The darkness had no form.

Bun and Cao Nyut walked forward in the darkness, but without any objects to see passing them by, there was no sense of movement.

They felt their bodies moving, but there was no other sensory proof of it.

This went on for some time.

At first, they made nervous small talk, but after a while, they eased into it. This was the new normal. Silent darkness, and vast vacuous spaces, were the matters of fact in Shandapidoor.

Then, the space in front of them started to fold.

It started with a gasp of air–sucked forward–it propelled them off their feet–they felt themselves pop through the fold in space, and emerge in a dimly lit cavern.

There was a tall mound before them, at least as tall as Cao Nyut. Bun and Cao Nyut were able to see the mound because of the glowing mushroom on top of it.

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The mushroom was pale blue.

“Where are we?” said Bun.

“I know not,” said Cao Nyut, “but I would advise against moving about until we have answered that question.”

By the light of the pale blue mushroom atop the mound of dirt, Bun saw a river flowing around it.

The duo exchanged a glance, the pachyderm frowning down at his young friend, Bun looking excitedly up at his loyal partner.

“What is it?” said Bun.

A line creased Cau Nyut’s forehead. “I know not.”

“It’s beautiful,” said Bun.

“Have a care,” said Cao Nyut, but Bun was already approaching the mound. The boy stepped into the river. It soaked into his shoes and socks, its water cool and fresh against his ankles. Bun emerged on the far bank of the river and started to climb the mound.

“Bun,” warned Cao Nyut.

“I won’t be a moment,” said the boy, “I just want to see what it is.”

“You don’t know if it’s safe,” said Cao Nyut, but it was too late. Bun was already halfway up the mound when Cao Nyut saw a second light flick on from behind the mound, at an angle which Bun would not have been able to see.

There was something else in this cavern with them. It was not making a sound, but Cao Nyut was certain it was heading straight for Bun. The pachyderm called out to his younger companion, but it was too late. Bun was headstrong and naive, and his partner’s cries of warning went unheeded.