End of days 12

I never told you how the sword came to me. When I joined the army in those early days I was nothing but a scavenger amidst the wreck of our dying world. Their leader, shining as he did with blinding righteous fire, brought hope to our darkness and there were many like me who thronged to the cause.

But street fighting is chaotic. When I found him in that alley, I knew he was dying; I could see his edges beginning to blur. He pressed the sword into my hand. ‘I’m sorry – you must lead them now. Just do your best.’

I stayed with him as he faded. He seemed sad and puzzled, as if this was never meant to happen. But then he asked me my name just before the end, and when I told him it was Michael he smiled. ‘I understand now,’ he murmured, and then was nothing but a whisper in the morning air.

In the Director’s office, they are preparing to take me back to the ward. Darkness closes in as the injection takes hold. But just as I flex my fingers one last time, I feel the familiar hilt in my palm once more.