Boom!
Astrael instinctively took a step back. The towering column of dark water began to churn violently, then collapsed inward like a vortex spiralling into nothingness.
A sudden pulse of invisible force swept through the space, pressing down on everything. Even the air itself seemed to tremble under its weight. But Astrael didn't flinch. He narrowed his eyes, bracing against the pressure, and watched closely as the black sea gradually calmed down and left something behind.
A platform.
Smooth and circular, forged from obsidian-black stone that shimmered under the dim light. Along its edges, delicate silver runes glowed faintly, their intricate patterns softly humming with an otherworldly energy. And hovering just above the platform was a single crystal.
A gentle wave of mystic white light radiated from it, washing over the space, casting away shadows and brightening the dark, endless void.
"Ugh…" Astrael groaned, squinting his eyes against the sudden brilliance.
