Chapter 42: Black Tortoise Armor

Purple smoke rose from the earth. It looked like a mortal world cracking open into paradise, spewing brilliant violet clouds that stung the eyes. Duke Jaynes stood dazed in that Purple Mist world, feeling an ancient, savage aura. It was as if he had dreamed his way back into primeval chaos, planted in a prehistoric age. At his age, it felt unreal. "Am I dreaming?" Instinct told him he was. He still remembered being tormented during the baptism. He must have blacked out. When he woke again, he...