Arthur coughed, trying to regain his composure and shift the atmosphere back to something manageable. The embarrassment in the room hung thick, but he wasn't about to let it derail the conversation.
"Alright, alright, calm down. I have a reason for doing this, so how about you just hear me out?" Arthur said, his voice carrying a mix of urgency and confidence.
Endever, however, remained unimpressed. He crossed his arms, sitting down with a firm expression. "I'm listening, but I don't think you'll be able to convince me of that stupidity, Arthur," he said bluntly, his posture radiating skepticism.
Aria, always more composed, simply nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on Arthur. "Go on," she said quietly, her tone neutral but expectant.
Lucian, meanwhile, was still trying to shake off the strange sensation he'd felt earlier. The moment Arthur had closed his hands around the blood amulet, hiding it from view, Lucian's mind had cleared, though a lingering unease remained.
"What the hell was that?" Lucian muttered internally, the question directed at the system, still rattled by the ominous feeling.
[Host, that was a Chime of Summoning high level, from what I can tell. I detected traces of the death concept, though faint. The amulet is crafted from condensed blood. It's powerful, but without closer examination, I can't provide more details. However, I can confirm it's of SSS rank.]
"Death concept? Isn't that a big deal?" Lucian's mind raced as he remembered what the system had taught him about such concepts beyond most comprehension or something.
[Yes, Host. It's an advanced concept, extremely dangerous. As for the unease you felt, i can't analysis anything but by listening to Arthurs conversation and putting bits and pieces i can make a guess it's likely because the amulet is made from your mother's blood. Given your nature as a very special vampire, you're highly attuned to blood especially when it has a personal connection to you. The blood within the amulet is too potent for you to fully comprehend at your current strength. Being near it might even harm you if you're not careful.]
Lucian paused, digesting the information. His mother's blood? The thought unsettled him deeply, but there was a strange, almost instinctive familiarity he couldn't deny. "So that's why it felt… weird." He shook his head, trying to refocus.
While Lucian was lost in thought, Arthur continued his conversation with Endever and Aria, though now he was speaking directly into their minds to keep Lucian from hearing the details.
"Listen, I won't explain everything right now, but it's crucial that I do this. It's for our and worlds safety," Arthur began, his mental tone more serious than before.
Endever raised an eyebrow. "Safety? Giving the boy that amulet isn't safe by any stretch of the imagination, Arthur. That thing is dangerous if he misuses it, the consequences could be catastrophic. Are you really willing to take that risk?"
Arthur sighed internally. "I know it seems risky, but think about it. We're already in a morally gray area with what we're doing. But the bigger threat is her. If she finds out about this, we're all dead. She won't hesitate to wipe us out, starting with me. Do you really think humanity can survive that way?"
Endever's expression softened slightly, but he wasn't convinced. "And you think giving him the amulet is the answer?"
"It's our best shot," Arthur pressed. "If we give him the amulet and he never uses it, great. But if she ever comes looking for him, we can use the fact that we gave him such a powerful tool as proof of our goodwill and he can summon her anytime whenever he wants . He can choose not to use it, which he probably will since he doesn't seem eager to deal with his parents. It's a long shot, I know, but if she finds out about everything, we'll at least have a way to shift the blame. I'm betting on the fact that he won't use it.... luckily
Aria and Endever both fell silent, contemplating Arthur's words. They knew he wasn't one to make reckless decisions without weighing the pros and cons, but this felt… different.
Endever finally spoke, his tone softer but still filled with concern. "Arthur, the price we're paying is too high. What if the boy gets angry or desperate and uses the amulet to declare war on us or the entire country? Do you really think you can control that? The amulet doesn't just hold power it carries a legacy. The march of the fallen isn't just some chant, it's a symbol of destruction."
Aria nodded in agreement, her gaze still locked on Arthur. She, too, was aware of the risks.
Arthur sighed again. "I get it. Believe me, I do. But this isn't about what's safe or easy. This is about survival no worls Survival. We can't hide Lucian from her forever, and when she comes, we need to have something that shows we're not her enemies. It's a calculated risk, and yeah, it's dangerous, but it's the best option we have. We're already on borrowed time."
Endever ran a hand through his hair, frustrated but unwilling to outright reject the plan. He could see the logic, however twisted it might be.
Finally, he grunted. "Fine. But don't expect me to be happy when this blows up in our faces."
Aria remained silent but gave a small nod, indicating her reluctant agreement. They both understood that Arthur's plan, as flawed as it seemed, might be their only way out if things went south.
As Arthur closed his hand around the amulet again, Lucian shook off the last of his disorientation. He glanced between the three of them, noticing the tension but unsure of what had just been decided. There was a heavy silence in the room, and though Lucian didn't fully understand what had transpired, he could tell one thing for certain whatever Arthur had just done, it had changed the game.
so kido