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  - Going back to my analogy, an essential foundation to support an immense structure suddenly disappearing is arming. At some point, everything could colpse without warning... but there's nothing to stop that foundation being repced.

  The old dwarf thought about the analogy once more. Although he didn't fully understand it, Framigan was able to interpret it loosely.

  - Do you think something bigger can take power? Only someone as powerful as [Abyssal Dragon] Syphus could accomplish such a feat.

  - You yourself said that the cataclysm was caused by the movement of the monsters. Which could prevent a stronger species from acting... However, for something like this to happen, many casualties would be inevitable, and we would certainly notice signs of a major battle.

  - In fact, many monsters would cause quite a stir. And a single being wouldn't be able to take on a primordial one. Even in that era, the great heroine had difficulties with him.

  - Is there no one of the same caliber among your kind?

  - No. Since the st disaster 300 years ago, invocations have been seen as sacrilege by the Church.

  Framigan remained silent for a moment, pondering his answer. Starko'gus knew that his friend was terrible at hiding secrets, but, without showing any doubt, he just agreed with what he had heard.

  One fact, however, was clear to both of them: a monster alone could hardly defeat a primordial without leaving clues. A celestial presence would be detected by even the most infidel of any human church. A demonic presence would cause the monsters in the area to go on high alert. These two superior csses would not go unnoticed and were the only ones capable of matching primordial dragons.

  Although there was no definitive conclusion, this new hypothesis only increased doubts about the disappearance of the [Abyssal Dragon] Syphus.

  - I hate to be pessimistic, but I have to tell you something, old friend... I have a feeling that everything we know is going to change. The disappearance of the [Abyssal Dragon] Syphus may just be the prelude to something bigger. The question is... will it be good or bad?

  Amid the tension of the conversation, Framigan lounged in his chair, throwing his head back. After a long time and many words exchanged, he could only conclude what he already knew.

  - As always, you continue with these enigmatic dilemmas.

  - You know me.

  Starko'gus smiled, but his mind was full of thoughts about the situation. Everything revolved around the disappearance of the primordial being who had maintained the bance in the pce for eons. As desperate as the situation was, curiosity took hold of the old dwarf. Everyone was panicking, but what he really wanted was to see what would happen next.

  - What are you going to do, Starko'gus?

  - I'm going to do reconnaissance, after all, that was my old job. The early bird gets the worm, doesn't it?

  - That's what the saying goes... Will you see me again?

  - Who knows? I've already lost an eye, my leg is no longer the same, maybe this time I'll come back without one of my hands. But if you hear anything interesting, you'll be the first to know.

  - Thank you.

  The dwarf rose from his chair. With his characteristic salute, he bade farewell to Framigan, who merely nodded.

  Although it was a formal farewell, Framigan knew he wouldn't see his friend for a long time. He would await his return, but with some reluctance, since, as always, Starko'gus would only appear in unusual circumstances, as in the case of the primordial being's disappearance.

  ***

  Once again, I experienced that feeling... The inexplicable relief of the afterlife. Is there a proper term for it? Pre-death? No, it doesn't even make sense.

  Still, I felt my mind clearing again, as if I were immersed in an ocean or lying on my back on a ke. It's comforting and frightening at the same time - at any moment, I could end up sinking, drowning in this emptiness.

  But unlike previous times, now there's something new. Sensations.

  An intense heat runs through my body, and that simple piece of information is enough to calm me down. If I feel warm, then I haven't died... right?

  I don't understand exactly how it works, but when we merged our origins, everything simply faded away. The st thing I remember is Syphus disappearing in front of me.

  Is he dead? It seems so... but something inside me insists that he isn't. I know he's still alive. I can feel him. Close. Very close.

  So why can't I see him?

  It's strange. My mind is conscious, but my body is still drifting. How long has it been? Only now have I realized that the world doesn't stop, even after my possible death. Of course, I'm just assuming that I've died again... but if that's the case, the idea of dying twice doesn't go down easy. Especially considering that I've been given a new chance in a world where magic exists!

  If it really was the end, I should have enjoyed it more... Explored my powers, gotten to know this world better, found a way out of this pce.

  But in the midst of it all, at least I met Syphus. I just wanted to know if he was okay.

  No more theories. I need to find an answer once and for all.

  This time, I can still feel some things, albeit distantly. It's as if I've been hit hard and fallen to the ground, while my body is wrapped in a warm bnket - and that warmth is coming from inside too.

  Everything still feels numb. This sensation should be fleeting... but if it's still here, it can only mean that it's been a long time since I lost consciousness.

  Obviously, I'm lying on something ft. I probably hit my head when I fell, without even realizing it.

  Last time, I had to wait for my body to regain its senses, one by one... But maybe I can speed up this process.

  Wait... I have healing magic!

  Even without feeling my body, I can still use it - after all, magic requires mental effort. If I concentrate, I can at least relieve the numbness in my hands.

  Let's go...

  It's difficult, like trying to write in the dark. I have to trust my instincts.

  Ugh... Right.

  I can feel the magic flowing. My hands are probably emitting that green glow. They move slightly, but the tingling continues.

  My body may be unconscious, but these small involuntary movements are a good sign.

  Now... I need to concentrate even more.

  Vaku