Alex sat on the balcony on the second floor, overlooking the mini forest located behind Arwen’s manor.
Tapping his feet softly on the stone floor, he stared into the distance, seemingly in deep thought.
Taking a deep breath, he rose from his seat and walked over to the edge, taking a moment to survey the mini forest.
The hooting of an owl broke the silence of the night, causing him to glance in a certain direction.
Making eye contact with the peculiar creature, he watched it up until it turned away and flew into the distance.
Alex let out a sigh as he clenched the railings of the balcony.
He tried to calm his nerves as he closed his eyes, seeking to find solace in the Memories of Earth.
Hardly had he begun his search however when he was forced to return to reality.
Glancing back, he found Arwen standing at the door leading to the balcony.
Noting her expression, he inquired. "Is something wrong?"
"... I don’t know," Arwen replied as she closed the door behind her and walked over to stand beside Alex.
Turning his attention back to the mini forest, he inquired yet again. "And Elizabeth?"
"She’s... in a strange place right now." Arwen couldn’t help but pause midway through her sentence for the sole fact that she had no idea what Elizabeth was experiencing.
Alex, on the other hand, understood it well.
After learning about Elizabeth’s true nature, he could guess that the current situation was beyond anything she could ever imagine.
Created to face the Night Kindred, she was in a situation where a being close to the realm of being a deity was planning something in her city.
He’d also be quite confused if placed in a similar situation.
Letting out a sigh, he remarked. "It’s a cold night."
"It is," Arwen muttered.
Silence reigned momentarily as the duo kept to their thoughts, unsure of how to continue.
Arwen glanced at Alex’s side profile and after brief scrutiny, asked. "Are you scared?"
"... Yes," Alex replied, closing his eyes for a moment before adding softly. "But I can’t just give up."
"Because if I do, what I wish to achieve will never come to pass." Alex paused as he glanced at the night sky.
Pursing his lips, he continued. "So for the sake of that goal, I can’t give up."
"What do you wish to achieve?" Arwen asked.
Alex retrieved his gaze from the sky and looked down at his hands grabbing the railings.
"It’s a grand goal... one that I can’t even begin to explain..."
"But..." Alex trailed off briefly as he recalled their faces, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Then, he continued. "But I guess at the core of it all... I just want to go home."
Arwen stared at him as she muttered. "...Home."
For someone like her, had she ever experienced a home?
Sure, she had Ada and Claudia but at the end of the day... Arwen considered herself homeless.
"What if we fail and we end up dying?... Would you feel regret?"
"... I would and I don’t know if I’d ever be able to forgive myself." There was a trace of weakness in Alex’s voice as he spoke, causing Arwen to look on in silence.
Turning to meet her gaze, he asked. "Tell me, do you have a goal to accomplish as well?"
"That..." Arwen trailed off as she pondered on her thoughts.
After what seemed like an eternity but was merely past a minute, she answered. "I... It’s a crazy thought."
"... Death. I... wish to understand death."
"... I want to know why humans have to suffer the curse of fragility of mortality. Why can’t we be immortal like the Cryptids?... Even as Mystics, we still end up... vulnerable to the cold arms of death." Arwen grabbed the hems of her nightdress, her lips quivering as she recalled all the years of loneliness and pain she had to suffer watching people she knew die.
Alex watched her become vulnerable, her eyes flickering with intense sadness and anger at the thoughts that came to mind.
"What do you think would happen after you understand death?" He asked after watching her for a bit.
Arwen sighed as she shook her head. "I don’t know."
Alex managed a smile as he reached out to pat her head.
The duo exchanged eye contact briefly before Arwen took a step closer and without warning, wrapped her arms around Alex, embracing him tightly.
Left speechless for a moment, Alex soon looked down at her, a warm feeling erupting from his heart as he was reminded of Mary-Jane.
’I wonder what she’s doing right now?’ Alex thought inwardly.
Closing his eyes, he made no attempt to reciprocate the hug, instead opting to place one hand on Arwen’s head.
Silence reigned briefly until a sudden bang caused Alex to pause.
Frowning deeply, he snapped his fingers causing pulsating black and white to swallow himself and Arwen.
Roland stood outside Arwen’s door, unable to open it since he wasn’t a welcome guest.
Instead, he pounded against the door, hoping to draw someone’s attention.
Thankfully, he didn’t wait long before the door swung open and a familiar face appeared.
"Explain yourself." Elizabeth coldly remarked as she reached for her switchblade.
At the same time, a black and white pulsating light appeared on the porch out of which Alex and Arwen emerged.
"Who are you?" Arwen asked.
Roland ignored the ladies as he turned to meet Alex’s scrutinizing gaze.
"The Silver Knights accompanied by a group of Red Knights are currently on their way here. My lord sent me to inform the Dark Lord about the Blood Ritual and how to stop it."
Pulling out a parchment from underneath his shirt, he took a step forward and handed it over to Alex with the latter accepting it with a frown.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth shook at the unexpected news of the Silver Knights approach.
Gulping hard, she asked. "For the Silver Knights to be coming here..."
"It means they know I’m here." Alex finished her statement before addressing Roland.
"What about the 1st Duke?"
"...Him as well as my brethren should be dead by now."
"No!" A scream was heard from within the manor.
Elizabeth turned back to find Claudia standing in the sitting room with Nadia rushing down the stairs.
Claudia rushed over and while grabbing Roland, remarked. "You are lying!... Dad can’t be dead. How can he die just like that!"
Roland replied or at least tried to only to pause as he sensed something coming from the distance.
Alex and Elizabeth noticed as well as they threw their gaze towards the street leading to the manor.