Nightmares were so rarely indistinct for Renzus.
Although mental training and hypno-suppression kept his sleep restful, sometimes the wanderings of a mind at rest found a way through those barriers.
It was always the same dream; an assortment of those who had died in his presence. Friends he couldn't protect. Enemies slain by his hand. The worst of all were the necessary deaths who perhaps did not deserve them.
He awoke with a shudder, and the sensations of cold metallic hands holding his shoulders was remarkable in that moment of incoherent wakefulness.
"Strange company, these days." The former Summoner rasped weakly, staring into the cold mask of the Machine Herald. "That bad, huh?"
The herald replaced the rag on the summoner’s head with a fresh and cold one to help regulate his temperature and sat down on his stool next to the operating table, the seat itself letting out a small huff of air as he plopped down. He interlaced his digits and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees while the glow of electric-yellow shone softly on the other as the scientist stared for a moment.
“I found you in the sumps. You were shivering and muttering to yourself. I had first assumed it was shimmer withdrawal but after closer inspection I found no track marks. It did not seem that you belonged down there so I had some of my acolytes bring you to my lab where I could monitor your health.”
He broke the silence not acknowledging anything he had said and then realized he may have bombarded the weakened man before him a bit too much.
“My apologies. I do not mean to overwhelm you. My name is Viktor, what is yours?”
