"No, they're doing it again!" Kilibur exclaimed, quickly creating a sort of platform to hold the group as they fell.
"Thank you, Kilibur," Paltio and Paris said in unison, grateful for his quick thinking.
"Good job, Kilibur," Chiki added before leaping from the platform onto the falling rocks. With deadly precision, he began smashing them to prevent further harm to his friends. Then, with feline agility, he sprang directly toward the twin worms.
With two blows charged with destructive fury, he declared:
"This is your end."
Though it seemed like a single strike, it was actually countless impacts delivered in milliseconds, each one imbued with explosive, devastating energy. The Twinpillar disintegrated instantly, though one of them managed to murmur before disappearing completely:
"Damn wolf… You'll never leave this place."
Once the collapse had stabilized and the supposed tunnel guardians were defeated, Chiki, still in his red wolf form, helped the others climb up one by one along what remained of the path in the large tunnel.
"Paltio, are you sure it's around here?" Golden asked, looking around skeptically.
"Yes, it's here," Paltio responded confidently, following the familiar trace he felt within him.
They continued walking for a couple of minutes until they reached what appeared to be a dead end.
"I think those worms were right… There's no way out of this place," Chiki commented, reverting to his normal form with a resigned sigh.
At that moment, Paltio felt something familiar, as he had on previous occasions when finding other pieces of the scepter. He looked up and saw a shiny object embedded in the ceiling. He immediately knew it was the piece they were searching for.
The young man asked Golden to lift him with his telekinesis. Floating slowly upward, he carefully took the object and descended, aided by Golden's power.
Upon inspecting it, they confirmed it was indeed one of the scepter pieces, examined closely by Golden.
"How strange… Normally we collect the pieces in order, but this is the top piece. It's odd," Golden reflected aloud.
"It's Zafarax. I see… That's why Avocios told me I'd find it. This piece is important for communicating with a god," Golden explained after a few moments of analysis.
"Why don't you use it?" the golden being suggested, looking at Paltio curiously.
"And how do I use it?" Paltio asked, examining the piece carefully.
"Good question. I don't remember exactly, but… why don't you touch it with both hands?" Golden suggested.
Paltio did as instructed, but nothing happened when he touched the piece with both hands. He looked at Kilibur, hoping the young fox might have an answer, but Kilibur simply shrugged, equally perplexed.
Suddenly, the piece began to emanate a bright light, rising into the air and projecting multiple holographic screens throughout the area, as if they were in an advanced cinema hall. The screens remained dark for a few moments until a voice echoed through the space.
"Paltio, you were able to find the piece, my child… And I see you're accompanied by my two warriors."
Enormous eyes appeared on each screen, seemingly containing infinity, observing everyone present from multiple angles.
"My lord," Golden said, interrupting and bowing deeply within his hologram, showing respect.
Kilibur also bowed and gave a formal salute to his creator, acknowledging his presence with solemnity.
"Should I do some kind of bow or specific greeting?" Paris asked, looking around uncomfortably at the magnitude of the situation.
"You are in the presence of our creator, who is also yours, so it is your duty to show reverence. You should bow," Golden responded to Paris in a serious tone while indicating the proper protocol.
"No, don't worry, you don't have to do any of that," Avocios intervened with a serene and calming voice, easing any tension in the atmosphere.
"But, my lord, why can we only see your eyes? Where is your body?" Golden asked, still kneeling but with evident curiosity in his tone.
"I don't know, old friend… For now, I can only show my eyes," Avocios replied calmly before directing his attention directly toward Golden. "Ah! Golden, why are you wearing that helmet? I can't see your face, old friend."
Golden lowered his head, visibly affected by the question.
"I don't know, my lord. I've tried everything, even using my most powerful magic, but I can't take it off. I thought you might have the answer… Also, I wanted to ask why I'm trapped in this seed attached to Prince Paltio."
Avocios fell silent for a moment before responding:
"Ah! My boy, I'm not entirely sure, but I had to use my power to save you and place you in that dimension. Once they reconstruct the scepter, you'll be able to leave. However, it seems there was a side effect: not only can you not remove that armor, but you also cannot show your face in public."
"Yes, my lord… Though the good thing is that, in this place, I don't feel hunger or sleep," Golden replied, though his tone was melancholic. "But, my lord… Why did you abandon me and exile me to this place? Why did you do it?" he asked, sadness seeping into his words.
Avocios sighed deeply before answering:
"It was for your own good, my friend. I wanted to protect you all from the chaos that was coming and give you and your companions a chance to survive."
"I understand, my lord… I don't question your actions, and I know you always care for us, as well as all your creations. But I wanted to be with you, ready to give my life to protect you if necessary," Golden said, his voice heavy with even deeper sorrow.
"I know, my friend… You're very stubborn, which is why I placed you there. I knew you'd be so obstinate and wouldn't leave like the others. I sent Silver to support Avocadolia, but it seems he arrived too late…" Avocios commented, a tinge of sadness in his tone.
"That mangy rabid dog always ruins everything!" Golden exclaimed, visibly irritated, referring to Silver.
"Hey! Don't talk about my master Silver like that!" Chiki interrupted, firmly defending his creator.
"Enough, I don't have time for your pointless arguments," Avocios intervened firmly, cutting off the dispute before it could escalate. "When things improve, we'll address these matters. For now, let me speak with Paltio."
"But, my lord—" Golden tried to protest, seeking clearer answers, but Avocios had already shifted his focus to the young prince.
"Come, my soldier," Avocios said in a serious tone that resonated throughout the space, as if he were physically present among them.
"Fine…" Golden responded with frustration in his voice, lowering his head as he retreated to a corner of his hologram, behaving like a child sulking after being scolded by their father.
"Paltio, you wanted answers, didn't you?" Avocios asked, directing his voice straight at the young prince, who felt the words envelop him with an almost tangible presence.
"Yes, my lord… I want to know why you didn't come to support us in our darkest hour and why you disappeared long before that. Also, you said you placed Golden inside my seed, but… how? I wasn't even born yet," Paltio replied, expressing his doubts frankly, though his tone reflected respect for the creator.
"Very well… I believe you deserve to know the truth, young man," Avocios responded calmly, preparing to reveal what had remained hidden until now.