I watched the Architect's agonized screams echo through the void, and a deeply uncomfortable thought crept into my mind.
He's not going to torture me later too, right?
The realization that Virion might have deliberately delayed his arrival as some kind of twisted lesson made my stomach churn. I made a mental note to take my leave as soon as I finished what I came here for. No point in giving him more opportunities to "teach" me through suffering.
After what felt like an eternity, the screaming finally stopped. The oppressive void began to dissipate like morning mist, the familiar bone architecture of the chamber materializing around us once more. The Nexus Stone resumed its gentle pulsing, casting blue light over the restored space.
"Now you can talk," Virion muttered dismissively as he gracefully descended to perch on my shoulder, his massive draconic form already shrinking back into the familiar winged snake I knew so well.
