Thana's Point of View

Unknown Location

Springing up from my desk as my remaining ward sent me a link, I took over his body. Arthur had killed the entirety of the army I sent, which is what I wanted. The magic of the Breeders and Ghouls he slaughtered would go to my Wraith, only making it stronger. So, yes, he killed an army close to a hundred thousand strong. However, it all went to my Wraith, who was now using it after it returned.

That wasn’t what he wanted me to see. “What is this?!” I whispered in disbelief as Tor formed beside my body.

“My Queen?”

Shaking in some inexplicable emotion I couldn’t describe, I watched some unknown creature stand off against my Wraith. The eyes told me who it was. Arthur had done something to change and alter his form. An absurd amount of magic gathered above that would even annoy me, and it didn’t even get a chance to launch before it started to break apart.

It shot out in every direction, almost like beams of energy cutting through the surroundings in a perfect circle. Almost like an invisible plate or shield was placed in front of the attack. Like water against a dam, it yielded reluctantly and redirected elsewhere.

“Tart,” I spoke in a low tone. “Ready the failsafe.” My orders made Tor flinch in surprise. “And kill Elincia and his new student!” A snarl escaped from my lips. “Kill them before you use the failsafe! I want him to hurt!”

“Did the Wraith fall?” Tor asked me.

“Whatever that form is, I have a terrible feeling about it.” Then I thought back to when Tor informed me of his first confrontation with Arthur Pendragon. “Remind me of that form you spoke of when you fought against him.”

Tor’s shadows flickered. “It was large. Bulky and resulting in impressive strength. Black armor adorned parts of his body while blue cracks-“

Raising my hand, I bit my lip in annoyance. “Then this is different. This form I see before me is sleeker and likely far more dangerous than the one he faced you in.” Tart went to work, and I sat down with my forehead in my hands, lost in thought. “How did he hide this for so long? Who else knows?”

“Perhaps its because-“

My eyes widened, and I cut him off. “Wait!” Forcefully taking over for Tart, I looked out toward the battle in confusion. “Why isn’t his magic disappearing?”

Ventari's Point of View

Dwardew

Another large orb of magic was sent hurling towards us. How the Wraith still had magic to send out such attacks was beyond me. However, this time, it wasn’t stopped as Arthur slowly floated up to it. A black orb appeared in his free hand as he merely reached out. The magic twisted and turned before it completely disappeared. That was when I heard him.

“I finally understand…” His voice was altered. “You can keep reusing all the magic you’ve gained under this dome.” Deeper, but also higher at the same time as they came across in a manner of clicks. “But what about if I take it instead?”

There was a small pull toward Arthur at that point. It was concerning as I felt my body grow lighter as my feet started to leave the ground. That is until Arthur crushed his black orb in his hands. Another shockwave erupted from his hand that knocked me to the ground. I lost track of Arthur for a moment as I got back to my feet.

When I looked up, I saw that he had the Wraith by the head. His hand was wrapped around the Demon’s face before he slammed his sword into his stomach. Normally, a stab with such a large sword would be fatal, but this was different. The Wraith’s body started to fold in on itself.

Split in half, the lower half of its body started to fold over and over before it rolled in on itself. The waist and down was flung across the city like it was propelled by the sword. Even his top half by his stomach was trying to fold and likely would’ve if its head wasn’t being held. It screeched as a spell was flung at Arthur that he was able to dodge, and it flew up into the mist. Then Arthur crushed its head in his hand before it was dropped and launched to a different area.

“He won.” I heard some utter in disbelief.

“It’s over!” Another cried out.

My gaze moved back to Arthur and saw his focus shift from where the Wraith’s body was flung to the sky. He adjusted himself, and I saw him ready his sword. Moving from him to the sky, the cries of joy quickly went silent as the Wraith’s magic burst in the mist. The sky began to twist from the spell, and soon, four more Wraiths descended from above. A teleportation went off, and the original Wraith was there with the other four as its body was mended.

A storm of magic flooded the area and whipped across the city violently. My son and the General moved in front of me to protect me while others moved to cover. Lady Turiel was also protected as we moved behind some buildings to get out of the punishing onslaught.

More magic started to gather as I saw Arthur just float there. “Arthur!” I cried out, but the storm silenced me.