Arthur's Point of View

Depths of the Hollow Forest

Lucia looked at me, then back to Aydan for a moment, confused. “What?” She let out breathlessly.

The ghost smiled. “Aydan, don’t.” I asked him.

He shrugged. “What? She looks just like her mother. If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was one of her clones, but this does bring back memories.”

“My mom?” Lucia asked in disbelief. “Mara?” She repeated before looking at me. “You know my mom!?”

“Know her?” Aydan questioned back. “Please. Arthur here-“

“Aydan!” I shouted angrily, which caused the ghost to go silent.

Clearing his throat unnecessarily, Aydan spoke. “Forgive me. My name is Aydan Farro. History knows me as The Great Sage.”

Obviously, Lucia seemed lost. “My name is Lucia.”

Aydan smiled. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The greeting seemed quickly forgotten as Lucia looked at him. “Forgive me for asking, but how do you know my mother?” Her tone was small and desperate. “Who is she? Where is she?” Then she turned back to me. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew her!?” Her tone was becoming more and more frustrated.

“I was going to.” I let out.

“When!?” She demanded.

My voice escaped me as I failed to reply. “Now, now.” Aydan cut in as he softly chided the girl. “I know this must be frustrating, but this isn’t such a simple discussion, is it?” He looked at her knowingly. “How would’ve you reacted had he told you when you first met? Rather poorly, I’d guess.”

Biting her lip, Lucia conceded the point. “I still want to know about her.” Then her eyes found mine. “And I want to know how you knew her.” She turned back to Aydan. “You too.”

Aydan pointed at himself. “Me? Well, I raised Mara. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I was her father.” He then shrugged. “So, that kind of makes me your grandpa… Surprise?” The man offered poorly.

The girl looked at him in shock as tears came to her eyes. “What?” Lucia tried to stand, but her legs weren’t working for obvious reasons. “I’m so confused. Then, do you know who my father is?”

Ice flooded my system at that. “Uh…” Aydan trailed off as I froze. “It’d probably be best to ask Arthur about that.” He answered sheepishly.

“Who are you!?” Lucia asked, understandably upset.

“Lucia,” I began as I slowly turned his attention back to me. “There’s a lot we need to talk about, but right now, you need some rest.” Hefting her up in my arms gently made her wrap her arms around my neck instinctively. “Breeze!”

My call made her look up as the wind guardian descended. “What is that?!”

“I told you we would talk when I returned.” I told her as I set her on Breeze’s back, who didn’t question it. “This isn’t how I pictured things going, but just know that I have my reasons for what I did. We’ll talk once we’re done here, and I know you’re okay. Okay?”

Lucia nodded. “Okay.”

Aydan decided to pitch in quickly before she flew off. “Make sure you ask him about his time as the King of Lestrania!”

“What the fuck, Aydan!?” I let out in anger.

“He also taught your mom with Elincia and Arceana!”

“Will you stop!” I demanded. “Just stop!” Aydan was always like this, and I knew that. “Jesus…”

It wasn’t until I heard Lucia speak up, did I turn to her once more. “You were the King of Lestrania?” She asked softly.

“No.”

“Yes!” You can guess who replied which way.

I sighed once more. “We’ll talk in a bit, okay?” I told her, and I looked at Breeze. “Take her to the others.” He took off flying with Lucia in tow as I turned around to face Aydan. “Why did you do that?”

He shrugged before sitting back in his previous seat. “Because you tend to let these things slip through the cracks.”

Moving across from him, I stayed standing. “It wasn’t your place to-“

Aydan cut me off. “She needed to know. Lucia needs to know.” He insisted.

“Why?”

“Because Elias’s Demon did something to her before he disappeared with Klasteris in tow.” My friend looked very concerned. “Mara was unable to ascertain what manner of spell was placed upon her, but now that I’ve met her, I can still feel it.” Aydan informed me. “Hidden and insidious. I doubt there are many others who would be able to sense it. Truly an impeccable spell.”

“Can you remove it?”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t even know how to. This is beyond my expertise.”

I quirked a brow at that. “Aren’t you ‘Aydan fucking Farro?’”

A smirk appeared on his lips at that, but it quickly faded. “This isn’t the same. There are limits to an Elf. You know that. Original Magic is all that has allowed me to linger here this long, but even then, there are limits. Maybe if I was still alive.” Aydan shook his head once more. “But this… Even if I had all your energy, I’m not sure it would be enough. Whatever it is, it’s endured all this time.”

My frown deepened. “So, what do I do?”

Steepling his fingers together, he answered honestly. “You need to start being honest with yourself and take up the mantle of leadership once more.”