TBATE - Brother's Once More

Chaos and Aftermath

Vincent Helstea

It was a pity Arthur wasn't able to find a suitable sword.

No matter. There are enough swords in storage; I'm sure he will take a liking to at least one of them.

"Your Majesty, I hope you're finding it worthwhile to visit this humble auction house of ours," I assured, lowering myself.

"This place and event was anything but humble, Vincent. And yes, I'm not sure how you managed to secure an A-class beast core from a Silvercoat bear, but you've managed to build quite the network. Let's just hope that the beast will is still intact." He clasped my back excitedly with his hand.

"Don't get your hopes up too much, Dear. You know how rare it is," I could hear the Queen mutter quietly in response.

The Queen turned back to resume her conversation with Alice and my wife. They seemed to be discussing something about the kids.

His Majesty and I turned our attention back to the main stage when, all of a sudden, a terrifyingly oppressive presence filled the room, constricting my body.

I tried my hardest to move, to try and find the source of this domineering bloodlust, but my body refused to obey.

What the hell was going on? This was the most secure area in the entire building with the King's guard inside, as well as my own, securing the outside of the room.

My breathing turned shallow as the overbearing pressure continued gripping at my insides.

I could feel beads of cold sweat slowly rolling down my face as if they, too, were afraid.

Not even a moment later, I felt an even more oppressive pressure weighing down on me. It felt like that of an absolute ruler; it felt as if a God had come down to employ his wrath upon us. I didn't even think a mage could possibly emit such an oppressive aura in all of Dicathen, let alone in Xyrus.

Just then, a voice, one I've never heard before, spoke up.

"I'll need you to settle down, boy." It was Jayden? I looked to him, standing; but it wasn't Jayden.

No... It is Jayden, but he's changed.

The Leywin boy had definitely changed. His azure blue irises had changed to Jade Green slits; his long Auburn hair now a Crimson red; and his fingernails sharpened to a point.

I assumed the oppressive aura came from him, considering how he closed his eyes and the pressure suddenly vanished.

We all turned our attention to the boy.

"Jayden! What are you doing?" Alice shouted, concerned laced in her voice and worry on her face at the boy's different appearance.

"I'm afraid Jayden's not currently present, Alice Leywin. Call me Ryu. And you," he turned to Arthur, who was just as stunned as everybody else.

"The pesky mage who made an attempt to grab Arthur Leywin's bond." His gaze went past Arthur, to the King's guard, who had fallen down in fear.

"I'm warning you just this once. Touch the boy's bond, and I'll kill you. Ask for it as a reward from this 'King,' and I'll kill you. Attempt to kill the boy and take the bond for yourself, and I'll kill you.

The only reason I allow you to live is because of Jayden Leywin's will, but not even he will be able to stop me from killing you if you even think of trying to obtain Sylvie in any way possible from this moment forward."

"Arthur," he said before he turned back to us. "Vincent, Tabitha, Alice," he turned to the door that had opened, revealing Reynolds as he barged into the room, caught off guard. "and Reynolds. I will return, not in the body of Jayden but in my own, in approximately one year and six months."