Arthur's Point of View

Dwardew Palace

What the fuck do you say to that? “Did you have other students?” My newest protégé inquired.

“Young Typhon.” I heard Harlow call softly.

It didn’t stop him. “Where are they?” He continued. “Why did the Demon Queen know about them and that Ghoul?”

“Typhon.” Harlow again.

“What are they doing? Surely they’d be a huge help if they were trained by you.” A smile came to his lips. “I’d love to talk to them! Maybe I could compare myself to where they were at my age!” The excitement in his eyes only gave me more of a hollow feeling in my chest. “How many students have you had? Do I know any of them?”

“Typhon!” Harlow finally shouted and got the boy to look at him.

His head snapped to the Captain. “Yes?” I didn’t see what Harlow did, but Typhon looked back at me, and I saw his eyes meet mine. “Arth-“ Ty’s voice caught in his throat as he looked at me.

I didn’t know what type of expression I was wearing at this moment. So many thoughts were spiraling through my mind. If Thana already knew about Typhon and was targeting him specifically, that would mean she might have plans for him. Possibly similar to the plans she used on the Royal Family two thousand years ago.

“I had a few students once upon a time.” The words finally left my mouth as I reapproached Typhon and placed my hands on his shoulders. “What happened to them, I will never let happen to you.” Giving him a small shake, I could hear the shakiness in my voice. He was surprised when I pulled him into an embrace, but I did it so he wouldn’t be able to see my face. “Never again…”

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It wasn’t until I felt a hand on my shoulder that I turned to see Harlow. “Sir, I think he understands that it would be best to just let this go.” Looking down, Typhon was still in my arms, but my arms were not still.

My arms shook terribly, as did my body at the mere thought of a repeat of the past. “Arthur?” Typhon’s voice cut through, and I slowly let him go in an almost mechanical manner.

Moving away from him and back to my chair, I sat quickly before covering my face. “Go help with the search and rescue. They could use your strength.” I told him without looking at him. “Go. Now.”

He left, and I was all alone with Harlow. Well, technically, Elincia was in the room next door, passed out on the bed. Good to see she was as useful as ever. With a sigh, I removed my hands and looked at the Captain. It was obvious he saw my other form, but what he thought was anyone’s guess.

“Do you have something to say to me?” I asked him, yet he remained silent. “I’m not going to kill you if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Finally, the Captain spoke up. “What are you?” He inquired cautiously. “Don’t get me wrong, Sir. I’m very thankful for you, and I understand you must have your reasons for keeping your form a secret, but I’ve never heard or read anything about you.”

Leaning back into the chair, I wondered why I was acting this way. I’m not normally this emotional. Normally I would’ve ignored Ty’s questions altogether, but I overreacted. Now I’m here with Harlow, who looked at me in a curious manner. He seems a little uncomfortable overall, and I actually feel a little bad about it.

With a sigh, I rubbed my fingers across my forehead in thought and annoyance. “I don’t know. Would you believe me if I said I was a Human?” I asked him. “Would you believe me if I said I was a God or a Demon?”

“I don’t know.” Allen Harlow answered honestly.

“Neither do I.” Then I gestured to the door as I continued. “The Dwarves were mumbling on about me being a God. Others call me a hero, and some call me a Demon.” I scoffed at the thought. “The truth is, I’m just me.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because you saw my form. That, and Elincia and Kheri were discussing how to punish you for listening to me over them before all this started. I’d like to work with you in the future.” I told him, and he seemed surprised.

He quirked a brow at that, but he didn’t seem too surprised about the supposed punishment from on high. “You have another mission after this?”

I shook my head. “Another project similar to the one I started in Helmsforth, but on a far greater scale. I’m planning on skipping eras and revolutionizing ideas that might come with it. This world has been too stale for too long, and I don’t have the time to gently proceed forward.”

“Then what was the point of your project in Helmsforth if you were gonna do this instead?”

“It was a test.” I told him honestly. “I need you and your men.” Then I pointed at him. “If the one heading this project knows about me, then I will be more at ease.” He seemed lost in thought. “Of course, that also comes with other knowledge that you will need and other things that will need to be revealed if you agree.”