Heather the Necromancer

Book 6: Chapter 45: A nightmare scenario

Heather looked in the mirror as Quinny and Umtha sat on the bed watching the display. She used her powers to change shape and become the blond-haired woman they all knew, then changed again into the copper-skinned devil with red hair that Frank fancied. She changed again into the blue skin of Lilim before blending it with her human form to become blond with blue eyes, dark horns, and a tail. She tried to tell herself this was the best of both worlds, but who was she really?

Umtha was the greatest source of information on that subject, but she was sworn to secrecy. Even after accepting Heathers collar, Umtha refused to divulge anything about her past that wasnt necessary. It was maddening to know that she might be the best way to learn about her past, and yet Umtha insisted that Heather had been the one that made her promise not to tell. It was all part of her past that didnt make sense, and tonight they were going to make a real effort to learn something.

Are you sure you want to do this? Quinny asked for what might have been the tenth time that day.

I have to do it, Heather replied, but the reflection in the mirror said she had doubts. She had been warned by the woman in the crown that learning about her missing past too quickly would lead to madness, and she had done so before. But how was Heather to know what she was learning too quickly and what was safe to know? Thankfully, she wasn't facing this alone. She had her family and dear friends around her and, most importantly, Frank, who was now her master. She reached down on reflex to rub her butt, remembering the firm spanking she had gotten for using essence to boost her charms.

Does it still hurt? Quinny asked.

No, and did you need to sit there and watch him do it? Heather asked.

I didnt need to, Quinny replied with a smile. But I enjoyed watching.

Its almost time, isnt it? Umtha asked and looked out the soaring windows of the palace to see stars filling the sky.

Heather nodded as she nervously waited for Frank and Breanne to return. They arrived ten minutes later with a small jar of silver glitter meant to put them to sleep and mark them for Gisley to find. The glitter came from the magical wings of the fairy woman, and anyone touched by enough of it would be visible to her when they slept. She could then give them good dreams or pull them into or out of other people's dreams. It was this later power they were hoping to use so that the group could visit this dream and make some sense of it for once.

Are you sure you want to do this? Frank asked as he handed the bottle to Heather.

Oh, dont you start this too, Heather groaned. Quinny has asked me that a dozen times.

I have not, and I cant help it, Quinny replied with a hint of fear in her voice. Im nervous about this and what we might see. Is this dream scary?

Heather could see that Quinny was uncharacteristically worried, so she came to the bed and knelt before her. Oh, sweetheart, it's a little scary, but only because it always happens when I least expect it. This time we are going in together, and it will be perfectly safe, Heather explained. Besides, I will be there to protect my precious wives.

Ha, Breanne snickered and undressed to get into bed. I like this change in her.

Heather smiled and got up to tuck Quinny in beside Umtha before taking a pinch of fairy glitter and sprinkling it on their heads. Now go to sleep, my little angels. Heather cooed and leaned over to kiss their foreheads. I will be with you soon.

She waited to see Quinny yawn, then smiled when Frank's warm arms came around her.

You have changed, Frank said as she leaned into his grasp. You really do love them, dont you?

I do, Heather admitted. I feel like I need to protect them. I worry sometimes that I need to protect them from me.

You would never harm any of us, Breanne said as she snuggled into the already sleeping Umtha. Even if you get all your memories back, it won't erase what you feel for us now.

Shes right, Frank said. My only concern is will you be happy when you get them back?

Oh, you two are too much for me, Heather sighed and climbed into bed while pulling Frank along. Let's not keep them waiting. Frank dusted her and Breanne with glitter before settling in and taking Heather into his arms. She felt the magical power of the glitter easing her passage into sleep as she ran a hand along his muscular chest. She had no idea when she fell asleep, but she found herself standing on the edge of the beautiful lodge along Gisley's pond. The others were also there, each turning about to take in what they were seeing.

This dream isnt scary at all, Quinny argued as she looked over the blue water that reflected the scene's beauty. All around them was a forest of color and magic concealing the large pond that was Gisley's home. The air was sweet, the sound of water splashing down the falls soothing, and the magic of love pervaded everything.

This isn't my dream, Heather replied, walking to the edge to look over the water. This is Gisley's special pond, where she sings to the moon.

