Claire's P.O.V.

"You know..." he began, looking at me again. "You are very kind to me. I thought all Neolians were just as Lady N said, but it seems that, generations later, a kind soul exists."

"What do you mean?"

"Lady N... is Neolian." I couldn't believe it. "During her days of residence there, she was treated horribly, only having one friend. But he was ended... a kind soul like you..."

"I'm actually not sure if I'm Neolian..." I admitted. "I'm not like them and felt somewhat like an outcast. As a princess, I was supposed to have my powers from the day I first existed, but I didn't. It was only when I got the Neolian Crystal that I could finally do something... but not even that power is my own."

"I feel so sorry for you..."

"...I'm Claire."

"Edric..."

"I'm very sorry for your suffering as well, Edric..."

He then held out his hand to me.

"Take my hand. Join Lady N's Court. We can help you. You're lonely. You're just like me. Please. We can help with the suffering you experience."

"...Is that where Max is going?"

"Lady N asked for him. I don't understand why, but she did."

"I..."

"Claire!"

The others ran into the scene.

"Please Claire... I don't want to have to end you."

I looked at my friends, then at the one person who is going through the exact same thing as me.

What should I do?

I thought about both possible outcomes...

"I'm sorry, Edric... but I know going to the Court with you will only bring more suffering." He was obviously stunned by the decision.

"So this how it goes... no one will ever side with the Child of Solitude... at least present an alternative to what I have to do."

Edric's P.O.V.

"Take my powers," she spoke in Neolian. "It's seen the same way as death to a Neolian."

"Stay away from her!" a rather familiar brunette with a purple theme color yelled.

"I'm really sorry for this," I told her, also in Neolian, as I study it. I then made short work of it and ran as she collapsed.

That is the life of me... the life of the Child of Solitude...

Alone...

With little to none understanding what I'm going through...

Claire was the only hope...

And she turned me down...

The suffering will never cease...

~~~~~~~~~~

CLAIRE!!!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!

I am such a terrible soul...

Well, see you next act...

Bye...