A new dawn has arrived and in its wake, a new king is crowned. The proud Kingdom of Camelot had collapsed, the Knights of the Round Table had perished with it, and a new empire rose from its soils born from its people. The new empire is named Moniyan, ruled by Aurelius Parabellum II, grandson of Augustus Parabellum. Altria Pendragon, the last queen of Camelot, and her most loyal knights fled from the ruins of Camelot and chose to live a simpler life in the northern region. She returned to the ancestral home of her mother Igrain in a small region called Colchester. Albeit being smaller and less grand than their former residence, Altria and her knights led a life of hunting beasts and slaying down monsters and demons to protect their new home. 

With the blessing of the Holy Grail, the former queen and her chosen knights were able to maintain their youthful prime years never aging a single second. They are no longer subjected to the hands of time and can only die if they are slain, either by poison or combat. By now two generations of  Parabellum Kings have sat on her former throne and are currently celebrating the 1st century of their empire. However new conflicts came with the changing times. 

"My lady! Please! We beg for your help! The dragon had attacked our lands again. It burned our crops, defiled the land, and killed our animals." A farmer cried out. 

"My lady! Vortigern has burned our homes and destroyed our livelihood!" added another

"He fouled the water with his piss and killed the soil with his feces! Please, my lady! We beg you to help us." pleaded the fisherman. 

"Lady Pendragon! That despicable beast killed my daughter who was barely past nine! Please avenge her death! We will offer our life and our service to you for as long as we live!"

"My lady, we are mere farmers and fishers! We cannot fight a dragon unlike you! Please help us."

"You and your court of knights are the only ones capable of destroying that wretched beast! We implore you!" 

"Altria Pendragon, we beg you to help us!" 

"Please have mercy on us!" 

The people cried out as they gathered around the small manor of the new Pendragon residence. Altria stood on her veranda overlooking the people. She has been listening to their complaints since the break of dawn. They've been imploring her to kill the dragon Vortigern who has been terrorizing their land for a while now. 

"What shall we do, your majesty? We do not have enough men and weapons to take on a dragon hunt and the Imperial Palace is also asking for your help to find their lost prince, which I bet, is already dead. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore a royal request even though they are mere usurpers." Agravain muttered beside her. 

"Do not be like that, Agravain. We must still show kindness and generosity. It is only right and just to do so."

"But what are we going to do? Winter is upon us yet our stocks are still not enough to survive the length of the harsh cold. Furthermore, a rogue dragon is burning the crops of your serfs and defiling the whole land with its excrement. We should do something about that before responding to the Empire."

"I agree with you, Agravain. That is why I must do what I plan to do next." Altria replied with a knowing smile. 

"Your majesty?" 

"I will go alone to hunt down the dragon. You and the rest of the knights must remain to protect the people from further threats. Send Lancelot and Tristan to Moniyan as my representatives in searching for the lost prince. Those two are my best trackers that's why I have faith that they will be able to provide useful service to the royal family. A mother is crying, Agravain. Therefore the Code of Chivalry compels us to do something about it."

"But Altria, setting off into-!" Agravain protested but stopped mid-sentence to correct himself. 

"Your majesty, it is too dangerous to set out all on your own. At least take Gawain or Bedivere with you. Even I will be of more use to you than solitude."

"I appreciate your concern but I am fine doing this on my own. I need all of you to keep Cadmure safe while I'm away. You wouldn't object unless you doubt my skills, would you Agravain?" she said jokingly yet her words made the knight blush in shame and amend himself. 

"Of course not, your majesty! I would never! You are the greatest of all warriors and the most valiant knight. None can fight on par with you, not even the fake rulers of Moniyan."

"Then stop stopping me and send me off with good food and a fine horse." Altria reasoned, making him sigh. 

"Yes, your majesty." Agravain gave in after seeing that his words won't reach her now that her mind has been made. Altria is a very hard-headed woman and yet he still finds himself following her and giving in to her stubbornness regardless of how dangerous it gets. 

"You should stop addressing me as such. I no longer have a crown nor a kingdom to rule. I am now a free woman with an old crumbling house and some friends. I am Altria Pendragon now not Arturia, Queen of Britain and you are Agravain my great friend, not my servant." she clarified, giving him a small smile. 

"You may have lost your crown, your throne, and your kingdom but you will never lose the hearts of your loyal followers. You are my queen now and forever. I believe the others feel the same way as well. We are still by your side after all." 

