For several seconds, Rin couldn't breathe.
There was nothing around them. No walls. No floor. No ceiling. Only darkness.
And beneath that darkness—
two enormous eyes.
They stared directly at Rin. Kaelith stood in front of him, black magic spreading around his body like a shield.
"Don't come closer."
The creature laughed. Its voice didn't come from one direction. It came from everywhere.
"You still think you can protect him."
Kaelith's expression hardened.
"I don't think."
His magic intensified.
"I know."
Rin grabbed his arm.
"Kaelith."
"Stay behind me."
"But we don't even know what that thing is."
"I don't care."
The creature's eyes narrowed.
"That is your problem."
A low vibration passed through the darkness. Rin felt it beneath his feet. Except there was no ground.
He looked down. For a brief second, something became visible beneath them.
A gigantic surface. Almost like black glass.
And beneath that surface—
countless shapes.
Rin's stomach tightened.
