Despite appearances, the lake water wasn't cold, which made swimming a pleasant experience, especially for Zhu Yan and Yichen, who were kissing at that very moment. Lost in the joy of their playful splashing game, the kiss felt natural and inevitable, until they broke apart to catch their breath.
"Baobei, I think we lost the race..." Zhu Yan said mischievously, glancing towards the house. Yichen followed his gaze to the stairs, where the rest of their unit was gathered, and realized they had put on quite a show. He could even hear Ying Lei arguing with Bai Jiu for being disrespectful by watching them kiss, to which Bai Jiu retorted that he was too naive if he thought no one had seen them kissing before too. This made Yun Guang laugh, since, of course, he and Siheng had indeed seen them kissing. Yichen's face flushed bright red.
Under the gaze of so many people, including two unfamiliar demons, Yichen quickly swam away from Zhu Yan, who was laughing heartily at his sudden shyness, leaving him utterly embarrassed. On the steps of the house, Yixuan extended a hand to help him out of the water, amusement dancing on his handsome face.
"Ge, I'm sorry, I got a little carried away..." Yichen whispered to his brother, who smiled at him as they climbed the wide steps.
"Don't worry, I completely understand. We all know how much he likes to tease you," Yixuan said, glancing at Zhu Yan, who pretended not to hear but looked quite pleased with himself.
"So, who ended up winning?" Yichen asked, attempting to shift focus away from his embarrassment.
"Does it even matter?" Yixuan teased, unable to resist.
"Ge!" Yichen protested, his voice rising slightly. Yixuan chuckled as they both made their way to join the others at the top of the steps.
"Naturally, my Sijing will win. She's amazing, while you all are just plain lazy—especially this big guy here." Wen Xiao gestured toward Li Lun with a playful grin as they stepped into Zhu Yan's house, though Li Lun paid no attention to the remark.
"This is ridiculous, we have more important things to take care of. Zhu Yan, I could use a drying spell right now." Li Lun no longer saw the point in hiding his name, since Du Wu and Yu She had already guessed who he was, and Zhu Yan's barrier did not allowed anything in or out, including their voices, so no one else would be able to hear what they were planning.
"Of course." Then, putting his finger to his lips, he released his energy, drying their clothes and leaving them like new. Furthermore, all of their disguises disappeared along with the dampness of their clothes. They were inside another of Zhu Yan's dimensions. That is, no one from the outside could see them, just like his mansion in the human world.
However, after their demonic disguises disappeared, Yu She and Du Wu looked at Yichen completely stunned by his uncanny resemblance to the dragon god. In the past, Bing Yi was not just any god nor just any divine beast. He was a legend, and in the war he was fearsome. Only great demons dared to confront him, and many were seriously injured, saved from death only because Bing Yi spared their lives.
Therefore, Yun Guang's earlier statement about the young man being his new Master now made complete sense, as they were seeing a younger version of Bing Yi, just as Zhu Yan was a younger version of Ying Long. The fact that Zhu Yan had crossed paths with a human version of Bing Yi after who knows how long and that they eventually became lovers, suggested that something bigger was at play, most likely related to the gods, since only they could grant greater powers to humans.
"Bing... Bing Yi...?" Du Wu quietly expressed his disbelief and took a step forward, but Yun Guang and Yixuan instinctively moved in to block him. Their actions were not menacing, but rather akin to that of older brothers safeguarding their younger sibling.
"Du Wu, relax, he is not the true dragon god, but a human who inherited his blood. We know that some gods gave drops of their blood to humans, so that they could defend themselves from the tainted demons after the war broke out. I assume that this group of humans are descendants of them, including the one who looks like Bing Yi. That explains their unusually strong powers, especially for humans. By the way, Yun Guang, there is no need to protect him from us. We are not as stupid as to anger a white monkey, by trying to threaten his mate," Yu She said, and Zhu Yan rolled his eyes.
"How many times do I have to repeat it? I am a white ape. An ape... but you're right. No demon, who cherishes his life, would dare to do anything to the mate of a great demon, right in front of him. Ying Lei, if you don't mind, could you cook something? My Baobei must be hungry." Naturally, his primary concern would be Yichen, Ying Lei thought with a sigh.
"We've been walking non-stop for hours, so of course we're all hungry, Zhu Yan," Ying Lei corrected him.
