?????'s Point of View

Unknown Location

“TOR!!!” I bellowed from my throne room. Many of my Generals jumped as I appeared via teleportation and looked at them. “WHERE IS TOR!?”

My roar made some of them flinch, but they all quickly kneeled. “My Queen, he is currently moving supplies to Vithari.”

“NOW!?” Flare flinched and nodded. “Flare,” I began in a low tone. “Take Sulva and figure out who is fighting Arthur Pendragon! If the Anomaly is fighting another Demon Lord, it might be the two brothers! Kill them all if you can, but this very well may be a trap.” Summoning my spear, I shoved it in his hands.

“At once!” Flare responded loudly before smoke filled the room and his flames burned bright.

They quickly faded as he launched himself from the throne room through one of the broken walls. His smoke followed him, and I fell back into my throne. My thumbnail came up to my teeth as bit it in worry. Was the Anomaly known as Arthur Pendragon making his first move? When he was Mordred, he was just as showy, but to feel their magic powers from here…

My eyes homed in on my other Generals. “Inform me the moment Tor returns. Hopefully, we can still make something of this situation.”

Elincia's Point of View

The Island

Whatever may have led to it, pain is what made me awaken. My body felt like it was on fire and turning to dust. There was no doubt in my mind that I was screaming, but I couldn’t hear anything. Tears ran down my face as I tried to escape from whatever was causing me such anguish.

It happened in an instant. I was thrown from whatever held me, and tortured me, onto the ground. The sand partially covered me as I was sprawled across the beach. Slowly, my vision began to clear as the pain subsided. Battle sounds started to echo in my ears quietly at first, but quickly picked up.

Lifting my head up revealed that Arthur stood over me while sand was flying everywhere. His eyes were wide but focused on whatever it was he saw. Looking around, I noticed several things that unnerved me. Thousands of swords were summoned in the air with the same technique I used. My sister, students, and soldiers were all doing their best to defend themselves.

However, many swords were frozen in place while pillars of sand floated into the air and would intercept other swords that were slashing about. “Arthur…” I mumbled weakly.

He didn’t look at me, but a new voice cut in. “And the student awakens.” I titled my head to see what appeared to be a reflection of myself. “Part of me believed you were dead after your clash with the Queen.” Cracks ran down her face and body while the whites of her eyes were pitch black with a haze over her actual iris. “But I must admit, confronting the Anomaly here is not what I was expecting.”

Trying to roll over to stand, I failed as my body wouldn’t listen to me. “You know me?” Arthur asked back in a wary tone.

My double smirked. “Not personally, but I doubt there’s a Demon alive that hasn’t heard of you. After all, you were there the day I was implanted in her on the mountain top.” Part of me wanted to call out to Arthur, but my vision seemed to be fading in and out again. “I had my suspicions when you appeared in Helmsforth, but there was no way to know for sure.”

Arthur did not look amused. “And yet, you know I was on that mountain.”

“My perception at that time wasn’t what one would call sharp.” She laughed lightly. “However, I must thank you for freeing me from Elincia. Between her, Arceana, Elias, and Rudnurth, taking over has been impossible.” Then all the swords came to a stop as the ringing of the blades finally came to an end. “More Rudnurth than anyone, but you are more problematic than any of them.”

“The fact you think so gives me hope that you might be able to answer my questions.” Arthur stated and crouched slightly as the sand finally surrounded us completely. “And you will be answering my questions.”

To my surprise, my double paused at that despite the magical power that was radiating from her. “What questions do you want answers to?” She asked back carefully with her guard up as the swords moved back inside the sandstorm. “Do be careful what you say though. Elincia has been fading in and out of consciousness.”

Our Knight looked down at me and I felt my body start sinking. Shifting my gaze, I saw Arthur’s portal was engulfing me, which enraged my doppelganger. She charged at me, but Arthur stood over me as another portal appeared above him. From it fell his sword which he quickly took in hand before he and my lookalike were sent hurling through a different portal.

“Where is-“ Arthur’s voice cut out as the portal closed with my twin forcing them both in.

The sandstorm immediately stopped and fell back into the beach along with all the swords. Arthur’s portal sent me to the tree line where my sister was along with several guards. Given my condition, I was surprised he was able to move me so carefully, and after he disappeared. My thoughts weren’t able to linger as Typhon and Arceana quickly appeared above me.

“Elincia!” Arceana cried out fearfully at my condition.

“Cea…”.

The sensation of passing out was upon me. However, right before I did, the sounds of explosions rang off in the distance. The darkness closed in on me with a giant blue pillar of magic shot up from the other side of the island. It lit up the entire beach as many looked over in shock and surprise.

“We’ll help you! Just-“ My sister began, but I held up my hand and grabbed hers.

“Do not interfere with Arthur.” I could say nothing else as a coughing fit came over me and I passed out while hearing the concerned shouts of others.