Love's Tears (Gloxinia x Oc)

Chapter 3: The Kingdom of Camelot

"We're heading to the royal capital Camelot."

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The whole tavern shook the moment Merlin finished speaking. A fiery glow shone through the open windows as the earth grumbled and groaned. It was like nothing they'd see before. Rumbling, it felt as though the place had lifted into the air - floating as light as a feather. But it didn't last long. Less than a second after the weight of every brick, bottle, and tile came crashing down yet they didn't meet the ground. Peering outside, Elizabeth's eyes widened. The horizon was no longer in view, replaced by the big blue sky above.

Astonished, she rushed out with the others. The wind twisted through her long silver hair while reaching out her hand - and despite knowing they were too far, she felt as though she could catch a cloud. An entire world was below them, an infinity above them. Was flying always this exhilarating? Well, she wouldn't know, she'd never been flying up until now... nonetheless it felt familiar somehow.

Unfortunately, the excitement didn't last long. A giant mountainous creature towered over the great city of Camelot with gleaming red eyes. Its skin was cracked and rough as if it were broken stone and murky moss clambered up its sides in irregular patches. A strange, jagged mouth was carved into its face, eyes star-shaped abysses.

"What is that giant, mountain-like thing?" Hawk squealed, whisking his tail side to side. "How many times bigger is it than mum?"

Diane clenched her fists, "I don't know of anyone in the Giant race like that!"

Merlin brushed a strand of hair out of her face, holding her hand out with her sacred treasure hovering above her fingertips.

"I've detected multiple magic reactions inside its body, but no vital signs," her eyes narrowed, "most likely, it's a golem."

"Yeah. That's a Great Beast Albion," Meliodas added – steadying himself in the wind.

"Albion?" Diane questioned.

"A weapon created by the Demon race during the Ancient War." He sighed, "it must've been awakened when the Ten Commandments were revived."

Diane's eyebrows raised, "Ten Commandments?"

"I'll explain later."

Slader grumbled, "this is like having the same nightmare again. The sheer drive I sense from that thing, it's the same level as when Hendrickson turned into that monster!"

"A-Are you kidding me?" Hawk squeaked, shivers running down his spine at the thought. "Meliodas' power level is 3,370. Even Merlin's is 4,710. But that monster... its power level is 5,500!"

At that moment, the huge beast let out a terrifying roar that echoed through the air – shaking every person right to their core.

"So it's reacting to our power levels, huh?" Merlin spoke, shielding her face.

It raised its fist, slamming down with great force, only missing them by a mere few meters. Closing in on the capital, a dome-shaped shield appeared and blanketed the whole city; sparking like lightning at the impact.

"Throwing up a magic-blocking wall in advance was the right call."

They watched the shield flicker in a pale glow, slightly dimmer but still strong.

"Enveloping the entire city in a barrier. That's my Elder Sister!" Slader commented, amazed at what he saw.

Merlin continued. "That said, covering this wide range weakens the defensive effects. It maybe has two blows left-"