Neron''s heart sank. "You don''t know where they are."
"Oh, but I do," the Martial de God replied smoothly. "The only reason you were able to teleport them is because I allowed you to, and I was also able to discern exactly where you took them to."
"N-no…"
" They''re even rushing to this location as we speak."
Panic red in Neron''s chest, but the Martial de God raised a hand, as if to calm him.
"There''s no need to be hasty. Join us, Neron, and none of this wille to pass. In fact," he added with a sly grin, "there are benefits to joining the Nether Cult."
"Benefits?" Neron asked, his voiceced with skepticism.
"The Arcanas we''ve gathered are more than mere trinkets," the Martial de God exined. "Our goal is tobine them and forge a new Arcana—one capable of granting the wishes of every Cult member."
The words hit Neron like a physical blow.
"Granting a wish… really?"
His eyes widened as the implications unfolded in his mind. A single Arcana capable of fulfilling his deepest desire…
''An end to Magic…'' His thoughts whispered, the potential of his wish surfacing before he could stop it.
His eyes began to leak out a certain gleam.
The Martial de God''s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with understanding.
"Ah," he said softly. "Now you''re beginning to see the possibilities."
*********
[Moments Later]
A few momentster, the faint sound of rushing footsteps broke through the silence of the battlefield. Neron turned his head just as Serah and Legris emerged from the chaos, their eyes widening at the sight before them.
"Neron?" Serah called out, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Her gaze shifted from him to the Martial de God, who stood opposite him, his posture rxed and his expression calm.
What stunned her most, however, was the sight of Neron shaking hands with the very enemy they had fought so hard to evade.
"What is going on here?" Legris demanded, his voice a mix of confusion and shock.
Before Neron could respond, Serah''s expression hardened.
Her hands lit up with crimson energy as she lunged toward the Martial de God, her instincts screaming to attack.
"Serah, wait!" Neron shouted, moving quickly to intercept her.
In a sh, he stood between her and the Martial de God, grabbing her arm mid-strike.
Her energy dissipated, and she red at him in anger.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, struggling against his grip.
Neron''s voice was calm but firm as he said,
"Serah, stop. I''ve made my decision."
"What decision?" Legris asked, though the unease in his voice suggested he already knew the answer.
"I''ve decided to join him… and the Nether Cult," Neron said, his tone heavy with finality.
Both Serah and Legris froze, the weight of his words sinking in. Serah''s expression shifted from anger to shock.
"You what?"
The Martial de God let out a low chuckle, stepping back. "I''ll leave you all to discuss this among yourselves," he said smoothly.
"Take your time."
With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving the trio alone amidst the ruins.
Serah rounded on Neron the moment the Martial de God was gone.
"What do you mean you''re joining him, or them?" she demanded. "How can you even consider this?"
Neron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It''s not a decision I made lightly, Serah. But it''s the only way."
"The only way for what?" Legris asked, stepping closer, his tone calmer but still wary.
"To end Magic," Neron said. "For good."
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Serah frowned deeply. "What are you talking about?"
Neron began to exin, his voice steady but filled with a grim determination. "The Nether Cult isn''t just gathering the Arcanas for power. They''re trying tobine them into a single Arcana, one that can grant any wish. If I join them and help, I can use that Arcana to wish for a world without Magic."
"But—" Serah began, but Neron held up a hand to stop her.
"The Great Sage and his friends tried something simr," he continued. "They used an Arcana to wipe the memory of Demons from everyone''s minds. But it wasn''t enough. People rediscovered them once they surfaced once more. Even if I use that lost Arcana to erase everyone''s mind, they''ll just rediscover it. They always do. The only way to truly end Magic is to erase it entirely from existence."
Legris''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he listened.
"That''s... a lot to take in," he admitted. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he added,
"But I understand."
Serah turned to him, shocked. "Legris, you can''t be serious!"
Legris met her gaze with a calm determination. "I am. Neron''s right. If this is the only way to end Magic, then I''ll stand by him. I''ll join the Nether Cult too."
Neron blinked in surprise.
"Legris, I appreciate your support, but I don''t know if the Martial de God will even ept you."
"Then I''ll prove myself," Legris said firmly. "Whatever it takes."
Neron smiled faintly, grateful for his friend''s loyalty.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Serah, however, was far from convinced.
"This is insane," she said, shaking her head. "You''re both walking into a trap. This Nether Cult group has to be shady, and you know they can''t be trusted. We should take our chances and escape."
"Serah, we can''t escape," Neron said, his voice rising slightly. "The Martial de God won''t let us. If I refuse their offer, we all die. You, me, ams Legris."
"There has to be another way!" she insisted.
"There isn''t!" Neron''s voice was sharp, cutting through her protests. "This is the only option we have left."
Serah''s shoulders slumped, her expression one of frustration and helplessness. After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Fine. If that''s the only way, then I''ll join too."
The silence following her deration was deafening as both Neron and Legris stared at her in surprise.
However, unlike with Neron, their gaze showed something different.
Utter disapproval.