For some time, words got stuck in Arthur's throat as he stared at the black-robed old man gazing back at him. The Dark Magic lingering in the area, which his body was strongly reacting to, was proof that this was not a mere hallucination.
"Z-Zodiak?"
The old man flashed a smile as he walked toward the dumbstruck parasite, his wrinkled face having an unusual serenity.
"We meet at last, Arthur."
"W-what… how are you…"
He couldn't even ask a proper question due to the shock. He never expected to see a dead person here, much less Zodiak himself, in the flesh.
"I'm sure you're confused but before we begin, can you give me back something?"
The old man stretched his hand then continued:
"Sol'khin's cane, which you found near my corpse back on Astria. Please give it back."
Arthur's mouth opened and closed a few times, not knowing what to do or say in this kind of ridiculous situation.