Six hours had passed when I finally stumbled into the Citadel of Fate, shivering with Oblivion's chill. Six hours of Enusia, but on the edge of eternity, it felt more like days. Maybe weeks. The cold clung to me. My teeth chattered, and I hugged myself in vain, unable to shake the lingering shadow.
Fate was gone, as she often was, somewhere in Oblivion. She and Magic delved much deeper into the darkness than I dared to go. I barely even left Enusia, looking only to take advantage of the time dilation and not the strange, twisted reality of the fringes.
"You risk much," said Arantius, his lips curved in a disapproving frown.
I flinched, hunching my shoulders. I hadn't even noticed his aura; I was too exhausted.
"I...I must. There isn't time," I mumbled.
"I didn't say it wasn't worth it, only that you push yourself hard. Mortals are meant to bear the burdens of fate and oblivion like that. Even gods must tread carefully there. Did you find what you sought?'
