"Arthur," an unfamiliar voice pierced through the darkness. "Wake up."
Arthur stirred. The voice called again, clearer now, familiar. His eyes fluttered open to find his party hovering over him, their faces lined with worry.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice groggy, mind struggling to piece together the missing fragments.
"You tell us," Farrow said, his tone more irritated than concerned—true to his nature. "You were inspecting the monster with us, and then, out of nowhere, you screamed like your soul was being ripped apart and collapsed."
"It's been hours," Edith added softly, interrupting Farrow. "We couldn't move you. There was some kind of…mana shield around you."
Arthur blinked, stunned. "Hours?" To him, it had felt like a mere moment.
Before he could dwell on it, Enma threw herself against him, her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. He felt her trembling. "I was so scared," she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "I thought we'd lost you."
Caught off guard, Arthur glanced at the rest of the party. Their expressions mirrored Enma's concern, though subdued. He forced a sheepish smile. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice light to mask his unease. "It was just…a one-time thing."
The group exchanged uncertain looks but let the matter drop. They gathered resources from the beast's remains and began their trek back to the city.
As they walked, Arthur couldn't shake the nagging sensation that his blackout meant more than he dared to admit. The image of the beast's hollow, starlit eyes haunted him, accompanied by a sharp pain behind his temples. He clenched his jaw, brushing it off, but Edith noticed.
"Are you all right?" she asked in a whisper, careful not to let the others hear.
Arthur nodded, offering a faint smile. Satisfied but still wary, she turned her gaze forward as they continued toward the city gates.
AT THE GATES
The party's arrival was met with a detachment of Royal Guards. "By order of the king, you are summoned to the palace immediately," one of them announced.
Without delay, they were escorted through the city's bustling streets and into the grand halls of the palace.
AT THE PALACE
"Welcome back," the king said from his gilded throne, his voice calm but commanding. "Raise your heads."
Arthur and his party straightened, eyes flicking to the assembled council members lining the hall. The air was heavy with expectation. Arthur's stomach churned. If the council was present, there would be no hiding what had transpired.
"What did you find, Arthur?" the king asked, his sharp gaze pinning him in place.
Arthur stepped forward, clearing his throat. "My party and I were attacked by an unidentified beast," he began.
Murmurs rippled through the council. A voice cut through the noise, stern and demanding. "Unidentified?"
"Yes," Arthur replied. "It was an evolved dire wolf, far larger and more powerful than any we've encountered."
The murmurs grew louder until the king raised a hand, silencing them. Arthur hesitated, waiting for permission to continue. The king nodded.
"It had…hollowed eyes," Arthur said slowly, his voice steady but uneasy. "They reflected the night sky, even in daylight."
The murmurs escalated into a clamor, broken only by the king's upraised hand once more. Silence fell.
"May I speak, my king?" a deep voice echoed.
Arthur turned to see the speaker—the Duke of Tenebris, a man infamous for his disdain toward beast-kin yet revered for his unwavering loyalty to the crown. The king gestured for him to proceed.
The duke's eyes bore into Arthur and his party. "These eyes…did they hypnotize?" he asked.
The group hesitated. The duke's presence was as oppressive as his reputation. Arthur gave Enma a subtle nudge. She stiffened but answered, "Yes."
"I see," the duke said coldly, his gaze lingering on her with undisguised contempt. He turned to the council. "My king, I believe I know what we face."
A tense silence filled the hall as all eyes fell on the duke.
"Long before our time," he began, his voice grave, "there existed a beast blessed with mana itself. It stood on two legs, its eyes a mirror of the cosmos. The gods called it their first perfect creation."
The weight of his words pressed down on the court.
"But it turned on them," the duke continued, "seeking divinity for itself. It waged war against the heavens, slaying countless gods before it was defeated and sealed in the far void."
The silence deepened, the court held captive by the tale.
"If this creature has returned, we are powerless to stop it," the duke concluded, his voice tinged with dread. "It took the combined might of gods to subdue it. We are but mortals."
The court erupted into panic. Fear spread like wildfire, drowning even the king's attempts to restore order.
Arthur stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chaos. "My lords!"
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him.
"We cannot confirm if this beast is truly the one of legend," he said firmly. "But if it is, there may yet be a solution."
The king raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you propose, Arthur?"
Arthur took a steadying breath. "The reinstatement of the Wardens."
A collective gasp swept through the hall.
"The Wardens?" the duke spat. "They were disbanded for their insubordination and recklessness. Reinstating them would be inviting disaster."
Arthur stood his ground. "Perhaps. But if this beast truly has returned, they are our best chance. The Wardens possess the power to tame and command beasts. If anyone can subdue this creature—or stop it—it's them."
The duke scoffed, but Arthur pressed on. "If you doubt their discipline, place them under my command. I will ensure they follow the crown's will. And if I fail, strip me of my magic and banish me to the void."
A stunned silence followed his bold declaration.
"Are you mad?" Farrow hissed under his breath. "Even for you, this is insane."
Arthur didn't waver. "If I'm wrong, then nothing changes. But you saw that beast. If I'd been allowed to use my ability, I could've ended the fight sooner."
The council deliberated. Minutes felt like hours before the king spoke.
"From this day forth, the Wardens are reinstated under the stewardship of the Duke of Tenebris and the command of Arthur," the king declared. "If they falter, Arthur alone will bear the consequences."
Arthur bowed deeply. "Thank you, my king."
As the party left the palace, their faces were grim. Arthur's fate now rested on a gamble, and though his resolve was firm, doubt lingered. His companions, though loyal, couldn't hide their worry.
In his heart, Arthur knew: this was only the beginning.