The world faded to black for Atenzi, the fury and pain of his confrontation with Jesus giving way to a deep, healing darkness.
Time lost all meaning as he drifted in and out of consciousness, caught between feverish dreams and brief moments of lucidity.
In his dreams, he saw fragments of inexistent past lives, echoes of battles fought and lost across countless realities.
He relived his oath, sworn in blood and pain, to never lose again, to defy fate itself if necessary.
And always, always, he heard the mocking laughter of gods and demons, daring him to try.
When Atenzi finally opened his eyes, fully aware for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he found himself in a lavishly appointed bedchamber.
The air was thick with the scent of incense and herbs, and he could feel the subtle thrum of healing magic in the air around him.
