Arthur's Point of View

The Hollow Forest

"Look at em, Arthur! Ya made him a cripple!" Cassidy tried to pry me off of him but I didn't budge. "Is this what ya wanted!?"

Looking back at her, I saw Ayda, Kine, and Floyd were with her as well. Because why wouldn't they be. Annoyed at once again being interrupted by this group, I looked back at Rudnurth and spoke in a low tone.

"No. I want to kill him. I'm just taking my time in getting around to it." I informed her. "Now, I'm not going to tell you again. Let go…"

Her grip tightened around my wrist. "Yer gonna kill yourself if ya keep this up." Cassidy then gestured to my wounds when I looked at her again.

Brushing off her concerns, I replied simply. "It'll take more than this to kill me."

While I was distracted, Rudnurth focused on healing his dislocated arm and plunged it through my stomach and out my back. My eyes widened as his magic shot through my body, and more blood poured from my mouth. Cassidy let go of my arm in shock as Rudnurth weakly chuckled as he used all his strength to lean forward to deliver that blow.

Grabbing his arm and keeping it in place surprised him. "Hope it was worth it."

With his arm stuck in place by my grip, I brought my free fist down hard on his face with a good chunk of my remaining energy. His shoulder and elbow dislocated as his head was now buried in the ground, and his skin was stretched to the point of tearing. Removing his arm from my stomach made me stagger, but I clenched my jaw as blood poured from the wound. Then I moved to curb stomp his head. The sound of energy gathering in my foot made the others go silent as they could only watch.

Unfortunately, I was pushed away with far more powerful magic than what Ayda could produce. Skidding along the ground, I kept my balance as I soon came to a stop. My energy dispersed back to my body as I looked up to see Arceana and Elincia floating down with the Zugal and Elven Generals accompanying them.

Frowning and glaring at them got their attention as both priestesses were immediately on edge. "There are no words to describe how it feels to see you two." I said in a flat tone that made the sisters frown. "Were you busy with other matters while I was dealing with Rudnurth?" I inquired almost mockingly.

Rudnurth was twitching ever so slightly, but I made sure to keep a close eye on him. Something that didn't escape the notice of the two Priestesses. Arceana moved to check on Rudnurth while Elincia kept her eyes on me. After a moment, Arceana lifted Rudnurth's upper body out from the ground and paused after seeing his condition.

"What is the meaning of this?" Arceana turned to me with a small glare.

"Of what?" I asked back in the same tone.

"He is clearly beaten!" Arceana planted her scepter in the ground in anger.

Gesturing to Cassidy and the others, I spoke. "Ask them if he was beaten fifteen seconds before you showed up." Then I gestured to the hole in my abdomen. "This is from him in his 'clearly beaten' state." Walking towards them, they immediately stepped in front of me with the other generals. "You're complaining about how I handled things while either of you were nowhere to be found."

Arceana glared at me for that. "I need not answer to you, Arthur!"

Rolling my neck, I came to a stop in front of Elincia. "Then I don't feel the need to do the same. Stand aside, and I'll end this." Neither moved and instead stood against me defiantly with their other two generals.

"You will not touch him any further." Arceana stated as she summoned her magic. "For his sake, and your own." Her eyes darted to my wounds for a moment.

"God, I wish I never came back." I said softly.

Elincia blanched at that. "Arth-" She began, but I moved past her.

"Seal him away again for all I care." My walking away surprised and angered most of them.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Arceana yelled.

Stopping, I turned back towards the priestess in question and walked over to her before the two generals stood in front of me. "If the two of you don't get out of my way in the next five seconds, you're going to be in the same shape as Rudnurth." They seemed surprised at that but held strong until I leaned down. "And I don't care if the Priestesses are here. Don't think they'll be of any help to you."

Arceana stepped forward and gently motioned for the two generals to stand aside. "This is not over, Arthur. There is much about-"

Holding up my hand to signal her to stop made her eyes slam open at the disrespect. "I am going to leave if you so much as utter one more syllable." Her mouth opened and closed at that. "Not just the forest, but Lestrania entirely." Then I leaned in closer to her face as she closed her mouth and stared at me wide-eyed. "And we both know that you and your sister can't stop me." I whispered softly.

Arceana quivered as her anger grew. "Arthur, please!" Elincia spoke up in a more diplomatic manner. "We want to know where you were and what happened to you? Why are you eyes-"

Again, I turned from the group and started to walk away. This time, Arceana didn't say anything to stop me. I imagine many of them had something to say and finally learned to keep it to themselves. With no other options, I made my way to the Reed Farmstead. It was almost like a vague memory at this point, but I still knew the paths to take to get there.

Exiting the forest, I soon made my way to the farm where Austin was running around doing what he could to calm the animals. However, upon seeing me and my injured form, he came to a quick stop. It was weird seeing these people once more. I only knew them for a few weeks compared to the years I spent in the past, and yet this was the first place I came to.

"Arthur!?" Austin shouted in concern as he ran over to me before stopping as he looked me up and down. "What happened to ya!?" He inquired as he held his arms out as if to help me.

Staring at him for a moment, I softly put my hand on his head and ruffled his hair. My wounds were consistently bleeding. The blood was evaporating slowly over time, which just made my chest and back a mess. My hands didn't have any blood on them, so I simply walked past the boy. Austin walked next to me to care for me in case I needed it.

"Did Ah hear somebody say Arthur?" An older voice called through the front door, and it opened soon after, revealing Augustus, who looked at me and frowned. "Can't stay outta trouble, can ya?"

"Afraid not." Was my reply. "Any chance I could use my old room?" I asked.

He moved towards me and looked me in the eyes. "Do ya need medical attention?" The old man inquired.

Normally I would mock such a question given my state, but he knew I wasn't normal and was genuine in his inquiry. "Just a room and some privacy would be much appreciated."

Grandpa Reed gave a firm nod. "Of course. We'll help ya up there."

"Thank you." Was my short response.