"Don't mind him, Ying Lei. Just let me give you a hand. I can at least help with chopping some vegetables," Yichen said, brushing off Zhu Yan's effort to take all his attention.
"I can make tea too, Xiao Zhuo Ge." And of course, his younger brother wasn't going to miss the opportunity to spend time with his boyfriend and older brother. Upon realizing that his beloved Yichen had fled from him, he shifted his focus to the two demons.
They continued to gaze at him with a blend of amusement and disbelief, marveling at how the most formidable great demon of all—feared as much as his father and Bing Yi—had revealed himself to be nothing more than a hopeless romantic, not too different from Yu She, himself.
"You two can choose a place to cultivate without worries. This house is safe and completely under my control. Once you begin your cultivation, you'll be completely isolated from any noise or distractions we might cause, since we can be quite noisy," Zhu Yan warned them, something they both already knew.
"Alright, let's go, Du Wu. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get away from this group of troublemakers." Li Lun heard that and couldn't help but sigh, once again, as he nodded in agreement.
Once the two demons settled into the lotus position, facing one another, they found themselves enveloped in a sphere of energy that blocked out all external sounds. Meanwhile, the others took their places around the long table in the center of the house, which he had set up for dinner, for when Ying Lei, Yichen, and Bai Jiu to finish preparing it. As they waited for dinner, they talk about what they had learned from Du Wu and Yu She.
"Wen Xiao, what do you think about this new information? Do you have any insight to share? The talk about the whispers in the malicious energy, and this new great demon Yu She mentioned being above Huan Jing—are they being truthful?" Yixuan asked her as he tried to decide whether or not, they should trust the information provided by a pair of demons they knew nothing about.
"My knowledge is limited, so I'm not sure whether the demon's claims about the malicious energy are true or not. However, I have a feeling there's some truth to what they said. If they're lying, it's not about everything they mentioned, or perhaps they're not lying at all. The goddess has assured me that we will find a way to unravel the mysteries, and I believe we will. As for this other demon, can you guess who it might be, Li Lun?" Wen Xiao asked in return.
"This is the demon world, a realm where hundreds of great demons exist throughout its vast expanse. Pinpointing which among them might harbor ambitions of using others to boots cultivation is nearly impossible, as all of them possess that potential. From what I understand, most great demons had followers who served them willingly, like Ao Yin, who chose to serve me out of gratitude and protection. However, with the revelation of the core spell, even that can be called into question—whether those demons in servitude are doing so voluntarily or under duress, we can only guess. Such a thing was considered taboo among demons before, but this world has changed so much that anything seems possible these days." Li Lun explained, and rightly so, as things were starting to get increasingly complicated.
"So, what about the great demons who are near this area?" Yixuan asked, as if perhaps they knew more about those close enough to order Huan Jing to carry out their commands.
"For centuries, there have been three other great demons close to my territory. But their domains are quite a distance from here and the Crystal Valley, which is situated in unclaimed territory. In between these areas, there are thousands of miles of open land inhabited by lesser demons. None of the three great demons are near enough to keep tabs on me by normal means. It hasn't been long since I challenged Zhu Yan, got the flower from Crystal Valley, went through the gate again, and returned with all of you. With this in mind, how did Huan Jing know we were going to come? Gu Yue even hinted that she was told I would come back in a weakened condition. Even if that wasn't the case, it still points that Huan Jing, or someone higher up, was aware of my return."
"Is it possible they had spies or ways to monitor your actions on the gate, like your leaves, for example?" Pei Sijing asked.
"I can't dismiss that possibility. While I hold an advantage by claiming lands closer to the gate, unlike my territory, I don't possess absolute control over it. Considering the presence of many powerful demons, it's likely that some of the great demons also have their own means of gathering information about the human world, even if none of them actually cross through the gate." Li Lun acknowledged.
"Even if they found a way to peek into our world without crossing the gate, I promise you, no spell or trick can get inside a dimension I created. In the mansion, nothing got in or out without my knowledge, including Li Lun. He only crossed the barrier because I trusted him not to hurt the humans I was set on protecting, which gave him free access. But I always knew when he came and went, and I was aware of every trace he left behind whenever he challenged me. It's impossible that the demons showed up here, because they knew what we were plotting within my dimension," Zhu Yan said confidently, earning a snort from Li Lun.
