Freedom and Power

He recoiled, found himself held in that stellar fire, felt her hand reach inside his head, burning in his brain.

Her eyes shut. When she spoke, her voice was her own again. “I give you freedom, first son. Freedom, and power. Use them well. Bring the end.”

And she was gone.

First Son stood in the deep darkness, silent. He raised his arms, and they were his arms to raise for the first time since he had entered the mines. He clenched his fists, fists of steel hardened by the dark soil. He turned.

He struck out towards the daylight.