"No, Serah. I can''t let you do that."
Neron shook his head as he looked into Serah''s crimson eyes.
"What?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly. "Why not?"
"Because I don''t want you to get hurt," Neron said softly.
"Legris and I can handle this, but you... you deserve better."
"I can handle myself," she argued, her voice rising again.
"No," Legris said, stepping in. "You shouldn''t have to. This isn''t your fight."
Serah''s frustration boiled over, and she let out a scream of anger. "You''re both being ridiculous! You think I''ll just stand by and let you do this alone?"
"I''m sorry, Serah," Neron said quietly. "But this is how it has to be."
Before she could respond, Neron raised his hand, a soft glow emanating from his fingers. Serah''s eyes widened in realization, but before she could move, the Magic took hold.
Her body went limp, and Neron caught her as she fell. He sighed heavily, his expression filled with regret.
"Forgive me, Serah," he murmured. "I''lle back for you. I promise."
With a wave of his hand, a teleportation circle appeared beneath her. In an instant, she vanished, sent back to the safety of the Eastern Empire.
Neron straightened, exhaling slowly as he turned to Legris.
"Thanks for staying with me," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his eyes.
Legris nodded, and ced his hand on his shoulder while smiling emphatically.
"Of course… We''re friends, after all."
Neron straightened his posture, his eyes narrowing with resolve as he called out,
"Martial de God! Come back."
The air seemed to ripple as the Martial de God reappeared, stepping out of the shadows as if he had never left.
His gaze swept over Neron before settling on Legris with a flicker of disapproval.
"What is it now?" he asked, his tone edged with impatience.
Neron met his gaze firmly.
"Legris ising with me."
The Martial de God raised an eyebrow, his arms crossing. "I don''t recall extending the invitation to your friend here. Why should I ept him?"
"Because we''re a package deal," Neron said inly. "If you want me, you have to take him too."
Legris stepped forward, his tone steady as he added, "I''ll pull my own weight. Whatever trials you throw at me, I''ll prove myself."
For a moment, the Martial de God was silent, his eyes narrowing as if weighing the sincerity of Legris''s words.
Finally, he let out a soft chuckle.
"Bold words," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Fine. I''ll allow it. But make no mistake—your survival is your own responsibility. I won''t tolerate dead weight."
Legris nodded resolutely. "I understand."
The Martial de God''s gaze shifted back to Neron, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Then let''s see if the two of you can keep up."
Before either of them could respond, he vanished in a blur of motion, his speed leaving a faint gust of wind in his wake.
"Looks like we''re already being tested," Neron muttered, ncing at Legris.
"Then let''s not fail," Legris replied, determination shing in his eyes.
With that, the twounched into a sprint, chasing after the faint trail of energy the Martial de God left behind.
*********
Hours passed as they raced across varied terrains—vast ins, dense forests, and rocky mountains that seemed insurmountable.
The Martial de God never slowed, his pace relentless as if designed to break their spirits.
Yet Neron and Legris pressed on, their stamina and willpower keeping them moving despite the strain on their bodies.
Eventually, thendscape began to change. The air grew colder, and the sky darkened, a heavy mist settling over the horizon.
Ahead of them, the faint glimmer of an ocean came into view, its dark waters churning ominously.
"There!" Legris shouted, pointing toward the distance.
Through the mist, they spotted the Martial de God standing at the edge of a cliff, waiting for them. As they approached, he didn''t turn, instead gesturing to the sea ahead.
"This way," he said, his voice carrying over the crashing waves.
Without hesitation, he leaped forward, skimming across the water''s surface as if it were solid ground.
Neron and Legris exchanged a nce before following, their feet barely touching the waves as they pushed themselves to their limits to keep pace.
After what felt like an eternity, the mist began to clear, revealing a massive ind rising from the sea.
Its shores were unlike anything they had seen before—pure white, as though carved from baster, glowing faintly in the dim light.
They slowed as they reached the shore, their breaths heavy from the journey. Ahead of them, towering structures stretched into the sky, their intricate designs speaking of a power and grandeur far beyond human craftsmanship.
The Martial de God turned to face them, his expression calm but with a hint of satisfaction.
"Wee to the Cult," he said, his voice echoing slightly in the still air.
Neron and Legris stood silently, their eyes taking in the surrealndscape before them.
They both knew that they had crossed a threshold, leaving their old lives behind. Whatever awaited them here would test not only their strength but their very resolve.
The Martial de God smirked.
"This is just the beginning."
********
[Months Later]
It was time for the meeting tomence.
The grand hall of the Nether Cult''s sanctuary was dimly lit, the air charged with tension and authority.
The heavy doors creaked open, and a young boy stepped inside, his auramanding immediate respect despite his youthful appearance.
His strikingly calm demeanor and piercing gaze made it clear that this was no ordinary child—it was the leader of the Nether Cult.
Behind him followed a veileddy dressed in pure white, her presence serene yet unnervingly mysterious.
The boy approached the long table in the center of the room, nked by five chairs on each side, all upied by the most powerful members of the Nether Cult.
Taking his seat at the head of the table, he nced around the room and spoke in a tone that was soft yet authoritative.
"It is time to begin the meeting."