As Claudia stared at Arwen, she couldn’t help but ask.
She could still recall the day she met Arwen.
It was late at night that day with the Nighteye bathing Eventide in a pale white glow.
She was out on a stroll and had come across Arwen in the bushes behind Kro Institute.
The latter seemed to be in danger as she tried to escape the attacks of a strange spirit being shrouded in a dark cloak.
Claudia had stepped up instinctively and together, both had fought off the entity and at that moment, found themselves bonding.
Or at least, it felt that way for Claudia.
Since that day, time and again, she and Arwen found themselves in dangerous situations, naturally as a result of Arwen’s crazy acts that always seemed as though she had no regard for her life.
It was after so much time had passed that Claudia realized that just like her, Arwen had attachments to something difficult to get.
But unlike her, Arwen hadn’t accepted her fate yet and kept on trying.
She bit down on her lower lip as the thought of losing her one best friend crossed her mind.
It caused her great heartache.
"Why do you keep doing this?" Claudia asked.
Hadn’t it been because of Arwen’s presence that she accepted her fate?
Yet it seemed Arwen couldn’t reciprocate the gesture.
Gripping the hems of her witch’s garb tightly, Arwen muttered with a hint of crazed excitement. "... I’m so close, Claudia. I can feel it."
"And you risked corruption?" Claudia shot back in annoyance.
"It was a mistake!... My calculations were off and... I ended up in the abyss."
Alex watched the two girls bicker silently, a calm expression on his face.
Based on how things were progressing, he didn’t think his reason for coming tonight would be achieved.
Letting out a sigh, he waited for the opportunity to announce his leave.
"I’m sorry," Arwen muttered with her head down after trying and failing to justify what happened tonight.
Claudia reached out and placed her palm over her own and using her other arm, cupped Arwen’s chin and raised her head to meet her eyes.
"I know it’s hard but you can’t keep chasing this alone. At least inform me before doing this again. Can you imagine what could have happened if I wasn’t here?"
"I won’t let you go alone." Claudia cut her off. "Together, forever. That’s the promise we made, right?"
".... You’ll stay longer than me though."
Claudia let out a muffled chuckle before leaning in to hug Arwen. "I will never let you go."
Arwen stayed silent as she closed her eyes and hugged Claudia back.
The duo remained in that position for over a minute before a dry cough caused them to break it off.
Finally recalling the presence of a certain great being, the two girls felt awkward as they turned to face Alex.
"I apologize, Kane, for what you had to go through today. I promise, this hardly happens." Claudia tried to explain with her head down.
Arwen nodded. "Yes, yes... there has never been an Otherworldly. Mostly evil spirits."
"... I see." Alex couldn’t stop his eyebrows from twitching as he watched the duo.
"Ahem, uhmm." Arwen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she awkwardly coughed. "Forgive me for asking, but may I know why you have graced my humble home with your presence?"
"A simple case," Alex replied. "But never mind that for now. Focus on recovering from the corruption your pneuma has suffered. If indeed, I require your assistance, I shall return once you are fully recovered."
".... Thank you," Arwen said after a brief hesitation.
"Is there a means to deal with the corruption?" Alex inquired out of curiosity.
"Mn, my godmother." Arwen nodded before adding. "She should be on her way right now."
"Alright, then I shall take my leave," Alex remarked as he rose to his feet. "Take care."
As he made his way toward the exit, Claudia suddenly called out to him.
"Are you here to lead our race to greatness?"
"Why?" Alex calmly retorted with a question of his own.
Taking a moment to organize her words, Claudia remarked. "I wish for equality... humans, Vampires, Hyenas.... None are greater than the other and deserve to be treated the same. So if it does happen that you wish to lead us to greatness... I hope you consider this."
"I wish to acknowledge your grand dreams but unfortunately, I am here for a different matter entirely."
Claudia’s lips quivered before she replied softly. "...I see."
Her statement seemed slightly melancholic but Alex couldn’t lie about his mission.
Staring at the crimson pupils of the young Vampire, he soon cracked a smile at the corner of his lips.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Claudia Bathory."
With that, Alex snapped his fingers and disappeared in a black-and-white flash.
Claudia seemed to be slightly disappointed by Alex’s words but deep down, she still held out hope that he would one day return to fulfill her wish.
Collapsing weakly into the couch, she let out a sigh before glancing at Arwen.
"That was weird." She muttered before a sly grin appeared at the corner of her lips. "What do you think he’d say if we asked him to accompany us on our planned adventure?"
Arwen was just about to tell her to forget it when a loud knock at the door caught her attention, as well as Claudia’s.
"I’ll get it." Claudia stopped Arwen from standing and rushed to the door before unlocking it and opening it to find an auburn-haired lady standing outside.
"Lady Elizabeth," Claudia said with a curtsy.
Elizabeth glanced at her as she asked. "Where is she?"
"In the sitting room."
Elizabeth did not say anything else as she strode in and headed straight for Arwen, who was laying weakly on the couch.
"Hi, Aunty." Arwen greeted in a tired tone.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked as she sat beside her and placed her palm on her forehead.
Not even giving Arwen a chance to speak, Elizabeth’s expression turned grave as she muttered. "Your pneuma!"
"Can anything be done?" Claudia asked as she moved back to the couch.
Elizabeth said nothing as she closed her eyes and began to mutter something to herself.
At the same time, strange runes began to appear on her skin and a moment later, glowed with a silver light, causing Claudia and Ada to instinctively back away.
By the time the silver light died down, Arwen was unconscious and Elizabeth was breathing heavily.