Originally uploaded Nov 21, 2023
Tessia Pov
The sound of merchant and people filled the evening air as a cold breeze ran through my hair. Lighting artifacts illuminated the streets in a warm light as small makeshift shops lined each side of the walkway.
Soon after the battle near the town of Slore and the capture of the female Retainer and death of Lance Olfred I was personally summoned by my grandpa. Where he preceded to give me an earful while making sure I was alright.
I know he was only doing it because of love but that didn't help. After that I was juggled around a couple places until I landed here at the Wall. A place named after you guess it a massive wall that acted as a barrier to the Beast Glades.
Situated in between Xyrus city and the Beast Glades it was first constructed to act as merely a wall. But when more and more Alacryan forces and their mutated mana beast emerged from the forests the Wall has grown into a full military base. With a small town built around it to support the soldiers as well as it making good business no doubt.
As I made my way through the streets I was hounded by the many shopkeepers as they tried to get my attention. I simply ignored them as I made my way to the wall itself. I stared up in the cloudy sky above.
I thought back to that day. The battle near the town of Slore. I could perfectly picture it, the misty forest that surrounded us. Blinding us the horrors it contained. The hateful Lance who revealed himself.
Even when I closed my eyes I could still see them. The faces of Darvus and Caria as they died. So much so that I struggled getting enough sleep. I saw my own reflection in a small pool of matter on the muddy ground.
Pale and with heavy dark bags under my eyes I was a far cry from my usual pretty appearance. My grey hair was unkempt and messy, only contained by a loose ponytail. I still heard the sound it made when the stone pillar came down on Caria. Bones cracking as her life was snuffed out like it was nothing.
A small part of me was glad Stannard went back to his family. I haven't seen him since, and I didn't wish to. I was our squadrons leader, I was the one everyone trusted with their lives and now they were all gone. And their deaths hung over me a guillotine
Maybe this was what they called survivor's guilt. Knowing what it was called didn't help at all. I knew of the dangers of fighting in a war. Grandpa was sure in drilling in the importance of each of my decisions and that even a small misstep could lead to countless deaths.
And as a member of the royal family who took a part in the war I was accountable for lives of the people. Their souls were in my hands, and I watched all of them die.
I knew it wasn't my fault, there was no way we could have know that a Lance. The very people we trusted to protect our continent would turn their backs on us. There was no conceivable way we could have prepared for it yet why, why did I feel like it was all my doing?
I wished, a tiny part of me wished that it was all just a terrible dream. That I would wake up any second now. That their was no other continent and no war. That I would return to the boring life I had lived as a princess before all of this.
"Princess?" A female voice brought me back to my senses. And I saw myself breathing heavily and on my knees. Making quiet a sense in the middle of the street I quickly got up out of embarrassment as I turned to the voice.
I was met by set of ruby eyes as her black bangs fell across her forehead. She had a slime and pale face that was beautiful but not overly so. Even from here I could sense that she was strong, a yellow core mage at least. Although I haven't met her before her description perfectly matched what Arthur had told me about before.
"Ms. Flamesworth?" I questioned as I straightened my hair and dusting my clothes.
"Just Jasmine is fine. Arthur has told me a lot about you." She said with a small smile as she extended a hand.
I took the hand and shook it. Her finger-less gloves showed off her pale fingers that were scarred and callous, no doubt from the years of her being an adventurer.
"Hopefully all good." I jested, trying to push the negative thoughts out of my mind. Jasmin only slightly tilted her head as she let go of my hand and beckoned my to follow. I fell along aside her as we began to walk.
Their was an air of awkwardness between us. We have never formally met, our only mutual connection being Arthur. Now that I think about it it was because of Arthur I even began to attend Xyrus academy, seems he has a habit of unintentionally bringing people together.
"So, Princess."
I politely interjected. "Please call me Tess."
"Alright Tess. Are you doing alright?" She asked as she turned her head slightly. She looked as though she was in her mid to late twenties but she was similar height to me, her deep red eyes stared directly into mine. And the suppressed memories flooded back up to the surface.
