"And then this happened a few days later..." he said dragging his hand across his chest, over his scar. "I just knew I was going to die, even if I did make it through the portal, I was days away from home. No one would ever find me in time... and when I did make it back, it was gone... I camped out around that tree for weeks, until I got brave enough to wander further out. Found this place, and I've been stuck here waiting for it to open again ever since..." he cleared his throat and rose up again.