Camelot's rise in Marvel Chapter 97

I had no real reason not to inform Stark about my reasons for sniffing around in Hell's Kitchen. However, I did keep a little bit hidden.

"So… there is a group of immortal ancient magic ninjas around in New York, who are doing unspeakable evils?" He clearly struggled to believe it.

"You took to the idea of magic, gods, and all that easily enough, but you stop at immortal ninjas?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Well. I wouldn't go as far as to say I believe any of that either, but I'm open-minded, or rather, for magic I feel like I can study that, like science, as for god… well I just don't think about it," he said with an air of carelessness.

"Well, be that as it may. I, too, am not sure about what the truth is with the Hand, but they are superhuman, the leaders at least. And given how much evil they do, I don't feel bad for coming after them."

"Well yeah." He agreed." They sure do sound like pieces of shit, but still, the fact a god ca after them and didn't manage to bring them down, that is impressive right?"

"They've been hiding a long ti," I said. "Burrowed in the cracks of this world, letting others do the dirty work. They aren't easy to find, and gods aren't all-knowing, all-powerful beings, just old, powerful, and sotis wise." I corrected his view on godly beings.

Tony humd, tapping the side of his mug again. "And now what? Are you planning to stick around and finish what you started? Or you heading back to magic Calot?"

I sighed and looked out over the sea. "I will leave, staying around for too long will draw attention. Already, SHIELD is looking for , and I doubt they are the only ones. And you know the political situation, being here is problematic."

He fell quiet at that.

He discovered what I was up to while I was busy. He was aware of my ti at the casino; he found easily, and even if that was due to JARVIS and knowing where to search, it suggested that others could likely do the sa.

And he understood too well the problems her being here would cause.

I was easily the most problematic person in the entire world right now, upsetting so many people in power. The number of people wanting the king of Albion dead was even more than those who wanted him dead.

And he knew that almost every male out there wanted him gone.

After all, how could they compete with him?

But yes, the only reason she could even run around like this was because everyone thought King Arthur was a man. If they realized the truth, she would be causing problems big tis.

The king of another nation, going around in another, killing its people? Criminal or not, that was a massive problem.

Tony let out a slow breath, the weight of what I'd said clearly landing. He ran a hand through his hair, mug dangling from the other.

"You're right," he muttered. "You sticking around—bad optics. The risks are just way too big, but still. You kicked the hornet's nest, and now that guy, Daredevil, might be in trouble."

I couldn't disagree with that. The attack on the trucks hadn't been low-key. I had no doubt that plenty of footage of it was in the hands of law enforcent. I didn't care, nor did Mordred, and Daredevil wore a mask, but the Hand would know.

And when they failed to find either Mordred or , they will surely co for him.

"I can't stay," I said. "But that doesn't an the hunt ends here."

Tony leaned against the balcony, shoulders tense. "You want to keep going after them?"

"Are you telling you won't do that?" I asked, I already know the truth.

"Damn, you know be pretty well, I guess I should be flattered." Because we both knew he couldn't sit still. Not when sothing like this was happening so close to himself.

Had it just been normal criminals, he might have been able to do nothing, but apparently immortal ones? That is sothing else entirely.

He wasn't likely to go around like Daredevil; he was a few steps above street fighting, but he would keep an eye on things and likely co flying when the fights went down.

"And what about the girl? You want her to be in on this?"

"I think," I said slowly, "she needs sothing to fight. Sothing real. Sothing she chooses."

Tony didn't respond imdiately. He just watched Jessica through the glass—watched the way she rolled her eyes at Mordred's antics, but didn't move away from the table. Watched the way her fingers clutched the edge of her plate like she wasn't sure if she belonged, but wasn't running either.

"She's not ready," he said.

"I think she is, but she just doesn't know it yet."

He sighed. "Fine, I will look after her, and keep an eye on Daredevil and the Hand or whatever, but in return, I want sothing from you."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "What?"

He pointed his mug toward the house. "Her. Mordred."

I blinked. "You want Mordred?"

"Not for keeps," he said quickly. "But she's strong, loud, terrifying, and clearly loves a good fight. That makes her a damn good fit for what's coming. You leave, but she stays. With , Jessica, and this Daredevil guy. We keep the fight going."

I considered it.

Mordred had always needed a distraction. Sothing to burn that fire of hers on. And this city had plenty of evils to carve through.