I quickly avoided her gaze as I stared down at the ground. The mismatched stone bricks that made up the stone walkway was all I could see.
I tried to search for the right words but it was no use. I couldn't even make sense of my inner turmoil let alone put it into vocal words and have them burden a person I barely knew.
I flinched a bit when Jasmine placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. A small gust of wind blow back the strands of hair that were in front of my face.
"Join me." She said as she guided me to a nearby stand. She motioned for me to take a seat and I complied. She then turned to the shopkeeper and asked her for something and soon she returned holding two cups in her hands.
She handed me one as she took a sip from hers.
"Drink it. It's good." She assured as she sat next to me.
I stared down at the contents of the cup. Its smell gently floated up to my nose and filled it with the scent of sweetness. I took a hesitant sip and my mouth was filled with a warm tangy sweetness that seemed to warm up my entire body.
"Good isn't it?" Jasmine asked as she took another sip.
"Thank you." I quietly said.
Jasmine only took a another look at me as she began to speak.
"Has Arthur never told you about his childhood?" She asked, and I could catch on that she was trying to change the subject. Which I more than welcomed, it was one of the reasons why I threw myself that every hard task I was allowed to partake in. And the main reason why I was still actively fighting in this war. I needed something, anything to keep my mind and body busy.
And now that I think about it Art never has shared his past with me. Indeed, he spent most of the time in Elenoir either training with grandpa or entertaining me. And when we were at Xyrus academy he was the assistant director so there always felt like there was a wall between us. That and him not wanting to confirm or deny the state of relationship, he always kept me at a arm's distance.
I shook my head as I took a deeper sip of my drink. Each time I went to drink it I could feel my mind loosening and warmth spread in my body. It reminded me of chocolate but it was a bit more savory and distinct.
"Oh boy, where to begin." Jasmine said with a jokey attitude. She didn't seem used to being the more talkative type but I could see she was putting up an effort. And I couldn't fault her for it, I was more thankful than anything else.
"I'm sure you have noticed that Arthur has a certain air to him. Something you wouldn't expect from a boy his age."
I nodded in agreement. Even taking away his strange mana arts and sword fighting prowess the way he conducted himself was more fit for a wise adult or a trained fighter. And from the rumors from the time he taught a couple lessons at Xyrus seemed he was more than capable keeping students in line, despite the small age gap.
Even grandpa Virion seemed to treat him more like an adult than he treated me. Whenever he spoke people did not dismiss him and he was more commonly the center of attention. No doubt his good looks had something to do with it.
"When I first met him he was no older than five. And even then he seemed.... different." Jasmine said as she took a moment to search for the right words.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"You can say that again." I joked with a small chuckle.
"Indeed, he seemed as if he was trying very hard to be the perfect son for his parents." as soon as Jasmine brought up Art's parents her tone changed. Her face turned grim for a second before she lightened up again.
"But enough about him, tell me more about the untouchable princess of the elves." She hastily changed the topic with a joke. Which didn't really seem to be her style and made me question more about Arthur and the relationship with his parents.
As far as I knew they were still staying with the Helstea's at Xyrus city. I haven't tried to contact them in a while but the last time I spoke to them they avoided talking about their own son.
'Just what are you up to Art?' I pondered in my mind.
"Jasmine. Have you ever felt-" Before I could finish my sentence Jasmine interjected.
"That you are responsible for everything?" She said with a understanding look.
"How did you?"
"Tess, I am older than you. I know the look of sorrow and regret far better than you. And yes, I am more than aware of the lives that hang in our hands, as well as the deaths." She said as she stared at her own free hand.
"What do you do with that feeling." I said in a low whisper for only her to hear, trying to look for an easy answer.
"There is no easy answer. In war anyone can die in a split second." She started, as if she had experienced it firsthand. Which she surely could have, being an adventurer for as long as she has.
"Somethings are just beyond our control Tess. And you won't have all the pieces to make the best decision at the time. That would be just impossible. The only thing you can do is make do with the information you already have and try to make the best of it."
"But I don't know how! There is just so much I don't know! I dropped my half finished drink on the ground as I felt tears swell up in my eyes, blurring my vision.
