Claus was utterly exhausted. His body, too weak, struggled to stay upright. His vision was blurred, his legs trembled. Williams and Winston helped him to stand again, silent and thoughtful… like scholars confronting an equation they could not solve. Elizabeth stood by, her eyes shining with admiration.
— Did I… succeed? asked Claus in a trembling voice.
— Yes, answered Winston. Your abilities will not appear immediately. It will take a few days. They will awaken gradually… then, with mastery, they will become more powerful than you imagine.
Claus dressed slowly, putting on his red gloves and holstering his revolvers. He leaned on Elizabeth with one arm, the other holding the box.
— How do you feel? she asked with concern.
— A small headache… nothing serious, he replied with a forced smile.
But his mind was elsewhere. What he had just experienced was beyond him. This experience… this world… each day it became stranger, deeper, more unfathomable.
Winston closed his eyes, spoke a few runic words, and the room returned to its original form. The walls retracted, the furniture returned to place, as if nothing had happened.
— You need rest. Come back tomorrow, and we will explain to you what it really means to be an Awakened. How we operate… how we survive, said Williams.
— Thank you. Then, see you tomorrow, replied Claus.
Before leaving the room, he shook Winston's hand respectfully. Williams gave a small nod, inviting them to follow him.
Upon exiting, Claus asked Vicky:
— A cane, please?
— I'll lend you this one. Return it on your next visit, she replied with a smile.
— Thank you. Take care.
— You too. And look after him well, Lady Elizabeth.
The door opened. It was late. Very late. The streets were almost empty, and the moon shone high in a misty sky.
— We'll stay at a hotel tonight. Tomorrow, we'll return to the manor, said Elizabeth.
— Assuming we can find one at this hour… Claus replied with a weary smile, leaning on his cane.
They walked slowly down the cold street, swept by a damp wind. Fallen leaves and flying newspapers swirled around them. As they reached an intersection, they saw a black cat sitting in the middle of the road. Its yellow eyes glowed in the shadows. It didn't move.
Elizabeth shivered. Something was wrong. She couldn't pinpoint it… but she knew. They were too far from safety. Too late to turn back.
Suddenly, Claus put his hands on his head.
— Claus? What's wrong?! Pull yourself together, we need to leave here!
He dropped to his knees, groaning in pain. It wasn't a headache. No. It was as if all his senses were exploding at once, as if something was violently awakening.
Elizabeth, panicked but focused, closed her eyes. She whispered gentle, calm, ancient words. Her fingers glowed, tracing bright runes in the air.
— Dispersion…
An illusion spell. They disappeared from the world's sight.
— Claus… hurry, come back to me!
But Claus was elsewhere. He heard screams. Billions of screams. In his mind. He yelled, wailed, moaned… then, abruptly: silence. The void.
And a voice.
— You're not supposed to be here…
A figure took shape in his mind. A shadow with red eyes, shedding golden tears.
— Welcome among us… We see you now, Claus.
— Who are you?!
— The one charged with reclaiming what you stole. And I never fail.
Claus opened his eyes. In the distance, in the night, a figure approached. A man. He wore a hat and carried a cane, trailing a veil of darkness behind him. With every step, the streetlamps went out. The wind blew harder. Dog howls echoed in the distance.
— These little tricks won't work on me, Awakened… said the man.
Elizabeth realized they had to flee. She dispelled the illusion with a gesture. The runes vanished in a breath.
— You've learned well… But your powers are nothing compared to those that the true gods granted me.
— Claus, stand up. Now!
— I can…
She helped him to his feet. They ran, as fast as their strength allowed. But the darkness followed them, swallowing them. Each step of the man echoed like a funeral symphony.
Around a corner, they spotted a large church. The Church of the Sun King and the Holy Moon.
— Over there! Let's go! cried Elizabeth.
Claus said nothing, doubled over in pain. But they climbed the steps, entered through the large door, and closed it behind them in haste, blocking it with whatever they could find.
The church's nave was magnificent. Illuminated by candles held by weeping angels. The stained-glass windows depicted celestial battles. At the far end, an altar topped with a golden vase reflected the moonlight streaming through a sacred circular window in the wall.
Elizabeth helped Claus to sit before the altar.
— We must fight. He is stronger than us, but together, we have a chance.
— My powers… aren't there yet… my revolvers won't be enough…
— Don't worry. He could have killed us outside… He doesn't want our deaths, not yet. His goal is what you hold.
— I already had… that feeling, said Claus, panting.
— Claus… give back what you stole from us. This one is not pleased…
The voice echoed outside. The man was now only a few meters from the church.
Dong… dong…
The clock struck midnight.
— Prepare yourself. The swarms are stronger at night…
Elizabeth positioned herself in front of Claus, arms open. Her eyes turned completely white, radiating light. She chanted runic words, tracing ancient symbols in the air.
— I am your teacher… and your protector, she said without turning around.
Claus, at his limits, watched her, helplessly.
The man stopped at the church door. He raised his cane, and with a slow movement, pointed it toward them.
— It is time… for the hunt…
Behind him, screaming darkness surged forward. A swarm. A wave of living curses raced toward the church… ready to devour it.