The smile stretched wider in Altria's lips. She is aware that Agravain can sometimes be devious and pretentious yet his words right now hold no malice nor falsehood. If she was truly alone then the grief would have made her insane by now but thanks to her comrades she was able to pull herself together. 

"...Thank you, Agravain."

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"So this is the dragon's lair." Altria mumbled as she looked upon the piles of gold that formed small mountains across the great hall she had entered. With only Excalibur in hand and its miraculous scabbard Avalon, she has set upon a journey to track down the dragon Vortigern and the last village she has been to pointed her to this castle. 

She was greeted with a very warm welcome in a very literal sense. When she burst through the gate a river of lava surrounded her which prevented her from advancing further into his domain yet she did not despair and looked for a way to cross the fiery moat. Once inside, goblins and gargoyles tried intercepting her but they were easily cut down by her excellent combat abilities. Currently, she is traversing the piles of gold to find the beast, tripping on his gold now and again. Dragons are known to be great hoarders and if you manage to kill one then you have the right of conquest to claim its gold. 

Altria thought that there might be enough gold here to help her people survive the cold winter but it might be enough to feed the whole world for a hundred years. Strangely enough, objects magically appear out of nowhere and drop randomly on the piles of gold. Other than precious gems and shining ores, there are also numerous weapons scattered everywhere ranging from swords, spears, shields, and even magical relics and tomes. Somehow she recognized some of them as weapons of legendary heroes dating back from the Age of Gods or even further. This dragon must have been hoarding treasures since the dawn of mankind. 

"Nothing seems to make sense here. But the dragon seems wealthier than the last one I killed." 

"That's because I'm wealthier than anyone on this planet, little girl." an amused voice boomed above her. Altria was swift to adjust to a battle stance once she saw the dragon descending from above. 

His powerful wings sent a large tempest that nearly knocked her off her feet however she firmly stood her ground and glared at the dragon. Luckily the castle is so massive that he didn't knock down any pillars that could collapse the whole thing on her. This castle seems to be built for dragons instead of humans given how massive everything is. But she must wonder how long it took to build such a grand palace and the money it cost must have been quite a fortune since the materials are nothing less than expensive. Additionally, who would build a castle for a dragon? 

Altria assessed the dragon's whole body searching for any weak spots. Based on her experience, many monsters have parts that are least protected making them vulnerable to attacks. However, this dragon is too bright and shiny to easily assess. She can barely see as she squints due to the bright light that he reflects from his scales. This dragon is entirely made of gold. Or at least his scales are. He is as big as several houses and as secured as a fortress. Luckily, she also brought her spear which can easily pierce through the thickest defenses. 

The dragon stared at her with ruby red eyes as he folded his wings before settling on a pile of gold. The boredom is obvious in his monstrous features. He isn't even fazed that someone has barged into his home to kill him. Perhaps such an event frequently happens that's why he's grown used to it. Additionally, he's also massive and formidable-looking. He can easily annihilate anyone who dares to cross him; however, she can detect the slight interest in his narrow pupils. 

"You are quite pretty. Your hips are perfect for birthing, your breasts seem to be excellent cushions for the head and that ass... Hmmm. You must have come here to be an extension of my wealth. If you would, kindly strip down and give me a good show. It's been eons since I fucked with someone." The dragon purred, staring at her hungrily. The scowl on the huntress's face darkened due to his comment. Is this golden turd seriously sexually harassing her right now? 

"How the hell are we even gonna--!" Altria cut her complaint seeing no point in reasoning with such a perverted creature. His behavior is all the more reason to get rid of him. She shook her head and mustered her thoughts. 

"You foul wretched beast! You have defiled my land and terrorized my people that's why I, Altria Pendragon, have come to vanquish you! Prepare to die!" she declared as light gathered in her blade before swinging it down upon the dragon. 

"I don't even know what you're talking about!!!" yelled the dragon as their clash began. His words fell on deaf ears as the huntress ruthlessly delivered powerful blows upon his body. 

🌹

"Hey, are you dead?" Altria asked while panting as she stood in front of the fallen dragon. His golden blood seeped to the floor and he laid in his pile of gold unmoving. His wings are riddled with holes and at least two of his limbs are broken. 

"I am dying thanks to you." muttered the dragon as he laid on the ground with eyes closed. 

They battled for three days and three nights with neither side winning or losing due to the ferocity each one of them showed to the other. Altria proved that her size is not a hindrance to combat someone as large and formidable as him. She used her agility, strength, and wit to evade death and deal damage to him which successfully went through.

