Alak-Hul, the Darkblade

From a median point

Alak-Hul tossed back his head and defied me

Saying:

Oryx gave me no task

Therefore I must task myself

With Oryx's ending.

So I slew him,

And buried him close to me,

Rejoicing in the success of his great, secret task —

To be as the sword:

Keen, hungry, cyclical, ontological —

This was the task I gave to Alak-Hul,

O sharp-edged Darkblade,

O beloved foster son.