Guardie held Cain as the blast's shockwave hurled them through the air.
Thrown forward by Cain, Guardie absorbed much of the impact, maintaining flight balance.
"Thanks, Guardie!"
Cain stabilized, resuming flight and accelerating away alongside Guardie.
White smoke rose from Cain's body, a residue from the explosion, drifting over the abyss.
Though they gained some distance, the Zoigers and Dark Melbas quickly resumed pursuit.
"These guys… relentless!"
Cain glanced back, then gripped Guardie tighter, pushing forward.
Guardie nodded firmly; if it got stronger, it vowed to return and settle scores with these pests.
"The Temple… that must be the Temple!"
After flying for some distance, Cain's pale blue eyes spotted the massive structure through the mist.
Entering the Temple would likely shake off their pursuers.
"No time to worry about the King of Darkness now — if we don't enter, we'll die!"
Cain dashed straight for the grand doors.
The pursuing Zoigers and Melbas sped up, closing the gap.
Just as they were about to collide with Cain and Guardie, they abruptly halted at the Temple's entrance.
Hovering outside the gates, the monsters snarled, seeming reluctant to enter.
Cain and Guardie sensed the reprieve, slowing as they crossed the threshold.
"Why don't they dare follow?"
Cain touched his chin, eyeing the hovering monsters.
"Rrff! Rrff! Rrff!"
"Looks like they're scared… yeah, definitely scared," Cain nodded. "Fine, let's not worry about them. Hopefully, by the time we leave, they'll be gone."
With that, Cain moved deeper into the Temple, Guardie close behind.
Inside, dark energy pervaded the corridors, so intense that even the outside monsters had not dared to enter.
"The King of Darkness must be incredibly powerful," Cain muttered.
If the outside monsters feared the King, Cain definitely couldn't take it head-on.
He could obliterate those pests easily if he ever faced the King — but now, survival was priority.
Suddenly, Cain and Guardie stopped.
The corridor ahead had been destroyed by some unseen force, leaving rubble in its wake.
The devastation was massive, and dark energy concentration here far exceeded any other section.
Cain struck the floor with a fist; a small dust cloud rose.
Yet the ground remained intact.
"Incredible… the one who destroyed this corridor is terrifying!"
Ordinary ground would have cratered under his punch.
But this stone floor, untouched by his strength, had been obliterated into ruins — unfathomable.
"This… must be the work of the King of Darkness."
Cain reasoned only such a force could wreak this level of destruction.
But why destroy his own Temple's corridors? Surely not for fun.
"Someone's invaded the Dark Temple."
Cain's mind immediately connected the dots — only a few people could have done this recently.
"Camearra, Hudra, Darramb," he slowly murmured, adding, "…perhaps Master Tiga as well."
"It seems the King of Darkness unleashed this power to confront them."
As Cain thought further, fear gripped him.
No one could withstand such destruction.
Even his master, Master Tiga, might not survive.
"Sigh…"
"Rrff! Rrff!"
"You don't need to comfort me, Guardie," Cain said with a deep breath. "Let's proceed, stay alert."
One human, one beast, leapt over the ruined corridors, advancing deeper.
Wall carvings lined the Temple corridors, though none radiated dark energy. Cain could not decipher them.
Guardie followed obediently, a well-behaved companion.
Suddenly, Guardie sniffed the air, growling at a particular scent.
Cain looked back, astonished:
"You really are a dog!"
"Not meant as an insult," Cain quickly corrected. "I mean… you really are a dog!"
"Rrff, Rrff, woof!"
"Alright… you're warning me there's a powerful presence ahead?"
"You mean… four of them?!!!"
Cain's mind raced. The Dark Temple had only the King of Darkness, right?
Why did Guardie indicate four? Could there be three subordinates inside with the King?
"No…" Cain's chest heaved. "Inside… they must be…"
"They! Camearra, Hudra, Darramb… and… Master Tiga!"
At the thought, Cain quickened his pace, determined to reach the Temple's depths.
He hadn't gone far when Guardie barked sharply again, signalling danger.
Cain turned — and froze.
Standing behind them was a silver-black giant.
"Mas… Master?!"
Shock overtook Cain.
Milky-white eyes, silver stripes, a silver-and-black body — Master Tiga at last, cold and imposing, after such a long absence.
Strangely, the blue timer on his chest had turned purple.