Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 258: Second Chances

Thank you to my beta reader and editor, GlassThreads!

Arthur Leywin

Tess' jaw clenched in rising anger at the mention of the pantheon asura, while my shoulders loosened. "What did he say to you, Sylv?" I asked, sensing the quiet distress of her emotions.

Sylv's eyes darted up, staring at the roof of the tent. Her gaze pierced the cloth, traveling through the ambient mana and toward where we both sensed Taci waiting far above.

"He demanded to know if the bond between us was forced upon me," Sylv said. "Though I told him in clear words that I partook in this war—that I stood by your side—of my own free will and desires, that did not serve to settle his ire."

Unbidden, I felt old memories rise to the surface of my mind. Of that wretch, Sebastian, as he'd tried to take Sylv from me using the authority of the Glayders.

"How could he say such a thing?" Tess said sharply, her fists clenching at her sides from anger. "Anyone who even watches you two for a second would be able to tell that you're here because you want to be. The nerve!"

I sighed, feeling a headache build in the back of my skull at the reminder of Taci Thyestes' constant anger. He bucked and fought against my authority like a raging bull wherever he could, barely listening to my bond when I set her to talk with him.

I'd trained with Taci in the aether orb, honing myself using Kordri's teachings. Alongside a few other young pantheons, my technique was forged into something capable of facing even the asura. And in the aftermath, I'd known Taci bore a grudge. Something about being forced to train with a 'lesser,' and how it stained the honor of Epheotus itself.

"This can't continue," I said with resignation. I needed to have a firm grip on all my subordinates. I needed to be certain they would act as I commanded. But with the live bomb that was Taci threatening the careful balance I'd begun to craft...

"You're right, Arthur," Sylvie replied. "But what can we do? I've talked with Taci plenty enough. Most of the time he just refuses to speak, or hurls veiled insults. I'm worried what he'll do if this goes on. If he'll reach a breaking point."

It was clear that I needed to do something. Something to fix this, or at least set an equilibrium.

What would King Grey do? I asked myself, working from a familiar angle. How would he assert his authority?

I knew immediately. The person I was in my past life would dominate his foes, breaking them and forcing his killing intent through their very bones. He'd snap their limbs and cripple them for trying to defy him.

But I couldn't do that here. Taci, however much I hated to acknowledge it, was an ally. An invaluable one, simply because he was an asura.

No. King Grey couldn't bring Taci to heel. Even if I could beat the toddler asura in direct combat—of which I was beyond doubtful—Taci wasn't a human from Earth. He was an asura: something entirely different from what I'd known.

So what would King Arthur do?

I made up my mind.

"Tess, I need you to start organizing our troops to retreat back away and set up their camp, as before," I said, already preparing for what was to come within my mind. "Make sure they're far from here."

My childhood friend sensed the gravity in my voice. She looked at me, worry overcoming her features. "Art, if you're going to do something foolish–"

"Foolish, maybe," I said, moving to the exit of the tent. "But it's what needs to be done."