The next few days slipped by in a peaceful manner that Arthur hadn't felt in a long time, and the city steadily filled with new arrivals. Every dawn, he oversaw the housing and settlement of the latest families brought to the island. Some looked lost, others hopeful, but all of them slowly were provided a place to settle. Watching the city grow gave him a quiet satisfaction, one that felt worlds apart from war and bloodshed.
His afternoons, however, were a different kind of test. Kai had returned to their sparring routine, and it didn't take long before he noticed something was different about Arthur.
Kai's blade met Arthur's, but instead of the usual, Arthur pushed him back with raw strength. The impact sent Kai sliding across the training ground. His brows knit tightly as he straightened, brushing dirt from his sleeve.
"…You're holding back less than usual, aren't you?" Kai said, narrowing his eyes.
Arthur grinned faintly, resting his sword against his shoulder. "No. I've just… gotten stronger."
Kai scoffed, lunging forward again, but the rhythm was different this time. Every exchange sent sparks flying, but it was clear who had the upper hand. Arthur weaved between strikes with extreme precision, his counterattacks forcing Kai to use more strength. Their surroundings looked devastated, with patches of forest gone, and deep trenches carved on the ground.
Finally, Kai disengaged. He studied Arthur with a calculating look, then asked bluntly, "Alright, what's going on? Improving this fast is not possible even if you are a once in a millennium genius."
Arthur lowered his sword, the smirk fading into something more serious. "…I have this ability, call it adaptability. The more I fight, the more my body evolves. I… grow stronger, the more powerful my opponent becomes."
Kai blinked in surprise, stunned into silence for a moment. Then, a low whistle escaped his lips. "…So that's how you've been climbing strength like a madman."
Arthur gave a small nod. "Pretty much."
Kai muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Damn it, kid… You're a nightmare for anyone trying to catch up. No wonder you can pull off the impossible." Then his lips curved into a wolfish grin. "Fine. If that's how it is, then I'll just have to push your training harder." Which made Arthur sigh in defeat as he got ready for the next round.
From that day on, the intensity of their sessions doubled. Kai struck faster, his movements sharper, and his techniques were more brutal. Arthur welcomed it with a grin on his face each time. It was exhilarating for Arthur, it felt like the best kind of preparation for what was coming.
…
Outside of training, Arthur only took one trip off Avalon. He went back to Brightwater one last time before the Ancient Realm opened.
The bustling city greeted him with familiar noise, though this time his visit was quick. He sought out Rhys, finding the man buried in his usual mountain of scrolls and tomes.
When Arthur handed him the extra Ancient Realm token, Rhys froze, staring at it like he had seen a ghost.
"You're… giving me this?" Rhys asked slowly, disbelief plain in his tone.
Arthur shrugged. "In exchange for something useful, let's say more attribute-less spells. The more powerful the better."
Rhys's expression shifted into one of pure delight. "Hah! You'll have them. I'll dig them out from everywhere and then some."
Arthur smirked. "Good. Don't disappoint me then."
After that he left the merchant guild and after secretly catching up with his friends, Arthur returned to Avalon.
…
The morning finally came.
Selene arrived just as the sun's light began painting the sky. She stood at the entrance of Arthur's room, her cloak brushing the marble floor. Her expression was composed, though her eyes carried a flicker of unease.
"So… you ready?" she asked.
Arthur glanced at her once, then nodded firmly. "Yeah."
Together, they stepped into the teleportation circle. A ripple of light enveloped them, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from Avalon.
They reappeared in a lavishly decorated chamber, its walls lined with intricate carvings of dragons and elven paintings. Tall windows spilled light into the room, catching on silken banners and crystal chandeliers.
Arthur scanned the surroundings, his eyes noting every detail. "…Where are we?"
"The capital city of Eldraheim," Selene explained, her voice was even. "One of the dragon kingdoms." She adjusted her cloak, already preparing to leave. "Wait here. Someone will come to take you."
She turned toward the door, but then paused. A sigh slipped past her lips as she glanced back at him. Her gaze was softer now, almost helpless.
"Pretend you don't know me after you leave this room," she said quietly. "At least… until we're out of this kingdom."
Arthur studied her for a moment. He didn't care what anyone thought of their relationship, but he also knew this wasn't only about him. He didn't want to incriminate Selene to satisfy his ego. So, he gave her a firm nod. "…Got it."
Her lips curved faintly, then she slipped out of the room, the heavy door closing behind her.
Arthur stood alone for a few minutes, the silence stretching until he heard a soft knock on the wooden doors of the chamber.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Enter," Arthur called.
The door opened to reveal an elven maid. She bowed gracefully, her voice was polite but practiced. "Please follow me."
Arthur followed her through wide corridors draped in rich banners and intricate tapestries. Every column was carved with dragons and phoenix, their wings stretching toward vaulted ceilings. And a faint scent of incense hung in the air.
The maid stopped before another ornate wooden door and knocked three times. "Lord, he has arrived."
A deep voice replied from inside, "Come in."
The maid pushed the door open, ushering Arthur in before bowing again and slipping away.
Arthur stepped inside. The room was broad, lined with books and armaments. Sitting near the center was a familiar figure…Steve. His rugged frame and sharp eyes hadn't changed, though there was an amused smile tugging at his lips.
