Rise of the Phoenix Queen (KdM Map Game)

Description
Centers around events prior to the Ashen Lion event. The story follows the journey of Ember to rise from the ashes of Britain (or Frangleterre) and become Phoenix Queen. Story is written by BubbleRocket1. Note that this is an embellishment of the story, a tale told from hindsight, so it may be semi-canon.

Wattpad Version: https://www.wattpad.com/829987669-the-rise-of-the-phoenix-queen-kindling-the-flames

Image Source: https://twitter.com/cis05/status/1126091982198018048

Chapter 1: Kindling the Flames
Chapter 1: Kindling the Flames, July 1333

"Alright, come at me again," David states. "And try not to trip over yourself again, will ya?"

David's pupil nodded, readying her sword in a low guard stance as she charged at the man. An upwards swing from the right. A horizontal swipe from the left. A thrust to the center. The girl tried in vain to even scratch the man's armor, only for him to easily sidestep every slash and swing the girl throws her way.

"You're getting better, I'll give you that," David comments as he sidesteps a downwards strike. "Regardless, your swings are too slow and too wide. You're projecting what you're doing long before you actually commit."

"I know that!" The girl replies as she makes one final over-extended thrust, only for David to sidestep her advance with ease as the girl falls to the ground.

"Ya know, you're extremely lucky that Aurelia stepped in when she did, Ember," David says as he offers a hand to her. "With how pitiful your stamina is, you wouldn't have been able to last for ten seconds."

Ember reaches out for David's hand as he lifts her back to her feet. Though bruised from her seventh fall of the day, she walks a short distance out before assuming a fighting stance, sword hung low like before.

"Well, she wouldn't be standing if it wasn't for my efforts, right?" Ember responds as she charges forwards once again.

This time, as David continued to bob and weave, he noticed the hardened resolve of Ember. Though they have been training for a few weeks, he could see the fiery spirit within the girl, eager to improve with every strike. With every miss, her aim gets better. With every swing, her strikes grow faster. Eventually, David meets Ember's blade with a sword of his own, as the two lock blades in a bind.

"Seems you're learning how to kindle that ember of yours," David comments as the two push off one another, backing up to gain some space between each other.

"Funny," Ember replies as the two re-engage.

Though David was holding back, he could easily see the progress Ember was making within the few weeks he has taken her under his wing for private training, going from barely putting up a fight to being able to go toe-to-toe in a duel. Albeit, she has a long ways to go, but considering her pace, David wouldn't be surprised if she surpasses him in skill within a few years.

Minutes turn into hours as the two went back and forth before David ended the lesson for the day. By then, there were bruises from where David managed to get past Ember's guard with the practice sword, hitting her with the wooden "blade". Nevertheless, like a stubborn bull, Ember wouldn't back down, throwing herself at the challenge before her.

As Ember tends to her bruises, David prepares for the night, setting up their camping gear for the night before walking over to the fire pit Ember started after attending to herself.

"I'm impressed with your tenacity for knowledge, Ember," David compliments as he piles wood into the fire pit. "Not many would've lasted as long as you did without throwing in the towel for the day."

"Well, I do have a long road ahead of me," Ember replies as she takes a seat on a fallen log by the unlit campfire. "I am destined to become the queen of Britain, after all."

"That you do, young Ember," David says as he ignites the fire, erupting into a bright rose, emitting heat to those within its reach. "Though, I do wonder, why do you wish to become the queen? I thought you wanted nothing to do with it?"

Ember ponders for a bit. For the longest time, Ember wanted nothing to do with her "destiny". Ever since she was born, all Ember knew was poverty and grief. Rot had taken a hold of the British Isles, leading to corruption and crime running rampant throughout the land. However, when people started to believe that Ember was the prophet Britain needed in her time of need, most began to treat her like an object more than anything, as if she was a messiah sent down from god to liberate everyone of their misery. However, it was this over-eagerness to crown her queen that scared Ember, eventually leading to her flight across the channel, with no intent on looking back.

So, why would a girl who was trying to run away from her destiny choose to embark on it anyways?

"In all honesty, I don't really know," Ember answers. "I guess it's because I have nothing else to do?"

