Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth

Lucia shook in my arms. "What happened?" I asked again very softly.

She looked up at me and stuttered as she tried her best to reply. "I-I-I…" Lucia trailed off before her breathing started to get heavy. "It all happened so fast! I don't know, okay!?" Grabbing her chest, my eyes widened in alarm as she began to struggle to breathe. "I-He-"

Using my magic, I put her under a sleep spell as her fear began to compound into a bigger problem. All at once, it was like a dam broke. Many throughout the area began to break down. Some cried while others screamed in horror as they tried to run off. Austin held onto his sister and bawled into her arms. Cassidy looked just as confused as the rest of us.

"Priestess." A familiar voice called out.

Laying Lucia down gently, I turned to Sergeant Ziah Tib, who was carrying someone on her back. "Report, Sergeant."

She nodded but looked around. "I think it best to speak in private, Priestess Elincia." The Zugal stated with a grim look.

It was rare one of ours would refuse to report immediately, but I agreed. "Very well." Then I took a closer look at the person she was carrying. "Who is draped across your back?"

"Well Priestess, this is Queen Ventari of Vithari." My eyes widened at that as she turned and showed her face. "We rescued her during our mission."

Arceana stepped next to her. "Thank you for assisting her." My sister said as she gently tapped her scepter on the ground. "All forces are to start moving these crewmen to medical for our healers to assist."

Turning to my General, I spoke. "Make sure Alwin, the Vithari Queen, and Lucia are all taken care of and put in separate rooms to recover. Have guards stationed outside their rooms at all times with healers at the ready."

My Zugal General nodded. "Of course, Priestess." She motioned to a select few and started moving them away.

Ayda went with the guards who carried her brother and Lucia, while Cassidy held onto Austin. My eyes moved over Typhon, who seemed to be relatively fine. He was merely looking about the area in interest as people were moved about. Eventually, Typhon stepped beside Ziah, who smiled down at him.

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"Are you alright, Typhon?" I asked the boy.

"I am fine. Concerned for Arthur, but I think the Sergeant is correct. We should speak in private." Typhon replied in a calm and collected tone.

Nodding once more, my gaze drifted over the shouting seamen who cowered while others were carried off from passing out. Glancing back at Typhon, he seemed to be even more relaxed than the Sergeant. Perhaps he is unaware of what had occurred.

Sighing, my gaze looked back to the sky to see if there were any signs of our Knight. After nothing appeared, I looked over to Arceana, who had been doing the same. They were his portals if I was correct. I'd only seen them a few times prior, but not many others can create portals like him, which meant he sent the crew back here.

Arceana placed a hand on my shoulder. "He will be along. Of that, I have little doubt. Let us head inside and see what we can learn about what has happened."

The four of us made our way to a private room where we could speak. My sister and I quickly made ourselves comfortable, as did Typhon as we sat down. Our loyal Sergeant stayed standing with a grim look on her face. No one said anything as the Zugal seemed to be struggling to keep her wits about her.

"Would you like to sit, Sergeant?" Arceana offered as she gestured towards a cushioned chair.

To my surprise, she shook her head no. "Apologies, Priestesses, but I am struggling to stay on my feet right now after what happened."

Leaning forward at that, my sister motioned for her to continue. "Explain." Arceana ordered softly. "If the reports are true, you were Sir Arthur's second in command during this mission."

Ziah Tib began to give her report as her knees shook and her wings twitched while remembering the events. She explained that there was a Magical Squall that had appeared and blocked their way. Arthur had managed to get them through the storm, or to the center, but they encountered a creature of impossibility. The term 'Leviathan' was used, but the Sergeant scoffed as the name didn't do it just for the magnitude of the creature it was.

Hours passed as more details were rattled off by her and then by Typhon. Both of which agreed that Arthur had stayed behind to battle the monstrous creature. A creature that would tower over Helmsforth itself if their words are true. Yet, I couldn't find it in me to doubt them. This creature was real, and so was its power. In all my years, I had never heard of such a thing a fear began to seep into my mind if it would make its way to Lestranian shores.

Arceana spoke once more as there was a lull in the conversation. "Arthur took a direct hit from this creature and survived?"

Typhon was the one who answered with a firm nod. "He was blasted through the Elves' barrier but returned later. Much like the rest of us, Sir Arthur was caught unaware as it destroyed the airship. The fact we lasted as long as we did was thanks to him." The boy then became very quiet as he looked down before continuing. "We are alive because of him. I have never seen such power before…" He trailed off.

My sister and I exchanged a look. "Well, I am sure Arthur will likely return as soon as he is able. No doubt he is trying to learn where this creature came from or follow it back to whatever hole it crawled out of."

The larger a creature or an individual is, the more magic they can store. This means this 'Leviathan' must have enough magic to support its massive body. Dragons, and creatures from the Old World, are particularly gifted in terms of magic. Especially as they grow. They just use it differently than my sister and me. However, each is powerful enough because of their size alone, but if this creature is larger than Helmsforth, it might be impossible to kill or destroy.

My thoughts lingered for a moment before a frantic pounding came from the door. "Enter!" I called out.

One of our Elven guards entered the room. "Priestesses…" He started but struggled to take a breath. "Sir Arthur has returned!"

"Truly!?" I asked back as I stood, and he nodded. "This is glorious news! Bring him here at once!"

The Elf paused and frowned. "I apologize, Priestess, but that will not be possible." His eyes glanced at Typhon. "You must see him; however, I would recommend doing so alone. The reports we received were rather alarming. Several others are already on sight."

Arceana stood at that. "On sight? Where is he?"

"He appeared in the bottom rung, Priestesses." He answered with a pained expression. "Or just on the outskirts, along with the Hollow Forest."

"Is he in the outskirts or the Hollow Forest?" I inquired in an annoyed tone.

To my surprise, the guard just looked down with a frown and sighed. "Both of them."