After questioning B, the group still hadn’t moved from the Underside. None of them had even suggested going back above ground yet. It wasn’t fear that held them there, but caution. They wouldn’t leave until they received confirmation from Alen’s contacts that things above were stable enough, or at least not actively hostile.
There was no doubt that the remaining Grand Magus, as well as the major guilds, would begin an investigation. Something like this had never happened before, not with so many Grand Magus disappearing in such a short span of time. Even for Idore, who had always stood with absolute confidence in his position, this situation was enough to cause unease. If nothing else, the certainty that once surrounded the world had finally begun to crack.
The group sat in silence, scattered around the dimly lit chamber beneath Alterian. Some leaned against the stone walls, others sat on the ground, lost in their thoughts. No one quite knew what to say next, and for the first time since everything had begun, there was no immediate enemy bearing down on them.
It was Dame who eventually broke the silence.
"I have an offer I would like to make," Dame said, his voice calm but deliberate. "And before you decline it outright, I want you to really think about it."
Everyone turned to look at him. The person Dame was addressing wasn’t hard to guess. His eyes were fixed firmly on Raze.
"I’m listening, Dame," Raze replied. "You’ve helped me more than enough already. I owe you that much."
Dame took a slow breath before continuing. "You might not be able to tell yourself, but I think what’s happening to Safa is sitting at the back of your mind."
Raze didn’t respond immediately.
"You might think you don’t care," Dame continued, "or maybe you’ve convinced yourself that you can push it aside. But you are worried."
That earned a reaction. Not an outburst, not anger, but the faintest tightening of Raze’s expression.
"If you want to defeat the remaining two Grand Magus," Dame said, "then you need to have no distractions. That’s why I’m offering for you to use the Golden Globe and allow me to return to Pagna."
Liam’s head snapped up.
"I’ll find out if Safa is safe," Dame added. "And if she isn’t... then I’ll do whatever I can to reach the Divine stage and bring her back."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Reaching the Divine stage wasn’t something spoken about lightly. It wasn’t just difficult, it bordered on the impossible for most. Dame wouldn’t have suggested it unless he truly believed he had a path forward, no matter how narrow that path might be.
"The Golden Globe can only be used once a month, right?" Liam said after a moment. "On a specific day. And if someone should go back to see if Safa is okay, then it should be me."
Dame immediately shook his head.
"No," he said firmly. "Right now, Raze needs as much help as he can get. And between the two of us, you are more useful here."
Liam frowned.
"I helped you defeat the Cerberus Guild member," Dame continued, "but I’m not foolish enough to ignore reality. With your items and your system, you’re stronger and more adaptable than I am."
He paused briefly before adding, "And my hybrid form... the damage it took from Harvey isn’t healing properly. I’m worse off now than I was before."
That silence returned, heavier than before.
"Isn’t there another problem?" B asked. "If Dame takes the Golden Globe, then we’re stuck here until he es back."
"Actually," Raze said, interrupting her, "that might not be an issue."
Everyone turned toward him.
"When I entered Ibarin’s library at the academy," Raze continued, "I found records regarding the Golden Globe. I don’t know why that information was stored there. The only explanation I can think of is that it was left behind by the founder of the Dark Faction."
He reached into his coat as he spoke.
"According to those records, the Golden Globe can be split into two parts, an outer shell and an inner core."
Raze’s fingers tightened slightly around the artifact.
"The information states that when separated, the item was designed for a specific purpose. If someone from Pagna uses one half and passes through the portal, then using the item again will always open a portal to where the other half is."
He looked up.
"This works both ways."
Liam blinked. "So you’re saying... if Dame returns to Pagna with one half, then when you use your half, it’ll open a portal directly to him?"
"Yes," Raze said. "And if Dame uses his half, it will open a portal to wherever I am, as long as I still have the other piece."
"And the once-a-month restriction?" Liam asked.
"That still applies," Raze answered. "If Dame uses it, then I won’t be able to activate it immediately afterward. However, once the portal opens, it stays active until someone passes through. There’s a short window before it closes."
The group exchanged uncertain glances. It was risky. Everything about it was risky.
In the end, though, the decision didn’t belong to them.
Raze exhaled slowly.
"I think what you’re saying makes sense," he said at last. "Even if we can’t municate directly, knowing that you’re searching for Safa will help me focus."
For once, Raze didn’t hide his feelings.
With that, he pulled the Golden Globe out fully. Twisting it carefully, he separated it with a soft metallic click. From within, a smaller golden core emerged. Without hesitation, Raze handed it to Dame.
"I want one favor from you," Dame said quietly. "If you end up fighting the Grand Magus without me, wait until the day the Golden Globe can be used."
Raze looked at him.
"If you’re in serious trouble," Dame continued, "if your life is truly on the line, then escape to Pagna. Live to fight another day."
***
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