Bilal felt a strange sensation against his skin and it was the first thought he'd had in a long time. He opened his eyes, and the world came into focus. A pain developed between his eyes, and he closed them to block out the sharp, bright images.

"He's awake," someone said.

Mother-Mina? He felt her tentacles and tried to form his own. Nothing happened. He groaned, and the sound reverberated throughout his body. "What?" He tried to speak but it hurt. Everything hurt. He ...