"Sure, you had everything under control at the mansion, but you went wild in the Forest of Convergence where everyone, humans and demons alike, could see. If they have a way into the human world, they probably noticed you were threatening demons. They might even have guessed that you would cross through the gate next," Li Lun argued.
"Even though that could have been a possibility, the timing just seemed too coincidental. Zhu Yan caused chaos in the forest, but there were no signs he wanted to go through the gate. It looked more like he was trying to keep the demons within his territory, making it unlikely he'd leave. What's interesting is that none of the demons expected Zhu Yan to show up here. But when he came back from his cultivation, the demons were already heading toward the gate, thinking Li Lun was an easy target. They were convinced he was seriously hurt and believed they could take him down at the gate, even before we decided to cross worlds," Sijiing explained with clear confidence.
"Yeah, and even that seem weird. If other strong demons had spotted a chance to slip into the human world, knowing one of the gate guardians was too weak to stop them, we wouldn't just see nine high-level demons. There'd be a whole bunch of them, all ready to take over humanity, driven by their need to reclaim what they lost. Even if Zhu Yan was still on the other side, some reckless demons might still go for it. The fact that none of them rushed to the gate suggests that none of them knew about Li Lun's 'apparent weakness' and that only these nine were informed about it. If so... how did they know beforehand?" Wen Xiao shared her thoughts, and the group fell silent for a moment, lost in their own speculations.
"What if you, Wen Xiao, aren't the only one capable of seeing the possibilities? What if the demons also have their own way of perceiving them?" Yichen proposed while setting a tray of warm tea on the table. His words seemed to detonate like a bombshell among the group, drawing every gaze toward him.
"Baobei..." Zhu Yan murmured softly, his gaze fixed on Yichen, causing a faint blush to creep across his face. As he picked up a cup from the tray and set it down in front of his brother—whose eyes reflected a blend of worry and curiosity—he suddenly sensed that something was amiss.
"What? While I was helping Ying Lei, I heard you guys talking and came up with this wild theory. Did I say something totally off, Ge?" Yichen asked his brother, feeling a bit embarrassed, but his brother just shook his head.
"Of course not, Xiao Chen. It's just that..." But before Yixuan could finish, Zhu Yan rose to his feet, gently turning him around and cupping his face with care.
"Zhu Yan, what...?"
"Your eyes are shining a lighter blue, and there are icy tattoos creeping over your neck and forehead. Are you alright? Does anything hurt?" Zhu Yan asked, feeling no real danger, but fully aware of Bing Yi's effect on him.
"Huh? No, I'm fine... in fact, I feel better than fine," Yichen assured him, gently removing Zhu Yan's hands from his face.
"Are you sure? No pain at all?" Zhu Yan pressed, and Yichen smiled at him as he nodded.
"I'm good, really." If they hadn't mentioned the ice tattoos and his eye color change, he wouldn't have noticed a thing. He didn't feel like he was on the verge of being taken over by Bing Yi.
"Zhu Yan, is this Bing Yi influencing Didi? Is that why we noticed the flower power kicking in before?" Yixuan asked, still anxious, while Zhu Yan guided Yichen to sit next to him. As they held hands, Zhu Yan felt that familiar energy that had once. fueled Yichen and let him use fire.
"There's a hint of Bing Yi's energy on him, but it's mixed with that of this realm. The way the power seemed to come to life when he spoke, makes me wonder if my Baobei was indeed, compelled to say those words, or if this realm is backing up his theory," Zhu Yan said, looking at him with an expression that seemed to ask which of the two options was correct.
"I have to admit, this idea just popped into my head, so maybe, he made me say it. I don't have Wen Xiao's talent, so this is not insight. Perhaps it's just a little push in the right direction. The goddess suggested, we will figure it out. So maybe this is the reason. So, the big question is... can other demons have those skills too?" Everyone turned to Wen Xiao, who looked just as deep in thought as the rest of them.
"We heard that Huan Jing can see through demons eyes with his core spell. That makes sense, since I saw his face twice before he killed the two female demons. But there were no demons around the gate when we arrived, so he couldn't have known we were coming, that way. This suggests he might see a lot more than what we were told. Or maybe that other great demon, is the one pulling the real strings. I'm not sure, since this ability is new to me, but if Bing Yi is dropping hints, we need to prepare for it and figure out how to counteract it." Wen Xiao clarified.