"Well, that's hardly a reason," David comments as he takes out a box with their rations and hands some off to Ember. "Especially for you, Ember. From what you've told me weeks ago, you wanted nothing to do with the crown of England. So why the change? I thought you only wanted to learn how to defend yourself?"

"That I did..." Ember responds, the fire's hue illuminating a face usually obscured by a large hood. "But after seeing what I could do, for both the people of Rome, for those far-off travelers I was told to guide, for the queen who took me in when I was at the lowest point I ever was at in my life..."

Ember takes a moment to collect her thoughts before proceeding. All David could do was watch as the embers before him begin to erupt into a bright flame.

"I've figure out what I wanted to do, though it is only now that I know how to put it into words," Ember continues, a crimson flame igniting within her as she continued. "I've seen the conditions of my homeland. Famine and poverty was felt by most, as everything was crumbling around them. People growing distant. Happiness draining from every nook and cranny of that island. If what I have seen at Berlin is testament to anything, as long as the people got someone to believe in, anything is possible. I wish to become that someone, to become a person others can look up to. I wish to unite the British Isles under one banner, not because someone told me to, but because I chose to."

Ember stands from her seat, as if she was giving a speech to a crowd of thousands. "The sword may have chosen me, but it was merely a suggestion of what I should do. This is my path, not anyone else's."

"That's more like it," David says with a grin. "Seems you've nailed the charismatic aspect, Queen Pendragon."

Never before had David ever seen Ember be this upfront about her feelings before. Perhaps it was their training that inadvertently bolstered her confidence in herself? Regardless, David enjoyed watching as Ember hastily sat back down, pulling her hood back over her head. Seems the phoenix needed more time before it could spread its wings and fly.

Chuckling a bit, David comes over to Ember's side, sitting beside her as she slowly emerges from her shell. "At any rate, that's more than enough to convince me that you truly are the future Queen of Britain. Not because of some predetermined destiny, but because of the fiery passion you got stored within."

"You do?" Ember asks, poking her head out from her hood.

"I do," David reaffirms, giving off a warm smile. "I wish to see the phoenix before me rise from the ashes to take its rightful place atop its perch in its faraway kingdom."

"Sir David..." Ember mutters as she looks in awe at her mentor.

"Well, we best not keep the food waiting?" David smirks. "It might try and run away."

Ember chuckles a little. "I suppose so, Sir David."

Chapter 2: the White Cloak of Winter
Chapter 2: The White Cloak of Winter, December 1333

"Take care, Ember!" an old baker hollers out.

"You too!" Ember responds, bread and various other food jostling about in her bag as she departs for the inn the two rented for the winter.

It has been a few days since David and Ember took up lodging in the small village of Stettin. With winter on the horizon, not even David was stubborn enough to continue living amongst the trees. All it took was snowfall in late November, no matter how little actually fell, to convince David to bring Ember to more livable conditions to hunker down for the cold months ahead.

However, Ember wasn't good with directions, and even within a moderately sized village, she managed to lose her way home.

"Uh, where is that blacksmithery," Ember mutters to herself.

Wandering around for a few more minutes, it didn't take long before she relented and asked for directions. She walks up to a hooded figure and tugs on their sleeve.

'''"Um, sir, sorry to interrupt your time, but uh, do you know where the Sleepy Giant Inn is?" '''Ember asks.

'''"Oh, the inn?" '''the hooded figure responds. He takes a moment to ponder before responding. "Uhm, ah yes; the inn! I know where it is! Just follow me and I'll guide you to its whereabouts. I was planning on going there myself."

'''"Oh! That's perfect!" '''Ember smiles. "Thank you kind sir!"

"My pleasure, missie." the hooded figure responds, as snow begins to fall. "Come along now; we mustn't waste time."

The hooded figure begins to trek through the village, with Ember following suit. The two walk about the village for hours, as snow begins to accumulate on the ground. At first, Ember was concerned about the cold, but when she passed by the bakery from for the seventh time, she started growing suspicious.

"Um sir, are you sure that you know about the whereabouts of the inn?" Ember inquires, stopping in place. "We passed by the bakery many times already."

The figure turns around, face obscured by his hood. "Do not worry, Artoria. I know the way."

