The forest snow crunched under Harold's feet. A grin crinkled his mouth as he listened to owls conversing in the far-off spruces.
His smile vanished when a stranger stood between him and his home. Unsullied by snow, there were no footprints around him. A golden shimmer encircled his head as he raised his hand.
"Harold, it has been ordained that thou shalt live forever, so long as you have faith."
In a flash, the stranger disappeared.
Harold chuckled. "Did I just imagine that?"
They found Harold the next morning, face down in the snow, the only footprints his.
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