Chapter 139

Arthur's Point of View

Outskirts of the Magical Squall

With my armor on and Defiance on my back, Adam looked me over nervously. "So, do you mind telling me more about how you're planning on taking control of the Drunken Cloud?"

My gaze flickered to him for a moment before returning to the storm before us. "Gravity."

Lucia spoke up from behind me in confusion. "Gravity?" She repeated as the Captain turned to look at her while I kept my eyes focused on the storm.

"Density, force and acceleration all revolve around gravity." I explained. "As it turns out, it is one of my specialties." Then I gestured before us. "By lowering your magic sails and turning off the magic generators keeping the ship sky high, you'll be leaving everything to my discretion."

"You plan on holding up the entire airship yourself?" The Captain asked in disbelief.

"I plan on dragging the airship myself. The Elves will create shields and keep you all safe from stray lightning." My explanation made them all nervous. "By creating dozens, if not hundreds of gravity pillars, I am going to be essentially making a tunnel that your ship will follow."

Lucia stepped beside me and spoke in a nervous tone. "I have seen how powerful you are, Sir Arthur. However, dragging an airship in your wake whilst keeping it aloft seems like madness." Then she glanced up at me. "Neither Priestess could do such a thing."

Chuckling at that, I responded playfully. "I'd be surprised if they could. Although, you'd be wise to stop comparing me to them. Arceana and Elincia's magic is strong." Then I smirked. "But I'm stronger." Turning back to Adam, I gave him his orders. "Do it. I will be back in a moment after checking up the Vithari Queen. Leave the generators on until I give the signal."

He nodded numbly but did as I instructed. "Why do you wish to see the Queen?"

"To make sure she is secure. I've no doubt this is going to be a bumpy ride, but what the Captain said about this storm is true, then it's our best option." We walked and talked down into the hull. "The Sergeant is already going around and making sure everyone is informed so that they may brace themselves for a jarring ride."

"Will this not exhaust you? I cannot imagine using so much power would be so easy to dismiss." Lucia pointed out as she did her best to keep up with me.

"My energy reserves are fine. This will be a bit excessive, but it will only drain me slightly. It all depends on the size of the storm." I explained as Lucia stepped in front of the door to stop me. "What?"

"Must you do this? Surely there is another path we can take?" The High Elf didn't seem too keen on my idea. "What about your portals that you can make? Why not use those to transport us back?"

Scoffing, I crossed my arms. "Because that would be more strenuous than what I plan to do, and if we go back a day, who's to say the storm will be gone?" I questioned back. "From what I've heard, this storm can last days or even weeks if the conditions are right. Going back just to run into it again is just a waste of time."

I reached for the door, but she blocked my hand. "That may be, but it might just be the safer option. With enough of a distance from the storm, we can easily outpace it if need be, or you could pull us away from the storm entirely." Then she looked towards me more firmly. "We have several ways to avoid this storm altogether. There is no reason to take such a risk."

Rubbing my face in annoyance, Lucia just waited for me to answer. "Aside from the fact that the Vithari Queen is now in our custody for some strange reason?" The High Elf frowned at that. "We're on this mission to head to the Desert Kingdom and proceed with some sort of talks. They had the same idea, which tells me they tried to pass through this storm already."

"Then you should realize how deadly this storm is and stay away from it!" Lucia insisted.

"Do you trust in Alwin?" I asked her, and she titled her head in confusion at the sudden question. "Because I believe him and all his Elf buddies, including you, can keep a shield up that will last until we make it through this storm." Pointing topside, I continued. "That storm has been out there for who knows how long, but the Queen of Vithari herself was desperate enough to go into it! We need to get onto the other side of this storm as soon as we possibly can."

There was no doubt in my mind that the Queen was either desperate or fleeing her Kingdom. Demons might've already been there, but I had no way of knowing until we got there, or she woke up. My options were limited, and turning around now was foolish. If we got to the Kingdom, I could easily just portal my way back and forth.

Moving Lucia's hand out of my way, I entered the room to be greeted by a surprised Ziah. "General!" She greeted as she stood, but I waved her down.

"How is she doing?" I inquired.

Ziah looked her over as she laid bundled up in her cot. "She should be fine but is exhausted. Her majesty has been talking in her sleep. Small bits and pieces that are broken up and hard to decipher what she might be trying to say."

Typhon and Austin both looked up at me. "Did ya really jump from the ship ta save her?"

"I did. She needed help." The boys looked like they wanted to ask more questions, but I turned my attention back to the Zugal. "The Queen might be dreaming. Keep an eye on her though, and try to wake her up if she seems to be having a nightmare." Then I looked back at Lucia. "Where is Alwin?"

Sergeant Ziah answered for her. "The General headed to his room to secure some belongings before heading topside." She then laughed nervously. "I heard you got a bit of an interesting plan."

I nodded in confirmation. "I do." Turning to Lucia, she frowned as I spoke. "Can you make sure the Queen doesn't get jostled around?"

"We cannot afford to keep her alone. I will bring her to the deck, in my magic if necessary, to keep her safe." Lucia told me, and I frowned for a moment.

"If that's what you think is best." My hands landed on the top of the two boy's heads. "Ziah, you will be responsible for keeping these two safe. Do so however you see fit." Rolling my shoulders after she nodded, I sighed. "Let's get this over with."