Arthur's Point of View

Reed Family Farmstead

Elincia was the first to speak as she kept her gaze focused on me. “Your arm…” The High Elf whispered, almost hypnotized. “It’s gone.”

I nodded while I sat in my chair and held up my remaining arm. “Thankfully, I still have my left. So, it’s not entirely unmanageable.” Poor girl looked like she was about to cry, so I sighed and spoke. “Look, this wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own. I fucked up, and this was the result.”

To my surprise, Arceana stepped forward. “How is this your fault?” She demanded. “This happened because you freed my sister of her parasite and protected us. You could have fled and been fine!”

“The same could be said of you.” I replied evenly. “It would’ve been easy for you and your sister to take your students, Typhon, and Kheri while leaving everyone else behind. Instead, you decided to rescue the entirety of your forces. Each of us made a decision. If the only thing we lost was a single arm, I think we’ll be fine.”

“It isn’t just an arm!” Elincia began loudly as she gestured to me angrily. “It’s your ar-“ Realizing she was shouting, she paused and shook her head. “We know that you also aided in our recovery.” Her gaze shifted back to Lucia, who avoided everyone’s gaze. “Lucia informed us that you almost killed yourself restoring our magic along with our Elves.”

I shrugged. “Killing myself is a lot harder than it sounds.” Was my reply as Elincia looked back at me. “Besides, your Elves already declared me dead, and I came back. Arthur for the win!”

Elincia glared at me. “This is not a game, Arthur! You expect us to believe you died and came back only to heal us? We appreciate your help, and you deserve praise, but your cursed arm is more pressing than snide comments.”

The smirk that came to my face was difficult to control. “I apologize. Telling tall tales isn’t one of my pass-times.” Lucia’s eyes met mine for a moment before she frowned. “As for my cursed arm, I think this may be beyond even your capabilities.” At least I knew who finally gave in a told them about me.

Ayda, in her Elven glory, stepped forward. “Sir Arthur, while I understand your apprehension about your curse, just know that we are well versed in the subject of curses.” The Elf informed me before gesturing to the two Priestesses. “These are the greatest magic-users alive today! If they cannot break your curse, no one can.”

The two sisters looked at each other with a small smile at the praise. “Well, I guess we’ll find out.” Holding up what was left of my arm, I spoke. “Inspect my nub if you dare!”

Elincia rolled her eyes as they all approached. “Given that the wound has remained open, it seems safe to say that it is likely a blood curse.”

“Ooh!” I let out impressed. “That sounds dangerous.”

“Not many are usually impressed about being cursed.” Ayda commented.

“Yeah, well, it’s such an impressive name. How could I not be?”

Arceana chimed in. “They usually revolve around cursing your future bloodline. Whatever the curse may be, will be continually transferred. However, this appears to be meant as a more lethal curse.”

Elincia nodded in agreement as her hands ignited while she looked my nub over. “Whoever claimed your arm wanted to make sure you bled out. The curse seems intent on making sure you were dead.” Running her hands over my body, she grimaced. “It seems it also spread to some of your other wounds.”

“Then it’s a good thing my body makes blood faster than others. Anyway, feel free to try and break the curse.”

Each of them looked at me when I said ‘try’, but none of them commented on it. Arceana and Elincia moved to interact with my nub as they summoned their magic, so I removed my own energy from the area. My eyes couldn’t see the curse, but if it was from Thana, it’d be surprising if they were actually able to remove it. I had my own way to try if they failed, but it was more dangerous since I’d have to return to that wretched void. Part of me wondered if Camoa’s flower was still there.

As soon as their magic interacted with my nub, the reaction was more violent than I thought. One would think that the worst that could happen is that they would fail. Wrong. WRONG. Not only did Arceana and Elincia yelp in pain as they were thrown from the porch through the railing, but my ass was also launched into the house. Naturally, this means I broke Reed’s chair, the outer wall, along with a few others, before stopping with a couch on top of me.

Groaning in pain, I hissed as I shoved the broken couch on top of me. “Okay!” Lucia was looking at me through a few holes in the wall with her mouth agape. “Let’s not do that again!” Falling back onto the ground, I huffed as I saw Augustus looking down at me. “What?” I asked.

Nonchalantly, the old man looked to where I flew in from. “Did ya forget how ta use a door?” Closing my eyes didn’t stop him. “If ya wanted ta see me, Ah coulda just come outside.” He tapped his cane in thought. “Or was the thought of me in here alone too much ta bear?” When I didn’t answer, he finally smacked me lightly with his cane so I’d look at him. “Ya messed up my wall.”

“I’m fine, Reed. Thanks for asking.” The words left my mouth.

“Ah didn’t, but ya got blood all over my house. Yer gonna need ta clean all this up. What kinda guest drips blood all over someone’s house?”

“Just kill me.”

He looked at me, then outside to where Lucia was coming through, and then back to me. “Ya keep bleeding like that, Ah won’t need to.”