The Cult's End

"... Neron..."

Neron soared through the sky, the cold wind whipping past him as his mind churned with the aftermath of his confrontation with Serah. Her words lingered, heavy and unsettling, though he tried to shake them off.

"You're better than this!"

Her voice echoed in his thoughts, a nagging reminder of what he had once been—or what she thought he could be. He frowned, clenching his fists as he flew. He didn't have time to dwell on her misguided idealism. 

The mission came first. 

'She'll understand once this is all over.'

He pushed the thoughts aside and vanished in a burst of shadow, teleporting back to the Cult's base.

~VWUUSH!~

When Neron reappeared at the heart of the Nether Cult's island stronghold, a chilling sight greeted him.

The grand chamber, once brimming with life and power, was a scene of utter carnage. 

The twelve members of the Cult, his so-called allies, lay lifeless on the ground.