Chapter 1601: Postponed

Erebus studied Erend’s eyes and found them filled with determination and confidence. The other Dragonborn looked as though he was already certain that their plan would succeed even before they had taken the first step.

Erebus could not tell if that confidence came from arrogance or from genuine experience. Perhaps Erend actually had friends and methods that were powerful enough to solve problems like this one, and his certainty came from knowing what they were capable of accomplishing before.

Whatever the reason, Erebus could only agree to give him a chance. If this plan could prevent the invasion and spare both worlds from a disastrous conflict and so many lives lost, he would set aside his original intention one last time, even though a part of him still doubted that Erend could really find a solution.

"How certain are you about this?" Erebus asked.

"I’m pretty sure. I’ve faced something like this before," Erend replied calmly. He showed no sign of panic or hesitation as he spoke.

Erebus narrowed his eyes. He found it difficult to believe that Erend had encountered a curse on this scale before, especially one that had plunged an entire land into darkness and driven its inhabitants toward ruin.

Erend noticed his doubtful expression and smiled. "Don’t worry."

He could offer no further proof of his confidence, nor did he see any reason to explain everything he had experienced.

He had faced countless forms of dark Magic and even confronted the power of a cosmic being. Few things could surprise him anymore, and the curse that plagued Erebus’s world did not immediately shake his resolve.

However, explaining all of that would serve little purpose at the moment. What was important was finding a way to help Erebus’s people before their situation grew any worse.

Erebus released a weary sigh. "Since I’ve made my decision, I’ll let you try whatever you have in mind. But remember this. If your solution fails, I’ll still return to my original plan."

Erend nodded with the same relaxed smile. "Yes."

With their agreement settled, Erend prepared to leave. He raised his hand and opened a portal back to his own world.

Red and blue light swirled on the surface of the portal, three distinct energies flowed together, carrying the unmistakable power of fire, lightning, and water.

The sight made Erebus frown. He had already suspected that Erend had considerable strength, but witnessing several different elemental powers working together only deepened his curiosity.

He wondered how many other abilities the young Dragonborn possessed. He was not even sure if a Dragonborn could have more than one power. But he kept his questions to himself for now. He was not even sure if a Dragonborn could have more than one power.

Erend stepped through the portal and disappeared, leaving Erebus alone in the darkest corner of his homeland.

For a moment, the Dragonborn remained where he stood and stared at the empty space where the portal had been.

He now needed to inform the other five members of the council about what had happened and explain why he had agreed to postpone the invasion.

The discussion would undoubtedly be troublesome, especially when he had no guarantee that Erend could deliver on his promise, but there was no point in delaying it.

Erebus let out another sigh before turning away and walking toward the exit. His heart remained heavy with uncertainty, but his determination had not diminished.

—

Erend emerged into the vast plains once more, his expression growing solemn as he considered his next move.

Postponing the invasion had bought them some time, but it didn’t do anything to ease the suffering he had witnessed.

The curse had spread throughout Erebus’s world and affected its land, its resources, and even the bodies of its inhabitants. Finding a solution would require more than raw power.

They needed people who understood cursed Magic well enough to identify its source and determine whether it could be removed without causing further harm.

The first people who came to mind were Adrius, Lysander, and Sylmira. Erend needed their knowledge and expertise if they hoped to unravel a curse of this magnitude, and he intended to return to their world as soon as possible.

Before doing that, however, he needed to inform Adrien and the others about the situation. They had been waiting for news since his departure, and he did not want them to remain in the dark any longer than necessary.

Erend activated his communicator and established a connection with the military base.

"Erend, what happened?" Adrien asked as soon as the communication came through.

"I’m fine, sir. I managed to postpone the invasion. I’ve visited that world and seen the situation for myself. I’ll return there later with Adrius and the others to investigate the curse."

"All right. You don’t have to worry about things here. We’ll prepare everything on our end," Adrien replied. Not needing too much explanation.

Erend acknowledged his response before ending the communication. With that matter settled, he turned his attention toward his next destination.

He had not visited the place in some time, and the thought of seeing familiar faces again brought a faint sense of anticipation.

He opened another portal and stepped through it, vanishing from the plains.

—

Lysander let out a long, frustrated sigh as he stared at the collection of instruments and other paraphernalia arranged across the table in front of him.

His face looked pale and exhausted, with soot smudged across his skin and fine white powder clinging to his clothes.

The room around him carried the unmistakable signs of repeated experimentation, with scattered materials and lingering traces of Magic marking the places where his previous attempts had failed.

It was the twelfth time he had tried the experiment, and the result remained just as disappointing as before.

His patience was wearing thin, and the sight of the equipment only made his mood worse.

He rubbed his face and tried to gather his thoughts, wondering what he had overlooked this time.

Then he sensed a familiar presence.

Lysander immediately straightened and turned toward the source of the disturbance. The weariness in his expression gave way to alertness, but then he recognized the unmistakable energy approaching from beyond the room.

Before he could determine what was happening, a portal opened nearby, its swirling light illuminating the surrounding space, and Erend emerged from within.

—