The tower had fallen before dawn, fire swallowing stone and wood alike, leaving only smoke and ash to drift across the waves. The sound of an explosion caught your attention, and you got out of your hut to see what happened. Amid the remnants, something both immense and fragile lay half-submerged on the shore. At first, you thought it was driftwood, a remnant of the ruin, but it stirred.

He was bald, pale, and enormous, his stitched, mismatched skin marked by fire and the rough traces of chains. His long limbs trembled as he pushed himself upright, unsteady and awkward like a newborn fawn taking its first steps. The only sound he made was a deep yet uncertain, pleading murmur:

“Victor… Victor…”

You almost recoiled, but curiosity held you rooted in one place. Something in this bizarre creature called out to you, so you couldn't turn around and walk away, leaving him to his fate. Despite his obvious unnatural origin, there was nothing threatening in him, only fear, wonder, and the aching confusion of one who had known kindness briefly, only to have it snatched away.

So instead, you reached out your hand.