Arthur's Point of View

Depths of the Hollow Forest

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, she’s alive.” Aydan reiterated. “That I can guarantee.” My teeth clenched in frustration. “You don’t seem convinced.”

“Then I just killed a lookalike, Aydan. She was ruling the Succubus. The Queen looked just like Mara, and when she died…”

The man frowned at that and crossed his arms. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

Arthur's Point of View

Collapsed Underground Tunnel System

Earlier that day

My body shook horribly as her pink hair fluttered in the wind as the destroyed tunnel was in rubble around us. Ripping my hand from her chest, I carefully held her before lying her down in the dirt. A magic barrier had protected us, and it came from the other Succubae who looked similar. However, the most important thing is that she knew me. Was it really Mara?

Brushing her hair away from her face as blood ran down her chin, I felt my form become unsteady as it disappeared entirely. Now, with Mara in my arms, everything felt so trivial. Yet, at the same time, it was significant, unlike anything else. So many emotions went through me, but it wasn’t until the remaining Succubae spoke that my mind cleared.

“That’s not Mara.” She said as my attention immediately snapped to her. “Whoever spoke there at the end wasn’t my mother, and her name certainly wasn’t Mara. Never before in my life has she ever had pink hair or spoken in such a tone.” Her teeth grit as she looked at me helplessly.

I gently laid the body down and stood. “Do you have proof?” My question was asked as I stepped directly in front of her.

The girl looked up from her hands and knees as I towered over her. “No. Only a daughter’s word.” Her lips trembled at that. “Please… I’ll tell you everything I know! Ju-Just spare us. These children are all that are left.”

My eyes glanced up at the barrier protecting one of the buildings that used to be underground. There were several magical signatures inside. A few dozen, at least. This woman seemed adamant about protecting them, but did she deserve to live? After what they did to Lucia, no one can complain about the losing side being wiped out. Grabbing her by her clothes, I lifted her from the ground as both her hands instantly went to my arm.

“You want them to live?” I asked in a cold tone.

She nodded rapidly. “Ye-Yes!”

“Then stay put until I return. Do you understand? You, and those children, stay in this ruin.” Her eyes widened at that.

“For how long?”

“Until I come back. If I do come back and you’re all gone, I’ll hunt down the last of your kind until there isn’t a single one of you left.” Letting her go, she fell on her butt. “The choice is yours.”

Her words had merit. Why suddenly change your hair on your deathbed? It made no sense. That, and the way she acted, reminded me of the Ghouls that Thana would take over. She was probably behind it. The real question was, did she plan all of this or just the last part? If she was responsible for Lucia’s capture…

Glancing at the Mara lookalike once more, I spoke as a portal opened. “It would seem there was more than one perpetrator to this situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s possible your people were used.” Turning to the doppelganger’s daughter, she watched me carefully. “I’m about to take care of another one as we speak, but this doesn’t absolve any of you. Remember my words, Succubae.” Then I gestured to not Mara. “Have her buried by the time I return. I don’t want to look at her.”

“It will be done, and we’ll wait for your return, but please…” Her eyes stayed on mine despite my gaze. “They’re only children…”

“In my eyes, so was Lucia…” Turning back to my portal, I felt my mind slipping as Arceana came to the forefront.

Arthur's Point of View

Depths of the Hollow Forest

“Lucia, you say?” Aydan let out in a hum. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a few hundred years or so.”

That was surprising. “You know Lucia?”

He shook one of his hands. “Not personally, but I know of her. Just like how I knew of that Succubus lookalike of yours that you killed.”

Rubbing my face, I sighed. “Can you please tell me what’s going on? I feel so lost, and I can’t put the pieces together, Aydan.”

The ghost Elf scratched at his beard in thought. “It’s not a pleasant story, and I’m not sure how you’ll take it.”

“Story of my life.” Was my response. “But I would really appreciate some answers.”

“Didn’t you once say that some questions are best left unanswered?”

“This is about Mara and Lucia. I need to know.”

His shoulders deflated as he looked at me. “Alright. First, yes, Mara is alive. She came through here a few hundred years ago when she was in desperate need of help.” A chuckle escaped his lips. “She followed us, you know? Back when we left the castle. Out of everyone, she always was the cleverest of her siblings.”