"There's another demon we can talk with. I'll try to get Zhi Ren to open up, back in Didi's dimension. If she's feeling in better mood, we might get more answers," Yun Guang told them.
"Can I come along? I know you're fine on your own, but I want to help however I can. If she's still upset about giving up her humanity, I can talk to her," Siheng offered and after Yun Guang flashed him a heart-wrenching smile, he nodded in agreement.
"Well, that takes care of that, but we still have four demons on the loose," Yixuan reminded them.
"One is bound to come and test Zhu Yan's barrier, I'm certain of it," Wen Xiao stated.
"Who?" Yixuan asked.
"The Black Calamity," she replied.
The entire room fell silent for a moment. Even Ying Lei and Bai Jiu paused their quiet conversation over the steaming hotpot they were tending to. Everyone present knew of the Black Calamity. He was a lingering remnant of a failure that had ultimately driven them to grow stronger. But that was just practice, a version that Zhu Yan made for training, not the real deal with all his chaotic powers. The tension filled the air for a few minutes. Finally, Yichen stood up again, looking over his unit, still wrapped up in the energy of the realm.
"Let him come. This time we are stronger, we are united, and we can defeat not only him, but any other demon that tries to stand in our way. We're not here to conquer. We're here to save both worlds from an influence that never should have existed. This world wasn't meant to imprison wicked demons. It was meant to give them freedom, a chance to grow, and a purer energy, so they wouldn't feel the need to prey on the weak anymore. It was created to bring order, not chaos. Sure, Ying Long's dream didn't come true, but that doesn't mean it can't happen someday. As long as I have the power to turn Ying Long's vision of peace and harmony into reality, I won't back down." Yichen declared, and Ying Lei nodded in complete agreement.
"I'm right there with you, Xiao Zhuo. Once we grab a bite to recharge, I'll be by your side, guarding our new home," Ying Lei offered sincerely.
"Me too, of course." Bai Jui also gave his brother a thumbs-up in approval.
"We all will. We girls will never be left behind, right, Commander?" Wen Xiao asked Sijing, who nodded with a smile.
"Honestly, that's not necessary. As I mentioned before, no one can break through my barrier..." Zhu Yan began, but when he noticed everyone's stares, as if he had just interrupted a heartfelt team moment, he quickly zipped his mouth shut, pressing his lips into a tight line.
"I knew it! You just had to ruin such an inspiring moment..." Yichen grumbled as he plopped back down next to his silly monkey.
"I swear that I didn't mean to, Baobei... I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you later," Zhu Yan chimed in, and Yichen couldn't help but blush, remembering the times Zhu had made it up to him before. Seeing Yichen turn red again, made everyone else crack up, except for a grumpy tree demon, who was definitely not impressed with their shenanigans, even if they were a little contagious at times.
"You guys are hopeless," Li Lun declared, and Yixuan took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll get used to it," he whispered to Li Lun, who let out a resigned sigh and squeezed Yixuan's hand back.
Half an hour later, once they had finished eating, Zhu Yan surprise them with another stunning creation. Four exquisitely crafted boats adorned with intricate dragon designs. Each boat had soft, cozy blankets at the bottom, right by the stairs leading down to the lake. They were really breathtaking, but honestly, they felt a bit too fancy for just enjoying the magical view of the lake.
"Zhu Yan, I swear... can't you just make something simple?" Yichen asked, already knowing the answer.
"Not a chance, Baobei. If we're going to stargaze for a bit, I want the boat to be comfortable and warm for us to lay down. Plus, I need the blankets to be nice and fluffy so we can snuggle in and have our own little bubble for ourselves to..."
"You! You... shameless monkey, we're not doing anything!" Yichen's cheeks flushed while a sly smirk played on Zhu Yan's face.
"Of course, Baobei... come on. Each pair gets a boat, except for the two talking with Zhi Ren. The boats will glide to their spots, for our test when the Black Calamity shows up. When he arrives, just stick to the plan. And don't stress about the boats. I've got them enchanted, so they won't budge no matter what." Zhu Yan explained as he stepped into the first boat and extended his hand to Yichen, who took it hesitantly, still slightly flustered.
