Arcanum - Chapter 180

“Well I think it’s about time I head to bed.” I said standing up feeling a little tired.

“Sure I’ll walk ya back.” Sven said patting Yuna on the shoulder giving her a smile.

“I’ll join you guys, probably best of me to find Helen and see how she’s doing.” Grace said standing up to join us.

“Coming with us Morgana?” I asked.

“Okay.” She replied standing up.

“Get well soon guys.” We bid Yuna and Daisy farewell and a speedy recovery.

As we exited the infirmary “Umm I just wanted to make sure you guys know to keep the whole Demon thing hush hush.” Sven said letting out a cough to break the silence.

“Sure.” Grace and Morgana answered him immediately whereas I took abit longer to answer him.

“Great great.. It’s for the best.” He said looking for my reaction.”

“I know.” I nodded to him still feeling a little hesitant.

“Well this is my floor Good night the three of you.” Sven said leaving us.

So Morgana did Paul end up fixing a room for you?” I questioned.

“Yeah he did, he got me a room out for me the next day after we arrived.” She smiled.

“So have you spent a lot of time with him?” I questioned.

“Nope hardly any at all I don’t see him around much to be honest, but I have been meeting up with Ashley a lot.” She answered.

“Ohh you do?” Grace and I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course I need to report my findings and then he advises me on what to do next.” Morgana answered making us feel a little disappointed

“Good night Emilia.” Grace and Morgana bid me farewell leaving for their room.

I looked up the winding staircase up towards Paul’s floor, it felt kind of weird having spent more time and making more memories in his room then my own room. It felt odd the silence made me feel oddly weird, it felt more like I was living in a house by myself. Maybe I should spend some time personalising my room a bit more, make it feel more comfortable. With a big sigh I began getting ready for bed.

After finishing up I laid in bed staring at the ceiling the complete silence driving me insane. “Hey Paul?” I asked turning on the badge.

“Hey wassup?!” He replied sounding a little concerned at my random message.

“Nothing to worry about, just wanted to you know chat..” I replied the sound of his voice making me feel at ease almost instantly.

“You know I will always be here for you.” He replied trying to comfort me.

“I Know.” I answered him smiling.

“Anna told me you guys did really well today! The demon was nothing to sneeze at apparently.” He said sounding proud.

“Yeah, it was mostly Daisy and Anna..” I confessed still feeling a little useless.

“Ahh yes Demons are resistant to spells right?” He asked.

“Yes! How do you even deal with that?” I questioned.

“There’s not much you can do to be honest, just hone your spells more or just use stronger spells and brute force it.” He answered like it was an obvious answer. “And remember your only as strong as your team, as long as they have your back and you have theirs.” He answered.

“So what are you up to?” I asked him curiously.

“Just in my room, a spot of reading. Scarlet’s here as well. Hey scarlet Emilia says hi!” He said.

“Ohh hey sis!” Scarlets voice appeared in my head.

“Ohh hey!” I smiled back.

“Nicely done discovering the Demon incursion by the way!” Scarlet smiled.

“That was more Morgana we just tagged along by chance today. How was it on your side are you okay?” I questioned.

“It was AMAZING! There was so many Demons down there!” She answered clearly happy she was called to handle the situation.

“Ohh and great tip on the cause of the Dark Elf attack.” Paul added.

“You’re not going down there are you?” I questioned.

“Not till I find out exactly what it is first, I’m finding it hard to pinpoint what it is exactly.” He answered.

“Paul it’s too dangerous.” I objected knowing he’s going to deal with it once he identifies it.

“Don’t worry I won’t go unless I know for certain we can take it out.” He answered trying to relieve me of my worries.

“To be fair sis we’ve done way more dangerous stuff.” Scarlet chuckled.

“….. Scarlet not helping” Paul instantly replied clearly annoyed at her honesty.

“Emilia we’ll be fine if we do end up going we’ll be well prepared for anything.” He answered trying to sound as caring as possible.

“Paul.. Do you know how that copy of me is doing back at home?” I Questioned.

“I have a contact that will send a message if anything drastic happens that requires us to return, so since nothing has happened thus far I assume everything is going great.” He answered calmly.

“Really all my friends and family can’t tell the difference?” I asked in shock a little disheartened that they couldn’t recognise it was a clone.

“It does have your memories, mannerisms and behaviour.” He tried to explain.

“Surely someone must have noticed.” I argued at how a clone can easily just imitate and live my life.

“I’m sure they might have but they probably just pass it off as an off day or something.” Paul answered.

“When do you think we can take a visit back home?” I wonered.