Well, I sing in the moonlight because it boosts my power, Gisley said as she fluttered up the steps with Jaina and Chandice behind her. But I also dance over the water and enjoy the beauty.

You havent lived until you have seen her dance under the moonlight, Jaina added as she arrived with Chandice. Heather raised a brow at Jainas lovely blue dress and asked why she was so heavily dressed.

I made her wear it, Chandice remarked as Jaina shook her head. She is here to support you as a friend, not prancing around naked.

She happens to be our girlfriend, Jaina reminded. And shes seen me naked many times.

I think the dress is pretty, Quinny said. I understand the naked idea, but a girl's true beauty can be magnified with the right clothes.

See, she gets it, Chandice said.

I happen to like being naked now, Jaina countered. But I will wear a dress if it makes you happy.

So, we are ready then? Breanne asked as she waited nervously.

No, Frank replied and looked around. Where is Blackbast?

I am still looking for her, Gisley said and closed her eyes. Oh, there she is. They all watched as Gisley reached out as if taking hold of something and drew her hand back. As she did, the black feline woman appeared out of thin air, looking about with a start.

Where are we? she asked.

Gisleys pond, Heather said. I think this is a dream of it, anyway.

It is, Gisley said and fluttered up on her wings. But now that everyone is here let's ask the question again. Are we ready?

As ready as we are ever going to be, Heather replied nervously as the moment finally came. So, how do we do this?

Gisley fluttered up and dropped to her feet before putting her hands on the sides of Heather's head. You close your eyes and try to recall the dream as best you can. I will put you back into a dreaming state where you can easily recreate what you saw. Then, when you have the image solidly in mind, I will pull us all into it and wake you up inside your own dream.

So I will be in two dreams? Heather asked.

No, just the one, Gisley said. Now close your eyes and don't concentrate. That only makes it harder. Instead, try to remember things about the dream. What did you hear, or feel, or smell? Was it cold, hot, or wet? Try to visualize what it felt like to be there and let your mind fill in the details.

Heather nodded and closed her eyes as she tried to recapture the moment she saw that terrible place. She felt her skin prickle with goosebumps as her mind drifted away, pushed back into a dreaming state by Gisley, who was carefully steering her.

This is safe? Frank asked as he watched from the side.

Gisley manipulates dreams every night, Chandice said. It's part of what she loves about being a lunar fairy. If anything were to go wrong, she would wake us up, and it would be over.

Can anything go wrong? Quinny asked.

It never has before, Jaina said. This is just a dream, and Gisley will have full control of it. Nothing can happen that she doesn't allow to happen.

Heather didn't hear what they were saying as she drifted into a dreaming state, and her mind returned to that awful place. She heard the rumble of distant thunder and felt sand brushing her cheek as it blew in a dry wind. Then she opened her eyes, and all around her was that terrible place. The sky was in constant motion, dark clouds blowing with unnatural speed as if fleeing some great danger. Occasionally, she saw a small break that revealed a drab orange sky, but never long enough for her to make out anything.

Vaguely she became aware that she was lying on her back and sat up to discover she was in a narrow canyon of rock that soared up fifty feet. The wind created a low hum as it blew across the jagged stones above, and she heard the occasional rock tumble down the walls. The surfaces looked worn by thousands of years of blowing sand that covered the canyon floor. The air was dry and lifeless, feeling as if the place had been abandoned by anything that drew breath. The dark sky allowed only scant illumination to reach the ground, tinting everything with that orange hue. As a result, the entire landscape appeared washed out and barren, filling her with a sense of isolation that caused her to panic.

Frank? she called, her voice echoing from the walls with an unnatural sound.

I'm here, he said as she nearly screamed when his hand touched her shoulder.

Oh, thank goodness, she panted and leaned into his chest as the others all appeared out of the air.

Wow, Chandice said as she looked around. This is what you dream about? I can see why you found this hard to describe.

This reminds me of my desert home, Blackbast said. But it feels alien and haunted as if something tragic happened here.

Its just a canyon in the rock, Gisley said as she looked around.

There is more to see, Heather said and pointed up. Starting with the sky.

As if on cue, it flashed with lightning, illuminating something big swimming among the rolling masses.

There is something up there, Blackbast said, turning to Gisley. Are you sure we are in no danger?

Its just a part of her dream, Gisley insisted. But something is wrong with it.

