TBATE-ALLIANCE

Chapter 23

3rd Person POV

Arthur looked at Sameer with surprise, seeing him standing after that attack like it was nothing. His eyes narrowed on Sameer, trying to size him up; however, Sameer kept his pressure in check, not revealing his true strength.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting before," Sameer grinned, gesturing to Arthur.

Arthur scoffed, "If we had, you'd already be dead."

Sameer's grin widened, "Such confidence. I'll enjoy breaking you."

"Arthur," Aya called out, not taking her eyes off Sameer, remaining in a defensive stance. "Do not underestimate him. He's a Retainer, and he's the one who killed Mica and Bairon."

Arthur's eyes widened, and his blood boiled at this revelation. Anger washed over Arthur with the determination to avenge his dead comrades.

'Papa, is everything ok?' Sylvie asked mentally, feeling Arthur's emotions through their mental connection.

'I'm fine, Sylv. A Retainer showed up.' Arthur replied mentally.

'What?! Alright, I'm on my way!' Sylvie said mentally.

"Arthur, is it?" Sameer said, hearing Aya say Arthur's name. Sameer clasped his hands to the small of his back, "I consider myself a nice person. So, I'll make you a deal."

Arthur raised a brow, "What kind of deal?"

Sameer grinned sinisterly, "Kill the elf next to you, and I'll leave. I'll bring no further harm to you or your comrades. However, if you choose to fight me, I will beat you senselessly to the point where you can't move. Then, I'll make you watch helplessly as I have fun with the dear elf. And only when I've had my fill of fun and hear her begging for death will I grant her a reprieve."

Aya clicked her tongue, her body tensed, and she looked at Sameer with disgust.

"This guy sounds pretty fucked in the head," Regis commented, glaring at Sameer.

Arthur's eyes narrowed in anger, and he gritted his teeth, "How about I make you a counteroffer."

Sameer looked at Arthur curiously, "Oh? And what might that be."

"Take your Alacryan forces with you back to Alacrya, or I'll kill you here and now," Arthur stated.

Sameer's brows raised in amusement, "You seem to be under the assumption that you can defeat me."

Arthur chuckled confidently, "I'm not a stranger to killing Retainers. Hell, I've even killed a Scythe before."

Sameer's head tilted slightly with intrigue, "Oh? You have?"

"Cadell died by my blade," Arthur said, trying to intimidate Sameer.

Sameer's eyes widened and lit up like he was looking at a brand-new toy to play with. Sameer's breathing increased with anticipation, and his smile widened, "I have a feeling this is going to be a lot of fun."

Without another word, sickening green liquid poured out of Sameer's right hand and formed into the shape of a spear. Arthur quickly got into a defensive stance, activating realmheart. Sameer's grin widened with excitement, seeing the gold and amethyst runes appear on Arthur and his hair turn white. Aya also got into a defensive stance, not taking her eyes off Sameer. Though, she couldn't help but be nervous with memories of her last encounter with Sameer surfacing. Regis stood to the side, glaring at Sameer since he knew he would only get in the way with his current form.

Sameer burst toward Arthur, cracking the ground beneath him from the force of takeoff. Arthur's eyes narrowed, and he pumped aether into his eyes, seeing the several aetheric pathways. Then, he coated Despair in all four elements before activating his spacium rune. Arthur godstepped, disappearing in a veil of amethyst lightning before reappearing behind Sameer. Before Sameer even had a chance to react, Arthur swung Despair horizontally, striking Sameer on his left side.