Claudia/History

Information
History
Relationships
Gallery

* Overview
* Prequels
* First Saga
* Fillers
* Second Saga

## History

Claudia was born to Viren and Lissa inside Katolis on June 16th, two years after her older brother, Soren. Since Soren was a sickly boy, Claudia spent her nights crying in her room until morning. When Claudia was just a little girl, Lissa took and showed her the wisp grotto near Mount Kalik. Following a dispute about dark magic, her parents chose to split up, and her mother chose for the two siblings to stay with their father so they would not be separated, while she returned to her family in Del Bar. Viren eventually taught Claudia the art of dark magic. One day, Claudia snuck into the Puzzle House that belonged to Viren's former mentor Kpp'Ar. Hiding in one of the house's secret passages, she unintentionally eavesdropped on an argument between her father and his former mentor, with her father proclaiming that he will commit even the most dangerous and vile acts to protect his family.

When Claudia was eight years old, Claudia performed her first dark magic spell using a Shadowlife Candle, temporarily resurrecting her favorite stray cat Biscuit. A ten-year-old Soren told Claudia to not practice dark magic without their father's supervision, but Claudia scoffed at the idea with the belief that anything is possible with dark magic.

## Rise Again

Claudia is eight years old and inside an attic when she starts to practice dark magic. She attempts to perform a resurrection spell on a deceased cat that Barius named Biscuit with the aid of a Shadowlife Candle. Soren tries to dissuade Claudia from continuing since they need their father's supervision, but she ignores her brother's pleas and successfully resurrects Biscuit. Claudia assures Soren that anything is possible with dark magic.

## Puzzle House

Claudia attempts to perform a plushifying spell on a table in the entrance hall of Katolis's castle using a book that was given to her by Kpp'Ar. She speaks the spell's incantation and coats the table with the essence of a Fuzz-Fur Scorpion, only to create an explosion of purple gunk that sticks the furniture to the walls. When Viren and Perran learn about what she did, they take Claudia to the throne room and report the incident to King Atticus. Atticus chooses to have Claudia sit on the throne and advise her to practice dark magic in more appropriate places such as Viren's chambers. Viren then decides to keep Kpp'Ar's book until Claudia manages to gain more responsibility before she leaves the throne room with Perran. However, Claudia chooses to eavesdrop on the conversation between her father and Atticus about Kpp'Ar's mysterious disappearance. Claudia learns that before Kpp'Ar as prepared a surprise for her and Soren before Perran tells her to practice dark magic in the courtyard with Soren and Callum. Claudia then realizes that Kpp'Ar's surprise is inside his Puzzle House, she runs off to the courtyard with excitement.

Claudia manages to persuade Soren to accompanying her in their adventure, which involves them sneaking out from the castle by night and entering the Puzzle House. Claudia and Soren come across numerous unicorn imageries inside the house while also doing their best the numerous puzzles, riddles, and traps that Kpp'Ar created. Claudia is becoming more frustrated that she is gaining more questions and answers, but she is simultaneously intrigued that Kpp'Ar had built a carousel for her and Soren. When they come across a Stone Giant chained in the basement, the terrified Claudia and Soren decide to flee back to the castle.

By morning, Claudia is reading about giants in the library before she talks with Callum. Callum's confession about missing his deceased father makes Claudia realize that the captured Stone Giant is sad and she is forced to return to the Puzzle House alone after Soren refused to accompany her. Claudia and the giant slowly form a bond after conversing about their respective families and relationships with Kpp'Ar before she manages to free him after recalling the clues that the old mage left behind. Claudia also intends to return the magical map that the giant, who introduced himself as Kruha, was guarding. However, Kruha decides that Claudia should keep the map due to her compassionate nature and since it can only be seen by those with a pure heart. Claudia and Kruha then bid their farewells after promising to meet again someday.

The next day, Claudia is visited by Viren in her room as he decided to return Kpp'Ar's book to her. Claudia and Viren apologize to one another for their misunderstandings and he chooses to leave the magical map with her after he perceives it as a blank paper. Right after Viren left, Claudia sees the map glowing and revealing images that include a river, a bridge, a tree, and a unicorn.

## Book One - Moon

### Echoes of Thunder

Claudia walks past Callum and Soren during a sword fight training session, engrossed in the book, "Love Amongst The Dragons", oblivious to the fact that she is about to walk into a tree. Although Soren is delighted to see such a scene occur, Callum warns her just in time. Claudia greets Callum before asking if the tree is new. Callum jokingly says that the tree is relatively new, and has only been there for 300 years. She laughs before sitting on a bench to continue reading her book. Noticing Callum's enamored gaze towards her, Soren decides to help Callum impress her. He pretends to be "stabbed" by Callum, falling to the ground and feigning defeat. Claudia praises Callum for his sword-fighting skills, remarking that it was what Soren deserved.

Later, Viren calls a meeting with Claudia and Soren. He tells his children that unwanted visitors have arrived from Xadia. Soren jokingly asks if they are minstrels or something, though Claudia tells him that they are actually assassins, much to his annoyance. She listens on as Viren orders Soren to track down the Moonshadow Elf camp before sundown, using an Archangel Lunaris, a giant moon moth that will be drawn to their energy. Claudia and Viren deduce that the Moonshadow Elves will be unstoppable once the moon rises. She is determined to find a way to stop them, saying that "unstoppable is just another kind of stoppable", much to her father's confusion. Claudia comments that the sentence sounded better in her head.

### What is Done

Claudia plays a prank on Callum when he is reading a book at the library, casting "Aspiro" to blow the pages and make him think that the book is haunted, much to his surprise. She tells him that his reaction was adorable, which makes him blush in embarrassment. Callum is amazed that she is able to perform magic like that, although she states nonchalantly that it was just a simple wind-breath rune. She casts it again, using it to blow at his face. Claudia then asks him if he can spell the peanut butter - which he does - which makes him ask her if the smell is part of the spell, but she jokingly tells him that it was just what she had for lunch, and they laugh. Afterward, Claudia points his attention to the stone that she had used to cast the spell, informing him that it is a called a Primal Stone, an artifact which uses magical energy from one of the six Primal Sources. She explains to him that a real storm resides inside the stone, captured and contained atop Mount Kalik, the tallest mountain in all of Katolis. Callum envies her for being able to learn such magic, though Claudia says that he gets to learn sword fighting in return. When Callum insists that he would trade places with her in a second, Claudia experiences an epiphany. She taps her nose excitedly before running off to talk to Viren. When she sees her father, she is too excited to tell him what she has realized, much to his chagrin, telling him that she has figured out an idea on how to save King Harrow's life - by switching his soul with another using the bite of a Soulfang Serpent from the black sands of the Midnight Desert.

### Moonrise

Despite Viren's insistence, Harrow refuses to use dark magic to avoid death at the hands of the Moonshadow Elves, much to Claudia's confusion and annoyance, as she and Viren agree that he is a stubborn man. Both of them admire a painting of Harrow and Viren, and Claudia comments that her father looks so happy in the picture, to which he agrees that he was. Viren reflects that Harrow insisted on him being by his side for the painting, as Harrow knew that Viren would stand by him through anything. Claudia comments that Viren has done that, to which he agrees that he has thus far. Viren says that he has to stand by Harrow through this trying time as well, declaring that he has to be the man that Harrow once believed he was. Afterward, Viren cryptically states that there is one more thing that he can do to convince Harrow to accept the use of dark magic, much to Claudia's confusion. When she asks her father what he intends to do, he tells her that she would stop him from doing it if she knew, then bids his daughter goodbye before leaving the room.