"How can someone like me be so sure of myself?" Waves of long buried emotions crashed into my mind like the turbulent waves of the ocean during a storm.
The feeling of loneliness I had felt as a princess, the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy I feel whenever I am next to Art, the utter crushing feeling of failure I face whenever I think back to my dead friends.
I fully understood that this was a war where death is the norm. But actually feeling it firsthand was something I could have never mentally prepared for. I couldn't fully describe it, perhaps I never will. The feeling of an over-present aching at the very center of my being. I was a figure head in all of this. Someone people could look up to and believe and rally around. But all I have ever done was disappointing them and chasing the coattails of people far above me.
I could feel Jasmine place her hand on my shoulders again but I simply ignored it. I brought my knees to my chest as I wrapped my arms around them. Burying my face into them I closed my eyes, trying to shut the cruel world out.
***
??? Pov
The curtains of reality that bounded and stored each of the countless worlds in their own bubbles was finally broken. It cracked and shattered like broken glass as I descended upon the mortal realm below.
It was a long and arduous process, carefully orchestrating events within the world to weaken the barrier between worlds and the aetheric void. But time was something I had plenty of. And the prize was far too great.
My souls all radiated pure energy in unison as I took a physical form. Aether heeded my command as it swirled and gathered, forming a vessel that could house a tiny fraction of my full might.
The skies glowed an ominous purple haze, its hues changing second by second as the entire world now laid bare to the void.
As I gently floated down to the vast wasteland below I could see nobody but a single figure. A man with long flowing blonde hair and golden eyes. And he stared up at me, his eyes widened as he saw the giant hole in the sky of my making. From the wound in reality infinite amount of aether flooded the heavens.
Soon it would deconstruct this world and reduce it to its base elements, then to aether. Without the invisible barrier that safeguarded it it would be consumed and be turned to nothing.
The single survivor then turned his attention to me. I could feel his core burn bright but it wasn't his aether core I cared about. It was his soul, only visible to those with great insight. It gleamed like no other, despite not even being fully awakened it gave off a light that made burning stars pale in comparison.
"You are.... me?" He asked as I landed on the darkened ashen ground. This place was no doubt the sight of a great battle. Nothing stood for miles and miles, everything reduced to ash and dust.
I stared back at the him. My direct stare made him flinch back slightly. I only chuckled as I answered one of his many questions.
"Yes, Arthur. I could be considered as a 'you'."
"What are you?" he asked as he took another step back. I could sense aether moving within his body, he seems quiet on edge.
I pondered his question for a moment. Time slowed to a crawl around me, the wind that carried the blackened dirt froze as my considered how much I should indulge with him. As a being with far higher command over aether it would have been impossible for him to perceive it let alone fight against it even if it was aether. I had already far surpassed the needs of mana and aether, instead I directly manipulated time and space as I see fit.
If all were to go well it wouldn't even truly matter in the end. Yet it was in the face of the unknown and great hardships that people overcame their limits. And this one has made it quiet far on its own, and I wanted to push him just a little bit further. I could sense that his soul was potent.
"You shall see." I said as time resumed once more. As soon as I finished my sentence I lashed out with my intent. It was so powerful and concentrated that it took on a physical manifestation of a dark shadowy claws.
In a flash of aetheric lightning the young Arthur disappeared from my vision. Yet his mirage walk wasn't perfect. I reached out with one hand and grabbed the sword he had swung for my head.
The crystalline aetheric blade struggled against my grip before I shattered it into a million pieces. He looked back at me with a shocked face. Not giving him time to recover I delivered a swift but light kick to his abdomen, sending him flying like a missile for miles.
Space around me shifted and melted away as I caught him. The sudden force of such a change in velocity cracked several of his bones and tore his ligaments. With a small flick of my wrist I threw him down to the ground. Cracking the earth and sending out a massive shock-wave that would have flattened nearby mountains, if any of them still remained.
I slowly descended upon the crater I had created as Arthur was already on his feet. His face was a mixture of pain and panic as I could hear his bones snap back into place and flesh meld together.
