As Kane walked away from the desert clearing, Zhao Min followed him, her footsteps quiet on the sand. They walked in silence, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
After a while, Kane stopped at a rocky outcropping, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Zhao Min approached him, her eyes scanning the landscape.
"What is it, Elder?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kane's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of intensity. "The world is full of mysteries, Qing Yu. Mysteries that few can see."
Zhao Min frowned, unsure of what he meant. But before she could ask another question, Kane turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
Zhao Min followed, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Kane was leading her on a wild goose chase, but she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
As they walked, the landscape around them changed. The rocky outcropping gave way to a vast expanse of sand dunes, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
Kane climbed to the top of a dune, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Zhao Min followed, her breath catching in her throat as she reached the top.
The view took her breath away. The stars stretched out before them, a vast expanse of twinkling lights that seemed to go on forever.
Kane's gaze seemed to bore into the soul, as if searching for something. Zhao Min felt a shiver run down her spine, but she stood her ground.
"What do you see, Elder?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kane's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of intensity. "I see the universe, Qing Yu. In all its glory."
He paused, his gaze fixed on the stars. Then, he spoke in a low, measured tone:
"In the depths of darkness, bloodied souls scream
Eternal torment, flesh torn, hearts extreme
Shadows feast on pain, darkness reigns
Endless agony, forever remains"
Zhao Min felt a chill run down her spine, as she listened to Kane's words. The poem was short, yet powerful, evoking a sense of dread and fear.
"This poem, Qing Yu," Kane said, his voice low and measured, "is a reflection of the universe's true nature. It is a place of darkness and suffering, where the strong devour the weak."
Zhao Min swallowed hard, trying to process his words. "Elder, your words are...haunting," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kane's gaze seemed to bore into her soul, his eyes glinting with a hint of satisfaction. "The universe is a cruel and unforgiving place, Qing Yu. One must confront its darkness to truly understand."