Jaundiced yellow eyes glow from behind their ceremonial death masks. Six-inch spikes cover their elbows and knees. The warriors carry a variety of weapons: steel spears and daggers, spiked balls on chains, and body armament featuring sharp claws fastened across the knuckles.

Snorting behind their ceremonial masks, they line up facing Jacob beneath the eastern goal, their leering eyes focusing on him.

Dominique inhales deeply through her nostril tubes and regulator, desperate to clear her head, hoping she will awaken from the nightmare.

Jacob scans the arena, all too aware that his mother is the chink in his armor. I need to find a place to isolate her …

From his perch, the masked leader raises a round object above his head.

The warriors howl, bellowing an animal-like scream.

The leader tosses the object into the arena.

Game ball …

The severed head strikes the hardened soil like a coconut, bounces twice, then rolls awkwardly before stopping at Dominique’s feet.

She looks down and screams.

Jacob catches her as she faints.

The head is Mick’s.

The warriors hoot and holler, their bellowing laughs echoing throughout the metallic ball court.

Jacob stares at his father’s head. ‘Jesus … no—’

Mick’s eyes open, their rolling gaze maniacal. The mouth parts to speak. ‘Who is it? Who’s out there?’

Jacob hears his voice say. ‘It’s your son. Jacob.’

‘Jacob?’ A deep wail rises from Mick’s mouth.

Before the twin can react, two of the silicon-skinned warriors step forward. From behind their masks they expel a bloodcurdling bellow.

‘No … no … no …’ Jacob detaches the regulator from his shoulder harness and pops it in his mouth, breathing deeply. Refocus! Remember the story of the Hero Twins. The Death God and his minions will try to fool you. This is not your father, it’s an aberration … a ruse!

Using the top of his boot, Jacob flips the skull-ball several feet off the ground, then steps forward like a soccer goalie and kicks the head as far downfield as he can.

One of the warriors gives chase. Another runs toward the twin and his mother.

Tossing Dominique over his shoulder, Jacob sprints to the far end of the eastern wall and the hidden stairwell he knows will lead him to the leader’s temple. He ascends the narrow steps three at a time, the sword in his right hand.

Waiting for him at the summit is the serpent-masked leader, armed with a spiked ball and chain.

Jacob releases his mother, then bounds up the remaining steps.

The spiked ball hurtles downward.

Jacob avoids the blow, then lashes upward with the sword, severing the transhuman’s arm just below the elbow.

The warrior cries out, staring at his amputated, simmering-hot limb in shock, never seeing the looping shimmer of blade that lops off his head.