According to science, during your final moments, the brain experiences a “life review”.
It is the brain’s way of preparing for death.
It displays every happy memory for comfort.
Amazing, isn’t it?
Anyway…
In his mind, Dominic watched his memories play out like a movie, as if he were strapped to a chair in a cold room and forced to watch them through newly prescribed glasses.
It felt ironic watching them now.
Most of the people in those memories…
he hadn’t spoken to in years.
Did they bring him comfort?
Yes.
But there was also a quiet sadness.
Because his reality told a different story
He opened his eyes slowly.
The blurry image of his ceiling came into his view.
…His ceiling.
What the hell?
Dominic sat up abruptly.
There was no pain.
Not in his stomach, where he had been sliced open.
Not in his ribs.
Not in his arm.
Nothing.
It was like nothing had happened.
Was I dreaming?
“Good morning.”
Dominic turned sharply.
The stranger who had saved him sat in the air, cross-legged, a book in one hand and a steaming cup of tea in the other.
“Welcome back to the world of the living.”
Dominic blinked.
Then rubbed his eyes.
Once.
Twice.
“…What the f–who the hell–”
Something pressed against his mouth.
His words were cut off instantly.
Dominic grabbed at it, trying to pull it away, but it clung to his skin like adhesive, soft, yet impossible to remove.
What is this?
“Responsive,” the stranger noted calmly, closing his book as he drifted toward Dominic.
“That’s a good sign of what you went through yesterday.”
He reached out and grabbed Dominic’s face, turning it slightly as if inspecting an object.
Dominic jerked back, irritation flaring.
“Do you want me to tie you up?”
Dominic froze.
Then shook his head.
“Then stay still.”
He’s too close…
The stranger studied him for a moment.
“Minor flunctuation,” he murmured.
“Nothing visually significant.”
Dominic frowned.
“It’s not because you look bad,” the stranger added.
The door opened.
Both of them turned.
A tall, muscular, dark-skinned man stepped in.
–Hey, so Saron thinks it might be–”
He stopped.
“Adrian.
What are you doing?”
“Examining him,” Adrian replied, releasing Dominic.
“What did she say?”
“She thinks it’s related to his resonance.
A burst.”
Adrian gave a small nod.
“As expected.”
Dominic looked between them, confusion rising.
What are you talking about?
“Release his mouth,” the man said.
“We don’t need another complaint filed.”
Adrian flicked his wrist.
The material fell away instantly.
Dominic inhaled sharply.
“Apologies,” Adrian said.
“If I’ve offended you, I’m open to compensation.”
Dominic stared at him.
Is this guy serious?
“Thanks,” he muttered.
“But no thanks.”
Maybe I’m still dreaming…
“I assume you’re wondering who we are,” Adrian.
Not really.
“Sure,” Dominic replied, forcing a smile.
Adrian smiled back.
“We are government officials from the Bureau of Occult Governance and Surveillance.
The other man added, “B.O.G.S, for short.”
Dominic blink.
“…Bogs?”
Do they expect me to believe this?
“My name is Adrian Morvant, and this is my accomplice, Jason Kings,” Adrian continued.
“You may ask five questions.
Choose them carefully.”
Dominic hesitated.
“What was that thing that attacked me?”
“We call them blights,” Adrian replied.
“Corrupted entities with insatiable hunger.
They hunt people like us.
Fortunately, the one you encountered was a low-level blight called Echoes.
You’re fortunate to be alive.”
Dominic’s stomach tightened.
“There are more of them?”
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
“Is that a question you wish to be answered?”
“Adrian,” Jason warned.
Dominic exhaled.
“Forget it,” he said.
“Just–how long was I out?”
“Approximately fourteen hours,” Adrian replied.
“Shorter than expected.”
“Perhaps you come from a special bloodline.”
“My bloodline?”
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
“Do you know who your parents are?”
Jason’s head snapped towards him.
“Adrian, that’s enough.”
“We need context,” Adrian said calmly.
Then to Dominic:
“Because nothing about him suggests he has a contract of some sort.
He’s far too ordinary.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened.
Who does this guy think he is?
Heat bloomed in the air.
Small sparks flickered into existence around Dominic in an erratic manner.
The temperature in the room rose.
“Activation during emotional outbursts,” Adrian noted.
“Predictable.”
“Do you want to fight?” Dominic shot back, standing on his bed.
Adrian paused.
Then laughed.
“You don’t want that,” he said.
“It wouldn’t end well for you.”
Dominic opened his mouth, then stopped as he remembered the screams from the day before.
His expression faltered, and he sat back down.
“I don’t think knowing about his parents is relevant,” Jason said quickly.
“His awakening could just be from a contract.”
“It matters,” Adrian replied.
“The nature and concentration of his resonance is not diluted as those whose resonance source is from their grandparents or great-grandparents.
It’s concentrated…”
“Plus, the nature of his reson3ance says he comes from a rather prestigious bloodline.
Whoever it is that comes from that bloodline must also be of high profile, considering they were able to buy a rather powerful and very illegal suppressant–”
“Why would a rich person buy something illegal?” Dominic asked naively.
“Why do rich people steal?” Adrian replied.
“It doesn’t matter, anyway.
The reason I concluded his resonance being hereditary is that if he had a contract, he’d have a record file in B.O.G.S.
Resurrection after death isn’t a feat given by anything less than an ancient spirit.
B.O.G.S is very particular with those who have contracts with ancient spirits.”
“What do you mean by resurrection?
What are you saying?”
Adrian looked at him directly.
“You died.”
Silence.
“You died,” he repeated, almost casually–like it was an average Thursday.
“And came back with enough energy to light up the whole neighbourhood.”
“I–”
Dominic’s voice failed.
“I died?” he whispered.
“You weren’t supposed to say that,” Jason muttered.
“I’ll cover the therapy costs later,” Adrian said.
“For now, we need to bring you to Saron; we need to know what to do with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere–” Dominic said firmly as he got out of bed.
“Now get up before I call the cops.”
“He doesn’t trust us,” Jason muttered.
“You don’t have much of a choice,” Adrian said, facing Dominic.
Dominic tried to run, then the world around him collapsed.
It looked dull and full of misery, and the world was scattered into geometric shapes.
It was overwhelming–suffocating–like being dragged underwater.
Then–
Silence.
Dominic stumbled forward and fell to the ground.
He breathed heavily, he felt nauseous.
It took a while for him to calm down, and when he did, he realised he was no longer in his apartment.
Rather in an office.
A woman stood before him with a calm expression.
“Hello, Dominic.”