The Last Crusade

Prologue
Thor stood alone at the top of a great mountain overlooking the scarred landscape of Avalon, which had been altered dramatically due to a series of conflicts - the most recent and prominent being the rise of the Misery-Flight: who had lain seige to large portions of the land before being driven into the wastelands.

Thor had been one of several heroes who fought to ensure that the corruption of the Misery-Flight did not spread into other dragons, the battle having taken its toll on a few - including himself, yet he was of the Valkyrie and knew that such hardship was a part of being a warrior.

Thor looked over the land some more before he reached up and removed the helmet which covered most of his face, revealing for the first time his face - glowing skin and a long mane: his wings folding over his shoulders like a cape as he sighed slightly.

"So many wars have ravaged you, sweet Avalon.. yet you never fail to amaze with your ability to withstand.. I only wish that Inferno was here to see it.." Thor said aloud, as if speaking with the land.

"It is a haunting land, young Thor.. yet it is also a land of anger.. hate which can never die.." a voice speaks out in turn, a figure in a golden robe manifesting nearby - resembling a human with a long white beard and a pointy wizard hat.

Thor's eyes widened upon seeing the figure and he instantly fell to his knees, as if addressing a god - bowing his head as if unable to look directly at the image: "..Merlin! after all these centuries.. how? ..how can you be here?".

Merlin smiles slightly as he observes Thor, his eyes sparkling with wisdom far beyond that of any scholar "..I was the one to bring Avalon into being.. it should be no surprise that I can return.. it has been so long because I wanted this land to grow independent.. Excalibur was sufficient to guard it.. along with the Celestial-Blade and the Once and Future King..".

Thor kept his head bowed, "..Inferno rests in paradise until he is needed again, as is the prophecy.. Equis has the throne and Excalibur by default.. please Merlin.. do not tell me another terror awaits Avalon? she has barely healed from the last assault..".

Merlin's smile fades "..Avalon is not yet in danger, however if we do not act quickly she will be utterly destroyed - neither Excalibur nor Inferno could save us now.. which is why I have come to you Thor.. you must bring forth heroes and brave Tartarus itself, descend the seven realms until you reach the Great Witch, Morgana Le Fay..".

Thor suddenly looks up, his eyes wide once more "..Merlin!? I..!"

"Listen, Thor.. we don't have much time.. the Great Witch is gaining more power than ever.. the wars of Avalon have been feeding her for centuries.. soon she will have absorbed enough negativity to break her chains and walk amongst the mortals once more.. you can not allow her to do this.." Merlin states.

Thor nods slightly, still trying to take all the information in "..how will I get the others to believe me? they won't walk into Tartarus without proof..".

Merlin extends a hand and produces a golden statue, small enough to be held in one hand "..this will be proof enough, now go..".

Thor blinks, somewhat confused yet has little time to say otherwise as Merlin vanishes in a ray of light.

"..Ugh.. here goes nothing.." Thor mutters, putting his helmet back on as he flies off towards the Royal Palace - statue in hand.

As Thor flies off into the distance he is completely unaware of the fact his shadow remains on the ground where he had once knelt, the shadow forming a strange being with glowing eyes that observed the Valkyrie:

"..yes.. fly Valkyrie.. bring forth your heroes.. so I may live again..".