Grimnír opens his eyes and raises his arm toward the shadow beasts.

Suddenly, the space between Reisen and the stranger blurs violently, transforming into an indescribably miasma of color and shape. The trees, the ground, the beasts, everything is swallowed into the chaos.

Then, he sees it. There is something monstrously huge within the energy field. Grimnír watches with mouth agape as a gargantuan serpent opens its mouth to swallow everything within the field. And just as quickly as it appeared, it vanishes into the chaos, as if it never were. Then, the ground begins to rumble as the trees, the ground, and the shadow beasts collapse into itself. As the vortex vanishes, the area falls into unearthly silence.

Reisen is standing safely on the ground, though her legs are shaking violently. She can barely keep herself standing, though she still has the device in her arms.

Alice is looking at the destruction in shock. Shanghai seems to be frozen in time as she hangs lifelessly beside the dollmaker.

However, the stranger is staring straight at him, as if seeing him for the first time.

After a few moments, he speaks.

"You have one as well," whispers the stranger carefully.

Grimnír blinks stupidly before replying.

"Have one?" he repeats.

Suddenly, the crimson field vanishes, leaving them all in an ordinary section of the Forest of Magic. The stranger looks at him thoughtfully before continuing.

"A curse," he whispers.

The stranger brushes some dust off his clothes.

"I suppose that we will be meeting again," says the stranger. "Try not to die too quickly."

Suddenly, the stranger takes his weapon and begins walking away. Did he just lose interest in fighting?

[ ] Let the stranger leave peacefully.
[ ] Call out to the stranger.
[ ] Stop the stranger from leaving.
[ ] Check Alice and Reisen for injuries.
[ ] Ask Reisen if she completed the reading.
[ ] Examine the area.
[ ] Examine your things.
[ ] Custom