He stepped forward and leaped into the raging tornado. The other two immediately followed.

As the three disappeared into the spirit energy tornado, faint rumbling echoes reverberated through the abyss. Deep within a narrow crack in the cliff wall, a fleshy mass suddenly twitched, causing fine dust-like particles to slough off its surface. Most of the particles drifted downward into the abyss, while others settled onto the cliff walls, where they gradually transformed into patches of moss and clusters of tiny mushrooms. Only a tiny fraction were caught by the violent winds generated by the spirit energy tornado and carried out of the abyss.

As more and more of those particles dispersed, the aura of the fleshy mass weakened slightly. Yet it seemed unconcerned by the loss. Instead, it cast a resentful glance toward the depths of the abyss before peering toward the distant opening of the dark crevice. It felt a strange sense of anticipation....