CHPT 174: He’s Here.

Claude headed down the semi-silent hallway that led to the Mess Hall, listening to the noisy mixture of student voices as they ate breakfast.

"Eggs, with bell peppers and potatoes." He said after sniffing the warm air that filtered out of the doors into the hallway.

"[Hate bell peppers…]" Arne commented as Claude entered the room.

He quickly grabbed his breakfast, noticing the watchful eyes of a number of students as he headed to the table he always occupied. It seemed the disappearance of Samuel and Tai would permanently increase his notoriety among certain groups— life at the University may become harder in response.

Ursula had her wide back to him from her seat where she engaged in conversation with Maris. Isaac and Warren conversed between each other— retelling the events of a fight based on the way Warren used his fork as a sword to perform odd jerky movements. By the time he reached the table, Warren and Isaac's conversation was joined by Maris while Ursula ate and listened to them.

Claude silently slid in next to her while the other three continued talking.

"Morning, Ursula." He said, catching her off guard with his unusual social forwardness— to combat the sadness he felt that she'd pick up on.

It seemed to have a good effect based on the way her freckled face lit up after the surprise of his sudden appearance faded. "Hey, Claude. You're late....again." She teased, leaning over and bumping shoulders with him.

"Yea. These carriage guys that are supposed to give me a ride quit after seeing Frosty." Claude replied before scooping up a spoonful of eggs.

"What a bunch of pussies." She said flatly.

"That's what I said." Claude agreed before nodding in hello to the others.

They all continued talking for another ten or so minutes while they ate— and ignored stares, until the doors into the Mess Hall opened and the Professors spilled into the room wearing the grave expressions of people who could only be coming to bring bad news.

One of the Professors that could manipulate the earth around them, placed his palms to the floor and caused a platform to rise from nothing at the front of the room. Right in front of Claude and his group.

As they all stepped up to the structure now in front of them all, Claude couldn't help but remember the last time this happened. His first day at the University when it was just him and Ursula. When the Professors introduced themselves, when he met Jack.

The only difference was, now H.M Alaric wasn't taking front and center. He lined up with the Professors like he wouldn't be spearheading the delivery of whatever news they had.

"What's going on?" Claude thought as he started to smell the anxiety of the Professors. It flowed off the natural creation they stood on in large heaps like an everlasting waterfall. "What could have them so uncomfortable."

"Talk about tense." Warren whispered.

"For real. Does anyone know what's happening?" Isaac asked.

Ursula sighed angrily and stabbed her fork into the eggs left on her plate. "I heard from my older brothers that someone important was in SkyHaven. Someone stronger than even my father that has kids that go here…..went here."

The end of Ursula's sentence immediately cleared the air. There was no room for confusion anymore. The only two students to disappear were the new Lupines of Remus. The twins. Samuel and Tai Leon.

The kidnapping of such noble children was unheard of. And their Father was here to figure it all out himself. Claude could now feel it. The suffocating power of a man who's destroyed entire worlds inside the Tangents. A man who'd conquered all who stood on the opposing end of his trained blade. He was here. A boogeyman stalking the halls of a building filled with fearful young students. A Wolf approaching a flock of Sheep.

Marshall Leon was inside the University of the Phoenix.

Ronin was here, and he demanded answers.