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His younger self did not reply.

Maybe he hadn’t really been listening. He recalled having quite a bit on his mind at this time.

From there, the scene faded to gray, then black.

“This moment mattered little to you,” said the voice. “But not to your brother. He took it to heart and has held it there ever since.”

Asad didn’t know what to think. Or if he should think anything at all. Was it not still better to simply watch? Less tiring, for certain.

“Rest is important, yes, but you need not suppress all emotion and thought while you do so. Ignoring everything will do you no favors.”

Mm. Perhaps the voice had a point.

Or perhaps it didn’t. Eh. He could figure it out later.

“You are beginning to annoy me, Young Lion.”

Asad missed breathing. Where had his breath gone? Was even alive, anymore? He wished he could feel his body, at least. He recalled that the ability to breathe had been so soothing, at times. It would’ve been lovely, right about now.

“Rgh. Let us move on.”

More speeding. Shifting and spinning. Beautiful lights and colors. Mm.

When the scene settled, he saw yet another familiar face. Two faces, actually. Who? It was hard to think.

Two women. They were running. And fighting. Not each other but a host of pursuers. And something in the sky. Something with wings. Bullets were flying everywhere, both at and from the fleeing women.

One was clearly younger.

His daughter. Jada. Yes.

And the older woman. White smoke billowed from her arms. A familiar sight.

His sister. Imas.

The pursuers closed in but Imas rebuffed them with a wall of smoke, which passed over two men like a tidal wave and left half-melted corpses behind.

Corpses which did not stop moving. They were clearly slowed, but their pursuit did not stop.

Where were they? Why were they fighting? And who?

“Remember, Young Lion,” said the voice. “The disastrous fight at Uego. You witnessed it in part. This is but one consequence.”

This was current? Jada and Imas were fighting, right now?

“Alas, there may be no such thing as ‘current’ in this place. But yes. They are still fleeing for their lives, even now. For their lives--and for the lives around them.”

Asad saw. They were not alone. There were other warriors. Other familiar faces. Sandlords. Hahl Duxan?

So hard to remember.

But there were non-warriors, too. Children, even. Also fleeing.