Then there was Jessica, who was recovering and had co far in just one day. But she might still enjoy a friendly face, and who better than the person who freed her to fill that role?

And with Tony in charge of the mission, he would be able to keep things from turning too bad, though it wasn't without risks.

"You're sure you can handle her?" I asked, half warning, half serious.

Tony gave a crooked grin. "No. But I don't believe it will be a problem. Give her a place to stay near the actions, money to live from, and Jessica to keep an eye on her day-to-day, and I'm sure things won't turn out badly."

I gave a small nod. "Then it's a deal."

Tony gave a crooked grin. "Then it's a deal."

I turned my head back to the glass, watching Mordred grin with her mouth full as she tried to argue sothing with Jessica, who looked equal parts annoyed and curious.

"She'll need purpose," I said quietly. "Don't let her get bored. That's when she becos dangerous."

"I noticed," he muttered. "She already broke a sculpture just today, never mind the last ti she was here."

I exhaled a short, fond breath. "Rember, she once caused the downfall of my entire kingdom, so don't try to get too feel bad for you."

Tony gave a low whistle. "Yeah, thanks for that comforting reminder."

I offered him a thin smile and turned toward the glass doors.

Inside, the scene hadn't changed much. Mordred was still half-lounged over the table, flicking bits of bacon at Jessica while arguing about breakfast being "the most honest al." Jessica was fending her off with a fork, and though her scowl was practiced, there was a spark behind her eyes now—an ember of life.

Good.

I stepped inside. Both girls looked up as I entered.

"Mordred," I said, and she sat up straighter. "It's ti."

Mordred looked up from her plate, already grinning. "Finally done brooding with Stark? Let's bounce. I'm ready to crack so more heads."

I paused.

Jessica looked between us, catching the tension before it even ford.

"Mordred," I said gently, "you're not coming with ."

The grin slid from her face. "What?"

I walked over to her, keeping my voice calm, steady. "You're staying. With Stark. With Jessica."

Her brows pulled together, confusion giving way to disbelief. "The hell I am."

"You'll be needed here," I said. "We started sothing, and we didn't finish it, you yourself said you wanted to finish it didn't you?"

"I wanted to finish it with you!" She nearly shouted as she stood up.

"I have paperwork, not to ntion all the other royal duties I need to attend to. And you, you have your own duties." I said as I stepped up to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder, leading her away from the other two.

"JARVIS," I whispered. "If you are listening, it's ti to stop, what I say next is private, and if Stark learns of it… I will kill him."

There was a brief silence. Then JARVIS replied, with a tone more careful than usual: "Understood. Recording paused."

Mordred was still fuming under my hand, fists clenched, shoulders tight with refusal. She clearly didn't want to be left behind, she wanted to spend more ti with , I knew she treasured this experience.

Yet, all good things co to an end. "You know what is at stake here; if they truly know a secret of resurrection, we must know of it."

Mordred's lips parted, but no words ca out. She looked like she wanted to argue—to scream, even—but all that spilled from her was a quiet, furious breath.

"I know what's at stake," she said, her voice low, edged. "I just didn't think you'd leave behind. Again."

That stung, more than I expected.

"I'm not leaving you," I said. "I'm trusting you."

Mordred looked away, her jaw tight. "Sa thing."

I stepped closer, placing a hand against her cheek. Her eyes snapped back to mine—angry, wounded, proud.

"No," I said. "It's not. You've grown, Mordred. Stronger. Wiser, even if you pretend not to be. You don't need standing over your shoulder to be a knight. You are one."

Her expression flickered. The wall she tried to hold cracked for a second.

"You're lying," she muttered.

"The only one here lying is you; you are lying to yourself. I believe in you, even if the others don't, what they don't understand, I do." And I did think I understood her.

After all, I didn't just have the mories of the Arthuria she knew, the one she once followed and fought.

Within was another set of mories, one not belonging to any of the many Arthurias that had appeared in singularities or grail wars.

A set a mories that knew of tilines that I had never stepped foot in, like apocrypha.

There, Mordred had shown a side of her I had never seen, and that allowed a better understanding of her. That, along with the loyal Mordred of the Sixth singularity, I knew she didn't truly hate .

She loved , she respected , and she hated . She might be a clone of , but she was so much more human than I could ever be.

