Arthur's Point of View

The Island

The first thing that seemed off to me was that the ocean started boiling. It’s hissing rang in my ears not long after the roar died down. Many looked at the ocean as steam began to rise from it and I turned in the direction the roar came from. Smoke seemed to be barreling towards The Island, which many noticed and began to become uneasy. They even forgot about Credo and Pestilence who stepped beside me with frowns on their faces.

Obliterating the oceans waves was a wave of fire that burst from the smoke. It rolled in every direction, and we were certainly going to be caught in the blast. Pestilence looked to Credo as I turned to Arceana and Elincia.

Part of me wanted to open a portal, but there wasn’t enough time to get everyone through safely. “Arthur!?” Cassidy shouted in concern.

Moving in front of the group, I focused dozens of Gravity Pillars into a black orb much like when I accidentally transferred myself to another realm. The fire slammed into The Island and obliterated the volcano, trees, and glassed the beach before it started to disappear before our very eyes. Most of the flames weren’t an issue. Unfortunately, they became an issue when a disturbing whistling sound could be heard.

“Heads up!” Credo warned.

Immediately after, a white beam burst through the waves of fire and slammed into my orb. Instead of being sucked into the handmade blackhole, the beams shot in dozens of different directions. Tearing through anything in its path and setting it ablaze for a few seconds before causing it to explode violently. Flashes of light bounced around the area as everything aside for our little slice of the beach was destroyed.

Eventually, it died down as I panted heavily. “Damn!” Pestilence let out, impressed. “I thought for sure everyone was going to die.”

Credo smacked him. “That was very impressive, but you need to flee this area.” The other brother stated before turning to Arceana. “Arthur, my brother, and I will hold the Demons at bay. Transfer as much magic as you need to teleport to safety.”

Turning to the two as the fires around us crackled, I saw Arceana giving him a cautionary onceover. “With your help, it would be much easier. Especially if we are to be allies moving forward.” Arceana commented.

“Would you be willing to transfer some of your magic to my sister and I?” Elincia inquired after another roar in the distance shook the Island once more.

Pestilence chuckled. “We have no plans for working with either of you. My brother and I only want to work with Arthur. You two mean very little.”

Credo sighed as both Priestesses looked offended but were smart enough not to antagonize the two Demons. “Transferring Demonic Magic is not something I would recommend.” Credo stated and then gestured to all the guards. “I’d figure out a way to get everyone out of here safely. My brother and I can escape on our own.”

Before anything else could be said, all the smoke that was rising in the air began to slowly flutter away along with the clouds. Waves began to pick up and wash over The Island as well. If not for me, we would’ve been covered in water. It wasn’t until a Dragon appeared in the distance that I realize the magnitude of our situation. After all, it appeared to be miles away and I could hear the flapping of its wings while it was in the distance.

“Is that a Dragon!?” Typhon shouted in shock.

Given his eyes, I wasn’t surprised he could see it approaching, but the Demon brothers turned to look at it. “That’s not just a Dragon. It’s a Demon.” Credo commented.

“And he’s not alone.” I pointed out as I saw another Demonic Magic Signature on top of the Demonic Dragon. “So,” Turning to the two, I frowned. “Another two Demon Lords are coming here.”

“Looks like quite the little gathering!” Pestilence said with a smirk.

“This is serious, Pestilence!” Credo said in an irritated tone.

He shrugged. “We can get away easy enough.” Pointing in the other direction from where the giant Demonic Dragon was, he smirked. “The two of us can always just fly the other way.”

As if on cue, a scream echoed across the burning water and Island. It unnerved me as it sounded as if it was filled with anguish and uncontrollable rage. Above all of us, we watched as a large spell shaped arrow shot through the sky and towards the giant Dragon. It rumbled through the air before exploding in the distance.

While on this happened, and the chaotic cries as those behind me picked up while they scrambled, I felt my shoulders sage. How did this become my life? A world of fantasy where these kinds of things were possible should never have become a day I would have to live.

To add to it, Pestilence spoke after a moment. “So, about dealing with Flare and Sulva…”

I didn’t know Flare was coming, and I assumed the Dragon was Sulva, but it amused me he’d rather deal with them than whoever shot that magic arrow. “What about them?” I asked before looking out across the water at the billowing tower of smoke. “Looks like they’ve been delayed well enough.” My words were choppy as I panted.

The smoke cleared and the Dragon roared as it got closer and closer. “A gathering indeed.” Credo commented. “Pestilence and I can help delay them, but we risk our own lives should we stay much longer. Fighting Flare and Sulva is one thing.”

“Fighting her,” Pestilence said with a thumb gestured to where the arrow came from. “Is another thing entirely.”

Elincia spoke from behind us. “We have just about transferred all our guards magic to our bodies without killing them. Arceana and I must concentrate for a few moments before we can cast the spell.”

Another scream echoed along with an enraged Demonic Dragon roar. The two hurt even my ears, so I could speculate how the group behind me was doing. Unfortunately, the magnitude of the Dragon was starting to become more and more apparent as it blew away all sizes I had envisioned. Much like the Leviathan, Sulva was gargantuan in size. Larger than the entirety of Helmsforth, I realized that if it got close enough, everyone would likely die just from it setting down.

With a sigh, I knew I was about to do something extremely stupid. “I need you two to protect this patch of sand so they can teleport away.” As much as I wanted to portal everyone back, all these attacks and unpredictability made it impossible to do so. “If anything happens to them…”

I trailed off as Credo nodded. “Very well. What’re you going to do?”

Summoning a Gravity Pillar under my feet, I lifted myself into the air. “Keep them at a distance as best I can.”