TBATE - CHANGING FATE

Chapter 23 - The Declaration of War

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ARTHUR POV:

'Windsom...'

"Who might you be?"

Staring at him intensely, I feigned ignorance about his sudden appearance. Taking a look around the café, he set up a barrier that evaded any gazes that might fall on us.

"You may call me Windsom."

Staring back at me curiously, his eyebrow twitched before continuing. Standing before me proudly, almost refusing to take a seat and meet me at eye level, Windsom continued.

"I suppose some information is required. Your current bond, the one you call 'Sylvie', is someone that is very important to us."

As he looked at me, I interrupted to maintain the conversation as smoothly as possible; making sure to avoid any suspicion.

"Us? Who is this us?"

"Asurans. Much like how you people have recently discovered the continent of Alacrya, the world is much larger than you think. My people come from another land, and the daughter of Lady Sylvia has – due to unforeseen circumstances – ended up in your hands."

Taking a bite of my cake nonchalantly, I chewed while thinking of the ways to resolve the situation.

'For now, it's best to keep a low cover' I thought as I swallowed the sweet treat, 'remain ignorant and be seen as a non-threat.'

"How do I know you're not just some kidnapper? Sylvie is not just a bond; I view her as my own child. Who are you to take her away?"

Noticing that a vessel popped in his forehead, Windsom's face darkened and his voice deepened.

"It is not your place to know human. All the information that you are privy is to that 'Sylvie' is of great importance to someone who holds unimaginable power within our lands, and he has grown impatient with our lack of results. Hand – her – over."

"..."

"Hand her over?"

'Hand her over...'

Hearing those words, I felt something growing. A feeling or tension building up inside of me.

Was it hatred?

Maybe.

Although I decided to hopefully pass this meeting over – not wanting to reveal my existence to Kezess yet – I realised that feeling was going to flow out. It was another part of me bubbling hearing those words that treated Sylvie like an object.

'Arthur... What was the point of gaining all this power if you never use it? Wasn't it so you would never be threatened again? So you would never lose anyone again? Why not fight back? Just this once.'

A voice, unsure whether it was my own or someone else's, spoke to me.

Growing impatient at my lack of response, Windsom suddenly snapped and broke the table in two, the wood crumbling away in his enclosed fist.

"Lord Kezess is upset, and you are in his way. We did not wish to take a forceful method against lower beings such as yourself, but it appears that you will not be changing your mind."

Lurching forwards in a flash, Windsom outstretched his hand in the shape of a spear – his fingers aimed for my throat. Sensing his bloodlust in the attack, I reacted in a manner that didn't suit the mature way I wished to handle this encounter.

*crunch*

Grabbing his hand just as it was inches from my flesh, I crushed them.

It was too late to turn back now.