Leo felt the days crawl by as Master Sere piled on more and more work for him. He barely had time to rest or eat, as he rushed from one task to another, leaving the Grounds well after dark. On his penultimate day, he gathered enough courage to voice his complaint to his master, but he only received a sharp rebuke.
"Master, why do I have to do all this work by myself? Can't we ask someone else to help us out?" he asked, his voice tinged with resentment.
"Leo, you need to understand that this is nothing compared to what awaits you if you bond with a creature, even a laelaps like your parents. Those creatures are demanding and relentless. Even a common cat would require more dedication than you're showing now. This is just a taste of what it means to be a bonded witch or wizard." She said, looking at him with a mix of pity and annoyance, before turning away. Leo clenched his fists, feeling helpless and angry. He couldn't argue with her logic, but he hated her attitude.
He knew that Sere's bitterness likely stemmed from her lack of a bond. She was one of the unfortunate ones who had failed to find a creature to share her magic with before her sixteenth year was over. The Council had given her a choice: to work at the Grounds as a lowly servant, to join one of the guilds as a novice witch, something a sixteen-year-old from the slums was highly unlikely to be qualified for, or to leave the city and hope to find a bond in the wild. The first two options were limited by her family's status in the slums, and the third was usually a death sentence, unless you were well trained in offensive and defensive magic. Again, not a realistic choice for people from the slums.
Master Sere had chosen to stay at the Grounds, hoping for a rare chance to rise the ranks and enter a guild someday. But Leo knew that was a faint hope. Most people like Sere remained stuck at the bottom of the society, without a bond or a purpose. Leo had felt a surge of fear at the thought of ending up like her, but he pushed it away, telling himself that he still had a good chance of finding a bond. He couldn't afford to lose hope before he had even had his chance.
As the days ticked by, Leo felt a growing weight on his shoulders, even though he knew the chances of being unbound were slim. His family sensed his anxiety and did their best to cheer him up. One morning, his father greeted him with a pair of shiny new work boots that sparkled with enchantments. They would protect him from rain, snow, mud and fire, his father said, and he would need them when he started his apprenticeship in the wild. Leo was speechless as he hugged his father, wondering how they could afford such a gift. That was when he realized the extra money his parents earned from their last expedition was no joke. They looked happier and more relaxed than he had ever seen them.
On another occasion, his grandmother had surprised him with a small pouch of coins she had been saving out of his earnings. Leo could still hear her saying, "Now, go and catch up with that Charlie, you need a little bit of fun." He remembered still being in a state of surprise as his mother smiled and ushered him out the door, kissing his forehead on the way out. Leo was reminded a little bit every day how much his family loved him, thanking fate itself for the little kindnesses in life. Not everyone in the slums was as fortunate as Leo, with both parents around and support from friends. Master Sere was a perfect example of that. All of the stress had culminated the night before his sixteenth into a nightmare where Leo was left bondless at his ceremony, and everyone had turned to laugh at him.
Leo was still dreaming of his Bonding Ceremony when he felt a gentle nudge on his shoulder, waking him up from his slumber. He blinked his eyes open and saw his family crowded around his bed, filling up his tiny room with their warmth and love. His father towered over everyone else, his broad shoulders barely fitting in the doorframe. “Happy Birthday Leo!!” He bellowed, making Leo’s ears ring. His grandma and mom shot him stern glances, and he sheepishly backed away, rubbing his neck. They turned their attention to Leo and smiled sweetly. “Happy Birthday sweetheart,” they said in harmony, their voices soft and soothing. Leo closed his eyes again and grinned, feeling a surge of happiness. His mom leaned in and whispered, “We have a special breakfast for you, and another surprise before you go to work. Hurry up and get ready, and don’t forget to brush your hair and wash your face.” Then they left him alone, closing the door behind them.
He sprang out of bed and dashed to the bathroom, splashing some water on his face and running a comb through his messy hair. He was too excited and nervous to think clearly. He couldn’t believe he was finally sixteen! Or rather, he would be tonight at dusk, which is the only reason he was allowed to work today. He would have a short break from his job as he waited for the first of the two Bonding Ceremonies that happened every year. The first one was only a month away, and the second one was at the end of the year for those who were born later. Rushing to the living room, marveling at the cushion his new boots were providing, Leo came out of the hallway to the delightful smells of smoked boar belly, eggs, coffee, and biscuits and gravy. Welcoming him to the cozy circle of furniture, the family eagerly dug into the breakfast without preamble.
