​     Something, someone, woke Axel out of a deep, drug induced sleep.

     It was night. It was dark in Axel's room. ​

​     A hulking, shadowy shape sat next to his bed. It shifted its position, and Axel thought, okay, it looks human, but...but...it was so huge. Axel, in his entire life, had never seen a human so...so...Am I even awake? Axel thought. Am I dreaming? Is that what...

​     Then, the hulking shadow spoke.

     "Axel?" 

​     "Y-Yes?" Axel had freedom of movement above the neck, so at least he was able to look over at who, or what, spoke to him.

     The voice sounded mechanical. almost computer-generated, but Axel sensed this was no machine.

     "My name is Valtair," it said.

     "Uh...Uh..."

​     "I'm here to help you. In fact, I'm here to help you achieve your heart's desire. I am here so that you can get revenge."

     At the center of Axel's being, something rejoiced. Revenge! Yes! Yes, he must have revenge! Yes!

​     "Whatever I need to do, I'll do," Axel replied. 

CONTINUE