She still wanted to punish the Hand due to their evil actions. In contrast, my divine mind had already shifted to other things.

I cared little for the suffering of one person, and more about a kingdom. I was changing, I had changed from the girl who fought and fell on the hill of Camlann. Mordred didn't know it, but she was so much like back then.

Mordred didn't answer right away.

Her fists clenched tighter, nails digging into her palms. Her jaw trembled like she was about to speak—and then, with a growl of frustration, she turned her back to .

But she didn't walk away.

"If we leave, Stark, Murduck, maybe even Jessica will continue the fight, but they can't know the truth, why we hunted them. I need soone here, soone I can trust to find the truth, and only you can do that." I said, placing a hand on her shoulder, feeling it tense under my touch.

Her shoulders were stone beneath my hand, rigid with restraint. She didn't speak, not at first. But her silence wasn't rejection—it was a storm being contained.

I stepped in closer, my voice low, ant only for her.

"You don't have to like it," I said. "But you do have to accept it."

Mordred gave a low scoff, her head dipping slightly. "You're such a bastard sotis."

"I know."

She stood like that for another breath, then two. I waited.

Finally, her voice ca—quiet, bitter, but resolved.

"Fine. But you better co back. I'm not building so dumb Round Table with a rich guy, a blind guy, and a girl who still flinches at her own shadow."

"You'll make it work," I said. "You always do."

She turned halfway, just enough for to catch the edge of her red eyes. "If they piss off, I will beat them up."

"I know." I simply stated. Which took so of the wind out of her sails.

"Get Stark to give you a phone, and my number is here." I said, taking a card from my pocket and handing it over.

It wasn't really my number, but it would get in touch with all the sa. "If you need help or get what we are after, call , and then return ho. Maybe your triumph will help the others forgive you, making you take a step towards my throne."

I gave Mordred one last look—one more quiet, wordless promise—and then turned, leading us back into the room.

Jessica glanced up, brows drawn. Mordred looked sullen but composed, arms crossed, jaw tight. She didn't sit back down, but she didn't storm off either.

Tony was still by the kitchen counter, finishing his coffee and pretending not to watch like a hawk. He raised an eyebrow as we returned.

"Everything sorted?" he asked casually.

"No," Mordred grumbled.

"Yes," I said.

Jessica opened her mouth like she wanted to ask what that ant, but clearly thought better of it.

I gave the room a once-over, committing it to mory. The way the morning light hit the floor. The faint hum of JARVIS in the walls. The people here.

This was their battlefield now.

"This is no longer my hunt," I said, voice calm but formal. "The Hand is still out there. And you will need each other to stand against them."

Mordred didn't look at , but she didn't argue either.

Jessica hesitated. "You really trust with this?"

"I trust you to decide what to do with your freedom," I said. "But if you want to fight… then fight. Not because soone told you to, not because soone made you feel like you had to. But because you chose to."

Jessica swallowed, then nodded. "I'll try."

"That's all I ever asked."

Tony, anwhile, had set his mug down and crossed his arms. "You sound like soone giving a retirent speech."

"Not retirent," I said. "Delegation."

He snorted. "Right. Passing the torch."

"Exactly."

There was a mont of stillness between us. Quiet, but not awkward. It was the kind of silence that ca when everyone understood their place in sothing bigger.

I reached into my coat and pulled out the small drive Stark had given earlier—the arc reactor data. I held it up between two fingers.

"This will do," I said.

Tony nodded. "It's everything I've got. The reactor blueprints, Howard's old models, and what little I've managed to decode from the elent design. I don't think you'll be able to synthesize it yourselves, though. It's not like forging a sword or boiling herbs in a cauldron."

"Perhaps," I said, slipping the drive into my inner pocket. "But I have a kingdom of millions."

I t his gaze, steady and certain.

"I'm sure at least a few of them can."

So, yeah, a secret totally unexpected team up! Mordred will get a few chapters of glory. I do love Mordred, and she haven't gotten the attention she deserves.

Plus, there is still so ti until things start kicking off with threats that our lovely king Arthur can face off with properly, so rather than going right back to kingdom building, or skipping a few months ahead, Mordred ti!

Mordred ti!

In fact, the next 6 chapters will all be Mordred ti, giving our lovely little fireball so action. So look forward to that!

Support at patreon/unknownfate – for the opportunity to read 30 chapters ahead.