Leo couldn't help but thank his parents and grandparent after every other bite, savoring the flavors of the boar belly, crispy and smokey in his mouth. The eggs were cooked perfectly with a hint of pepper, a rare delight for Leo's household, and the coffee helped wash everything down, even if it tasted a bit watered down. As the foursome finished their hearty meal, Leo's mother brought forth a small box wrapped in paper with half-moons and stars on the wrappings. Glancing around at his family, Leo accepted the gift and tore at the paper, revealing a small, palm-sized wooden box. Excitement increasing, Leo looked up at his family briefly.
"Go on son, open it!" His father urged, unable to contain his excitement. Leo looked back down to the box and lifted the lid, disbelief and excitement immediately coursing through him. Inside the delicate box sitting on a cushion of velvet was a sleek, enchanted timekeeper for his wrist. The watch had three hands, one large one in the center for the time of the day, and two smaller dials built into the corners of the face. Finally, Leo had a way to keep track of time. He immediately thought of all the times at the Grounds where, had he had a watch, he could have snuck away to finish his tasks, then been back to the tower before lockdown to finish his list.
“Wow, this is amazing guys, thank you so much!!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder and gratitude. He leaped to his feet and hugged each of his parents and grandparent tightly. The watch was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricate details and a sleek design. He could tell that it had cost them a small fortune, and he vowed to cherish the gift forever.
“It’s enchanted so you can set an alarm, it will buzz at an increasing level until you deactivate it. This watch was your grandfather’s; it was given to him by his father. With the money we made from the expedition, we were able to get it refaced and empowered again so it should work like new!” His dad beamed from ear to ear, clearly proud of the gift. Leo felt a surge of emotion, this was an amazing gift, he had never had anything so advanced before. He had never met his grandfather; the man had disappeared into the wild years before he was born, and no one had heard from him again. His grandpa had been a naturally talented wizard, mastering offensive and defensive magics that far surpassed his rank. But he had never found a bond. Unwilling to toil his life away at the Grounds, he bid his family farewell one morning as he left to find a better life for them. Leo had always admired his grandpa’s courage and curiosity, knowing how harsh life in this city could be. But his father missed and loved his dad dearly, and so Leo never pressed him for details about his grandpa’s fate. As his sixteenth birthday had approached, Leo had felt the pressure of not bonding and also knew how hard one could be worked in the city spire and had wondered to himself if he might not make the same choice.
“It’s an incredible gift, thank you all so much. I will treasure it forever,” he said sincerely, as he took the watch off the cushion and strapped it to his wrist. He felt a faint warmth from the device, as if it was welcoming him.
"Now off you go, Leo, before you miss the bus. And remember, no matter what happens today you must be done by dusk. If you are caught in the Grounds after your birth time, you could be thrown in the dungeons." Maia, Leo's mother, said, and guided him out the door and on his way to his last day of work.
________________________________________
The ride to work was relatively peaceful, with a few of his friends coming up to him during the ride to congratulate him on the big day. He smiled and leaned back, feeling their genuine happiness for him, as well as their playful envy. A small while later, the bus slowed to a halt outside of Leo’s usual stop, and he climbed off with the other kids. Feeling a breeze of fresh air as he stepped out of the crowded vehicle with the other children, he made his way to the Task Master’s line quickly; joining the queue of kids who were waiting to collect their work for the day. Leo glanced around, hoping to spot Charlie among the faces. He was secretly wishing that his friend would also show up early like his parents did to surprise him with something. He didn’t expect anything from Charlie, considering all the help his friend had given him over the years, but it would go against Charlie’s nature, and their friendship, to not gift him something that day.
Not finding him among the toiling crowd, Leo looked down at his newly handed, last ever task list. It immediately piqued his curiosity.
• Meet Master Sere in the dungeons.
