Arrival

|Kathyln|

The rigorous training I underwent under the guidance of Master Aldir and Lance Varay had undoubtedly contributed to my growth. I had reached the high silver stage by now and became a potential future Lance.

The intensity of our dungeon dive was palpable, with each step deeper into the treacherous labyrinth revealing more formidable adversaries. The emergence of S and SS-class beasts signaled a dangerous turn of events, requiring the deployment of the most skilled and powerful members of our team. Amidst the chaos, Tessia and I were entrusted with the task of confronting these formidable foes, while our fellow comrades were preoccupied with their own critical missions.

Our dungeon dive progressed smoothly, the combined might of our team clearing each obstacle with efficiency and precision. Victory seemed within our grasp, and the prospect of returning home after this arduous expedition filled our hearts with anticipation.

Finally, we reached the heart of the dungeon, the den of the mutant beast that lay in wait.

"The door," one of the men exclaimed, his voice laced with concern. "It's not fully closed."

A sense of unease settled among us, each person exchanging bewildered glances. But Drogo's commanding presence broke through the confusion, rallying us with his authoritative stomp.

"Open it!" he ordered, assuming a defensive stance, ready to face whatever awaited us on the other side.

The metal doors screeched against the stone ground as they were forcefully pried apart.

In that fleeting moment, a heavy silence fell upon the soldiers, all frozen in awe. Before us, atop a towering heap of corpses, perched a solitary figure. His hands rested on the hilt of a slender orange sword, its bright sheen visible beneath a layer of orc blood. Scattered around this mound of lifeless bodies lay more fallen orcs and gnolls, some frozen, others charred, and a few gruesomely cleaved in two.

At first glance, the corpses blended together, forming a chaotic jumble of slain mana beasts. But upon closer inspection, a distinct figure emerged from the morass. Near the apex of the mound, sprawled in a pool of gore, lay a massive SS-class mutant—a hybrid creature with the head of a lion and a scaled, lifeless body. Its once-imposing gray form was marred, the unnaturally black horns that adorned its head shattered.

There was no mistaking it. That was the mutant we had ventured so far to confront.

Returning my attention to the man seated wearily upon his throne of carnage, he finally lifted his head.

Tears filled my eyes as I recognised him.

"Jude?" I stammered out, trying to keep my heart from bursting.

With each subsequent step, my hesitation diminished. "J-Jude, is that you?" I whispered, my voice caught in my throat.

Suddenly, the cavern's silence shattered, pierced by a bright chirp. From seemingly out of nowhere, a streak of white shot toward Tessia, landing delicately in her outstretched arms.

It was a miniature white fox, its presence bringing a surge of relief and warmth to my heart.

"Sylvie!" Tessia exclaimed, embracing the creature tenderly. Another figure emerged from behind the mountain of corpses.

Arthur.

"It's been so long Kathyln," a voice resonated, reaching my ears as a figure materialized beside me, arms outstretched in a welcoming embrace.

Tears welled up in my eyes, shimmering with unspoken emotions.

His lustrous onyx locks were tamed into a refined style, emanating an air of dignified grace. Verdant orbs, like precious emeralds, embraced me lovingly. Towering above me, his form exuded strength and resilience, yet at his core, he remained the same.

He was still Jude.

"Jude!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my joy as I crashed into his waiting arms.

Dresh's voice quivered as he mustered the courage to address the imposing figure before him, "We demand to know who you are."

Arthur met his gaze, a brief pause stretching between them, causing Dresh to instinctively retreat a step, his confidence faltering. Finally, Arthur responded, his voice carrying a weight of weariness, "Arthur Leywin."

"Jude Leywin," Jude answered as he patted my head into his chest.

With a fluid motion, he withdrew his bloodstained sword from the lifeless body it had been buried in, gracefully descending from the mound of corpses to stand before the towering doorway.

Sliding his teal blade into a simple, unadorned black scabbard, he cautiously advanced toward us, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "We are on your side," he uttered wearily.

"Arthur, Jude?" The Twin Horns members exclaimed, rushing forward to greet them as Jude let go of me.

Arthur simply nodded in response, his words measured and precise as he engaged in quiet conversation with the Twin Horns members who surrounded him.

We made our way back to camp, Jude and Arthur taking the opportunity to cleanse themselves and change out of their bloodstained garments. As we settled around a crackling bonfire with the other soldiers, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

"Grandpa Virion!" I exclaimed, and everyone in the vicinity bowed in respect.

"Elder Virion!" they echoed, their voices filled with reverence.

"Arthur, Jude, Tessia, Kathyln!" Commander Virion's rough voice called out once more. "With me."

|Jude|

As I entered the spacious white tent, Grampa Virion wasted no time and enveloped Arthur and I in a tight bear hug, his voice filled with both relief and reproach. "Damn you, boys! Why didn't you tell me you were back?" He released his hold on me slightly, holding me at arm's length to examine my appearance.

"It's good to see you again, Gramps," Arthur replied as I turned to acknowledge the hooded figure standing beside me. "Aldir."

