Smile of Heaven had expected to be burned by the flames and endure terrible agony. But, to her surprise, no pain came.
Instead, the roaring wall of purifying fire vanished.
Suddenly, she found herself in total darkness — pale moonlight illuminated the entrance of the temple behind her, but up ahead, there was nothing but an echoing black void.
There was silence, as well, enveloping her like a heavy blanket.
She froze for a moment, failing to process the sudden and inexplicable change.
'Did I… just imagine those flames?'
Had they been an illusion all along?
Smile of Heaven hesitated, then assumed her Transcendent form and looked at her wings.
The feathers were still singed, their edges blackened.
The flames had been real.
'What is going on?'
Just as she formed that thought, a nebulous voice suddenly resounded from the darkness, reflecting from the metal walls and surrounding her like a tide.
"Aren't you afraid of death?"
Smile of Heaven flinched.
