Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 271: Next to you

Chapter 271: Next to you

’The titles given to Mystics of the Immortal Wheels aren’t just for show, they hold a deeper meaning to them, one which when comprehended in full reveals to the Mystic the horrors that abound within the intricacies on the pathway to godhood.’

Nadia’s mother’s voice echoed in her mind as she recalled the day she’d said those words.

Back then, she hadn’t understood it well, perhaps because apart from rudimentary knowledge about the supernatural that was provided to all girls from a certain age within Judah, all things were kept a secret.

Of course,considering what she had experienced, she realized that those words held truth to them, a truth she found difficult to accept despite how vague it was.

"You fought against a god?" Elena’s voice resounded from somewhere ahead.

Nadia looked toward her location to find her and Arwen strolling the streets of the underground city, the latter regaling the former with numerous tales while the former seemed quite enraptured by them.

Just then, Arwen replied. "Of course. Well, he didn’t complete his apotheosis but he nearly did, it was super scary, I tell you."

"But you said you weren’t there to experience it." Elena pointedly said.

Arwen quickly retorted. "Well, Lady Ana’s narration was haunting enough!"

Watching the duo converse, Nadia couldn’t help but chuckle slightly, thankful that Arwen had found yet another person to bother.

Considering the fact that Douglas was too uptight, Victoria was too weird and Ana was currently absent, Arwen had no other person to bother apart from her.

She didn’t mean to say that Arwen was annoying but there were times she needed to be alone and Arwen wasn’t able to understand that.

It had already been a few days since she and Arwen had arrived in the underground city with Arwen immediately hitting it off with Elena.

The former regaled the latter with tales while the latter showed her around the city, even providing her with vague knowledge from her time.

Nadia let out a sigh as she leaned back against the wall behind her, staring at the ceiling above.

Just then, she sensed something causing her to glance ahead just in time to watch Alex materialize from black and white.

Blinking repeatedly, she wondered how she’d noticed his presence before he arrived only to recall that she was no longer human.

Indeed, she was now a Dhampir.

Alex, donning a navy blue striped vest over a white shirt whose narrow collar tapered into pointy ends, perfectly matching the angle of the vest’s V-shaped neckline with a pair of pitch-black narrow pant checkered with thin lines and a smoky-black long trench coat, walked over with a silver inlaid cane.

Nadia felt her heart skip a beat but quickly reined in her thoughts.

"Al... I mean, Lord Orion!" Arwen called out joyfully as she left Elena and rushed to embrace Alex.

"How have you been?" Alex inquired as he patted her head.

Arwen flashed a grin as she remarked. "Couldn’t be better. You know, the Kingdom of Thebes is an amazing place. They have so many awesome stuff."

"Really?" Alex couldn’t help but feel amused at Arwen’s overly excited state.

He understood this was her coping mechanism after what had happened during the final battle against Truzrazeth.

Indulging her for a moment, they chatted just as Elena walked over and greeted him.

"Good day, Sir Orion," Elena muttered with a curtsy.

Alex acknowledged her greetings as he replied. "I hope you are enjoying the company of my subordinates."

"They have been... enjoyable company."

"That’s good to hear."

Arwen cut in at that moment. "Elena was just about to take me on a tour of the east wing of the city, would you like to come along?"

"Unfortunately not, I came to have a little chat with Nadia before heading for Aragon."

"Oh..." Pouting for a moment, Arwen quickly recovered as she pulled away from the hug and then said. "Then we’ll be going."

"Alright."

Immediately, Arwen took Elena’s hand and pulled her along, the latter barely able to keep up with Arwen’s agile actions.

Watching them retreat, Alex soon shifted his attention to Nadia who was slowly approaching.

"You are here." She muttered softly.

Alex nodded. "Indeed, I am. You should know why I’m here, right?"

"... I can’t go and see him."

"Why?"

"... Because I might end up hurting him." Nadia softly intoned as she dropped her head down.

Alex regarded her briefly before closing the distance between them to place his hand on her shoulder.

Nadia rose her head to meet his gaze and for a moment, no words were exchanged.

Then, Alex began. "He regards you as his family. If you love him, you should take some time out and see him. Whatever you are afraid of shouldn’t overpower the love you have for your family. Believe me, I would understand best about this."

"That..."

"Go, Nadia. He wishes to spend some time with you."

"... Alright. I’ll go."

"Good. Give him my regards and maybe... buy him a little gift. I’ll be leaving now."

"To Aragon?"

"Mn." Alex nodded. "Victoria and Douglas have already gone ahead. I plan to carry out reconnaissance in the city to test Arthur’s claims about his people before making further plans. In the meantime, make sure to see him, okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Nadia mustered a smile as she replied. "Will do."

***

"Uncle, how long will you be staying for this time?" Emily asked while in the kitchen.

Seated in the sitting room, perusing a newspaper, Arthur replied. "Not sure. Perhaps a week, maybe more. Can’t tell."

"Hah," Letting out a sigh, Emily marched out of the kitchen.

"Is there a problem?" Arthur inquired from the rather gingery teenager he was forced to take care of.

Compared to Nadia, this one had her own... issues.

Of course, they had their similarities like how they both loved to asser themselves which caused Arthur to see some of Nadia in Emily.

Emily stood at Akimbo as she remarked. "Don’t tell me you forgot about the parent-teacher meeting I told you about two days ago."

"Ah, that... ahem, of course, I remember." Arthur awkwardly replied while averting his gaze.

Emily’s judgemental gaze drilled into him leaving him restless.

’Damn it, what to do.’

Just as she was about to give him a piece of her mind, thankfully, the doorbell rang.

"I’ll get..."

"No, you won’t." Emily retorted sharply before heading to the door and then checking who was visiting through the keyhole.

Furrowing her brows at the unknown personage, she pursed her lips. "Uhmm..."

"Who’s at the door?" Arthur asked after he’d noticed her confused state.

"It’s a... pretty lady," Emily replied before going ahead to open the door, revealing a brown-skinned lady donning a dark green saree and holding a brown bag.

Arthur instantly shot up from his chair once he laid eyes on her, his expression one of pleasant surprise.

"Uhmm, hello, are you perhaps lost?" Emily inquired, unaware of Arthur’s reaction behind.

The lady glanced at Arthur, making eye contact with him before she intoned softly. "No... I’m right where I’m supposed to be."