An Unescapable Fate

(NOTE::Don't ask me why this song is here. It was just there. But it's a good one. I approve. Burger boy (Whooper) can be a little cultured not gonna lie )

3rd person POV

The day of engagement went by without anything major happening. As per Arthur's insistence, the engagement was held with only his parents, twin horns and Seris.

Once the engagement was done, the whole house got flooded by maids and butlers as they started preparing for the grand event to be held tomorrow. The marriage ceremony of the one who lead the war to victory against the vritra.

Arthur sat with Adam, Durden and Reynolds as the girls were all busy with Caera.

"Quadra elemental, quadra deviant, draconic will, dragon bond, got engaged, and getting married right afterwards. Is there something I missed? Why is a little runt like you getting married before ME? Someone who has yet to find a girlfriend."

Adam was constantly blabbering on how life was unfair to him, muttering incoherent curses whenever the opportunity presented itself, despite Durden smacking him everytime.

"Poor guy has it rough." Regis sighed mentally

"Yeah..."

"You seek awfully gloomy for someone whose about to get married'

"I'm not gloomy Regis. Just nervous. It's the first time I'm going through all of this"

"Well, can't help you on that front chief. Work it out yourself"

"What about you?"

"I'll just go and have my daily dose of threes...."

"Alright alright I get it. Keep your excitement to yourself. Jeez, how can you be horny all the time"

"I got that trait from you, just for your information. You just lack the balls to show or say it out loud"

"Whatever" Arthur rolled his eyes as Regis left severing the mental connection.

"Let's hope things don't go south" Arthur thought as he joined In with gang's grumbling again.

(A/n I have no idea what to do, and the marriages here differ by a lot from what the normal ones are. So ima just time skip to evening and head on to the main event.)

The Next Day

It was a fine evening of autumn. an Autumn wedding in the late afternoon was about to occur. The area faced the breathtaking sunset. At the end of each seated aisle, jasmine scented candles hung from naked tree branches. Spread down the aisle were white leaves, as far as the eyes could see, slightly moist so they wouldn't crack when you stepped on them.

A huge group of family and friends alike continued to pour into the mansion dressed in formal attires. On either side of the aisle, the early arrivers sat in white chairs set up for them in the grassy lawn.

A navy haired girl glanced from the window, to find the sunshine winking in at her of the little porch gable and autumn breeze frolicking with her curtains.

"Caera dear, look here"

Alice got her attention as she continued to supervise the make-up being applied to her. She looked in the mirror to find herself, in her best dress, eyes moist with pure joy at the thought her finding true love and happiness in an era of ghosting and war.

Moving back to the entrance, a man adorned in a gorgeous suit greeted all of the incoming guests with a pride-ful look on his face.

A certain group arrived, tho not in their uniforms, people still recognised them. The 8 lances of dicathen, dressed in suits rather than their white uniform which was the only attire they wore for a long time now. The got inside as they greeted Reynolds with respect and captured seats next to each other.

The whole lawn boomed with a roar as an obsidian black dragon, which looked like it descended straight from the heavens, roared in delight making the ground tremble ever so slightly, followed by a screech of a bird on fire.

The dragon and Phoenix wyrm descended as everyone looked at it with a slight fear. The dragon transformed into a a pre-teen girl with horns protruding from either side of her head.

"Welcome Lady Sylvie" the lances said in unison except Nico and Cecelia who just went over and hugged her. It didn't took much longer for everyone else to get acquainted with eachother.

In the far corner of the house Arthur was resting in his bed, his hand over his eyes as his mind raced with multiple simulations. Suddenly he felt a spike in aether. A smile crept up his face;

"He's here" he exclaimed to himself. He quickly god-stepped outside his house where he found a man standing with a cane and a huge hat over his head. Arthur walked closer to him. Just as as Arthur got in close proximity to him, the man struck his cane to the ground. The scenery changed as they were now in an open field. The man got rid of his hat

"Long time no see, Arthur"

"Yes. It's been quite a while, Azreal" Arthur replied with a huge smile plastered over his face as the man brought him in a deep and tight embrace.

For a while the two just talked about random stuff and joked like old time friends. Suddenly the elderly man's expression got grim,

"Arthur." Although he said his name with warmth that was still enough to shook Arthur's soul. Such was the authority and power laced in his voice "I know how much you've suffered to get to this point. But you do realise what have you done? Right?"

"Yes, I do"

"Do you regret it?"

"Not then, not now and will never regret it. Even if I have to do it hundred times again."

"You don't feel any remorse? Even after you did the sole thing we told you not to?"

"Yes. I'm happy with what I did!" Arthur replied

"Good. But don't tell me you did all this ignoring..."

