SHAMAN PROTOCOL

[A MEMORY]

I had a name once.

I think I did.

Fingers — not these brittle long ones that could penetrate walls. But rather small, clean ones, clinging to someone's sleeve.

I was hungry. I remember being scared, desperate.

Then a voice — a tiny, sweet voice.

"It's okay."

—-

[PRESENT TIME]

The towering, skeletal beast looked up at the figure hovering above. He held a chain that seemed to float and extend mid-air, with a book wrapped around at the end. Both the chain and the book glowed, releasing a hellish red and black aura.

But the one it focused on was that glowing orb from Mikel's eyes. His eye glowed like no other, as if flame was coming out from within. He wasn't falling — he was crashing down like judgment itself.