The question-laden voice ceased, and the scepter about to shatter the blind priest's skull halted mid-air.
The hermit shifted his gaze away and turned his back.
The High Priest Ora and the entourage of blind priests stood rooted to the spot, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Out of the secret forest emerged a young Three-eyed Ape-man in his twenties or thirties, dressed in simple, clean clothing, his face calm and serene, resembling a lone scholar removed from the world.
"Grandpa Naya, what has happened?"
The young man emerged from the shadows, scrutinizing the group of uninvited Three-eyed Ape-man priests.
Ora slowly lifted his eyes to look at the young man.
Those eyes were pitch black, possessed of a strange magic power, like a swamp that appears ordinary at first glance, but should one stare too deeply, they would inevitably sink into it, until submerged in the bottomless abyss.
"You... who are you?"
Ora asked tremulously.
