They spent most of the day trying to lure insects down, as transportation, but to no avail. Selenia had taken to blaming Betameche for startling them every time, but Arthur believed it lay deeper. After all, everything in the Seven Kingdoms was interconnected, and maybe after the whole Minimoy village incident, everything was just a little on edge.
Not that it mattered, whatever the reason, because their failed efforts had only left them hungry, thirsty, and tired, not to mention the light had started to fade. Which had made Selenia incredibly irritable.
"We'd be up and out of here if it wasn't for you, Beta!" She yelled at Beta. Since the second time they tried to lure in an insect, Beta and Selenia would argue for a couple of minutes before they moved on to the next one. But somehow, Arthur sensed Selenia was at her limit. That they both were.
"What?! What have I done?!" He yelled back.
"I don't know, but whenever you get close, our potential transportation flies off! So you must be doing something!"
"I think you'll find it's you yelling all the time!" Beta countered. Selenia took one step closer to Beta.
"Well I think it's because you're so small and ugly, they think you're an insect as well!" Beta's face flushed with anger, and he took a step closer to her.
"I don't need to be tall to punch your big mouth so hard you go flying back to the village quicker than you can say holy humpback Gamillus!" They were only a few metres from each other now, and Arthur was certain if they came within centimetres of each other they would start fighting.
"Guys-" He began, reasonably. Beta didn't seemed to notice him, but Selenia did something Arthur wouldn't expect in a million years, even for her. She spun round to face him, and yelled:
"Shut it Arthur! " And spun back round to face Beta. Without a single, tiny spec of regret in her eyes. And that drew Arthur to his limit.
He had noticed a large boulder only a few metres away from Beta and Selenia, on the other side from where he was standing. That was good. That way the Sword didn't have to go far. He unsheathed it from his belt, which made a noise, but not one audible over Beta and Selenia arguing. He placed it in one hand, and raised it high, then back behind him. He had to be careful. Although they weren't that close, a bad aim could be fatal for either of them. But having thrown the sword before, when they were about to drown, and hit his target perfectly, he was confident in himself. He closed one eye, and took aim. Then with one fluid movement, swung the sword forward, and let go.
He held his breath for a few moments, but he immediately realised the throw was good. The sword flew through the air, slicing directly through the centre of the imaginary line that connected Beta and Selenia's vision. Right in between them. Before making a loud CRUNCH sound as it wedged itself deep into the boulder. Selenia and Beta seemed to stay motionless for a moment, in the exact same positions they were in moments ago. Except the anger from their faces had all but disintegrated, melted into expressions of immeasurable surprise. Then very slowly, they both turned to face Arthur. And Arthur was certain that there was no pity on his face. Only anger. Because he could see it on their faces. Even on Selenia's. Fear.
The fear on their faces almost made Arthur shudder. He wasn't usually like this. This wasn't him. But there were some moments in his life where he had to be brave. Had to forget his peaceful nature for a moment. Because there was too much at stake.
"What is wrong with you two?! Your own people are being held captive by an psychopathic maniac, and here you are, arguing like children!" It physically pained Arthur to see his friends afraid of him. But he couldn't let this go on. "We all need each other! None of us can succeed in this alone! Don't you get it?!" He lowered his voice, and tried to soften his face. "We. Are. A team. And teams help each other." He then walked to the boulder, their eyes following him all the way, and with some effort, wrenched the sword from the boulder. He stood to observe the huge crack it had made for a second, then with sword in hand, marched back onto the path, leaving Beta and Selenia to wonder what had happened.
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Arthur and the Invisibles 4: Defender of the Seven Kingdoms
FanfictionAlmost an entire year has passed since the events of the War of Two Worlds, and Arthur has returned home to his grandparent's house, home of the Minimoys. The sky is looking clear, the telescope has been repaired, and even his father is allowing him...