"You must have realized, yes? There was a valid reason why Kezess was so afraid of the horrors beyond this world. So much so that he would sign an entire race's death warrant." I said with a small smile.
He was upon me in an instant. And this time I decided to entertain him a bit. A sword shimmered to life in my hands as my blades clashed. Sending out ripples in space and time as the aether screamed in protest.
He quickly parried away my sword as he lunged for my throat. Space morphed around me again as I was now just barely out of his reach. And in a flash I the space around us closed again as I swung for one of his legs.
He blocked but buckled under the strength of my blow and staggered back, forcing him to grip his sword with both of his hands.
"Consider this your final challenge, Arthur." I quiet whispered as I exploded into a fury of sword blows. I could see his aether burning like a generator in the heart of a busy factory, as it sent out streams of aether to his limbs.
He blocked each and every one of my strikes. But my intent wasn't to kill him. I wanted him to struggle, to face despair. And break past them.
He vanished again, this time teleporting behind me. His sword burned with dark violet flames of destruction. I simply let the blade hit me.
I could feel it dig deep into the vessel I had created for this task. Its hard outward shell of solidified aether gave way as his strike hit home. My entire body shifted as I now faced him directly. He looked back at him with widened eyes, it wasn't everyday you see someone's entire body morph as if it was made of clay after all.
"Good try. I was wondering when you were going to use Regis." Arthur tried to pry his sword that was now lodged into my body but it was futile. I gripped the handle of his sword, not letting him go as I felt around for his wolf companion.
'Found you.' I said mentally as I located Regis.
'The fuck are you!' He sounded desperate and enraged.
'All will make sense in due time.' I answered truthfully as I absorbed him into my body. I elt go of Arthur's sword as he placed some distance between us.
He stared down at his now flameless sword in bewilderment. And without a word I could sense one of his godrunes burn like hot iron on his skin.
The air beneath his feet became solid as he leapt for me. The very space around him shattered as he shortened the distance between us. But I simply vanished and appeared behind him. And he bent space around him to face me once again.
"You learn quick." I commented, I was openly using spatium in front of him in the hopes he would analyze it and he has done wonderfully.
The space, no the world around us was quickly unmaking itself. The aether and mana that binds the world was returning to its original state and was being consumed by the void.
But he didn't seem to take notice as the world he tried so hard to protect was being erased right in front of us. He only had his eyes on me.
I peered into his soul again. It shinned bright but still was no closer to fully awakening. Indeed, he still hadn't surpass the limits of his draconic body. It was merely wishful thinking on my part for expecting him to breakthrough it now. He had overcome most of the obstacles in his world fairly well and I thought he had some potential, but alias I was wrong in my judgement.
The young Arthur lunged for me again, wielding as twin set of identical aether swords he rushed towards me like an animal. But I was done with this charade. Fighting in the physical sense was of no concern to me with his current state.
I closed my eyes as I shifted through space and time of the void and pulled him in with me.
I became a disembodied floating consciousness, space and time was of little consideration now. And I approached the burning soul of the young Arthur.
I reached for it with my non-existing hands and it burned to touch it. I looked closer at it, it was like a small ball of white fire that constantly shifted in hue. Going from a brilliant silver to almost black grey.
There were no words needed, or were their any words that could describe the kinds of information and knowledge I transmitted to him with a mere touch. Raw thoughts and ideas passed between us and soon without a single protest I consumed his soul, piecing together yet another one of the countless shattered shards of a far greater being.
And with it came another piece of the puzzle, another long forgotten memory that was lost even before the beginning of space and time as we know it. I could feel my own powers swell as I was one step closer to being whole again, and one step closer to my goal.
I thought back to the Arthur I had personally sent back on his journey. It had been a while since I last had him visit me. But he seemed promising. The look in his eyes as he saw me unleashing my spell and showing him a glimpse to the larger reality seems to have placed him on a path that would serve useful for my own needs.
Yes, this wasn't a fight against any demons or gods. This was a battle against destiny, Fate itself. And he shall be a interesting piece on the board. Perhaps he shall be the one who will surpass the limitations of his asuran body, if so I should keep a closer eye on him.