Darius the stranger is placed in a special ice chamber.
Inspector: You're awake? Who are you? Where do you come from? Darius:That's a lot of questions to answer all at once, don't you think! First, where am I? Inspector:This room is a reinforced ice chamber. It annihilates the powers of those gifted with magic, and the light comes from the organic material Luménithe, our greatest protection against the Shadows. Darius:No luck for you, then. I'm just a human, and a crippled one at that.
Darius has a burned right hand and does not use it.
Inspector: We noticed that your right hand reacts to the Luménithe magic used against the Shadows? Darius:I was attacked by one of them, and this is the result (he shows his hand by removing the glove, and it burns under the Luménithe light). It's been like this for many long years now. Inspector:But how is it possible that you survived? Darius:Luck, maybe. Inspector:I don't believe in luck. Answer the question: where do you come from? Darius:I'm a nomad from the caves. We live day to day, depending on miners and cities like yours to survive. Inspector:I see, but...
Suddenly, Lucia joins the inspector of the royal court. Inspector:Protector, what brings you here? Lucia:By order of the High Priest, who wants to know more about the intruder and whether he is a threat to the royal city. Inspector:That is what we are trying to determine. Lucia:I would like to probe his memory.
Lucia enters the room, places her hands on both of Darius's ears. Lucia:That's strange?? Inspector:What is it? Lucia:I see nothing. Inspector:Try again.
Lucia concentrates, and disjointed images appear to her, then she sees a Shadow striking Darius. She jumps.
Inspector: What did you see? Lucia:His memories are blurry, but he is telling the truth. He was attacked by a Shadow. What will you do with him? Inspector:For now, keep him under surveillance and wait for orders. Lucia:I will see the High Priest to inform him.
Lucia leaves and enters the High Priest's work chamber—mirrors as far as the eye can see, grimoires, and a rather gloomy atmosphere.
Lucia: Hello, Grandfather—pardon, High Priest. High Priest:What have you discovered about our mysterious stranger? Lucia:Nothing. His memory is fragmented and unstable. I couldn't see anything, just the moment of his interaction with the Shadow. High Priest:Typical of a potential spy. Lucia:What should we do? High Priest:Wait...
The next day, in the royal palace, an emergency assembly is held before King Richard Tristan. Noble Lethon:My Lord, I do not believe we should treat this stranger in such a manner. He deserves a decent life after the ordeal he has suffered. Noble Florest:I believe it would be wiser to give him some supplies and send him back outside.
An endless debate erupts before the king, then the High Priest makes his entrance. High Priest:Your Majesty, I believe the situation is more complex than it appears. The news has now reached the ears of the people, and I propose a radical solution: announce his death to avoid any unforeseen events. For where there is something new, there is change, and that is not good for our affairs. King Richard Tristan:I very much fear the High Priest is right. We will announce his unexpected death to the people and dispose of him afterward.
A messenger enters the room. Messenger:My Lord, I have news to report. The activist group "The Watchers" have started propaganda in the city, claiming the nobility wants to send him back outside. The people disagree; they see him as a messenger. The crowd is demanding the king show clemency by releasing him. Noble Tristan:It's those Watchers again, those troublemakers! We must track down their leader and send him outside so he can see... Noble Lethon:My Lord, I believe it would be wiser to listen to your people, for acting against them could tarnish your image of benevolence.
The king is annoyed... King Richard Tristan:I am a king who cares for his people, but also for their security. I will retire to my quarters to consider the matter.
Then the king leaves the entire court. The High Priest returns to his workshop, tries to see Darius's past, but finds only fragmented images. He projects his power into Darius's ice cell, seeing him sitting with his left hand on his elbow, his long cold coat hiding his left hand. Suddenly, Darius looks up as if he is also looking at the High Priest and allows a small smile to form at the corner of his lips. The High Priest is surprised and astonished when, suddenly, the mirror shatters.