Left alone, Claudia finds the scroll that was given to Callum by Harrow, though the former had dropped it when Rayla confronted him earlier. Suspiciously observing the painting that Callum, Ezran and Rayla had opened earlier to access a secret tunnel, she notices jelly tart handprints on the frame of the painting. Claudia is repulsed when she tastes the jelly and realizes that it is persimmon flavored. Opening the painting, she too finds the secret tunnel. Claudia snaps her fingers, causing her hand to conjure a torch-like beam of light. When the light fades, she taps her arm to relight her hand. She uses the light to guide her way through the dark tunnel.

She later confronts Callum, Ezran, and Rayla when she finds them with the Dragon Prince's egg in Viren's secret chambers. Holding the Sky Primal Stone, she urges Callum and Ezran to get behind her so she can protect them from Rayla. Despite Rayla's claims that Viren stole the egg, Claudia is adamant that her father took the egg to protect humankind so that the elves and dragons could not use the egg as a powerful weapon. She tells Ezran to bring the egg over to her before generating a burst of electricity, threatening to blast Rayla if she moves even an inch. However, Rayla insists that the egg needs to be returned to his mother, the Dragon Queen. Ezran, who now trusts Rayla, then tells her to follow him as he leads her through another exit into the tunnel. Claudia assures Callum that she will not hurt Ezran as she prepares to unleash a bolt of lightning. Callum interrupts her spell, causing her to drop the Primal Stone, before chaining her hand. Claudia demands to know what he is doing, and he replies that he hopes he is doing the right thing. Callum takes the Primal Stone with him, apologizes to Claudia, and runs after Ezran and Rayla.

Claudia struggles with one of the shelves in the room. She lights a Shadowlife Candle and sprinkles a pinch of Xadian Wolf ash onto the flame, turning it purple. Claudia then casts a dark magic spell, summoning smokey afterimages - Smokey Seekers - of the once-alive Xadian Wolves from the candle to chase and hunt down Callum, Ezran and Rayla. As she casts the spell, her eyes glow violet before turning completely black. Although she considers a spell to turn the locked chains into snakes, Claudia finds the key to the chains and unlocks it.

Claudia is present when Soren and the Crownguard capture Runaan, and she stops her brother from killing him. She states that there are more practical uses for Runaan, so she orders the troops to tie him up and imprisons him in the dungeons.

### Bloodthirsty

Claudia and Soren attend the funeral of King Harrow. She reprimands Soren when he yawns and gives him a cup of "hot brown morning potion" to drink and stay awake, much to his delight. The siblings listen on as Viren announces Harrow's death at the hands of the Moonshadow Elves to the citizens of Katolis. When Opeli and the rest of the Katolis High Council refuse to light the funeral pyre, Viren orders his daughter to do so instead. Crushing an Emberback Spider in her hand, she casts a dark magic spell that creates flames that light the pyre.

### An Empty Throne

Claudia checks on Runaan's condition as Viren is speaking to the chained Gren, then informs her father that Runaan is still refusing to eat. Viren coldly tells her to let him be hungry before they leave.

### Through the Ice

Claudia casts a dark magic spell in an attempt to uncover magical secrets from the mysterious mirror that Viren took from the lair of the Dragon King and Queen, though the spell reveals nothing. Viren tells her that he has tried 8 different spells to do the same, but all were in vain. Though Claudia dismisses it as just an ordinary mirror, Viren is convinced that it is an important object, as the dragons kept it close to where they slept. He entrusts his daughter with a mission: to recover the Dragon Prince's egg at any cost. Claudia asks Viren, in a situation where she has to choose between saving Soren or the egg, which should she choose, though she brushes it off as a joke and assures her father that everything will be fine. She is disturbed when Viren tells her to choose the egg.

Later, she finds a dejected Soren eating a handful of jelly tarts, and cheerfully teases him about his sulking. When Soren asks if Viren said anything weird to her, she hesitantly says that he kind of did. When she asks her brother the same question, he denies Viren having said anything to him out of the ordinary. Soren asks her what did Viren say that was weird, to which she responds that Viren said that walnuts are his favorite fruit. The two joke and laugh together, before Claudia asks Soren if he is ready for their mission to find Callum and Ezran. Soren says that he is, though he is surprised when Claudia tries to reassure him that he will not die on the mission.

Claudia greets Soren who is sitting on a bench in the castle's courtyard as he asks her if their father said anything strange to her. Claudia admits that their father did and tries to avoid Soren's suspicion by saying that their father's favorite fruits are walnuts, something that Soren goes along with event though walnuts are not fruits. As they prepare for their mission, Claudia assures Soren that he will not die, though Soren respond confusingly by eating a jelly tart.

### The Dagger and the Wolf

Claudia and Soren arrive at the Banther Lodge with a pack of tracker hounds as Soren boasts about their ability of picking up a scent for miles after one sniff. Soren brings Callum's dirty training shirt for the hounds to smell, leading him and Claudia from the lodge and towards the nearby river where the hounds whimper.

Claudia and Soren fret about how to find Callum and Ezran, although Claudia tells him that she learned about a tracking spell that requires something very personal to the individual they needed to find. They eventually see Rayla's braid that has been shot and pinned to a tree by an arrow and Claudia examines the braid before calling it "cute".

Claudia then leads Soren through the forest before they enter a grotto filled with glowing wisps. Claudia uses a jar to obtain some of the wisps and informs Soren that they must climb up the summit of Mount Kalik, the tallest mountain in Katolis, to perform the spell, much to Soren's annoyance.

### Wonderstorm

As Claudia and Soren approach the base of Mount Kalik, Soren jokes about it being the "Ka-tallest". Claudia laughs at the pun and praises her brother for being a genius before she scoops up some soil and calls it the "Ka-shortest" mountain. Soren, however, is merely puzzled by her sense humor.

Claudia and Soren continues their journey to Mount Kalik as Soren talks about how refreshing it is to hike up to the top of the mountain at midnight with the moonlight, the clouds, and the refreshing night air. When Soren inhales, he starts coughing and complaining about the fart the Claudia's horse made. Claudia corrects him that it was not the horse, which disgusts and impresses him.

Claudia and Soren eventually reach the top of Mount Kalik as Soren shivers due to the wind and cold. As Soren asks Claudia if she can perform the spell someplace warmer, she is unable to before retorting on how they could use the spell's components to conjure a comfortable magical blanket instead of locating the princes. Soren frowns as Claudia casts the tracking spell that successfully shows Callum and Ezran's current whereabouts.

## Book Two - Sky

### A Secret and a Spark

Claudia stands beside Soren playing an ocarina, which lures the elf Rayla. She ceases her playing when Rayla collapses before them and tells Soren to "do it," leading him to draw his sword.

### Half Moon Lies

Soren raises his sword for the blow but when he hesitates, Claudia tells him to go on and do it. She asks just what he is waiting for. He argues that he has never attacked somebody who is sleeping before and that it is not sporting. She asks if he wants her to wake her and how long Rayla would need to be awake for it to be "sporting." He agrees just one second should do. She starts a count of three, but Rayla awakes on two. Claudia asks how she resisted the sleep spell and Rayla shows her a rose, which used to press a thorn into her finger to keep her awake from the pain.

Claudia watches as Soren engages in fierce swordplay with Rayla. When the battle reaches a tough point for Soren, she shouts, distracting Rayla. He tosses her into some mud and Claudia pelts her swords with green goo, then uses dark magic to set them ablaze. Rayla kicks hot mud in Soren's face, but then Callum appears and tells them all to stop, that they are not enemies. Claudia complains that Rayla kidnapped him and Prince Ezran, and Callum explains that they came with her voluntarily. He suggests that they all get some rest and cool off. As they walk, Claudia joins Callum, telling him he was very confident. She then tells him his hair's a little messy and ruffles it. Soren and Rayla both look exasperated at this.