What do you mean, something is wrong? Jaina asked. You play with dreams all the time.

I know. Thats how I know something is wrong, Gisley insisted. I feel something pushing on me as if it is struggling for control. I am not sure it's coming from Heather, but being here makes my head hurt.

Thats not promising, Chandice said. Didnt you say you felt pressure when you played with her dream for Jaina?

I did, but its much stronger here, Gisley said as the sky flashed again. I would say it was Heathers mind trying to shape the dream, but I dont think its coming from her.

How could it not be coming from me? Heather asked. You peered into my mind to see it.

I cant explain it, Gisley said and put a hand to her head. I know this is a dream, but something more is at play, another layer of magic like scrying or divination. It was almost like you were looking into another place.

And this has never happened before? Blackabast asked.

No, Gisley said and folded her wings away. But I feel unsteady.

Maybe we should go, Frank urged. I dont like how that sounds.

We cant waste this opportunity, Blackbast insisted. There is too much at stake to turn away now. This dream obviously means something, and the fact that it is affecting Gisley only proves it is important. We must use our time wisely, but the second this becomes unmanageable, you take us out, she finished with a firm glare at Gisley.

I will keep us here as long as possible, Gisley agreed.

Then lets hurry, Frank said. The sooner we can leave, the better.

So what did we come here to see? Chandice asked as she looked around. As if this strange place wasn't enough already.

Heather thought back to her last dream and looked down the canyon behind her. She motioned for the others to follow and led them down the pass to a dark spot where even the muted light didn't reach. She remembered this place and how she had fled here only to make a frightening discovery.

Whoah! Quinny said as she, Frank, and Breanne gazed at the dark wall.

Umm, is there something there? Jaina asked as she squinted. I can't see through the shadows.

Its writing, Quinny said. In all sorts of different ways with arrows pointing back the way we came.

How are you seeing it? Chandice asked as she stepped closer.

Undead sight, Frank replied. The darkness doesnt hide anything from us.

Well, we need some light, Jaina said.

Coming right up, Chandice replied, holding out her palm only to look at her empty hand with a funny gaze.

Is something wrong? Heather asked.

I just tried to use an illumination spell, and nothing happened, Chandice said and tried again. It's like the magic isn't answering. She drew her wand and waved it in the air, but all she did was wave a stick. I can't even enchant a light. Nothing I have is working.

Let me try something, Breanne said and chanted a little spell as she caused a ghostly orb of light to appear. The others could finally see the wall and shared Quinny's initial reaction to what it contained. All across the surfaced were dozens of messages scratched, burned, clawed, chiseled, or, in some cases, written in blood. Each one said home, and each had an arrow pointing back down the canyon.

Now this is creepy, Jaina said as she huddled to Chandice.

Oh, it won't be a nightmare, Chandice scolded as she smugly glared at Jaina.

I never said it wouldnt be a nightmare, only that she needed our support, Jaina argued.

This isnt a nightmare, Umtha said as she held up a hand to trace an arrow. But this place's spirits are dead. I can't feel the flow of power that binds life. Even the elemental forces don't answer. It's as if the gods abandoned this world.

Even more creepy, Jaina said.

I dont understand why your spell worked and mine didnt, Chandice said.

Its called corpse light, Breanne remarked. Its a necromancy spell.

We should focus on learning what we can while we have time, Breanne suggested and approached the wall. For example, who wrote all these? Some of them look to have been written by different hands.

They are all messages, left for somebody to find, Frank said as he ran a finger down a deep claw mark that looked all too familiar. He paused and reached up to consider the mark that was too high up the wall for a regular man to reach.

Frank? Heather asked as she put a hand on his shoulder.

It's nothing, he said, looking down the narrow passage. Why do they all point back the way we came?

Because of what's at the other end, Heather said, motioning them to follow. The group filled down the narrow passage, noting how sounds didn't seem natural and the air had a funny taste like salt. The rolling clouds made the light change causing shadows to flicker as their sense of trepidation grew. The canyon opened into a vast bowl of blasted rock ahead of them. It was bathed in unnatural shadows as if coming from a black sun. The bowl was filled with the same muted gray sand, and three hundred meters directly ahead was a single rock with what appeared to be a black pillar at the center. It was only about as tall as a man, but it stood out among the landscape as its edges were sharp. But well beyond the pillar was what truly captivated their imagination. A great pyramid of dark stone rose into the tormented sky as if to defy the clouds themselves. The side facing them was greatly worn away, the once smooth surface now jagged and broken. The shattered stumps of what might once have been obelisks stood at each corner, and the cap looked almost as if it had been melted. To one edge was a great blasted hole like some terrible explosion had taken place.

