Page 12 (1/2)

There’s no oxygen, so the flames die away The pain doesn’t, but I’ve no ti and there isn’t any air If I can’t construct a shell around ic, but there’s nothing I can ical energy than there was on Earth I thrash about like a fish on dry land, lips shut, eyes bulging I feel hten from the cold, but that doesn’t botherbefore I freeze to death

As o still and a cal I was always a lonely child I often felt out of place, not in sync with the people aroundto die in true isolation, loomy mist crossesover reenthat has opened ahead of h and envelops h tis Then rey, cold, ashen world I sit up, groaning My skin is blistered Parts feel raw But I’ moves nearby

"Art?" I call

"No" A tall black man steps into view He’s fat, with very dark skin, dressed in an expensive-looking suit

My eyes widen "Raz?" I gasp

"Only in appearance," the man says solemnly

"I don’t understand" I start to rise but pain prevents , I frown at the fat man Raz Warlo was a Disciple Ithe quest to find e?" I wheeze

"The one you knew as Art is dead," Raz says "Although shapesto us, we know you need them to make sense of the universe We felt it would be easier for you if I took a different form" He looks down at himself and frowns "The suit was a difficult touch"

"What happened back there?" I ask

"The panels of the Kah-Gash reacted to your presence," Raz says "The deet you out before they killed you"

"And the panels? Did they stop?"

"The fact that we still exist makes me think so," Raz says dryly

I nod slowly, then clear my throat "Art sacrificed himself to save me"

"Evidently"

"And you placed your life at risk by coroan "Why take me to the Crux and risk your lives for my sake?"

"That will become clear very soon," Raz says and nods at a rock behind ht you to this world I suggest you use its power to heal yourself before we continue"

Now that I focus, I realize there’s a strong current of ratefully and set to work onup the holes burned in ashes, Raz looks around at the dead land, then says, "Did you ever plan to have children?"