That morning, Claudia and Soren talk in the room that they have been given to rest in. Soren tells Claudia that he thinks he is figured out what is going on, but she tells him not to talk to her until she has had her hot brown morning potion. She sips and sighs dreamily, then tells him that he can go on. He spins a theory about Rayla having bitten Callum and Ezran so that they have Moonshadow madness. She asks him where he heard about this and he replies that it was at camp. She turns and laughs heartily. He says that they need to do something, that their father gave them a mission. She agrees that it was to bring the princes home, and looks confused when he mentions the idea of a "terrible accident." He picks up a sack, suggesting that they stuff them in sacks, and she gets up angrily, saying that they are friends and they should try persuasion first. He agrees that they should "butter them up" and she looks delighted at the idea.

At a table outside, she presents a stack of pancakes to the group. Rayla takes a bit and tells her that they are good. Claudia agrees that they are "impossibly fluffy." Ellis, a young girl who earlier joined the group, asks how she gets them so light, and she says that the secret is separating the eggs, then beating the whites into a stiff meringue and a hint of dark magic. At this, most of the group put down their forks. She continues to Callum and Ezran that now that they know they are not kidnapped, they should come home, with the dragon egg. Callum tells her that there is no egg and she panics, asking what happened to the egg. Ezran presents her with Zym. Seeing him, she goes doe-eyed, then comical hearts appear in her eyes and she shouts about how cute he is. She goes into a fantasy of pink bubbles in which she floats to Zym and babbles in baby talk. Rayla steps in front of her, asking what happened to her comment about Zym not being an egg, but rather a powerful weapon. She agrees that is still true, that Zym could one day bring death and destruction down on all of them. She says that right now "he's so widdle" and moves to pet him, but Rayla slaps her hand away. She tells her to get a good look because they are heading to Xadia to return him to his mother.

Callum agrees that they cannot go home yet, that the mission is too important. Soren tells them that they do need to come home because King Harrow misses them. At this, Claudia glares at him angrily, as she knows King Harrow is dead, and Rayla, knowing the same, stares at him as well. As they return to their resting place, Soren asks Claudia if she caught the intense glare he got from the elf, that she is "into him." She groans, telling him that she is not into him, but rather onto him. King Harrow is dead, and he lied about it. She tells him that they are friends and it is wrong. He points out that she squashes innocent creatures to make dark magic pancakes. He says that he tried it her way by using words and that it is perhaps time for his way - "punching and stuff." She begs him to give her one more day to convince Callum to leave with them. She will rely on something stronger than muscles: trust.

She pays a visit to Callum and goes on a walk with him. She asks if she was interrupting something with him and Rayla, but he tells her he does not think of her that way. Rather, he thinks of her more as an "assassin friend." Claudia waves this off, saying that she has friends like that. He asks about her wanting to talk and she says that she needs to tell him about some things that happened back home. He suddenly blurts out that he broke her Primal Stone, saying that he had to get it off his chest. She says that accidents happen and he admits that he smashed it on purpose. She says that he must have had a good reason and he agrees that he did. He tells her that he did and says that she is the best. He moves to hug her but seems to think better of it. He suggests that he show her around all of the magic Moon places. She agrees.

They take a tour and he introduces her to their host, Lujanne, a moon mage and illusionist. She thinks at first that Lujanne may be an illusion herself. They walk through a hall of Moon Moths, filled with runes. Callum tells her that it is too bad humans cannot do magic without a Primal Stone. She scoffs, telling him that they can. He replies that he did not mean her kind of magic. She asks what he means by that and he whispers "dark magic." She asks if he always whispers when he is being judgmental. He tells her that he feels sad not being able to use magic anymore and she tells him that he can if he wants to. She pulls out a book and he replies that he wants to learn primal magic, but you have to be born with it inside you. She tells him that is the great thing about dark magic, that you just take creatures that are born with magic inside and squeeze it out of them. He looks disgusted and she tells him that he is doing it again. She tells him that the way she thinks about it is that humans were born with nothing, but still found a way to do amazing things. it is what dark magic is really all about. He frowns, telling her that it is just not for him. They continue their walk together. They reach a new area where he tells her that there is not much to see, but she gushes that she loves ancient ruins. She tells him that if he closes his eyes, he can imagine what it was like back when everything was so magical. She says it is beautiful and the wind blows through her. Callum stares at her dreamily, agreeing that it is beautiful. She opens her eyes, noting that Callum has not closed his. He just gives her doe eyes and she makes a goofy face at him. They both laugh and he leads her onward, telling her that if she thinks this is great, then wait until she sees the Moon Nexus. He then stops, saying that they should come back, after the moon rises. She agrees that it is a date.

In her and Soren's room, Claudia styles her hair. Soren asks her if she is doing something different with it, some sort of a "braid-bag flower dealy." She tells him that she is, asking "so what?" He tells her that they need to stay focused on getting the princes to leave with them. He wants to make sure that she is still on the mission and not just having fun. She points out that he built a zipline. He replies that he took no joy in it and she looks confused.

Callum arrives at the meeting place, where Claudia is already waiting. He tells her that the moon is so bright that they can see their shadows. He tries to hold her hand, then thinks better of it. She asks him if he had his hand-shadow hold her hand-shadow. She grabs both of his hands, telling him to take her to see the Moon Nexus. They arrive and Claudia describes it as being "like the moon, but more... here." They make small talk and Claudia says that Callum makes her laugh. He agrees that she makes him laugh too and see the world in a different way. He tells her he suddenly does not have any more words and she says that they can just be there without words. They hold hands and start to kiss, but Claudia draws away, saying she has to tell him something. Callum then leaves the meeting, as what Claudia told him was the truth of King Harrow's death.

### Smoke and Mirrors

Back in their room, Soren asks Claudia if she had fun on her date. Seeing her sobbing, he asks her what happened, what Callum did to her. She tells him that nothing happened, that Callum would never hurt her. He asks her why she is weeping and she tells him that she is going to be fine. He tells her that she is his sister and he is always there for her to punch someone, or whatever she needs. She tells him she knows and he says that they still need to bring the princes back with them, whatever happens. He says that he needs to know that what is going on with her will not interfere with what they came to do. She promises him that it will not, that she can do it.

Claudia, with Soren, overhears Callum talking with Rayla about leaving. He tells her that they would decide and are leaving today. He says that they cannot go home with them and Soren tells him that Harrow is going to be disappointed. Claudia slaps him, asking what is wrong with him. She warns him to stop it. He leaves and she apologizes for him. She tells Callum that she needs to give him something in private. They meet in the room where she and Soren have been staying. She gives him the letter that King Harrow left for him. He asks if she opened it and she asks why she would do that, that it is for him. She tells him that she could have opened it and resealed it with magic if she wanted to, but she did not. She asks if he is going to open it, but he tucks it away, telling her that he is not ready yet. He thanks her and she says that this is goodbye. She hugs him.

Claudia and Soren stand waiting with Ellis and Ava and are greeted by Rayla and Lujanne. Claudia asks where Callum and Ezran are and Rayla tells her that they will be there soon. Lujanne says that it is been a pleasure to have them all there. Rayla, Callum, Ezran, Zym, and Bait arrive and they all head off, Claudia and Soren hanging back at a bit of a distance. Soren asks Claudia if she is "ready to do this the Soren way" and she agrees that there is no other way. He tells her that he will give the signal when it is time to strike. She asks what the signal is and he replies that it is him attacking the elf. He makes punching motions with his fists and she groans in irritation. Rayla puts on an act of going around a corner to find some berries in a bush and things begin. While Soren confronts Rayla, Claudia casts a spell of dark magic to transform the bracelets on her arm into snakes. They slither forward and wrap around Callum and Ezran, then transform into chains. Ezran drops Zym and Claudia rushes forward and captures him in a sack.

