The man chuckled as the boy stepped in his way to defend the woman. He pulled a small dagger from his belt, in the sheathe, and held it towards the man, handle facing him. "To more properly defend those you care for." he suggested. "As it seems you've heard of me, you would then know that even with this, you would stand no chance. Love and purity hold certain strengths, and they would normally allow you to overcome obstacles, but Fate and Destiny are far greater a force."<br/><br/>He turned, following the trail the woman had made, towards the gateway. "Likewise, I am far more powerful a force. Enjoy your time in this world, mortal. It is very short for you." With that, he stepped through, the gateway sealing behind him.<br/><br/>-------<br/><br/>The realm he appeared in was a shadowy reflection of Terra. The woman stood before him, and he laughed again. "You pick your herd well, to say the least." The ancient being walked ahead of her, and turned to face her. "There is time here, to speak. Phoenix has awoken, at nearly the exact same time as you. I have felt something stirring in Terra. Something strange. I have yet to determine if it is simply Fate hinting at it's course, or if it is something much different. Perhaps something is tempting to deny Fate. Fate is so hard to come to understand."<br/><br/>He lowered the hood, his blood red eyes beaming from under his brow; his long white hair falling at his shoulders. He pulled on his cigarette, and slowly exhaled. "As you can see, I've done some work here. Tried to make it more... hospitable." He smiled, turning to a pathway.<br/><br/>He extended his hand down the pathway, turning to face the woman. "This pathway should take us close to her. It will seem but an instant has passed when we return to Terra. It will still be night when we arrive, giving us a better chance at finding her. All that aside, how was your sleep, dear?"