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There had to be something here, though. Disturbances did not occur without cause, even if it was a naturally occurring one. Might there be some sudden outgrowth of this place's geographic resonance? Ardor often behaved that way when connected to a deep reserve. Rather than flowing and gradually building, it typically pooled together in one place until it spiked up abruptly or even exploded into new strength.

That was how many of these places were born, after all: from great spikes of ardor located deep within the planet itself.

But still. That was unlikely to be the explanation here. With such coincidental timing? While he just so happened to be visiting for the first time in years?

Was someone else here? Or... about to be, perhaps?

He exerted more influence with his soul, expanding his domain further outward, beyond the room's walls. It weakened the domain itself, of course, having to spread his power out more thinly over a wider area, but it also allowed him to detect disturbances at a greater range. This way, perhaps he could sense a pattern. A flow.

Ah. There on his right. Through the window. There was a winding path. Growing more intense as he focused on it--but not to the point of bursting. It wasn't trying to be invasive.

Now he understood. It was a knock. Someone asking for an invitation into his domain. How long had that been following him? It could have been years, just waiting for him to exert a large enough domain for him to sense its presence.

Waiting for him to grow powerful enough, in other words.

He still couldn't sense who it was, though. Either they were hiding their identity from him, or he was still quite lacking in otherworldly strength.

Another thing to worry about. The regrowth of their power was often non-linear. Some incarnations grew very quickly--assimilated efficiently and easily, perhaps even achieving previously untouched heights--while others were slow and stubborn, resisting growth at every turn.

Damn you, Jonah.

Well, regardless, he wasn't about to refuse the invite. It could be this incarnation's first real encounter with one of his kin. Ettol was only too eager to catch up, after all these years.

The disturbance grew and grew, until it was an almost visible tunnel. Its connection to his mind was so strong that he could nearly see it with his physical eyes.

Impressive. A path that powerful could have reached the other side of Eleg, for all he knew.