Arthur had nearly arrived. Precise instructions from the old wizard warned him of the challenge ahead.

"Take your horse to (202,471). With these coordinates you shall find the Lake of Avalon. You're not going for a swim. Here you will encounter the mystical, and terrifying, Lady of The Lake, Madoka. This is where Excalibur resides. Be not lackadaisical young knight, as the price of failure is death. For she is ruthless. She is cold. Many have gone, but none have returned. I bid you good luck. O, Arthur! Whatever you do... DO NOT PLAY DICE WITH HER!"

With the dry skull and bones decorating the path beneath Arthur it would be a lie to say he was not nervous. Breaking his Caliburn was the equivalent of castration. The young knight got closer to the body of water. In the middle of the lake he could spot a arm sticking out, wielding the glowing sword. Without hesitation he spoke the words the old wizard told him to speak.

"Madoka, Madoka, lend me your hand!"

Within seconds Madoka emerged from the water. The Lady of the Lake had a glow of her own. She walked on the water as if it were a solid surface, and her movements were so captivating, they appeared to be done in slow motion. When Madoka arrived in front of the young knight, he found himself staring at her feet. Had the old wizard bamboozled Arthur? What he thought would be a ghoul capable of turning men to stone, actually turned out to be some alluring damsel. From head to toe. It was like watching a statue come to life, and perfection was the marble. Blushing, Arthur was at a loss of words and in a daze.

Madoka spoke first both with words and action, ​​​​​​"What are you looking at?!"  SLAP! "I thought you came here to take the challenge?!"​​​​

Arthur held his cheek, the other hand covering his eyes closed shut with his head in another direction, as if trying his hardest not to look, he spoke. 

"I am here for the challenge. I'm sorry Madoka, Lady of the Lake, but you perhaps may be the most beautiful human I have ever encountered...". And with those words Arthur peeked through his hand to look at Madoka's feet again. This time, instead of a slap, she grinned. Then wiggled her toes.

Arthur caught an instant nosebleed and fainted. ​​​​​​​When Arthur came to, Madoka was standing over him laughing.

​​​"I have killed many knights, challengers, and just about anyone else stupid enough to try and claim Excalibur. Not once, however, has my beauty made a man blush to death. Compared to the rascals who come here, you seem quite different. You have a young face, handsome even. And I can sense your heart is as light as a feather. What's your name, traveler?"

"Arthur."

Madoka sized the boy up. She wasn't sure if this would come back to bite her in the ass.

"Very well, Arthur. I shall allow you to take the challenge. We will be doing something different this time around! I will mount your horse and take you to a barren land. Here you will take the challenge, and if you survive, the sword is yours. But if you fail? Then your soul is mines."

​​​​​​​To be continued....