Ancient War - TBATE

Remember Me.

Arthur Leywin -PoV-

"Are you just going to stand there or what?" he snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Art you okay?" Tess asked not lowering her sword.

"....Yes I'm okay, just acted out of instinct," I replied.

"Well then, it would be general manners to greet me back." Said Zedd.

I wasn't sensing any aura from him, which means he's somehow at a higher stage than white.

"Hello, Zedd." I bowed slightly.

"...hello." Tess greeted not lowering her sword.

"You can lower your sword you know, I'm not gonna bite." Zedd joked.

"Tess you can lower your sword," I stated.

She was hesitant but still sheathed her sword.

"Why did you want to meet us?" I asked the obvious question.

"I just wanted to make a deal nothing big," he stated with a calm voice conjuring a stone throne.

"What kind of deal?" I asked in a calm voice.

"I want you to kill your old friend," he answered nonchalantly.

"Like hell, I'll kill one of my own friends," I replied anger evident in my voice drawing my sword as Tess did the same.

"I assure you the death of Elijah Knight is in your best interest," he stated.

"If Elijah is even alive, he was taken to Alacrya, how are you even expecting me to kill him if I even accept?" I asked still not even hesitating to decline.

"The same way anyone would kill an enemy. And I assure you the things he's going to do are far too cruel and unjustified," he stated looking at me with pity.

"What do you mean?" Tess Asked

"Killing thousands of people for revenge, to get the person he loves back." He stated while standing up.

"Revenge? For what would he want revenge?" I scoffed.

"I'm not sure why he would want revenge on you for saving Cecilia from years of pain and suffering, but he does," he stated.

My mind went back to the duel between me and Cecilia her final words "They wouldn't let me kill myself this was the only way, I'm sorry.".

"You mean-" Tess cut me off.

"Nico..." She muttered giving me a side hug.

"Correct! 50 points to Gryffindor!" He answered with a chuckle.

I stared at him deadpan. This was a mage capable of reaching the stage beyond white.

"What do I get if I were to accept?" I asked still not wanting to kill Eli-Nico.

"I'll give you an elixir capable of letting you reach the stage beyond white and give you this," he answered as he conjured a black long Stick.

I immediately recognized the "Stick".

"Dawn's Ballad..." I muttered and pulled my own sword out of its seat, looking at the broken tip made my heartache.

He pulled out the sword in his hand and I saw it in perfect condition, a seamless purple blade was slowly turning into a teal blade, just like the day I got it from the Halesta auction house.

I swallowed my dry saliva Tess looking at the sword in my hand and this sword in Zedd's hand.

"It's the same sword.." she muttered.

"So.. What do you say, Grey." Zedd asked.

"What does Nico do that you need to interfere?" I asked in a grim tone.

Instead of answering he walks over to me and places an index finger on both me and Tess's forehead.

That's when I saw it, a white field turning red very quickly the grounds littered with corpses and limbs.

That's when Elijah no Nico arrives, he started conjuring multiple black spikes, killing both Alacryans and Dicathens.

The scene quickly changed and "I" was in the forest of Elshire.

"The two of you have gotten a lot stronger." Said a cold yet familiar voice.

My eyes widened as I saw Ellie on the ground struggling to breathe "Put these cuffs on and come with me Tessia or Ellie will die." Said Nico.

That's when the visions ended and my consciousness was pulled back into my body, looking over at Tess she seemed sad, angry, and concerned.

She was looking over at me with concern her eyes asking me if I'm okay, nodding I turned to face Zedd.

"Still, I don't think I need the elixir I can reach it without the elixir's help," I started not wanting to kill Nico, trying to think of a way to convince Nico to stop.

"Then let me ask you this Grey. How many Solid yellow mages would it take to hold off a solid silver mage?"
Zedd asked.

"Twelve," I answered simply.

"And how many solid silver mages would It take to hold off a white core mage?" he asked again.

"Ten...." not thinking much of what he was about to say.

"How many white core mages would it take to hold off a mage of a mage in the stage beyond white?" he asked.

I simply shook my head and admitted"I don't know."

"It would take fifteen..." he answered.

"F-Fifteen?" I and Tess practically yelled out in unison.

"Yes," he answered nonchalantly.

I was currently at the light silver stage and strong enough to beat the weakest retainer when they have the home-field advantage.

According to Zedd, it would take 150 mid silver versions of me to hold off me at the stage beyond white.

That should make me strong enough to beat a scythe, as I pondered my options, Tess gave me a quick peck on my lips I looked at her to see her blushing.

"Whatever you choose I'll support you. Just remember I'm here for you."
She said with a blush avoiding my gaze.

Thanking her I gave her a kiss, "Thank you, Tess.".

Zedd was looking at me with an amused look.

"As an added bonus I'll throw in this crystal," he said manifesting a crystal.

"What's that?" I asked the obvious.

"If you imbue your mana into this it will alert me that you need help, when you use it, I'll help you whether that's fighting or healing," he stated.

Pondering over my options as Zedd and I appeared to be deep in thought when I spoke up.

"I believe we have a deal Zedd," I replied with a somewhat sad smile.

He stuck out his hand to signify the end of negotiations.

A/N: I'll see you all next week or whenever I upload next time.