How long has it been since I entered this world? It must have been half a year by now, I’m sure.

A few months ago, we set off on this expedition to the depths of the cavern in search of the precious minerals and treasures our Jiira masters so greedily longed for.

As we ventured deeper and deeper, though, we invited the wrath of those who dwelled in its depths: hivelings. When I first encountered them, they reminded me of ants; as hulking, impenetrable, and vicious they are, however, they must see us as ants—small, fragile, and at best, pests to be eradicated. No, they would probably treat even ants better than us goblinoids, who pillage their homes and eviscerate their kin.

Just when I’d thought I’d seen it all, I touched that mask. In the blinding white light, I felt something grab hold of my soul and drag it out of my body—out of Gherm’s body. And it was there that I encountered that dreadful, robed figure.

As though my distress were audible in this oppressive silence, it said my name.

“Leonard Erand Vandersteen.”

My true name.

The being had an otherworldly feel to it, as if it were from another world, another plane of existence. It smiled at me, white light spilling forth from its mask. And as it towered above me, I felt it scrutinizing my very being.

The sheer power the creature held was fascinating, something I’d never experienced in all my years of life. Despite its alien nature, however, the creature felt almost familiar, as if I’d encountered it before.

Then it dawned on me. Images of countless relics flashed through my mind and I was reminded of the gate before which I had stood mere moments ago.

“Leonard Erand Vandersteen, I’ve been waiting for you.”