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~~((National Do Something Nice Day Special -- Page 9 of 24))~~
Dread crept through his mind like a spider. Breathing was becoming more difficult. And he could swear that the Mad Demon's face was beginning to take on the appearance of an actual demon. Twisting, distorting, silver eyes beginning to emit a harsh light.

It was too much. Far too much. He had to constantly remind himself that it couldn't be real. That it was an illusion. That Qorvass had warned him of something like this happening years ago.

It felt like that thin rope was his only tether to reality, the only connection between his waking mind and what was actually happening. Shivers coursed through his whole body as the temperature seemed to drop.

Where was he? Everything had gone dark, apart from Morgunov's giant form. He wondered if--

And then he was back. In the bunker.

It was still somewhat dark, but only due to the night, as it had been before. He could see again. And Morgunov looked human.

"Eheheh. Resilient. How fun." The Mad Demon's smile hadn't changed, though. It seemed as if that might just be a constant of the universe.

"What was that?" said Asad, out of breath. "What did you do?"

"Hmmmmmmmmm..." Morgunov touched his bare hand to Asad's face, as if inspecting him, then traced the shape of his bald head. "These tattoos are interesting. They're adding to your resilience, aren't they? Where'd you get 'em?"

Asad didn't want to answer that.

'Stop this.' The reaper's voice sounded noticeably more shaken now. Before, he'd spoken to the emperor with surprising calmness. Familiarity, even. That was still there, to an extent, but Asad could sense a hint of desperation in his tone. 'Please.'

Morgunov chuckled. "Don't worry, Qorvass. I'm just testing his limits. I won't break this one. I've gained so much more control since the last time."