“Well in about two weeks they have what we call a half term. We can visit home for a week if you’d like.” He smiled.

“That’s a relief! Can we go?” I requested.

“Sure! I’ll get the permission to go.” He replied.

“So how was your day?” I questioned wondering what they were up to.

“Nothing as exciting as yours, just casual chit chat and sharing of food and drinks but it’s always good to catch up with friends.” Paul answered.

“Paul do you ever think about our friends back home?” I questioned.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“You know Rashid, Sadhika and ruby.” I questioned.

“You’re still friends with them?” Paula sked in shock.

“Not really but I thought you guys were a still friends.” I asked

“Nah not anymore..” Paul answered feeling regretful.

“How comes?” I questioned.

“Some people never change.” He answered making me understand why they had a falling out.

“So your only friend is Jaymesh?” I asked curiously.

“Yes there are a few others but basically I only have three friends.” he answered.

“How about your family?” I questioned.

“Well my cousins and brother knows.. But my Uncles and Aunts won’t really care unless I suddenly miss a gathering.” He answered, “Don’t worry! In two weeks you’ll have time to visit everyone.” He answered.

“Hey Paul.. Can I ask you something serious?” I asked hesitantly.

“Sure shoot.” He answered.

“Are you not afraid of dying?” I questioned feeling extremely worried for him.

“To be honest, I am but remember last time I had a contingency.” He answered.

“What about the next time?” I asked.

“Well I don’t currently have a contingency for next time so I’m gonna try and be safer.” He answered.

“Paul what happens when you die here?” I questioned.

“Well from what I know, my soul would leave my body.. Then I hope it goes to heaven.” He laughed.

“Is there any way for someone or something to claim your soul?” I questioned hoping to find out what happens to him in the future.

“From what I know it could be a number of things… Any number of artifacts can seal a soul, literally innumerable number of creatures, deities and that’s not including the way is don’t know. Why do you ask?” He questioned curiously.

“No reason just wondering because Anna has a soul sealing sword that’s all.” I answered back quickly.

“Ahhh Muramasa yes it’s a very dangerous sword.” Paul answered.

“Your Giant Scythe also seals souls right? I remember Scarlet told me.” I asked.

“Ohh she told you about that?” Paul asked surprised I know about it.

“Yeah she mentioned it, she said you only use it if the situation requires.” I answered.

“Yes it’s called Belial it’s different to Muramasa. If I was to severs someone’s limb with Belial, it doesn’t physically sever their limb but that part of the body will no long be usable.” He tried to explain.

“So if you was to cut a leg they can’t use their leg anymore.” I asked.

“Yes that’s how it works.” He answered.

“Woah for how long?” I asked in shock.

“As far as we know its permanent.” Paul answered making me feel slightly scared of him and what he’s capable of. “Let’s not talk about depressing stuff.” He said noticing my pause of silence. “What you up to tomorrow?” He questioned trying to change the topic.

“Ohh we’re gonna head to Jays home town and see his parents.” I answered.

“I remember, nice family good people. A shame what happened to them.” Paul replied.

“Wait what happened to them?” I asked.

“They have what looks like nasty burns on their necks it’s a result of a disease called Blue Stigma it’s generally harmless to everyone else but everyone avoids it like it’s some bad omen or something.” Paul explained.

“If it’s harmless why does everyone avoid it or fear it?” I questioned.

“Apparently back when Arcanum users was more abundant, this plague spread all across the world like a programmed plague, anyone afflicted loses their ability to use Arcanum.” Paul answered.

“Does it spread?” I questioned worried I might get it.

“No it’s a weird phenomenon no one knowns why, but anyone can get it at random times of their lives it’s all just random sadly.” Paul answered.

“And that’s why Jay has such a hard upbringing?” I questioned.

“Yes…. sadly people fear what they see as different and don’t understand so that’s why they were homeless and treated badly, it’s truly unfortunate that both Jay’s parents have it.” Paul answered sounding a little saddened.

“You helped them right?” I questioned sounding hopeful.

“Yes.. I did as much as I could.” He answered.

“By the way how is Ashley doing? Last time I saw him he was with High Admiral Ruri.” I asked.

“What he isn’t with you?!” He asked in a panic.

“What? No!!! Did they take him?!” I panicked back.

“Only joking.. He’s doing fine I think he calling it an early night.” Paul chuckled

“That wasn’t funny!” I yelled at him.

“Okay I’m sorry but your reaction was priceless. He laughed

“I swear I’m gonna kill you when I see you PAUL!” I yelled.

“Anyways I’m gonna call it a night goodnight Emilia.” He said.

“Goodnight Paul sweet dreams.” I replied.