The hollow sound that echoes from whatever infinitely deep space is connected here, coalesces until it becomes a rumbling growl. At the same time, the tangle of flames separate and peel out into four tall legs and a toothy maw... which turns in Huisang's direction, regarding him.

Then, all at once, the invisible door snaps shut. Reality reverberates back into place. All light snuffs out. Like water being thrown onto live coals, the fiery shape sizzles and darkens to black.

Tiangou--devourer of the moon; guardian to the gates of heaven--stands before this latest Nie as a black dog the size of a horse, eyes burning like cinders, watching.