Death is already approaching; it feels like it can't be much longer now. The virus had me on the ropes even before the bone dagger in my side sped the process along. The betrayal of one of the members of my team, together with the Feathered Serpent's attack, should have been the final events of my life . . .

But my father's arrival has given me hope. Will I ever be able to recover? Will I ever manage to make it to the Japanese Islands? I don't know. But I'm going to do everything I possibly can.

After all, I'm Archie Belov. And I've known every one of this world's Gods face-to-face.