(Centuries ago...)

• Within an ancient hall, two legends walk towards a Vault.

• One of them, Mountain, turned to his friend in confusion. "Why have you brought us here, master?"

• His friend, in his old and frail state, chuckles leasurely. "Hehe, I..." A cough cuts his words short. "I am not long for this world now. I'm already greedy enough to steal some time to keep standing, heh."

• Mountain couldn't believe his words. No, it's too soon. "No, you can't. We're not finished with this world yet. We have not experience all its joys and sorrows."

• His friend smiles up at him.

• To Mountain's surprise, he summons forth the string of fate that binds them as master and familiar, and cuts it. "This is where my journey ends. From now on, your path forward is free for you to decide. Open your heart to the world, and never avert your eyes from tragedy."

• Mountain grits his teeth, holding back a number of emotions in his mind. "What if I don't leave? Without our familiar bond, I don't have to follow your orders. I will stay here with you, and you can't change my mind."

• The old man turns towards the vault, a bit saddened by his reply, though his smile stays. "Meet with someone new. That is my last request to you, not as your master, but as your friend."

• Before Mountain could refute him, he'd use the last of his magic to teleport into the open vault and close it. "NO! You old fool!"

• Without magic, Mountain could never open that vault through raw strength. In the end, Mountain sits in the ancient hall and waited for years. Nothing could move him, whether it be natural disasters, bodily needs, or the erosion of time. He waited for centuries, and will wait for longer.

(Present day.)

• For the first time in years, Mountain heard footsteps in the ancient hall. Though his scales had become akin to stone, he forces himself to open his eyes and stand despite their herculean difficulty.
• Dust falls from his body as he stands. Centuries of silence, and now he hears something new. "..."