<"If I understand correctly, you assume that we are images of ourselves, and the only one who could begin to change that is this apostle">, Lofonus finally summarized at the end of a long question period.

<"And the Thormods might have something to do with the reason Mellontikos did all this?">, Koekoin quickly added, before Chioni confirmed the statement.

<"That's probably the best and most logical theory I've heard so far">, another dragon announced, but mentally Cale shut down for the moment. He had been concentrating on this conversation for an hour on keeping the dragons apart and answering all their questions regarding his past, his abilities, and the humans. It was beyond exhausting. In between, he felt like he was having to listen to arguing children.

Quietly, he lifted Fengari aside, stood up and walked to the kitchen counter. Grischa followed him wordlessly with his gaze as he watched the 12th seat bring out four glasses and add several bottles of drink. With a round tray in his hand, he transported everything to the small table in front of them, which is why the two High-Magicians also stood up. The Eldest opened the windows a crack with his magic before he got rid of his jacket and grasped the refreshment gratefully.

Silently, the three drank a few sips while Fengari jumped up and made himself comfortable at the open window.

<"So, what is your plan? We've never acted on our own without consulting the gods before?">

<"I don't think we have much of a choice.">

<"A direct confrontation is too early in my estimation, especially since no one can really say for sure what we're dealing with here.">

<"I agree with that. Losing Chioni's abilities cost us a lot and that was just one of the things you were able to get a hold of. We don't know what else might be in store for us.">

<"I also think that we should not act rashly. For now, I would suggest that we inform the rest and start working together again.">

<"Probably the best suggestion. We should try to find out who or what exactly the Thormods are, and at the same time work on a solution for getting back in touch with the gods."

Cale took a sip of water in relief and stood next to Fengari at the window, so he could see over the city. They had gathered in Grischa's apartment, allowing Cale to catch a glimpse of the mountains of Sylve.

<"Apostle Caleb Leuen, have you thought about doing the same with the humans?">, Velence gave voice, causing Cale to sigh inwardly and set the glass aside.

<"We have thought about informing the leaders about the danger from the Thormods first. To them, we will also explain your side, but we will keep time travel to ourselves for now. Many people don't understand magic, so we want to avoid major problems">, the 12th seat explained calmly.

<"Understandable">, Aforsio spoke up.

<"We should meet weekly and exchange information, if you don't mind">, Palaios added.

<"A good idea. We can't afford any mistakes">, Velence replied.

<"I don't see any reason against it either, what do you say, Apostles?">, Lofonus gave voice. Cale immediately understood that he was meant in this statement.

<"I am grateful for any help. In seven days at the same time, we will be present.">.

<"Now then, if you think of anything else, you know how to reach me. My ability is freely available to all of you starting today">, Chioni announced in conclusion before officially declaring the meeting over and gradually releasing the dragons' mana. Cale also thanked the dragons for their help on behalf of everything and ended the connection with Chioni before exhaling in relief and leaning against the window.

"That was more tiring than I anticipated", the Eldest commented a moment later, causing Cale to turn and stand with his back leaning against the window.

"Quite, yes. I'm just glad that the dragon representatives are relatively reasonable and don't start a war for fun", Cale replied, causing Grischa to let out an amused, slightly exasperated laugh.

"Dragons...", Grischa muttered, shaking his head, as if he still couldn't believe this was all happening.

"I think we should all sleep on it for a night. We'll have time to talk about it tomorrow", Cale declared, emptying the drink in one big gulp. He should have had a drink much sooner, but he didn't want to seem rude.

"I agree with the suggestion. Clearing the head is a start, considering the work to come."

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At the statement, the Eldest also straightened, seemed to stretch briefly, and then reached for his coat. After a brief goodbye, he left on his own while Cale went back to Grischa and rested his hand on his head, as he banged his head with both hands and seemed to be thinking.

"Are you all right? That was a lot in one day, wasn't it?", Cale asked with concern voice, prompting Grischa to give an approving grumble and rub his face vigorously.

"A little, yes. But I'm glad to be involved. It was quite a shock to see... to feel what you experienced."

"Velence's ability is pretty impressive. He has been able to pull out things that I have completely stored in my subconscious. I didn't remember some details until today", Cale explained, easing off Grischa and sitting down next to him.

"Not only that. We could feel your fear and anger too, Caleb. I've only ever had such a realistic illusion with my insight back then", Grischa reported, leaning against the back of the chair before letting his head hang over it. "The more I learn, the more I understand why you kept all this to yourself. Your life is, or has been, a pretty shitty business."

"Thank you for those kind words", Cale countered with amusement.

