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[center][u][i]January 1, 2020, 7:00 PM.
Davenstar Manor, Chicago Outskirts.[/i][/u][/center]
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[url=https://youtu.be/FiMqZmNHU1I]The old grandfather clock in Tobias' room tolled eleven[/url] and the young wizard looked up from his book, wearily rousing himself like with a start and a glance around the room. His study had dimmed in the hours since he had returned to his home, and the fireplace had died down to embers. The cold winter air seeped into the room through the frosted windows and had begun to give a chill to Tobias' breath. He set the ancient tome down on his desk and unfolded his legs, rotating the luxurious armchair to the side and standing up with a tired stretch. His tie hung carelessly on a couch that faced the fire beside one of the many tall bookshelves in the room, and his coat rested on a coat rack by the door along with his hat and cane. His white gloves were neatly folded and sat on an unused corner of the desk. He yawned and clapped his hands, feeling the slightest effort of will leave him as he muttered a very familiar incantation. 

"[color=0f13fc][i]Zazhigat.[/i][/color]" 

The silence in the study that had returned once the chiming of the bells had ceased was broken by a sharp pop as a bright spark flared to life in the embers of the fireplace. What remained of the log leapt once more to cheerful warmth, and Tobias made his way over to the hearth, prodding the wood with a metal rod that hung alongside other tools of similar purpose at the fireside. He reached down and lifted a fresh log and set it on the blaze before picking up an open bottle of bourbon that rested on the mantle and returning to his desk where an empty glass awaited its revival. 

"[color=ef1956][i]Are you satisfied with your life?[/i][/color]"

Tobias filled the glass and took his seat again, examining his notes for a moment before attempting to find his place in the arcane codex he had left open.

"[color=ef1956][i]You could be useful out in the real world... Use those tricks for the greater good![/i][/color]" 

Tobias shook his head for a moment, frowning as he thought about the words that he had heard earlier that evening.

"[color=ef1956][i]...Have you considered that helping to save the world will give you more to gain in the long run?[/i][/color]" 

Tobias thought of the world, glancing over at a lovingly carved and engraved model of the planet on which he currently made his home. He thought of his true home, and his thoughts lingered on his Father's final words to him. 

"[i]You are our last hope...[/i]"

His face sagged, defeat etched in his features as surely as the runes that sprang to life beneath his fingers were carved into the wood of the globe that began to glow and rotate on its own. 

"[color=da2712][i]What good is hope, when the quest is hopeless?[/i][/color]"

His features hardened even as a glint of scarlet appeared in his dark eyes. The faint light cast from them illuminated the pages of the book before him ever so slightly. 

"[i]Hope is never truly lost, so long as one still strives to find it.[/i]" 

His father's words gave him some comfort as the glow receded from his eyes. He set his drink down on a granite coaster beside the book and rose to face the globe. The globe showed great green bands of light that embraced the whole world like the ropes around an old buoy. The bands pulsed rhythmically, appearing as a pulse across the whole planet. As each pulse flared along the bands of light, runes that were inscribed along the continents would flash in sequence. The lights began to darken in the east. New York's sigil grew darker and darker until there was an angry red symbol that remained constant even as the rest of the planet pulsed along with the cosmic heartbeat.

Someone was meddling with things best left alone. And Tobias was going to find out who. The globe slowly stopped turning and its lights dimmed to nothing, save the brilliant red sign over The Big Apple, as he rose to his feet and set off towards the door. He paused to take up his hat and coat, lifting his cane in his hand, before shutting the door behind him. The fire in the stone hearth abruptly extinguished even as the Master of the House departed with a silent step into the shadows of the hall.