Star Eater-Chapter 543 -

Arthur's Point of View

Unknown Location and Time

There was no comforting sensation as my body felt like it was ripping apart. Thrown into the future violently. Flashes started to burn into my very eyes. Like it was imprinting the images on them via hot steel branding. Whereas I floated before above the scene unfolding before me, I was thrown roughly onto ice. It felt like I had teleported into tar and was stuck in place.

The first thing I saw was Lucia. She was screaming as her eyes glowed with her magic flaring out wildly from her hands. Horrible cuts and lacerations started to form on her fingers and palms before she dropped to the ground. Crying, Lucia brought her hands to her chest as she sobbed. Alwin appeared to comfort her. Behind them, Klasteris slowly came into view as if appearing through a desert mirage.

Things shifted again as I could only watch. Elias stood before Lucia with a wicked grin on his face, but he looked different. His hair was long, and his eyes were black. Cracks appeared on his face similar to the Demon Queen known as Lorelei. Watching him, I knew this was likely from whatever demon was planted inside of him like what happened with Elincia. He was no longer that young man I knew and guided.

My view shifted to a wider field to see Marina, Rock, Breeze, Alwin, Lucia, Cassidy, and Ayda all circled around him. A mad grin took hold of his lips as magic exploded from him. It was far more than anything they could deal with.

Again, things shifted as muffled screams could be heard. Before I knew it, Elias stood before me. My sword was in his hands. I struggled but was unable to move. I watched as he slammed Defiance through my chest. It was disturbing how real it felt. Coughs escaped my lips along with blood.

"Welcome back." Elias whispered to me in such clarity it made my blood run cold before he pushed me, and I staggered back.

Everything started to shift more violently again as the images became to erratic to take note of. They turned to blurs. Sounds and images that seemed delayed to one another. Not long after, everything went black, but one more distinct sound came through. A loud roar that was very familiar to me. That was all I saw before everything stopped.

Lucia's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

"How do you think he's doing?" I asked Camoa.

"It would be difficult to say. At this point, I expected some manner of deranged muttering." The Druid replied.

Many of us looked at her slowly. "Deranged muttering." Alwin repeated.

Camoa seemed unaware of our stares as she just focused on Arthur. "Well, that is disconcerting." Ayda muttered.

I crossed my arms nervously as I watched and bit my lip. "Arthur'll be fine."

"Most likely." Marina commented. "His energy is back, so I doubt there is anything that could trouble his mind to a worrying degree."

At that moment, Arthur began coughing and blood seemed down his chin. All of us looked wide eyed in disbelief. More coughs came from him as more blood sprayed out from his lips.

"Camoa!" I shouted.

The Druid looked at me and shrugged. "This isn't that strange. Many have been injured during visions. Some have even died. Speculation is that your mind perceives the injuries you receive in the visions as real and your body reacts accordingly."

Ayda hummed at that. "That is fascinating. The mind holds complete control over the body then while having these visions?" Camoa nodded. "So, why take these potions if people knew the risk? Arthur clearly cared little about any consequences, but I doubt many others would scoff at the possibility of dying." Alwin's sister asked while Marina used her water abilities to clean up his blood.

"You'd be surprised what many would be willing to risk knowing their future." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"That seems highly irresponsible." Ayda pointed out.

"Yet, many lives have been saved doing this." Camoa replied. "How many disasters do you think you could avert if you could just catch a glimpse of what was to come? Maybe change a future from one with no hope to one with a chance for something better?" The Druid inquired.

Ayda hummed in thought again. "Then why return to the past? Why try to see a memory that has passed if it cannot change?"

To our surprise, it was Arthur who replied. "Would you be surprised how many would want to return to moments in the past where they were happiest?" He asked as he rubbed his chest. "For you, it could be a moment with your father." Arthur looked at her emotionlessly. "Do not judge those who are unable to move on, Ayda. Sometimes, what we left behind was brighter than any future."