—
Zen, ever the joker even in adversity, quipped, "I didn't sign up for a botanical brawl today—but I guess nature really does have its own way of saying hello."
Jeni gave him a pointed look, though the corners of her mouth twitched in amusement. "Maybe next time, try complimenting the flora instead of cutting it down," she teased, then added in a low voice to Dabi, "Your control was impressive, as always."
Dabi nodded curtly, acknowledging the praise with a slight smile. "Focus. We're getting closer." He gestured forward where the corridor opened into a cavernous hall that pulsed with a dull, rhythmic beat—the sound of a massive heart hidden within the temple's depths.
As they entered the hall, the ground beneath them was soft and spongy, almost as if it were covered in moss or ancient, decaying leaves.
