Veryn stepped closer, studying the Star Jewel in Marie's hands. "So this is the Star Jewel? It looks so beautiful. Even the way the Saint described it can't compare."

The orb glowed gently, golden light reflecting off Veryn's white robe and making her scales shimmer. The tiny stars swirling within the sphere seemed to dance, creating patterns that drew the eye and held attention.

Casseo nodded, his crimson eyes visible through his helm's visor. "But this confirms it was here, just being masked and covered by the golden barrier."

Veryn held her chin thoughtfully, her grimoire still manifested in her other hand. "I'm surprised there's something that could block the Saint's future sight."

Marie smiled, her light-gold eyes warm as she gazed at the Star Jewel. "It was the Star Jewel itself that created the barrier. From what I can tell, the people who were kneeling were keeping it going through their determination and belief, which the Star Jewel used as fuel."

Reinhard blinked in surprise, his blue eyes widening. "So the stronger and greater one's belief..."

Marie nodded, completing the thought. "Then the stronger the effects of the Star Jewel. I'm not sure yet, but I think this Jewel allows one to command everything its light sweeps through." She paused, organizing her understanding. "The Forerunner researchers created the barrier before using the Star Jewel to command it to block everything from prying inside and close off this area from the outside."

Janus blinked in surprise, his orange eyes showing confusion. "Then how did we get in? Was it by that flash of light?"

Amiya smiled, her violet eyes bright with triumph. "It doesn't matter. What matters is we have the Star Jewel and can use it to bypass the roots to reach the center."

Joseph grinned widely. "Then the Saint and everyone can put an end to the Dark Silence."

Brunhilde giggled before she nodded, her violet-blue hair swaying. "We should head back so Lucian can be notified."

Everyone nodded in agreement before they turned around, but stopped since there was no exit. The chamber's walls extended in all directions without a break.

No doorway, no stairs, and no path back the way they'd come.

Before anyone could voice confusion or concern, the room trembled. The floor shook beneath their feet, sending vibrations through their boots, and the columns swayed slightly, creating sounds like massive bells tolling.

A brilliant light flashed that swept through the area, and everyone raised their arms.

Then, when their vision cleared, they stood somewhere different. The golden chamber was gone, and they were back in the hallway, a bit past where they'd fought the Golden Warrior.

"So the room really was cut off from this place." Reinhard muttered.

Marie chuckled, adjusting her grip on the Star Jewel. "Well, that's convenient. Let's go!"

Nobody bothered complaining before they rushed toward the stairs and ascended upwards. Floor by floor they climbed, retracing their path upward, and soon they found themself back up on the main floor.

Then they rushed out, heading out of the building and onto Melo City streets. The sunlight shone down on them, making them sigh from the warm light.

Reinhard breathed deeply, tasting fresh air instead of the underground chamber's stale atmosphere.

They headed toward the gap in the white-gold wall, moving at a run. Their path took them past the Memories Pillar, still gleaming despite everything around it crumbling.

Past buildings that had stood for centuries in decay, and past streets that once bustled with Golden Age prosperity.

They reached the wall breach and climbed through, leaving Melo City behind.

The forest stretched before them, and they began the journey back toward Naraku Town.

A Chimera burst from the grass ahead.

This is a fusion of Werefang and Autumn Deer, creating something with three tails and impossible antlers. Its crimson eyes fixed on them, roots growing from its body pulsing with intent.

Brunhilde's figure blurred before she appeared beside the creature in an instant. Her fist drove into its midsection with terrifying force, and the Chimera exploded.

Its fleshed fragments scattered, and blood splashing out.

"Devour quickly!" Brunhilde called back.

They rushed forward. Reinhard placed his hand on the largest fragment, feeling souls rush into him. Marie did the same, golden light flaring around her, and Joseph's connection absorbed essence with practiced efficiency.

Amiya's crimson-black energy pulled souls through her touch.

Fifteen souls divided between them, and not much, but every bit helped.

They continued running with more Phantasm Beasts appearing.

A pack of Werefangs rushing from the left, two Bear-Terrors charging from the right. Brunhilde was already moving, her spear materializing mid-stride.

She swept the weapon in a horizontal arc that covered an impossible distance. Blue flames erupted along the blade's length, catching all eight beasts simultaneously, cutting through them like they were paper.

Burnt bodies fell to the ground.

The others rushed over, hands reached down as they passed bodies, touching long enough to absorb souls before continuing.

As they were rushing, the ground trembled and then split with a sickening noise. Then a wall of roots burst out of the ground just ahead of them.

They shot upward in grotesque, pale columns before fusing into a barricade and attempting to block the path.

Drasil Step.

Time began to slow down almost to a standstill as Reinhard rushed forward, and Zenuken turned into a blur. The blade chopped and carved through the roots, not just through wood, each swing opening a new gaping wound in the barricade.

He carved clean, angular holes, deliberately wide enough that even the largest of his allies could pass through without risk of snagging.

Then he released Drasil Step, leading the time to return.

Instantly, an opening burst through the roots barricade, and then he rushed through the opening. Joseph went after Reinhard, ducking to avoid a root that swung down blindly at his head.

Casseo bellowed, then slammed through the gap, using his armored shoulders to snap the edges wider.

Marie and Amiya followed, the latter dragging Janus, who had stumbled in the chaos.

But more roots were already rising behind them, attempting to close the gap and trap them.

Behind them, from the ground, a new wave of roots began to grow, thinner and more numerous than before, weaving themselves into a net.

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