Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Preparations

Cathan Leywin Pov

"Are you ready?" Arthur asked as the three of us walked outside.

"We're ready." I nodded as we walked towards the teleportation room.

The doors were already open, with only one guard stationed in front. Because many of the soldiers in the castle were in Etistin, the lack of personnel was definitely noticeable.

I could see a few familiar faces waiting to send us off amidst the workers bustling about, making the teleportation gate was functional and set to the correct location. Aside from Claire, Tess, and Elder Buhnd, Kathyln and Elder Hester were here.

I didn't spend time with the three elders and Kathyln even though I was in the training room with them. That was due to spending most of my time in the keystone realm.

"Looking quite dashing there, young heroes," Elder Hester smiled.

"Unlike those three buffoons, my clothes are functional in combat," I teased.

"You can deny that these runes look cool." Azrael protested.

"I can't, and I won't." I patted his head.

"It's good to see you again, Elder Hester," Arthur greeted, holding out a hand.

"Good to see you too, General." She grinned.

"I could tell from the meeting we had earlier that you're just itching to go out into the field. What do you say, wanna book it out of here with us?" Arthur turned to Elder Buhnd.

"Bah, and get my arse dragged back by Virion? I'll pass. Besides, it seems like he needs a hand with everything going on these days," Elder Buhnd replied and then turned to look at me. "Be careful over there. I know it may not feel like it right now, but there are people that care about you and are waiting for you to come back."

"I'll come back. I'm not a masochist like my brother, so I'm actually going to try and avoid the attacks." I smirked, earning a smack from Arthur.

I noticed something odd about Tess, so I suppressed my smirk and decided to talk about it later. I turned to Claire, who was already hugging and saying goodbyes with Azrael. The scene in front of me felt more like a parent sending their child off to school, but Claire was saying goodbye to Azrael before he entered the most dangerous battle in a continental war.

I gave Claire a long hug after Azrael moved away. "I heard you're going to be with my sister and mother. I'll leave them to you."

"I promise I won't let anything happen to Ellie or your mother but make sure to come back." Claire returned the hug.

"I promise." I hugged her tighter.

"You promise what?" Claire pinched my back.

"I promise I'll come back safe and well!" I hurriedly replied.

"Good." Claire grinned.

"Just don't kill me when I come back." I rubbed my back.

"No promises on that one." Claire giggled.

"If you can cook something without burning it, then we have a deal," I smirked.

"Cathan..." Claire's voice was low but humming with an obvious threat.

Arthur and Sylvie quickly dashed through the teleportation gate, leaving Azrael and me stranded against the mighty beast before us. Claire moved quickly as Azrael and I rushed towards the portal.

"I'll see you soon. All of you," I declared as the two of us quickly followed Arthur and Sylvie.

After the unsettling sensation of teleportation wore off, the four of us stepped down the raised podium that held the gate. Heavily armored soldiers stood on either side of us, heads inclined in a bow.