"No..."
Azik struggled in agony.
Black scales covered his body. The sweat that dripped onto the stone steps immediately stained them a filthy yellow, and fine white down began sprouting from the stains.
Pfft!
The flesh on his forehead suddenly bulged, splitting horizontally into a bloody wound.
Dazzling light spilled from the wound, emanating from a bird-shaped ornament forged from gold, ancient and mysterious in style. The slender golden bird spread its wings, pale flames burning beneath them, its inorganic eyes fixed on the Feathered Serpent in the abyss.
As though sensing the golden bird's gaze, the Feathered Serpent raised its body, bringing its face-which was identical to Azik's-level with his. It called out silently, urging Azik to approach, calling to the other incomplete half of its soul.
They yearned to become one!
By then, Azik could no longer control his instincts. He was about to rise into the air and leap toward the enormous serpent, until-
A slender, fair woman's hand appeared out of nowhere and pressed down on the golden bird-shaped ornament on Azik's forehead.
The hooded female figure stood between him and the towering Feathered Serpent. An indescribable power spread invisibly, severing their connection in an instant.
"It's you..." Azik barely managed to control himself. When he saw her face clearly, his expression shifted slightly. Only after several seconds did he speak, his voice hoarse and uncertain.
It's her!
On a slightly higher step behind him, Luther lowered his eyes, but waves of shock surged through his heart.
Who is it?
At the very top, Klein reined in his spirituality and kept his eyes closed. He detected nothing, but the sounds that kept coming from below filled him with worry.
"Luther, is everything all right down there?"
He called out, tightly clutching a Fortune-Stealer charm. It was