It felt as though it had been thousands of years to him, even when he knew exactly how long it had been. He was chained, fettered in a dank dungeon, no light to be seen. Exactly 83 years 4 months 2 days 5 minutes and 12 seconds had passed since he had been imprisoned there.

Suddenly, he was blinded. He heard the door creek open. He thought it was one of the Administrators, but then he realized that he still had 7 months 29 days 55 minutes and 48 seconds until they would check on him again.

Fending off the immense pain of the hunger of a human body off, he lifted his head to see who was there, because he could not know what was past his cell walls. He then saw a small, black silhouette. As his eyes adjusted to the rarity of light, he realized it was a child.

Knowing the time of night it was, he asked, "Isn't it past your bedtime?"

The child responded, "I don't sleep."

Magnus then knew exactly what was going on. Some curious brat had wandered into his prison, hearing the stories of how dangerous he was from the Administrators.

Although he did not hold children in the highest regard, Magnus was appreciative of the scarcity known as company. Therefore he asked the child, "Do you want to know my story?"

Magnus, whose eyes had now fully adjusted to the light, saw the child's own eyes light up with excitement.

The child told him "You really would? No one else will tell me any stories."

Magnus then started to speak:

"Then I'll begin."