As Soren's conflict with Rayla continues, Claudia returns to Callum, telling him that she knows it feels like a betrayal, but she cannot let him go. She tells him that she has to do what is right and take him back home. She gets no response from him and she begs him to not give him the silent treatment. She shouts at him to say something, anything, but he just lays on the ground without a single blink. Claudia realizes that neither he nor Ezran is moving in the slightest and that something is wrong. She shouts to Soren that it is a trick. Rayla calls for Ellis, who uses to Ava the wolf's moonstone collar to reveal the trick. Claudia watches in shock as Callum and Ezran vanish, leaving nothing but the chains. She realizes that she has fallen for an illusion.

The Moon Phoenix Phoe-Phoe appears in a flash, carrying Callum, Ezran, and Bait. Rayla leaps to join and Soren shouts to Claudia that they are getting away. Claudia replies that they are not and casts a dark magic spell to draw them back in. Callum begs her to not do this. Just then, Corvus's chain snakes forward and wraps around Claudia. Corvus tells her to stop and let them go. He drags her forward, causing her to drop the animal part she was using to cast the spell. The spell breaks as Corvus proclaims that he is protecting the princes from her. Soren then knocks Corvus out in the back of the head with a rock as Phoe-Phoe flies off into the distance. Callum turns back to give one last dirty look at Claudia, who stares in sadness.

Claudia and Soren confront Corvus, whom Soren calls a traitor. Corvus argues that he is not, but Soren says for anyone who votes that Corvus is a traitor to raise their hand. Claudia looks annoyed but raises her hand after Soren. She asks Soren what they are going to do, saying that they betrayed their friends, and it was all for nothing. Soren says that it was not for nothing, pointing out the sack in which Claudia captured Zym. Claudia shouts excitedly that they still have the dragon, then watches as Soren opens the bag only to discover that it contains nothing but Moon Moths - another illusion.

### Fire and Fury

Soren and Claudia pull up outside a village, where Soren suggests that they can ditch Corvus in jail when they are in town. Claudia complains about how far off they are of Callum and Ezran's trail. She wonders if they could really catch up with them. Corvus suggests that he could help track them if they untied him. Soren seems to consider it, but Claudia tells him no and Soren chastises Corvus for trying to trick him. They head into the village.

When they enter, Soren tries to get the attention of the villagers but gets no response. Claudia tells him that something is weird and he agrees that nobody is listening to him. She asks him what he is on about. She watches a dragon circling in the sky above and turns to Soren for confirmation. She then follows him as he heads up to a ballista tower to launch an attack on the dragon. She watches as his attempt to attack the dragon fails, then flees at his shout to get down when the dragon comes back around for another pass and sets the village ablaze. She witnesses another failed attempt and narrowly evades a shot of fire from the dragon at the tower. She shouts at Soren as he draws his sword on Corvus, but watches in surprise as he cuts Corvus's bonds, ordering him to get as many villagers as he can to safety.

The dragon continues its rampage and Soren tells Claudia that he thinks he really messed up this time. He does not know how to stop it. She tells him not to say that yet, that she has an idea. She pulls out a box, which she says contains the eye of a griffin. With it, she can enchant a ballista bolt to never miss its target, no matter what. He asks just who carries a griffin eyeball around with them all the time, and she suggests that he thank her for being prepared. He thanks her, grudgingly and they race to one of the ballistae. She chants a spell of dark magic and enchants the bolt. She fires. The bolt seems to miss the dragon at first, but true to Claudia's word, it swings back around and despite the dragon's attempts to evade, pierces it, sending it crashing to the ground.

The two lead a force from the village to the dragon, where Claudia tells Soren that she always thought it would be him that took down a dragon and not her. He seems puzzled and she asks if it was not one of his life's goals, to slay a dragon. He agrees and she says that it is funny because she does not really care about it, and yet, there it is. He replies that he thinks it is dead, but he is not sure. He orders the dragon chained up.

Claudia stands reading a book, telling Soren that there are so many things that they could do with a dragon. There is even a chapter in the book about spells that use dragon snot. Soren looks at her in disgust as she turns to another page. She asks him if their Dad might like it if they brought this dragon home, even though they do not have the Dragon Prince. He agrees that the dragon is "something," but also weighs about a million tons. He asks how they will move it. She closes the book and replies "in pieces."

Rayla comes and battles Soren over the dragon. Claudia tells him to try not to kill her. She can lead them to Ezran and Callum. Callum then speaks up behind Claudia, saying that she does not have to. Claudia shouts in joy at seeing him safe, then sees the items that he is holding - a book and a glowing part of an animal. She asks what he is doing and he replies "Your kind of magic." She tells him that he does not want to do it, that it is really dangerous if someone has not shown him how. He replies that she already did and casts his spell. It turns the dragon's chains into snakes, which slither away and attack the village soldiers. He collapses. Soren then tries to battle Rayla again, only to get attacked by the dragon and whomped to the ground. Claudia approaches Ezran, who has joined the fray as well, trying to take Zym from him. She begins to chant a dark magic spell, but Soren pleads for her to come and help him. She shakes off the magic and runs to him. She tells him to get up so they can get him some help, but he tells her that he cannot move.

### The Book of Destiny

Soren tells Claudia that he cannot feel anything. She pinches him and asks him if he can feel it, which he calls "just rude." She tells him that she will have him back on his feet in no time and pulls out a couple of purple flowers from her pouch. She places the petals over his eyes then a vial of "grasshopper goop." Soren asks if they really have to, but she sprinkles it over him and casts a spell of dark magic. The flower petals vanish from his eyes. He tells her that the spell was super-pretty, but he still cannot move. She is shocked, saying that she must have something. She rifles through her pouch but comes up empty. She shouts at some nearby soldiers, telling them to not just stand there and to help her get Soren back to town so they can find a doctor.

Claudia sits in the hospital, staring inside Soren's hospital room. A young female doctor exits the room and Claudia stands, asking how long it will take for Soren to get better. The doctor shakes her head, telling Claudia that he is not going to get better. He is lucky to have survived a direct attack from a dragon and will never walk again. Claudia looks shocked. She turns away and crosses her arms and the doctor tells her that she has not told Soren yet. Claudia tells the doctor not to tell him, that he should hear it from her.

Claudia sighs and enters Soren's room. She greets him as "Sor-Sor," saying that all the people in town are talking about him and how he faced the dragon and saved the town. She says that everyone is calling him a hero, but he asks if saving everyone from a problem he caused is what heroes do. She tries to tell him the truth about his condition, but he stops her, saying that he already knows. He cannot move, he cannot walk, and it is not going to get better. He tells her that it is for the best. She asks what he is talking about, why he would say that. He tells her that Viren gave him a secret mission. He was not sure about it, but he wanted him to be proud of him. She tells him that he is proud of him, no matter what. He says that he figured there must have been a good reason for the mission. She asks him what he told him to do and he tells her "kill the princes." She scoffs, saying that it cannot be right and he must have misunderstood. He tells her that he cannot do anything terrible because now he cannot do anything at all. She frowns.

