A loud crash thundered inside the mansion, coming from the figurines which fell and shattered to the floor as Arth slammed hard against them. He winced, muttering a curse. He couldn’t fight in this very enclosed space, as it was difficult for him to move and evade.
Arth recovered on to his feet, picking up his sword. He already had a cut on his left cheek, his black hair messed up. One second he was catching his breath, the next he blocked another strike from the Grand Knight’s sword. Every attack of his had been dealing heavy blows, pushing Arth back, struggling.
“What’s the matter?” the Grand Knight asked as their blades clanged against each other. “Is this all that you have?”
Arth gritted his teeth as he was now being forced backward, his shoes sliding on the floor, so he couldn’t lock himself on his position.
“I’m just gett
As they came closer and closer, Arth suddenly caught a glimpse of a huge explosion in the arena. The ground shook for a moment, followed by the strong wind that blasted everywhere. He shut his eyes, panting, trying to run faster for the team.At last, Arth and Janshai reached the arena, catching their breaths. The first one he spotted was Lucas; slowly getting up on his feet after getting slammed against the cracked pillar. Both sleeves of his white cloak had burned out, revealing the cuts and bruises in his arms.Then Arth’s eyes caught the Divine Knight Kael from a distance. He was on his knees, trying to stand up while breathing heavily, his face all bloody wounded. The two of them looked so beaten up.“Boss!” Arth called as he rushed over to help Lucas.When Lucas turned to Arth and Janshai, he gave a weak smile, as if he already knew they now successfully eliminat
“Give up now, kid,” Dain told Arth whose face had now been beaten up. “You cannot win.”‘I only blocked a couple of hits from him … but his attacks are becoming stronger than before. He must’ve already been using his trump card,’ Arth thought, holding his wounded waist. It was bleeding again, as he had received another direct hit from Dain’s fist.“You’re using your Empyreal Ability,” Arth said as he wiped the blood on his lips. “Are you not?”“Oh, so you finally figured it out? Bingo! You’ve got great eyes,” Dain pointed a finger at Arth, “Pugnus Inexorabilis … that’s my ability. The damage of my attacks keeps on growing every time my fists land a hit on my opponent. So blocking my punches won’t do you any good … you won’t last for long.”
Entering the woods, Arth knew something was wrong … but also something familiar. He glanced down on the ground, then he nodded as he suddenly realized what it was. ‘I knew it,’ he thought. ‘This is Alice’s Empyreal Ability, Freezing Field. But she picked the wrong spot. This area is filled with trees where her opponent could easily stay on the branches.’ The trees were tall, but they’re not compressed like in White Forest or even in Dark Woods. “Quite clever you are for a young mage …” Arth’s ears caught a loud, dark voice of a man. It was then he spotted Alice far ahead with her white cloak and her blue staff. She was raising her head, staring at the slim, cerulean-cloaked man who had a long blue spear in one hand, standing on the thick branch of a tree. “That’s him? The …General?” Arth whispered. He had to pause from his run t
*** “Where am I?” Arth looked around him. He was standing in an endless meadow, the fresh wind brushing his face with the grass tickling underneath his feet. “Am I … dead?” He raised his head, seeing the fluffy clouds floating amidst the ocean sky. The sunlight gave him warmth, kissing his entire body, gentle and peaceful. Arth turned around, only to find a very familiar girl standing ahead. “Alice?” he said, furrowing his brows. She wore a beautiful white dress, with her long hair flailing with the wind. Her hands were on her back as she seemed to be looking somewhere far ahead. She looked so perfect in Arth’s eyes. “Alice!” His face brightened up as he ran for her. Alice turned her head, a lovely smile plastered on her face, her eyes blinking several times. “I’m taking my leave now, stupid,” she said in her sweet, soft voice. &nb
Arth went straight to their room and then sat on his bed. He took out Alice’s blue gem under his pillow. “I won’t let him get away from what he did to you, Alice.” Late in the night it was, but he didn’t care. He had the urge to kill the general now than to wait, as he might be leaving the capital soon. Donning his Blackwinter sword, Arth winced from the pain in his arms when he picked up the heavy weapon. He was not in the condition to fight yet, but he had to. After preparing for his travel, Arth opened the door of the room, but then he stopped when he found Janshai standing outside. “Why are you here?” he said, looking away. Janshai studied Arth from head to toe before answering. “You can’t go.” “You’re not the one to decide for that.” Arth was about to walk through the doorway, but then Janshai put one hand on the wall to block his path.  
“Where do you plan to go after this?” Silence followed, only to be filled by the crackling woods of the fireplace. Kael was sitting on the chair at the end of the table, looking at Tristan who had stood near the windows. “Back to my village,” Tristan replied shortly, gazing at the snowfall outside. Kael stared at the young man for a moment, then he nodded. He was dressed on his white long-sleeved garment, his chest and abdomen completely wrapped up with linen, covering the severe burn he had from his previous encounter with Lucas. He pushed himself up to his seat, then went to stand beside Tristan. He couldn’t walk properly because of his injured right leg. Their last battle had cost them so much … damage and loss. They lost Dain, Maester David, and the Grand Knights protecting him. Only three Grand Knights were left in the Order, but they’d been severely injured after they fought against tha
Darkness had filled Arth’s vision. One second he was at the throne room, shocked of the truth he had discovered, but now he found himself detained on the underground dungeon. The cell was a tiny confinement; windowless, only cold stone surrounded him, making him shiver.Arth hugged his knees, sitting on the dirty stone floor, tears flushing out of his eyes. He couldn’t help but cry and cry and cry after learning about the truth. Everything was happening so fast, as if it kept on getting worse and worse, as if it would never end. The death of Alice had already crushed his heart, but now, he’s suffering much worse than that.Arth wanted his anger to come out and kill the king because of what he had done … but he was already tired. He’s tired of his hatred … He’s tired of his thirst for revenge. That moment when he took the general’s life made him realize it wasn’t enou
Amidst the silence of the chamber, Chief Gregor took a deep breath before he spoke. “Your father was a brave and wise king … genuinely loved by all his people.”“I was there in Crown Galacer when the Legion attacked eighteen years ago. The bloody war had dealt a devastating loss for the north … He fought, Arth … He fought in the front lines,” the Chief paused to give a sad smile, “Lucas told your father he’s supposed to hide and evacuate … but he refused. King Letholdus had chosen to become a hero … a true brave king as he defended the people of Glacia. He sent your mother, Queen Diana, who’d also been pregnant with you, away from the war as much as possible.”Arth just listened, his head down, looking at his bloody hands. He had to bite his lower lip to stop himself from crying again.“Terrowin had planned it all long before. He too