Saint Emperor [4]

"Existence" had always been important to Damien. He worked so much to solidify his sense of identity, and once he'd defined it, he did everything he could to protect it, even in death.

So when he met the Saint Emperor, he tried to see through that man's existence.

It was impossible at first. His eyes couldn't penetrate the almost billion-year-old defense he'd put in place, but as he told his story, his "existence" became clearer to Damien.

And what he saw…was himself.

Deep within the Saint Emperor was an image of Damien.

This wasn't a manifestation of his feelings or their similarity, but entirely the Saint Emperor's doing.

He wasn't lying or exaggerating. He wasn't spouting nonsense in his insanity.

Everything the Saint Emperor had, everything he desired, everything he represented or embodied…all revolved around Damien.

It was unsettling.