Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

“Father,” Marina began as she slowly moved between me and the others. “What do you mean? Why is he vital?” There was an accusatory tone in her voice. My silence did little to ease her concerns. “You plan to use him as a deterrent, don’t you?”

Elincia spoke in confusion. “Deterrent?” She then looked over at the boy, who avoided her gave. “Arthur, what have you been doing with your training?”

“…” Again, I was silent.

Ty eventually sighed before he spoke. “Arthur was honest with me when he first started my training.” Both women turned to him. “He informed me that his plan was to make me strong enough to kill him should the need ever arise.”

Marina whipped back to me. “Father!” She immediately chastised.

“Arthur,” Elincia said slowly. “That is a horrible thing to place on the shoulders of a child.” She informed me as she turned to face me once more.

“Look at him. Both of you.” I told them as I gestured to the boy. “He used to be about as tall as Austin. That was a few months ago. He’s grown tall enough where he’s getting closer to Elincia in terms of height. His body his adjusting to his strength.” They eyed the boy again. “Growing over a foot in a few months is not realistic but look at him. I suspect it’s because of his Dragon blood.”

“Even still-“ The Priestess began, but I cut her off.

“My actions over the past several weeks, over the last month, has been unacceptable.” All three of them went silent at that. “I was poisoned, and my judgement was askew, but who could possibly stop me? My horrible condition made me make even worse decisions.”

“Yes, but considering what happened with Lucia-“ Elincia started once more.

“No!” I raised my voice before I closed my eyes. “Lucia almost died because of me. In my concern, in my haste, I almost killed her. It was a miracle she lived at all. While I was worried about someone finding us while she was still in those tunnels, in those chains, moving her was a worse choice. Many decisions I made were poorly executed at best.” Opening my eyes, I then gestured to Marina. “She, or Breeze, could tell you my mind is delicate…”

Elincia turned to Marina. “It’s true. My brothers and I know many things about our father due to the memories we inherited from him. Without his energy, it’s not an exaggeration to say our father is mentally unhinged.” Marina then turned to me as her eyes narrowed. “As is his thought process.”

My gaze moved back to Ty. “Which is why Typhon is so important. Credo and Pestilence are powerful, but given my abilities now, and how they keep growing, I’m not convinced they would be able to stop me should the worst happen. They’d definitely be a challenge, but those two are still weaker than Thana.”

“So, you just want someone around to kill you should it be necessary?” Elincia asked sarcastically. “And you chose a child? My child?”

“Typhon holds more potential than you realize. He’s certainly stronger than your average Ghoul at this point. I’d say given another few months, he’d probably be stronger than Kheri or Alwin and maybe even be approaching you in terms of strength.”

Elincia look alarmed at that before she turned to him for a moment before looking back at me. “He’s just a child… How could a boy possess such strength? Your training?”

I shook my head. “No. My training might be part of it, but Typhon’s growth is incomparable to anything I’ve ever seen.” Shrugging, I gestured to him. “Truthfully, he might be able to hold his own against Kheri or Alwin right now if it wasn’t for the difference in experience. I could be wrong, but I suspect I might still be underestimating him.”

“And once Typhon has reached a stage you deem acceptable?” Elincia pressed. “What then?”

“Then there will finally be someone capable of stopping me should my energy lower to the point I’m compromised. Truth be told, I still don’t know everything about my own abilities. Every time I face a new opponent, new opportunities, abilities, and more… I don’t know the limits of my power, I don’t mean this to be insulting, but…” I trailed off as I truly considered what I might be capable of given who gave me my powers.

Typhon and Elincia glanced at each other. “I will trust your judgement on this.” She told Ty before she turned back to me. “As I will trust yours. Typhon had been informed of everything that has happened with my sister. He understands why everything happened.” Then she turned to Marina. “Would you be willing to show me around so I can speak with the others? This will give teacher and student a chance to speak in private.”

“Certainly.” Marina turned to the door. “Shall we?”

The two left and I was alone with Ty. “How long?” Ty asked after a moment of silence, and I just quirked a brow as I waited for him to clarify. “How long until I’m strong enough to stop you?”

“That’ll depend on you.”