A black box rested on the ground among the shining crystals. Their sharp spires glimmered in the light.
yet dark surface of box stood in stark contrast to glow of the surrounding crystals.
_Kreee!
Soon, the cry of the glass peacock echoed, as it came out to flaunt its beauty.
Hanging inside the box Mark held his breath and activated [stealth].
'Here it comes.'
Suddenly, the glass peacock noticed a black box on the ground, its dark form clashing with the mountain's beauty.
Its eyes flared with a yellow light as it tried to turn the box into crystal.
But to not veil it was not a living object after all.
_kreeeee!
The ringing cry grew louder until the glass peacock decided to go down itself, wings of blue crystal glinting like shards of sky.
It descended gracefully, each beat scattering fragments of light across the mountain walls. With a final sweep of its radiant tail, it landed among the crystal spires, the ground echoing faintly under its weight.
Its jeweled head tilted, sharp eyes catching the dull glow of crystals mixed into the black box.
Mark felt a sudden heavy pressure descending upon him as it circled the box slowly, cautious yet curious, its shimmering reflection dancing across the dark surface.
The runes were glowing inside the box and he felt like something was nailing his head.
'ENDURE IT, FOR SURVIVAL! FOR SURVIVAL!'
He clenched his fist tighter around the handle.
_Kree!
Another low cry echoed as the glass peacock kicked the black box, as if mocking it.
Mark had expected this, but the shockwaves still rattled him, he cursed inwardly.
'THIS RACIST PIECE OF SHIT! JUST TAKE THE BOX YOU NARCISSISTIC BASTARD.'
The glass peacock circled the black box one last time, then
_Kree!
With a piercing cry, it spread its wings wide and lowered its glittering claws.
The sharp talons clamped around the black box, the box groaned and tighten around the Mark, but the bird's strength left it no choice.
With a single powerful beat of its radiant wings, the peacock lifted off the ground, carrying the dark box high into the air.
Inside the box Mark rejoiced,
'IT'S WORKING, HOLY SHIT IT'S WORKING HAHA!'
But he calmed himself quickly,
'Ok, now for the next part.'
He slowly shifted toward the bottom side, cutting its threads while holding the handle.
Soon, the bottom plate came loose, but Mark still clung to it with one arm, hanging inside the box like a spider.
The wind roared through the gaps of the box as Mark peeked down.
'WOW!'
His breath caught at the sight below, the crystal mountains gleamed like a field of stars, every spire flashing blue and white under the light of mountain peaks.
From this height, the peaks itself looked endless, their sharp edges scattering light in all directions.
For a moment, fear loosened its grip on him. Hanging in the air, carried by the glass peacock's claws, he felt both small and weightless.
The world below was beautiful.
'I'll never forget this sight. If only this place wasn't crawling with deadly monsters, it could've been a wonderful amusement spot.'
_Kree!
The glass peacock cried while soaring in the air.
'Right, sorry you bastard. I don't have any rent on me, so I'll just have to ditch at the right time.'
Riding in the black box, Mark felt the glass peacock glide lower as they neared a vast lake.
The water stretched out like a mirror, reflecting the sky and the crystal peaks in the distance. He tensed,
'I need to jump when it crosses the lake, the impact won't be smooth but its worth it.'
As was planning his landing his eyes caught something moving in the water.
'What was that?'
He focused on the lake and saw a massive shadow just below the water surface.
'WHAT THE HEL-'
Suddenly,
But before he could say anything, the water below erupted.
A massive octopus, its tentacles dark and thick as tree trunks, burst upward.
With terrifying speed, it wrapped around the glass peacock, dragging at its wings.
The bird let out a sharp cry, feathers flashing blue light as it struggled, but the monster's grip only tightened.
The sudden impact shook the box violently,Mark lost his balance as it slipped from the peacock's claws.
'DAMN IT! WHERE DID THAT THING CAME FROM.'
Mark quickly abandoned the box leapting out of it just holding it's bottom plate.
The black box tumbled, crashing into the lake with a heavy splash, while above, the crystal bird and the great octopus thrashed against each other, locked in a furious battle.