The Keeper turned gracefully.
Without another word, she began walking across the endless wasteland.
Lucas followed.
Unlike before, where every step had been accompanied by unbearable pain, walking beside the Keeper somehow lessened the agony gnawing at his soul. It did not disappear entirely, but it became bearable enough that he could finally observe his surroundings instead of merely enduring them.
The countless souls parted as they passed.
No one dared obstruct the Keeper's path.
Some lowered their heads.
Others knelt.
Many simply watched in silence, their hollow eyes following the radiant spirit until she disappeared into the distance.
Lucas noticed that none of them attempted to follow.
Almost as though they knew they were forbidden.
They walked for what could have been hours.
Or perhaps years.
Time still possessed no meaning in the Underworld.
Eventually, the endless wasteland began to change.
The black earth became smooth obsidian.
