Arthur's Point of View

Kandma’s Memories

The Old Capital

The fight that ensued made me proud. Mara was able to use her magic to separate Aerowyn and Graham. The Commander quickly pulled her sword, and the battle began. Everyone worked together against Graham with stellar teamwork. Despite his being stronger than everyone else, they held their own.

“Commander, help me keep him pinned down!” Mara ordered before teleporting into the fray.

Robert had his hammer at his side. His hands wiggled them back and forth. A clear sign he was itching to enter the fray. Arceana and Elincia were launching spells to probe his defenses while Varvara aided in defensive spells for the area. Any time Graham tried to attack, a barrier would block him. Part of me wondered where Kodnar was. Maybe a scouting mission or had already been sent off with part of our forces. He may not have been as strong as Aydan or Mara in terms of magic, but he was still extremely skilled.

“You seem to be the biggest threat, Princess.” Graham stated.

“And you seem to have overestimated yourself!” Mara replied back instantly as she launched a spell at his leg and wounded him. “Perhaps you thought us easy prey without Mordred!” Kheri slashed his back while Mara got his front.

“Maybe I just wanted some small form of amusement.” The Demon offered.

Kandma stayed on the side with most of the other soldiers. She was still a cub while the soldiers were smart enough to realize this battle was beyond them. Mara was sharp though. Knowing she was the strongest person present, her head was clear despite her running low on magic. With Kheri, the two were able to push Graham back until a sword pierced his throat.

Kheri was panting. “Does this amuse you?” She asked.

Mara jumped back as Kheri held the blade there. Graham brought his hands up slowly in disbelief. His acting was superb. The Commander showed no mercy as she brought the sword through the side of his neck instead of pulling it out. Falling to the ground, blood poured from the Demon’s wound. Satisfied, Kheri sighed in relief and put her sword away.

“This one was likely a scout. They’ve always been willing to throw away Ghouls and Ancient Demons against his Majesty, King Mordred.”

Cheers rang out while Mara eyed the body, unconvinced. “That almost felt too simple.” She stated.

Varvara came down to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “You and your sisters have become powerful. Maybe it felt simple because of your growth. Facing an Ancient Demon is no simple feat.”

“But would an Ancient Demon look Human?” Mara asked back. “I think something is wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong, Princess.” Kheri said as she stepped beside Varvara. “All of us working together was the result of this. Thankfully, the King gave us plenty of experience when fighting against a single enemy combatant.”

Robert was up beside Elincia and Arceana. “MOVE!” He was the first to notice, but his warning came too late.

Mara’s eyes widened as blood splattered across her. “If it’s any consolation,” Graham began with his arm coated in blood while Aerowyn’s head rolled across the courtyard. “It still hurts.” He then adjusted his neck before dashing forward.

“Princess!” Varvara pushed Mara out of the way.

Magic coated his arm as he pierced her body. Mara fell to the ground as his arm stuck out of Varvara’s back. Blood poured from her mouth as the former Elven Queen grit her teeth in pain. With magic igniting in her hands, she grabbed his arm as blood coated her regal appearance. In response, Graham merely lifted her off the ground, which put more pressure on her innards.

Varvara put her hand on his face but let go once he swung her body, resulting in her body rolling across the courtyard limply. Much like Kheri, Varvara had died. Arceana, Elincia, and Mara were the ones to act. All their magic combined to restrain Graham. Given how it was overly simple, it was clear to me that he let them.

“Oh no. You’ve caught me.” He mocked and chuckled. “Too bad it was two dead people too late.” His head gestured to them. “They weren’t important to you, were they?” Graham questioned. “After all, they’re dead because of you. That would be awful to live with, wouldn’t it?”

Mara and the others were understandably distraught. “Hold him there, princesses.” Robert said in a dark tone. “I’ll make sure he can’t recover from this wound.” He hoisted his hammers high in the air.

“Stop!” The eldest princess ordered.

“Sister, he killed Ae-“ Arceana began but was cut off.

“I know!” Mara replied sharply. “But there is no guarantee that crushing his head would finish him either. We have him secured right now.”

Robert’s hands lowered. “If that’s what you wish, princess.”

Her tone turned dark as she added some pressure onto the Demon. “That is the last thing I wish.” Then she sighed. “But we cannot risk him being freed again or letting down our guard.”

“Wise. Very wise!” Graham complimented.

Mara was panting at this point. She had used a large sum of magic to aid us in our teleportation, and it was starting to show. Morale had been hit hard as Elincia began to let out some soft cries. Arceana comforted her while many of the other soldiers also watched on. Robert went over to the former rulers with a hung head.

“It does seem like they were important.” Graham continued to taunt. “However, don’t you think this is a little extreme? We’re at war. Sort of.” He added mockingly. “At least you didn’t lose anyone else. Am I right?”

“You will keep your tongue tucked behind your teeth and lips if you want to keep it.” Robert warned.

“Keeping it doesn’t really matter in the end because you’ve all overlooked something rather vital.”

Robert grumbled a reply. “That the princess didn’t let me cave in your skull?”

Graham smirked. “No. That you were foolish enough to think I came alone.” Mara’s eyes widened, and the glow of her magic grew stronger, but it was too late. “Tor.”