Arthur's Point of View

Over the Middle Ocean

Lucia gave an exasperated sigh you wouldn't think she had in her. Ziah, Typhon, and Austin all watched from the sidelines. It was annoying that they had to see this, but Alwin was a poor replacement for Aydan, and he was really starting to piss me off.

"We are going to move forward and pretend that you two like each other." Lucia stated as she looked between us.

"We are?" My question was met with a glare from the young pink-haired Mara look alike.

"Yes! We are!" She stated more firmly before looking at Alwin. "Or am I wrong?"

Alwin gave a respectful bow. "No, my Lady."

Then she turned to me with an expectant look on her face, and I shrugged. "Hey, I'm just trying to teach you. If that's too much, feel free to go about your day."

Lucia groaned before rubbing her temples in irritation. "You might just be the most stubborn man I ever met."

"Thank you." Looking to Austin, I smirked. "You hear that, Austin!?" The red-haired boy looked at me. "She says I'm the most stubborn man she ever met!"

Austin gave me two thumbs up. "Ah told ya!" Was his smartass response.

Eventually, Lucia turned to Alwin. "I did ask him to teach me. If you do not agree with those teachings, that is fine, but you have been ceaselessly antagonizing Sir Arthur. Training like this is hard enough for me to come by, and I do not want any more interruptions." She informed the Elf.

They broke off and started whispering to each other. Funny enough, with my heightened senses, it was easy to hear them despite their hushed tones. It was mostly pointless bickering, and how Alwin didn't think I was suitable to train her. Ziah stepped next to me with Austin and Typhon since Lucia moved out of their way.

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"What else can you tell me about flying?" Ziah inquired.

"What else can you tell me about Dragons?" Typhon asked.

"What can Ah do ta get stronger ta help my grandpa and sis?" Austin also questioned.

Pointing at the Zugal, I started with Ziah. "Flying obviously revolves around your wings. Much like most muscles, the more you use them, the stronger they get. Magic is similar. Training the magic in your wings will also aid you, on top of strengthening your wings in general." Gesturing to her wings, she fluttered them slightly. "Try to feel your magic in your wings and expand on that."

Of course, this was all hearsay from Aerowyn when she helped the girls fly in the past. She was the best flier in our forces back then. Thus, I don't know why she wouldn't know what she was talking about. Aerowyn was quite insistent that she could pump her magic directly to her wings, which is what made her far faster than anyone else.

Typhon stepped up next with wonder in his gaze as Ziah stepped back and was fluttering her wings over and over. "What about me?"

I frowned at that. "As I said, I don't know much about Dragons other than what I've seen. However, I'd suggest focusing on the same thing you do when you breathe fire. Try shifting that around your body and see what happens."

"Okay!" He quickly stepped aside.

"And me?" Austin inquired.

I chuckled and crouched before him. "Magic is even in Humans here, but I've only ever seen one man use it to increase his strength. There is no way for me to teach you or even give you advice since there is no focal point for Humans." Tapping his chest, he frowned slightly. "However, you are young and have already built up your own strength. I think you should rest while you can and then think about how to proceed when you get home."

"Ah just wanna help more." He told me with a shaky voice.

Placing my hands on his shoulders, I nodded in understanding. "I know, but you need to understand that your family likely wants what's best for you. You are a boy. Just like Typhon, but you have far greater responsibilities. I think your grandpa and Cassidy just want you to have a chance to act your age."

His frown deepened. "Ah don't need ta act my age. They're countin on me."

"Yes. They are." Squeezing his shoulders softly got him to look up at me. "But there are different ways to count on someone. You probably wouldn't believe it, but this is probably all for your sake. Both still trust you and count on you. This was just something they felt like they needed to do. For you."

He nodded slowly. "Okay."

Patting his chest with the back of my hand a few times, I smirked. "And push comes to shove; when you get older, you can always ask your sister to train you. After all, who better to teach you than someone who is getting special training from the Priestesses themselves."

Austin chuckled softly at that. "Can ya imagine how the person who taught them must've felt?" He asked in a cheerful and amused tone, but I didn't reply as my face quickly turned emotionless. "They must've been somethin special."

Not replying to his question, I patted his chest and gestured to Typhon. "If you want, Typhon could probably use a few ideas." The redhead quickly stepped to the side as Lucia stepped beside me. "Still here?" I inquired.

"Still here." The High Elf quickly confirmed.

"Where'd your boy toy go?"

"He is not-" Lucia stopped herself and looked up at me. "Alwin decided to get an update from the Captain."

Quirking a brow at her, I crossed my arms, amused. "Did you really send him away? Cause if you did, that's hila-" I stopped suddenly and felt my body tense as a familiar sensation filled my senses.

Lucia and Ziah both realize something was wrong. "Sir Arthur? Are you okay?" The High Elf inquired.

Turning to Ziah, I spoke in a firm tone. "Sergeant, inform the Captain we're about to have guests." My eyes then tried to focus on where the vile aura was coming from, and I saw specks of red and black off the side. "Better yet, sound the alarm."

I didn't know who was coming or how powerful they were, but I wasn't taking the chance. Demons were closing in. The question was if there was anyone troublesome apart of this group.