"Sorry."

"It's fine, you're right."

"I wish I had known about this sooner. I would have acted much sooner", Grischa softly admitted.

"It would have changed your own life, too, Grin. The thing with Apostles'... it makes no difference to me, but you have a wife and a child..."

"... I'll have to watch them die", Grischa completed in a downcast tone.

"I'm afraid so. That was one of the reasons the Eldest never wanted to tell us about it, just like the insights. Too much knowledge is dangerous, and he knows that pretty well himself."

Grischa just sighed at the statement. He understood why people kept secrets from him. They were afraid to hurt him with the truth, but if he had the chances, he would do it again.

"You really don't want to tell the others what's going on?", Grischa asked after a few minutes of silence, he almost drifted off to sleep, but then his throat started to hurt. He sat up straight and looked at his friend.

"Honestly? I think it's a good idea, but I'm afraid of what they would say. At the latest, when we reveal our collaboration with the dragons, they will find out anyway. The High-Magicians will know that we are keeping things from them, which is why the Eldest already told me to tell them the truth. Only with... William and the others, I really don't want to take the risk", Cale explained calmly before he felt Fengari start to move.

"Always full of doubt", she commented as she approached Cale in cat form.

"In the end, it's you who gets the short end of the stick. They've known for a long time that you've been hiding things from them, William especially knows it. He's probably just as worried about you as you are about him", Grischa interjected, as Cale reached his shoulder down so Fengari could jump on it more easily.

"I don't intend to keep it quiet for all eternity, he knows too much for that by now. Just... until the current situation is settled, I'll hold off."

"You're making progress", Fengari admitted with amusement as Cale stood up and stroked her head.

"Always this kind of irony from you."

Cale stood with the cat in his arms in front of Grischa, who still presented a skeptical attitude towards Fengari, but did not comment further on the matter.

"I'm going to go back too, Grin."

"Yes, we really should get some rest", Grischa quickly admitted, standing up as well and leading Cale to the front door. "Sleep well."

Cale said goodbye to his friend and walked through the empty hallways back to his apartment. It was a strange feeling to be confronted with such silence. Usually it was relatively noisy either around him or in his head that he found the silence unusual. When he was comparatively close to his destination, he noticed that William was waiting for him in his bedroom. Presumably he did want to talk about what he had overheard, so Cale sighed and quietly opened the door. He carefully made his way up the stairs, only to notice that William wasn't awake at all. For a brief moment, he stopped in front of the large bed, which is why Fengari gingerly jumped off and found a comfortable corner at the other end. Cale, on the other hand, went into the bathroom, got rid of his clothes, washed his face and then put on some loose clothes.

Carefully, he took a seat next to William in the bed, but the prince was awakened by the movement and looked up at the magician, somewhat surprised.

"Cale..."

"Leave it alone for today. I'm really, really tired", Cale merely replied, lying down on the soft pillow and curling up under the covers before lifting the end and offering William to join him.

The prince froze in motion for a moment before crawling up a bit and lying close to Cale. Caring, the High-Magician spread the blanket over him before smiling contentedly.

Tired, Cale closed his eyes, which is why he could only detect the shallow breathing of William and Fengari. It was a strange thought to know that a dragon was in proximity. But immediately he found his earlier behavior idiotic. Why had it never occurred to him himself that the dragons were not the problem? And why, despite all these years, had he never noticed the existence of the Thormods? Basil had more than clearly explained to him that there were creatures in this world that were incredibly powerful. But since Cale had not seen them himself up to that point, he thought the description was a bit exaggerated.

Had Mellontikus wanted to send him back in time to solve the problem with the Thormods? If so, how did the whole thing go so wrong? Was it the first time the god had given the gift of rebirth to a human? And why hadn't Parousia intervened if the Thormods had become such a problem? Was she not allowed to or could she not intervene on her own? How did the Thormods become so powerful in the first place without anyone noticing, and how exactly did they survive? What is their goal? To stop hiding and if so, why did they do it in the first place? What in the past had led them to consider it more important to hide their existence.

Suddenly a thought popped into Cale's head: how did the Thormods manage to control the creatures?

They can teleport, that much is certain. Do they also have another ability that allows them to control the creatures at their will? If that is the case, can all Thormods do this? And do the Thormods have any other abilities that no one knew about?

Sullenly, Cale buried his face in his pillow. More questions to which he had no answers. It drove him mad just to think that, despite his 300 years, he had no knowledge about the world. Two questions crystallized, to which Cale would attach great importance from now on.

1. what exactly are the Thormods?

2. how does he end the gift of rebirth?