Spirits began to pass him.

He could catch something of their splendour as they sped by with incredible swiftness; he could hear the music of their laughter.
One rose up at his side.

It was the Asika, only a thousand times more splendid; clothed in all the glory of hell.

Majestically she bent towards him, her glowing eyes held his, the deadly perfume of her breath beat upon his brow and made him drunken.
She spoke to him and her voice sounded like distant bells.
"Through many a life, through many a life," she said, "bought with much blood, paid for with a million tears, but mine at last, the soul that I have won to comfort my soul in the eternal day.

Come to the place I have made ready for you, the hell that shall turn to heaven at your step, come, you by whom I am redeemed, and drive away those gods that torture me because I was their servant that I might win you." So she spoke, and though all his soul revolted, yet the fearful strength that was in her seemed to draw him onward whither she would go.