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Chapter 76:

Arthur\'s Point of View

Klasteris

As we walked across the bridge of light, Aydan had us covered in a pointless shield. Not that I was going to tell him that. He was determined to help, and it was also a sound barrier that prevented Flare from hearing us.

"What do we do?" Elias inquired.

"You should focus on saving any of your sisters that are present, and Rudnurth, should he also be present. Once you have them, teleport away." Aydan answered. "We know that Flare is classified as an Ancient Demon, and Thana is the Queen of Demons. Mordred cannot fight them both at the same time."

Aydan might be able to hold his own against Flare. He certainly had enough tricks up his sleeve. The real issue was whether or not I could face off against the Demon Queen. From our short encounter, she was stronger, faster, and more prepared than me. Only thing I got going for me was the element of surprise. That, and blasting my energy output far higher than it should go in this human form, but there are consequences to doing so.

Elias walked up next to me. "What do you think of this plan?"

"I think we\'re all going to fucking die." Was my blasé response.

Aydan groaned in disapproval while Elias looked at me shocked. "Mordred..." The Sage said in a warning tone.

Rolling my eyes, I corrected myself. "Oh. Sorry. What I meant to say was go team." Then I overly enthusiastically swung my arms back and forth. "We\'re gonna win through togetherness and friendship!"

"Mordred!" The Elf yelled this time.

Frowning, I turned my attention forward at the approaching mountain. There was no point in sugar-coating it. All three of us had a high chance of dying during this meeting. We knew nothing about Thana and whether or not she would keep her word. However, given that Klasteris and Elias were nowhere to be mentioned with Aydan disappearing under strange circumstances, I think it was safe to say that this goes horribly wrong.

"I\'m going to do everything I can to make sure you get home with your sisters, Elias." I said in a more somber tone. "That will be your responsibility. Escaping with your family."

My eyes focus on a post that was embedded into the mountain top where Thana resided. Chained to the post were both Elincia and Rudnurth. Both, horribly wounded, with Thana sitting next to them as carefree as can be as their legs were resting in the blood dyed snow. Elias and Aydan both saw them soon after. Holding up my arm to stop them from doing anything rash, I watched carefully.

"I am most delighted you removed your cloak. While I could still see your face, this way, I can take in all your features." She looked to Flare as he stopped for a moment. "Does he not look rather handsome?" Her Ancient Demon didn\'t respond.

"My looks are of no concern here. Let\'s get on with it." I announced, which made her pout slightly.

Flare moved behind the Demon Queen as she kept her gaze focused on me. "You are rather brave to take such a route to me. Did you not think I would use that bridge to attack you or drop you?"

"Does it matter?" I asked back rhetorically. "We\'re here as you instructed." Then I gestured to Aydan and Elias. "They are here to retrieve Rudnurth and Elincia along with Mara and Arceana." Giving her a more pointed look, I continued. "Speaking of, where are they?"

Thana smirked and leaned back in her chair. "It would appear that there was a misunderstanding somewhere." She noticed me more on guard, and she waved a dismissive hand towards me. "However, it was on my part. You see, Arceana is the weakest of the Royal Family, and I cared very little for acquiring her. However, I did still want her captured. Unfortunately, my men did not understand that."

"Where is she?" My question made the Queen roll her eyes.

"Likely back in the Lestranian Capital." Then she patted Flare\'s arm. "Do not worry. I have sent someone to retrieve her. Although, it may take a bit. He has already left to move Princess Mara back to The Crimson Wasteland. So, she is beyond my reach, and Arceana is not in my care."

Gritting my teeth, I glared at her. "That wasn\'t the deal. We want all four members of the Roya-"

Thana scoffed before she gestured to Rudnurth and Elincia. "That little girl is the closest thing to Royalty that any of them ever should have been!" Then she looked to Elias. "Little Elincia and the boy wonder Elias." Closing her eyes, she shook her head in disappointment. "Rudnurth never deserved to be king, so well done on removing him."

Tilting my head at this information, I answered carefully. "Thanks. He was a bit of an ass."

"Most of them are..." Thana trailed off before she frowned. "However, you kept Mara and Arceana as Princesses. A grand insult if there ever was one." The Queen then looked to Aydan. "All at your recommendation. A fool who does not know his place or properly examining the attributes of the children given to him."

Aydan stepped forward. "The Goddess Davost-"

Standing in anger, a surge of magic slammed into us lightly, but enough to startle us and put us on guard. "Do not speak to me of the Goddess, you miserable little-"

Stepping in front of both Aydan and Elias, her eyes snapped to me. "Are you going to honor your deal or not?"

Taking a moment, Thana exhaled for a long time before sitting back down and giggled. "Forgive me. This has been rather annoying with how things seem to keep going wrong at every corner." Bringing her hair forward, she looked at it for a moment. "I will honor our deal." Her eyes then flickered to me once more. "You will stay, and the others may take Rudnurth and Elincia with them."

"What about Arceana and Mara?" Aydan inquired.

"From my understanding, Mara was rather difficult and has been wounded." An annoyed look came to her face. "I am unsure of whether or not she will survive her wounds, but you will be able to see that firsthand once you come with us." Then she shrugged. "As for Arceana, she should still be in the Capital."

That was likely the best we were going to get, but I still gritted my teeth at Mara\'s condition. I was hopeful that she might\'ve been the High Elf in Helmsforth, but she didn\'t match the description. So, it\'s likely someone else and maybe even the Demon Queen herself. Until I could confirm it, it was only speculation and nothing more.

Elias stepped forward. "Does that mean you will let my brother and sister go?" He questioned, and Thana looked at him.

