In the uninhabited quarry cave beneath Trier.
Hela observed as the transparent and distorted maggots perished, yet she didn't detect any Beyonder characteristics emerging.
She turned her attention to Lumian and Franca, who were sound asleep. Satisfied that they had regained control thanks to the night and their dreams, and their breathing had steadied, she ended her forced slumber.
Two seconds later, Lumian's eyes shot open, and he leaped up with the agility of a leopard.
In an instant, he summoned three crimson flames that illuminated the cavern.
As he kept a vigilant watch over his surroundings, Franca, still recovering from severe mental injuries, rubbed her head and slowly got to her feet, fear in her eyes.
Then, she spotted Hela in her distinctive black widow-like dress and the familiar bonnet with a veil. She blurted out, "Madame Hela, what brings you here?"
