957 The Praying Stars

[Child.]

[I still vividly remember the moment you were born.]

In an artificial nursery with an average temperature of approximately thirty degrees, a massive white egg case was placed upon a flat wool insulating nest. Surrounding the egg case were many of its shriveled brethren—amongst the dozens of brothers and sisters, only a single egg case had successfully cultivated a lifeform. With a rustling sound, a bizarre insect that resembled a cicada's larva or an ant broke through the egg case and climbed out from within, the thin membrane over its eyes yet to peel off, preventing it from seeing the world.