Arthur walked around the streets of the city.
Regis was blabbing his mouth off in his head about each lady he walked past.
It was annoying, but nice at the same time.
Arthur almost felt normal, walking with mundane, but of course, people. Noticed him.
Especially after last week's fiasco.
The first few days after the great outbreak were annoying to say the least. He had gotten invites from every clan, everyone wanted to get him on a leash.
They knew Arthur would be a storm when he reached Transcendence. Cor was panicking left and right, trying to keep him in the government, but not to insult the clans.
It was quite an ordeal. Luckily for Saint Cor, Arthur didn't plan to leave the government. It was far more relaxing than Arthur ever imagined. He had free time, and he had breaks.
And while not everyone liked him, his personality was quite cold. No one despised him, no one wanted him to leave. Frankly, since Arthur started responding to emergencies, some people actually got to rest and finally spent time with their families. And Arthur felt good about that, Saint Cor only mentioned it in passing, but it was a reward greater than any amount of soul shards.
He was actually doing something great, he was helping the world slightly heal. And so Arthur decided that he wouldn't just protect the ones he held dear. No, he would protect anyone he could. His power was magnificent and it would only grow further.
Finally, Arthur arrived at his destination, that being the orphanage. Entering, Arthur saw the caretaker, her wrinkles were much more pronounced now, age catching up with her body, her hair was far more gay than before, shorter as well.
As Arthur entered, he received a small, yet gentle smile.
"Making a name for yourself?" She asked, her voice slightly teasing. Arthur let out a cough, slightly embarrassed, of course she saw him fighting, it was on the news for several days straight.
"I guess you could say that" was his weak reply, a small shaky smile on his face.
Then Arthur looked around, and there was no one inside, weird.
"Where is everyone?"
The caretaker sighed, "The orphanage will be moved to a safe location, deeper in the city".
Arthur smiled, Saint Cor had not forgotten after all.
"Well, that's great news, it will be much easier for me to come and help." A now bigger smile was on Arthur's face, his eyes slightly squinted, cheeks puffed out, looking like himself for the first time in what felt like years.
The caretaker responded with laughter, but they didn't laugh.
Her mood sobered, a small sad smile kn her face, eyes looking duller than usual.
"I'm not going to make it, Arthur", she spoke out in a soft tone, her eyes glistening slightly.
Arthur's own eyes stared in confusion.
Then he looked at the details, and that hair looked... fake.
The wrinkles are far more pronounced than they should be; stress alone couldn't do this.
And she sat in one place, trying not to make sudden movements.
It looked like an illness, Arthur realized.
"And the doctors?"
The woman only shook her head slowly, "It is not worth the resources," she then sighed.
Arthur felt tears pricking in his eyes, fear and sadness overwhelming his heart. Of course, this had to happen, just as life was turning around, just as everything was getting better. He had to lose one of the most important people in his life. Arthur wanted to scream at the doctors; he could pay, he would, he had the souls' hands, dozens of them. He'll Arthur could just start responding to higher gates.
But he knew money wasn't the problem.
The resources were. Everything was limited.
And so, Arthur decided to just sit with the woman who raised him. The woman who had taken care of him, the one who taught him writing, speaking, and reading.
Arthur sat with the woman for what felt like hours, both of them sharing stories. Laughs and tears flowed through the building.
Then his communicator buzzed, Arthur immediately recognized the emergency response request.
He glared at the vile machine.
He looked over the information.
The gate was of the 4th rank.
Arthur turned to the woman, and she only nodded at him.
"I will be watching you".
And so Arthur and the caretaker exchanged a hug.
The next moment, Arthur was gone, already on the battlefield.
Thanks for reading and support.