Arthur's Point of View

The Island

“Arthur?” Cassidy said softly as she stepped next to me.

“Mmh?” I mumbled back.

“Ya gonna be okay?” She inquired.

Not taking my eyes off the horizon, I asked a question back. “Why do you ask?”

Ziah spoke from behind me. “Probably because you’ve been staring off into the horizon for the last few minutes ignoring everyone, Sir.”

Elincia and Arceana moved next to me on each side as Cassidy made way for them. “Is something troubling you?” The Blonde High Elf inquired.

Arceana fiddled with her scepter in the sand. “If there is something on your mind-“

“Do either of you have enough magic to teleport everyone back to Lestrania?” I inquired.

The two sisters leaned forward and shared a glance with one another as Ayda spoke up from behind me. “Unlikely. Priestess Elincia is still recovering from last night and Priestess Arceana is doing the same. She held a shield for a long time last night during your battle with the Demon.”

Glancing at Arceana, she nodded in agreement with Ayda’s assessment. “What if all of you combined your magic or did your Elf transfer thing?”

Ayda scoffed. “That is not what it is called, nor how it works.”

Elincia placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a concerned look. “Just… Yes or no… Please…” I asked as I turned to her.

She frowned. “It might be possible, but teleporting that far is difficult and requires massive amounts of concentration just for one person.” Elincia informed me. “Why the sudden interest in teleporting away from the Island?”

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“Because I don’t think any of us will be able to get out of her otherwise.”

“Is something coming for us?” Arceana inquired.

“’Something’ being the keyword.” Given how much Demonic Magic was surrounding us, I wasn’t sure if this was a normal Demon by any means. “It would appear killing Elincia’s Demonic Clone acted as a signal to other Demons.”

No doubt that confused several people, but a new voice called out from our right. “An astute observation.”

Everyone immediately turned towards the source. Before us were two new individuals and from looks alone, one would naturally assume they were Demons. However, the sheer Demonic Magic they were putting off certainly confirmed it. Unfortunately, both were definitely Demon Lords themselves and fighting two right now would be suicidal.

The one on the right had crimson horns jutting out of the side of his red head. Just below them was six pointy ears that would match most High Elves if it was for the fact he had three ears on each side. Golden eyes glowed as he studied me closely. His shirt was red and black that almost blended in with his magic. Gold decorated his clothing as well, which seemed off, but it was far from the most bizarre I’d seen.

Beside him was another Demon, but he was slightly different. His magic felt just as foul and dark, however, it emitted a purple aura. Four ears, two on each side, that poked out from underneath dark green hair. Purple eyes matched his aura as they glowed in a focused manner towards me. Aside from his clothes that matched his companion, one other feature stuck out to me. His exposed skin was mostly covered in bandages.

Pushing Arceana behind me as I moved in front of the group, I held Defiance at my side and at the ready. “Protect the Priestesses!” Kheri shouted and started forming a circle around them.

It lasted for a second as the two Demons sent out a wave of Demonic Magic that essentially crippled them. Choking sounds could be heard from behind me as I glanced to see magical collars wrapped around everyone’s neck, Priestesses included. A frown came to my lips as my eyes darted back to the two Demons, who were far less aggressive than most of the others. Although, the one with horns just took everyone hostage.

Both Demons had their eyes on me as they studied me. “This is him?” The bandages one inquired to his companion in probably one of the deepest voices I have ever heard. “Doesn’t look like much.”

“Careful.” I warned in a darker tone.

The Demon scoffed, and the red-haired one replied. “The eyes match. There is no one else with eyes like that.” He informed the other Demon before giving me a pointed look. “This is the Anomaly that appeared over two thousand years ago.”

My eyes narrowed before I gestured back to everyone behind me. “Clearly, you two are here to talk, or they’d all be dead. Let them go, and we can discuss whatever it is you’re here for.”

“I find that having incentive makes one more forthcoming.” The redhead quickly shot back.

Rolling my shoulders slightly, I summoned a lighter Gravity Pillar around them. “Incentive isn’t needed, nor are your threats. Let them go. Now.”

The bandaged one scoffed. “Cease your pointless threats. We know that you wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. We’ll talk and see what happens moving forward.” The redhead quickly responded as his magic flared in his hands. “However, I will, in good faith, loosen my restrictions upon them so they can breathe more easily.”

Coughs could be heard behind me, along with people sucking in air. Arceana and Elincia moved to respond, but I held up a hand to stop them as I lifted my Gravity Pillar from the two Demons. Their magic was still around their throats after all. With a frown, I turned my attention back to the two.

“Why’re you here?” I inquired.

“For you, of course.” He answered while the bandaged Demon rolled his eyes, annoyed before crossing his arms.

“What could you possibly want with me?” I questioned back.

The two Demons smirked. “To ask some questions and perhaps see if you’re worth the time it took to hunt you down.”

“…Lovely.”