And it came to pass, while Puck slumbered, the Tyrant also was taken by dreams. She dreamed of an age long past, before her flesh was turned to crimson, before the fire consumed her life, and before the jagged shards of obsidian pierced her back; a time when she was not the last of her kindred. Behold, she lay hidden within the thick greenwood, her belly cleaving unto the dust. The dense leaves of that place made her as a shadow unseen. She watched the clearing, tarrying for her prey, her breath stilled to an utter silence. Her eyes were fixed straightway. Then she heard a rustling in the thicket, and she shifted her weight, ready to strike; but a sudden shriek arose behind her, as a small creature fled in terror from her own youngling, who bare large fangs and an empty belly.

She looked upon her offspring with gladness, seeing him practice the hunt. But her ears caught the panic of her true prey fleeing, and she sprang forth from her hiding place. The young one ceased his chase, beholding his mother's hunt, knowing he must not follow. He hearkened unto the sounds of her striving, and unto the final groans of the vanquished.

She emerged from the dense wood, bearing the slain beast within her jaws. The young one leapt and cried out for joy at the sight of meat. She cast the bloodied carcass before him, and he fell upon it, rending the flesh with gladness. She looked upon him, weary yet full of peace, and rested herself beside the feast.

But as she sat watching her child eat with glee, behold, the firmament was turned to blood, and a great wind began to bow the mighty trees. They lifted their eyes and saw a colossal star of fire pierce the heavens, making the very foundations of the earth to tremble. She rose up straightway, taking the little one gently within her jaws, and fled from the face of the falling star.

She breaks the branches with her heavy flesh and trode down all that lay before her without pity. The heat of the heavens burned fiercely upon her back, yet she ceased not her flight. She came unto a plain and saw a multitude of beasts fleeing in terror. She regarded them not, for the burning heat waxed exceedingly fierce. She cast her eye upon a herd of five great beasts of the long neck, gathered together in vain hope that their bulk might be a shield. Before her ran a beast of heavy armor, bearing a clubbed tail and moving great stones upon its back to cover itself. A pack of swift hunters darted beneath her feet, fleeing into the deep canyons. She gave no heed unto them, though her legs burned and her heart waxed faint. Then her child wailed in great terror, for a deafening roar rent the air, halting all sound, and the very colors of the world faded into nothingness. And in the next moment, a cloud of gray ash swallowed up the earth.

She awoke, and behold, all that was around her was brought to desolation, and the heavens were turned to gray. Her body was covered in grievous wounds from the falling stones, and her skin was scorched black and red from the great heat. She looked about her, and saw that the whole world was destroyed. Great trembling took hold of her spirit as she searched for her offspring. The dust of the earth was turned to ash. She wandered unto the four winds, seeking her child and crying out, but there was neither voice, nor any to answer. Days were multiplied into weeks, and her frame grew frail and wasted. At the last, her flesh failed her, and she fell heavily upon the ruined earth.

In her final moments, a wind of bitter frost swept over her skin. It stung her wounds, and she yearned only to be warm again, to find strength to seek her child.

Then spake a voice from the unseen wind, "I can give unto thee the desires of thine heart."

She heard the voice, but beheld no form. She closed her eyes, having no might remaining.

"Mother," said a ghostly whisper. She opened her eyes wide, for she knew the voice. She strove to arise, but her flesh would not obey.

"Become a piece," spake the voice of the wind, "and I shall give thee what thou seekest."

But she heeded not the wind, striving only against her own weakness to look for her child. Again the phantom cried, "Mother! I am here!"

She fell back unto the dust, yet ceased not to struggle toward the voice of her beloved. The unseen one spake again, "I shall give thee what thou desirest. Strength and warmth to save him."

"I pray thee," she wept, "let me find him. He hath need of me. I pray thee."

Then the voice of the wind departed, and the cry of her child was made silent. A pleasant heat began to kindle within her belly, and her strength returned unto her. She stood tall upon her feet, searching the wasteland in hope. But as she set forth her foot, the pleasant heat became a consuming fire, burning her very skin and her inward parts. She collapsed upon the earth, wailing in great agony. Fire devoured her body, and she felt the rending of invisible claws and fangs tearing her back asunder. The torment was too great to bear, and she fell into a dark slumber.

She awoke after many days, her flesh aching with a heavy and enduring sorrow. The pain was in all her members, yet behold, she was filled with a terrible and mighty power.

"Mother."

Hearing the sound, she rose up and rushed forth without tarrying. To run was grievous and full of pain, yet she halted not. "Mother," the voice called again, and she followed after it. When she drew nigh, the voice of her child moved afar off, but still she ceased not. And she pursued the phantom cry for many years, never resting, her burning footsteps turning the ground beneath her into a sea of blackened glass.