This was the first time in his entire career as his master’s hand, where he had ever seen such a short list. Not sure if he should be excited or worried, Leo made his way over to the massive lifts and took the only descending lift from the main lobby down to the dark, cavernous dungeons. As he travelled down, he felt the air grow colder and damper. The spare few hands and masters that had gotten on with him had slowly filtered from the elevator the further down they descended. Leo waited a short while as the lift made its way further and further down, deeper into the tower than he had ever been before. He could hear faint noises of chains rattling and creatures growling from some of the floors he passed, not entirely sure what creatures were making the noises. Typically, the dungeons were where prisoners or dangerous creatures were stored, and Leo never had a reason to come down this way. Not that he ever had time to do adventurous exploring, Leo thought to himself with a sigh.
The elevator finally came to a rest and Leo walked out into a huge, darkly lit corridor that seemed to stretch a small distance and then appeared to open up to a larger area. He could see torches flickering on the walls, casting eerie shadows on the floor. Branching from the hallway were a few offshoot corridors that Leo wasn’t sure where they led to, and he wondered what secrets they hid in the darkness. Not seeing Master Sere at all, Leo made his way down the main hall until he exited into a cavernous room that stretched into black abyss over Leo’s head. He felt a chill run down his spine as he looked around, not seeing the ceiling or the far walls, but hearing a small waterfall off in the distance. It felt more like the hallway he had walked out of had opened into a natural cave formation.
On one side of the room looked to be a storage facility with stacks of boxes, chairs, desks, and other furniture leaning up against each other. They looked dusty and forgotten, as if no one had touched them for years. On the other side of the room, there appeared to be an enclosure of sorts, with the wall being lined with alcoves much like the griffins far above him. However, these alcoves were huge with openings built large enough for five horses to walk into the room side by side. As Leo walked through the area and looked around, he noticed that some of the alcoves had old, worn down and tattered beds lying in them, while others had rusted chains fixed to the walls and appeared to be more for containment than for a comfy living. Leo shuddered as he imagined what kind of creatures had lived or died down here, alone and in the dark. He walked through all of them, not finding his master the entire time but noting how dusty and unkempt each area appeared. He felt sorry for the poor sod who had to come and eventually clear all this dust and debris away.
Finally giving up, he made his way back to the main hallway to try one of the side hallways, when he ran into his master and who other than Charlie, standing next to the storage area. They looked surprised to see him, with Charlie immediately saying, "How did you sneak past?"
Before Leo could respond, Master Sere interrupted. “Enough, that doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re here now so we can get started. I’m sure you’ve noticed your list today is sparse,” Sere said, looking at him with a raised brow and expectant look. “That’s not to mean you get off lightly on your last day here. You are here in the dungeons to clean up the place. We need to have the training court cleared off,” she said with a lazy gesture towards the area Leo took for storage, where he could see some old weapons and targets among the furniture, “and the enclosure cleaned out and ready for use by the end of the day. It’s imperative you are done by sundown, as I’m sure you’re aware. And Leo, if I come in tomorrow and find anything out of place or uncleaned, it will be three-quarters of your pay. This is a highly urgent job, and so you’ve been assigned a second hand for the process. Charlie will be here to help throughout the day so ensure you two keep on track to get this accomplished.” She spoke with a stern tone and a serious expression, making Leo wonder what was so important about this job.
Leo bowed his head and muttered, “Yes, Master Sere.” He glanced sideways at Charlie, who was standing next to him with a grin on his face. Leo raised an eyebrow, wondering what his friend was up to. Charlie winked at him and mouthed, “Trust me.”
Sere studied Leo for a moment, then softened her expression. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “You’ve been a great hand, Leo, even if I’ve been harsh at times. You need to learn that staying focused and having high expectations for yourself is important. I’ve been hard on you because I know how this life can be, and you need to be prepared for twists and turns. I hope you nothing but the best of luck during your upcoming bonding ceremony.”
She gave him a gentle squeeze, then turned and walked away, leaving Leo in complete shock.
Charlie clapped his hands and said cheerfully, “Well, that went better than expected. She doesn’t seem that bad after all. I mean, yeah, three-quarters pay is a steep price, but the two of us can knock this out in no time!” He gestured at the pile of furniture and overturned practice equipment that they had to clear from the court.
Leo snapped out of his stupor and realized what Sere had said. He gasped and said, “Three-quarters? Are you kidding me? Come on, Charlie, we need to get going!” He grabbed a chair and dragged it towards the hallway, followed by Charlie with a table.