"You've grown stronger, lad," Steve said.
Arthur smirked faintly. "I thought you weren't going to show up."
Steve scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "I only came because today's a special day. Otherwise, do you think I'd set foot in this blasted kingdom?"
Arthur chuckled at that, shaking his head. "Fair enough. So… when do we head out?"
Steve's grin widened. He stood up, clapping Arthur on the shoulder with a heavy hand. "Follow me."
The two of them left the chamber together, stepping out into the open air. The city of Eldraheim spread below, its towers gleaming, its streets alive with elves and dragons alike. Above, the skies were filled with shadows of great wings, circling lazily in the sunlight.
Arthur exhaled softly, the anticipation settling in his chest. The day had finally arrived.
…
Arthur trailed just behind Steve as they rose into the skies, their forms streaking toward the city's heart. The wind rushed past them, as they slowly flew above the city.
Below, the capital of Eldraheim stretched vast, wide streets weaved between towering spires of marble and obsidian buildings, every corner of the city was brimming with wealth. Marketplaces were crammed with vendors, their stalls shaded by bright silks. Gold filigree glittered on rooftops, and fountains sculpted into the shapes of various monsters sent arcs of water sparkling through the air.
Arthur couldn't help but murmur to himself, "This place… reeks of money."
Steve grunted without looking at him. "Wealth and pride. Two things the Eldraheim royals and nobles never run out of."
Arthur's gaze swept downward again, noting the lavish noble manors.
After several minutes of slow flight, they reached near the center of the capital; a sprawling plaza larger than any stadium Arthur had seen. Thousands had gathered, noble looking people in ornate robes, he even saw some elves in polished armor. The murmur of conversation quieted noticeably when they saw Steve and Arthur descend into the open square.
Some nobles shrank back at the sight of Steve, their expressions tight with unease. And even some well-dressed people looked at him, with thinly veiled disdain, sneers tugging at their lips as if his very presence offended them.
Arthur raised a brow but didn't comment. 'So Steve isn't exactly a crowd favorite here…'
They walked forward, the crowd parting reluctantly.
Finally, Arthur spotted Selene. She stood with a group of young people dressed in armors, their posture were formal and rigid, and their expressions were carefully arranged. But Selene… there was an important difference in her expression. Her face was a mask of icy composure, and her eyes were distant. She carried herself with the authority of a princess, not the warm companion who Arthur knew her to be.
Arthur slowed for a fraction of a second, then schooled his expression and continued beside Steve. Since Selene had asked him to pretend they didn't know each other, then he intended to honor that.
Steve gave her a curt nod. "Morning, girl."
Selene's reply was equally measured, her voice polite but devoid of warmth. "Good morning… Lord Augustus."
Arthur hid a smirk. 'Lord Augustus, huh? That's new.'
They waited for a few minutes, the silence thick with tension. Arthur could feel several sets of eyes drilling into him, some were curious, some judgmental, and others openly dismissive, but he ignored them all.
Moments later, another group approached from the far side of the plaza, this one looked more regal. Arthur believed they might be somehow related to the royal family.
At the front walked a middle-aged man with a few strands of grey hair on his head, which gave him a distinguished air. His presence alone made the nobles straighten and bow as he passed. Behind him trailed a few more people, but Arthur's attention was snagged by one man in particular, a tall man with the same color of hair as Selene. His sharp, cold eyes swept through the crowd with contempt, like everything before him was beneath his notice.
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. 'That must be her father…'
Finally the middle-aged man at the lead looked at Steve. His expression softened faintly, though it was tinged with something heavier. "Augustus… so you did come."
Steve just nodded, his jaw set, but he didn't reply.
The man sighed quietly, a shadow of something deeper flickering in his eyes. The middle-aged man is the great-grandfather of Selene, and the king of this kingdom. He respected Steve's strength and he really wanted for him to join the royal family.
But due to the opposition of most of the nobles and royalties regarding Steve's and his daughter's marriage. They had decided to stay away from the kingdom. And since the people of the kingdom didn't welcome Steve, his daughter also left with him.
And even now, decades later, he carried the weight of their choice. But at least for now his daughter often comes to the royal family, and that relieved him a little of his guilt.
But his voice was calm when he spoke again. "…At least today, I'm glad."
Arthur stood silently at Steve's side. He could feel the tension between Steve and these people.
Then the man's gaze shifted to him. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was measuring him. "And who is that human, Augustus?"
Steve looked at him and said, "He is my disciple. He'll be entering the Ancient Realm as well."
The man's scrutiny lingered on Arthur for a bit longer. Arthur met his eyes evenly, refusing to look away.
He thought for a human being he was unusually strong at this young age. Then the thought, not just anyone could become Augustus's disciple, that fact alone spoke volumes.
His gaze moved back to Selene's group then, softening slightly. A faint smile touched his lips as he studied them, the next generation of his family, the ones who would inherit this kingdom.
With a small nod toward Steve, the king turned and walked toward the podium at the plaza's center. His people who came with him followed suit.
A hush fell over the massive gathering, the moment was nearly here.
Arthur exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers at his side and got ready.
***
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