Chapter 268

Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"Is everyone okay!?" Typhon's voice called out from inside the temple.

He was in one of the hallways that were now visible since a portion of the temple was missing. "Priestesses!" Sergeant Ziah cried. "All of you went missing, and no one could approach! What is happening?!"

Many of them started to rush down to us in our small crater but halted when Ziah's arms shot out to stop everyone. Her head flicked up behind us as her eyes went wide. Pale-faced, and broken out in a cold sweat, our Sergeant seemed to be shaking in fear.

"Where is the one who was given the title 'Knight of Lestrania'?" A voice called out from above us.

My head whipped up to see the two Demons known as Credo and Pestilence with another familiar figure. The same cloaked figure that Arthur had faced once before. Why were they all together? So much has been happening that I couldn't keep track of everything.

They floated above us, with the cloaked figure being the closest one to us. It was impossible to tell who she was looking at. At one point, it felt like her gaze was focused on me, but my eyes darted to Lucia, who seemed to retreat in on herself as she looked away.

"Why have you come here at this time?" Arceana shouted out to them. "I thought you had come to an agreement with Sir Arthur."

"Credo and Pestilence do not speak for me. Whatever deals they made are theirs and theirs alone. Now, where is he?" She demanded.

The two brothers seemed uncomfortable. "Perhaps he left with the intruders?" Credo offered.

"Then why is the temple in such a state? Even Rudnurth's prison is damaged." She immediately shot back as magic began to gather above her head. "I'll ask one more time. Where is your Knight?" An orb of pure magic floated above our heads and illuminated the entire mountain top.

Before anyone could respond, the orb of magic that far exceeded my own was destroyed effortlessly. A force started to push down on the entire mountain as I felt my knees strain. However, while it might've been bad for us, it was clear it was more of an accident. Especially considering that the cloaked Demon slammed into the ground.

Arthur suddenly appeared like a puzzle being revealed as he hovered just above the ground. He looked down at the cloaked Demon, who just laid there motionlessly, but he didn't seem convinced. His gaze quickly checked the area before falling onto Credo and Pestilence.

In one hand was his usual sword; in the other was the grotesque Demon from before. It was dead and limp in his hand as he held it by the hilt coming from its mouth. Part of me is ashamed that it took me so long to realize it, but when I realized that he was holding onto two separate things, my eyes moved to his shoulder in disbelief. His right arm had completely returned and looked no worse for wear.

The woman and Arthur locked blades as bursts of air and magic shot throughout the area violently. She teleported away, only to reappear behind Arthur. He turned and deflected the blow as her sword glowed with magic. Exchanging blows, it didn't stop until Arthur was lifted into the air by his leg and thrown. Given that this was Arthur, he opened a portal, flew into it, and reappeared behind the cloaked figure.

Catching her by surprise, he was able to overpower her and send her tumbling down the mountain. Explosions rang out down Helmsforth. Fear crept through my mind as I realized a battle between these two would destroy the mountain and everyone in the vicinity. However, Arthur didn't give chase. Instead, he planted his sword in the dirt and grasped the grotesque Demon's neck before sliding it down the sword.

A horrible sound followed as the breaking of bones and splattering of wax could be vividly heard. From the Demons body, however, was another sword made of demon stone. Stone meant to kill immortals. Created and wielded by said immortals. Somehow, it seemed to fit him perfectly as he picked up his other sword.

Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

Glancing down at the cloaked High Elf, I watched her carefully as she did the same in return after she teleported back up. Credo and Pestilence were above, but why were they just floating there? Did they really mean to keep their word? If they did, why were they with her, and what did she want?

"What is your name?" She asked me.

"Arthur Pe-"

Interrupting me, she lifted her sword to my throat as I studied her. "What," Her voice became more forceful. "Is your name?"

I didn't answer. "…"

Her sword lowered before looking off to the side. "Why have you not taken what is rightfully yours?" At my look, she stepped away from me and put her weapon away. "I know who you are, and I know that this position you find yourself in is beneath you."

"That's a matter of opinion." I shot back.

"Then why? In your opinion, why stay like this when you could be so much more? You could lead this world-"

"I don't want it." I told her before I put Defiance away and planted the Demon Stone sword in the ground. "I have never wanted it. It was never meant to be mine."

Slowly, she gestured over to the group. "Is it because of them? Have your personal attachments truly led you to this?"

My eyes stayed on her form. "My choices and failures have led me to this."

Her hood turned back to me, and I could feel her eyes on me. "What changed to make you like this?"

A scoff escaped my lips. "That's the thing; nothing changed. This is who I've always been." Spreading my arms, I gestured to myself. "I never learn from my past mistakes, and this is the result." Pointing to Reed, I continued. "A good man died today. A friend!" My arms fell to my side limply. "If you know who I am, then you should know that this is always going to be the end result."

Credo and Pestilence landed behind her. "You're pathetic." She commented.

Chuckling, I nodded as I turned away from her. "You're not wrong. I might be pathetic, but I will cling to being just that. It's from that that I can be here now." My eyes drifted to Arceana and Elincia. "I've trusted others to handle certain tasks for the last time and have once again paid the price." Turning back, I gestured to the sword. "I don't know what you want from me but leave. Take the sword and leave. It'll probably help you more than it'll help me."

"Look at them!" She suddenly shouted before gesturing all around. "Each of them are weak, useless, and cowardly! Better were the warriors of old! Not these sniveling children who hide behind you!"

"Can you blame them?" I asked back. "Who would you have at your side?" Then I gestured behind her. "More Demons?"