As Amelia disappeared behind the tall, red door, the two ethereal figures that had been by her side faded into the shadows, slipping quietly through the doorway after her.
Spark observed the entire scene unfold, his face remaining as nonchalant as ever, not a hint of worry or curiosity showing in his relaxed expression.
Chaos, however, was not as composed.
A deep, menacing growl rumbled within the beast's chest, a sound that reverberated through its massive body, carrying an unsettling intensity.
The great beast growled, a low, internal sound that seemed to resonate from deep within, sending subtle tremors through the ground beneath him.
Spark noticed the shift in Chaos's mood and gently placed a hand on the creature's thick, muscular neck.
"What's got you all worked up?" he asked with a soft chuckle, his voice carrying a note of amusement.
The growling eased somewhat under Spark's touch, though Chaos continued to glare at the red pagoda with clear discontent, its glowing eyes narrowing as if challenging the building itself.
"While they are busy with their teachings, how about we enjoy the view?" Spark suggested, giving Chaos a light pat.
With a huff, Chaos complied, his massive form moving away from the pagoda with slow steps.
They began to circle the structure, its crimson walls towering ominously above them, casting long shadows in the fading light.
On the other side, the landscape unfolded into something far more striking.
The path ahead was rough and uneven, littered with cracks and jagged stones, but Chaos moved without trouble.
A few hundred meters from the pagoda, the ground sloped downward, revealing the edge of an enormous crater.
The wind howled across the expanse, tugging at Spark's golden hair and clothes, making them whip wildly in the air.
Spark stood at the edge, peering down into the heart of the crater, where a massive vortex of dark energy swirled, churning like a tempest of shadows.
The vortex was colossal, seemingly touching the sky, yet still distant enough to be out of reach. Its presence was both terrifying and mesmerizing.
"Feeling hungry?" Spark asked, his tone light and teasing, his eyes fixed on the swirling mass below. "Think you could eat that?"
Chaos let out a guttural, almost eager sound. "Chao~"
Spark laughed, the sound bright and clear against the eerie backdrop.
"You are always hungry, aren't you?" he remarked, his gaze now drifting to the edges of the crater.
Surrounding the vortex were numerous towering pagodas, similar to the one behind, each one glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
Thick, ancient chains connected the pagodas, stretching across the crater like a massive barrier, as if holding the dark energy within at bay.
Spark gently placed a calming hand on Chaos's thick neck, his touch soothing the beast's rising anger.
Despite the calming gesture, Spark's gaze remained locked on the two figures before him.
"Is that so?" he replied, his voice smooth, with a hint of amusement. "But I don't recall ever having any kind of special connection with her."
The female figure's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening. "That is it why, we're ensuring her path remains clear of any unnecessary distractions."
Spark's smile widened slightly, the amusement in his eyes growing. "Distractions, huh? It is interesting—I've never seen myself as one. But if that's what you think..."
The female figure's tone turned colder, more commanding. "It is about her future, a future that has no place for you."
A heavy silence fell over them, the tension so thick it felt like the very air was pressing down on them.
Spark's hand remained steady on Chaos, feeling the beast's anger simmering just below the surface, ready to explode.
After a moment, Spark chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to catch the figures off guard. "You two are quite protective, aren't you?"
The female figure's form flickered with what seemed like indignation, but before she could respond, the male figure raised a hand, silencing her. "Think about what we have said. If you truly care for her, you'll step aside."
As the two ethereal figures delivered their warning, the ground beneath them began to tremble slightly, and a low rumble echoed through the air.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light drew their attention upward.
The sky above the pagoda crackled with energy, and the ever-present miasma that blanketed the heavens began to churn uneasily.
The figures turned their heads toward the sky, their expressions quickly shifting to one of concern.
"She's had an epiphany," the male figure muttered, urgency coloring his voice. "She's advancing to the next stage."
Without another word, the two figures dissolved into mist, vanishing as they rushed back into the pagoda, leaving Spark and Chaos alone once more.
The air around the pagoda grew dense, charged with a power that crackled and sparked, casting brief flashes of light against the surrounding darkness.
Spark watched them vanish, his eyes narrowing as he took in the swirling clouds of miasma that hung stubbornly overhead.
Despite the flickers of lightning and the distant rumble of thunder, the oppressive miasma clung to the sky like a thick, suffocating veil, dampening the power that struggled to break through.
Even the heavens seemed unable to penetrate the shroud that covered this strange place.
.net
"I almost forgot," Spark murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the low rumble of the storm. "This place blocks everything, even the heavenly tribulation."
...
[A/N: Sob sob, such disrespect wont' go unnoticed by the heavens.]