Arthur's Point of View

Heart of The Hollow Forest

"Technically, I'm going to trap the air you summon inside a barrier, which I will then put the markings around. After, you'll do what you usually do." Aydan stated with a chuckle as if it was obvious. "Although, make sure you condense it as much as possible. Empty air doesn't amount to much if it's not from you."

Looking at him, I gave him a quirked brow. "Empty air?" I repeated.

Rolling his eyes, he gestured to me in an annoyed manner. "You know what I meant! Just do it!"

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Marina and Rock studying me carefully from different locations. Marina was as close as possible on the edge of her lake while Rock was on the opposite side. They watched as Aydan, and I got to work on the last guardian. My energy flowed through the air and roughly covered the area before moving it into one location. Aydan quickly used that to trap it inside his magic, mark it, and then have me pour more energy into it.

The glowing form became a solid body. While I was expecting it to be some sort of conglomeration of leaves and wind to make up its body, it turned out to be bright green and appeared to be some sort of deer creature. My eyes widened in surprise again at the creature before me. An enchanting fluorescent green deer with a wolf's head and paws is what the guardian resembled.

Approaching calmly, I looked at it as it stared back at me. "I know this creature…" I mumbled and studied it.

"You do?" Aydan inquired, confused and mystified as it floated in the air.

Its long green fur gave it a mossy appearance, and plants intertwined with its antlers. By studying the new guardian, I saw that the magic symbols were glowing a light green and seemed to blend in with its body, but they also twisted around its antlers in a mesmerizing way. Green wisps of light emanated from its rather large body.

This guardian appeared to be the same size as Rock but started shrinking down to match our size. Once down to a more normal size, about one foot taller than me, the guardian landed on the ground. As I moved even closer, I noticed that its antlers appeared to have flowers growing on them. All in all, it was another unique guardian.

"When I first arrived in this world, this guardian was flying above the forest and following me. It didn't flee until I threatened it, but I had no way of knowing that we were the ones who created it…" I informed them and softly placed my hand on its snout. "I didn't know, so I hope you can forgive me."

A wolf's eyes stared back and me before it nodded, which quickly turned into a bow. "Seems he understands to me." Aydan commented as he moved to the side of him and began to look him over. "All of them are remarkable. Each unique in their own way and nothing at all like I imagined them to be." Then he looked back at Rock. "Except Rock. Rock was pretty much spot on." He chuckled at him before The Sage turned his attention back on me. "What're you going name this one?"

Rubbing his snout, a soft breeze passed by, and I smiled. "Breeze."

"Ugh!" Aydan groaned out. "Davost forbid you ever have human children." Before I could reply, he moved past me. "Now, I need to place the spell on the tree for myself. Original magic will supply me with all the magic I need to make this work!"

Patting Breeze for a moment, I passed him and joined Aydan. "What if someone else other than me tries to investigate the heart?"

Aydan chuckled as he worked. "You're afraid they're going to mix the two of you up? With eyes like that, I doubt it! Anyway, else gets close, the guardians will handle it. Magic radiates from them, and I'm sure with your energy boost, they're quite formidable." Waving my question away, he focused back on the tree. "Don't worry so much."

I watched as more markings appeared on the tree, but they were vastly different from those that created the guardians. These seemed to focus on one point: a little nook in the tree. Aydan removed his emerald ring that he always wore and chanted something quietly before placing it in the nook. He placed a hidden barrier over the nook, and it seemed to disappear as if it never existed at all.

"This is how you will talk to me in the future. Everything that I experience will be available to you through this ring. Ancient magic that ties one's soul to an object." He explained.

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"So, does that make me the boy who lived?"

Confused, Aydan shrugged. "Maybe? I'm not sure what you're referring to."

Sighing, I waved a dismissive hand. "Never mind."

"Right…" Aydan trailed off for a moment as he seemed a little winded from all the magic casting he was doing. "Well, everything is set, and original magic will keep my seal in place. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for when you arrive, but that will be revealed later! Now, I believe we should make our way back to the castle." I nodded in agreement.

Moving from the pit to the area above, we looked across the guardians. "I hope the three of you will guard this inner sanctum, for it is very important to me. Unfortunately, it will be a few thousand years before I return." They didn't seem surprised. "Just know that I have no choice, but I am looking forward to seeing you three again when the time is right."

Each looked somewhat sad, and it almost seemed as if each one had something to say. Thankfully, none of them talked because that would've just been horrifying to me. It was a longer trip than we expected, but once we said our goodbyes, and I made sure Aydan didn't record anything, we made our way back. It took a few hours to return. However, upon our return, we could hear a large commotion coming from the castle and Capital.

The two of us exchanged a look before I put my hood up, and he teleported us to the castle's courtyard. "Soldier!" Aydan immediately boomed at one of the passing Elves. "What is happening!?"

Saluting us, the Elf answered. "We have been ordered by Princess Mara to prepare for battle! We march within the hour!"

Aydan looked at me, and I was just as lost. "Why?" My inquiry got the Elf to bow.