"Arthur, Jude, Lady Sylvie," Aldir greeted us in return. "Much has changed in the three of you."

"I certainly hope so," I chuckled, while Sylvie and Arthur offered a slight nod. "How did you know I had arrived here so quickly?" I inquired, turning my attention back to Virion.

"Lord Aldir received a message from Lord Windsom," Virion explained. "He informed us that you had been sent down here, so I came right away."

"I was completely taken aback when I saw the three of them, expecting to face off against a mutant," Tessia interjected, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Yes, as soon as I arrived, we were immediately assaulted by a horde of mana beasts. We barely had time to catch our breath before we eliminated them all," I sighed, recounting the intense battle.

"Not like it was a challenge for you," Aldir commented as his eyes rested upon me, trying to discern just how strong I had gotten.

He won't be able to sense the depth of my powers, but he could gauge that I was at least at the level of a Scythe excluding Realmheart and aether.

"It is time to return to the Castle," Virion said, "For all four of you."

Passing through the teleportation gate, we emerged in the surroundings of the floating castle.

To my surprise, instead of a couple of guards, I was confronted by a massive, menacing dark bear standing tall before me. Its fierce gaze pierced through me, enhanced by the two white markings above its eyes that contorted its expression into a scowl. Standing at an impressive three meters in height, its hind legs were firmly planted on the ground, revealing a tuft of white fur just below its neck. Despite the intimidating glare in its eyes, the bear's exposed teeth formed a toothy grin, showcasing rows of sharp, jagged white daggers.

"Brothers!" a melodious voice chirped, and my confusion dissolved as my little sister, Ellie, emerged from behind the imposing creature, wearing a goofy grin on her young face.

Ellie had undergone subtle changes over the years. Her ash-brown hair cascaded freely down her shoulders, abandoning the pigtails she had once favored. While her dark round eyes still radiated innocence, there was a newfound maturity in her thoughtful gaze that hinted at the growth she had experienced.

"Ellie!" I exclaimed, sweeping her up in a tight embrace as she eagerly wrapped her arms around my neck, playfully swinging around.

"Jude, Arthur!" another pair of voices called out, and I turned to see our parents.

A wave of mixed emotions washed over me, causing me to hesitate. Doubt and remorse lingered, hindering me from wholeheartedly embracing my parents. I struggled to find the right words or actions to bridge the gap between us after our painful separation.

"Come here, sons!" My father closed the distance between us in a swift stride, enveloping us in a tight embrace that reassured me of his love and acceptance.

"I-I don't understand," Arthur stammered, taken aback by our parents' warm reception. "I thought—"

"Thought what?" My father interrupted, his voice filled with genuine surprise. "That just because you have memories of some previous existence, you could cease being my son?"

Arthur chuckled, the tension in the air easing as our father released us from his hold. Our mother, who had remained at a slight distance, approached us with a mix of anxiety and longing.

She clasped Arthur's hands tightly, pulling them close to her chest.

"Give me some time," she whispered, her voice quivering, tears streaming down her face and landing on our hands. "I'm trying. I really am. Just give me some time."

I couldn't bring myself to reveal the truth to them now. The weight of the secrets I carried felt heavy upon me, and I decided it was best to shield them for now.

"Sister! Sister!" Ellie exclaimed excitedly, cradling a small creature named Sylvie in her arms. "Say hi to my Boo!"

As our mother released me, I cleared my throat and directed my attention to the massive mana beast before us.

"Boo is yours?" I questioned incredulously, alternating my gaze between Ellie and our parents. I hadn't realized that the formidable creature belonged to our family.

"Yes!" Ellie affirmed with a nod, her enthusiasm evident. "Boo, say hi to Brother!"

Boo and I locked eyes for a moment, the bear's expression shifting into a smirk. Raising its enormous paw, Boo swung it down towards me with great force.

Reacting instinctively, I summoned mana into my body, empowering myself to withstand the impact. The sheer force of Boo's attack cracked the ground beneath my feet, but I managed to hold my ground, shielding myself from harm.

Staring at Ellie in shock, I found myself still pinned under the weight of Boo's paw.

"I see that Boo has quite the temper," I commented, taking hold of the beast's wrist and using my strength to bring it down to eye level.

"Boo just wanted to test if you were as strong as I told him you were. He can be quite competitive like that," Ellie explained, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulders as her companion struggled to free himself from my grasp. "Bad Boo!"

"Wait, Ellie, you can communicate with this creature? Are you bonded to it?" Arthur stammered, his eyes widening in astonishment, mirroring my own.

"Lord Windsom bestowed this beast upon your sister," Virion informed us, shedding light on the origin of Ellie's unique connection.

"And for what purpose? Is she meant to ride it into battle?" I inquired, narrowing my eyes, trying to comprehend the significance of this massive creature in our family's life.

"Well, I'm sure you would like to catch up with your family, Arthur, but let's save it for later," Aldir interjected, his voice carrying a note of seriousness. "For the time being, your family will be residing here. I deemed it to be in your best interest."

