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Conqueror of the Verse
By ColdLink Writer
CHAPTER XLIV
The Shadow That Watches
Arc 2 – The Shadow Conspiracy
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Night did not simply fall over the forest.
It settled.
Like a presence.
Like something alive.
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The last traces of sunlight faded slowly beyond the horizon, leaving behind a dim, muted glow that barely touched the towering trees. Shadows stretched longer, deeper, merging together until the forest became a single, breathing darkness.
A small fire crackled at the center of a clearing.
Its light flickered unevenly, pushing back the night just enough to create a fragile space of warmth.
But that warmth…
Did not reach the edges.
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Arin sat close to the fire.
Too close.
As if the flames could protect him.
As if light itself could keep something unseen away.
His eyes were fixed on the fire, but his thoughts were far from it.
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"…It's still there."
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His voice was low.
Quiet.
But not uncertain.
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Lucas, resting on a thick branch above, glanced down lazily.
"…What is?"
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Arin didn't answer immediately.
His hand tightened slowly.
Then loosened.
Then tightened again.
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"…That feeling."
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Lucas tilted his head slightly.
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"…Power?"
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Arin shook his head.
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"…No."
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He hesitated.
Searching for the right word.
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"…Presence."
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That made Lucas pause.
Just slightly.
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"…Explain."
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Arin exhaled slowly.
His gaze dropped to his hand again.
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"…It's like…"
"…something inside me isn't sleeping."
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The fire cracked softly.
A spark rose into the air.
Then vanished.
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"…It's not mine."
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Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
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Kashihero stood at the edge of the clearing.
His back partially turned.
His eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the trees.
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"…It is yours."
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Arin looked up instantly.
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"…It doesn't feel like it."
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Kashihero turned slowly.
The firelight brushed across his face.
Calm.
Unchanging.
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"…That's because you're still separating yourself from it."
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Arin frowned.
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"…Separating…?"
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Kashihero stepped closer.
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"…You're treating it like something you received."
"…Something external."
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He stopped a few steps away.
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"…But that's not what it is anymore."
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The Truth of the Connection
Lucas dropped from the branch, landing lightly beside them.
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"…He's right."
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He crossed his arms.
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"…The moment you accepted that power—"
"…it stopped being borrowed."
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Arin's breath slowed.
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"…Then what is it now?"
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Kashihero answered without hesitation.
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"…A part of your existence."
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Those words lingered.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But deeply.
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The Weight of Reality
Arin looked at his hands again.
But this time—
He wasn't confused.
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He was thinking.
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"…Then why does it feel like it's… watching me?"
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Lucas let out a faint breath.
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"…Because you're not used to being observed by something inside yourself."
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Arin looked at him.
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"…Observed?"
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Lucas smirked slightly.
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"…Power like that doesn't just sit quietly."
"…It responds."
"…It reacts."
"…And sometimes…"
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He paused.
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"…it judges."
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Arin's heart tightened.
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"…Judges…?"
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Kashihero's Silence
Kashihero didn't confirm it.
He didn't deny it.
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Because both answers—
Would lead to the same truth.
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The Fire Feels Colder
The flames flickered again.
But this time—
They felt weaker.
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The air shifted.
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Kashihero's gaze sharpened instantly.
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"…Enough."
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Lucas's posture changed immediately.
Relaxed—
But alert.
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"…Yeah."
"…I felt it too."
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Arin stood up.
His body tensed.
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"…What is it?"
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Kashihero's voice was calm.
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"…We're not alone."
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The Presence Reveals Itself
The forest responded.
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Not loudly.
Not suddenly.
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But deliberately.
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A step.
Soft.
Controlled.
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Then another.
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From between the trees—
A figure emerged.
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Cloaked.
Covered.
Hidden.
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But not afraid.
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"…So you noticed."
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The voice was smooth.
Measured.
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But something beneath it—
Felt wrong.
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The Tension Begins
Lucas stepped slightly forward.
His eyes locked onto the figure.
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"…You've been following us."
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The figure tilted his head slightly.
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"…Observing."
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Kashihero spoke.
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"…For how long?"
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The figure didn't hesitate.
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"…Long enough."
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The First Real Clash
Silence spread again.
But this time—
It wasn't empty.
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It was filled with pressure.
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Not physical.
Not visible.
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But real.
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Arin felt it immediately.
His chest tightened.
His breathing slowed.
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"…What… is this…?"
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Lucas spoke quietly.
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"…Intent."
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The Weight of Intent
The cloaked figure took another step forward.
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"…You're not what we expected."
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Lucas smirked.
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"…You're not the first one to say that."
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But Kashihero remained focused.
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"…Then tell me."
"…What were you expecting?"
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The figure paused.
Then—
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"…Something weaker."
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The Hidden Truth
The air grew heavier.
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"…But instead…"
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His gaze shifted slightly.
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"…we found a Devourer."
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Arin's eyes widened.
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"…We?"
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The figure ignored him.
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"…A vessel…"
"…and something far more dangerous."
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Lucas's smile faded slightly.
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"…You talk too much."
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The Line Is Drawn
Kashihero stepped forward.
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"…Say what you came to say."
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The figure didn't move.
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"…You've already stepped into it."
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"…This isn't your battle anymore."
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The Name Emerges
Kashihero's voice lowered slightly.
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"…You're referring to Xarge."
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For the first time—
The figure reacted.
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Not visibly.
But subtly.
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"…You know the name."
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The Truth Deepens
Lucas spoke quietly.
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"…We know enough."
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The figure shook his head.
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"…No."
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"…You don't."
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The Bigger Threat
The forest seemed to grow darker.
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"…Demon King Xarge…"
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"…is not the only one moving."
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Arin froze.
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"…What…?"
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The World Expands
Kashihero's eyes narrowed.
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"…Explain."
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The figure stepped back.
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"…Not yet."
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"…You're still too early."
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The Warning
His voice became colder.
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"…But remember this—"
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He looked directly at Arin.
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"…the moment that door opened…"
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"…you became visible."
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Arin's breath caught.
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"…Visible to who?"
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The End of the Encounter
The figure smiled faintly.
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"…You'll find out."
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And then—
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He disappeared.
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No movement.
No trace.
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Just gone.
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The Aftermath
Silence returned.
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But it was no longer empty.
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It was filled—
With questions.
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Arin's Fear
"…What did he mean?"
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Lucas didn't answer.
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Because for once—
He didn't have one.
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Kashihero's Conclusion
Kashihero stood still.
Thinking.
Analyzing.
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"…He wasn't lying."
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Lucas looked at him.
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"…About what?"
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Kashihero's voice was calm.
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"…This isn't just about Xarge."
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The Conspiracy Grows
The system flickered faintly.
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[Unknown Variables Increasing]
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Kashihero's eyes darkened.
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"…There are more."
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The Final Truth
Arin looked down at his hand again.
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"…Then what am I now?"
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Kashihero answered without hesitation.
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"…A target."
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Lucas added quietly—
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"…And an opportunity."
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The Decision to Move
Kashihero turned.
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"…We leave."
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Arin nodded.
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"…Where?"
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Kashihero's voice remained steady.
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"…Somewhere deeper."
"…Somewhere hidden."
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Lucas smirked slightly.
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"…Good."
"…Things are finally getting interesting."
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The Last Line
As they disappeared into the darkness—
The forest remained still.
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But far beyond their sight—
Something else had already begun to move.
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Something ancient.
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Something patient.
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And something that had been waiting—
For a very long time.
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End of Chapter XLIV
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