The two worked together, moving furniture from the court to one of the spare rooms in the offshoot hallways. They chatted as they worked, making jokes and teasing each other, which helped make the strenuous labor more bearable. Multiple times throughout the morning Charlie would have Leo stand aside as he pulled out a new wand, a gift he said his parents had just gotten him so he could start practicing enchantments with his mother after work. Leo had never used any enchanted items other than his new boots and watch, and so he had no idea the process that went into using such devices as a wand. Charlie however, had plenty of practice with using his parents’ old devices, and so would simply wave his wand towards the heaviest of items and the two would watch as they would lift a few inches above the floor, and float to wherever Charlie directed them.
Charlie collapsed on the floor, panting and sweating. He had just moved two massive wardrobes with his magic, but it had taken a toll on him. He wiped his forehead and said weakly, “Too bad I can’t do this for everything.”
Leo shook his head and knelt beside him. He had seen Charlie overexert himself three times now, trying to use his magic to speed up their work. Leo knew that magic required willpower, and that only regular practice could strengthen it.
“Charlie, it’s time you cut it out,” Leo said firmly. “You haven’t practiced enough with that thing, and I don’t want to drag you to the lift because you can’t walk. Look, we’ve almost cleared the court. We can afford to go and have lunch, then come back and sweep up the place. We could even use the cleaning charm my grandma taught me for my room the other night. I haven’t had a chance to test it in any of the enclosures yet!”
Charlie nodded slowly, still catching his breath. He let Leo help him up and said, “Yeah, sure. But let’s first put in an order for new beds down here. The ones down here reek of must and mildew.” He wrinkled his nose and pointed at the old mattresses that they had piled up in a corner.
The two made their way upstairs, dusting off their clothes on the way. They reached the lift and pressed the button for the ground floor. During the ride, Charlie leaned closer to Leo and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “So, you’ll never guess what my father told me last night as I helped him in the forge. Phineas Mora is coming to the city this afternoon.”
Leo gasped and choked on his words, feeling a surge of excitement in his chest. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Phineas Mora was coming to the city? The Grandmaster Dragonrider himself? The hero of the Centennial War? The legend that his father had told him stories about since he was a child? Leo had always admired and idolized Phineas Mora, the leader of the most powerful flight of riders in the nation. He had dreamed of seeing him and his ancient dragon in action, soaring through the skies and dominating the battlefields. He had heard tales of how Phineas and his dragon could manipulate the natural elements with their magic, creating devastating effects. They could split the earth with a single strike, unleashing torrents of lava and rocks. They could conjure firestorms from thin air, scorching and suffocating their enemies. They could control the wind and the air, blowing away anything in their path. They were a force of nature, unstoppable and awe-inspiring.
Leo leaned forward and asked eagerly, “When is he going to be here?”
Charlie checked his watch and said, “My father said he should be landing at the Council’s Tower around dusk.”
Leo glanced at his own watch, excited to be able to do so now. He loved how it felt on his wrist, warm and smooth. He also loved how it lit up in his vision, showing him the time and other information. He saw that it was a little past two in the afternoon, and he felt a surge of excitement. He said quickly, “That’s perfect! If we skip lunch, go straight to the task master to put in the order, and then go back down to finish moving the rest of the beds and sweep, we should be able to make it in time!” He saw Charlie nod enthusiastically, and the two rushed out of the lift on the ground floor. They ran to the task list and Leo filled out a quick order for new beds to be delivered to the dungeon enclosure. Then they dashed back to the lift and pressed the button for the basement.
Leo and Charlie returned to the dungeon enclosure, where they resumed their task of moving the old beds to the corner. They worked quickly and efficiently, eager to finish their work and see the Grandmaster Dragonrider. As Leo lifted one of the beds, he felt something wet and sticky on his hands and arms. He looked down and saw a disgusting slime oozing from the mattress. He dropped the bed and recoiled, feeling nauseous and repulsed. He tried to wipe off the slime from his skin, but it clung to him like glue. He noticed with horror that the slime was crawling towards his watch. He panicked and took off the watch, placing it carefully on one of the stone benches that lined the walls of the enclosures.
