Chapter 243: 241
Farewell
Sung remained standing, looking at Arthur as he spoke to himself, his empty eyes reflecting nothing but absolute brokenness.
Pain slowly crept into Sung's heart, a heavy pain that left him unable to breathe for a few moments.
He wanted to speak to him.
He wanted to ask him about Rath, to know what had happened, to hear the whole truth…
But there was no point.
Arthur was not in his right mind.
He was not even truly present.
Sung could see it clearly;
Arthur was completely broken.
Sung raised his right hand and, with a decisive motion, struck Arthur across the face.
Arthur collapsed, unconscious.
It was not because of the strength of Sung's blow,
but because Arthur's body had nothing left.
No energy.
No strength.
No will.
His heart was shattered, his soul broken, and everything within him had already fallen apart.
Sung understood this and made the logical decision:
Knock him unconscious… then take him to the hospital.
---
In a beautiful white room filled with tranquility, Arthur lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling with clear, calm eyes, free of any disturbance.
"Lord Arthur, how are you feeling?"
Arthur slowly turned toward the owner of the gentle voice.
It was Doctor Jin.
"Who are you really, Doctor Jin?"
The man froze for a moment.
"Yes?"
"Nothing…
How long have I been unconscious?"
"For a month."
"A month… huh."
Arthur sighed quietly, then looked around the room.
The place was strangely still.
"Didn't Sung tell Kio what happened?"
"If you mean that young man…
Lord Sung could barely stop him before he destroyed the hospital."
He continued hesitantly:
"When Lord Kio learned about you, he rushed here and wanted to see you, but your condition did not allow it.
I stopped him, and Lord Sung did as well…
But he became angry and fought with Lord Sung.
Lord Sung could barely stop him."
He paused for a moment.
"He is outside now."
"Alright…
Could you call him, Doctor Jin?"
The doctor nodded and left.
A few seconds later, the door was forcefully opened, and Kio rushed inside.
"My lord!
Are… are you alright?"
Kio bowed before Arthur's bed, relief clearly visible on his face.
"How are you, Kio?"
"I am fine, my lord."
"And what about Estaroth?"
Before Kio could finish answering, his collar moved, and Estaroth leaped out, wrapping himself tightly around Arthur's neck.
"How are you, little one?"
Arthur smiled calmly and gently ran his hand over Estaroth.
"My lord…"
"Yes?"
Kio hesitated.
"Speak, Kio."
He took a deep breath, gathered his courage, then raised his head and looked at Arthur with angry eyes.
It was the first time Kio had ever looked at his lord with such open anger.
"Where is Rath?"
His fists tightened, and his body began to tremble slightly.
"Rath… is dead, Kio.
In a confrontation with one of the Great Ancients."
Arthur calmly sat up on the bed and raised his right hand, moving his fingers in a silent gesture.
Kio immediately understood.
He placed a cigarette in Arthur's hand and lit it.
Arthur took a deep breath…
Then he began to tell them everything.
He hid nothing.
He told them about Azathoth.
About Cthulhu.
About the Outer Gods and the Great Ancients.
About Bokrog and Baston.
About Atlach-Nacha and his daughter.
He told them about the battle.
About Abhoth.
About everything.
Then…
About Rath.
About his transformation.
About his choice.
About his death.
As the cigarette came to an end…
So did the story.
Estaroth hid his head inside Arthur's clothes, trembling with indescribable sorrow.
As for Kio, he remained bowed, silent.
The anger disappeared.
And with every word, their expressions changed:
From excitement…
To anger…
To shock…
Then sorrow, brokenness, and silent pain.
Silence filled the room.
"My lord…"
Kio's voice was hoarse and strained.
"Yes, Kio?"
"What… what were Rath's last words?"
"I love you, Father…
And I beg you, don't stop.
Keep going… until you reach your dream."
A brief silence followed.
"Alright…
What will you do now?"
"I will continue moving forward.
I will not stop… not now.
Not after what happened.
Not after Rath's final wish."
Kio smiled, a smile that held both happiness and sorrow.
When Arthur saw Kio and Estaroth before him for the first time in months, something resembling life returned to his body.
And with Rath's final wish spoken aloud…
His soul finally found its way back to him.
"This is life…
Loss and gain.
Strength and weakness.
Sorrow and happiness."
He took a deep breath.
"But one thing remains constant…
And that is the human being."
He raised his head firmly.
"I am Arthur Narin.
And I swear now that I will continue on my path…
And I will not let sorrow consume me."
The vitality returned to the atmosphere of the room.
They began talking about training, about strength, about the future.
Arthur's voice was calm and gentle.
In his heart…
He buried Rath there.
Then he continued moving forward.
Arthur sighed, looked at Kio and Estaroth, and a small smile appeared on his face.
"You must gather yourself after every defeat…
For falling is not an option."
He looked at the sky through the room's window and smiled…
As though he could see something no one else could.
Then he returned to speaking calmly.
---
And in the blue sky…
The image of a small child smiled, watching them from afar.
He waved his hand…
And his body began to fade, breaking apart in the air, until he disappeared completely.
• Farewell, Father.
Farewell, my brothers. •
---
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