"Wow. Who would've thought the pomp would be this grand for just a mere Angel?"

At the end of the passage stood a resplendent underground palace. The continuous stretch of murals across the wall flashed past their eyes, depicting myths from some unknown era. Upon closer inspection, one would discover that the gleaming dome above was formed from massive golden bones, the remnants of some ancient, mythical creature.

In the center of the palace lay a colossal stone coffin, large enough to hold a giant. The lid was so high that even if the two of them stood on each other's shoulders, they still wouldn't be able to reach the lid.

Ashe remarked, "I remember Belldet's kind being short. I know the Gospel got over genetic incompatibility long ago, but giants and humans having children? The software might allow it, but the hardware surely wouldn't."

The cloaked figure ignored Ashe, staring at the stone coffin as his hands wove an unfamiliar gesture. Soon, a vast, dark-green phantom rose from the sarcophagus. Countless intangible chains extended from its body, binding it tightly to the palace. It seemed simultaneously imprisoned by the structure and protected by it.

The phantom spoke, its voice echoing...