Arthur's Point of View

Private Airship

“Someone needs to shave.” Elincia commented as she made her way over to me as I looked out across the water.

Running a hand through my beard, I smirked. “I was thinking the same thing. Just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

“You do have a reputation to maintain.” The Priestess informed me.

I raised a brow in return. “Not much of a reputation, depending on who you ask.” My eyes drifted behind her to Arceana, who was keeping a close eye on us.

She turned back to her sister for a moment before hanging her head and returning her attention to me. “Things have been difficult. I admit, I never thought my sister would do such a thing, but she refused to answer my inquiries. All of them except the conversation you had about the Demonic Magic inside of me.”

“Your sister is kind of a bitch.”

Elincia’s lips went flat as she didn’t appreciate the insult, but also understood where I was coming from. “Moving on, I did want to thank you for doing this.”

Crossing my arms, I went back to looking over the rail and across the water. “Thank your adopted Son.” Was my reply. “Ty is the only reason all of us are here right now.”

“Sand attack!” Floyd shouted randomly from across the deck, which was quickly followed by pained screams.

“FLOYD!” Kine’s voice screeched.

The blonde High Elf sighed. “I am surprised he asked for this as his reward.”

I scoffed at that. “He’s a child who thinks that when people don’t like each other, they need to spend more time together.”

Elincia replied softly to that as running could be heard behind us. “Do you hate me?”

“…” I was quiet for a time before I glanced over to her. “Hate is a strong word. I wouldn’t even say I hate Arceana, Kine, or Ayda. Despite all of them having shit attitudes and personalities, I save the word hate for special people. Most people that I hate, I kill.” My eyes shot forward once more. “So, no. I don’t hate you.”

“Is there anyone you do hate?” She asked after a moment.

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“…Yes.”

Arthur's Point of View

The Battlements

Days Earlier

Ty asked, “Are you okay?”

“Just peachy.” My head tilted upwards to see him before I sighed. “How can I help you two?”

“I wanted to discuss my reward with you, and we were told you would be here.” Ty answered.

Blood began to evaporate from my nose as it quickly healed. “Who hit you?” Ayda inquired as I continued to lay there.

“Cassidy.” I exhaled out.

“Why would Cass hit you?” Ty questioned.

“She’s mad that you broke your arms and-“

Before I could finish, Ayda’s head whipped to Ty. “You broke your arms!?”

The boy smiled sheepishly before nodding slowly. “Yeah. It was an accident…”

She looked flabbergasted at that. “How did you break both your arms on accident?”

“During his training.” I stated. “He went way overboard to get some manner of reward from me.” Then I chuckled. “Handled it like a fucking champ too! Didn’t even complain or whimper!”

“That’s not funny!” She cried out angrily.

Ty, while obviously uncomfortable, still responded in confusion. “I still do not understand why Cassidy would hit you because of that.”

I shrugged while still on my back. “She’s upset I didn’t have you healed right away.” And just like that, I was picked up via magic and thrown into my new wall. “Really?” My question was directed at Ayda, who had me pinned, but only because I let her.

“What do you me you did not have him healed immediately!?”

“Ayda, calm down!” Ty told her before grabbing her hands and getting her to drop me.

Greigh and Ziah landed beside me while Cassidy appeared through one of the tower doors and headed my way. “Ah’d also like ta know.”

Dusting myself off, I replied. “Ty clearly did something he shouldn’t have. The plan was for him to wake up, realize he broke his arms, let him strew in the pain, and then have him healed.”

Ziah asked the question the other women wanted to. “Um… Why?”

“So he wouldn’t do it again.” I stated it as if it were obvious. “If he gets healed right away, Ty might think there aren’t any consequences to his actions. I don’t want him to get the mindset that any injuries he receives during training will be healed immediately.” Crossing my arms, I then gestured to the two women. “Unless you’re okay with him going out there and breaking something every time we train?”

Cassidy and Ayda both frowned at that before looking at Ty with disapproving looks, which quickly turned back to me. “You have no proof he is going to do that. After all, the training could have been too stressful for him.” Ayda replied.

I rolled my eyes. “He was literally punching a tree.” Before either could respond, I continued. “I have to say, though, the punishment didn’t even work. Ty straight up, woke up, came downstairs, and just started talking to me.” Ruffling his hair as he moved closer, I smirked. “My student’s a badass!” I chuckled.

Ayda whapped me in the arm, and I pulled my hand back. “This is not funny! He got hurt, and you refused to heal him to teach him a lesson!? Where are your morals!?”

“Nonexistent.”

She huffed in frustration. “Who even healed him!?”

Annoyed, I rolled my eyes. “Your mom!” My overly dramatic reply made it seem like I was joking, which just made her angrier.

“How dare-“ Ayda quickly began.

Interrupting her by waving my hands in her face rapidly in an annoying manner, she grit her teeth. “Go away! My student wishes to speak to me! Go throw someone else with your magic!”

Naturally, she wouldn’t just leave it there, but I opened a portal underneath her feet. “Arth-“ Ayda fell through.

Then I gestured to Ty. “Go on.”

“It is about my reward.” He said unsurely as he eyed where Ayda once stood. “I want you to make up with Priestess Elincia and help her with whatever issues you two were having.”

Cassidy grabbed my arm and leaned in towards me. “What did ya tell him!?” She hissed.

“I didn’t tell him shit!” I whispered back as I removed my arm from her grasp.

“What’re we whispering about?” Ziah asked as she leaned in.

We both eyed her, to which she blushed and stepped back. “Arthur.” Ty said, and I turned to him. “You said I could have a reward. I would like you to do this for me. Maybe a joint exercise or something along those lines? Being a novice, having others around might make me feel more at ease.” Said no one ever.

I studied him for a moment before I crossed my arms with a sigh. “I’ll talk to Elincia and see what she thinks. There was something she asked for my help with. Perhaps I can figure something out for your reward.”

Arthur's Point of View

Private Airship

“Do you really think this is the best way to go about removing the Demon Magic from me?” She asked, trying to change the topic.

“Yes.” I stated. “Maybe.” I added a moment after. “Probably.”

Elincia replied dryly. “You inspire faith like no other.”

“I try.”