Claudia paces and he tells her that he is free to do what he wants with no expectations from anyone. She asks him what he is going to do with his newfound freedom and he tells her that he is going to reinvent himself as a poet. She busts out with a big laugh and then stares at him, realizing that he is not joking. He says that people will visit him and they will drink soothing tea. She asks him if he is sure and he says he has the first poem, a haiku. She agrees reluctantly to hear it. He recites the "haiku" and she counts on her fingers then clutches her head, calling it a terrible poem and not even a haiku. She shouts that there must be something that she can do and starts rummaging through the room's cabinets, tossing aside and smashing bottles that are of no use to her. She ends up smashing entire cabinets and the doctor shows up, telling her that she needs to calm down. She turns, telling the doctor that she needs to "calm up" and help Soren. She tells her that this is a hospital. She and her nurse grab the struggling Claudia, telling her that they are going to have to assist her out of there. Claudia whines that Soren cannot be like this, that he cannot even count syllables. They toss her bodily outside of the hospital.

Claudia wanders through the village, telling herself to calm down and that everything will be okay. She tells herself to say her calming mantra and recites several times "There is no synonym for cinnamon." She cuts herself off as she hears a noise coming from a tunnel. She peers into the darkness and hears a creature growling. A powerful beast with glowing yellow eyes, a Banther, appears before her. She pulls back, scared, but then sees Ezran sitting atop the creature. "Ezran?" she asks in wonder, and he greets her.

### Breathe

Claudia tells Ezran that she hopes he knows that he never meant to hurt him and Claudia, still clearly scared of the Banther. He tells her that it was scary how she acted. She tells him that she knows and she is sorry. He steps down, sending the Banther on its way. She smiles and they walk together. She tells him that she is surprised to see him and even more surprised he was not the Banther's dinner. He tells her that he has a way with animals and that Banthers are pretty friendly and enjoy praise, compliments, and a friendly scratch under the chin. She says that it is like her. He stares at one of the ballista towers and she asks if he wants to go up. He nods.

Claudia and Ezran sit at the top of the tower. Claudia asks him why he is there, by himself. He tells her that he found something out, that his dad... He cuts himself off and Claudia tells him that he does not have to talk about it if he does not want to. She tells him that it is not the same, but when she was a kid, her mom and dad split up. She remembers hearing them fight a lot after she and Soren went to bed. One day, they told them that their mother was moving back to Del Bar, where her family was from. They were given a choice whether to stay with Viren or go with her. Soren chose to stay with Viren. She found herself struggling to choose until finally their mother looked at Viren and told Claudia to stay. She said that she had to stay with Soren, that this was her home. Ezran asks how she could do that, why she would leave her. Claudia, crying, tells him that she needed to leave for herself, to be happy somehow. Her father is pretty intense. He agrees that she must miss her. She tells him that losing her was the hardest thing that ever happened to her. He agrees that when you grow up there are sometimes changes you do not expect and you have to face things you are not ready for. He tells her that it is something Callum told him and she tells him that he is lucky to have a brother like Callum. He says that he knows and sobs. She tells him that she is lucky to have her brother, that he is a doof, but her doof. She continues that she knows he would do anything to protect her, and she would do anything for him. A bluebird lands by Ezran and he takes it in his hands. She says that he does not just have a way with animals, he can talk to them. He admits that this is true. She tells him that she needs him to help him find something in the forest, that if she can find milkfruit, she can help Soren.

Claudia and Ezran visit the forest, Ezran telling her that they are where the squirrel said they should go. Claudia tells him that she sees it, a milkfruit bush. A couple of deer emerge from the bushes and Ezran points them out, saying that he almost forgot that deer love milkfruit. She agrees that they do and tells him that Callum needs him, asking if he knows the way back. He tells her that he has plenty of friends to help him if he gets lost. She bends before him and places her arm on his shoulder, telling him that she is sorry if the things she did before were frightening or confusing. She tells him that she cares about him and Callum a lot. He tells her he knows and leaves. She turns to the deer, who are eating the milkfruit and exhales wearily.

Claudia kneels before one of the deer with a milkfruit in her hand. It comes to her and begins nibbling. She tells the deer that she is sorry, but it is agile, young and alive, and she needs it. It finishes eating the fruit and stares at her. She re-enters the hospital and from Soren's room, the shouts of the commotion that she is creating can be heard. The doctor tells her that she cannot be in there, but she busts into Soren's room, hair flying, eyes purple and arms crackling with dark energy. He asks her what she is doing and she sends the energy into his body, crackling like lightning. He screams in pain and floats above the bed. Claudia collapses and he falls back down to the bed. He asks what this is, saying that he can move his toes. He does so. Claudia rises and the doctor and her nurse flee the room in terror. Soren shouts that he broke ribs and about how great it is that he can feel again. Getting no response from Claudia, he turns to her to see her bent over, panting heavily. He asks if she is going to be okay and she raises her head, saying that he is going to be better now and that is all that matters. She raises her head, her eyes black and one of her bangs of hair now streaked with white. Her eyes resume their normal color.

Soren and Claudia leave the hospital, Soren walking with a crutch and supported by Claudia. He tells her that they both failed their secret missions. He asks what Viren is going to say. She tells him that the important thing is that they are both alive. She continues that they are not coming home empty-handed, showing him a horn that he cut off the dragon. Seeing it, he recites "Failed missions, mad Dad. But dragon horn means magic. Maybe Dad not mad!" She counts on her fingers and raises her hands excitedly, knocking him down. She shouts that it was amazing, realizing that he just came up with a haiku. Then she covers her mouth with her hands, realizing how she just knocked him down.

## Book Three - Sun

### The Crown

Ezran has taken the throne and Claudia and Soren are brought before him, Viren having been imprisoned for treason. Ezran asks why they are chained up and Marcos and Opeli explain as much. Claudia tells Ezran that they have it all wrong. She starts to explain that when their father sent them after the princes and Opeli interrupts, asking about Viren having sent them after the princes. Claudia backpedals that "sent" is a strong word. She says that he wanted them to rescue the princes, not kill them. Opeli asks who said anything about killing the princes and Claudia replies that nobody did. She turns to Soren, who has been kneeling with his head bowed, begging him to tell them that they did not do anything wrong. He raises his head but then lowers it again. Opeli asks Ezran to give the order to lock them up, but he says he is not really sure about what they were trying to do. Claudia pleads with him that they talked about this, but Opeli silences her. Ezran asks that Soren and Claudia be allowed to rest and be fed while he makes his decision. Claudia thanks him and she and Soren are led away.

Claudia and Soren wait in a room, Claudia pacing and asking how long they are going to keep them like this, prisoners in their own home. Soren points out that they at least have bread and chomps on a loaf. He asks Claudia if they are still going to be given bread in the dungeon and she tells him that they are not going to the dungeon, that they did not do anything wrong. He says that Viren wanted him to kill the princes and that means they are guilty, or at least he is. She points at him, saying that he is not and he must have misunderstood or misremembered or mis-listened. She tells him there is no way Viren would have told him to do that. He says that it does not matter because Viren is in prison and everyone is telling Ezran that they are guilty. Claudia crosses her arms, saying that Ezran thinks for himself. He will see through the mess and do the right thing. She asks him why he is stacking his bread and he calls it a "bread sandwich." She rages and walks away as he munches into it.

Ezran has Claudia and Soren brought back before him. He declares that he does not want to be the kind of king who punishes people for crimes their parents committed. He orders Claudia and Soren to be set free. Claudia turns, looking surprised, and smiles when Ezran shouts for her and Soren's chains to be taken off.

### Ghost

Claudia and Soren visit Viren in the dungeon where he is being kept. He says that he is glad to see them safe. Claudia clutches the bars of his cell, asking him what happened and why he is being kept there. He tells her that he tried to unite the five kingdoms against Xadia, but the Council was more concerned that he broke a few rules along the way. He says that none of it matters, asking her if she got the egg. She winces, stammering that it is not an egg anymore, that it is hatched. He rages that the dragon will become the most powerful creature in the world and she let it fall back into Xadia's hands. She gestures at Soren, saying that he could have died, and Viren shouts that it does not matter. She draws back, looking appalled. He composes himself, saying that he does not mean to be cruel, but they must be ready to sacrifice. He would have asked them to choose the egg over his own life. He asks if she understands, but she lowers her head, frowning. He continues that everything he asks of them is for the future of humanity. Ice in her voice, she asks if this is why he told Soren to kill the princes.