Oh, my goodness, Braenne stammered as they stood in the gap and gazed at the sight. There was a strange noise, like the wind whistling through twisted flutes, chilling their nerves. Frank took a step closer, his eyes wide as he tried to understand what he saw.

I want to go, Frank said firmly and looked away. I want to go now.

Is something the matter? Heather asked as Frank suddenly became cold. He looked like he had seen something deeply troubling, and his face registered anger.

Umm, guys, Gisley said, interrupting their thoughts. I dont feel so good.

Gisley! Jaina cried and ran to the fairy, who could barely stand. Blood dripped from her nose, and her eyes glazed over as she staggered a few steps.

What has happened to her? Blackbast demanded as Gisley collapsed into Jaina's arms.

Gisley? Gisley! Jaina pleaded as the fairy went limp. Blackbast went to her side and immediately began trying to heal her, but her magic wouldn't work. Heather tried her pulsing heal, but that too wouldn't come. On a whim, she tried mend the dead spell as her hands pulsed with power, but the spell was wasted on the fairy woman.

Why were you able to cast that? Blackbast asked as Jaina rocked Gisley, pleading with her to get up.

Necromancy works, Heather said. But restoration doesn't.

Nothing but necromancy works, Chandice said as she kneeled beside Gisley and took the womans hand.

We need to get out of here, Quinny insisted, the fear evident in her voice.

We should already be out, Chandice replied. Gisley was the only one keeping us here. The moment she collapsed, we should all have been cast out.

But that would mean Gisley isnt controlling the dream, Breanne said.

Well, if she's not controlling this dream, then who is? Quinny asked.

Heather looked confused as everyone turned to her for an answer. Unfortunately, she had nothing to offer them as their eyes pleaded with her to help Gisley. She felt terrible for bringing them into this and wished they had never come.

It isnt me, Heather insisted. I have never had any control here.

Can we force ourselves awake? Frank asked.

Yes, but what will happen to Gisley? Jaina cried and rocked with Gisley. Oh, sweetheart, please wake up.

You two wake up and then wake Gisley from outside the dream, Frank commanded Jaina and Chandice. The two women nodded and closed their eyes, but nothing happened. They looked around in surprise and tried again but remained as if they weren't sleeping.

We cant wake up? Jaina said in a panic. What do we do now?

Hezzrigozza! Chandice cried. Quickly, ask him what to do!

Who is Hezzrigozza? Heather asked as Jaina closed her eyes and began speaking to somebody who wasnt there.

Is she speaking to Gisley? Quinny asked.

No, Chandice replied and looked around nervously. Jaina has a secret companion who has some insight into things other people dont know. He often talks to her to deliver warnings or answers in critical situations.

So what is he saying? Quinny asked.

Jaina looked up with shock in her eyes. He says to run. Run while we still can.

A screeching noise like a thousand angry abominations crawling from the blackest pit filled the air, and the ground shook like the stone itself was in pain. They looked back as something dark and massive moved behind the pyramid, and tendrils, like those of a squid, crawled out. Every one of them felt a chill grip their hearts as they gazed on those dark limbs so devoid of light that they appeared more like holes in reality.

Run! Frank commanded and swept Gisley into his arms. Into the canyon!

How can this be happening? Jaina cried as they fled in terror. Blackbast took the lead, using her cat-like speed to scout ahead as the screeching echoed from the walls. Frank brought up the rear as the girls ran in terror, dust falling from the ledges above as the earth quaked.

Run! a woman's voice screamed out. Run; they know you and your friends are here!

They know your friends are here? Quinny asked.

That's new, Heather replied, glancing back to see darkness rising from the pyramid as if the world were falling into a black hole.

So, this isnt a dream? Breanne asked as they raced across the sand. We are actually someplace else?

How should I know? Heather cried. I have never been here more than forty-five seconds before.

Its like a graveyard, Umtha said. I cant feel an ounce of life anywhere that isnt us. Its like an entire world trapped in a state of undeath.

