Final lap
The answer, of course, comes in the form of a gigantic tree. That looks so tall and imposing and just...
Well. Never let it be said that Nephrite is afraid of trees. There's a door, on its base. How... convenient. And suspicious. So the tree is not just simply a tree, then? It serves a purpose quite different than what it's supposed to do?
Hmm.
He enters the tree and wanders around, before coming to the very bottom of a seemingly unending staircase. Nephrite grits his teeth. There is no other way except up, if he wants to know what this tree is hiding in its core. Boldly he takes the first step.
Thirty minutes and a thousand breaths later, Nephrite has reached the top. His legs ache and they are on the verge of shaking and collapsing from under him, so he allows himself to sink on his knees and palms as reward for his deed.
Breathe. Breathe.
He looks up and sees... nothing. The top of the tree is encased in total darkness, until a small, sparkling light appears in the very middle of it.
Come.
Nephrite lifts a hand to shield his eyes. Soon he stands and walks to that shining light. It's a stone. His stone, he's sure of it.
He swallows hard. It's here. It's here and whole and he can be a Shitennou again. He can be powerful and strong and just like before, and he doesn't have to rely on humans again and--
With these thoughts spurring him on, Nephrite grabs the stone.
Excruciating pain greets him, as it meets his skin. Searing heat as the stone burrows inside his palm. It is enough to cause him to scream in utter terror. No! Stop! I-- NOOOOOOO!
A moment later, and he drops on the floor, unconscious.
The stone has made its way inside of him, throbbing and alive.