Rudnurth's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple Seal

“So noisy.” As something had barreled its way into my prison, the words left my mouth in an annoyed tone. “Well, if it isn’t Graham.” Leaning against my seal, I smirked. “I must say, you’ve looked better.”

“I think I look rather radiant as of late.” He replied as he brushed his hair, and his wounds quickly healed. “Better than you, anyway.”

Another person entered the prison through the hole in the mountain. “I was wondering why you looked so young. How many times has he killed you so far?”

Graham grunted as he stood. “Several dozen. Years off my life.” The Demon replied nonchalantly. “Would you like out of that seal?”

My eyes drifted to the ‘Knight of Lestrania’ glaring at me. “Considering my magic doesn’t recover in this seal, I’m going to say no. Have fun dealing with that hot mess.”

His eyes flickered back to Graham. “What? No advice?”

“Run, flee, abandon all hope, etc…” I replied as his blood was splattered across my seal. “Especially since it seems you really upset him.”

“He wasn’t a fan of my work two thousand years ago.” Graham pointed out as he reformed again.

“Nor mine. Why did Thana send you here?”

‘Arthur’ grabbed the Demon somehow and threw him about the area. Clearly, he was unaware that the more he killed Graham, the stronger he became. Being infused with Elven magic over and over again allowed his recovery rate to not only revive him from essentially nothing but also affected his age. The age of the Elves that were sacrificed for him, made him grow younger each time he returned. An odd ability, but not the strangest among the Demon Horde.

“I came of my own violation. Wanted to see if this ‘Arthur’ truly lived up to the legends. It’s not every day one gets to face ‘The’ Anomaly.”

Nodding at his words, I laid down as his body was once again destroyed. “So, you came here to commit suicide via the King. Have fun with that.” Watching as Graham continued to die over and over was the most entertainment I’d had since being sealed away. Again. “Just hope that he kills you eventually and doesn’t do something worse to you.”

Graham laughed. “I’m not too worried.” Fool.

Arthur slammed his head against my seal, and it erupted violently. His body fell to the floor as Arthur just glared at me.

“How do I kill him?” He asked me and my eyes widened in surprise. “You obviously know each other.”

“In passing, but I’m surprised you’d ask me for help.”

He leaned in as his eyes twisted strangely as his glare intensified. “Does it look like I need help?” The king asked back. “I just want him to stay dead.”

Still laying down, I laid on my back before putting both hands behind my head to relax. “Then you’re going about it the wrong way. He’s getting stronger each time. Maybe you should swap us out?” I commented. “Put him in this seal and let me out.” Then I smirked. “However, you seem a little distracted.”

“Do I?”

“You don’t even realize he’s not here anymore, do you?” I shot back, and his eyes widened before he looked around in horror as the screams from above could be heard. “Best hurry, your majesty. We wouldn’t want a repeat of the past, would we?”

Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

The Demon was overpowering. This was no mere Ghoul or Ancient Demon. My sister and I knew facing it would likely mean certain death. Yet, death still managed to find its way through all our shields. Aien Farro turned to wax and died. With wide eyes, I could only stare as Lucia was protected, not by either of us, but by Aydalia Farro and Augustus Reed.

Both acted as if they had been solely focusing on her. Augustus had already stopped moving as he laid coated onto the floor. Aydalia used her magic to move Lucia before collapsing herself. Alwin and Ayda dropped to their knees as they used their magic to remove the wax from their mother, but the burns covered the entirety of her back and parts of her front as it dripped down.

Cassidy was on her knees next to her grandfather as she could only stare in horror. He wasn’t moving at all while Aydalia whimpered in pain and shifted slightly before passing out from the pain. Lucia’s expression was one of frozen desperation. As if wanting someone to tell her this was all a dream.

“It would seem your shields were unable to keep the Queen’s pet out.” My gaze shot back to the outside of the shield. “Three of you?” He counted nonchalantly. “Let’s hope they weren’t too important.” A portal appeared inside our shield, and out stepped Arthur in a rush. “Let’s give them some space and see what happens.”

I paid no attention to him as my eyes locked on Arthur’s expression. Bending down as he quickly understood the situation, he removed all the wax from Aydalia before coating her with his own magic. Her hair had all fallen out as she laid there naked. Ayda and Alwin looked up at him with some manner of hope. In response, he turned away from them.

“Aydalia should survive if you can stabilize her with your magic.” He told the two siblings softly.

Arthur quietly stood as his expression completely went blank, as his eyes gave off a dull look. When his gaze moved over Aien, there was no change. It was almost like I watched Arthur cut off all emotions. He moved to the shield, only to be stopped as Cassidy grabbed his shirt. Her arm tugged slightly as he slowly looked down at the tears running down her face.

“Ya need ta help Grandpa too.” She told him as Arthur just eyed her blankly. “He helped save Lady Lucia, but he don’t have any magic. Grandpa Reed needs your help.” Poor girl couldn’t even hold him in her arms because of the wax.

Our Knight’s head titled up toward Lucia, who was still sitting there frozen as she didn’t even acknowledge Arthur’s appearance. He closed his eyes for only a moment before his gaze returned to Cassidy. The poor girl was pointing at her deceased grandfather.

He planted his sword in the ground, and gently used his only hand to remove hers from his coat. “I’m sorry, Cass.” Was all he said before he picked up his sword once more and exited the shield.