They sat once more at the shadowed table, Darkness at the head, sipping her ever-present tea. Rhenvar was absent this time. In his place sat Apex Nova, posture rigid.
Veronica's and Sinephilim's spirit beasts lay dormant in their souls, waiting for the command to be summoned.
Willow looked around frantic.
"Wait, where's Rhen?" Willow blurted.
"It seems your cursed knight has chosen a new God to play with," Darkness said, annoyed, almost sad. "Urithax, the fallen dragon God, is now assisting him in our grand little mission."
Who knew the man had intelligence.
"So, he left us?" Willow asked, voice tight. "That's why he wanted to talk to the dragon alone?"
"Yes," Sinephilim said, voice firm. "And it was the right decision. He knows he's dangerous around us. We should be grateful."
It's not that we wanted this. We needed this. After witnessing what he could become just because Willow was gone. He's truly unreliable.
"I have to agree," Veronica added. "While losing his power is unfortunate, Rhenvar did what he thought was best, for us. Don't forget about Viir, either."
All eyes turned to Willow.
He was the only one who might have protested.
"You still have his ring," Apex said. "My directive is to observe you, Inmate F173. I suggest we track him."
Silence.
Then finally, Willow spoke. "No."
Everyone blinked.
"What?" Veronica asked. "But Felicia said- "
"Rhenvar asked me to trust him," Willow said quietly. "So, I will."
Darkness cackled. "Oh, how delicious it is. My little Worldeater grows a spine. Perhaps you're more than a bleeding heart after all." She turned to Apex. "And you. Newcomer."
He stood, professional. "Apex Nova. Field officer of the intergalactic-"
"I know what you are," she waved dismissively. "I'm allowing you to sit here because I find you and your world amusing."
"The war against Worldeaters is no joke, Goddess," Apex replied.
"I do not care for your war, mortal. I care about my world. Its resurrection."
Apex stirred.
"You truly believe it's possible? To resurrect a world already lost?"
Darkness's white glowing eyes narrowed. "Do I have a choice not to believe it? My world is gone. Thanks to this little fire mage." She gestured at Willow. "An unfortunate coincidence, yes."
"I have questions and I want them answered." Apex said slowly sitting back down.
"And I have tea," she said, raising her cup. "One of these things is welcome. The other is not."
The group felt tense.
She leaned forward, smiling faintly. "Test me again, soldier boy, and you'll find how easy it is to get lost in the dark."
Sinephilim cleared her throat, cutting through the tension. "So… we continue our mission?"
Darkness tilted her head. "Ever observant, little sister. While Urithax and his sister are strong, they are not enough. Not by a long shot."
"Urithax's sister?" Sinephilim blinked.
"The Phoenix Goddess Embera. Urithax killed her once. Rebirth is her domain. She can raise the dead and herself."
Willow's eyes beamed; he looked like he'd just been handed a miracle.
"The next world," Darkness continued. Tone shifting, "is an oddity. A thought, a dream, a place for fear."
"Great. A horror world." Veronica groaned.
Darkness smiled, sharp as a dagger. "It reveals your fears. Plays with them. Punishes them. Twists reality."
"And the Worldheart?" Sinephilim asked.
"You'll find it," she said. "When you stop running from what haunts you."
Her smirk widened.
"You'd better be ready. Because it's already watching you."
She snapped her fingers.
Shadows engulfed them.