How do we get out? Quinny asked.

Gisley has to get us out, Jaina cried, looking at the fairy, who hung limply over Frank's shoulder. Oh, we should have left the moment she said she didn't feel well.

Heather had to agree and wanted to plead with Jaina to forgive her when something moved overhead, and a shadow passed down the canyon as the group raced along.

Is that thing above us? Chandice asked as she tried to look up.

If it is, we arent going much farther, Breanne said.

Just keep running, Frank commanded. If that thing attacks us, I will go after it while the rest of you keep going.

We cant leave you here, Heather insisted.

You have to get Gisley to safety, Frank insisted. I have the most health; I can tank it for a little bit while you escape.

Why cant we wake up? Chandice panted as they ran. Even if this is someplace else, we are still dreaming. Without Gisley to anchor us here, it should be even easier.

But she said something else was controlling this dream, Heather said. What if that thing from the pyramid is keeping us here?

Then we would need to find a way to wake Gisley, Chandice replied. But healing magic doesnt work.

Healing the dead does, Heather pointed out.

That has to be related to this world, Chandice argued. Umtha said it was like a graveyard. So maybe only magic related to necromancy works.

Something heavy slammed into the canyon above their heads, sending a hail of stone and sand on top of them. Quinny and Umtha screamed as they ran for their lives, unable to face the terrifying creature. Heather struggled against her panic to focus on a solution to this trap. She felt terrible guilt for getting them into this and was desperate to get them out. It all depended on Gisley, but there was no way out without a means to heal her.

Necromancy works! Heather cried as she suddenly had an idea.

We know that! Chandice shouted back as a new sound, like the screaming of souls, filled the air.

No, I mean, I know how to heal Gisley! Heather said and turned to stop Frank. Put her down! Frank dropped to a knee and gently lay Gisley on the sand as Heather worked on a spell. She reached out and touched the fairy woman causing her skin to pulse with bluish light. Suddenly Gisleys appearance withered, her skin becoming gaunt as her flesh grayed. Her hair thinned and fell out as she appeared like a dead thing.

Heather! What did you do to her? Jaina cried in shock.

I turned her into a zombie, Heather said as she lifted a hand. Because necromancy works, and I can heal the undead. She touched Gisley, and dark energy pulsed through her body. The fairy's eyes came open but were black and lifeless like the color had drained.

What happened? Why do I feel so cold? Gisley asked in a strange voice.

Gisley, get us out! Chandice cried as the ground shook, and that horrible wailing echoed through their ears. Ahead of them, something dark crashed between the canyon walls, creating a barrier of inky blackness. All heads looked up to see what appeared to be a tunnel in the sky, like a tube of shredded flesh ringed with jagged teeth. Then it was gone, and all was quiet.

Heather looked around in a panic to see they were at Gisleys pond, but the sudden shift was jarring. It was like waking up after having a bucket of ice water thrown in her face, and she almost felt sick in the transition.

Oh, thank goodness, Breanne breathed and had to sit down as the others leaned against walls or just collapsed to the floor. Frank turned about in circles as if expecting that monster to appear at any moment.

Sweety, are you alright? Jaina pleaded as she grabbed Gisley and started to inspect her.

I feel fine, Gisley said. But something was fighting me for control of that dream.

I am so sorry, Heather said as she shook her head. I just thought it was a dream that would have more clues to my past. I had no idea it was dangerous.

There was no reason to think it would be anything but a dream, Chandice said. We all thought it was just you reliving a dream, but that was something else.

But what? Breanne asked. Does anybody here know how we could have physically gone to another place while dreaming?

You cant, Gisley insisted. I used the dream from Heathers head. It should have had nothing in it that Heather hadnt expected to be there.

Well, I didn't expect that thing to be there, Heather insisted.

Hmm, Blackbast said as she knelt beside Gisley to ensure she was alright. I wonder if what we did was an astral project.

Astral project? Heather asked as she was not familiar with the term.

Its a type of magic that allows you to project your astral form into another place, Chandice replied.

You need to start more simply, Heather said. I dont even know what an astral form is.

You need to study your books, Blackbast snapped. I am sure it is in your guide to necromancy.

It probably is, Heather agreed. But let's not forget that book has like a thousand pages, and some of them have a hidden page underneath. I would need a search engine to find anything quickly.

