Dark Magus Returns

The world event was being broadcast live across Alterian, and inside the apartment, Raze and the others watched every second of it unfold on the large screen mounted against the wall. The image was clear, the sound crisp, and the tension in the room was thick enough that no one spoke for several moments after Idore's threat echoed through the stadium.

Even Raze, who had faced Grand Magus head-on and survived, struggled to understand what Idore was doing.

"He just threatened everyone," Raze finally said, breaking the silence. His arms were crossed, his gaze fixed on the screen. "Didn't he create the Grand Magus system to control all of Alterian from the top? I always thought someone like him would cling to that structure no matter what."

Raze frowned slightly.

"I expected him to use some kind of artifact," he continued. "Something that would remove everyone's memories again. That would've been the easiest way."

"Hey," Liam replied, leaning forward on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees. "It's not over yet. He still could."

"But that would be difficult," Kelly said, shaking her head. "He could erase the memories of the people in that stadium, but not the entire population of Alterian. There are too many broadcasts, too many witnesses."

"I hate memory wipe arcs," Londo muttered from the side. "All the struggle, all the sacrifices, everything characters go through, then it's like none of it mattered."

No one argued with that.

"Do we actually know what the Grand Magus' real goal is?" Alen asked suddenly. He was standing near the window, arms folded, staring out into the city beyond. "I keep thinking back to when we fought the Cerberus Guild."

He turned toward the others.

"They barely cared about who they hurt," Alen continued. "They truly believed what they were doing was for the greater good. They called themselves the chosen ones, the ones meant to save Alterian."

Raze's eyes narrowed slightly.

"If the Grand Magus' goal was never just control," Alen went on, "then it makes sense why Idore is acting like this. If he believes everything he's doing is necessary, then morality wouldn't matter to him."

The room fell quiet again.

Raze thought back to Gizin's final words. There were still gaps in the story, questions he couldn't answer yet. Why the obsession with other dimensions? Why the endless pursuit of artifacts, crystals, and forbidden power?

Idore was already one of the strongest beings alive. He ruled Alterian without challenge. If power was the goal, he already had it.

So why keep searching?

For now, there were no answers. All they could do was watch.

On the screen, Idore continued speaking, his voice calm, composed, and carried effortlessly through wind magic.

"You might all be wondering what I mean by a new order," Idore said, his hands resting casually on the arms of his seat. "And how it will affect you."

The camera panned across the audience. Government officials. Guild leaders. Military representatives. All of them uneasy.

"But you need not worry," Idore continued. "People will have a choice. They may become part of the new order… or not."

Raze frowned.

"The era of the Grand Magus ruling over all of Alterian is over," Idore said. "That is the past. As for what comes next, let me show you."

Trubin, who had remained silent until now, stood up. Without hesitation, he pulled a crystal from his robes and hurled it toward the floor. The crystal shattered on impact, releasing a bright glow that expanded into a massive hologram.

A planet appeared in the air above the stadium.

The image zoomed in, narrowing down until it showed Centreal City. The river that split the capital was highlighted clearly.

"I believe I am a fair person," Idore said. "And I always have been."

His voice was steady, almost gentle.

"So the rules of the new order will apply only to me, the Noble Guild, and those who choose to be part of it."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Everything south of the river," Idore continued, pointing toward the hologram, "will now be under the control of the Grand Magus and the Noble Guild."

"What?" someone shouted from the audience.

Raze's eyes widened slightly. Even he hadn't expected that.

"Until now," Idore said, unfazed by the reaction, "the Grand Magus guided Alterian but did not claim land directly. That will change."

The hologram shifted again, highlighting a massive section of Centreal.

"Starting from the Olympic Stadium," Idore said, "this territory will be renamed Noble Land. Only members of the Noble Guild will be allowed to reside within it."

Outrage erupted instantly.

"Everyone here," Idore continued, raising his voice just enough to drown them out, "governments and guilds alike, may apply to join the Noble Guild. If accepted, you will be granted entry into Noble Land, where Trubin and I will oversee everything."

The silence that followed was heavy.

"If you are deemed unworthy," Idore added, "you will not be allowed inside."

"This is absurd!" one of the government leaders shouted, standing up. "This meeting was meant to decide Alterian's future, not to let you carve out your own state!"

Idore turned his gaze toward the man. The pressure in the air intensified, making it difficult to breathe.

"I have said what I needed to say," Idore replied coldly. "This was my kindness to you."

He stood up slowly.

"In one hour," he said, "Noble Land will be established. Everything that does not belong to it… will be destroyed."

The broadcast cut to chaos.

Inside the apartment, no one spoke.

Raze finally exhaled.

"So that's it," he said quietly. "He's not trying to hold the world together anymore."

"No," Liam replied. "He's dividing it."

"And daring anyone to stop him," Kelly added.

Raze stared at the screen as it went dark.

"An hour," he repeated.

**

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