Arthur's Point of View

Depths of the Hollow Forest

“How’d it go?” Aydan inquired as I returned to the base of the tree-like island.

“Is she safe?”

“Who?” He asked, confused for a moment, but continued at my look. “Mara?” I nodded, and his head bounced in thought. “As safe as she can be given her situation.”

My jaw tightened as I spoke. “When was the last time she was here?”

His eyebrows shot up in thought. “It’s been a long time. Long before your appearance even. Easily a couple hundred years.” Aydan shrugged. “I can’t be too sure, given my form and lack of ability to keep track of time.”

“How was she?”

He hummed in distaste. “That would’ve been the second time she showed up. She was injured. Severely.” My eyes met his, and he explained further. “The first time Mara came here, she had just escaped. Marina healed her scars, and we spoke before she went on her way. Mara wanted to look for her doubles and you.” At my look, he nodded. “It was dangerous, but there wasn’t anything I could do to stop her.”

Closing my eyes, I asked again. “And the second time she visited?”

Aydan cleared his throat. “Well, in between her first visit and her second, Mara would send letters to us. They were made of magic. Made it so they would disappear if anyone else grabbed them. Breeze would bring them down to me.” The man explained, but his tone grew serious. “Then she came to us barely alive.”

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My teeth started to grind at that as I opened my eyes. “Explain.”

Sighing, he recalled the events. “Mara had found one of her doubles and was on the verge of victory, but something had interrupted the duel.” Aydan told me. “Both fighters fled as best they could, but Mara was chased. She was lucky to escape relatively unscathed.”

“Relatively?” I repeated. “Forgive me, but how did she come here injured if she escaped unscathed?”

“Because she was followed.” My eye twitched, and he continued. “The one who interrupted the duel caught up to her, and things quickly went downhill.” His mouth opened and closed a few times as he tried to continue the story. “I’m sorry, but I cannot say anymore.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I spoke. “What’re you talking about?! I need answers, and you have them, but can’t tell me!?”

Holding up his hands, he explained. “Not because I don’t want to, but because I literally can’t.” Aydan’s mouth opened, only for it to slam shut for a few moments. “The words don’t come out.” His eyes then met mine. “But remember what I said, Arthur… There are worse things in this world than Demons.”

“You want to expand on that?”

He nodded. “I do, but I’m afraid I am running out of time, Arthur.”

A sigh left my lips. “I have many pieces to the puzzle, Aydan, but I am hopelessly lost.” I told him softly. “Everything I do is one step forward and two steps back.”

Aydan smiled at me. “I’m glad to know that even you can feel that way. I felt that way for a long time when Lestrania was first formed. The alliance was shaky at best, and many expected it to fail.” The Elf shook his head in disbelief. “And then you came along.”

“But I don’t have anyone to help me, Aydan.”

“You don’t?” He then looked up toward the top of the hole. “It seems to me that you have plenty of people willing to help.”

Shaking my head, I sat down. “It’s not the same. Where would I start?”

Sitting down across from me, the ghost smirked. “I’ve found that when you don’t know which way to go, a step in any direction is a step forward. You just need to be willing to take that first step.” A laugh then escaped his lips. “Although you’ve been practically sprinting since you came here. Maybe taking a step back wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world?” He offered.

A shaky sigh left my lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.” His form shimmered for a moment, and he smiled. “I don’t have long left.”

“Can I give you some of my energy to-“ He shook his head and cut me off.

“No.” His tone was tired. “When I disappear, my emerald ring will appear. Take it. It will help you with Elias. This was the last thing I will be able to do for them, Arthur. He will return, and when he does, you’ll be ready for him.”

“…What do I do?”

“When you’ve weakened him, put my ring on him. It should separate the Demon from Elias. Keep the ring on him until you’re positive the Demon is dead. Once that is done, place it where my body fell. Anywhere in Klasteris will do, but to be free of this ring, I must be returned near where I died.”

I nodded. “It will be done.”

He smiled. “Thank you. Would you mind if I were to see them? My descendants.” Aydan clarified.

We stared at one another for a moment before I called out to the top of the hole. “To all members of the Farro family, come down the hole! Someone would like to meet you!”

“Have Lucia come down to.” At my look, he continued. “Please?”

“Also, Lucia! Have her come down as well!”