~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!~
The tremors shook the cavern violently, dislodging ancient dust from the ceilings and sending scrolls tumbling from their precarious perches.
Neron steadied himself against the pedestal, his mind racing.
The booming voice outside rang in his ears, its authority undeniable, and it stirred a sense of foreboding deep in his gut.
Lilith, standing by the entrance to the hideout, exuded a calm that belied the chaos outside.
Her back was to him, her posture rigid and purposeful.
"I told you to stay here," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Neron clenched his fists. "And I told you, I'm not just going to sit here while someone's clearly targeting you—and possibly me. You've trained me for weeks now. I can hold my own."
Her gaze flicked over her shoulder, her crimson eyes sharp and unyielding. "This isn't a training exercise, Neron. It's a battle. And you're not ready."
~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!~
Another explosion echoed outside, louder this time, as if punctuating her words.
The ground trembled again, cracks forming along the stone walls.
"Lilith," Neron began, his tone pleading, "I can't just let you face whatever that is alone. I'm part of this now. If someone's coming after you—or me—then I need to know why. I have a right to stand beside you."
Lilith sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose.
For all his inexperience, his determination was unshakable, and she knew arguing further would only waste precious time.
"Fine," she said finally, her tone laced with exasperation. "But if you so much as flinch in the wrong direction, I'll knock you out myself and drag you back here."
Neron gave a small nod, suppressing the spark of relief that threatened to show on his face. The gravity of the situation wasn't lost on him.
"Let's go," she said, turning toward the exit.
Her footsteps were steady, almost casual, as if she were heading to a routine errand rather than a confrontation with an unknown force.
Neron followed, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread.
'I can already feel a suffocating pressure from this point...' He thought to himself. 'And Lilith is acting a little different from usual...'
"I don't. But... let's just say I know someone who does."
"I see..."
"My primary goal right now is singular: to fight you again, Lilith... and win this time."
The Martial Blade God's gaze darkened, his amusement fading.
"Ah, and as for you... the Singularity." His eyes narrowed on Neron. "We've been searching for you, and it seems I'm in luck. That stupid colleague of mine let you slip out of his grasp back then in search of an Arcana, but I won't make the same mistake."
Neron felt a chill crawl up his spine. "Singularity? What are you talking about?"
Lilith stepped between them, her stance protective.
"That's enough," she said, her voice sharp. "If you're here for me, leave him out of it."
The Martial Blade God's grin returned, though it held a predatory edge.
"You misunderstand, Lilith. The Cult's orders are clear. The Singularity must be eliminated. If he's with you, then he's part of this fight."
Lilith's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You want a fight? Fine. But here's the deal: you leave him alone. I'll give you a battle that satisfies you, and in return, you walk away without touching him."
He tilted his head, considering her words. "And if you fail to satisfy me?"
"You won't," she said simply, her confidence absolute.
The Martial Blade God laughed again, the sound echoing across the barren landscape. "Very well. A worthy battle it is. But don't expect me to hold back, Lilith. I've surpassed every limit since our last encounter."
Lilith turned her head slightly, addressing Neron without looking at him.
"Stay back. No matter what happens, you don't interfere."
Neron's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly.
The two combatants began to close the distance between them, their movements deliberate and measured. The air between them seemed to hum with tension, the very ground beneath their feet cracking from the weight of their auras.
Lilith muttered under her breath, her voice so low that only she could hear it.
"Let's get this over with."