"Wait a minute," Ember says, taking a few steps back. "I never gave you my name."

"Oh that doesn't matter, Artoria," the figure coos as he moves his hand to the hilt of a sword at his waist. "You'll be taking that name to the grave soon enough."

At this moment, the man lunges for Ember, his hood flying off his head as he raises his sword to bring down onto her skull. Thinking on-the-fly, Ember throws the bag of food at the man as she turns to flee. It's better to lose dinner for the day than the chance to enjoy food forever.

"Occidit autem regina!" the man hollers, as two more hooded figures join the man in the pursuit of Ember.

Running through the streets, Ember has an easy time navigating the streets on account of not many people being out and about. Running past stalls and villagers, some of whom gasp at the situation unfolding before them. Though some run off to grab the guards, Ember had little hope that they'd arrive in time.

Sliding under stalls. Jumping over barrels. Ember hopes to lose her pursuers with her maneuverability. However, with how small the village is, there isn't enough turns and bends to lose the goons chasing after her.

As she flees, she almost bumps into another hooded figure, wrapped in white garments. Fortunately, she manages to avoid him in the nick of time.

'''"Sorry!" '''Ember shouts as she ran past him.

Eventually, Ember makes a wrong turn, finding herself face-to-face with a wooden fence. The fence itself is far too high to climb, and while there's a small gap in the fence where she could've crawled under, it was too late. The men already closed the distance, blocking off the final point of escape.

"Give it up, princess," the unmasked man says, as his two companions flank him. "There's only one way you're leaving this alley, and it isn't in one piece."

Panic begins to set in, almost paralyzing Ember with fear. Though she's able to still walk, she's almost paralyzed with fear, as her small box is slowly shrinking with the men's slow advance.

Heart rate increasing. Legs uncontrollably shaking. A look of fear hidden beneath a cloak. Is this really it?

"No..." Ember mutters, taking a deep breath.

"Oh?" The man scoffs. "You think you can best the three of us?"

The three men laugh as Ember places a hand on the hilt of her sword as she widens her legs. Her breathing slows, trying to tame her panic as she prepares herself. Drawing her sword from its scabbard, she readies herself, entering a Pflug stance as she stares down her.

"Here, princess, I'll throw you a bone," the man snickers. From the looks of things, the man who was originally guiding Ember around seems to be the leader of the pack. "Alaine, grind her into the ground."

"With pleasure," Alaine grins as he draws his rapier. Rushing in, Alaine attempts to end it with one thrust. However, his overzealous attack was far too telegraphed, as Ember easily sidesteps the attack.

"Why you-" Alaine retorts as he rotates to try and attack again. However, before he could even finish his sentence, Ember responds with a thrust of her own, piercing through the man's cloak. Blood seeps from the wound as the man staggers back before falling to the ground.

"Seems I've been too lenient to you, my bad." the leader spits out as he and the other thug rush Ember down.

Ember readies herself, as the men drew their weapons. The presumed leader locks his blade with Excalibur for just a moment as he kicks her back. Caught off-guard by the underhanded tactics, Ember does her best to recover from the impact just for the other man coming in with his rapier. Unable to block it properly, Ember stumbles back even more, barely evading the rapier, only for the leader to come in and kick her again, propelling her into the wooden fence behind her. Sliding to the ground. Ember is struggling to breathe, the last kick hitting her in her windpipe.

"W...why?" Ember coughs. "You could've killed me there, so why?"

"It's simple really," the leader grimaces. "I want to beat you into a pulp, and I'm going to enjoy it. Now get up."

Ember does her best to get a grip of the situation, trying to keep a level head, despite everything that just went down.

''Why are they toying with me? If their true motive was to kill me, they could've just done it when the man kicked me for the second time, or when I hit the ground after being kicked. Why are they keeping me alive? Are they hoping that I would be begging for mercy as they slice me up? No, that's not how it would go down.. They probably wouldn't even have the courtesy of using their swords to kill me. They probably are going to strangle me, or beat me, or worse; so why? Why are they treating me like a caged circus animal? Why-''

"You're taking too long," the leader chides Ember as he left her by her shirt and throwing her towards the wooden fence. Though her legs buckle, they manage to keep her on her feet as the other man kicks Excalibur towards her. "Well come now, princess. Pick up your sword. Now!"

