Arthur's Point of View

Inside the Void

Before Credo’s Party Arrived

He was confused at that. “What do you mean?”

Backhanding his cheek with his friend suddenly, he fell onto his back. “I mean that I can leave this place. Sure, you’ve gotten stronger, but you still look middle age at best. You compare to your companion here.” I wiggled the dead Demon in my grasp before him. “Not quite Benjamin enough to make a difference.”

There were no words for how much I was going to enjoy this. How much I needed it. This could be exactly what I need to move forward.

“So, here’s what’s going to happen.” Gesturing to the downed middle-aged Demon, I smirked. “I’m going to leave you here. You have no choice in the matter, and I could easily kill you or cripple you to leave.” I shrugged. “Either way doesn’t matter too much to me. What does matter to me is that you will be trapped here.”

“You think you can keep me here?” He taunted. “This place can’t hold me.”

“You’re certainly welcome to try and leave, but I have serious doubts you can do it, which leaves us with your own options.” I taunted in return. “You can continually kill yourself, which amuses me to no end and try to escape that way. Doubtful, but who knows. You might just get lucky.”

“Or?”

“Or you can stay here and be just like that wandering flower. Always waiting for my return. If I return.” Before he could reply, Defiance reached out and cut off his arms as he started screaming. “I didn’t think that would work, but I’m glad it did.” Gesturing to his wound, I explained. “I left some of my energy on the wounds to fester and prevent you from healing. Think of it as a type of curse. Problem is, it won’t last long.”

“Ah!!!” He cried out in pain.

Slapping him with his friend again, he writhed on the floor in agony. “See, this is what I need. To see this. I’ll be back for these moments, but it could be a while.” Then I looked around. “After all, time passes differently here.” Stepping on one of his legs, my energy shot into his bones before twisting it in a horrid fashion. “What happened, Ben? You were acting so smug not ten minutes ago. Are you no longer enjoying yourself?”

Tears ran down the Demon’s face as he bit his lips to try and silence himself. “Mph!!!”

“The best part about all of this is your own ability. Even if you kill yourself, you’ll eventually get to the point where you’re too young to do so.” I said with a delightful grin. “Too weak to do so. I could be wrong, but if you turn into an infant that kills himself over and over, that will also amuse me. That, or you have to grow up again. It will be interesting to see what you choose.”

He looked at me in horror as he spoke softly. “You’re more of a Demon than anyone I’ve ever met.”

I backed away from him with a smirk as his recovery seemed to be hindered. “I’ll see you around, Graham. After all, I owe you a great debt for helping me recover my arm and remove those curses.” I told him before I returned with his fearful eyes staring at me.

Leaving him there would give me later opportunities to get information out of him. It was also a nice form of revenge.

Arthur's Point of View

Deep Forest

I kept out more details than I probably should’ve. “Is that truly what happened?” Camoa asked skeptically.

I scoffed internally at the thought of telling anyone about my transformation and how I got my arm back. “As I said, defeating the Demons allowed me to remove my curse. Your flower helped with that and likely affected their morale.”

“But one of them still lives.” She shot back.

“True.” I nodded. “But at least he’s locked away, and if he does escape, I’ll know immediately.”

Moving closer, she gestured to my right arm. “May I?”

Holding it out for her, I answered. “By all means.”

Slowly, she prodded the arm. “It truly seems like it was never gone.” Placing an ear against it, the Druid hummed. “Whatever curse was placed on you also appears to have been removed.” Camoa then kissed my shoulder and a small light emitted from her lips as a few light particles floated in the air. “That should help with your recovery if it is still needed.”

“Thank you.” I said as she backed away, and I turned to face her directly. “Since you have verified my curse is no longer active, could you assist me now?”

“I can.” Giving a small bow, Camoa spread her arms gracefully as vines came from the ground and into her hands before wrapping up her arms. “Who is it you search for in the forest?” The vines began to pulse. “If they are alive, they will resonate within the forest. So, who is it?”

“She’s a creature of the Old World.”

The Druid seemed to pause at that before her eyes slightly widened. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Turning to look at me in the eyes, she continued. “Because it sounded like you said a creature of the Old World.”

I nodded. “She is.”

Nodding incredibly slowly, Camoa let out, “Uh huh…” In disbelief. “And you said ‘she’ is an old friend?”

“She is. Her name is Kandma. Looks like a giant bear made from things found in the forest.”

“How long has it been since you last saw her?” The Druid asked slowly.

“A few thousand years. She was about the size of my mansion when I last saw her.” I explained while crossing my arms.

Studying me as if she thought I was lying, she spoke. “If she truly is a creature of the Old World, her size would be massive by now. It’s very likely she’s moved into the deeper parts of the forest where I dare not tread.”

“If that’s the case, it’s fine. I’ll go myself.”

“I see. Well, I suppose I can try to find a creature of the Old World, but I make no guarantees that it will be the one you’re looking for.”

“You direct me to them, and I’ll handle the rest.”