"What happens when they're consumed?" Reinhard forced the words through. "Do they just die?"

"They begin to dissolve as they sink deep into the ocean." Mimir's claws flexed against Reinhard's shoulder. "From the sins, curses, and sorrows of the entire world being applied onto the person who fell inside or is captured."

Reinhard's expression shifted, and his eyes narrowed. "How..." His voice cracked before he swallowed and tried again. "How many curses is that?"

Mimir tilted his head, the gesture almost contemplative despite the horror of his words. "Billions. Maybe even more." A pause. "It depends on how potent this tide is and how much suffering it has been devouring over time."

"There are levels to this!?" Marie's voice pitched higher, each word sharp with disbelief.

The crow nodded before sighing. "The worst kinds can lead to the person being erased and unwritten from the story of existence. Becoming nothing more than new curses that will be added to the tide." His golden horns caught the crimson light. "While the lesser kinds are just being hit by all the evils every human, beast, and being has committed in the world."

Amiya's face twisted into a grimace, lips pulling back from teeth as if tasting something foul. "Wait… Every being?" Her curly black hair trembled as she shook her head. "Then wouldn't the amount be..."

"I already said it would be billions… Just looking at it now, it should be over ten billion." Mimir's agreement came swiftly and mercilessly. "That should help you understand why I screamed for all of you to run away."

Honor asked softly, so unlike his usual commanding tone. "Is there really no way to survive it?"

The crow sighed, the sound carrying centuries of exhaustion. "It would require you to have an extremely strong will and self-esteem or be simply consumed."

"Strong enough to withstand all those curses?" Joseph asked.

Mimir nodded and said. "It would be your will against every single curse, evil, and negative emotion."

Silence fell in the area.

None of them spoke or moved, the only sounds were the roar of the flames below and the distant crashes of collapsing root structures.

Reinhard trembled as his fingers ached from gripping the Star Jewel. Could any of them withstand billions of curses? The combined evil of over ten billion beings? Do any of them have the will to even push against those numbers?

And if somehow they survived, would their minds remain intact? Would they recognize themselves afterward?

"Is… Is there a way to stop this!?" Janus's voice cracked completely, desperation bleeding through every syllable. "If nothing is done, it will spread everywhere!"

Everyone nodded frantically, with their eyes glancing at the tide that continued to spread over the land. Terror painted itself across seven faces in identical expressions of helpless horror.

Mimir looked down at Reinhard, and his gaze held something that might have been an apology. "With the Star Jewel, it might be possible to send the tide away." He paused. "But it will require the belief and will that can match this tide and have it shipped away, or only some will be sent away."

"What do you mean exactly?" Reinhard leaned forward.

"A person needs to empower the Star Jewel with enough belief, will, and confidence that the tide is not welcome and should go away." Mimir's voice carried the softness of delivering a death sentence. "But the issue is, while you're doing this, you'll be contending with the influence and pressure of the Source of All Evil."

Trembling swept through the group like a wave. Marie's hands shook, Joseph grit his teeth, Amiya wrapped her arms around herself, Veryn's eyes widened in disbelief, and Honor's massive frame swayed slightly.

Reinhard's brows furrowed, drawing together as thoughts raced. The memory surfaced of the Melo researchers standing together, combining their belief into the Star Jewel, creating barriers that held for three centuries.

Maybe if they combined all of their-

"Naraku Town is in danger!"

Janus's scream shattered the moment. The young man's entire body trembled, shaking so violently he nearly fell from his root perch. His eyes had gone distant, seeing something beyond the present horror.

Amiya's eyes widened before her expression transformed into horror and realization. Joseph bit his lips before his gaze shifted towards where the Naraku town would be. Marie's trembling intensified as she clenched her fists but didn't say anything.

Honor sighed as he glanced at Veryn. "Hope might not be lost. After all, we can probably warn them."

Janus and Amiya froze before their heads snapped toward Honor with desperation mixed with hope on their face.

"Casseo is there." Veryn said softly as a slight smile appeared. "I can contact him."

Janus and Amiya sighed in relief as their shoulders moved down, and then they began rapidly nodding their heads.

Veryn reached into her white robe, producing an orb crossed by two circuits with golden bands wrapped around its circumference. Her fingers traced patterns across its surface, purple light beginning to pulse from within.

The Light Signal activated, circuits spinning as it reached across the distance to find its counterpart, searching for Casseo in Naraku Town while crimson-black flames spread ever outward below.

…

The air in Naraku Town was thick, a stew of simmering pine resin, damp earth, and the faint, ever-present tang of woodsmoke. Casseo moved through it, over the crumbling roots, and away from the dead humanoid roots.

He glanced to the side to see an elderly woman meticulously weaving a basket. Even with the sounds of clashing, she hadn't moved as if she trusted he would keep her safe.

A group of men repaired a roof, their calls to one another short and quick, each of them grinning even after being attacked. Seeing such a scene, Casseo couldn't stop a smile from appearing.

The Saint was right, helping these people truly is worth it… I still wonder how none of them had gotten bitter about always having to rebuild, though.

A vibration started against his hip, faint at first, then insistent, leading Casseo to stop. He frowned, plucking the device from his belt before he tapped on it, and then a voice rang out.

"Casseo! You and the others need to get out of the town now! Don't ask questions, just run away with everyone!" Janus's voice echoed in fright, terror, and desperation.

Casseo's brows furrowed before saying. "Calm down first. I need to at least know what we are running from."

"There's no time for reports! Move!" Janus's scream was joined by others in the background, a chaotic chorus of alarm.

A prickle, cold and unwelcome, traced a path down Casseo's spine at their frightened plea for him to leave.

This means something terrible is coming that they and the others couldn't stop… But what could get past three First Class Beast Masters? Or could it be the tree had sent something here while they were busy dealing with the Dark Silence?

But then Casseo paused before looking beyond to see a massive crimson-black coming over. He watched as it splashed up and down, toppling the trees and roots. The sight made him realize why Janus and the others were shouting for him, but he knew it was futile.

"Janus." Casseo asked softly. "Did you all destroy the Towering Tree?"

"We did! It's done! But something… Something else was released. It's coming, Casseo. A wave of curses that consumes everything! You and the others you need to run, find a higher place to stay!"

Casseo hummed, a low, thoughtful sound. "I am not sure if that is possible."

The resulting uproar from the Light Signal asJanus, Veryn, and Amiya's voices tangled together. "What do you mean by that!? Tell the others to escape, and you escape as well!!"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Casseo's lips. "It's been a while since I heard you scream or shout in fright, Veryn. It's a novel feeling." He ignored the fresh wave of shouts, his fingers tightening around the communicator as he began to walk, not towards the forest's edge, but deeper into the town square.

He found them there, gathered as if for a festival. The adults stood with a quiet stillness. The elderly sat on benches, their hands folded in their laps, their gazes clear and accepting.

Among them was Nigen, his broad shoulders squared with an unsettling calm.

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