You stand amidst a torrent of pain.

How could you have done this? How could you have taken the life of another?

Thoughts swirl around in your head: You shouldn't have killed the girl, but you really didn't have much choice if you wanted to survive. But was it self-defense if you were the one who started it?

Your mind feels foggy as if your thoughts are being smothered and crushed.

Your Patrons grinning face flashes amongst the gale.

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"You are not out of The Storm yet, Nova."

You hear L'Neeri call out your name, but it is distant and fuzzy. Indistinct. You try to answer but nothing comes out, your voice lost somewhere inside yourself. Your vision blurs.

L'Neeri grabs your shoulder. "Nova!" he shouts again.

Your legs give out from underneath you and your consciousness fades.

***

You stand alone before a chained man.

The man hangs suspended in the darkness by three multicolored chains, one attached to his left arm and his legs each. Two other chains lay broken on the black floor.

He is sickly looking, his grey skin pulled taught over hard bones and muscle.

He slowly raises his slumped, bald head to look at you. His piercing amber eyes make contact with yours.

"Ah, thank you, Julia," he says, seemingly addressing you in an arid voice. "Nova, it is time to reconvene..."