After Nicholas's departure, the oppressive silence lingered in the air around the fourth checkpoint. Klaus and Alex stood there, struggling to remain upright as the obelisk's pulsating runes continued to drain their strength. Neither exchanged words; their breaths came ragged, their bodies trembling under the immense weight of fatigue.
Nicholas's uncharacteristic behavior weighed on Alex's mind, his thoughts swirling with frustration and unease. Klaus, however, was less perturbed. He had expected something like this from Nicholas. Greed had hinted at Nicholas's knowledge of runes before, suggesting that the boy could have helped Klaus with the intricate seals on Dudu's egg if he had wanted to.
