8mi Chapter 1454 So Close...
Chapter 1454 So Close...
The grand chamber of the Nether Cult's island base was alight with immense energy, the air thick with power as the twelve members of the Cult stood in a perfect circle. At the center of their gathering, the 21 Arcanas they had painstakingly collected floated in a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow, their combined energy pulsing in synchronized waves.
The Cult Leader, draped in dark robes that shimmered with ominous runes, raised his hands, his voice echoing with authority.
"Brothers and sisters, the time has come," he declared. "With the merging of the Arcanas, we shall create [The World], the ultimate Arcana, and fulfill our vision!"
The chamber reverberated with a collective hum of agreement as the merging ritual began.
The Arcanas began to fuse, their distinct forms melding into a radiant core of power. The room vibrated with the intensity of their convergence, the sheer magnitude of energy threatening to overwhelm even the most experienced members.
Then, a subtle shift in the air.
Neron's eyes narrowed as he felt it—a foreign presence amidst the concentrated power. The energy was faint but unmistakable.
He stepped forward, his gaze fixed toward the outer corridors of the base.
The Cult Leader noticed his movement. "What is it, Neron?"
"There's an intruder," Neron replied, his voice calm but edged with certainty. "I know this energy."
The Cult Leader scowled, his hands already weaving a spell. "Activate the island's security systems. We can't afford any interference now."
Neron raised a hand to stop him. "I'll handle this. Keep the ritual going. Nothing will interrupt it."
Without waiting for permission, Neron vanished, his form dissolving into a shadowy blur as he teleported toward the source of the disturbance.
********
In the dimly lit corridor near the edge of the base, Serah Crimson stood with her back against a wall, her crimson eyes scanning her surroundings. The oppressive atmosphere of the Nether Cult's stronghold weighed heavily, but she remained focused.
Her fingers brushed the hilt of her blade, the runes etched into its surface glowing faintly.
"So far, so good," she muttered under her breath.
Her plan had been risky—tracking Neron across countless missions, waiting for the right moment to confront him. Now, standing in the heart of the Nether Cult's base, she knew reinforcements from the Eastern Empire were on their way.
But she also knew she might have to face Neron before they arrived.
She didn't have to wait long.
A sudden ripple in the air. Then, in the blink of an eye, Neron appeared before her, his bright blue eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Serah," he said, his voice cold and unreadable.
She straightened, her hand tightening around her blade. "Neron. I knew you'd come."
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You shouldn't have."
Serah took a step forward, her expression resolute. "I had to. I couldn't let this go on. You and the Cult have gone too far. Do you even realize how many lives you've destroyed?"
Neron didn't respond immediately, his gaze unwavering. "If you've come to stop me, you're too late. The ritual has already begun."
Her jaw tightened.
"Then I'll stop it. I'm not leaving until the Nether Cult is dismantled, and that includes you."
His expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—regret? Frustration? He shook his head.
"You don't understand what we're trying to accomplish."
"Then explain it to me!" Serah shouted, her voice echoing in the corridor. "All I see are criminals playing god, destroying everything in their path to achieve some twisted goal."
Neron stepped closer, his presence imposing but not hostile.
~VWUUSH!~
In a moment, the two of them were outside, the breeze of the outdoors washing over them.
Serah kept glaring at him, not minding her changed surroundings.
"You really think the Nether Cult is the answer, huh? These people—" She gestured behind him. "—are using you. Can't you see that? You're just a tool to them, Neron!"
His eyes glimmered faintly, but his tone remained unyielding.
"We share the same goal. That's all that matters."
Serah's frustration boiled over, and she took another step closer, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.
"And what about the innocent people caught in the crossfire?"
"Are you still referring to those Midas—"
"Is that all it boils down to? The fact that you don't like—"
"That's enough." Neron finally sighed.
His hair turned white, and white cackles of dense energy surrounded him. His expression was full of resolve—enough resolve to fight his childhood friend.
Original Magic versus Original Magic.
"Let's get this over with."
*******
[Moments Later]
"Haa... you've indeed grown strong, Serah."
The devastated scene around them was a testament to Neron's statement.
Of course, he had no scratch on his body, but his expression displayed a good amount of respect for the lady on the ground.
"Y-you... I'll never give up... on you..."
Serah Crimson was on the ground, completely worn out and defeated. Her tired eyes stared at Neron with compassion, but also determination.
"I wish I had [The Fool] on me right now. I would just erase your memories of all that has happened so far."
"Y-you—!!!"
"In any case, I'm leaving. You'd do well to stay away from me."
As Neron began to walk away, Serah grabbed him by the helm of his cloak. Her grip was tired and slipping, but she clung to him desperately.
However—
~VWUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH~
He still managed to escape her grasp. And in an instant, he flew off, sending dust and smoke flying about as he left the lone, injured woman all alone.
"N-Neron..." She whispered.
There was no one to hear her... no one to feel the ache in her heart.
Neron had transported her away from the island—far away to the point where she wouldn't be able to return until the process was done.
He clearly didn't want to hurt her.
Even in their fight, he made sure to only use as much force as was necessary to put her on the ground and prevent her from chasing after him.
'I know there's still good in you...' Her thoughts trailed. 'Everything you're doing is for the greater good, isn't it?'
But, she had to stop him.
'I went through the rest of those Archives and studied them for years, Neron.'
The Midas Empire was innocent.
Legris was dead, sure, but it couldn't have been the Royals of the Midas Empire who committed the act. Also, this Nether Cult... they were mentioned in the records of the Archives.
Nothing about them was good.
"... Neron..."
She struggled to get up, just so she could reach him and stop him.
"... NERON!"
Before it became too late.
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[A/N]
Thanks for reading.
We are slowly reaching the climax and the end of this Arc. And thus... the story of SPELLCRAFT slowly nears its end.
I'm pretty stoked.