Arthur's Point of View

Hollow Forest

Looking down, I saw she was completely unconscious. Titling my head in confusion, my gaze soon turned to Ayda, Cassidy, and the others who seemed just as lost as I was.

"I see you've been having fun." Another new voice called out.

Groaning as I looked up to the sky, I saw the other Priestess, but she wasn't alone. Nope. Unlike Elincia, this one brought a flock of Zugal. Is it racist to refer to a group of them as a flock? However, it wasn't just them either. Soon I heard footsteps coming through the forest, and I looked to see just as many Elves and Humans.

"Any chance this is the last of you!?" I asked the newest additions. "I've had a long night, and this is just becoming tedious!"

"I'm sure." The Priestess said in reply from above.

Much like Elincia, her sister had a white aura emanating from her hands. A silver crown rested in pinkish hair as red eyes studied me. The only other similarities I could see between her and Elincia is that they both wore a similar dress, had a pair of white wings, and seemed to rule this nation. Although, this one carried a scepter as well, so there was that.

After a moment, I spoke again. "So, are you going to come down here, or do I need to deal with all these people first?" My question was directed to the Priestess as I gestured around to everyone else but her.

"See to the injured." The Priestess ordered her guards, and then she watched me for a moment before answering my question. "I don't think that will be necessary." The Priestess replied. "I've been watching for some time now, and I must admit, I am impressed. Pushing my sister is not something most people are capable of." Then she looked to Elincia. "Of course, she was holding back, but that still doesn't subtract from how skilled you are."

"She was, was she?" I asked back, amused.

"Indeed. I'm sure you don't believe me. That's fine." Lowering to the ground in front of me, she gave a curt nod. "My name is Arceana Delmaris. Priestess of Lestrania and one of its rulers. A pleasure to meet you, Arthur Pendragon."

Still on guard, I gave a shallower nod in return. "You know my name."

Gesturing to her sister, Arceana replied. "My sister said your name before I intervened. As I said, I've been watching. Mostly trying to decide whether or not I needed to step in." Then she looked at some of the massacred bodies. "These are not my people, and even in death, I feel something dark and sinister from them."

Looking over the dead Ghouls, I waved a dismissive hand towards them. "Fuck those guys!" The Priestess turned back to me, and a twitch could be seen on her eye from the language I used, but I ignored it. "Killed one group of them already when they first ambushed me, and then they sent this group to hunt me down." Then I gestured to Ayda and then others. "I was trying to explain that to them before I was unjustifiably attacked."

"That must've been very frustrating for you. I'm sure my sister didn't help matters, but she likely saw an opportunity to test you." Arceana sighed. "Clearly, this wasn't the time, and without explaining anything to you was reckless."

"It's funny that you're so accepting of this." Then I gestured to Elincia. "That, and the fact you blasted the shit out of your own sister." Puckering my lips, I continued. "A little cold, don't you think?"

"Not at all. The bout had gone on long enough. Elincia wasn't fighting seriously but was about to. Involving Typhon irked her, and me." The Priestess then looked at the boy, who avoided her gaze. "Apologies for this series of misunderstandings and for my sister taking advantage of them." Arceana gave a small bow to me, which surprised me, and those present. "Thank you for not harming any of them permanently. While I do not know you, I can assume you were holding back quite a bit as well."

I shrugged. "Who can say?" Eventually, I put my hand on my hip. "It's not a big deal. However, I am interested in why you think I was holding back…"

The Priestess gestured to my sword. "From what I can gather, you only drew your sword against Elincia. This proves you were trying to quickly disarm the situation quickly with Ayda, Cassidy, Floyd, and Kine. They shouldn't have been so quick to move against you, and I'm assuming Kine struck first." I nodded, and she gave a tired sighed. "Yes, he does have a rather brash personality. Prefers talking things out with his fists."

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Smirking as I gestured to Elincia, I replied. "I understand. I'm a little quick to confrontations myself."

"So, I see." The Priestess stated. "Again, thank you for not attacking her with your sword. You had the perfect opportunity to and instead kicked her."

"Kicked the shit outta her, though." I shot back with a grin.

Sighing again, Arceana nodded bitterly as her frustration grew. "Yes, you did." Clearly annoyed, she took a breath before continuing. "Moving on. While I cannot force you to accompany me," She began, and I immediately looked around at the guards surrounding me, before raising a brow. "I would greatly appreciate it if you were to accompany me to the Temple of Lestrania atop Helmsforth Mountain."

Annoyed, I replied. "Reall-"

The Priestess, the conscious one, cut me off. "Do not worry about my guards. They were here to deal with the people you already took care of. While I would've liked to question them, and where they found such vile magic, it is too late." Gesturing to me, her scepter made a small ringing noise. "However, you dealt with them. I would like to ask you some questions as our guest."

"And your sister will be fine with that?"

Amused, Arceana replied. "She'll likely seek to have a rematch against you, but other than that, she was probably working her way towards asking you the same thing. In her own way." Ayda and the others watched in disbelief. "I would also like to thank you again for taking care of these creatures before they caused untold damage to my people."

"I honestly can't tell if you're being sincere or if you're just trying to get me to lower my guard." I said skeptically.

"That is partially my fault for letting this go on for so long. However, I will not force you to follow. Take a few days, if you need to, to think about my request. No one here will try to convince you." Motioning to the group, she continued. "Should you wish to visit the Temple, please speak with any of those present."

