While the Erinyes sought their target, who enjoyed travel hidden within a festive boat, a spatial portal opened in an ancient tower.
Stacks of papers filled with magical symbols ruffled, swirling and falling like snowflakes. Candles fluttered, resisting the gales to illuminate a white-haired youth, who stumbled forward amidst the chaos.
His blue cape barely covered the blood gushing from his lacerated chest to coat his robed clothes a bright scarlet. Before he could reach his chair, he collapsed as the portal closed. Yet, he shrugged, finally catching his breath.
He remained sprawled for a few minutes as clear lake water flowed under his squirming flesh. With a soothing cold sensation, his burning wounds closed. But he slammed his fist on the ground, dissatisfied with his lack of progress after ten long years.
