Chronicles Of Arth: Prince Of Shadows

Arth sat on his chair, frozen.

It took him a moment to realize that the name that was called was his.

For the idea that his name had been entered into the Goblet was absurd. Impossible even.

For how was it possible for something he never did to happen?

"Arthur Kingscrown!" Dumbledore called again. "ARTHUR!"

Arth refused to get up.

He could hear the murmuring and the whispers. Everyone was talking about him, yet no one seemed to be able to find him. It felt as though the whole world was against him, searching for him, and all he was trying to do was hide.

Arth wanted to disappear.

"ARTHUR KINGSCROWN!" Dumbledore was now yelling, however, Arth ignored it.

He turned around to Luna who was right next to him. She was staring at him with a confused look.

"Why is your name being called? You didn't put it in the Goblet?"

Arth nodded his head.

"I never put it in. I swear. Something is wrong-"

"ARTHUR KINGSCROWN! I SUMMON YOU HERE!"

Arth finally couldn't ignore Dumbledore anymore and stood up.

In fact, it would've been better if he disappeared from existence.

Slowly, step by step, Arth made his way to Dumbledore.

"I didn't put my name in the Goblet." Said Arth with a blank expression.

No one seemed to care.

"I swear I never put it in."

Arth could see the jealous gaze of Malfoy stabbing into his face.

"There is something wrong."

Arth could see the worried expression of Scarlett and Theodore.

"I swear, I'm being set up."

"T-this has to be a lie."

Arth stopped in his place when he saw the worn out face of Dumbledore and the ghost pale face of Mr. Crouch.

"I can't participate in the Tournament."

Arthur felt jealous, angry, bitter, contemptuous looms tearing into him. Somehow, he had made it directly in front of Dumbledore.

"I am not participating. This is complete utter bullshit."

Dumbledore sighed.

"It's too late. You have been chosen. You must compete."

Arth let out a hollow laugh.

"This is impossible. Something is wrong."

"You know as well as I do Mr. Crouch, it is impossible for there to be four champions. Someone must've messed with the Goblet."

There was no response. Only a deathly white face.

Arth hesitated before turning around.

"I will not participate."

He was about to take a step forward when his foot burst into a sparkling bright, bluey-white flame. And he felt extreme pain.

However, Arth ignored it and took another step.

His other foot also caught on fire, doubling the pain.

Arth stopped and hesitated and stared at his feet before gritting his teeth and stepping forward once more.

The flames grew.

At this point, Arth was covered in a blueish white flame that made it seem as though Arth was a burning demon from hell. At this point, Arth had gone numb from the pain and could barley process what was going on. His only d.e.s.i.r.e was to take a step forward.

However, he couldn't.

The hazy figure of a man stood in front of him, stopping him from taking another step forward.

It was Mr. Crouch.

"Arth, you must not take another step. Head back to the chambers and wait. For now, you are one of the champions that must participate."

Arth barely managed to open his mouth without screaming.

"Mr. Crouch. . . . I didn't put my. . . . Name in. . . ."

". . . . I know."

"This. . . . Is unfair."

". . . . I know."

"I. . . . Never . . . . Wanted. . . . This."

"I. . . . I know."

Arth hesitated in front of Mr. Crouch before turning around towards the chamber.

The fire disappeared as if it was a dream, however, Arth could still feel the pain.

He took a deep breath before heading towards where the chamber lie, knowing that the moment he entered, he would become the fourth champion.