His grand hall had been thoroughly destroyed, the expensive glass chandeliers had been shattered, the intricate pillars had crumbled, and his treasures laid broken and scattered. Of course, their battle wasn't only contained in his hall but also extended to the rest of his splendid castle reducing it to ruins; however, it was peculiar how the edifice repaired itself flawlessly once the battle stopped. She figured that some powerful magic must be at work to preserve this castle. It is also probable that fairies built this splendorous castle which will explain the mystery that surrounds it. 

"I didn't even do anything wrong. You should have just sat on my face with your thick ass and I would have been happy to die like that. Instead, you have to use that wretched holy sword on me. You are a very cruel woman. I wish you never get married and die as an old maid." complained the dragon. 

"You are one peculiar dragon. Since I vanquished you, I will be taking your treasure to help my people."

"Go help yourself. You'll be needing all the money you need to buy sex toys since you'll never get married. Go buy a big fat dildo to at least--" 

"Shut up and just die already!" yelled Altria as she kicked his face, knocking him out cold. Satisfied with her work, she limped to another room to find some comfort for herself.

She had explored his castle earlier and saw that there was a bath place somewhere. If she looks hard enough she'll also be able to find some medicine and bandages to tend to her wounds. Going home would be impossible since a terrible storm is currently raging outside and she's badly injured. All her efforts will be for naught if she perishes now. 

The dragon seems to be drawing his last breath as she felt his aura getting weaker by the second. She spat blood on the ground. That dragon really did a number on her. Numerous wounds painted her skin red while cuts and bruises throbbed on her flesh. Even her organs seem to be rearranged when she was sent flying to a column. She can feel that her bones have turned to dust by now. Thankfully Avalon is keeping her alive and slowly repairing her injuries. Nevertheless, she must still tend to them just to be safe. Altria muttered a curse before continuing with her search for medical supplies. 

🌹

"Oww, fuck that stings!" Altria cursed as she dabbed an ointment on her cuts. She sat naked on the floor of the bath with only the undergarments she had when she left Cadmure. She finally found the caldarium and allowed herself to enjoy a nice warm bath to soothe her muscles and clean her flesh but it also made her wounds sting. 

"It hurts because you're doing it all wrong." announced an unknown voice making her flinch in surprise. Altria immediately stood from the ground and drew her sword to defend herself when needed. 

 "That's not even the right medicine for that. What you're holding is a cough syrup but what you need is a disinfectant. Are you illiterate? You are such a foolish woman. Only filled with tits and no brains." 

A man with blonde hair and the brightest crimson eyes emerged from the doorway. He wore flashy golden accessories around his neck and wrists while the finest chiton toga hangs from his waist exposing his chest. She noted numerous wounds and bruises on his flesh. A hint of recognition crossed her features. 

"Identify yourself or else I will cut you down with no mercy." she warned as he walked closer to her. 

"My name is Gilgamesh, King of the Dragons and the owner of this castle. I've merely simplified my monstrous form and I'm here to check up on my guest. Have you found any dildos around my treasury? I think I have a few golden ones studded with gems to enhance the experience."

"You? You're the dragon?" Altria gasped, flabbergasted. 

"Yes, I was originally a human but I was cursed by a loser goddess I once rejected. But none of that matters now since it's all in the past. However, what you did was unacceptable. Disrespecting me by breaking into my palace and making a mess of my possessions is unforgivable. Therefore I shall punish you accordingly."

"Arrghhh!" groaned Altria as chains began wrapping around her body. 

"What the hell are you doing?! If you're going to fight me then fight fairly! Release me at once so I can hand your ass to you a second time!!" she yelled as the man began approaching with a mysterious smile. 

"There's no need for that. I shall give you something else instead."

"What the hell do you mean by-- mpphh!!" Altria was astounded when the dragon king pressed his lips on hers, immediately cutting her complaints. 

For a gigantic reptile in human form, his lips are surprisingly soft and luscious and the expert way in which he moved them felt like they were waltzing. It was very peculiar how she was suddenly assaulted by thousands of different emotions. She feels angry, furious, ashamed, and embarrassed. While on the other hand she also feels shy, warm, and fuzzy. Most of all, why does she feel excited? Like she was anticipating something more. 

