Neron's heart sank. "You don't know where they are."
"Oh, but I do," the Martial Blade 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 flared in Neron's chest, but the Martial Blade God raised a hand, as if to calm him.
"There's no need to be hasty. Join us, Neron, and none of this will come to pass. In fact," he added with a sly grin, "there are benefits to joining the Nether Cult."
"Benefits?" Neron asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
"The Arcanas we've gathered are more than mere trinkets," the Martial Blade God explained. "Our goal is to combine 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 Blade 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 moments later, 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 Blade God, who stood opposite him, his posture relaxed 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.
"But—" Serah began, but Neron held up a hand to stop her.
"The Great Sage and his friends tried something similar," 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 Blade God will even accept 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 Blade 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 declaration was deafening as both Neron and Legris stared at her in surprise.
However, unlike with Neron, their gaze showed something different.
Utter disapproval.