Father's smile redoubled Fresco's adoration.

Touch them, he said. See what they really are past the bodies and the existence.

Fresco did. As soon as Father said it, it was done. And it was beautiful. His friends, his family, all of them, were people no longer, but columns of energy, pulsing and flickering with power. They were glowing and perfect and he loved them even though he didn't think it was possible to love them more than he had.

Fresco caressed them, ...