Arthur's Point of View

Depths of the Hollow Forest

“What the hell, Aydan!?”

He shrugged. “Do you really think I knew about all this? Ancient magic is something a little outside my area of expertise. We just so happened to dabble in it, and this was the result.” Then the ghost crossed his arms. “Don’t act like you aren’t happy to see me.”

A sigh escaped my lips as I looked away from him. “I don’t know… Not after what happened. I’m honestly not sure how you can even look at me.”

“Because you’re my friend.” Aydan said honestly, and my eyes met his once more. “And I’ve missed you dearly. Are you okay?” Without answering, I hugged him. “Oh!” He let out, surprised, as neither of us probably thought that would be possible. “Well, this is different for you.”

“I’ve missed you too. I could use your advice right now.” I told him with a few tears in my eyes.

The ghost was clearly surprised, but he returned my hug after a moment as a small chuckle escaped his lips. “It’s good to see you’re more honest with yourself now.”

That got me to chuckle as well. “Not as much as you would like to think.”

Separating, he quirked a brow at that but still had his smile. “Of that, I have no doubt.” Tapping my shoulders, he shook me slightly. “Now, what advice do you need? I’m very interested in hearing all the things that’ve happened since your return.”

“It’s doubtful you’ll approve. I’ve been negligent, and it feels like my past just continues to haunt me.” Shaking my head, I continued. “I keep making the same mistakes over and over again.”

“You always were a slow learner. Trying to teach you magic gave me more patience than anything else in my life. By the gods, was that a trial.” That made me frown, which made him chuckle. “Yet, you returned here as Arthur Pendragon. It’s as we had planned, so why do you seem so hesitant.”

A deep sigh escaped my lips. “Things haven’t been going the greatest.”

He nodded at that as he crossed his arms. “Did I ever tell you that you were the best thing to ever happen to Lestrania?” My eyes met his. “Without you, I doubt it would still exist to this day. There aren’t many I called King in my lifetime, but none were so worthy as the title like you. Not Varvara’s father, not Elias, and certainly not Rudnurth. You.”

“I’m not a King anymore. I never wanted to be one. You all forced that on me, and look where it got us.”

“Yes, things did not turn out as any of us expected, but our people thrive, do they not?” Aydan gestured to me. “Your foreign knowledge saved us, and your ideas were implemented into the very framework of this Kingdom. Be proud because, despite the hardships, here you stand. Looking for ways to help.”

“I didn’t come here intentionally. The Druid brought me here from what I can tell, and the rest followed along.”

Aydan chuckled. “Yes, poison. I know. Forced your hand a bit, didn’t it?” It was rhetorical, but at my look, he answered my unasked question. “How did I know? Well, as it turns out, I’m Aydan fucking Farro!” He said in a manner copying me, which got me to roll my eyes. “Original Magic has its perks along with its downsides.”

“Care to explain?”

“I would if we had enough time, but this only lasts so long. Best to make this count. What’s the first question that comes to your mind? Something you want to know above all else.” The man had a knowing look on his face.

My lips tightened for a moment before I asked, “What happened to Mara?”

A sad smile shot across his lips as his shoulders sagged. “You still love her?”

“It isn’t about love, Aydan. I-I-I just need to know. How did she die? With her in Thana’s grasp…”

The Ghost eyed me for a moment before he spoke. “So, there’s a little bit of information you should know going forward. First, our children, the Guardians of this place, have a combination of our memories. They know things about you from your past and mine.”

My brows furrowed at that. “What does that have to do-“

He held up his hands. “I’m getting there. Second, because of those memories, it allowed them to let someone through to see me despite them not being you.” Gesturing to me, Aydan spoke. “Do you see where I’m going with this?”

I got choked up by what he was suggesting. “…Who did they let through?” The question left my lips as my fists clenched tightly, and waited for the answer nervously.

“Mara’s alive, Arthur.”

Whatever power I had felt like it left my body as he told me that. “What?” I asked breathlessly.