"I forbid you," King Faust said angrily.

"Father," Jellal said as calmly as possible. "This is my chance to prove to the people of Fiore that I am no coward."

"It's unnatural," the older man said worriedly. "What happened-"

"The man probably has really strong armor or something," Jellal argued. "I can beat him! I know I can!"

The king left the room without another word.

~ ~ ~

I stared out the window, watching the man dressed in black, standing outside.

"Come look!" I exclaimed. "He hasn't moved an inch!"

Jellal stood beside me and watched. "He probably is well trained. That's all."

"Are you really going to do this?" I asked, shifting my gaze from the armored man to Jellal. 

"Don't you trust me?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. "Why does no one trust me?!"

I did trust him. Too much. He was part of my destiny, his life was entwined with mine, as much as I detested it. Jellal was the crown prince, but when people wanted to use magic against him, the future king, it was my job to protect Jellal with my life. Even if no one knew.

~ ~ ~

"It's odd how he has no cuts," Porlyusica commented, rummaging through her medicine bag. "I passed by him this morning. Even the strongest armor will be a little bit scratched from all that broken glass."

"And he's been standing in the courtyard all day! He's as still as a statue."

Porlyusica looked up slowly. "You don't think...I wonder if it's possible..to make a statue come alive?"

~ ~ ~

"In the time of the Old Religion, dark magic like that existed," Igneel said calmly, examining one of his ivory claws.

"That's not the point!" I said, stomping my foot angrily. "If no weapon can kill it, then how can Jellal win?"

"Perhaps you can convince him to withdraw..maybe back down from the fight."

"I've tried. The stupid prince is extremely stubborn."

The dragon laughed, "Can't blame him, can you? You never listen to anyone either."

I sighed, "Fine. I'm stubborn. Good for you. But if it's my destiny to watch Jellal grow into the greatest king ever, then how can I help him win this fight?"

"The lifeless with life," Igneel mused. "It can only be killed by a special weapon. A magical weapon."

I perked up. "Where can I get this weapon from?"

"A sword. Forged from a dragon's breath."

"Easy." I pulled out my sword. "Here. Now blow on it."

Igneel snorted angrily, a puff of smoke emitting from his snout. "I'm not a slave, young sorceress. What do I get out of helping you?"

I stared at him. "I thought you were helping me! The destiny! Remember?"

Igneel whispered, "All these years, I've been stuck down here, deep below the castle. Chained. Finally, you have discovered me."

"You want...payment?" I asked.

The dragon nodded. "We are kin, after all."

I opened my mouth to agree to the bargain, but something told me to stop. I hesitated. King Faust must have had some reason the chain Igneel up, right? Besides the fact that he was a magical creature.

"Later," I said hesitantly. "Help me first."

Igneel huffed indignantly again. "As you wish, young sorceress."

I held out my sword and Igneel looked at it carefully.

"Will this be okay?" I asked.

He didn't say a word. He opened his mouth and breathed out.

His breath was warm and felt like feathers, a million silky feathers tickling my skin. Like sitting next to a fireplace.

"It is done."

I looked at the newly forged sword in my hands and gasped. It was beautiful.

Everything about it was different. The hilt was encrusted with jewels, the blade was shining, new as ever.

"What does that say?" I asked, pointing to the strange runes inscribed on the steel.

"It is the Druid language," the dragon said. "It says, 'Excalibur.'"

"Excalibur," I repeated. 

I sheathed the sword and turned to leave.

"Remember, young sorceress. Every magic item comes with a price. The sword was forged for the prince. If it falls into the wrong hands..."

"I'll be sure to give it to him," I said.

"You owe me," Igneel said.

Igneel has helped me so much..I don't see why I should release him..But his hatred for the king..

I shook the thought out of my head and unsheathed Excalibur once more.