The stench of scorched protein brought Heronman back to consciousness.
He opened his eyes in a daze. The glare of the shadowless lamp overhead stabbed at them, but tears moistened his dry eyes before the pain could take hold.
"The experiment failed. The dream was destroyed for reasons unknown." He looked away and slowly sat up from the recliner. "We need to execute the experiment subject before she gets out of control."
He braced an elbow against the armrest and forced his heavy, weakened body upright. Before he could steady himself, a hammer clicked into place beside his ear.
"Don't move!" a hoarse male voice called from behind the shadowless lamp's harsh white glare. "Blasphemer, I've got you."
Heronman glanced to his right. A gleaming metal gun barrel pointed straight at his forehead.
Behind the silver barrel, a bald man with a spider tattoo on his face stared at him coldly.
Dust motes swirled in the lamp's glare. The stench of scorched protein seemed to grow stronger.
Heronman fell silent for a moment, then breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
The sight had startled him. For an instant, he had thought Xia Lun had escaped the nightmare. Fortunately, the man holding the gun was only one of his own attendants. "Nuo En, you've lost your way." Heronman's gaze deepened. Suppressing the urge to argue, he spoke in a low, resonant voice. "Your experiences in the dream have brainwashed you. I'm Heronman, leader of the Numien Mind Detection Association, and you're my most trusted deputy." "Nonsense. Nosna leads the Numien Mind Detection Society. You're the blasphemer trying to sabotage the ritual."
"If we're called the Numien Mind Detection Association, why did you worship the Undying Sacred Flame in the dream?" Heronman shot back. "Nuo En, something went wrong with the experiment.