"Thank you," I nodded gratefully, turning back to my family. "We'll have a proper conversation soon, okay?"

Arthur and I bid farewell to everyone, except for Boo, embracing them in a heartfelt hug. Following Virion and Aldir, we proceeded down a narrow corridor toward the meeting room.

Upon entering the guarded room, we found ourselves seated around a large circular table. It struck me how sparsely populated the room was, with numerous empty chairs spaced throughout. The absence of the kings, queens, and the lances, as well as Director Goodsky, surprised me.

"Is it just the four of us?" I glanced around, my curiosity piqued. "What about the other leaders? I expected to see at least Director Goodsky here."

Aldir, the asura, pulled back the hood that had concealed most of his face, revealing his purple eye glowing prominently in the center of his forehead. He exchanged a nod with Virion before turning his attention to me.

"Cynthia is currently in a self-induced slumber, attempting to cope with the consequences of the curse she triggered by divulging information about the Alacryans," he explained, his tone reflecting weariness and burden.

"Is it really that dire?" Arthur exclaimed, clearly taken aback. While Windsom's report had mentioned the director's condition, we had no idea that it had deteriorated to the point of her being in a comatose state.

"Mhmm," the elderly elf confirmed solemnly. "I will show you where she rests later. However, I'm certain there are many other matters that have piqued your curiosity."

I nodded, absorbing the information as Arthur and I bombarded the two leaders with our questions. With each query, they patiently provided us with answers. I discovered that while my family sought refuge here for their safety, the Helstea family had relocated elsewhere. Vincent, utilizing his trade resources, had been assisting the war efforts from a distance. It concerned me to think that they might be exposed to danger, but it appeared that the Helsteas primarily operated behind the scenes, avoiding direct involvement in the frontline battles.

As for the former king and queen of Sapin, they periodically reported back to the castle but had focused their efforts in the Kingdom of Darv. Their goal was to secure the allegiance of the dwarves in the war. Meanwhile, Curtis and my now sister-in-law—yes, I already regarded her as such—had joined or formed a team to gain firsthand experience in real battles for the ongoing war.

"Has my father or mother considered fighting in the war as well?" Arthur inquired.

"Your father has expressed the desire," Virion replied. "However, I urged him to exercise restraint until either you returned or until Eleanor grows older. He was insistent on assisting, but I made a compelling case."

"Thank you. I can't bear the thought of my father losing his life in the war while I was absent," I sighed with relief.

As Virion continued explaining the war's status and the implemented strategies to safeguard the citizens, Arthur listened attentively, his gaze fixed on my bond, who appeared equally engrossed in the conversation.

"How dire is this 'main battle' situation?" I interjected, shifting my gaze between the two leaders who held the fate of this war in their hands.

"The main conflict currently centers around the Wall—a fortress spanning across the Grand Mountains," Virion replied. "Under Guardian Galahad's vigilant watch, not a single mutant or Alacryan soldier has managed to breach the defenses of the Beast Glades thus far." Despite the favorable update, Virion exhaled heavily, indicating the weight of the ongoing struggle.

"Now, based on what we've shared with you so far, I'd like to hear your assessment," Aldir interjected, his tone implying a test of my comprehension.

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I responded, "Let me recapitulate. It seems that the Alacryan Army's strategy involves infecting certain leaders of mana beasts, allowing them to control these creatures and lead their own hordes into battle. In addition, Alacryan mages employ hidden teleportation gates, set up by spies, to bolster their forces on Dicathen. Together, these factors create a formidable fighting force."

"Exactly," Aldir affirmed.

"But it raises suspicion," I continued, scrutinizing the expressions on Aldir and Virion's faces. "While I understand that the Beast Glades offer an ideal territory for their establishment, particularly if they have powerful S-class or SS-class mana beasts under their control, it feels too straightforward. If our defenses have successfully repelled all their attempts thus far, it could mean that our side is significantly stronger or that the Alacryans are intentionally stalling for time. And judging by your expression, Virion, I believe it's the latter."

"Our suspicions have been substantiated by recently uncovered evidence," Virion concurred, his voice carrying a hint of sympathy. "Now, Arthur, I don't want you blaming yourself for what I'm about to reveal."

"What is it?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

Aldir retrieved an item from beneath the table and slid it across to me. As I examined it, I realized they were pictures of an abandoned ship.

"This isn't the Dicatheous, in case you were wondering," Aldir clarified. "Upon seeing these images, the artificer Gideon finally admitted where he obtained the ingenious idea for the so-called 'steam engine' he was so proud of."

"That ship was constructed by the Alacryans using your designs," Virion disclosed, his tone grave.

Before either of us could respond, the heavy wooden door to the meeting room burst open, and a heavily armored soldier stumbled inside, gasping for breath.

"Commander, Lord," the soldier greeted, his voice laden with urgency. "They've been spotted. Approaching the western coast—the ships."