The Ice Curse had completely dissipated after Sesshomaru mastered Azure Dragon Blast, and the silvery-white seal that had suppressed it gradually vanished from the back of his hand. As he looked at the smooth skin, now free of any trace, his strongest feeling was not relief at breaking the curse, but a faint, elusive sense of loss.
When Sesshomaru offered the Azure Nether Blade again, Tomb finally accepted it with a smile.
The Azure Nether Blade had at last returned to its true master. It rang out joyfully, remaining forever in this barren land beside the swordsman with whom it had once fought across the world.
Learning that their true purpose was to find the Legendary Bow, Tomb nodded and confirmed that it lay within the forbidden grounds. Then he solemnly warned them that even he did not know the truth hidden there. He was merely a descendant of the humans who had served the God Clan thousands of years ago. The God Clan had stopped time for him and left him here to guard the forbidden grounds. All he knew was that a bow of the God Clan was sealed within. Why it had been sealed, and how, were questions that perhaps no one outside the God Clan could answer. Yet the God Clan had named this sealed forbidden place the Ancient Tomb-a chilling name that seemed to bury anyone within it without a sound.
In the end, Tomb abandoned his duty. With a soft laugh, he allowed them to enter the forbidden grounds. "Consider it my thanks for bringing Azure Nether back to me," he said.
Watching the two enter that dark, forbidden place together, Tomb said softly, "Cherish her."
Though they were already walking farther away, Sesshomaru's keen ears caught the words. His steps paused briefly,