Chapter 76:
Arthur's Point of View
Klasteris
As we walked across the bridge of light, Aydan had us covered in a pointless shield. Not that I was going to tell him that. He was determined to help, and it was also a sound barrier that prevented Flare from hearing us.
"What do we do?" Elias inquired.
"You should focus on saving any of your sisters that are present, and Rudnurth, should he also be present. Once you have them, teleport away." Aydan answered. "We know that Flare is classified as an Ancient Demon, and Thana is the Queen of Demons. Mordred cannot fight them both at the sa ti."
Aydan might be able to hold his own against Flare. He certainly had enough tricks up his sleeve. The real issue was whether or not I could face off against the Demon Queen. From our short encounter, she was stronger, faster, and more prepared than . Only thing I got going for was the elent of surprise. That, and blasting my energy output far higher than it should go in this human form, but there are consequences to doing so.
Elias walked up next to . "What do you think of this plan?"
"I think we're all going to fucking die." Was my blasé response.
Aydan groaned in disapproval while Elias looked at shocked. "Mordred..." The Sage said in a warning tone.
Rolling my eyes, I corrected myself. "Oh. Sorry. What I ant to say was go team." Then I overly enthusiastically swung my arms back and forth. "We're gonna win through togetherness and friendship!"
"Mordred!" The Elf yelled this ti.
Frowning, I turned my attention forward at the approaching mountain. There was no point in sugar-coating it. All three of us had a high chance of dying during this eting. We knew nothing about Thana and whether or not she would keep her word. However, given that Klasteris and Elias were nowhere to be ntioned with Aydan disappearing under strange circumstances, I think it was safe to say that this goes horribly wrong.
"I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you get ho with your sisters, Elias." I said in a more somber tone. "That will be your responsibility. Escaping with your family."
My eyes focus on a post that was embedded into the mountain top where Thana resided. Chained to the post were both Elincia and Rudnurth. Both, horribly wounded, with Thana sitting next to them as carefree as can be as their legs were resting in the blood dyed snow. Elias and Aydan both saw them soon after. Holding up my arm to stop them from doing anything rash, I watched carefully.
"I am most delighted you removed your cloak. While I could still see your face, this way, I can take in all your features." She looked to Flare as he stopped for a mont. "Does he not look rather handso?" Her Ancient Demon didn't respond.
"My looks are of no concern here. Let's get on with it." I announced, which made her pout slightly.
Flare moved behind the Demon Queen as she kept her gaze focused on . "You are rather brave to take such a route to . Did you not think I would use that bridge to attack you or drop you?"
"Does it matter?" I asked back rhetorically. "We're here as you instructed." Then I gestured to Aydan and Elias. "They are here to retrieve Rudnurth and Elincia along with Mara and Arceana." Giving her a more pointed look, I continued. "Speaking of, where are they?"
Thana smirked and leaned back in her chair. "It would appear that there was a misunderstanding sowhere." She noticed more on guard, and she waved a dismissive hand towards . "However, it was on my part. You see, Arceana is the weakest of the Royal Family, and I cared very little for acquiring her. However, I did still want her captured. Unfortunately, my n did not understand that."
"Where is she?" My question made the Queen roll her eyes.
"Likely back in the Lestranian Capital." Then she patted Flare's arm. "Do not worry. I have sent soone to retrieve her. Although, it may take a bit. He has already left to move Princess Mara back to The Crimson Wasteland. So, she is beyond my reach, and Arceana is not in my care."
Gritting my teeth, I glared at her. "That wasn't the deal. We want all four mbers of the Roya-"
Thana scoffed before she gestured to Rudnurth and Elincia. "That little girl is the closest thing to Royalty that any of them ever should have been!" Then she looked to Elias. "Little Elincia and the boy wonder Elias." Closing her eyes, she shook her head in disappointnt. "Rudnurth never deserved to be king, so well done on removing him."
Tilting my head at this information, I answered carefully. "Thanks. He was a bit of an ass."
"Most of them are..." Thana trailed off before she frowned. "However, you kept Mara and Arceana as Princesses. A grand insult if there ever was one." The Queen then looked to Aydan. "All at your recomndation. A fool who does not know his place or properly examining the attributes of the children given to him."
Aydan stepped forward. "The Goddess Davost-"
Standing in anger, a surge of magic slamd into us lightly, but enough to startle us and put us on guard. "Do not speak to of the Goddess, you miserable little-"
Stepping in front of both Aydan and Elias, her eyes snapped to . "Are you going to honor your deal or not?"
Taking a mont, Thana exhaled for a long ti before sitting back down and giggled. "Forgive . This has been rather annoying with how things seem to keep going wrong at every corner." Bringing her hair forward, she looked at it for a mont. "I will honor our deal." Her eyes then flickered to once more. "You will stay, and the others may take Rudnurth and Elincia with them."
"What about Arceana and Mara?" Aydan inquired.
"From my understanding, Mara was rather difficult and has been wounded." An annoyed look ca to her face. "I am unsure of whether or not she will survive her wounds, but you will be able to see that firsthand once you co with us." Then she shrugged. "As for Arceana, she should still be in the Capital."
That was likely the best we were going to get, but I still gritted my teeth at Mara's condition. I was hopeful that she might've been the High Elf in Helmsforth, but she didn't match the description. So, it's likely soone else and maybe even the Demon Queen herself. Until I could confirm it, it was only speculation and nothing more.
Elias stepped forward. "Does that an you will let my brother and sister go?" He questioned, and Thana looked at him.