In the course of their battle, she will admit that she felt something other than a murderous drive. Another spark ignited within her as she fought the dragon. It was strange and it was scary. Why does she feel something else that is completely inappropriate on the battlefield? Something that doesn't belong in her heart especially now that he's shown her this handsome form. Why is her carnal instinct to mate becoming more prevalent in her body? She had often heard her knight say that after a long satisfying battle they would opt to go to a brothel to burn their lust but none of them ever said that they would want to bed their enemy! Especially this thing that is kissing her! And why is her lower region tingling?! 

She released a yelp surprise when she felt his hand somewhere it's not supposed to be. One of his hands is caressing her neck, tickling her sensitive nerves and sending a jolt of excitement to her spine. His other hand was bolder. It probed the insides of her tunic and caressed her special region which no other man has ever dared to venture before. 

Altria can feel her mind slipping away as she reluctantly gives in to his warmth and touch. It was definitely a powerful spell that bound her in this enchantment and forced her to cooperate in this carnal debauchery. And yet she cannot deny that the moans that escaped her lips were undeniably from the pleasure she desired. 

🌹

"What the hell are you doing? You've been drawing there since we finished making love. Aren't you going to get some rest?" Altria mumbled groggily as she sat up in his extravagant golden bed wrapped only in the exquisite fur and linens from unknown exotic lands. Her fine bare body dented the soft mattress of the bed while streaks of sunlight haloed her cascading locks. To the man who sat drawing over his varnished table, Altria looked like a goddess of beauty regardless of her disheveled appearance. 

"I am merely indulging my fancy. If you've missed me that much even though we've spent five days and nights fucking our hearts out, then I would say that you are already in love with me. Well, no one can blame you for that. None can resist my charms anyways." joked Gilgamesh, making Altria roll her eyes in annoyance. 

"You fuck harder than you fight." retorted Altria as she gathered the clothing her gracious host has provided only to throw it carelessly on the ground before engaging her in a passionate night. 

"Thank you. Your praises to my virility are greatly appreciated." Gilgamesh said in return with a huge grin on his lips while scribbling something on the long paper but not without stealing a few glances on her body. 

"It wasn't meant to be a compliment."

Five days have passed since the conclusion of their battle and most of their time was spent on conversations, explorations, fancy dinners, and of course, making love. On the third day of her stay, Gilgamesh helped her track down Vortigern and this time she was able to kill the right dragon. The days that followed were spent on getting to know each other deeper, which Gilgamesh took too literally. It astounded Altria how she had convinced herself that nothing is wrong with being extremely amicable with a dragon. 

For the first time in her long life, she wondered if this was love and how it could have developed so suddenly. And if so how could she give it to someone so carelessly? Her more romantic knights often said that true love takes time and effort to develop. The first strokes of fluttering feeling in your chest are merely adoration or, in most cases, simply lust. 

Altria is a very sensible woman who analyzes everything before she acts. She rarely indulges in pleasure much less fooling around with some stranger with a peculiar identity. And yet she was so easily pulled from her better judgment and willingly participated in frivolities with this golden lizard. What compelled her mind to participate in such sacrilege was beyond her. The only sensible conclusion she can come up with is sorcery. But then again she can't blame someone else for her own choices so she dropped the internal debate raging inside her head before going behind him and taking a peek at what he's been working with. 

"What exactly are you scribbling? Please don't tell me that you were drawing me in nude." 

"That is a brilliant idea that I should have done instead of this but it would be disappointing to forget the details of your castle."

"My castle? Why the hell are you drawing up a castle? Although I must say it is wonderfully done. It is a combination of majesty and grandeur without disregarding the true function of each structure. The walls are high, the battlements are advantageous for the archers and the garrison soldiers. The architecture would make a difficult siege for the enemy and the castle is just marvelous. It would put even my Camelot second in beauty even though it was built by fairies while you just designed these blueprints overnight. I wonder what came over you to draw this."

"In a dream, I saw you living in this castle. You would live like the queen that you are safely inside these walls with your band of loyal knights to protect you forever. You will sit in the garden for tea, gaze over the balcony during the sunset, and kill dragons to pass the time." He enunciated animatedly, making her giggle in amusement. 

"Why would you want to build a castle for me? We've only met for a few days. We're not some fairy tale romance or something. Why all this effort?" Gilgamesh didn't reply immediately and instead debated whether or not to give her the whole truth. When he finally decided that he shouldn't keep this information secret he turned to her, pausing all his activities. 

"Because this is the place where you will raise our child and I want her to have the best of everything... I want her to be safe even if I'm not there to protect her from the world." 

