- Arthur POV -

I woke up, still in fear my body was visibly shivering, I wasn't cold and I had no control over it. I looked around and I was in a hospital ward - a real one I hoped. I looked down and I was wearing the stereotypical patient gown, my ring wasn't there. I then glanced to my right and noticed both my ring and the chain on the small, round table next to me. Neither was glowing but I could feel a pull towards them.

Reaching out to grab them someone stopped me.

"Hi there Arthur," it was Niamh's voice and she sounded tired.

Moving my neck was gradually getting more painful but I turned my body over to face her and smiled.

"Hi, where am I?"

I was still unsure whether this was another dream so I pinched myself and I felt it, thankfully.

She didn't say much in response, I guess there wasn't much else to it. I was in the nearest hospital.

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Two weeks later.

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I was finally back in school, it felt like ages since my first day. After the hospital, I was bed-bound for a week or so and may have stayed off for a little bit extra but I felt the rest was well deserved! I was still a bit nervous about the transition and the fact that I was the talk of the entire school really wasn't helping me cope all that much. Every time the bell rang and I walked down the hall everyone was staring at me, the whispers got to me the most, I hated the attention enough but when you're insecure whispering is the worst kind of situation to be in.

I hadn't spoken to Niamh since the hospital, she's either avoiding me or forgot about me. Both are plausible, but I decided that it was in my best interests to get on with life. Maybe, it was her pesky boyfriend being all-controlling but it really isn't my business that she is with a complete and total dick - yeah I went there!

It was the last five minutes of the lesson and it would finally be lunch. I couldn't wait, I am starving - possibly an overstatement but it's almost true. My mum had packed me a huge lunch today, she was still worried that I needed more rest so her compromise was making sure I ate an entire platter of food to compensate.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

I don't think I've ever moved so fast, first out of the door! I was speeding around all the students - I could still hear the whispers but I just tried to ignore them as best I could. However, one stuck out to me.

"I heard his dad was a coward... didn't even take the sword."

I saw the guy who said it and he was sniggering, I don't think he realised I saw him. His friend had though, she was hitting into his side with her elbow. I clenched my fist and the ring glowed blue. However this time, the handle of a sword appeared in my hand. Not at all what I expected. I relaxed and the sword wouldn't go away. I had to get out of here and fast.

I ran into the nearest bathroom. It didn't seem like anyone was in here but I ran into a stall anyway. It was growing from the handle and soon enough the entire sword had formed. Once formed the ring on the chain glowed red. I felt a weird feeling on my skin, I tensed and what looked like armour started to plate my body. This was incredibly cool but a really bad time for it.

I heard a voice, it was Niamh. She burst into the bathroom and shouted my name. I responded with "in here" and she came in. Rather than being shocked, she smiled.

"Why are you smiling, this is not fucking good!" I was panicking and rightly so.

"Well, it means you are progressing. Take my hand please."

I did as she asked and she kissed me. I gasped in shock, but it rings stopped glowing and the progressively growing armour started to go away and the sword diminished into nothing.

"I didn't expect that to work!" She laughed as though this was normal.

"What the fuck is happening to me? I need answers Nimah. You avoid me for weeks and the second you seem me you're kissing my face off... Not that I'm complaining but like come on!"

"Well, you're a Longblood. It's your duty."

"My duty? What's my duty?" I was so confused and it really showed.

"Look just follow me, I'll show you your duty."

She reached out and took my hand and led me out of the school. I missed the one lunch I was excited for.

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Author's notes:

I've been struggling to write this paragraph for a few reasons. I've rewritten it once or twice but I'm finally happy to publish it. I promise the chapters will get longer! I hope you enjoy this one.

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