Chapter 318: Chapter 318
Lucia's Point of View
Helmsforth Temple
"You were dealing with that other Demon. Even you cannot be in two places at once." What his words were actually trying to convey was almost a cry for help, but I didn't know it. "I, for one, am happy that you saved as many people as you did. You're a hero!" I told him, and it seemed to have the exact opposite effect. His head slid from mine as he hunched over on his knees as his arms touched the floor. "Arthur?"
"Please don't call me that." He whispered in a pleading tone.
I frowned. "Okay." Placing my hand on his back to comfort him got Arthur to exhale deeply.
"Lucia." Arthur's voice returned to its normal tone, and he lifted his head back up. It was almost disturbing how normal he looked. "Sorry about that. You don't need to worry about me." Part of me was horrified by him just swallowing his emotions down to put a mask on. "I actually wanted to come and check on you." There were several times I worried about Arthur on a mental level, but this really just compounded my fears. He clearly wasn't stable in more ways than one. "How are you handling everything?"
It was a disgusting act that made me feel almost worthless. My hand raised, but I stopped myself before I could slap him. Even eyeing my hand, Arthur made no moves to avoid it and didn't comment on the action. He merely watched as I kept it hanging in the air with that same smile on his face.
His smile slowly withered at my words. "Don't do that." Touching his face in return with my one hand, my lips trembled. "Don't push me away like everything else. Everyone else. Whatever ghosts haunt you, do not feel as if you must stand tall in my presence." A few of my own tears started to stream down my cheeks. "You can be weak for me."
Arthur's face contorted slightly again, but not to the same degree as before. "Lucia," He held my hand against his cheek and leaned into it slightly. "You are my curse, child." The words surprised me, for I didn't expect them. Yet, when he continued, "But you are also a blessing. The best thing that I have in this world..." His tone was full of remorse and regret.
He had mentioned being cursed once before. That there was another curse, he suffered from before his arm was lost and returned once more. Instinctively, my eyes found his restored limb unhindered by its previous disappearance. Another part of me thought of his return to life from beyond the grave.
Death was a veil that covered all, even High Elves. After all, the rest of our kind had to have perished. Elsewise they'd still be here. But not for Arthur. Arthur had shown death was merely a blanket for him. That it was merely a phase and not something certain or guaranteed.
"If that is truly the case, then talk to me," I whispered. "What is it that made you like this? So quick to put on a mask when you feel so broken inside... Not being allowed to show how you truly feel or to grieve." My question hung in the air.
Arthur studied me for a moment before he pulled his cheek away from my hand. It hurt, but only for an instant as he quickly held it in both of his hands. "When I return from Vithari, there's something I need to tell you." His tone was one of fear but also resignation. "You deserve to know the truth more than anybody. Well, at least, my version of the truth." He was sporadic and lost in his thoughts as he tried to convey what he meant.
"I'm here now."
"I know." A few nods seemed to come emotionally as he kept himself in check. "I know, but this isn't something you should be told only for me to leave when you will have questions." Shaking his head, I'd never seen the man look so conflicted. "It's not fair to make you wait, and it's not fair to keep this from you. Still, I ask for your patience anyway. Will you wait for my return?"
Smiling, I nodded in return. "Always."
Wordlessly, Arthur summoned a portal above us, and his sword popped out to the side. Letting go of my hands so he could grab it, he then did something I didn't expect. Reaching for the black orb that held the same symbol as his eyes, he wrenched it from its place in his sword. Holding it out to me with an expectant look, I slowly took it in my hands.
I studied it for a moment and noticed it seemed to radiate the same energy that Arthur gives off. It was warm. Comforting even. The orb's symbol shifted slightly before it turned white like my magic instead of its normal blueish hue. While this was fascinating, I was lost as to why Arthur would give me this. So, I looked to him for an answer.
"While I'm away," He began while standing, Arthur gestured to the orb. "This orb will allow me to know where you are and should tell me if you're in danger." Then he eyed it. "At least, it should. I've mixed my energy into it so that if yours disappears, I know something is wrong." His expression became more awkward. "It's not perfect, and I know it's a little weird, but if your magic disappears from it-"
Stopping him, I smiled. "Thank you, Arthur. I will keep it with me until you return. As a promise of our coming talk."
While his smile was more unsure, it was still nice to see him caring so much. "A promise it is." He confirmed.
Arthur took that moment to look over Aydalia while we talked a bit more. He asked me how I was and was greatly concerned with how I felt. I was close to Aien and Aydalia, but he knew that. That's why he was worried. Even if it was late, it was nice having someone check in on me and understand that it felt like I lost a part of my own family. After all, Arthur knew about Alwin and I. Although he wasn't too happy to hear that Alwin had been distant. I thought it was a bit hypocritical of him but didn't say anything.
Regardless, it was nice to finally have a moment between the two of us. "Thank you, Arthur."
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