Suddenly—
Everything stopped.
The shadow vanished.
The earth opened up… revealing the heart of the island.
A white light… serene… yet terrifying.
And a single voice said:
"You have arrived."
A being of light appeared.
"I am… the spirit of the island."
Salim asked,
"What is this place?!"
The voice replied,
"All who came before you… desired immortality. But immortality is not granted… it is taken."
"How?"
"By relinquishing your humanity."
Silence…
Then it added,
"You are the only one who did not desire it."
