The tension and pressure, plus excitement from Bahamut's ascension and his recent dominating display, had barely faded when another phenomenon happened. The night was silent. It settled gently over the land, draping the sect in a calm, almost sacred stillness.
The sky stretched endlessly above, deep and vast, painted in shades of midnight blue. Stars scattered across it like fragments of shattered glass, shimmering softly. A cool breeze flowed through the courtyards and rooftops, rustling leaves and carrying the faint scent of earth and stone.
Lanterns flickered lazily along the pathways, their warm glow dancing against the quiet darkness. Disciples rested in their quarters, some asleep, some meditating, and others lying awake, their minds still replaying events of the past few days. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled softly. An owl hooted, only for silence to reclaim everything the next second. It was peaceful, and still... when...
CRACK!
