The illusion in Amon's vision receded like a tide, ending the Spirit Vision.
As if sensing something, he turned his gaze toward the lake behind the Giant Cocoon, its waters glowing with an eerie red light. Beneath the surface, a pair of enormous, lantern-like snake eyes silently watched him—cold, majestic, and utterly devoid of emotion.
The "Feathered Serpent God," Kukulkan, had never left. It had merely lurked beneath the water like the most patient of hunters.
Meeting that terrifying gaze, Amon showed no alarm. Instead, he gave the faintest nod, as though greeting an old friend.
Then he turned, boarded the small boat beside the giant rock at the center, and slowly rowed toward the shore. After landing, he repeated his earlier method, stepping across the stone coffins arranged in a certain pattern to return to Arjun's group.
The moment he drew near, he could clearly sense that something was wrong. Arjun and the others looked as though they faced a deadly enemy, the wariness in their eyes almost tangible. Mai Sakatoku even instinctively took half a step back and tightened her grip on her short blade.
Amon put on just the right expression of confusion and asked with a smile,
"What happened? Why do I feel like... you all seem to be on guard against me?"
"What did you do just now?" Arjun's voice was more serious than ever. His Golden Eyes fixed on Amon, trying to find even the slightest flaw in his expression.
"I just went ahead of you to scout things out." Amon spread his hands, his tone relaxed. "Don't worry. I checked it out. Other than the things in the coffins, there aren't any other dangers."
"I mean before that!" Arjun cut him off, his gaze sharp. "Why did all of us seem to collectively