Arthur's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

Cassidy eventually returned home after being dropped off by Greigh and Ziah. Upon her return, she chatted with her grandfather and me in the kitchen for a bit before she looked at me.

"Can Ah talk to ya?"

Looking up at the farm girl, I quirked a brow. "Is that not what we've been doing?"

Instead of replying, she merely walked off. "Guess that means in private." Grandpa Reed so kindly pointed out.

My voice laced in sarcasm, I replied. "Thanks for spelling that out for me."

He chuckled. "It's what Ah do."

Rolling my eyes and leaving the kitchen to follow Cassidy up to her room filled me with curiosity. She held the door open for me and gestured for me to enter, which I did. Closing the door behind her, she stayed facing the door for a moment before she turned to look at me.

"Ah know things aren't simple with ya. Ya've been through a lot since ya came here, but have ya ever thought about just bein respectful just once?" Cassidy inquired and then continued before I could respond. "Leaving in the way ya did was a huge insult! Do ya realize that puts pressure on not only you?" Moving over to me, she started to raise her voice as she grabbed my armor to hold me still. "Do ya!?"

"I couldn't stay in the Temple any longer." Was my softer reply.

"Why!?" Cassidy demanded as she shook me.

Removing her hands, I looked down at her. "I like you, Cassidy, but don't push your luck." She gritted her teeth in frustration. "My reasons for leaving are my own."

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Facing Arceana and Elincia was far more difficult than I thought it would be. Images of Elincia's broken form continually flashed before my eyes. Arceana and her had to fight their brother. Something I imagine wasn't easy for either of them and still chose to save him, even if it was just to seal him away. Being in the Temple seemed more like a monument to my own failures than anything else at that moment.

Cassidy started to shake as I let her hands go as she stood before me. "Ah know somethin happened ta ya when you were transported away. Ya came back with new wounds and still fought despite yer injuries." Tears fell as her face was hidden from view. "Ah know things haven't been easy for ya comin here, but ya can talk ta me." Looking up at me with tears falling down her cheeks, she spoke in a pitiful tone. "We're friends, right?"

This time, I looked away from her. "You don't want to be friends with me, Cass." Her breath got caught in her throat when I spoke. "Trust me when I say it's not worth it. When I get my own house, I'll help whenever you need it, but keeping your distance from me would be safer for you."

"Ah don't care what's safer." She replied firmly. "Whatever ya went through must've been rough given yer condition, but it might help if ya talk abou-"

Cutting her off, I moved to the door, but she stepped in front of me. "Move, Cass."

"No."

"Move!"

"No!"

Gritting my teeth in annoyance, I raised my voice. "Why do you care so much!? I just said we weren't friends!" Then I moved her with enough force to get her out of my way, but not to push her over. "Now move!"

A few sobs could be heard as I left the room and ran into Augustus at the bottom of the stairs, who wore a frown. "Fights tend ta happen every now an-" Ignoring him, I left the house.

Cassidy's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

My grandfather looked up at me as I saw Arthur open the front door and leave. "Give him some time. It's been hard on em. Only the gods know what he's been through." There was a solemn look in his eyes as he turned back to the door. "Ah think he is a man who made a lot of good decisions and unfairly paid for them."

I ignored my grandfather as I could only look at the door. "If we're not friends, why do ya keep callin me 'Cass'?" I said softly from the top of the stairs as Arthur stormed off. "Only my friends call me 'Cass'."

Arthur's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

Nothing has changed. Everything will be the exact same as it has always been. Earth or Crevalis. It makes no difference. Why did I think it would be different here? People will continue to die because of my choices. If nothing else, the deaths of those in the past have led to this world being the way it is. Aydan may have been willing to accept that, but I'm not. I should've saved them.

"Hello, Sir!" Came a female's voice from above me.

The flapping of wings caught my attention as I stopped moving toward the Hollow Forest. "General Arthur." A familiar voice called out, and I came to a stop as Captain Greigh, and Sergeant Ziah landed next to me with a salute. "We'd like to speak with you if you have a moment." Then he looked over his shoulder at the forest. "Unless you had other business to attend to?"

"It certainly has been a busy day. Barely had time to get my feet under me before everyone started approaching me. Here to lecture me for how I acted towards your priestesses?" I inquired with a small smirk.

Ziah frowned slightly, but Greigh replied. "I am not. The Priestesses mood is of no importance to me. My main concern has always been, and always will be, the people of Helmsforth." Then he shook his head and shrugged. "I'm not foolish enough to get thrown in the middle of a clash of titans."

"Oh?" My interested tone got him to study more closely. "Interesting choice of words."