"Information is power," the old man said, his eyes narrowing. "And in this era, power is forbidden."
At that, Arthur raised an eyebrow, setting the book he had picked back down as he asked, "This era, you say? You speak as though you've lived through others."
His eyes flashed behind his contacts, and he blinked, mildly surprised.
"You only seem to be about two centuries old. Has the god of Permanence's rule really been that short?"
The man was briefly puzzled by how Arthur had managed to guess his age so precisely, but realisation soon dawned.
"Time…you wield the power of Time!"
His tone deepened as he continued.
"The god of Permanence has not ruled for long, yet he has managed to bring the entire known galaxy under his control."
He took a step forward, closing the distance as he spoke, his expression grave, a deep furrow creasing his brow as he peered into Arthur's eyes with an intensity that contrasted his frail appearance.
