Once again Douglas was in Rain's office. "Erik watched the lie detector and he thinks that you spoke the truth. Anyway we're not perfectly sure. The DNA anylysis we made says that you are closer to Shee than to Norn, Ettin or Grendel. But closer is still far away. If you were a Shee we could interpret the detector's output for sure but under these circumstances we can only guess. It's your luck Erik is a really hard-headed guy. He convinced me to give you a last chance. And now I'll introduce you to Maki." The office door opened and Erik came in, accompanied by a small female Norn.
'I thought I was to meet Maki... Perhaps this Norn is a priest. I mean Maki is a god and gods normally have priests for PR and those things...' Rain interrupted his thoughts.
"Douglas, this is Maki." 'That can't be. Maki is a god. On the other hand perhaps he likes changing his look. Like Zeus always did...'
"She's is telepathic. That's in her family for quite a long time now. I hope you don't mind her reading your thoughts..." 'I'm not sure I prefer Maki, the telepathic, above Maki the Caos God...'
~Must be a nice story but I doubt my name has anything to do with it.~
"Yes, I know. It's only that..." 'Wait a moment. I didn't say that aloud.' He watched Maki. She didn't even move a muscle.
~Most people are confused about this way of conversation. You are not the first one.~ She gave him a shy smile.
'The voice in my head. I can't believe it. I must be dreaming again.'
~Not really. But what did you mean with again?~ Without actually thinking he went through all his dreams again. It took only a 3 or 4 seconds but he remembered every detail.
~Oh, I see now. What an imagination. You are a creative person, are you not?~
Rain had been watching them until now but suddently she lost her patience: "I don't want to disturb you but there's a war going on. We are a little bit under time pressure. I only want to know if his story is true or not."
"I don't tell you how you have to do your job and I expect the same thing from you." Maki's voice could have cut through steel. Well, not really but you know what I mean.
"Come on Erik, we have more important things to do." Turning to Maki Rain added "You know where we are." Saying that she left her office followed by the Ettin chief. Maki sat down and looked into Douglas' eyes. Perhaps she also tried to look at what's behind them.
~That leaves us two alone. Relax. Think of nothing. No, I don't want you to spell it. Just clear your mind of all thoughts. That's better. Much better.~ He had no idea what was going on. In fact he didn't even recognize that something was going on. He just couldn't think a single thought. There were at least a hundred different thoughts he was thinking at the same time. Constantly there were memories flashing up. He remembered every single thing he had thought, seen, heared, smelled, felt and so on. And everything at the same time. Then he blacked out.