Protectors of Chaos Arc: Part 3

Part 3, the finale of the "Protectors of Chaos Arc" takes place after the Istar Training Cave timeskip. King Mordred suddenly presents himself before the current Protectors of Chaos, taking advantage of the fact that the others are occupied training.

## The Istar Cave Training Arc

After Yami's death against Azlin Kamala, Comet summoned all knights chosen to fight against King Mordred to appear at Istar. Kiriko, Azlin, Comet, Karma, Alciel, Gawain, Lennox, and a group of spectators all appeared before the Druid's sacred grounds, Istar Cave. The current guardian of the cave is a Druid named Beatrice. She escorts the gang of warriors towards their official training grounds, pointing out that anyone who trains in the cave will face great adversity and strife. Even so, anyone emerging from the cave will find their power level having increased exponentially. Due to the prophecy warning that a "Protector of Chaos" would destroy the lands of Britannia - Kiriko, Gawain, and Azlin were chosen to enter the cave after everyone else had a turn.

## Shai's Blessing

After a few minutes of preparation, all knights have successfully entered and had been training at each of the available Istar caves. Kiriko and Azlin waited in patience, watching the progression of their friends from Beatrice's Druid Orb. Gawain on the other hand seemed disturbed, his sight never blinking from Beatrice's location. Kiriko took notice, not quite understanding why Gawain's face gave off a murderous intent. That's when it happened. Azlin's eyes became a mess of emotions as blood splashed into Gawain's face. By the time the situation became clear, the following events had transpired. Beatrice, now an old blonde-haired man, had pierced his vascular arm into the chest of Kiriko, his enlarged finger nails just barely making contact with Gawain's trembling cheeks. Azlin moved in blinding speed, her entire appearance having changed dramatically as she completely severed the arm of the oppressor. She took ahold of Kiriko and retreated a few feet away, her eyes now bearing the radiance of Chaos. Gawain remained frozen, his eyes beginning to reveal fear as he trembled in his skin.

*"I didn't think you'd be this happy to see your father!"*

**The King of Chaos reclaimed his throne, walking ominously until he towered over his only son, Gawain. Gawain winced in response to his father lifting his arm, the source of Kiriko's Chaos abilities now returning to his vessel.**

*"...You've done your job, my son... Mordred's Blessing is finally in its climax..."*

Gawain's eyes widened in shock, coming to a realization before speaking it into words for verification. Kiriko gasped weakly, struggling to stay alive. Azlin mustered what little control she had left in order to stay control of her body.

*"Your magical ability. You knew all along. Palomides' death and my escape from your grasp wasn't just dumb luck. You orchestrated it all... My mission to collect the vessels of Chaos... Comet's desire to train at Istar Cave... Kiriko Pendragon becoming the one responsible for destroying the lands of Britannia... You planted all of these ideas and thoughts into us all... Why? If you possessed such an ability, why give us hope?"*

Mordred answered as best as he could. He simply wanted to teach his son what it meant to control fate and destiny. He didn't care about ruling the world. He didn't care about becoming the strongest being in Britannia. He could achieve virtually anything he wanted by controlling his surroundings. This, in his own perspective, was the purest form of control. He called it "Shai's Blessing". This, with the added omnipotent power of Chaos granted him anything Earth could offer. However, Gawain was not satisfied with this answer. He couldn't quite fathom why his father made their entire journey a lie. Why didn't he kill them sooner? Mordred's response was simple yet ominous. *"I was bored".*

Gawain couldn't believe it. For the first time in his life, he feared his father's level of power. After officially losing hope, Azlin appeared above the powered-up Mordred, exchanging blows in a matter of seconds before shouting and taunting Gawain for his sudden act of weakness. Mordred remained calm, assessing Azlin's current level of magical ability as the two exchanged attacks with one another. Gawain rushed to Kiriko's aid, understanding what he must do in order to have Kiriko wield Excalibur efficiently. By then, Azlin hesitated slightly at Mordred's new expression. Tears rolled down his cheeks, his nose tightening as he knowingly turned his back from his opponent to stare at his son. Azlin wanted to take advantage. But after she too looked in the direction of Gawain, she froze as well. Kiriko, now sporting a headband, had been crying as well. He raised Excalbur to his side, standing besides an armless Gawain. Mordred explained that Gawain had sacrificed a limb in order to pour his powers of Chaos into Kiriko. Mordred foresaw these events hence the reason he shed tears for his son before the idea even crossed Gawain's brain.

After Kiriko woke up from his assumed death, he didn't have time to understand the situation. Had he realized Gawain had vanished then and there, he would've hesitated and wavered in determination to battle and kill Mordred. He met Mordred's saddened gaze, Excalibur changing into a golden blade which sprouted strange radiant birds. Mordred embraced Kiriko's transformation, watching as Kiriko prepared to take a single strike with Excalibur. And he did without hesitation. Before Kiriko's blade made contact with Mordred, he vanished entirely, his powers of Chaos shooting into Excalbur as well as robbing Azlin and Kiriko of their powers of Chaos as well. "Shai's Blessing". A magical ability only wielded by Mordred. It allowed him to see close to 99% of a person's fate or destiny in life. But it also had an extra hidden ability. "Shai's Curse". This ability made it so fate and destiny would "falsely" be made into reality within your own mind. Meaning, Kiriko actually thought Excalibur sliced Mordred in two. He assumed the powers of Chaos were safely stored into Excalibur for safekeeping. Gawain had originally vanished after giving Kiriko his own Chaos. However, Kiriko and Azlin vividly remember him dying, handing Kiriko Chaos as his final gift to him. Comet and the others returned from Istar Training Cave, having assumed they had grown stronger. When in reality, they had not grown any stronger prior to the training cave. Things returned to normal after a bit of time. However, the lands of Britannia were changed forever. New kingdoms were birthed as new species of beings surfaced. As for Mordred's plot and Gawain's disappearance? No one actually knew.