Joshua awoke to the familiar ceiling of his room, blinking against the morning light. His mind, still hazy, immediately snapped to alertness.
Huh? When did I get back home? Crap, where's Merlin?! Are the others okay?!
His thoughts spiraled in panic as he sat up abruptly, only to groan from the ache in his recovering body. Wincing, he climbed out of bed, steadying himself before making his way out of the room.
He limped down the hallway, each step faster than the last, until he spotted James standing at the entrance to the training grounds. His heart pounded harder, not from his injuries, but from the flood of worry still coursing through him.
"James," he called out, hurrying toward him. "Where is everyone? Are they all still alive?"
James turned his head and offered a casual nod. "Yeah, everyone's okay. Even Jessica."
Joshua let out a breath of relief. "Oh, that's good... but what are you looking at?"
James didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his head toward the training grounds. Joshua stepped beside him and followed his gaze and there they were.
Merlin, Lancelot, and Percival stood in the center of the open arena.
Lancelot, holding Merlin's hand, spoke first. "Father, I have something to tell you."
Merlin's cheeks burned red, her hand trembling slightly in his grasp.
Percival eyed his son with a mixture of annoyance and contempt. "Your appearance is quite unsettling. You look like a common thug. I see your grandfather's influence finally corrupted you."
Lancelot stood firm. "Father, I won't be marrying my cousin. I'm in love with this woman."
Before he could finish, Percival's fist shot forward like a cannon. Lancelot caught it with both hands, but the force sent him sliding backward across the dirt.
Percival narrowed his eyes. (He blocked it? That punch would've knocked him out before.)
"You think I'd ever let my son marry a low-class witch?" he spat.
Merlin's face fell, hurt flashing in her eyes.
Lancelot noticed instantly and the fire in his gaze ignited.
(Grandfather said Father respects strength above all... then I'll show him what true resolve looks like.)
"Don't you dare speak of the woman I love in such a lowly manner! I refuse to marry anyone but Merlin!"
Merlin looked at him, stunned. Her lips parted slightly as her eyes welled with emotion.
Joshua, standing at the entrance, smiled. "Go get him, Lancelot."
Percival suddenly burst into laughter. It echoed loudly through the courtyard before his expression snapped back into stern silence.
(So... he's finally serious about something? This woman must really mean everything to him.)
He gave Merlin a brief, measuring glance that made her lower her eyes nervously.
Then, turning back to Lancelot, he drew his sword. "Fine. Land a single blow on me and I'll give you my blessing."
Lancelot's grip tightened on his weapon. "Say less!"
He dashed forward with fierce determination, his sword flashing through the air in a barrage of strikes. Percival, ever the veteran, dodged them all with surgical precision.
Joshua watched in awe. Lancelot's gotten so much stronger but his father still makes him look like a child.
Lancelot roared and slashed downward, but Percival parried with ease and retaliated. A brutal front kick connected with Lancelot's gut, bending him over. Then came a crushing uppercut that snapped his head back and sent blood flying from his mouth.
Lancelot soared into the sky.
In a blur, Percival moved beneath him. As Lancelot fell, Percival caught him and drove a knee into his back. The sickening crack made everyone flinch. Lancelot coughed blood violently.
He hit the ground.
And then Percival kicked him again, hard. Lancelot's body skidded across the sand, dust rising behind him like a storm cloud.
Percival glared down at his son. "That's all your love amounts to? Pathetic!"
As the dust cleared, Lancelot stood up slowly, blood pouring down his bruised, swollen face. He wiped it off and took a battle stance.
"You're right... I was holding back. But not anymore."
His golden eyes flared to life, muscles tensing as his body transformed, he had awakened.
"I'm going to kill you now, Father!"
Percival smirked. "Ah. So, you've learned to awaken."
Their swords clashed again, and the battle intensified. Kicks, flips, handstands, Lancelot pushed his body beyond its limits, but still, Percival remained dominant. Each blocked strike was followed by a counter. Every opening was punished.
Eventually, Percival tackled him, mounted him, and pummeled him without mercy. Blood sprayed with every punch. Merlin and James could barely watch. Joshua clenched his fists.
Lancelot's glowing eyes dimmed, until...
They flared again.
He reached up and grabbed Percival's shoulders, pulling him close.
"She's not a low-class witch," he growled through bloodied teeth. "Her name is Merlin, and she's the woman I love."
He sank his teeth into the side of his father's neck.
Blood spurted.
Merlin gasped and then smiled. James and Joshua burst into cheers.
Percival pulled away, blood dripping from his neck, and rose to his feet. He extended a hand to his son.
Lancelot took it.
The older man helped him up.
"I'll accept your relationship with Merlin," Percival began. But before he could say more, Lancelot threw his arms around him.
"Thanks, Dad."
Percival stood in stunned silence, then slowly returned the embrace.
When Lancelot let go, he turned to Merlin, wiping blood from his face, and walked toward her.
This is scarier than fighting my father, he thought. But Grandpa gave me Grandma's ring. No going back now...
He stood before her, blushing madly.
Merlin tilted her head. "Are you okay? Did your dad give you brain damage?"
Lancelot slapped his cheeks and took a deep breath.
"Merlin... I've never met anyone more beautiful, more brilliant, or more kind. You're the perfect woman."
She blushed.
"I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"
He dropped to one knee and opened a small box. Inside was his grandmother's radiant diamond ring.
Merlin gasped. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as he placed the ring on her finger. He stood, kissed her deeply, then lifted her into the air and spun her around.
Cheers erupted again from Joshua and James.
Later, when everything had settled, Percival approached the couple.
"Congratulations. But... your rehearsal dinner with your cousin is tomorrow. You'll have to go and announce that the wedding's off. We'll turn it into an engagement ceremony. Then, you can marry the day after."
Lancelot and Merlin answered in unison, "Yes, Dad."
"Good luck," Percival said, smirking as he headed inside.
Lancelot laughed nervously. "Guess we're getting married the day after tomorrow."
Merlin chuckled beside him. "Yeah... I guess we are."