I will explain it, Chandice said and told Heather that every person living or undead had two bodies, a physical and an astral one. The astral one was a mirror copy but made up of energy.

Think of it as your spirit, Chandice said. But with the right magic, you can separate your spirit from your body, and project it, sending it to other places, even other dimensions. It remains connected to your body by an invisible cord that stretches out behind you.

So, you can use this magic to go to other places? Like physically go? Heather asked.

No, only your spirit goes, but there are some places that only a spirit can go, or so the rumors say. In those places, being a spirit is every bit as solid as if you were there in your body, Chandice said.

So you can project yourself anywhere you want? Heather pressed.

Anywhere that can be reached by the astral fog, Chandice said. It supposedly connects everything, and by astral projecting, you could go to other worlds, the hells, the heavens, even the rumored great center of the cosmos if you were brave enough to try.

But we were dreaming, Jaina insisted. Nobody used a spell to astral project.

I am just explaining the spell; I have no idea how it happened either, Chandice argued.

It was a dream, Gisley insisted. I could manipulate it so it wasnt a real place, or not real in the sense that we know as real.

Does that mean that there is a physical dream world? Heather asked.

I have no idea, Gisley replied. I feel like we were in a real place, but it had the properties of a dream.

I could sense no elemental forces at work, Umtha said. So it could not have been real.

If we had died in that place, would we have woken up here? Jaina asked.

I assume we would have, Breanne said.

Would we have? Jaina asked. Gisley was knocked out. She should have woken up and caused us to go with her. Yet she was stuck until Heather thought of a creative way to heal her.

That was pretty clever, Chandice agreed. A world where only certain magic works. I would love to stay there and study that.

Why are both the blonds in our group fascinated by the unknown? Jaina groaned. Aren't you supposed to be the ditzy ones?

Hey, Heather said and put her hands on her hips. I thought you liked me for my brains.

Why dont we focus on our task, Blackbast urged as she stepped away from Gisley. We can debate what that place was later. Right now, let's ask the question what did we learn?

Hmm, Heather said, taking Umtha into her arms and motioning Quinny to join them. She wrapped the two women up and then thought the dream through. Well, I keep seeing a world where dozens of different people painted the word home on a canyon wall and drew an arrow pointing to an old pyramid.

A pyramid guarded by a Lovecraftian horror, Chandice added.

Right, Heather agreed. The world appears lifeless and barren with a sky that seems too active.

The world is dead, Umtha insisted. Every world has elemental spirits that control the elements that make up the world. That place has no such spirits. Everything is dead, even the air.

But what does any of that mean? Chandice asked.

A dead world, Jaina said as she took on a faraway look.

You know what that means? Heather asked as Jaina looked worried. She walked to the edge of the lodge, looking over the water as she considered her next words.

I heard Chandice explain my connection to Hezzrigozza, Jaina began. And she's right; he tells me things from time to time, and once he told me about dead worlds.

And those are? Heather asked.

Worlds destroyed by players, Jaina replied. He said that players could achieve levels of power he referred to as godlike. When those players came into conflict, they shattered the world and left them graves. I wonder if that was where we were.

But, no player has ever achieved that, Chandice said. Not even King Kevin.

He told me about one player who did, Jaina said as she looked down before gazing at Heather.

Me? Heather gasped and pointed to herself. Are you trying to tell me I was once that powerful, and I broke a whole world?

He called you an angry goddess and suggested you were insane, Jaina said. I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you.

Oh, Heather said as she walked away and wiped her eyes. I would like to go home now.

Heather, please don't be mad at me, Jaina begged. I didn't know how to tell you something like that. I love you so much; I didn't want to hurt you.

We need to go home, Frank said as he came up behind Heather and pulled her into his arms. I will keep you safe.

Thank you, Heather said as her face twisted in an effort not to cry. She came awake a moment later and sat up with hands over her face as the tears began to pour. Frank's arms came around her a moment later and pulled her close. Quinny, Breanne, and Umtha joined him, surrounding her with love as she suffered from the shock of it all. All she wanted was to be happy, but her missing past was filled with pain, and every time she learned something new, she regretted it. Maybe it was time to give up on it all and find a new way. Maybe, it was time to be Princess Hannah and let Heather die away.

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