Nadia sat on the balcony overlooking the front yard of Sanders Manor.
The streets, illuminated by the gas lamps, were mostly paraded by Royal Blues.
An ungodly hour to be awake but she remained poised regardless.
With a bottle of red wine placed on a table beside her and a glass half filled with the exquisite liquid, she casually waited.
A few times she looked down the street but with a sigh she would always lean back against her chair.
Soon enough, her gaze was fixed on the night sky above.
A beautiful sight to accompany one when they found it hard to slumber.
Just as she raised her glass to her lovely black lips to take a sip, she heard voices.
In a simple motion, she arose from her chair and looked down.
Not too far from the gates of the manor stood two men, one young and the other old.
Both men had been stopped by the Royal Blue and after a quick verification were allowed to take their leave.
Leaving behind what would most likely be a weird joke based on her experiences, Nadia watched as Arthur and Alex opened the gates to the manor and stepped in, closing the gate behind them.
Alex had only taken a few steps forward when he suddenly glanced up and they made eye contact.
Arthur glanced up as well and with a smile, muttered something to himself.
With that, both men rushed into the building while Nadia heaved a sigh of relief in her heart.
For now, it seemed like all was well.
***
"You need my help?" Nadia raised a brow in confusion.
Alex was also confused as he asked. "Yes, why do we need her help?"
Quickly glancing at Nadia, he added. "No offense."
Shooting him a glare, she turned back to Arthur, gesturing for answers.
Arthur sighed before going ahead to explain Alex's condition.
By the time he was done, Nadia wore a deep frown.
"So you got Quillion?"
Arthur nodded. "Now we just need you to perform the ritual. I would do it myself but…"
He trailed off, leaving much unsaid.
Although curious, Alex knew this wasn't the time to pry as he asked. "But why her?... You did say that rituals performed by ordinary people have a higher chance of failure due to their lack of control over aether."
"That doesn't mean there aren't those capable of performing rituals without making mistakes," Arthur remarked before adding. "Nadia is the daughter of a Coven leader. If even she cannot ensure the ritual goes well… who else do you think would be better suited?... Me?... I'll let you know now boy, I can't do anything."
Taken aback by the random piece of information, Alex couldn't help but glance at Nadia.
"There are reasons I left Emet to make a name for myself here," Nadia remarked with a wry smile.
Alex blinked a few times. "... I guess there's no need to worry then."
Nadia nodded. "Go get changed and try to take a bath before doing so."
"Alright then."
A moment later, Alex excused himself, leaving Arthur and Nadia in the sitting room.
"Did you carry it by yourself?" Nadia asked.
Arthur shook his head. "Don't worry. Alex is a good lad. He noticed the problem and helped me with it."
"That's good." Nadia heaved a sigh. "You should get some rest."
"You'll handle the rest?" Arthur asked for confirmation.
"Yes. Now go."
Arthur obliged as he turned and with a steady gait, made his way upstairs.
Others may not see it but Nadia could… her uncle was under quite a lot of stress these days.
It warmed her heart to know that she wasn't completely useless.
Picking up the box of Quillion ingots on the center table, she muttered. "Well then, I guess I have to prepare myself."
***
An hour remained before the Nighteye closed and the Lightbringer opened, revealing its glorious light to the world below.
Alex sat somewhere in the basement, the four ingots of Quillion placed on the four cardinal points around his body.
Using the ingots as coordinates and Alex as the center, a circle with a kite within was drawn with white chalk.
On each edge, the symbol of one of the four core elements was drawn with metal taking the top.
A few candles of varying colors and sizes were lit, causing a fragrance to fill the room.
Alex took a deep breath and for a moment, felt lightheaded.
Dressed in a black saree that covered her entire body but due to how thin it was, left little to the imagination, Nadia stepped forward with a big book in her hand.
Placing the book aside, she picked up a small bowl with a strangely colored powder within.
As she walked, she sprinkled the powder on the Quillion while chanting something in a strange language.
Despite being in an enclosed space, there was a strange breeze that blew causing Alex to grow delirious.
The harder he tried to stay awake, the more he felt himself pulled into a deep slumber.
Just then, Nadia's voice came.
It sounded far away and yet so close.
So seductive yet still filled with a sense of urgency.
"We only have one chance. You must strike while the iron is hot. Focus your soma and make the connection with your pneuma. This is not a simple case of connecting as after connection, you have to wrestle for control. Your Will must remain strong, Alex."
Nodding wordlessly, Alex did as he was told, and a moment later… he found himself in his subconscious, and before him… the Dark Spirit's body sat motionless.
Recalling the events of his last attempt, an unknown fear grew in his heart and Alex couldn't help but back away.
Immediately he felt a sharp pain causing him to realize that his Spirituality was activated.
Immediately, he called out the names of his loved ones causing him to feel some reprieve.
Taking a deep breath, he was just about to make a move when… the Dark Spirit's body moved.
A moment later, they made eye contact.