COTE x TBATE | A Masterpiece

Chapter 『55』 - A Sσɳɠ σϝ Iƈҽ αɳԃ Fιɾҽ

(3rd Person Perspective)

"Arthur!" Virion's voice, sounding rushed and apprehensive, came from the communication scroll, with a bitter and almost fearful undertone as he spoke to Arthur. "You have to come back. The ships will arrive in a few minutes."

"I will be fine." Arthur replied as he flew, leaving a series of thunderous sonic booms as he flew at an abnormal speed, surpassing the speed of sound. His figure became a blur as he zipped through the air, effortlessly cutting through the wind. Arisu kept up with him, a few meters away from him. 

"The Lances and the battalions there can handle them. You have to come back. You and Arisu are our top priority." Aldir interrupted, his tone bearing a commanding and gruff timbre, with a marked air of irrevocability---an incontestable finality in his voice. 

"Do you want to lose everything at once!?" Arisu was the one who talked this time, her voice agitated and rushed as they got closer and closer to the the bay of the Capital of Sapin---Etistin. 

"What do you mean?" Virion asked, sounding confused and irritated at the same time. 

"Apparently there are two scythes on board those ships." Arisu replied and the colour from Virion's face washed away, as though a wave of shock had washed over him. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the communication scroll tightly, which, under the pressure, began to fracture with a distinct cracking sound. The transmission signal wavered, its images and sounds distorting and fluctuating before finally stabilising themselves.

Aldir remained wordless and exhaled deeply, his breath escaping in a slow and audible manner. A profound stillness then descended upon both Aldir and Virion, enveloping them like a dense and heavy cloak. The silence seemed to stretch out interminably, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and uncertainty, as the two men locked gazes on the scroll, their thoughts cloaked in mystery. The quietude was so palpable that it felt almost tangible, evoking a sense of anticipation and apprehension for what outcome will their decision lead to.

"Fine. You are free to act. However, if I feel like you're in trouble, I will teleport you back. We can't afford to lose a precious military asset so early on in the war." Aldir choice of words left  Arisu with a bitter taste in her mouth, prompting her to clench her jaw and bite down on her lower lip in frustration.

"Fine." Arthur replied and the transmission came to an end.

"I know you won't tell me much, but we can't trust the Asuras, right?" Arisu asked, picking up pace. 

"We can't." Arthur replied, his reply short and to-the-point. 

"Do you plan on ending it all on your own, then?" Arisu asked, her words carrying a certain meaning behind them. A wish to be of some use to him. 

"I have my reasons." Arthur replied. The reason was his family, a group of people he had come to somehow adore over the past 16 years as he grew up with them. The mother who always tended to him even when he didn't need it, a father who was always there as a supporting role, telling him to do whatever his heard desires and a little sibling which meant so much to him.

Despite his inability to vocalize it or even feel it as of now, Arthur felt an unshakeable urge to protect his family, a presence that lay dormant within his cold stone heart. He remained unaware of this deep-rooted feeling, buried beneath layers of stoicism and indifference. Yet, it lingered like a silent sentinel, ever watchful and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"Then let me be by your side for whatever purpose you're trying so hard." 

"No." 

As if struck by Cupid's arrow, Arisu felt a sharp pain pierce her heart. With an eyebrow raised in annoyance, she retorted, "Well, butter my biscuits, that hurt! You don't have to outright refuse me like that, Arthur, fufu~"