Startled, Ember cautiously picks up her sword, all while a few tears drip down her cheeks. What did I do to ever deserve this?

 "Good..." the leader cackles, his gaze piercing into Ember's soul. "Well then; square up."

Ember does her best to get ahold of herself as she enters into a Pflug stance, but no matter what she does, she cannot stop the shaking in her legs, no matter how minute. However, she's given no time to comprehend what is going on as the leader rushes in with a downwards strike. Ember does her best to dodge the attack, angling her blade to allow the man's blade to slide off to the side.

Blow after blow is thrown as Ember does her best to evade for her life. Each strike feels like a tidal wave clashing against a steep cliff face. Soon after, the other man gets involved, and it was not long before the strikes began to land. Each cut stung, as small areas across her body are exposed to the harsh cold. Ember takes notice of each cut; all are nonlethal.

Do they want me to die a death of a thousand cuts?

Though she's holding her own, due to the numbers disadvantage, Ember was given next to no opportunities to retaliate; the outcome was inevitable. Eventually, Ember's guard was surpassed, leading to another powerful kick from the leader connecting with Ember's gut. Ember spurts blood from her mouth as the kick manages to throw her through the wooden fence behind her, as she lands onto the ground, surrounded by both snow and her blood.

The leader continues to laugh a cacophony of torment as Ember struggles to normalize her breathing, interchanged with coughs of blood. "I'm quite impressed. Even at a disadvantage you managed to hold out for so long."

The leader walks over to Ember, holding the tip of his sword inches away from Ember's neck. "It's a pity, really. You could've been an exemplar swordsman. Oh well. Nothing personal, Arthur."

The leader raises his sword. All Ember could do was watch as the man winded up for a final heavy impact upon her. Perhaps he wants me to die in agony? A simple cut would've sufficed, but regardless. ''I guess this is it. My time has come. Aurora, David... mom... I'm sorry-''

Ember winces, expecting this impact to be the last. However, the sharp clang of metal causes Ember to flinch. Opening her eyes, she's taken aback; parrying the attack, David manages to stop the execution in its tracks. He then tries to retaliate, only for the leader to barely evade the attack, the blade cutting into his garments.

"D-David..." Ember mutters out as she struggles to her feet. "H-how... how did you know?"

"Well you see," David says as he keeps his eyes on the two foes. "Your friend over there let me know what was going on."

"What friend?"

"This friend."

Ember turns to the direction of the new voice, locking eyes with the white robed figure from before. With a better look, she notes his baggy pants, his large, black scepter, and white hair.

"We can save the introductions for later," the figure says as he taps the ground with his staff.

A pink aura begins to surround Ember, as a gentle tornado of petals begins to circle around her. As this happens, Ember's wounds begin to heal, cuts and bruises slowly reverting. At most, she's just going to have to wash the blood off and repair or replace her apparel, but otherwise, physically speaking, she's recovered.

"What in the world...?" the leader mutters, before coming to his senses. "Wait what's going on? Wait..."

The leader takes a moment to silence, seemingly lost in thought. Then, he signals to the final goon with him, and without a word, the two turn and leave.

'''"Wait, where are you going?" '''David shouts out. "What happened to that frenzied attitude earlier?"

"Things have changed since then," the leader sternly replies. "Be fortunate I've spared you the effort of pummeling me into the ground."

"Wha-?" David mutters, completely speechless, only to be snapped back to reality by the small body clung onto him. "Ember!"

Ember, having lost all composure, begins to sob into David's cloak. Though trying to explain what happened, she could barely even form a sentence. All David can do is bring her into an embrace as she caresses her head, doing what he can to calm her down.

"Shh," David cooed. "Everything's going to be alright. They're gone now."

Some time passed before Ember moved away from David, pulling her hoodie as far over her head as possible, "Let's head back," she quietly says.

"Yea," David agrees.

"I second that," the figure replies. "Though I suppose I should grant you with my name. Take it to heart and shower it with praise, Grand-caster Merlin is here to serve by your side."