Cain was distant, cryptic. David followed him across planes and found him speaking to a being of light.
"I am the Author," it said. "Cain is my editor."
Cain turned. "I'm trying to end the cycle of endless protagonists. But we have to break the system to do it."
David asked, "At what cost?"
Cain didn't answer. But the look in his eyes told David everything—she had already sacrificed too much.