CHPT 111: The Cleric with an Inferiority Complex

Claude ran out of the University and headed to Predator's Forest in a rush to see Frosty and smell the outside air.

As he headed towards the forest, he conversed with Arne about how to deal with the twins on the full moon to make sure nobody would be hurt or turned— and also to make sure the Professors didn't steal his opportunity at revenge, not when he was so close.

"I have to find a way to get them away from everyone— especially Det. Cyrene." He thought.

"[What makes you think they'll even be there. I'll be the first to tell you, full moons don't leave young Lupines in a partying mood.]" Arne added.

"I know them— and I'm sure they'll be there. One thing they enjoy almost as much as establishing their superiority over people is partying." Claude confirmed.

"[Ok then yes, how do you plan to get them away from the event without gaining the attention of the Professors and Det. Cyrene?]"

"Well, the easiest way to get the twins is with violence— hurt their bodies and their egos....."

"[Then you'll just need a diversion so everyone doesn't see you leading them away.]" Arne chimed in.

Claude thought it over for a moment. "Fuck! I don't think I can do this alone.... I'll need someone to distract the Professors and Det. Cyrene at the same time." Claude thought angrily.

"[Well. Good thing you've got two friends who seem to have a genuine interest in your well being.]" Arne said.

"No."

"[What?]"

"Hell no." Claude said again.

"[What other options do you have? If you play your cards right, you won't have to reveal what you are to them either.]"

"...Dammit!" Claude yelled after realizing he truly didn't have many options.

***

A few minutes later and Claude was leaving Predator's Forest with Frosty walking happily next to him as he waved goodbye to the Hybrid canine pack that the PitWolf found himself hanging with during the day.

While he jogged across the giant expanse of grass to get to Training with Frosty, he continuously played around with the idea of how he would pull off the full moon plan. His paranoia and recently developed trauma kept reminding him of how terribly it could go. Visions of him dying with Det. Cyrene's sword in his throat while all his friends and Frosty fought off the twins— fully transformed, played on repeat in his mind leaving him angry and uncomfortable as he entered Training.

***

Ursula found her mind continuously wandering as she repeatedly pushed the bar up from her chest and slowly let it come back down.

"I swear I don't get where you fighter types get your strength." Warren said to Ursula and Isaac as she casually warmed up her chest and triceps with bench press while Isaac spotted her.

At first, Warren and Ursula were confused by Isaac's abrupt appearance and friendliness until they remembered he also openly associated with Claude last week and they proved to be a good team in Mob, it didn't seem to go well with most of the other students— leaving him with Ursula, Warren and Chase to speak to. The last option wasn't an actual option..

After Ursula finished her set on the bench, she racked the weight and rose up to stretch her warm tingly arm muscles. It didn't take her long to notice Tai in the distance mocking her at the enjoyment of 3 female students and Samuel who sat casually with his arms around them. He stomped through the grass with his arms flexed and wide at his sides in an attempt to deride her muscled frame.

Warren and Isaac caught on to what was happening after she began to freeze the bench she was sitting on.

Isaac looked to Warren— hoping he knew what to do since he knew her better. Unfortunately, Warren's fear caused him to hesitate so he decided to step in.

Smoke billowed from his hand as he placed it over the ice crusted bench that was beginning to get a glacial blue sheen.

"SHHHHHH!!"

The bench immediately began to thaw once his steaming hand came into contact with it— snapping Ursula out of her enraged trance.

Isaac sighed before speaking. "It's really just sad to see. He's doing all that for some girls that clearly are more interested in his brother."

Ursula chuckled quietly. "That is kinda sad." She said.

A few seconds later and she almost jumped as Tai spun in her direction with a faint blue glow in his eyes.

For a moment an image of Jack and them bleeding from their bite wounds flashed in her mind. Tai had a similar look in his eye as he began stomping across the field towards them.

"How the hell did he hear that?" Isaac said as he stood up and prepared for the fight he assumed was about to happen.

Ursula also got up and prepared herself. Even Warren took a few steps closer to the approaching threat.

"Come on T! What's the matter with you?" Samuel yelled from behind, still seated with the 3 female students that could only laugh silently as Tai stomped away with feelings of anger, shame and embarrassment fresh on his mind.

"Hey guys. If we actually find ourselves in the midst of a fight...I'm running if Samuel gets up and the Professors still aren't here." Warren said from behind them.

"Well, thanks for being honest Warren." Ursula said as she cracked her knuckles in preparation.

Suddenly the field quieted, finally realizing what was happening. Leaving the three standing in silence as the unnaturally intimidating Cleric stormed towards them.

After a few seconds, the students started to murmur between each-other again and no longer seemed interested in Tai or the trio.

"Hehehe....where's Claude when you need him amirite?" Warren said fearfully as Tai got closer.

Before he could take another step, his faint menacing blue eyes caught movement of something that stopped him dead in his tracks. He swallowed silently and flashed his teeth in an all too animalistic manner.

The three were incredibly confused by Tai's actions and change in demeanor until they noticed Samuel shoot up from his seat with the female students. His face no longer looked cool and charismatic and now held a look of anger and disgust.

"He's right behind me isn't he?" Warren asked happily.

"Yep." Isaac responded as Claude jogged toward them with Frosty at his side.

Ursula turned around soon after, immediately taking note of the giant wolf running with him. She immediately knew he wasn't lying about it being a PitWolf after noticing it's exaggerated fangs, claws and the brown fur that stretched over its pulsing muscles. Despite its menacing appearance there was a certain young cuteness to it.

"Hey, Isaac." Claude said— surprised to see him with Ursula and Warren.

"Long time no see." He replied while looking from Claude to his large Companion who looked at them all with interest.

Claud nodded while his eyes wandered over to the twins who stood menacingly in the distance. They stared for a while longer before spitting on the floor and immediately starting to train— almost in perfect unison.

"Is this Frosty?" Ursula asked, snapping him out of his staring match with the twins.

He met eyes with her for a moment, half expecting to see anger in them after his cryptic late entrance and sudden departure at breakfast. Instead, all he saw was interest— interest in his last remaining family member.

"Uhh.....yea. This is Frosty." He replied while patting his side.

"Is he friendly??" She asked.

Claude responded by getting Frosty's attention and flicking his head at Ursula.

Frosty hopped up and trotted over to her outstretched hand. The students standing around the field silently watched the intimidating creature approach her and begin sniffing her hand.

"God damn. Look at those head muscles....how easily do you think he could take her hand off right now?" Warren asked as he fearfully stood behind Isaac who stood behind Ursula.

Claude felt himself grow uneasy as the students watched her interact with the PitWolf. He felt like he should be saying something.

"[Claude?]"

"Yea?" He replied.

"[Do you plan on apologizing any time soon or do you think they forgot this morning?]" Arne asked.

"Right."

Claude was about to speak when he noticed Ursula happily shaking hands with Frosty.

"You taught a wild PitWolf how to shake?" Isaac asked from behind her.

"No...he kind of just picked it up." Claude replied.

"Anyway, I wanted to apologize for this morning. I shouldn't have left like that." He added.

Warren shrugged from behind Isaac, "it's all good br—"

He was interrupted as Ursula stood up, blocking him out of sight. "It's fine. If it's anything you want to talk about, you know you can right?" She said with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Of course...and thanks for your concern."

Before Ursula could hope to hear anymore, the doors behind them swung open and Prof. Brennan came out with a student she'd never seen before.

"Class! Gather round, we've got a new student!" The Professor yelled out to everyone.