A Vicious Return (III)

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Apollo gazed into the distance with vacant eyes. His mind seemed to be elsewhere as he took in the environment. It felt surreal—being back where it all started, 'This place hasn't changed in the slight. But, from this moment forward, it'll never be the same.'

A silence followed as he shifted his gaze.

[You're ready, I see. Do you sense that?]

'I do,' Apollo responded while feeling a fast enclosing presence.

Whoosh!

It didn't take long for the aged visage of Kayn to appear before Apollo. However, there was no malice within Kayn's eyes, only curiosity. 'Why is there no reaction now that I'm here? What is this absence of response?'

The silence remained as Apollo stared into his eyes—the prior turbidity gone from existence. As his interest in the situation piqued, so did that of the youth's training. Everyone ceased their practice and focused on this small interaction between Apollo and Kayn.