Claudia demands that Viren answer her as to why he told Soren to kill the princes. The caterpillar form of the elf Aaravos whispers in Viren's ear, warning him to be careful, as if he tells her the truth, he will lose her. He will need her son. He chuckles, asking Soren if he really thought that was what he meant. He asks Claudia if she really thought he would ask Soren to do such a thing, that she knows her brother is easily confused. Soren tries to protest, but Viren spins a story that he was only trying to prepare him for the worst. Soren asks Claudia if she believes him, but she turns to Viren, then to him. She takes his hand, saying that she believes he thought he heard it, but he obviously made a mistake. She says that it is lucky he messed up the mission he thought he had. He turns away from her to leave the dungeon and she follows, then takes the lead.

### Heroes and Masterminds

Claudia and Soren stand side-by-side in the throne room as Viren enters and crowns himself as king of Katolis, Ezran having traded places with him in the dungeon. She smiles as the crowd around them cheers "All hail the king!" and does not notice Corvus and Opeli fleeing the room like Soren does.

Claudia meets Viren in a room, where he is examining some documents. She sees the Aaravos caterpillar on his ear and reaches to pet it, asking who his new friend is. Viren shies away, telling her not to touch it. She apologizes, saying that she just thought it looked cute. He apologizes, telling her that he is just trying to get ready for their march on Xadia. He asks if she needs something and she tells him that she is just making sure he is okay. She asks if he is, in fact, okay and he sighs, telling her that he is fine. He asks her if she understands why Prince Ezran had to be removed. She tells him that she does, that he could not have done the things that need to be done. He tells her that others might take a crown out of self-importance. She speaks for him, agreeing that he is doing it to help them, to help everyone. He agrees that she is right and he knows he can count on her. She gives him a big hug and he hugs her back. She tells him that everything will be okay and that she is there for him. She leaves, watched by the spectral form of Aaravos, who tells Viren that she will be a valuable asset. He replies that she is not an asset, she is his daughter.

That evening, Claudia again meets with Viren. He says that Soren should be there, asking why he is late. She replies that Soren told her he needed some bathroom time because he ate some bad cheese, and is now "paying the price." Viren sighs and Claudia asks if he knows what he means by "paying the price." She starts to explain, but Viren cuts her off, saying that he gets it and there is no need for her to paint a picture. She agrees that she would only need one color for that picture, brown. Viren gives an address to the assembled soldiers and Claudia claps, standing beside Kasef, the prince of Neolandia. As Viren finishes his speech, Soren walks up by her. He says that he is sorry he is late and asks her what he missed.

### Thunderfall

As Viren and his army begin their march to war, Claudia rides on Viren's right side, Soren on the other side and Prince Kasef of Neolandia at her right. After some questionable interactions with Soren, Kasef approaches Claudia, telling her that her brother is a bit quirky. She tells him that people usually say that she is the quirky one. She makes a funny face at him and he gives her a questioning look. He asks if her father is talking to himself and Soren interrupts, saying that Viren is talking to his "little bug-pal." Kasef pulls away from them both, leaving them to ride together.

The army arrives at the Breach and Claudia watches as Viren uses the dragon horn to cast a dark magic spell to part the lava that is blocking the way, allowing them a clear path.

### Hearts of Cinder

Claudia comes upon several Adoraburrs in a wooded area and gushes over how cute they are. She then captures one in a jar and stuffs it in her pouch. She stares out at Viren's army and shouts for them to wait up. She rushes to rejoin the group.

Following a visit to the elf stronghold of Lux Aurea, Viren returns to his forces with stolen Sunfire Elf magic. Claudia gasps and places her arm on Soren's shoulder as she sees him return. She follows him as he addresses his forces, telling them that he has been granted a great gift - the power to protect themselves from the fire that will be rained down upon them by the elves and dragons. She lowers her head as Soren refuses Viren's demand to grant him the power then turns as Soren flees.

Claudia chases after Soren, asking him what is going and where he is going. He tells her that he cannot stay there anymore, that she is seen what is going on. She tells Soren that perhaps Viren is just doing what needs to be done. He tells her that she is changing too. At this, she fingers her bangs where her hair has turned white. He continues that it is not too late, that she can leave Viren and come with him. She begs him to not do this to her, to not make her choose again. He tells her okay and bids her goodbye. He reaches out for a hug, but she pulls away. He leaves, and she shouts "No, no, no, no!" and watches as he walks away. She returns and gasps as she sees the army, now transformed by the monstrous power granted to them by Viren.

### Dragonguard

As Viren and his forces arrive at the Storm Spire, Claudia rides behind Viren, carrying the stolen Sun staff of Pharos.

### The Final Battle

As Viren's forces make their final approach, Viren tells Claudia that he is proud of her for standing beside him despite everything. She tells him that of course she would, that he is her dad. He agrees, saying that it is just that she is grown up so brilliant and strong. Despite this, she is still his little girl. She tells him that they are all that is left of their family and she will not let anything break them apart.

As the two armies face off against each other, the Sunfire Elves erect a wall of shields. Claudia quips mockingly to Viren that they have shields and that they should perhaps just turn around and give up. He smiles at her humor. She then watches in shock as the monstrous form of Kasef rushes forward into the fray before Viren can even give the order for their army to attack, then charges into the fray behind Viren at his command.

As the battle proceeds, Claudia uses the corrupted Sun staff to cast "Noctu Igne". It sends an orb of dark energy slamming into the Xadian forces. It distracts them by causing them to hear a high-pitched ringing in their ears. Later, as dragons begin raining down fire upon Viren's forces, she casts "Tenebris Praesidium"". This erects a web of dark energy over her, Viren, and High Council member Saleer, which shields them from the dragon fire. She then comments on how their soldiers are getting back up after the dragon attack. She says that they are immune to the fire. Viren tells her that it is much more than that, that they are also strengthened by it. He tells her that it is time for the next phase of their plan and she narrows her eyes, saying that she understands.

The tide of the battle turns in the wake of the arrival of additional forces from Duren. As Ezran surveys the battlefield, he sees Claudia walking away into the distance. He asks after her, then shouts for her to wait. She starts running and he begins chasing after her, only to stumble over a body on the ground. He takes off the cloak shrouding the body and discovers it to be Viren, who moves to stab Ezran with his staff when Soren shows up to intervene. As Soren points his sword at Viren, Claudia raises her hand, telling him to wait. She shouts that he is making a mistake. She steps forward on the other side of Viren and they stare at each other. Soren again orders Viren to lay down his staff, but Viren moves to impale Ezran, so Soren stabs him through the heart. He collapses at Claudia's feet and she stares at Soren in utter shock, then gasps and covers her mouth. She asks him how he could and he tells her that he had no choice. Ezran asks why Viren would try to hurt him when he could not win and the battle is over and Claudia tells him "No, it's not." She continues that the real battle was never down there, that this was all just a distraction. Viren's body disappears in a flash of dark magic, revealing only Moon Moths. Soren rises, demanding to know from Claudia where Viren truly is, but she just grins at him meanly. Ezran gets a flash of the truth - that Viren is fighting Rayla up in the Storm Spire, and Claudia runs away from the distracted Soren and Ezran.

