Atticus followed closely behind the elder as they made their way to the Spiritual Lake.
Throughout the walk, his mind swirled with different thoughts. He recalled the conclusions he had drawn the day before and the troubled look Celestial had shown. The Starhaven family, along with all of Sector 8, felt like a ticking time bomb.
Unlike what he had expected, the elder led Atticus behind the temple. Reaching the back, they passed through a pathway that descended underground.
The path was narrow, framed by twisted branches that resembled gnarled fingers snaking into every corner.
Eventually, they reached a place where no light penetrated, yet Atticus could still see everything clearly. It wasn't because of his keen eyesight but because of the faint purple glow emanating from the twisted branches.
The air smelled damp, but that wasn't what occupied Atticus's thoughts. His gaze was fixed on the elder leading him.
