Chapter 98

Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth

Looking around the area, it appeared as though she had taken care of several Town Guards before I had even arrived. The Upper Rung was devastated as the streets had been destroyed and several other buildings were demolished. Many bodies were sprawled out across the area, but none of them appeared to be dead. Some were stuck under debris or unconscious.

My eyes flickered back to the High Elf whose magic was slowly increasing. To my surprise, it lashed out viciously before covering the mountain. Rushing her, she merely teleported behind me and broke the barrier separating her from the Temple. However, before she could do anything else, I created a wall of stone in front of her.

Using her magic, she easily crushed it while Arceana and Elincia ready to intercept her. "Get away from her!" I shouted at them.

Launching toward the two priestesses, her sword disappeared as she grabbed them both by the head and slammed them into the ground. Magic ignited in her hands as she prepared to cast a spell. Since I was already rushing her, I finally reached and swung my sword low where her arms were. She quickly flew away from me as the priestesses teleported next to me.

They were wounded from that simple attack. Whether it was from them lowering their guard or being caught by surprise didn't matter. I was at a huge disadvantage once again as I felt a throb in my chest where my wounds resided. This was going to be even more difficult since they weren't fully healed yet either.

"I see." The High Elf stated as she looked around the Temple. "It would seem we are done here."

"Nothing's done." I called back and motioned for her to come hither. "Why don't you come down here?"

"Maybe one day I will." Was her reply. "It will be a day I look forward to." Then she raised one of her hands and began collecting a large amount of magic that horrified me. "Surely, you should be able to stop this."

Gritting my teeth as I looked at Elincia and Arceana, whose barrier had already failed, I instead brought my energy forward above the mountain and formed a barrier of sorts. My eyes created several gravity pillars over it as she launched a mass of magic down towards the mountain. Focusing on my energy and eyes, I tried to negate it. It quickly came to a halt and went off far above the mountain. The force knocked several over and shook the mountain in its entirety.

My chest throbbed as I glared up in the sky, where she floated unfazed after her spell. Almost as if she was making sure I would block her attack. However, when she summoned her magic again, I jumped into the air and used my eyes to push her down into me while I launched myself upward. While I readied to cut her down, she merely teleported away once again. However, this time when I stopped myself to float in the air to find her, she was nowhere to be seen. She and her magic were gone without a trace.

"She's gone?" My eyes narrowed as I looked around. "Thana…" The name left my lips, but was it really her?

Energy that foul led me to believe that maybe Tor was correct. Maybe Thana was still injured or had to go through some manner of change. My grip on Defiance tightened for a moment, and I clenched my jaw in aggravation. After a moment, I put Defiance away and floated down to the Temple. If that was Thana, then I should get ready for a larger force the next time any Demons appear, but something was off about this entire situation.

Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth

Arceana and I watched in fascination as Arthur landed. His back was turned to us as he stood there in silence. All of us were unsure of what to do. Stepping forward carefully, and warily, I moved to his side. My magic had already healed me to the point where my injuries were gone, and I wanted to speak with Arthur.

However, upon stepping beside him, I looked up to see he appeared to be livid. He shook in fury as his fist trembled in anger. His eyes were focused and shadowed that he appeared as if he wanted to murder someone. His teeth were clenched so hard it almost sounded like they would break from the grinding.

Backing away, I looked to Arceana. "We should tend to the wounded and check the lower rungs!" I spoke and turned to the generals. "Focus on healing those who are in critical condition!" Kheri held her throat sorely as Alwin nodded slowly while I stepped beside my sister. "We need to make sure Rudnurth's seal is still intact again."

My sister looked at Arthur with a small frown. "Yes. I imagine if he escaped again, this time things would not go as well."

"Leaving him be for the moment would be for the best." I stated, and she nodded.

"Agreed but be prepared for what we discussed. I am not fond of Arthur roaming around so freely and defiantly. We will need to curb these tendencies of his." Arceana whispered before leaving. "I will check on Rudnurth this time. Be careful."

Looking around the area, many were helping clean up the area. Others were casting healing spells and more. However, everyone did the same thing continually. Whether it be servants, curious nobles, town guards, or even a priestesses. All of us continually looked to our Knight with concerned glances since he seemed almost frozen in place. It wasn't until Captain Greigh approached him that he shifted.

Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth

"Are you okay?" Ziah's voice came from my left.

Scowling down, I replied. "Perfect."

Greigh appeared next to her and crossed his arms as he looked to the horizon. "Another Demon?" He inquired softly.

My jaw clenched in anger as I thought about the question. The only person that it could be is Thana, but nothing matched. The wings were wrong, which led me to believe it was someone new this time. Thana appeared just as randomly. Who's to say she was the only other High Elf out there. The fact remained though, if it was her, I needed to start training.

"Something like that." Was all I said in response before leaving the mountain for the second time that day.