now, Arthur directly questioned this scenario, abandoning his words to Lot, for the sake of questioning Merlyn directly about her part in this. "Arthur?!" she said mocking his outrage. "Don't look so shocked, this wasn't my doing... well... not in this case at least. I am bound right now. I can't actually use magic. And that sort of outright resurrection is a bit outside of my purview. Some of us, respect the boundaries the world gives us... some of us are given other things by the world. The Executioner for instance is obviously one such individual. I am as well... though not in the same sense. I can explain more later if you like~"

[Bloodedge]

"The world accepted its bounty," Charles said after being questioned by the queen. His kill was certain. Even if it were possible for him to make mistakes, such a blunder could not be made by his guillotine. Hector was dead, and then... he wasn't. That was the simple truth of the situation. "He came back," Charles offered with a shrug. He didn't care; there was a life claimed, even though this shocking event came just after. "Do you have another request?"

According to Merlyn, she had nothing at all to do with current events. Her magic was nonexistent at the moment, and something like a revival was beyond her anyway. Arthur could only believe she spoke truth, but it would be Cador who spoke regarding what actually happened. "Hector de Maris is the most blessed knight I've ever met. Revival, unmatched skill, etcetera," he explained of the knight who possessed numerous Divine Blessings in this world. Arthur sighed. This was far too much to take in within the span of a few days, but it seemed this was the apex of his and Merlyn's journey through Zuria. Leaning back in his throne, he gazed upon the group before Kolin and himself. Now was the time for the ultimate decision to be made. "Alright then. I haven't said anything important yet, have I?" he asked, though only rhetorically as there was more to follow immediately. "Sir Cador. Sir Hector. Sir Elyan. Sir Dagonet."

As each name was spoken, each knight's attention was gained. Even Dagonet, who wasn't truly a knight, felt somehow compelled to heed Arthur's call. What was this ethereal presence shrouded over the blonde knight? Whatever it was, the simple act of Arthur addressing these men as if they were his knights, made them feel like they truly were his knights. "Are you the first seats at my table?" Arthur's eyes were glowing as he spoke. A power not acquired by the man himself flowed through him. Cador was the first to kneel, grinning as he did so. Hector wasn't sure the actual trustworthiness of Arthur, but if Cador was willing to bend the knee... he would as well. Elyan wasn't sure why, but he trusted this man enough to kneel... and Dagonet could harbor trust due to the fact that Merlyn clearly held nothing against the man, while herself being the one who freed him from Kolin's clutches. Four knights were at Arthur's beck and call in the short span of a few moments, and with that... the almost-possessed blonde spoke again. "Alright. You will be the first. That was actually much easier than I thought. Thank you all."