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Chapter 280:

Arthur's Point of View

Deep Forest

"That's quite the story. You surprise me every time." We traveled deeper into the forest before she stopped at a large crevasse. "We cannot go any further." Her head looked around for a moment as I sat on top of it. "It'll be too dangerous." We could see the other side, but the fissure's bottom was covered in shadows.

"Dangerous?"

"There are things in this world, that despite my size and your strength, still give me pause," Kandma answered before she slowly laid down with her front paws hanging off the cliff. "Although we would probably be fine together, neither of us are in any shape to travel further. I've not moved for who knows how long, and you are grieving."

Sighing, I laid down on her head as she came to a rest and looked to the other side. "It feels like I'm always grieving, Kandma."

A hum rumbled in her throat. "Since you're coming to this world, many have passed. However, even you must understand that if you lead, others will follow. Those that follow may die. Even those that don't follow may die." She told me before her head shook slightly. "Even a leader may die."

Another sigh escaped my lips. "I know. I'm well aware. Part of me wishes it was me who died."

"Who's to say you didn't?" Kandma asked me. "If you were declared dead once, it seems to me that your wounds from the Demon Queen were just as fatal." She stated. "It's possible you've died multiple times coming to this world without your knowledge."

"Thanks, Kandma. That makes me feel so much better." I replied dryly.

"I try to help." She chuckled playfully. "On a more serious note, if you truly cannot die, your curse is not one many would expect." Her tone turned more serious. "If you are ever captured and restrained..."

Closing my eyes, I replied. "I know." Patting her head, a comforting feeling came to me. "Thank you for being here, Kandma. It must've been tough."

Scoffing, the bear quickly shot back as I opened my eyes. "It was. You died, and Rudnurth returned to power. Aydan had been killed as well, and with Mara gone, no one was left to challenge him." Her voice sounded distant. "Even with the passing of a few years, it didn't take long for people to begin wondering why they were letting an Old-World creature stay."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Kandma."

"In times past, no one would've dared challenge removing me. However, I was still a cub then and without you..." She sighed. "I know it wasn't your fault. Still, the home I had found and become accustomed to was ripped from me. Elincia tried to defend me, but that just drew her brother's wrath."

"She was just a girl back then."

"I don't blame her, just like how I don't blame you, but Rudnurth became a monster. Those poor girls were tormented by him. Even Elias changed, and soon his visits became nonexistent..." She became quiet for a moment as I just waited. "It was one of the weirdest things I've ever experienced. A place so full of life, joy, and laughter all erased by a few changes."

Rubbing the top of her head for a moment, my arms eventually rested on my knees as I looked up at the sky. "Well, almost everyone who was in charge died... Part of me regrets that I wasn't by their side when they passed." Closing my eyes again, I sighed. "Did you see how it happened?"

Kandma went silent. "..."

Looking down, I called out to her. "Kandma?"

I felt her body inhale greatly as I watched the boulders practical increase in size. Part of me wondered if she was going back to sleep. She looked like a mountain range once again lying down. However, this was no place to sleep. Not next to a fissure like that. It was deep enough and wide enough for her to fall in, which was saying something. Thankfully, her size went back down as she let out an extended exhale.

"Robert, Aerowyn, and Varvara all perished trying to save the three Princesses." Then she snorted. "Well, I suppose they go by a different title now. But yes. I was there when it happened." Lifting her paw, she wiggled it in front of me. "Come here."

Standing and moving to her paw was simple enough. She probably wanted to talk face to face, which was something I also wanted. Once on her paw, it swung back over the bottomless chasm. It came to a rest in front of her, and she looked down at me as I sat on her paw. Kandma rested her head on her leg as she looked at me.

"They were waiting, Mordred." She told me in a dark tone. "The Demons... All of them were watching and waiting for you to leave. It was no secret how powerful you were. So, they drew you away."

"It was a trap," I told her. "Waiting for me in Klasteris. Elias was the bait."

Kandma nodded slowly and only once. "I remember it all. How it changed in an instant. Chaos ensued moments after your departure. As much as it pains me to say it, it only took two Demons to fell the Old Capital." Her eyes focused on me. "You would've been proud of Mara. She fought tooth and nail for her family. For her people." Then she gestured to me with her muzzle. "And for you."

Closing my eyes, my fists clenched. "Tell me."