into the house of death
. . . and he is falling backwards, down, into darkness; this time he knows there will be no resurrection. Asclepius has left him, his evil eye is gone, his powers are all used up. The magician is dying. Death has come into the world and cannot be avoided any longer, and even Ginji cannot find him here . . .
Fire explodes in his heart. His ribs creak with strain.
He opens his eyes, gasping with the effort, to see Ginji kneeling above him, haloed with electricity, warm hands still resting on his chest.
Raitei had come for him.
---