"The fire..."
Arthur hunched, his back against the hard boulder. The giant star shining under his sight, stroking his eyelids as his eyes drowned in moss and leaves - one untouched by the flaming apocalypse. Two days and a battle of life and death, things he needed to go through. Such price for Tranquil.
"It's gone"
Firland chimed, his savior. Apparently, he had single-handedly brought him to safety. Even with blood tickling and black tissues riddling half his body. The guy's sword was also nowhere to be seen - It melted, he said. He would very much believe, if only he hadn't fought the duo.
Either it was an illusion or control, the flame wasn't that hot.
"The Elves..."
"They wish to surrender, my prince"
Firland took a stick of roasted fish
"They said..."
"I know"
Figures. That long-eared creature couldn't move without its master.
He leaned again, more this time. Enjoying the support it provides. His joint cracked under force - even when his skin was white and unblemished. Ointment, a potent magical thing, if it could just repair his bones. Disappointing.
"I guess Terra will attack"
"There is no reason not to, my prince"
He guessed so: to attack one castle then set the forest in flames the next day. What kind of thought lying behind that move?
"Claremont"
Firland glanced
"What do you know about him?"
"Not much, my prince..."
He paused, chewing the fish
"The new Viscount, appointed fifteen years ago. Just near our border, they said the family was under some kind of.... Isolation"
And his father never questioned, Arthur huffed under the cracking of bonfire. Isolation could only mean two things, either trust or neglect. Since no one mentioned them, he was more inclined to the second. By giving them no power, he doubted rebellion would be possible.
Unless... they start small.
He lifted his chin, looking at the clouds. A lifeless white dome with a tint of grey. Beneath it the forest, windless with stink of inferno. No chirping birds, no rustling leaves. Blank canvas. Ready to be rewritten.
"Firland"
The guy in question gazed.
"Pass me the fish"
Firland took the perfect one. Not too charred, cooked just enough. He held it by the stick, then shoved it towards him. Without a single salt. Arthur bit, savoring the null flavor as it melted under his teeth. Salas, that lovely bitch. He missed her cooking.
How shocked he was learning she was on Terra's team
"You need to go, Firland"
"My Prince?"
"Glory, or Cowardice..."
He tried to stand, tossing the half-finished food into creek. He slipped - Ughk - blinding pain assaulted his mind as his right hand rested on the boulder. Yet, he stood. Cursing.
"Choose Wisely"
"As you wish, my prince"
With that, Firland retreated. Gait straight, back to the embrace of the forest with tremored hands. No words, no glancing back. Only result.
Arthur was alone, once again. His waiting began.
Minutes, Hours?, he doesn't count. Until a sound
'SHRAK'
Rustling leaves, or bush entered by something. He doesn't look. Breath steady, eyes focused on the creek, as to count every drip. His reflection, tracing every contour of his face. Golden messy hair, battle flushed face, and his lips... glowing red - bitten from time to time. Sometimes, the pain cleared his mind
Sometimes it didn't
Firland Fernicus... Death by beheading
There it was. He smiled, Glory.
Not bad for a cowardly man
"Arthur"
He finally turned
"Terra"
"You...don't look good"
"Ambushed"
He pushed his feet, forced them to move amidst the sting. Face to face with Terra as he spawned a light spear, gripping it hard. Because honestly, he was afraid, not for Terra - but fearing it would slip.
"For someone to ambush you..."
That comment, almost making him laugh - but he held it in.
"One second, and Joan was dead"
"It was also shocking to me. Joan was a good warrior"
"Tell me, Terra..."
He focused, peeling Terra. Flawless silver armor, devoid of dent. Closed joint, head to toe. And sword coated with blood.
"That fire... Tell me. It's not you... Is it?"
"It was Altaris"
"Claremont? Good"
Arthur crouched, goes into stance. Holding his spear as hard as he can. That confirmed everything. This battle, it was never meant for only both of them. It was foolish of him thinking this was a duel. He breathed, the rock and the river - every placement memorized. He would lose, that much was sure. But at least, he could make it worth.
"You know me, Terra"
Terra nodded
"Fight until the end"
His blade was drawn, humming. Arthur was ready, ready to throw the spear. yet -
'SLASH'
He was yet to do anything
BLANK
Light - pain - roar - ^@%#!& -
'HAAAAH'
Soft ... sound ... white ... room
"@&^S- ratulation, For you exp - &*@& - death. Acad - *(@&( m - back"
Someo...Ta....lk
AGH...KKHHH
BLANK
"Prince.... M...Rince"
HAAAAH
Wh.... What i...s
"My Prince... My Prince"
Jo....Joan?
"My Prince"
"Jo... Jan?"
"Yes... my Prince. It was me"
"Whe...where?"
"Tower of Resurrection, my Prince. We....lost"
He.... he what?
"You were killed by Terra, beheaded. You are the last, my prince"
The last?
"Slow one are we. Do not worry student Joan. In few cases the resurrection was tied to emotion and the situation before the death happened soo..."
TAK... TAK
"Hmm... beheading. I was inclined to more gruesome situation like burning ...or drowning. But beheading also works. Give him a few minutes"
... Oh
It finally clicked
Death
What a curious thing
BLANK
HAAAH
Resurrection chamber, Lost, Death, and the threads
It started to connect and emerged
The softness...bed?. The flashes...was it torch? no... white... magic. His throat, aching - thirst...
"Joan?"
"Joan was resting, my prince"
Sweet and Feminine. Salas? She was here?
"Salas?"
"Yes, my prince"
He breathed, unforced. Mind splintered like pieces of puzzle. Little by little it clicked. Just enough.
"What is your role?"
"Was it in the game, my prince?"
His head tilted, thrown to the side. too much force he scared it would roll. His intent was different.
"Killing the nobles, my prince"
"That's it?"
"They didn't tell us anything, my prince"
He knew it. He asked her before. Still - Brilliant. Different role for different teams.
He needed an answer, more than ever