“Don’t forget to take that with you when we leave,” Charlie said, as he watched Leo struggle with the slime. He had moved the slimy mattress to the corner with his magic, avoiding any contact with it. Leo nodded, but he didn’t want to put the watch back on until he was sure he was clean. This watch was a symbol of his family’s pride and support; he couldn’t afford to ruin it or get it fixed if he broke it again.
Finally, they reached the last pile of dusty mattresses in the abandoned warehouse. Charlie wiped his forehead and gave Leo a thumbs up. “Okay, buddy, time for your magic trick. Let’s get this place cleaned up and get out of here!” he said cheerfully. Leo nodded weakly, feeling exhausted from their long day of work. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves and focus his mind. He raised his hand and felt a faint spark of power in his palm, like a firefly in the dark. He whispered the word “Purus” and imagined the power spreading from his hand to the whole room, like a gentle breeze. He knew it was a simple spell, but it still took a lot of effort and concentration to cast it. He held his breath and waited for the magic to take effect. After a few tense moments, he opened his eyes and saw the dust vanish from the floor, the walls, and the furniture. The room looked almost new, except for the marks on the floor from long ago use. Leo sighed in relief and let go of his hand, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him. Charlie clapped him on the back and pulled him towards the exit.
“Good job, man! You’re amazing!” He said with a grin. They took the lift to the ground floor and walked out of the towering spire, looking for the nearest bus stop. Leo felt proud of himself, but also drained from using his magic. All in all, though, not too shabby of a last day at the office. He had spent it with his best friend and was able to leave well before he normally would have. Glancing quickly at the sun he looked to Charlie and said, "So, know of any good restaurants where we can get a good glimpse?"
Charlie flashed a knowing grin and took the lead, hopping on the bus and snagging a seat near the front. The two friends relaxed and enjoyed the gentle breeze that caressed their faces as the hovering machine soared into the city. The Council’s Tower was the only palace in the heart of the city, and it loomed over the other buildings like a giant sentinel. “There’s an awesome bar-b-que place that just opened in the market square. If we hurry, we can get rooftop seating and have a perfect view of the event,” Charlie whispered to Leo, keeping their secret safe. Leo nodded and waited eagerly for the short ride from the Grounds to the market square, where they had to weave their way through the bustling city streets and into the restaurant. Charlie asked the server to take them to the roof where they claimed seats next to the edge, facing the Council’s Tower. The colossal structure was not as massive as the Grounds, but they still had to tilt their heads up to see its peak. Charlie ordered food for both of them and wished Leo a happy birthday, telling him the meal was his treat. Time flew by as the boys devoured delicious, sticky pork, crispy fried vegetables, and refreshing Spark water left over from the festival.
As the sun began to sink over the horizon, painting the city in golden hues, Leo felt a sudden thud in his ear as the air around him pulsed. The thudding grew louder and stronger, making him clutch his ears as the wind whipped the tables and people around him. He glanced at Charlie and then up at the sky, and his breath caught in his throat as he saw a massive steel-black dragon swooping down on the city. Each scale shimmered like liquid night as the sun’s final rays bounced off the dragon’s body, and the boys couldn’t help but marvel at the stunning beauty of the majestic beast. The dragon’s wingspan was enormous, at least thirty to forty feet across, and the webbing was a translucent purple that glowed in the light. Leo's gaze switched to the rider on the dragon’s back, a tiny figure compared to the huge creature above them, sitting proudly on its spine. The rider surveyed the city and Leo with a godlike gaze, and to Leo he might as well have been one. As he moved his eyes up the dragon from its back, Leo met the dragon’s eyes for the first time. He wondered how he had missed them before, as they blazed a sinister yellow, like twin moons in the dark sky.
Leo was awestruck.
He had never been so close to one of these creatures before. He had only glimpsed them from afar, from the viewing stations set up during the festivals, or as they soared across the sky like shooting stars. But being this close made him feel the power of the beasts in his bones. This animal could rip the entire city to shreds if it wanted to. And there were countless other mythical creatures out in the wild that could do the same thing, maybe not on the same scale as the ancient dragon in front of Leo, but that was a small consolation. This was why it was vital for witch and wizard kind to have bonded partners, as magic alone wouldn’t stand a chance against a creature like this.