Once Viren is defeated, sent toppling over the edge of the Storm Spire, and finally jolts awake inside a dark cave, Claudia is by his side. Her eyes go from black back to their normal color and now nearly half of her hair has turned white. After realizing that Viren has woken up, Claudia exclaims with a joyful shock that he is alive. Viren then asks her if he had somehow survived the fall, but she admits that he originally had not. After getting up, she strokes his face, saying that he is okay now, causing her father to realize that she has resurrected him. When Viren searches for Aaravos and inquiries if Claudia had seen him, she informs him that he had spun himself into a cocoon two days ago, then points towards it hanging from the wall. She states that it has begun to change.

## Lost Child

Following their escape from Umber Tor, Claudia and her group decide to rest in the forest as she grows more worried about Viren's fever. Terry manages to encourage Claudia to fetch some water for her father from a nearby pond, which allows her to temporarily and reluctantly leave Viren under the care of the Earthblood Elf. As Claudia gathers water and reflect on recent events, she attempts to communicate with the Being with the hopes of reaching to Aaravos once again. The Being simply mimics Claudia's movements before digging to the soil, which prompts the exasperated Claudia to rant about how everyone she has known had abandoned her. Claudia briefly reminisces the last memories of her mother Lissa before the Being gives her a pair of iridescent snails that it uncovered from its digging. The snails inspired Claudia to use one of them for a dark magic spell that rejuvenates her appearance before she and the Being return to Viren and Terry with newfound confidence.

## Strangers

While Soren is being held captive with Viren guarding him, Claudia, Terry, and the Being are collecting ingredients for a dark magic spell that allows them to dig into Umber Tor. After the trio returned to Soren and Viren, Claudia offers her father the chance to perform the spell with the relic staff since she is exhausted and does not want to cause an awful accident. The hesitant Viren declines his daughter's offer, which convinces Claudia to perform the spell whenever he is ready.

## Book Four - Earth

### Rebirthday

In a cave at the bottom of the Storm Spire, Claudia sits with Viren as he is being revived, overjoyed to see him alive again. When her father asks if he had survived the fall from the spire's pinnacle, Claudia reveals to him that he had not, and that he has been dead for roughly two years. Explaining what had happened, Claudia claims that Aaravos's voice had spoken to her, claiming that he could help in reviving her father. She continues to recall that, after seeking refuge in the cave, Aaravos's caterpillar had preserved Viren's body inside a magical cocoon and told Claudia to go on a quest to acquire the Xadian ingredients needed for a resurrection spell. Following this order, Claudia spent two years searching for the ingredients, forced to commit terrible actions that she never thought she had to do. She further states that, once she had managed to find everything she required, she returned to the cave and used Aaravos's final instructions to complete the resurrection spell on her own. However, with a heavy heart, Claudia has to inform Viren that the resurrection spell only brings him back for 30 days, and that they need to find and free Aaravos from his prison so that he can keep Viren alive permanently. Viren believes that it is hopeless, but Claudia remains hopeful as Aaravos had claimed for the Being that would emerge from the chrysalis to guide them to the answers they would require. After all explanations, Claudia realizes that she forgot about one last thing, and introduces Viren to her boyfriend, an Earthblood Elf named Terry.

### Fallen Stars

Claudia explains to Viren that in order to hatch the Being, there is something else that they need: the relic staff that Viren left behind at the top of the Storm Spire. Thus, she leads them as they once again begin the trek up the spire to retrieve the staff. As they progress, Claudia observes Viren struggling due having developed a fear of heights from having fallen to his death. She then has Terry use his Earth magic to try to distract Viren by magically growing a flower. She then gushes about the smell Terry leaves after passing gas, much to Viren's chagrin.

Claudia uses dark magic distilled from Puffer-Bats to help everyone catch their breath, but Viren still struggles. He suggests that Claudia may not have caught the bats at the correct time, but he is in fact still struggling due to his fear. Later, Claudia catches Viren after he loses consciousness and nearly falls. After waking up, he suggests that it might be better for him to simply accept his fate, but Claudia will hear none of it.

### Breathtaking

Claudia shares the view from the Storm Spire with Terry, and they have chosen to continue with their mission without Viren. The two decide on a whistle as a signal before moving into enemy territory, nearly sharing a kiss while practicing. Upon arriving at the entrance of the Storm Spire, Claudia discovers the Arcus Vault before she casts a spell to locate the relic staff. She is then confronted by the Skywing Elf Ibis and the two of them engage in a pitched battle. Just when Ibis is about to deal Claudia a killing blow, Terry stabs him in the back, killing him. He then bursts into tears in horror of the act.

### Through the Looking Glass

Claudia and Terry return to Viren, who refuses to accept the relic staff, having Claudia hold it instead. Later, while Claudia is sleeping, Terry talks with Viren about having killed Ibis, saying that he would do anything to protect Claudia. In the morning, Claudia wakes both Terry and Viren early, explaining that they need the first light of the sun as part of the spell to wake the Being. She again offers the staff to Viren, but he again refuses, so she casts the spell herself. The cocoon opens, revealing the Being, who spreads its wings before the group.

### The Great Gates

Claudia and her group follow the newly hatched Being through Xadia. It does not speak, but merely excretes an ooze. It then starts making gestures, leading Claudia to believe it wants to play a party game. It ends up being Viren who figures out that the Being is trying to draw a dragon. He explains to Claudia that the Being is trying to lead them to Umber Tor and the Archdragon Rex Igneous. Claudia realizes that Rex Igneous must know the location of Aaravos's prison.

### The Drakewood

Claudia is gathering ingredients in the Drakewood where she comes across Soren and his new dragon friend Squeaky.

### Beneath the Surface

Claudia and Soren have a fraught conversation in which Soren tells her to stop trying to release the greatest evil the world has ever known and she complains that she knew he would not understand. She tries to escape using dark magic wings, but Soren pursues on Squeaky. She catches her bag on a branch, causing her to fall. Soren shields her from the worst of the blow, but she is still knocked out. When she wakes up, she finds herself tied up, Soren pleading with her that Viren is dead so she no longer has to follow his path.

Soren tries to appeal to Claudia directly, talking about Aaravos and the horrors that he unleashed in the past. Claudia, however, expresses her view that Aaravos rose humans out of nothing. She tells him that Aaravos gifted humans dark magic and he would be dead without it. Soren then begins to wonder why she is not trying to escape, which becomes clear when the Being drops down on Soren, then both Terry and Viren arrive.

### Rex Igneous

As Team Zym learns from Rex Igneous that he is in possession of a map leading to the prison of Aaravos, Claudia suddenly appears. She mocks Callum's cleverness, then uses the dark magic spell "Umbra Chorum" to surround the group with illusions of herself. She then uses her ocarina to play a spell that succeeds in putting everyone but Bait to sleep. With the last of his will, Callum pleads for her to stop, but to no effect.

### Escape from Umber Tor

Terry compliments Claudia on her spell, saying that he cannot believe it even worked on Rex Igneous. She tells Terry they do not know how long the spell will last, so they need to find the map quickly and quietly. She says they do not want to wake the dragon, so Soren, whose arms have been bound, shouts for Rex Igneous to wake up. For his trouble, Terry adjusts the leaves binding his arms to bind his mouth as well. Claudia tells him not to worry, that Soren loves salad.

Claudia stares at the sleeping Callum. Terry asks if he is a friend, but Claudia says not anymore. She uses the finding spell "Lux Revelare" to reveal the secret map inside Rex Igneous's mouth. When Claudia reveals that the map is on one of his teeth, Terry uses "goofy goo" created from the Being's secretions to make a copy.

