"Ce...Cerenia"
Arthur's hand reached out, an ache in his heart grew as his eyes stared at the scene, listless. He wanted to approach her, to take her hand and said that it was okay, yet he couldn't
Cause a spear forbade him to take another step, tip right upon him
"Back off...Prince"
It was the Elf earlier, looking at him with jaw clenched, grinding his teeth as his weapon trembled even more.
Is this a threat ?
"Joan"
Without question, Joan raised his glaive. Wood splintered then steel met steel rang, echoed inside the forest as the threat before gone - like smoke blew by the wind. Arthur once again scanned, to Celenia that still in a mess - screeching, punching the ground with violence.
His heart bled but disrespect is still disrespect - the only thing he won't tolerate
"Don't you dare threaten me Elf, or else, next...I'll take your hand"
Yet the glare still held
"You have no right to touch her, after what you've done"
"I've done NOTHING"
Arthur roared, all sound seemed to vanish for just a moment.
"You've done nothing.... heh. Look at all this"
The Elf retreated, letting Arthur to see the sight past him. The ash, the inferno, the destruction that lay, circling them like hawk.
"All of this... is because you've done nothing"
The elf stepped, stood back to his position with his spear tip almost broken.
"So tell me... PRINCE"
He sneered
"What would you do now?"
The question came, tripling the weight in Arthur's mind. He tried his best to judge - to seek a proper answer. Even though every breath burned his own lungs and the inferno around melted his armor. Pain and hot, two things clashed - trying to reign over his mind.
But amidst that, he found one
"To make things right... I'm the crown prince. The leader of this team. I shall take responsibility"
The elf's eyes still filled with disdain, never once he lowered his spear or shift face.
"To make things right ? How ?"
Now the other Elf chimed in. Women - the one who stood the closest to Cerenia. Her hand never left Cerenia's shoulders, even though she was done whispering who knows what right upon her ears.
Then it hit him - seven elves. That's how many enemies he would face in case he tried to lash out.
Not good
"With authority, especially if the one who did this was human"
"Big Talk... sure"
The Elf man said, after receiving a nod from his fellow race.
"The one you ask earlier..."
"Terra ?"
Impossible
"No, the pink one. But with one guy. Black hair and red eyes"
Oh.... he knew that guy. Not really, but he could pinpoint.
As confirmation, Arthur glanced at Joan. Especially his eyes. Joan nodded back.
"I knew him. Do you want to go with us?"
"You wish"
The elf guy turned, showing his back to Arthur. He swore if it wasn't because this cursed test...He would throw his spear and see it lodged in the elf's torso - right past his back.
This cursed test, he's getting annoyed more by the second
It was supposed to be his harvest, What went wrong? Well it doesn't matter. This job, he needs to finish it.
"Then stay here. Joan..."
"We will not do your bidding"
The elf man cut, Arthur has no time for this
"Okay... Joan, find Tiernan. We will depart once he joins us"
"Understand, my Prince"
With that, Joan dashed, his body claimed by the fire and ash - leaving Arthur alone with eight not-so-friendly elves. He supposed it was his time to think - finally for once. Beside the Inferno and Cerenia, nothing could occupy his mind.
If he pondered it a bit, he could turn back the tide of this. For example, this guy - he was sure Terra wasn't the one who planned this whole thing. But to agree to it, that was clouding. What actually happened behind the scenes, what can he get from this?
Who advised such brilliant idea, can he get his hands on it?
The thoughts entered his mind in bulk, one after the other question after question, kept on puzzling until a rustling halted his mind, switching his focus to two guys darting towards him.
They arrived: Joan and Tiernan
And it looks like the Flame took more Toll for Tiernan than Joan.
"Hah.. Hah.. one second.. hah.. Ughkk"
Tiernan choked, his fist planted on his armor, punching as it would release him from the torment. Stupid, do you think inhaling smoke would satisfy his needs for breath? What a fool.
"Tiernan... You follow Joan. We will begin the purge"
"The purge? Ughkk"
He choked again, mouth filled with embers
"Don't tell me you forget"
Arthur's tone dropped, hands cut the air
"Of course not, my Prince. Pardon.. Ughkk.. me"
"Then go, I won't say twice"
Tiernan hitched, holding his breath in fear of slip once again. Arthur just looked at it without a single trace of warmth. He clenched his spear, feeling the craving as he tried to inhale - and almost choked by the air. But he held it as he darted, exiting the group of trees right into the chaos that had been unleashed.
If what the Elf said was true, that means Violet and her partner were in the middle of all this, maybe waiting for them to arrive, or even better - with Terra by their side.
It would be a glorious purge, one that could be of use later
But before that, he needs to pass the storm of ember, and he hoped his armor could hold on long enough. He didn't want to fight without armor - an absurd thought - but his brain couldn't help but imagining it.
That's how calm he was right now, with Tiernan and Joan.
And why would he run, he had magic. There was no need to run.
So he channeled, a platform of light appeared inside his mind, blooming, becoming more vivid. Then he called the mana, as it answered - the same platform started to materialized beneath his feet, propelling him upwards.
At last, he was released from the bind of the forest floor.