Smiling, she nodded. "Of course." Whenever she finished talking with anyone, she always ended with her gaze back on me. "Flare!" She called out and the Ancient Demon moved at her command.

Going over to the post, the Ancient Demon quickly destroyed it by burning it and snapping the chains that bound them. Rudnurth and Elincia both fell to the snow, which just made more red blotches across the area. To our surprise, Flare grabbed Rudnurth by his back and tossed him over to us carelessly. Elias used his magic to catch his brother. Aydan quickly moved forward as Flare moved over to Elincia.

"I can handle it." The Sage told Flare, and they had a small standoff before the Ancient Demon backed away. "I got you." Aydan said softly as he used his magic to gently lift her up.

Elias set Rudnurth on the ground gently as Aydan moved back to us slowly and gave me a look as he moved back to Elias. I turned back to see Elias remove his cape and stand to meet Aydan before wrapping it around Elincia\'s body with care. Once they were situated, I moved towards Thana.

"I will honor the agreement and stay here." I informed her and was surprised she didn\'t try anything.

"So, you agree that our deal is complete?" Thana inquired.

"Until Mara is returned, the deal is not complete, but this is merely the beginning of our exchange. However, as I stated, I will honor the agreement we made and stay here or go with you back to meet her." My reply made her smirk.

"I already said Mara was likely dead, didn\'t I?" She asked back.

"You did, but until I confirm-"

Interrupted by the Demon Queen\'s giggling, she leaned forward mirthfully. "Apologies. You seem to be confused about something. You are a far greater catch than any of these disappointments." She then gestured to the Royal Family. "I only took them because I knew they were your students and that you likely cared for them. Mara is dead or will be soon just like the rest of the Royal Family." Her smirk turned into a malicious smile that made my eyes widen.

Stepping forward angrily, I moved to her, only to be stopped by a gasp from behind me and for Aydan to tumble in-between us. Looking down, confused, Aydan groaned at my feet. He looked back at where Elias was, and I saw Rudnurth with demonic energy swirling around him.

A mad grin was on his face as he seemed to implant some manner of Demon parasite into Elias. He was held in place via Rudnurth\'s magic with a horrified expression on his face. It entered through his mouth, and I turned to stop him but was held in place by a white mist.

"No!" Aydan cried out as Elias passed out from whatever had been done to him.

Rudnurth then moved on to Elincia and did the same to the unconscious Princess. "What\'re you doing, Rudnurth!?" Aydan shouted in horror.

"While this is not what I had planned, it will do for now." Thana spoke from behind me. "Our deal is complete, Rudnurth. Do with Arceana as you deem fit. Keep her or kill her. I care not."

Rudnurth floated Elias and Elincia in his magic with a smirk. "Thank you for your help in taking back my kingdom. However, since our deal is now complete, I think I will be taking it back." Summoning his magic, which was far more powerful than it should\'ve been, he continued. "After all, you just made all of us far stronger than before, and I am willing to bet that we can hold Lestrania against even you!" Rudnurth said almost wickedly.

Aydan used his magic to free me as Thana was distracted. "Careful child. You are playing against a foe far greater than yourself. Elias and Elincia\'s bodies have been reassigned, just as yours has. While I am willing to overlook this foolishness, you would be wise to-"

Rudnurth didn\'t give her the chance to finish as he activated his magic. "I care not for your schemes, Demon."

Turning towards Rudnurth myself in rage with Aydan, we waited for an opportunity to free Elias and Elincia. "Your magic will not work up here, child. I have enchanted the area so you cannot-"

In an instant, Rudnurth teleported away, and Thana looked on in disbelief, as did I. "Where did they go?" Aydan asked me and shook my arm. "What\'s happening!?" Removing my arm from his grip, he realized that we had been completely fooled by Rudnurth. "No..."

Thana looked stumped for a moment before she burst out laughing. "I did not expect that!" She laughed and turned to Flare. "Can you imagine the look on his face when he realizes what is going to happen! This is almost better!" Taking a moment to calm down, she turned to me. "This has certainly been a day of surprises, but this is just a small setback and nothing more."

"You seem to be taking this well." I stated warily.

"The child is a fool and has doomed himself and his family. Since it has come to this, I will add Arceana to this little collection, if only to see the end result. However, this might also work in my favor. Only time will tell." Then she summoned her mist as it wrapped around her spear before floating it over to her hand. "Although, things might become more difficult if you get involved once more."

"And our agreement? You never intended to honor it?" I asked as Aydan summoned magic when Flare stepped forward.

"Plans change as the child just demonstrated." Pointing her spear at me with a smile, she continued. "So, I think I will be taking you back with me by force. After all, I got a small sample of you, and I want to know if you are worth the investment and time I have dedicated to you." She twirled her weapon around slightly.

Aydan floated his sword over to me, and I took it before channeling my energy into it. "You might be surprised."

Bloodlust and killing intent washed over the mountain. Taking a small step forward, I did the same, which unnerved our companions. However, this just made Thana smile even wider as she seemed to focus solely on me. All signs of her magic were almost nonexistent. She wasn\'t preparing any spell or had her magic at the ready. This worried me greatly.

"Kill the Elf." Thana ordered, and Flare rushed forward while several Ghouls jumped out of the snow surrounding us.

Moving to strike them down, I was stopped as Thana slammed her blade into mine with enough force to blow some of the Ghouls back.

"Kill her!" Aydan shouted to me before blasting a few of the Ghouls away.

Thana merely giggled as she leaned into me even further. "Yes! Kill me!" She mocked.