With a graceful landing, the beast settled on top of the tower and disappeared from view, leaving everyone below in awe and speechless, a rare occurrence for a weekend in the city. The boys looked at each other and immediately burst into excited chatter about what they had just witnessed. Leo was still reeling from disbelief and shock when he glanced at his wrist to check the time…and felt his stomach plummet. His watch, he had left it behind! He forgot all about the dragon and stood up abruptly, cutting off Charlie.
“Charlie, I’m sorry but I have to go, I left my watch, and my family will kill me if I don’t bring it back! I’ll see you tomorrow!” And with that, he dashed from the restaurant and headed back to the Grounds. Leo wasn’t thinking clearly at all as he approached the massive building’s front doors. Maybe he could persuade one of the guards to escort him down to the dungeons to retrieve his watch? Maybe he could bribe the man, or even swap his new boots for a chance to get his watch back. Leo wasn’t sure yet, but he knew he had to try anything and everything before facing his family. He was cursing himself for being so careless.
Getting closer and closer to the doors, Leo took a pause and looked at the sky again, now completely black with the stars twinkling from the abyss. It was well past dusk, the official closing time of the Grounds. Usually, Leo had been escorted out by now if he hadn't left already, and so it was odd to see absolutely no guards on duty at all tonight. Looking around once more, he sat there and thought heavily about what he was about to do. If he was caught, it could be jail time. Or worse.
Deciding the watch was worth it, Leo hurried forward and into the hulking spire. Finding it completely odd to see no one waiting in the long line for the task master, Leo continued on his way to the descending lift. Pressing the button for the dungeon, Leo looked around one final time before the lift lowered, making him lose sight of his freedom. Leo waited impatiently as the lift lowered, hearing roaring and yelling coming from some of the hallways he passed by. Wondering what could possibly have the creatures riled up at such a night, Leo tapped his feet as the lift seemed to descend forever before finally reaching the ground. Disembarking, Leo rushed down the main hallway and into the cavernous room beyond, searching for his watch on the bench. Sighting it immediately, he snatched it up and put it back on his wrist, breathing a deep sigh of relief as he felt the device hum warmly around his wrist.
Leo was about to head back to the main hallway when a deafening roar echoed through the chamber and the floor trembled beneath his feet. He looked around in panic, but he couldn’t see anything except the empty alcoves and benches. He heard a loud commotion coming from the direction of the hallway and was still on the ground, trying to regain his balance, when he heard a thunderous sound of feet and claws pounding on the stone floor. He also heard the terrified screams of men and women as something huge and fast ran towards him. Leo had barely managed to stand up when a dragon burst into the chamber from the hallway. It was the size of a small elephant, with steel-grey scales and a long tail. It roared again and lowered its head, eyeing Leo with a predatory glare. Leo locked eyes with the creature and stopped dead in his tracks. He could still hear the people coming from the hallway, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the dragon’s eyes. They were a fiery orange color that seemed to pierce his soul.
Leo felt hypnotized by those eyes, as if they had cast a spell on him. He forgot where he was and what he was doing. He only saw the dragon as it slowly approached him. He noticed the small horns on its head between its flattened ears, and how they contrasted with its smooth scales. He noticed how its eyes burned brighter against its grey body. The dragon was growling softly at Leo, but it also seemed to pause as they stared at each other. A strange force compelled Leo to move towards the dragon. He took one step, then another, then another until he was face to face with the beast. Without thinking, he raised his hand and reached out to touch the dragon’s nose. He felt like this was his destiny, to meet this creature and touch it. He didn’t understand why the dragon hadn’t attacked him yet, or why he wasn’t afraid of it; all he felt was a warm sensation as his palm met the dragon’s snout.
The agony, as a jolt of white lightning coursed through his body. The sensation was unbearable, and Leo collapsed to the floor in front of the mighty dragon and convulsed in pain, feeling as if flames were devouring his flesh from within. A pressure formed at the base of Leo's skull and slowly crept over this entire head, making him scream out in pain. His mind seemed to quail under the immense pressure until suddenly, it felt like the walls that confined him shattered, revealing a new world beyond. Leo couldn’t focus on anything but the pain, as the fire surged through every nerve, every muscle, every bone. He felt like he was dying and being reborn at the same time. He felt a surge of alien emotion overwhelm him, from anger to fear, to curiosity to outrage, and then darkness engulfed his awareness and he passed out.