Chapter 32: Flicker of Hope

Kaleb's perception of time had begun warping, flowing like a fractured stream, as his mind reeled from the pain of the raging mana. 

He found himself standing in a quiet, worn hallway. Peeking out of a nearby window he saw a cityscape he was all to familiar with. 

'I know this place' he thought to himself as he looked round when the sound of laughter coming from the other side of the window caught his attention.

He looked out once again and saw a child no older than seven being escorted out of the building with a man and woman tightly gripping his hands.

"I know that boy, we used to live in the orphanage together, but that was years ago." He said tilting his head.

The boy's laughter echoed in the distance, the joy he felt as he walked towards a car and was embraced by people with genuine care before being driven away was etched on his face.