With that said, Rios pulled out an object resembling a chess piece and handed it to Mavuika.
"This is... the Gnosis."
Seeing that what Rios handed over was actually the Pyro element's Gnosis, Mavuika's eyes widened slightly in disbelief as she looked at Rios.
"The current Gnosis is like an empty shell; all the divine power is now within me." Rios said slowly.
"But if something unexpected happens to me, the divine power in my body will transfer to you.
At that time, you will be Natlan's Pyro Archon."
Hearing the young man's words, Mavuika clenched her fists: "Rios, can't you wait a little longer?
Once the Traveler is prepared, we'll accompany you to subjugate the Abyss together—isn't that better?"
"We can't wait." Rios refused decisively.
"Mavuika, you know as well that now is when the Abyss is at its weakest." Rios said, "The longer we delay, the more time the Abyss has to prepare.
Launching an assault right when it's reeling from defeat and at its most vulnerable is, in my view, when our chances of victory are highest."
Rios continued: "You also know the Abyss isn't foolish; while we're resting, it might set traps in its own domain.
If I go to subjugate the Abyss now, it won't have time to lay traps and will have no choice but to face me head-on."
"Rios, I really can't agree with your approach." Mavuika furrowed her brows, looking over with a serious expression.
"Mavuika, I am the Pyro Archon!"
Rios said gravely: "What you need to do now is obey my orders and console the warriors who have just endured the war."
"..."
Sensing the young man's resolve, Mavuika opened her mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.
After a long moment, Mavuika said: "Rios, I'll go with you too."
"No, I alone will suffice."
Rios paused, then said: "Actually, I've never agreed with that one phrase: we won't fight alone.
For me, I'd rather only I participate in the battle.
That way, my friends, the people I know, and every single person in Natlan won't have to fight those terrifying Abyss monsters or suffer harm."
After hearing Rios's words, Mavuika slightly lowered her gaze.
After struggling for a moment, her clenched fists dropped, and she said: "Alright, I respect your decision.
But you must promise me this."
Mavuika furrowed her brows, her golden eyes staring intently at Rios: "You have to come back alive."
"Naturally." Rios curved the corners of his mouth into a smile, "I don't fight battles without confidence."
"Moreover..." Rios turned around, hiding his expression from view, "Actually, I rather like the taste of solitude."
With that, he transformed into a surge of flames and merged into the Sacred Flame.
Through the Sacred Flame, he would enter the Abyss's lair and engage in the final decisive battle with the Abyss.
"Rios, I'll be waiting for your good news."
Mavuika looked at the Sacred Flame, clenching the Gnosis in her hand.
At that moment, the warriors began returning to the Stadium of the Sacred Flame one after another.
"Strange, where did Lord Pyro Archon go?"
"We just saw him land in this direction."
"Could the battle earlier have drained too much of his stamina, so he's gone to rest now?"
Upon returning and not seeing Rios's figure, the warriors all felt puzzled.
"Mavuika!" Mualani ran over, asking worriedly, "Have you seen where Rios went?"
Behind Mualani, the Traveler and the others also approached.
"Rios has already headed to the Abyss's lair." Mavuika said with a serious expression.
"What?" Mualani exclaimed in surprise, "H-He went to the Abyss? Could it be some scheme of the Abyss?"
"No." Mavuika said in a steady voice, "Rios went to the Abyss of his own accord.
He believes that after this defeat, the Abyss will enter its weakest state.
Attacking it at this moment is the best opportunity to eliminate the Abyss."
"B-But he can't just go alone!" Mualani said, "At least wait for us to catch up and subjugate the Abyss together, right?"
"He wouldn't do that." Mavuika shook her head, speaking to the emotionally agitated girl, "The place where the Abyss resides is even more dangerous than the Night Kingdom.
He doesn't want the people around him to suffer harm again, so he chose to fight alone."
"But..." Mualani lowered her head, her voice dejected, "I've told him so many times that we won't fight alone...
But he never listens, always thinking he can solve everything by himself.
"Why is he so stubborn..."
Hearing the girl's voice choke up slightly, Mavuika slowly closed her eyes and said no more.
All they could do now was pray for Rios.
"I never imagined the Pyro Archon would choose to resolve the Abyss on his own." Paimon's voice carried a hint of worry as well.
"I can understand his feelings." The Traveler nodded, "If possible, I too would hope to face difficulties alone, rather than letting loved ones face danger alongside me."
"I really hope he'll be alright." Paimon said.
"Rios will definitely be fine." Mualani stepped forward at this point, her expression firm, "He's Rios, after all.
From childhood to now, I've never seen him lose once.
This time too, he'll surely return with victory!"
After returning to the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, Natlan's warriors gradually learned of the situation.
Upon hearing that the Pyro Archon had gone alone to challenge the Abyss, their hearts filled with shock.
But at this moment, aside from praying for the Pyro Archon, there was nothing else they could do.
Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, the Pyro Gnosis in Mavuika's hand suddenly flickered with red light. Immediately after, Mavuika felt a surge of power welling up within her body.
"This is the power after becoming a god..."
"What's wrong?" The crowd noticed Mavuika's abnormality and looked over with concern.
"Rios handed the Gnosis to me before leaving." Mavuika's tone was heavy, "He said that if something happened to him, his power would return to the Gnosis."
"Doesn't that mean..." Paimon's voice trembled slightly; she thought of something ominous, "Lord Pyro Archon has met with misfortune?"
"Even such a powerful Lord Pyro Archon couldn't defeat the Abyss?"
"Although Mavuika is very strong too, if even Lord Pyro Archon lost, then probably..."
Upon hearing that Rios might have met with misfortune, Natlan's warriors immediately became panicked.
Even when facing vast numbers of Abyss monsters, they hadn't been this panicked.
But upon learning that Lord Pyro Archon had lost to the Abyss, their hearts could no longer find peace.
"How could Rios..." When Mualani first heard the news, her heart raced in panic.
But as if by some telepathic connection, she turned her head toward the Sacred Flame and saw a streak of flame emerging from it, ultimately landing on the arena.
"Rios?!" Seeing the young man who had landed on the arena, Mualani's face bloomed with a joyful smile.
The crowd, hearing Mualani's voice, also looked over and discovered that Rios was standing safely on the arena.
Lord Pyro Archon was unharmed!
He had defeated the Abyss!
Rios looked toward the crowd, merely giving a light smile and making a victory gesture toward them.
"Done!"