"Child? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're pregnant, Altria. I can already hear her heartbeat. She is 6 weeks old, healthy, and full of life." The honesty in his face and voice wiped away the smile on her face. Her heart felt like it had been licked by flames while she suddenly imagined a throbbing in her tummy like the beating of a new heart. 

"You're not making any sense. How can I get pregnant? You're the only one I mated with and the first time we did it was 5 days ago. Have you gone mad? Should I get you some breakfast to bring you to your senses?"

"No Altria, listen. I need to confess something to you." There was a momentary pause as Gilgamesh grasped for words. Altria remained silent but the distress was obvious on her face. 

"Time runs slower here. My castle is located on the reverse side of the world. The moment you entered here you were no longer in the mortal world but in a different world entirely." Altria searched his face for any signs of falsehood but failed to detect any lies or jest from his face which means that he's either a good actor or he's telling the truth. She hoped more for the former. Her face instantly paled in realization that she had spent more time here than she had initially thought. 

"Then how long have I been truly here?"

"It's been two months since you arrived in my castle. The child is growing along with the progress of the outside world because you are not part of my castle. At least not yet. You are not part of my possessions but soon enough once the castle acknowledges that you are far more valuable to me than any gold and treasure in this trove then it will never let you escape and our child will never be born because you will be timeless here. I don't want that. I want both of you to exist. See the world, find new love, and make new friends. You cannot do all that here." There was a brief pause from Gilgamesh before proceeding with his speech while Altria remained silent. 

"Why didn't you tell me this before? Why let it lead to this? My child will grow up without a father! I don't know the first thing about raising a child."

"You don't want the baby?" asked Gilgamesh. The hurt is evident in his tone and face. 

"No, this is my child and regardless of your stupidity, I will love it. I can learn to be a mother but I can't learn to ever forgive you. This child will not know you growing up so I will only tell her the truth about you until she's finally old enough to understand."

"That's okay. As long as you and this little one live, I'll be happy. That is specifically why you must escape in three days. The moon will be full so the portal between the two worlds will open. You must leave then. This place is just an old chest meant to store the remnants from the Age of Gods. You will never die here, yes, but you will also never live." A melancholic look settled on his face as he placed his hand on her belly. A small bump had already appeared on her stomach and he could hear the beating of a new heart. 

"This castle is nothing more than a golden coffin for me. That is why I want to build you the most splendid palace in the mortal world. You will live for me and our baby. You don't have to worry about anything. I will have the engineers and builders ready. And the money is of little essence. So wipe your tears my dear and let us spend the limited time we have together. The gate between the two worlds won't open until the next full moon so we need to make each second count. That's why I don't know if you will accept this." Gilgamesh opened his palm revealing a golden ring crafted to look like a coiled dragon holding a fine ruby in its mouth while white diamonds surround its arc. 

"I want you to take it with you to remember me. Even if we're far away I'll hold you in my heart so I implore you the smallest of mercies, if it won't be too much of a burden, to never forget me for as long as you live. As long as the moon and sun prevail."

"I'll remember you... No matter the centuries or the eons. I'll remember you." Altria swore as she allowed him to put the ring on her finger and kiss her lips. 

"I remember you."

"What is it, my lady?" Agravain asked when he noticed Altria zoning out and gazing blankly towards the south.

"Why am I thinking about him now?" she mumbled to herself, her voice was nearly inaudible due to the roar of the battle down below. 

"Can you repeat that, my lady? I didn't quite understand what you said. Are you feeling unwell? Should I call for a physician?" Agravain questioned with sincere worry as she stared longingly into the distance. Altria finally snapped from her thoughts before turning to him. 

"There's no need for that. Our men fighting down below have more need of medical attention. Tell the servants to prepare food and water for those who are exhausted and let them rest while others take their post before returning to the battlefield."

"Yes, my lady." Agravain said before relaying the order to another knight who gave him a letter sent through a raven. 

"My lady, this has the seal from our people in the Blood Moon Ball! They said that the palace is under attack! They don't know how or where but monsters were pouring in fast and attacking everyone. What should we do, my lady?" Agravain reported with alarm after reading the parchment. The shock and the panic that crossed Altria's face is unparalleled as she imagined what might be happening to her daughter. 

"Agravain, stay here and defend our home. I shall ride south to protect my daughter and everyone else I can. I will be taking 20 of my best knights so prepare the griffins." 

"At once, my lady!"