Redmun saw light. Never ending light. It had shape, and form, like a labyrinth too vast for his mind to understand. It was too blinding to see, and yet he saw it. And it went on. Forever.

He couldn't move. Could barely think. The Light burned at his skin, his eyes, his mind. It was agony that didn't let up.

“Frail Redmun,” the light said, and he saw that one of the shapes before him was a person. He wasn't sure how he saw it – the light was blinding – but the form was there, like a shape in clouds. It did not move. It just stood there, unmoving. Looking at him. “Why do you fight me so?”

Redmun tried to speak. He couldn't. The pain was impossible.

“You wield the power I gave you like a child wields a brick, not understanding its purpose. You blame me for what happened?” the voice asked. The form before him still did not move, did not gesture. “I offered the power to you, gave the means to win. It is not something to be used by resistance – nor am I. It betrays you because you betray me. You see malice in my every act, even in my kindness, my generosity. Is there nothing you won't see in me, Redmun? Is there nothing I do that will not be branded Evil?”

The form approached Redmun. He tried to flinch away, to escape. Nothing worked. All he could do was watch. Watch and burn, and feel the pleasure of his torture wriggle into his mind. He tried to cast the thoughts out, but he was weak. He was nothing to the enormity around him.

“You feel I gave you no choice in this, but in truth I gave you every chance I could. You came to me, Redmun. You sought me out, even if you did not know it, and I came to you willingly. Willingly.”

It was right in front of him, now. This thing was no human, nothing reasonable. It was a horror, a monstrosity.

“I wished to help – I do nothing but try to help, Redmun. Nothing. Nothing. Yet your betrayal continues. I know, now, that you will resist using my power with every part of your being, because you blame me. Because you think I work against you.”

The form was still, standing before him. Looking at him. Burning him alive.

“I will not force anything more upon you. I will give you the choice. Have the freedom you so wish for, and let your failures be your own.”