He shook his head slowly, his breathing uneven. "I don't have much time," he said, locking eyes with me.

For a second, I froze. The calm in his voice didn't match the tremor in his body. He looked down at the void below, his eyes distant, unfocused. The crimson glow from the link behind him washed over his face, and sweat trickled down his temples.

I reached out, Essence already gathering in my palm; violet and green currents swirling together as I prepared to rip the chain apart.

But before I could touch it, Dante's hand shot up, stopping mine midair. His grip was weak but steady.

"Don't," he said quietly.

Behind him, I heard Steve curse under his breath. "What the hell do you mean don't?"

North stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Billion… we can't just stand here."

Dante exhaled, his breath shallow, and released my hand. "It will be of no use," he said quietly. "I will die anyway."

For a moment, I thought he was joking, just another one of his dry remarks. But when I looked into his eyes, there was no trace of humor, only calm acceptance. That expression, the steady resolve of a man who had already made peace with his fate, twisted my chest.

"You need to hear me out first," he continued, his tone growing strained as the chain behind him pulsed brighter. "I'm sure you've figured out some of the rules here, but there's more. The more you kill, the more parasite chains will be born… and the stronger they'll get."

I could see the veins bulging along his neck, his face tightening in pain, but he pushed through it. His voice grew ragged.

"I can also sense the other chained ones… and what they're doing. I can feel them moving, fighting. Primus and Anjee are in danger. You'll need to head back the way you came to find them. Even Vaelix is on that side. Ohh and the chains will try to latch onto your soul, they're targeting those with weaker souls first, unfortunately, I have a very weak soul."

He was talking faster now, his words tumbling over each other. His whole body trembled, the glow of the link reflecting off the sweat on his face.

"But—" I tried to interrupt, but he raised his hand sharply to silence me.

"There's more," he said. "I can feel a pull, a connection to something below us." His gaze shifted toward the endless abyss beneath the bridge. "Whatever this place is, its heart lies down there. That's where the mirror is… and that's your way out."

He waved his hand, and a metallic cube floated out of thin air, humming softly. "Take it. This will authorize you to use my ship."

Then, with visible effort, he raised his right hand and pressed it against his forehead. His fingers trembled violently as he forced something out of himself. A faint blue glow emerged, a small orb of light, pulsing softly.

When he opened his right eye again, it met mine. "These are my memories. Store this in your mind," he said, a faint smile twitching on his lips. "Don't read it yet… there are some embarrassing moments in there." He tried to chuckle, but it came out as a rough cough. "One day, it'll help you."

The orb floated toward me, and though I hesitated for a heartbeat, the sincerity in his gaze anchored my decision. I let it merge into my mind, where it settled below the runes of Time,.

"Thank you, Billion," he whispered. "I'm glad I met you three. Vaythos will have a bright future ahead."

Then, as he spoke, his clear eye flickered crimson.

My heart sank instantly.

"The corruption has spread too far," he said, noticing my expression. "I had to sacrifice part of my soul just to hold on this long. What's left of me… it's beyond saving. Not even your talents can undo this."

"Damn it," Steve muttered behind me, his voice shaking with anger.

Dante smiled faintly. "I've lived a good life," he said, almost to himself. "So I'll go without regrets. To you three, I'll say this, keep going. Don't stop, no matter what happens. It's a fight to the end. Death comes for everyone, but living… living is a choice. Do it gloriously. There are secrets out there waiting for you, truths I never reached. Maybe you will."

North knelt beside him, tears glinting in her eyes as she took his trembling hand. "Vaythos needs you," she said, her voice breaking. "I need you. You're my mentor. We'll find a way, do not give up."

He smiled again, softer this time. "I'm not giving up, North," he said gently. "I'm passing on my will, to you three. Carry it. See this war through to the end. I need some answers, help me find them."

Her hand tightened around his, but he didn't let her speak. "Now, will you do me a favor, North?"

She nodded silently.

"Kill me," he said simply. "I don't want to end up as another puppet. At least this way, I'll help you one last time, with my comprehension… as your mentor."

The words hit her like a blade. North's whole body trembled, her grip tightening around his hand as tears streamed down her cheeks. "No… no, please. Don't ask me that."

"Girl," Dante rasped, his voice deepening as half of his right eye turned fully red. "I don't have much time."

Steve took a step forward, his jaw clenched, but even he couldn't bring himself to speak. His aura wavered violently, and I knew if I didn't act soon, the chain might force Dante into a puppet state.

I clenched my fist hard enough for my arm to tremble. The space around me trembled slightly as Essence surged through my core, matching the rhythm of my heartbeat.

Dante looked at me one last time. There was pride in his expression—no fear, no regret, just the quiet dignity of someone who had already accepted his end.

I hated it.

The thought of losing him, after everything he had done for us, tore through my chest like glass.

The chain pulsed violently again, the red light creeping across his body. He shuddered, forcing a smile.

"Well," he said, voice trembling but calm, "what are you waiting for, kid? Don't make an old man wait forever."

North's breath hitched. She covered her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks as quiet sobs escaped her. Steve turned his face away, his fists shaking so hard I could hear his knuckles crack. The air felt heavy, pressing down on all of us. But I wasn't ready to give up. Not like this. Not because he told me to.

My domain trembled around me as I clenched my jaw. I could feel my Psynapse screaming against the limits of control, Essence raging within like a storm begging to break free.

I reached out, wrapping my right hand around the chain that bound him. The moment I touched it, my skin burned, Essence reacting violently to the corruption inside. But I didn't stop. I had done this once before, with Ragnar and I would do it again, no matter the cost.

This time, I went further. I tore open two pocket spaces, one within the other, to contain the explosion that would follow. I couldn't risk hurting him. My left arm was still regenerating from the elbow down, fresh tissue weaving itself slowly. I knew my right arm wouldn't survive what I was about to do, but I didn't care.

I poured my will into my Essence, feeding the chain everything I had. The pressure built until my vision blurred. Then—

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