He avoided looking at his brother, who was already internally enjoying himself with the thought of Li Lun laying comfortably by his side in the lavish boat. Since Yixuan couldn't hide his excitement, Li Lun didn't mind Zhu Yan's flair this time around. When it was finally their turn to board the boat, as the last ones in line, Li Lun effortlessly lifted Yixuan, who laughed as he clung to Li Lun's shoulders. He felt as they both fell into the softness of the bottom of the boat. You have to hand it to Zhu Yan, as they were definitely out of sight, tucked away from everyone else, but the endless stars.
"Missing this already, Xuan?" Li Lun teased him, and to show him, just how much he did, Yixuan pulled Li Lun closer and kissed him senseless.
Nearby, while the couple shared a tender kiss, another pair was engrossed in their own little world. Specifically, a young man, which was completely overwhelmed by a cunning and mischievous demon, that he didn't know what to do with him.
"Are you comfortable, Baobei?" Zhu Yan asked softly, his gaze fixed on his blushing mate, who seemed to be melting, not just from the close embrace, but also from the inner battle against desires he promised himself he wouldn't act on.
"You already know the answer, so don't force me to spell it out. We're here to wait for the Black Calamity to show up and test him. We've got to see, if Wen Xiao's theory holds up about her, having an edge over that other demon insight, thanks to your unique anomaly status." Yichen remarked, doing his best to suppress a shiver as Zhu Yan's hand trailed down his back, brushing along the length of his hair that clung to his robe.
"Yes, we had a mission, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves while we wait. Rest assured, the Black Calamity won't crash against my barrier quietly. It will light up like a star, roaring with thunder and storms, reflecting his very essence. During the war, he was very strong and dangerously sneaky, but he lacked patience to a fault and always acted on impulse. If you pushed him hard enough, his fury would betray him, making his attacks predictable. His rage, as intense as his blazing golden lightning, will tell you how he will attack next."
"Did you fight with him before?" Yichen asked curiously.
"No, Bing Yi did. He got fed up with him and trapped him in a block of ice, to clear him out of the way. The Black Calamity really was a bothersome troublemaker." Zhu Yan smirked.
"So, I can freeze him too?" Yichen asked, excitement lighting up his face.
"Absolutely, if he gives you the chance. But after being humiliated like that, he won't let his guard down around an ice user anytime soon."
"But he has no clue that I can control ice, right? You can switch up my appearance to look different from last time."
"Sadly, you've already shown your ice powers. Your energy is as chilly as Bing Yi's, and there's no way to disguise that. It's just part of you, even if you look different. He will know, as soon as you make your first move." Yichen sighed in disappointment, and Zhu Yan gently kissed his forehead.
"Don't worry, Baobei, your chance will come. For now, let's just enjoy the night while we can." Zhu Yan gazed up at the night sky for a moment, filled with countless shining stars, but Yichen couldn't resist the temptation and pressed a kiss to Zhu Yan's neck.
"Baobei... are you planning to leave a love mark on my neck?" Yichen pulled back, his face flushed with warmth.
"That's nonsense!" Zhu Yan smiled playfully, tugging Yichen close once more.
"If you're looking for a kiss, you know where to find it. Right here." Zhu Yan gently brushed his fingers against Yichen's soft lips, causing a lump to form in his throat.
"Or maybe I should just give it to you, my Baobei..." Zhu Yan murmured, closing the gap between them, as he pressed his lips against Yichen's. The kiss was tender at first, overflowing with all the feelings he had been holding back since they stepped into the demon world.
As they kissed, Yichen's ice tattoos ignited, spreading across his body like a living force. Though he couldn't see them, he could sense the power coursing through his veins. It wasn't a response to danger, but rather a manifestation of the emotions surging within him. There was no pain, only an overwhelming feeling of love, and devotion, for the man he was willing surrendering, to be unmade by his every whim.
The kiss intensified, brimming with passion, as Yichen yielded to both, Zhu Yan's yearning, as much as his own. The boat, enchanted to stay steady regardless of their movements, allowed Yichen to lean over Zhu Yan's chest for a better angle, while they remained hidden beneath the boat's edge. They both needed each other, which made it easy to get caught up in the moment. But Zhu Yan gently pulled away, worried he might lose control if it went on.
"Yichen... let's not get too carried away..." Zhu Yan whispered as they broke the kiss.
"I know, but you started this heat..." Zhu Yan chuckled.
"Baobei, you kissed my neck first."
