Rees slowly rose from the ground, his movements deliberate. Dust clung to his tattered coat, and as he straightened his back, he stretched his arms wide into the still air.
Leon frowned, watching him. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Rees closed his eyes, inhaling deeply through his imaginary nose. "It's been so long since I felt mana," he murmured, his voice calm yet filled with quiet wonder. "I forgot how alive it makes you feel."
'You are dead motherfucker.' Leon thought in his mind.
Leon stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. "Now that you've re-created your necroheart," he said evenly, "how about you teach me some Voo-Doo magic?"
Rees chuckled. "Ah, of course. Just give me a moment—I'll go grab the materials we'll need—"
"Not today." Leon's voice cut in flatly. "It's already evening. I've got somewhere to be. We'll start tomorrow."