"I am sorry, my King. I do not know. We are just following orders."

We gave him leave, and he got back to work while Aydan whispered to me quietly. "I don't like this one bit."

Aerowyn was flying overhead and saw us. "Aerowyn!" I called out to her.

Flying down quickly, she landed and looked ecstatic to see us. "You have returned!" The Zugal seemed to be on the verge of tears, which surprised me.

"What's happened? Why are our forces mobilizing?" I questioned.

Her look of elation turned to anger and hatred. "King Elias needs our help."

"Help?" Aydan quirked a brow at her seriousness.

"King Mordred! Sir Aydan!" Another voice called out and interrupted us. "My brother needs our help!" Mara ran down from the castle steps towards Aydan and I in tears. "Klasteris has been under siege for weeks now! The Demons have them surrounded!"

Immediately turning from the group, I began to issue out orders. "All forces will be under Aerowyn's command! She will be in charge during your march! Listen to her and move with haste! King Elias, along with Klasteris, is under attack by the Demon Horde! Your brothers and sisters are at risk Lestranian's! Will you fight for them!?" The soldiers quickly roared at that, and even some shouts could be heard in the town.

Returning to Aydan, Aerowyn, and Mara, they all looked at me. "What is your plan?" Aerowyn inquired. "If you are putting me in charge, I am assuming you already have something in mind."

Nodding, I gestured to her. "You will be in charge of moving our forces North in a timely manner. Once everyone is ready, send out word to the surrounding villages for any soldiers that they can spare and have them meet you on the road."

Aerowyn nodded. "My fastest flyers are already on it!" She stated firmly.

"Good. One less thing to worry about." My attention turned to Mara. "You'll stay back with your sisters to keep an eye on the Capital. Someone needs to stay, and we can't leave the entire town unprotected. An elite force will stay behind to aid you in case anything happens. Arceana and Elincia should also be prepared. Make sure they know that they may see battle if any Demons appear here."

"You believe this to be a distraction?" Princess Mara questioned.

Crossing my arms, I shook my head. "If they've been under siege for a few weeks, it's unlikely, but Demons using this as an opportunity is always a possibility. I don't want to risk us being completely unguarded, so have the town's people ready to fight as well."

Putting my hands on her shoulders softly got her to place her hands on mine. "Mordred…"

"Should an Ancient Demon appear-"

"I will handle it." Princess Mara replied firmly and in a resolved tone.

"Good." My attention then turned to Aerowyn. "Do we know the enemy numbers?"

Aerowyn crossed her arms. "My flyer said it was the largest Demon force he has ever seen. Tens of thousands have surrounded Klasteris with Skelds cutting them off from the air." She stated and frowned. "He only had a moment to examine the situation before he was set upon. The numbers might be much larger than he originally reported, but we have no way of knowing."

Frowning, I turned to Aydan "Elias likely needs our help now. Is it possible for you to teleport us to Klasteris?"

The Great Sage frowned in return. "It would be difficult even if I had all my magic, but it's going to be needed for when we arrive. If I teleport us such a distance, I would be left vulnerable and likely become a hindrance."

Mara stepped next to me and gestured to herself. "What if I were to supply the magic? Sir Aydan can merely direct where you are going, but if I supply you two the magic to get there, both of you will be combat-ready upon arrival!" She offered.

The Sage shook his head. "That would leave even you exhausted. You may have more magic than me, but even you would be tired after such a feat."

"Maybe so, but I am not the one in danger or the one heading to battle!" Mara retorted as she gestured to Aydan. "I only wish to aid the two of you, so that you may save my brother and his people!"

"Princess Mara will have time to rest unlike Aydan will." Aerowyn pointed out.

Aydan looked to me, and I shrugged. "Very well." The Sage gave in.

"If you think it'll work, then by all means. I don't know enough about this to give my opinion on the matter." I replied. "However, if this allows both of us to be of more use upon arrival, then I think it's a risk we should take."

Mara grabbed my hand gently once more and spoke quietly to only me. "You will be careful, will you not?" I only nodded softly in return. "Good. Please take care of him and save my brother."

"If you're ready, then come close, so that we may depart." Aydan stated.

Aerowyn stepped back as many of the soldiers stopped to watch us. Aydan activated his magic while Mara placed a hand on his back and supplied him with enough magic to get us there. White magic poured into Aydan as he started to focus on the spell.

"Are you ready?" He asked me, and I nodded.

Mara readied to pull away as Aydan readied to teleport us. However, as we were getting ready to leave, and her magic was getting stronger and stronger, more voices cut through the commotion and distracted both the Elf and High Elf. It was Arceana and Elincia.

"Mordred!" They both shouted simultaneously in concerned voices.

All of us looked to the two princesses, who were being accompanied by Robert, and all of them looked confused. That was the last thing I saw as Mara's magic cut off, and Aydan's spell teleported us. Unfortunately, I don't think he was ready for Mara to pull away because I heard him speak as we left.

"Oh shit…"