While Zaber sat at the edge of the pool, small ripples appeared on the water's surface.
He had not moved.
It was as though the pool itself had responded.
Something stirred within the dim gray liquid. At first slowly. Then faster. As if whatever had lain dormant at the bottom had finally awakened.
The Spirit Chain on Zaber's chest suddenly trembled. The energy inside it began to spread slowly, yet sharply.
"This… what is this?" he whispered.
Zaber wanted to flee, unable to comprehend what was happening, but his body refused to obey.
The old man watched silently from a distance. Limir, frightened, leaped behind him and crouched.
