He woke to pain, as unbearable as it had been before, before he traveled to that dead world. And discovered just how dire things really were. Only this time, he knew he was in control. Pain of the mind, was not fearsome if one did not let it be so. So first, he ignored it, then he made it his own, breaking it down and absorbing it like energy. The longer they left him here, to "writhe" in agony, the stronger he was going to get.And they were foolish enough to think only of themselves. And give him a chance against Shaeg, though the odds were still bad.

"Oh fine, I'll take a look at him, just to make sure he isn't dead."

"Dead, no way is he dead, it is programmed to shut off before reaching critical pain levels. But we did leave him unattended for too long. Please love, we cannot fail like this."

"You worry too much Melaidin. He is merely unconscious." Gollus' cocky grin faded as he saw a glimpse of a smile on Klaeb's face. "Melaidin, get in here, something is wrong. I just saw the fool smiling."

Melaidin dashed into the room, dressing as she did so. "I knew we had left him to suffer too long. But I listened to you, and...smiling? Why would he smile? The pain should have driven him into unconsciousness."

"But he is smiling, this is all wrong Melaidin."

"Get up Klaeb, we know you are not lost in unconsciousness. Get up or Gollus will get you up forcefully."