In front of the cave entrance, Nolan stood calmly, his back resting against the rocks and his arms folded across his chest.
His eyes were closed, as if he were waiting for something. Then, from the heart of the raging snowstorm before him, a man clad in a black cloak emerged.
At a glance, the figure looked almost identical to him.
Nolan slowly opened his eyes and asked calmly, "Are you done guiding them back?"
His other self gave a slight nod. "It's done. They will return safely."
"Good." Nolan nodded in satisfaction. "Then go back to where my sister is and take my place for a while. I need to deal with Sylvia first, so she doesn't wake up before my plan is completely finished."
His other self said nothing and vanished from sight.
Nolan turned and stepped into the cave. It was not particularly large—only about two and a half meters high and three meters deep.
Sylvia lay atop a crystal-shaped rock. Nolan stopped beside her and gently touched her flawless face.