After Rex Igneous awakes, he rages and everyone is forced to flee. Rayla, however, pursues Claudia's group and captures Terry, threatening his life if Claudia does not surrender. In exchange, Claudia reveals that she possesses the bag of enchanted coins containing the souls of Runaan and Rayla's parents. She offers them in exchange for Terry's safety. When Rayla releases Terry, she tosses the bag, only to reveal that the coins are enchanted fakes. Rayla is devastated and Terry calls Claudia out for her cruelty, saying that he has seen her do many terrible things but that she had no reason for this, that it was just cruel. His words convince Claudia to return to Rayla and toss her the real coins. She, Terry and Viren then escape, and Claudia expresses to Viren with delight that they have the map. She tells him that they can find Aaravos and save him. He turns to her, his eyes glowing with dark magic before going black. His body has been taken over by Aaravos.

## Book Five - Ocean

### Domina Profundis

Claudia is frustrated that Viren has fallen ill from a fever he contracted after performing dark magic for the first time since his resurrection, and that his illness prevented her group from journeying to the brown island in the middle of the Sea of the Castout where Aaravos's prison is located at.

Claudia attempts to calm herself down with her "no synonym for cinnamon" mantra while the Being mimics all of her movements, but is irritated when Terry says that spice is a synonym for cinnamon and that there are 17 different synonyms for cinnamon in the Earthblood Elves' original native tongue. Terry then tells Claudia to wait for him as he runs off to find the things that he believe will help her manage her anxiety.

Terry returns to Claudia with the things he collected that slowly helps Claudia in managing her anxiety: crushed leaves for to smell, smooth pebbles for her to touch, bubble poppies for her to pop, and a giant Adoraburr for her to cuddle with.

By nightfall, a more relaxed Claudia cuddles with Terry and the giant Adoraburr by the campfire before the Being terrifies them by exclaiming "blood of child!" several times.

### Old Wounds

Claudia is impatient that Terry and the Being are not finished in packing up and that they need to be fast instead of slow and steady if they wish to reach Aaravos's prison first. Terry tells Claudia that he understands her urgency before he promises to not let Viren down and encourages her to not be reckless if they wish to carry her father to the Sea of the Castout safely. Claudia chooses to heed Terry's insistence in traveling to the Sea of the Castout slowly and steadily.

After a long day of walking, Terry suggests in resting by a river and relax to the clacking sounds of a nearby family of crabs. Claudia declines and demands that they must keep moving despite Terry's advice about resting.

Two days later, Terry begs Claudia to rest since she has not slept since their departure. Claudia gives in to her fatigue as she asks Terry to invent a way for them to sleep and move at the same time.

Claudia wakes up to find Terry had built a raft that allows them to rest and move at the same time. The amazed Claudia hugs Terry with gratitude before they share a passionate kiss.

### Nightmares & Revelations

Claudia awakens from her sleep as she greets Terry good morning before he picks a blue flower for her.

Claudia and her group eventually find themselves floating through some rapids before they slide down a waterfall. When Viren is knocked overboard, Claudia dives in to rescue her father. After carrying Viren to shore, Claudia panics when she discovers that he is not breathing, which leads to her attempting to resuscitate her father frantically. A tearful Claudia hugs Viren after he woke up from his fever dream, but is forced to cut the reunion short when they see a dragon flying overhead.

### Archmage Akiyu

Viren has entered a catatonic state ever since he woke up from his fever dream, and Claudia is worried that the resurrection spell is beginning to fade despite Terry's optimism.

Claudia is disappointed that she is unable to gain any responses from the catatonic Viren after she spoke to him. Terry cheers Claudia up by teaching her to dance like bees as a possible form of nonverbal communication. The pair begins to laugh as they dance happily in front of Viren.

Claudia kisses Terry for calming her anxiety before she spots a dragon flying overhead. Terry uses his powers to make a tree hide the raft next to a large rock as the dragon lands nearby. Despite his catatonic state, Viren uses his hand to shut the Being up and prevent their cover from being blown. The dragon gradually flies away as Claudia hugs her father.

### Bait & Switch

Claudia and her group are continuing their journey down the river before they spot a dragon flying overhead. Terry hides the raft beneath a tree by the shore when Claudia realizes that the dragon is the same one that has been stalking them for some time. Frustrated, Claudia begins to take the dragon's persistence personally.

Claudia is searching the skies for the dragon as Terry rows the raft down the river. Just as Terry believes that dragon had given up, it ambushes the group from behind and shoots a jet of water that pushes the raft to shore before knocking it away from Claudia's group. Viren, Terry, and the Being take cover behind a rock when Claudia decides to confront the dragon herself. The dragon uses its tail to knock Claudia back and swat her staff from her hands. Claudia responds by casting a dark magic spell to absorb and redirect the dragon's water blast before she traps it in an ice sculpture shaped like a grasping hand. Claudia taunts the trapped dragon for not expecting humans to fight back and intends to murder it slowly. But before she can deliver the killing blow, Terry convinces her to stand down since the dragon has admitted defeat. Claudia complies with Terry's words and decides to free the dragon since it now fears her. The frightened dragon flies away, which allows Claudia and her group to resume their journey to the Sea of the Castout.

### Infantis Sanguine

Upon reaching the middle of the Sea of the Castout, Claudia is frustrated that she and her group are unable to locate the brown island on the day the resurrection spell is supposed to expire. After taking a closer look at the map, Terry realizes that the "brown island" is in fact a piece of brown sludge tart leftover that got stuck between Rex Igneous's teeth, which means that Aaravos's prison must be located deep underwater, at the bottom of the sea. Claudia then gains the idea of using a dark magic spell that requires a Purple Pentapus.

Claudia succeeds in catching a Purple Pentapus and mixes its ink with three drops of her blood to create a potion that will grant her the ability to breathe underwater. After she pours the potion into a vial, Claudia gives Viren and Terry temporary goodbye kisses before she casts the dark magic spell and drinks the potion once the lower half of her body is submerged in water. Viren awakens from his catatonic state since the sight of Claudia sinking into the Sea of the Castout gravely reminds him of his fever dream.

Claudia's legs transform into tentacles when she confronts Callum and Ezran at the bottom of the Sea of the Castout. She greets Callum and Ezran as if they are her old friends and tries to convince them that all of her actions were done to save her father. She also attempts to persuade them in resurrecting King Harrow before she is forced to drink her potion to replenish the effects of her dark magic spell. Claudia is furious when she realizes that Ezran knows about the prison's true location and threatens to strangle the young king if he does not reveal anything to her. Claudia knocks Callum out as she demands Ezran to reveal the location of Aaravos's prison. But before Ezran can say anything, Rayla frees him by shooting Claudia with her arrows. Claudia decides to strangle Rayla first before the school of fish Ezran befriended joins the battle. Enraged, Claudia defeats the fish first before she uses her tentacles to capture Callum and Ezran as well. Upon viewing Ezran glancing at a nearby giant clam, the satisfied Claudia prepares to acquire the prison. However, Rayla's pet Cuddlemonkey Stella creates a portal that enables Rayla to retrieve her bowblade and severs the tentacle that is grasping her. Claudia screams in pain and unwillingly frees Callum and Ezran. Callum snatches and destroys Claudia's potion, which forces her to return to the surface as the effects of her spell wears off.

By nightfall, the waves wash Claudia to shore and reunite her with Terry and the Being. Terry is shocked that Claudia had lost her left leg from the knee down during her battle with Team Zym. Claudia breaks down into tears and melts into Terry's embrace, for she failed in liberating Aaravos and making Viren's resurrection permanent.

## References

1. ↑ Strangers
2. ↑ Book One: Moon (Novel) (Chapter 29)
3. ↑ Book Two, Chapter 9: "Breathe"
4. ↑ Book Two: Sky (Novel) (Chapter 33)
5. ↑ Rise Again