Julia realized what his plan had been all along. She fell into their trap when he wrote a letter to her and the moment that Runera threatened her. It was never about making her betray Arthur but using her to make Arthur lose control.
It was ironic that Julia warned him about losing control before, only to end up being the reason behind it. She trusted Yuvan with everything, and he turned out to be her enemy all along.
However, it was too late for regrets now. As she witnessed what had replaced Arthur, she knew these Twelve Masters got what they wanted. Arthur has seen what happened to her, which triggered him to let Eragon out.
Julia could feel the ground tilting beneath her, but she could not move. Beside her was the cold corpse of her father, and in front of her was the other man she cared about, losing control. Julia felt helpless.
Arthur let out a beastly growl that shook the world. His golden and mesmerizing eyes were gone, replaced by the bloodthirsty demonic red one. Runic Guards rushed toward him, but he killed them all with a simple wave of his hand.
The two armies clashed on the ground, making the situation even more chaotic. As for the Twelve Masters, they did not run but gathered together to fight against Arthur. Julia knew their reason was to push him to the edge to reveal that wolf.
A man stepped beside her, making Julia turn toward him. It was the One-Armed Asura, which was hurled with a kick from Arthur. However, he was not here to fight against Arthur anymore. Instead, he was looking toward Julius.
"How did this happen?" asked the One-Armed Asura, his grey eyes looking at her father. "How did he end up in such a state, Julia?"
"I…" muttered Julia with shaking lips before she closed her eyes. However, she could not explain it. She could not say that her father died, so she would not kill him, nor could she say she was being controlled.
"It matters not anymore," said One-Armed Asura as he crouched beside his corpse and closed his eyes. "He is in a better place with my sister now."
"Your sister?" muttered Julia with confusion. The old man turned toward her with a smile before giving her a nod. "Are you…"
"Your mother was my little sister. I agreed to fight for Runera in exchange for releasing Julius after the war. However, I have now lost any reason to fight for them. We need to leave this place."
"Please, wait," said Julia as she gripped his arm. "We cannot leave Arthur like this. We have to calm him down before it is too late."
"That thing is no longer Arthur, niece," said One-Armed Asura with a frown as he turned toward the growling colorless creature. "I have met calamities and monsters, but that thing is neither. It is…"
"…it is the embodiment of wrath and hatred," said a voice behind the two as Yurirl arrived. "I cannot believe that this is the same man I have always known."
"You should be with the troops below," said One-Armed Asura with a frown. However, Yurirl ignored him and stared at the walking calamity. His master sighed before he turned toward Julia and offered his hand. "We need to leave now."
"I will not leave him like this," said Julia as she tried to rise. "I lost my father, and I will not sit down as I lose my younger brother."
"Younger brother?" repeated One-Armed Asura with surprise. "If you call him like that, then I cannot just leave anymore too."
"Those Twelve Masters are who killed my father," said Julia with sorrowful eyes. "Can you fight them while I try to talk to Arthur?"
"Talk to what?" asked One-Armed Asura with a shake. "I will not let you go near that. One wrong footstep, and you are as lifeless as those soldiers."
Then, Arthur roared again and rushed toward the Twelve Masters. However, each of those masters stood in formation around Arthur. Then, their bodies began to glow as a runic circle appeared on the ground, connecting them all.
"What is that thing?" asked Julia with a frown.
"That circle seems to be… a prison," said Yurirl with a frown. "Has Runera always used such methods to fight against enemies?"
"This is not Runera's runes, but something else," said Julia with a frown as her mind looked for clues. Then, she realized what they were doing. "These twelve are trying to extract the calamity from Arthur."
"That should be a good thing," said One-Armed Asura.
"Even if it is, then I won't let him in their hands after what they did to my father," said Julia before she turned toward him. "Please, stop them while I bring Arthur back."
Seeing her determined face, One-Armed Asura frowned. Then, he turned toward his disciple, who seemed prepared as he took out his translucent sword. Then, he sighed.
"The two of you can stop him, and I will take care of the other twelve," said One-Armed Asura before he placed his hand on his sword. "Protect my niece well, Yurirl."
"As you command, Master."
One-Armed Asura then bolted forward with his sword, attacking the closest of the Twelve Masters. The man did not stand a chance as he was cut in half with a scream. The circle was broken as One-Armed Asura cleaned his blade.
"I have to intrude on you guys," said One-Armed Asura with a smile as he raised his blade over his shoulder. "My niece asked me for something for the first time, and I cannot refuse."
"This goes against our deal, God's Blade Guild Master," said Yuvan with a frown. "Are you one to break his word?"
"I agreed in exchange for releasing Julius Vinera, but you were the ones behind killing him," said One-Armed Asura with a grin. "You were the one to break your word, and I am here to punish you."
"Uncle, behind you!" shouted Julia, and One-Armed Asura turned to see that the man he had slashed down was rising again.
"It seems that these things are not even human, huh?" he said with a smirk.