Mikhailis sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with shock as he held the still-glowing talisman in his hand. The sensation of the goblin's body, the eerie realism of it all, still sent a shiver down his spine. He took a few deep breaths, his heart pounding hard against his ribcage.
"Rodion, what the heck was that?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, trying to regain control over himself. The room seemed to warp in and out of focus as he waited for a response.
The seconds dragged on, each one longer than the last. Mikhailis could feel the tension creeping up his spine, and he rubbed his temples in frustration. He wasn't used to being scared, not like this. Not when he was dealing with something that seemed to go beyond his understanding.
Finally, Rodion's calm, mechanical voice echoed in his ears.
