"What’s going on here?" Alex asked sternly while meeting the executive’s gaze.
Flabbergasted by his words, the executive fired back. "What’s going on here?... I should be asking you that, you bastard!... What the hell do you think you are doing here?"
"I do not know what you think of me but I believe it’s in your best interest to lower your voice." Calm but threatening, Alex’s words served as cold water on the executive’s otherwise fiery personality.
"You...you’re in our house so you have to play by our rules!"
"You seem to be confused about something. You need my help, I don’t need yours."
"..." Gulping instinctively, the executive took a step back.
Silence reigned for a brief moment as he adjusted his suit and cleared his throat before meeting Alex’s gaze.
"Now then... Mind explaining what’s happening here?" Alex asked again.
The executive clicked his tongue in vague annoyance as he responded "Our radars picked up a dimensional rift coming from within this building so naturally we were right to investigate."
"... You can detect such things?" Alex was slightly surprised by the revelation.
"What do you think?" The executive spat before adding. "Anyway, we still need to know what happened..."
"It’s none of your business."
"I am merely making plans like everyone here to prevent Damian’s plot."
"By creating dimensional rifts?"
"Don’t worry. If I wanted to harm anyone, I wouldn’t be so stressed."
"And you expect me to believe the words of the Dark Lord?" The executive remarked. "Don’t think I’ve forgotten that our cooperation is out of convenience."
"Indeed, you are correct. But then again, if you can’t even trust me... do you think I’d waste my time trying to get you to do so?"
"Call off your men before I do something befitting my title."
"... Let them go." Albeit unwilling, the executive was forced to take a step back.
The sight of the Dark Lord alongside an unregistered Mystic and two Vampires was enough to cause those in the Department great discomfort but unfortunately, they aren’t in a position to do anything untoward to them.
Of course, it wasn’t that they could but didn’t but they couldn’t and didn’t dare to test their limits.
With that, Claudia and Roland regained their freedom with the former even throwing a menacing glare at the Agents that held her down.
Letting out a tired sigh, Alex left without saying a word with Arwen, Nadia, Claudia, and Roland following closely behind.
After the incident with the executive, no one else in the Department crossed paths with Alex and his group, instead keeping a reasonable distance while making final preparations.
In the meantime, the golden rays of the Lightbringer had long since ceased with the cold light of the Nighteye gracing the night sky.
With most inhabitants of Krobridge slumbering away in anticipation of the celebration tomorrow, there were others unable to do so.
One such person was Alex as he tossed and turned in his bed before finally leaving his bed.
Stepping out of the cell that was substituted as a bedroom, he walked down the hall before finding himself in the lunch area.
Letting out a sigh, he walked over to the counter and after picking out some ingredients from the cabinets, began to make himself a cup of tea.
Just as he was about to finish, the sound of footsteps caused him to pause.
Glancing at the doorway, he found Arwen standing with a complicated expression on her face.
"Mn." She nodded before making her way over to the counter with light steps.
Offering her a cup of tea, Alex casually began to brew another.
Arwen stared at the cup briefly before taking a sip.
"I like sweet things," Alex muttered.
Silence quickly set in as the duo kept to themselves.
After almost five minutes had passed, Alex finally broke the ice.
"If you don’t want to, you don’t have to carry out the plan."
"Is it related to why you’ve been sulking all day?"
"I’ve not been sulking."
"I... do you recall anything from the moment the summoning concluded?"
"No...but judging from your expression then, I guessed whatever Xistora and Vessina said must have struck a chord with you."
"You could die. Nadia as well. I don’t want my plan to be the reason for your deaths."
"So it’s not that you don’t want us dead, you just don’t want us to die because of you?" Arwen pointedly said with a raised brow.
Alex was stunned for a moment, unable to respond.
"Hehe." Arwen snickered upon seeing his expression. "And here I thought you were unshakeable."
"I already knew what I was getting into when I agreed to the plan. I assume the same for Lady Nadia. Right now, we are coming together to fight against certain death. Since it’s already assured we’d die, why not try to decide the way we die."
"... You sound more mature than you look," Alex commented.
Arwen chuckled. "I’ve had to experience the death of several people since I was a child. Even if I didn’t want to... I’ve had to grow up."
"Your parents will be proud."
Letting out a sigh, Alex muttered. "Maybe it’s the fact that my death is certain, but... I find myself growing vulnerable."
"That’s the thing with death. No matter how powerful you are when faced with death... everything becomes meaningless."
"... I guess you are right." Sighing helplessly, Alex chuckled. "You should head to bed."
"I will... but before that..." Arwen trailed off as she dropped her empty cup on the counter.
Noticing the subtle changes in her expression, Alex inquired. "What is it?"
"..." Arwen remained silent, unable to get the words in her heart out of her mouth.
"Arwen... what’s the problem?" Alex furrowed his brows at the uncharacteristic silence of the young girl.
Seemingly coming to a decision, she spoke up.
With each sentence that left her lips, Alex’s expression shifted and changed until he was left completely speechless.
"I know what you want to say but... No one else can do it. It has to be you."
"Because you were the only one left standing."
"In my premonition... when every other person was laid to rest, you were the only one still standing."
"Does that mean anything?"
"... I’d like to think it’s a show of your indomitable fighting spirit. Something no other person in Krobridge has."
"Arwen, if you do this..."
"I’ll suffer, I know but... as long as I’m able to save everyone, it would be worth it."
"There’s no need to be a hero."
"I’m not. I’m just a stubborn young girl trying to beat death. This is my final act."
Alex stayed silent as he watched Arwen slowly take her leave.
Once she got to the door, she turned back and said. "Thanks for the tea. It was really sweet."
With that, she left, leaving Alex to ponder on his thoughts.
"It’s been a while," Adam remarked whilst sitting atop the familiar boulder with a red apple in his hand.
All around him, the beauty of nature was revealed in all its glory with the characteristic white stone steps and the gate with an arch.
Standing a few meters away from Adam, Alex replied. "Indeed, it has."
"What brings you here?"
"... I’m guessing you know my lifespan is at an end."
Adam grimaced before sighing regretfully. "Unfortunately so. I didn’t expect death to come so quickly."
"I don’t plan to die just yet."
"Heh, that’s not how it works."
"And I don’t care how it works. All I need to know is if you’ll help me."
"... I can’t exactly do much from here," Adam replied truthfully.
Already expecting such a response, Alex merely nodded. "Don’t worry."
"I have a proposition to make."