In the beautiful room on Alicia's estate, Caius was still sitting at ease in the padded, comfortable chair. His eyes were closed, and with the faint sounds of life seeping in through the window, he seemed to be meditating in peace.
A short while had passed since he'd closed his eyes, trying to enter the Sea of Souls.
Then the chair shook slightly.
And the next moment, his eyelids flew up violently, opening wide and revealing two pools of molten gold.
His pupils trembled for a moment. Then the shock spread to his body.
His jaw dropped wide open, and his right hand twisted, his fingers wrapping around his neck with raw force.
The force behind that simple gesture reduced the chair to wreckage, along with all the furniture nearby, as he dropped to his knees, doubling over violently.
His left hand grabbed his right wrist, trying to pull it away from his neck and tearing the sleeve of the shirt he was wearing.
