Stan was sure they all thought he was joking, but he really meant it. If Excalibur was somewhere in here, he had every intention of trying to draw the sword, and not just because of how childhood love of everything Arthurian.

He was tired of lagging behind. Cal needed him to find a way to step up and join the fight in a tangible way. Initially, he had hoped to find his own mana source on Pluto, but the idea of a magical sword seemed much more plausible for him to wield. This is why he had wandered off alone into one of the darkened caves off the main chamber.

Well, that's only partially why. He also felt drawn to it, and who was he to ignore something beckoning him, given the current circumstances? Sure, it could be some monstrous siren summoning him to his death, but much more likely, it was a Lady in the Lake situation. At least, that was what he was telling himself as he stumbled through the darkness.

A dim blue light caught his attention ahead. He continued his march forward, somewhat less blind this time. As he reached the light, he realized it was coming from a small pool in the cave floor.

“Welcome, Stan.” The voice sounded gentle, but Stan could feel the power behind the words as they emanated from below the water.

“Hello, you don’t happen to be the Lady of the Lake do you?” He asked, trying his best to keep the uncertainty out of it. The thrill had started to wear off and he was now questioning if this had been a large mistake.

“I am not but do not worry. I am not some fiend here to steal your life.” She answered as a form started to rise its head above the water.

“Then who are you? Why did you call for me?” Stan was considering just how to fight this creature if it came to it. Running might be the better answer, as that would at least give him a chance, even if small, to warn the others.

“I am sorry for frightening you, Stan and I may not have answered your previous question well. You are the first person I have spoken to since my creation. I am not the true original Lady, but I am a fragment of her. I was placed here with one singular goal before I depart.” Her form fully rose from beneath the small pool, and carried in her arms was a gleaming sword.

“Is that Excalibur?” Stan’s voice was barely above a whisper. He was staring at the sword in awe.

“Yes. This sword has been placed in my safekeeping awaiting a time when it will need to be used again. If you wish to wield it, you must be willing to undergo the trials,” she answered.

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“What are the trials?” Stan was already sure of his answer but asked the question nonetheless.

“There are three trials: strength, courage, and wisdom. Do you wish to face them?” She stepped from the pool closer to Stan.

“Yes.” was the only word he could muster at the moment.

“Then take Excalibur, and I wish you much luck.” She held the sword hilt first towards Stan.

He obliged and gently pulled it from her hands. His surroundings faded from view.

*

“Dammit, how did I get here? Where did this sword come from?” Stan shouted. He was having trouble remembering recent events. A roar sounded in front of him interrupting any further attempt to dwell on just what was going on.

A giant bear had just appeared out of nowhere and was charging him. It looked enraged and had several tentacles protruding from its face. He felt this pull at some memory deep in his mind, but there wasn’t time for that now. He had a sword for some reason, and it was time to put it to good use.

He swung the sword hard in front of him at the rushing bear, only managing to graze the side. He threw himself out of its path at the same time the bear screamed in pain as it came to a crashing halt. It turned its form and stared directly at Stan, the one who had just hurt it.

Stan noticed the wound was smoking. That’s some sword he found himself with, he thought as he raised it back in front of him for another swing. This time, the bear found itself in the direct arc of the sword and fell to the ground dead. As Stan watched, the strange tentacles melted away, leaving behind a ruined shell of a bear.

“I really wish I knew what was going on.” In answer to Stan’s statement, he heard a cry from the woods next to him. He couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like his son. He charged in without a second thought.

“Dad, help!” He spotted his son surrounded by the bears; he looked terrified. Something still felt off about this, but once again, there wasn’t time to ponder that line of reasoning. He charged forward, cutting down every bear he could on his way.

“Cal, I’m coming. It will be okay!” He called to his son, fully intending to fulfil his promise even as more bears poured from the trees. Cal would be okay no matter what it took. He swung the sword wide in front of him, taking down three bears at once. There were only a few more standing between him and Cal now. He could make it.

Then, the thoughts that had been itching in his brain finally started to bleed through. How did they get here? Why couldn’t he remember where he found this sword? Wasn’t Cal a lot stronger than him now? The illusion shattered into a million shards as the final question hit his brain.

Wasn’t he supposed to be undertaking a series of trials?

As the shards disappeared into the blackness, Stan heard someone clapping behind him.

“Wonderful. The sword is yours, I hope someday you are able to meet my true self. Good luck.” Stan had spun to see the remanent of the Lady speak those last words before fading.

He had won the right to wield Excalibur.