When Ashe crawled out of the body bag, he found countless black-robed believers prostrated on the ground, chanting a hymn with feverish devotion. The familiar words nearly triggered his post-traumatic stress.

"Great Everlasting Doom, Serena Bright! The righteous follow thee, and the wicked adore thee. The light yearneth for thee, and the darkness likewise longeth for thee. Thou art an existence beyond all things, the colors wherewith God hath adorned creation."

Don't tell me this hymn is standardized worldwide?!

Harvey's resentful voice came from beside him. "I'm seriously starting to suspect we got dragged into this because of you, Ashe…"

A moment later, he gave a muffled groan. A black-robed cultist had stepped on his left arm and crushed it flat. The man had not used much force. Harvey's arm simply lacked a bone.

During last night's encounter with Gassas's sniper fire, everyone struggled. Ashe was forced to halt his escape. Ronna and Ronald covered each other,...