Page 63 of The Enduring Universe (The Rages Trilogy #3)

PAST LIVES

They took control.

Like a rabid pack of beasts, the past lives rushed into the man’s familiar body, jostling each other to take over in a feeding frenzy. Nidhirv ascended, only for Isanya to creep into the back, arching it, before Askavetra ruffled her shoulders, striding forward. Bhaskar grabbed her hand with his, and the body shuddered as both Agni and Mohini tried to inhabit it. Agni won, and the force of the victory tossed the body through the atmosphere before it steadied. A feral smile grew on their face, the expression cold, then the falcon smashed into Agni, taking over control. The heart still beat, but life in the body was waning, and before the others could do anything, the falcon used the everpower to shave a sliver of possibility from the blade around the body’s neck. Silvery particles rose, and strength returned to the body—Bhaskar crept in while the falcon rejoiced. A blink, and muscles tore as Bhaskar laughed manically, straightening, he had this body now, it was his—

But Askavetra returned, this time with Mohini next to her in a terrible alliance. The two of them snatched at pure possibility—wishing to be alive for one glorious instant, and more possibility diminished.

Deep within his mind, Iravan watched this horror occurring to what had once been his body. On and on they came, wearing him like a cloak, discarding him before the next attacked, all to steal the last slivers of possibility.

Their arrogance to be in control, their self-hate, consumed the blade of everdust. None of them could win, and in the end they all lost, while Iravan remained trapped, his body violated.

They continued on one after another, one being replaced by the other.

He closed his eyes, waiting for it to end, praying for the collapse of reality.