"I'm ready to accept my punishment"

"It won't be easy"

"I know. So what is it?"

"After you complete what you want to do, you will stand trial. However the comeuppance you face has already been decided."

Arthur's head limped down, as his long hair covered his face, apparently knowing what was about to come. But he wasn't sad. He was proud that he protected the ones he loved so dearly.

"You'll suffer the doom similar to the ones, whom fate has been altered. Every person that should've died but hasn't died, and every person who should be alive but is dead. You'll suffer the consequences of manipulating fate to your will."

An eerie silence covered the whole field. It seemed all life had disappeared from there. Even the brisk wind had stopped moving, as if deploring the fate of the man who just wanted to live a normal and happy life among the few he loved.

"I'll accept them all. But I want something in return."

"Of course. Your retribution is the cause of your own actions. We never desired it but as you know we abide strictly by the rules set millennias ago. As for your request our king declared he'll honour any wish"

"My family..."

"They'll be naturally under out protection, until you return......" his tone turned grim "if you manage to return" the man clapped his hands as two figures warped, and revealed themselves. The teleportation method didn't involved gates or portals. They just appeared like they were always there.

"So many years and I can't still get the hang of your .... Warp technique."

"Hahaha. Don't be like that. You have enough knowledge to turn this world upside down if you want, and yet here you are dandering over a measely warp technique"

The two figures made their way to Arthur and stood in front of him and started to look him up to down.

"Why do we have to protect his family? He's not worthy."

AZREAL raised his brow at Arthur "Why don't you see that for yourself?" He said as he snapped his finger and a purple dome covered the place.

"Go all out." He ordered. Those 3 words were enough to make all 3 get into stance. His tone was soft but it ringed with authority.

Shinnnggggg

One of the boy unsheathed his sword and leapt forward in an instant, arcs of amethyst lightning all around him as he reached Arthur like a bullet. A smile formed on his face as he thought he'd end the battle with one strike. Just as the sword was about to make contact with Arthur he glitched and blipped as the sword went through him.

"Hmmm, good execution of god step. However the strands of aether you're travelling on are weak and indicates your short sightedness. You're lacking the ability to see the big picture."

The boy fumed in anger but soon paled as even his eyes couldn't follow where Arthur disappeared.

"Been sometime I went this fast" he whispered as the boy looked around frantically. Suddenly a kick straight into his diaphragm knocked all air of out of his lungs making him wheeze. Arthur spun around as he raised his foot this time planting his heel into his head and smashed it into the ground making a meteor sized crater beneath.

"He's a good fighter. Maybe his pride for the better of him." Arthur shrugged as his gaze moved on to the next boy. Black hair and black eyes, coupled with his black cape made him almost invisible. The only visible thing was his Aetheric Blade.

"Hooo. So you can conjure it at this age. I must say I'm impressed but kid...." He was interrupted as the boy's blade was about to meet Arthur's eyes. He stepped to the side just enough for the blade to pass extremely near his eyes but not touch it.

As the boy lost his balance due to his confidence in speed shattering Arthur punched his chin making him fly and land on his head a few metres away.

"Well?" Azreal asked

"They'll do. Their behaviour will need some fine tuning, but well leave that to me. I'm well aware how you guys discipline work."

"Haha, who else can no better. How many centuries have you been tormented inside that orb by us, fufufu. Still can't believe you're the little boy from that time when you were about to die to a snake, and now look at you."

"Well, that was in the past. Btw it's my wedding today. Want to tag along?"

"I'll have to excuse myself. I have more work to do. I'll pay a visit to your wife and your children in a year's time."

"Oh. Okay.... Wait what? What children?"

"Huh? I thought you'll know. I searched for your aetheric signature when I arrived and I found two of them. While the other was an extremely under-developed one I searched for it. Seemingly it was your essence, who is yet to develop. In short you'll be a father and signs will show in about 3 months." Azreal explained in a neutral tone like it was no big deal.

Many feelings went through Arthur's heart at the same time. Happiness, joy, delight, sorrow, regret.

"Don't worry Arthur. I know you'll pull through all of this ordeal and return to them. I believe in you."

"I want to believe that too." Arthur whispered to himself but didn't said out loud

Arthur just nodded, conflicted at the changing scenario. AZREAL clicked his cane on the ground, the scenery changed and Arthur was in the same place where he met azreal, standing all alone, at the same time when he left. Arthur god-stepped back to his room and started changing not wanting to overthink and over complicate matters. He just wanted to enjoy the little time he had left.

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(A/n welp that's all for today. Well get our boy married in the next chap. Until then happy reading and stay blessed

Whooper signing out

SAYONARA