You don't know how long you’ve been here. You wake again, still tied to the cold stone altar. A strange breeze stirs, brushing past human skins that hang like curtains from the domed chamber walls. The sunlight filtering through the skins grows dimmer by the minute.

In the stillness, your eyes scan the ancient glyphs etched into the walls. They seem alive, glowing faintly in the dimming light. Before you can focus more, the room plunges into darkness, and the sound of a creaking door chills you to the bone.

A hooded figure enters, their long cloak dragging behind them. They gently light a cluster of oversized, dripping candles, their faces obscured. Then others enter, emerging silently from the darkness, surrounding you like shadows given form.

One of the figures steps forward, pulling back their hood. Their face is completely without skin, just exposed muscles and sinew glistening under the candlelight. In their solemn tone, you learn you are at the heart of an ancient order focused on unearthing the 'Meaning of Life.'

'The meaning of life,’ they explain, ‘is a story written on human skin. Few bear mere fragments. You—your flesh holds the answer itself. We must claim it.' The glint of knives under their cloaks sends a chill down your spine.

Desperately, you plead for one last request before they extract your skin: a large bowl of fresh strawberries. They exchange wary glances but finally oblige, disappearing to fulfill your final wish.

When the strawberries arrive, you eat them ravenously, each bite more frantic than the last. You ignore the hooded figures whispering urgently in the background. Soon, every berry is gone.

Suddenly, your body starts to react. Redness spreads across your skin as if set aflame. An unbearable itch takes over, accompanied by swelling. The figures realize too late: you’re having a severe allergic reaction.

As darkness blurs your vision, you see the order scrambling, their panic palpable. They rush to peel your skin while you’re still alive. You close your eyes, knowing you’ve thwarted their plans with your own sacrifice.

In the end, you pass on, taking with you the secrets they sought. The flickering candlelight dims, and the chamber is silent once more. Your story ends, but their quest for answers continues, forever shrouded in mystery.