“One of the other research teams had hypothesized the existence of this kind of rare individual…The mystics and occultists referred to them as children of special destiny, individuals who had been chosen by some higher power and given special gifts. At the time I thought that was nonsense, only now I must admit there really is something to it. We know there are other worlds, other realities, that infringe upon our own. These are the source of some of the creatures that end up here. Sometimes there is a rare individual inexorably connected to one of these other realms. It is as if they are chosen to accomplish something, sometimes good, sometimes evil, or even completely incomprehensible. They exhibit strange abilities, even connections to tap into these other unknown realms. Intrusions by other worlds seem to create these specimens. Sometimes the abilities are passed down genetically, though they rarely manifest, but when they do, remarkable things happen.”

Mosh and Holly exchanged a glance. “We know somebody that fits that description.”

“I strongly doubt it. The odds are astronomically against it.”

“Odds go out the window when my brother’s involved,” Mosh said. “Owen has collected some absolutely bizarre karmic baggage. He’s why I’m here. He’s one of the people trapped inside the Last Dragon.”

Dr. Blish’s mouth fell open but no sound came out. For a second Mosh thought that he’d simply died of shock. Then his mouth began to move again, like a fish out of water gasping. Finally he was able to get the words out. “No, no, no. Another one of them? And he’s on the other side? This is terrible. Absolutely terrible. Do you have any idea what this means?”

“No.” The door was kicked again. There was still no give. Mosh was just glad they had a hostage so they couldn’t just start shooting through the walls. “Not really.”

“In the intervening years we have learned from other incidents involving the bonding of humans to spirit entities from other planes. Stricken has procured some ancient weapons that he believes will not only destroy the host, but at the same time permanently banish the alp back to its home…But if the host is destroyed, and there is another one of these chosen vessels present in its home realm…”

“We’d be banishing it to someplace where it could just take over another body…”

“And doubtlessly continue to travel between our worlds, wrecking havoc on us all,” Blish finished for her.

“Oh, hell no. This nightmare thing is not going to possess my brother.” Mosh looked to Holly. “Is that possible?” She shrugged. Holly had no idea either. “No way, man.”

Mordechai’s voice came into his head for the last time. “Thank you, boy. We know enough now. The Champion will be warned. Now you must prepare yourself. You must face your fear.”