"You have been gone for some time now," Zephyr's voice rang out, warm and bursting with unrestrained joy as heavy pats rained down against Ember's back.
Holding onto the embrace for a brief moment to ground himself, Ember slowly pulled back with a soft, genuine smile gracing his features. "I had something I needed to finish," he replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, "and a gift to present."
Zephyr finally took in his surroundings, his eyes widening at the unexpected sight of the primates gathered in a hushed circle. A quick exchange of glances with Ember passed between them, a silent communication wherein Zephyr understood everything yet said nothing.
Then, his gaze drifted to the painting figure of the Arch Curse, Despairing Virtuoso, diligently capturing the momentous scene on canvas. Finally, his ears caught the low, steady vibration echoing through the ether, causing him to turn and take in the towering, lifeless grey monolith in all its magnificent scale.