After eyeing Cassidy for a moment, I sighed. "Not sure I actually have a place to stay anymore. You let me keep my weapons, as a precaution, and I will come with you. If you ask me to disarm, I shall just go somewhere else entirely."

Arceana thought about it for a moment. "Your terms are acceptable. Had you wished to do any real harm you've had more than your fair share of opportunities." Then she tapped her scepter on the ground, and her guards started to move. "Is there anything else?" She inquired as Elincia, and the others were helped out of the forest.

"Maybe a few favors here and there. Small things, I promise. Something in return for me doing you this favor." I replied.

"I don't think you understand what the word 'favor' means."

"Oh, I do. Just trying to look out for myself, given everything that's happened. As I said, it won't be anything monumental, just looking for a little kindness in return." Then I gestured to myself. "After all, it's been a really long night, and a favor from a Priestess could make it all better."

The Priestess studied me. Likely to see if I was being genuine or had some other agenda. After a moment, she eventually nodded in agreement.

Tapping her golden scepter, she responded. "Very well. I suppose that is fair. Any favors you ask shall be addressed accordingly." Arceana informed me and then turned to her guards, all of which were glaring at me. "Retreat from this wretched forest and bring everyone up to the Temple. I'm sure they're interested in," She turned to me as she spoke. "Arthur Pendragon."

The Priestess moved to her sister and straight up disappeared. Teleporting away and leaving me here with glaring guards, I merely shrugged in response. Placing my sword on my back seemed to relax everyone in the area, but I was surprised that Arceana straight up left everyone alone here with me.

Although most got to work and ignored me for the most part. Some aided Cassidy and her friends, while others moved around to the bodies and started casting spells on them. Odd, but I didn't question it. Who knows, maybe that was the norm here. Regardless, I pretty much just started walking back to town. Not like anyone would want my help with anything.

"Ayda!" Typhon shouted, and I glanced over my shoulder to see him on his knees next to her prone form.

Apparently, she collapsed as things died down. Floyd and Kine had already been loaded onto stretchers and carried away. So, now all eyes were on the passed-out Librarian.

A group of Elves were looking over Ayda in a concerned manner. "What's wrong with her?" Cassidy inquired.

"She's used up a lot of magic. Her supply is dangerously low. She likely kept up a strong front in front of the Priestesses." An Elf explained. "Ayda will need a magic donor."

It was at that moment, Cassidy turned and saw me watching, which made her eyes widened. "Arthur!" She called out.

Quirking a brow at that, I turned towards her as she ran up to me. "Yes?"

Immediately, she gritted her teeth and frowned. "Ah know Ah don't deserve ta ask this of ya, none of us do, but can ya help Ayda? We'd need ta get her ta a hospital quick ta get her a magic donor."

"Why don't you just teleport her?" I asked back.

One of the Elves answered. "It doesn't work like that. Magic is finicky, and not all of us can teleport. Only the exceptionally talented or highly trained individuals can do so. Ayda Farro is both." The generic Elf informed me. "It's likely we'd need one of her family members to be a donor to have enough magic to actually supply her what she needs. That or several of us would have to donate, which isn't possible to do given where we are."

Gesturing to the Elf, I spoke to Cassidy. "There you go! Simple. You don't need me."

Groaning in annoyance, Cassidy rubbed her face in an irritated fashion. "Ayda's brother is at the top of the Helmsforth. If ya could just-"

Holding up my hand to stop her, I interrupted Cassidy. "How would I even be able to help? I can't transfer my energy to her."

"You don't need to. One of us can act as a conduit for you." The same Elf stated. "Since you have magic to spare, it might be our best choice." Many in the area were watching me.

Feeling the judgment behind their stares, I replied. "I'm not sure I have magic."

"Everyone has magic, Sir." The Elf answered.

"Please." Typhon pleaded from beside her.

Walking passed Cassidy, I mumbled to myself. "Fuckers attacked me, and now I have to do this shit…" Stopping next to the Elf who was looking over the mad Librarian, I spoke. "What do I need to do?"

Holding out his hand, he spoke. "Take my hand, and I will funnel magic from your body into Ayda's, but it has to be voluntary. This spell doesn't work against someone's will."

Raising my hands to get the group's attention, I spoke a little more seriously. "Okay, I know you think I was joking, but I honestly don't think I have magic. If you do this, I don't know what's going to happen, but if you're still willing to risk it, by all means." I told them.

"Are you going to help or not?" The Elf asked back, annoyed. "Just because you don't have a basic knowledge of magic doesn't mean you don't have any."

"Alright. Fuck me then." Approaching the situation with a 'fuck it' mentality, I took his hand. "Enjoy."

His hands ignited in a greenish aura, and I watched as nothing seemed to be happening. However, when he closed his eyes and began to focus, it felt as though there was a tingling in my arm. The Elf gasped in surprise as his eyes shot open and he looked at me. Many turned to look at us to see what had happened and only saw the shocked expression on the Elf's face as he looked at me.

"What?" I asked his slack jawed expression, confused.

"N-Nothing." He hesitated in responding.

Focusing on the spell again, it didn't take long for Ayda to shoot up into a sitting position. Scared the shit out of the Elf casting the spell as he stumbled away from her. Ayda looked around confused and began flexing her fingers as if confused. After a moment, she looked up at me with narrowed eyes.

"What did you do to me?" Ayda asked me.