Ronyo kept his eyes shut. "I can't open them," he said to the darkness.

"Why not?" the darkness asked. The voice was calm and familiar, yet it masked a power that was far greater than the voice let on.

"Because if I don't see you, then I might not believe," Ronyo whispered.

The voice chuckled. "You will see me, Ronyo."

Ronyo slowly opened his eyes, his anticipation becoming an almost physical weight on his chest. Standing in front of him, wearing a simple white mage's robes, was a lion, his long mane brushing in front of his eyes, his face reflecting the calmness of his voice.

"What do you want with me?" Ronyo asked timidly.

"I want you to do me a favor," the lion said. "You're going to see Thomas and Sonia tomorrow, right?" Ronyo nodded. "Tell them I'll keep an eye on Zach if they decide to send him here."