When the god phoenix departed, the bridge between the two halves of Two Ape Mountain reverted to its former, lifeless appearance. The branches that had sprouted from it retreated, and its surface began to look like charcoal once more. The black-steel bell stopped moving, too. It hung motionless and silent.
After the phoenix lifted Han Sen into the air, it rocketed forward with blinding speed. This was nothing like the slow, ponderous way the bird had moved when it first approached Two Ape Mountain.
Before Han Sen could say anything, he saw that they were heading toward one of the suns in the sky. The orb glowed with power and heat as they shot recklessly toward it.
They were still some distance from the sun, but Han Sen thought that the incredible heat was about to melt his deified body. He didn't know what would happen if he entered that glowing orb, and his heart rose into his throat at the thought.