Smiling, she nodded. "Of course." Whenever she finished talking with anyone, she always ended with her gaze back on . "Flare!" She called out and the Ancient Demon moved at her command.
Going over to the post, the Ancient Demon quickly destroyed it by burning it and snapping the chains that bound them. Rudnurth and Elincia both fell to the snow, which just made more red blotches across the area. To our surprise, Flare grabbed Rudnurth by his back and tossed him over to us carelessly. Elias used his magic to catch his brother. Aydan quickly moved forward as Flare moved over to Elincia.
"I can handle it." The Sage told Flare, and they had a small standoff before the Ancient Demon backed away. "I got you." Aydan said softly as he used his magic to gently lift her up.
Elias set Rudnurth on the ground gently as Aydan moved back to us slowly and gave a look as he moved back to Elias. I turned back to see Elias remove his cape and stand to et Aydan before wrapping it around Elincia's body with care. Once they were situated, I moved towards Thana.
"I will honor the agreent and stay here." I inford her and was surprised she didn't try anything.
"So, you agree that our deal is complete?" Thana inquired.
"Until Mara is returned, the deal is not complete, but this is rely the beginning of our exchange. However, as I stated, I will honor the agreent we made and stay here or go with you back to et her." My reply made her smirk.
"I already said Mara was likely dead, didn't I?" She asked back.
"You did, but until I confirm-"
Interrupted by the Demon Queen's giggling, she leaned forward mirthfully. "Apologies. You seem to be confused about sothing. You are a far greater catch than any of these disappointnts." She then gestured to the Royal Family. "I only took them because I knew they were your students and that you likely cared for them. Mara is dead or will be soon just like the rest of the Royal Family." Her smirk turned into a malicious smile that made my eyes widen.
Stepping forward angrily, I moved to her, only to be stopped by a gasp from behind and for Aydan to tumble in-between us. Looking down, confused, Aydan groaned at my feet. He looked back at where Elias was, and I saw Rudnurth with demonic energy swirling around him.
A mad grin was on his face as he seed to implant so manner of Demon parasite into Elias. He was held in place via Rudnurth's magic with a horrified expression on his face. It entered through his mouth, and I turned to stop him but was held in place by a white mist.
"No!" Aydan cried out as Elias passed out from whatever had been done to him.
Rudnurth then moved on to Elincia and did the sa to the unconscious Princess. "What're you doing, Rudnurth!?" Aydan shouted in horror.
"While this is not what I had planned, it will do for now." Thana spoke from behind . "Our deal is complete, Rudnurth. Do with Arceana as you deem fit. Keep her or kill her. I care not."
Rudnurth floated Elias and Elincia in his magic with a smirk. "Thank you for your help in taking back my kingdom. However, since our deal is now complete, I think I will be taking it back." Summoning his magic, which was far more powerful than it should've been, he continued. "After all, you just made all of us far stronger than before, and I am willing to bet that we can hold Lestrania against even you!" Rudnurth said almost wickedly.
Aydan used his magic to free as Thana was distracted. "Careful child. You are playing against a foe far greater than yourself. Elias and Elincia's bodies have been reassigned, just as yours has. While I am willing to overlook this foolishness, you would be wise to-"
Rudnurth didn't give her the chance to finish as he activated his magic. "I care not for your sches, Demon."
Turning towards Rudnurth myself in rage with Aydan, we waited for an opportunity to free Elias and Elincia. "Your magic will not work up here, child. I have enchanted the area so you cannot-"
In an instant, Rudnurth teleported away, and Thana looked on in disbelief, as did I. "Where did they go?" Aydan asked and shook my arm. "What's happening!?" Removing my arm from his grip, he realized that we had been completely fooled by Rudnurth. "No..."
Thana looked stumped for a mont before she burst out laughing. "I did not expect that!" She laughed and turned to Flare. "Can you imagine the look on his face when he realizes what is going to happen! This is almost better!" Taking a mont to calm down, she turned to . "This has certainly been a day of surprises, but this is just a small setback and nothing more."
"You seem to be taking this well." I stated warily.
"The child is a fool and has dood himself and his family. Since it has co to this, I will add Arceana to this little collection, if only to see the end result. However, this might also work in my favor. Only ti will tell." Then she summoned her mist as it wrapped around her spear before floating it over to her hand. "Although, things might beco more difficult if you get involved once more."
"And our agreent? You never intended to honor it?" I asked as Aydan summoned magic when Flare stepped forward.
"Plans change as the child just demonstrated." Pointing her spear at with a smile, she continued. "So, I think I will be taking you back with by force. After all, I got a small sample of you, and I want to know if you are worth the investnt and ti I have dedicated to you." She twirled her weapon around slightly.
Aydan floated his sword over to , and I took it before channeling my energy into it. "You might be surprised."
Bloodlust and killing intent washed over the mountain. Taking a small step forward, I did the sa, which unnerved our companions. However, this just made Thana smile even wider as she seed to focus solely on . All signs of her magic were almost nonexistent. She wasn't preparing any spell or had her magic at the ready. This worried greatly.
"Kill the Elf." Thana ordered, and Flare rushed forward while several Ghouls jumped out of the snow surrounding us.
Moving to strike them down, I was stopped as Thana slamd her blade into mine with enough force to blow so of the Ghouls back.
"Kill her!" Aydan shouted to before blasting a few of the Ghouls away.
Thana rely giggled as she leaned into even further. "Yes! Kill !" She mocked.
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