Tbate: Resurgence

-Side Chapter: What the hell happened?-

Elijah Knight

When Arthur gathered everyone that day to tell his friends and family something important, I wasn’t there. I had to go home for some important errands, and it was one of those rare off days, so I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal. I figured I’d get the details when I got back to the academy.

But when I returned, it felt like the entire world had flipped upside down. Months had passed since that day, and I still had no idea what went down. All I knew was that Arthur had dropped out of the academy. At first, I thought it was some rumor blown out of proportion, but then I checked our room. It was cleared out—no trace of him.

Panic surged through me. This wasn’t some normal situation where Arthur went off on a whim. Something had to have happened—something big.

I immediately went to the Hestia estate, hoping to get some answers. Vincent greeted me at the door, his face lined with worry and fatigue.

“I’m here to see Arthur,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Vincent sighed, rubbing his temples as if he had already expected this. “I’m sorry, Elijah,” he said, his tone heavy. “The Leywin family... they aren’t taking visitors anymore, not even you.”

“What?” I blurted out, shocked. “I’m his best friend! I need to know what happened!”

He shook his head, looking pained. “I don’t know the full details myself. I tried talking to Reynolds to find out if Arthur had done something, but all he told me was to drop it. He said, as a friend, not to pry any further. Whatever happened... it’s bad.”

I left the estate feeling like the ground had been ripped out from under me. No one was giving me straight answers, and my best friend had just vanished. The worst part? It had already been months.

I tried talking to Tessia next. If anyone knew what happened, it had to be her. She and Arthur were inseparable. But when I finally found her, the sight was almost unbearable. She looked like she’d been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her eyes were swollen and red as if she had been crying for days. I barely got a word out before she turned away from me.

“Don’t ask me about him, Elijah,” she choked out, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “Just... don’t.” And she walked away, leaving me in the same darkness of not knowing.

What the hell happened? I couldn't piece anything together. Why was everyone acting like this? What could Arthur possibly have done that caused this kind of fallout?

Back in my room, I threw myself on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. My thoughts raced. Should I drop out too? Should I go searching for him? I owed Arthur so much—he was the reason I was even at this academy in the first place. I wouldn’t have had this chance if not for him.

But then, what would leaving accomplish? I didn’t have a single clue where he might have gone. I didn’t know what had happened. If I dropped everything now and went out there, it would be like stumbling around in the dark.

Staying here, though... it felt like a betrayal, like I was just sitting around while my best friend was out there, possibly in trouble. Damn it, Arthur. I clenched my fists, frustration building up inside me. Why couldn’t you wait for me? Why didn’t you let me be there?

Suddenly, a sharp, pulsating ache swelled in my head. With each throb, my vision warped, twisting into shapes and intense feelings I couldn't quite grasp.

"Damn, these headaches aren’t getting any better either," I muttered with a sigh.

I had to make a decision. I couldn’t run around aimlessly, but I couldn’t just do nothing either. If I stayed here, I could use every resource the academy had to find out what happened. I’d train harder, dig deeper into information, and maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to help him.

Author's Note : Hey It's me Night. Although this is a short side chapter for what happened to Elijah or Nico, should I say.

Next chapter will drop tommorw and from then on I'd update every 2-3 days.

Here's a Treat for ya'll,

Preview : "Y-You... monster," gasped one of the soldiers from the other continent, clutching the bloody stump where his hand used to be.