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~~((New Year's Day Special - Page 10 of 12))~~
Just the words alone were enough to put the idea into his head, and without even intending to, he was already doing what the voice said. He thought of Paulie, where he'd last seen him, collapsed in the middle of the stairwell far below him.

And immediately, an image flashed before him. In midair. Right in front of Caster's face. Like a projector screen.

But it didn't last. After a moment, it was gone, leaving Caster more confused than anything. What had he just seen? What had been in that image? It had been too fuzzy and fleeting for him to even process.

'You must be more accurate than that,' said the voice. 'To control the Tenor of the Veil requires both precision and concentration. You must learn.'

"...What the hell are you talking about?" said Caster, still looking around for a source.

'Go on. Try again.'

Hesitant, he did so. Paulie. Unconscious on the stairs.

The image flickered in front of his face again, and he blinked at it in disbelief. It lingered there this time, but it was still too fuzzy to make anything out. Was that actually Paulie there? It just looked like a vaguely humanoid blob.

And then the image faltered before disappearing altogether.

What the fuck was going on here?

'Ah. A good attempt. Your memory yet lacks depth, but that will do, for now. Here. Allow me to assist.'

The floating image returned, crystal clear this time. Too clear, actually. It looked like Paulie was right there in front of him, like Caster could just reach out and touch him.

'That is because you can.'

What?

He didn't understand. How could--?

'Reach through.'

At this point, he didn't see any reason not to comply. He put his hand through the image and sure enough, he was able to grab Paulie's tattered collar.

'Good.'

Caster retracted his hand. He had to ask. "Who or what are you?"

'A strange question. I am you, of course. And you are me. If you will it, then we shall soon be as one. And we will remind this slumbering world of many things.'