"It was just a touch..." Yichen tried to defend himself.
"It was clearly an attempt at seduction, while I was inocently looking at the stars." And of course, there was nothing innocent about a shameless white monkey, but he couldn't ignore the fact that Zhu Yan had been totally distracted when it happened. That thought made him blush, which only brought a smile to Zhu Yan's face.
"Don't be embarrassed, Baobei. You're just too young, and there's nothing wrong with wanting more. I want more too, it's just not the right time or place, but when all this is over... I'm afraid you might be the one, begging me for mercy." Yichen snorted while blushing.
"Who's seducing whom now?" Yichen whispered as he looked at the stars as well.
"It doesn't matter. As long as we love each other, everything is welcome." Zhu Yan placed a hand on Yichen's hip, just a gentle touch.
"Do you think this will end well?" Yichen asked, looking at the Ying Long stars shining brighter.
"Of course. If I ever had a single doubt, I would never have brought you here. Baobei... I love you too much to lose you, so don't fear an uncertain future. The realm itself won't let us down, and the proof is right here..." Zhu Yan gently caressed Yichen's neck, which still bore traces of the power that fueled his core so softly, that it didn't hurt him at all.
"Does it look too weird?" Yichen asked, as he took Zhu Yan's hand in his.
"It makes you look more ethereal, more enchanting." He complimented his young lover.
"So, do I really look like Bing Yi?" Yichen asked a little awkwardly.
"Yes, but it's more like the resemblance of a son to his father. You look alike, but not exactly the same, like Ying Long and me. And before you think it's strange that I love you, I never see you as Bing Yi. You are you, and that's exactly what I love about you." And they kissed again, this time more slowly, simply enjoying their love and the magic of the lake on a beautiful night.
As they floated slowly around the house, to the sound of the gentle lapping of the boat against the calm water, Yichen began to feel sleepy.
"Baobei..."
"Mmm..."
"Don't fall asleep now."
"I'm trying not to, but you make this boat so cozy. These blankets are so soft, it's like floating on clouds, and they're making me so sleepy," Yichen complained, and Zhu Yan smiled.
"My Baobei deserves the best. Should I warm things up a bit again?"
"Absolutely not, you pervert... but maybe you can give me some clues about what's going on with Yun Guang and Siheng in my dimension. You said before that you have absolute control over it, so I'm sure you know what's happening there," Yichen whispered softly, still a little drowsy.
"Zhi Ren is no ordinary demon. Her story is so heartbreaking, that it's difficult not to feel sorry for her, but right now, her anger overshadows everything. Her hatred runs deep, and her wounds are too raw to heal with mere kind words or compassion. She has embraced her demonic side too much, perhaps even to the point of no return. Siheng is doing everything he can to get her to talk to him, and perhaps she will, when she finds another reason to live. For her, our efforts to save her feel, like both a blessing and a curse. She just needs a little more time."
"Then they'll be back soon, right?" Yichen asked, placing his hand on his chest, where the pendant was still pressed against his skin.
"They'll show when the Black Calamity arrives."
"Okay, since he's weak to ice, can I try hit him with ice spikes from here? If he dodges them, before they cross the barrier, then we're wrong. Honestly, I thought Pai Sijing and Wen Xiao's theory about them, not being able to see you, because you defy fate, was brilliant and quite plausible," Yichen added as Zhu Yan snuggled closer to him.
"We'll see soon enough. How about we kiss a little more? I'd hate for you to fall asleep in the line of duty..."
"You..." Yichen began to protest, but Zhu Yan simply turned his body, pinning him halfway, to kiss him passionately. A kiss that Yichen returned by wrapping his arms around Zhu Yan's shoulders, until they both heard Wen Xiao's warning inside their minds.
"He's coming!" Zhu Yan and Yichen propped themselves to sit in the boat, gazing at the shore where a swirling mass of dark energy raced toward them. To Yichen, it resembled ominous, dark gray storm clouds, crackling with golden lightning that roared like an enraged dragon. The thick cloud quickly slammed into Zhu Yan's barrier, creating a vibrant red glow that enveloped them like a dome of explosive energy, a sound they could hear yet couldn't quite feel it.
And so, the test would now begin.
AN: This one really had me spinning, which is why it took me a while to get it down. I hope you enjoy it! The next one is going to be intese. Thanks for reading, and until next time, take care!