Sans: The Domain of Cavities… sounds strange. (looks around) I see shadows reflected in every crystal; this place feels infinite. I can't see an end or a beginning.
Zareth Kai: (in his mind, calmly) Exactly. You are now in an infinite place. Look closely: each crystal houses an entire universe. They are colossal crystals. I've created enemies suited to your level, or weaker, so you can train in combat.
Amaterasu: (protectively) Zareth, that's enough; you're being cruel to the boy. Let me train him instead…
Sans: Agh!! (covers his ears) I hear two voices at once, I can't concentrate!
(Sans fixes his gaze on one of the crystals. From it, a shadow bursts forth, lunging at him. Sans stops it with a punch to the head.)
Zareth Kai: (with a didactic tone) You'll get used to fighting while floating. In this domain, oxygen doesn't exist, but I created it just for you, so you won't die in vain.
Sans: (breathing deeply, grateful) Thank you, ma'am.
Sans breathes in deeply, testing the artificial oxygen Zareth had created for the domain. He realizes he floats effortlessly, as though the very air is holding him up.
Sans: (muttering) Okay… so it all depends on me, not the ground.
He makes a sudden kick with his leg, but his body spins out of control in the void. He tries to steady himself with his hands, but only manages a full spin.
Sans: Ugh, I'm dizzy!
A shadow emerges from a nearby crystal, spreading like liquid toward him. Sans tries to dodge, but his clumsy rotation gives it the chance to strike his side, sending him flying back.
Sans: Tsk… damn floating!
Zareth Kai: (in his mind, firm) Focus. Directions don't exist here. Movement answers to your will, not gravity. If you lose your composure, the void will devour you.
Sans closes his eyes, breathes forcefully, and clenches his fists. Little by little, he stops spinning, stabilizing himself in the midst of the crystalline space. The shadow charges again, but this time Sans is ready. His hand glows with a blue radiance, and he delivers a precise punch that disintegrates the creature in a flash.
Amaterasu: (proudly) That's it. If you control your breath and willpower, the void will become your weapon, not your enemy.
Sans: (panting, but smiling) Heh… it's starting to make sense.
Meanwhile, in the Domain of Realms…
María: Big or small? (smiling playfully)
Nevaeh: Mmmh… medium.
María: There's no medium, only big or small.
Nevaeh: Okay… then small.
María: One small cake coming up.
Eilane: I knew you were a glutton… just like Azrael says.
Nevaeh: Hey! I'm not a glutton… mmmhhh… (pouts with puffed cheeks)
Alexander: Look, I've got cake here. Open up, Nevaeh, say "aaahh."
At that moment, a portal suddenly opens in the middle of María's shop. Out steps Azrael, surrounded by a dark aura and sparks of power.
Azrael: Nevaeh is miiiiiine!!
Azrael charges toward Alexander comically, throwing wild swipes and shoves. Alexander, wide-eyed, runs all around the shop while Azrael chases him through tables and cakes.
Alexander: But it was just a piece of cake!
Azrael: The cake isn't the problem, it's you getting close to Nevaeh!!
María watches with the tray in her hand, sighing.
María: (muttering) And here I thought today would be a quiet day…
Meanwhile, in the Domain Beyond…
Zareth Kai: That Azrael…
Amaterasu: Azrael?
Zareth Kai: Nothing… I was just thinking out loud.
Susanoo: Is he talking about a god?
Amaterasu: No idea, don't ask me.
In the Domain of Cavities, Sans had already defeated no fewer than a hundred shadows.
Sans: (wide-eyed, panting) I'm gonna die of exhaustion!
Zareth Kai: Keep fighting.
Sans: But…!
Zareth Kai: I said keep fighting, you idiot!
Sans: Fiiiine!!
Suddenly, Sans found himself surrounded by ten more shadows, all moving like ravenous beasts eager to devour him. Yet, something was clear: each time he struck one down, his strength grew, his power expanded like an uncontrollable fire.
Amaterasu: Don't you think this is too much for a mere mortal?
Zareth Kai: I gave him a little power. If he can't control it… that's not my problem.
Amaterasu: And what if you had trained him before throwing him into this place?
Susanoo: Exactly, you could've at least taught him the basics.
Zareth Kai: My plans are flawless. If he learns in the middle of battle, he'll become a formidable warrior. In fact… I can already see his future. Hehehe… (laughs with a sinister tone)
Susanoo: You're hopeless.
Amaterasu: So immature…
Zareth Kai: Oh, shut up! (comically annoyed, making a gesture of frustration)
Sans began glowing with such an intense blue light that the shadows recoiled in terror, slowly fading into the crystalline vastness.
Zareth Kai: Good. You've conquered the Domain of Cavities. You're not its strongest, but without a doubt, you can now transcend that plane. Well done, Sans.
Sans: What's a plane?
Amaterasu: (facepalming) Mortals are so foolish…
Zareth Kai: Focus. Gather your energy, channel it into a single point… (Zareth Kai transfers the knowledge to ascend.)
Sans: Hmm… I get it.
With determination, Sans extended his hand and opened a portal glowing with crystalline sparks. Without hesitation, he stepped through, transcending beyond the Domain of Cavities.
Amaterasu: The mortal learns quickly.
Susanoo: No kidding…