Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1570: Never The Same (Part 1)
Chapter 1570: Never The Same (Part 1)
Raze had first met Londo back at Wilton Academy.
At the time, he’d thought the man was a strange fanatic, someone who believed in the ideals of the Dark Guild a little too strongly. Still, Raze couldn’t deny Londo’s reliability.
He was one of the higher-ranking Dark Mages, respected throughout the Guild for both his strength and his loyalty. If someone like him was waiting outside the church long after the others had dispersed, it meant something serious was going on.
What caught Raze’s attention most, however, was how Londo had approached him.
Before even speaking a word, he had quietly cast a silence spell, locking the two of them in a bubble of soundless air.
He doesn’t want anyone hearing this, not even by accident, Raze thought. So whatever he has to say… it’s something he can’t let Harvey know about either.
Raze told the others to go ahead without him.
When Londo suggested they move somewhere private, outside the Underside, it only deepened Raze’s curiosity. Few dared to leave the safety of the underground, especially after everything that had happened. For Londo to risk it meant his message was urgent… and dangerous.
Eventually, they found a quiet diner at the edge of a small, abandoned town above ground. The lights flickered dimly, the soundproof spell still surrounding them as they sat across from each other. A couple of untouched plates of food sat between them, long gone cold.
Raze exhaled and leaned back. “You’ve been staring at the table for ten minutes now,” he said calmly. “If something’s weighing on you, speak. Unless you think I’m going to kill you for saying it.”
Londo’s fingers twitched. The joke might have been light, but the situation wasn’t. He looked torn, his hands trembling slightly before he ran them through his hair.
“It’s not that,” he said. “It’s just… I’ve gone back and forth on this for a long time.”
He took a deep breath. “Before I say anything, I want to make it clear, I never intended to hide this from you. This is simply the first chance I’ve had to tell you in private. I didn’t want others to overhear.”
Raze stayed silent, letting him continue.
“I’ve been stuck at a crossroads,” Londo said slowly. “Between where my loyalty lies, with the Dark Guild, which was built to serve the Dark Magus… or with you, the Dark Magus himself.”
He looked up, meeting Raze’s eyes. “And I’ve decided. I’ll follow you, Raze. No matter what.”
After saying it, Londo exhaled heavily, as though a weight had lifted off his chest.
Raze tilted his head slightly. Londo had always been composed, calm even under pressure. Seeing him this nervous was rare. It told Raze more than his words did.
“Go on,” Raze said quietly. “What is this about?”
“It’s about what happened during the joint mission,” Londo said. “Between the War Magus and the Dark Guild. I want to ask, what exactly did Harvey tell you?”
Raze recounted the story Harvey had shared earlier in the meeting, the supposed ambush gone wrong, the overwhelming strength of the Cerebus Guild, and the deaths of Mordain and his soldiers.
When Raze finished, Londo’s expression hardened.
“That’s what I thought,” he said. “Then no one’s told you the truth.”
He paused, lowering his voice. “I’m not telling you this so you’ll act on it immediately. I just need you to understand what’s really happening inside the Dark Guild.”
Raze said nothing, his gaze unwavering.
Londo continued, each word deliberate.
“Harvey lied to you.”
Raze’s expression didn’t change, but a faint tension crossed his jaw.
“The truth is,” Londo went on, “we’d already dealt with the Cerebus Guild before that final battle. They were defeated. But then Harvey gave a direct order, to the Dark Guild members only. He told us to eliminate all of Mordain’s people. Every last one. No survivors.”
Raze’s hand tightened on the edge of the table.
“No one was allowed to tell you what happened,” Londo said, his tone grim. “If anyone tried, they’d be dealt with immediately. That’s why I had to wait for a chance like this.”
He looked down at the table, guilt heavy in his eyes.
“I understand why Harvey did it. The tension between his men and Mordain’s was escalating. He probably thought it was better to cut ties completely before things exploded into another war. But still…”
He looked up again. “He lied to you, Raze. And I think he’ll keep lying, if it means helping you achieve your goal in his own way.”
Londo hesitated before adding, “Harvey’s methods, he’s doing what you won’t. He’s taking the steps you’re not willing to take. He believes that’s what it means to serve you.”
The silence between them grew heavy.
Raze leaned back in his seat, eyes unfocused.
He didn’t look angry. If anything, he looked tired.
Of course it was Harvey, he thought. It always is.
There had always been a difference between them, between the way Raze viewed power and how Harvey used it. To Raze, strength was a tool to protect those who couldn’t defend themselves. To Harvey, it was a weapon that existed only to crush anything in the way.
And now, that line had cost lives.
“Thank you,” Raze said finally, his voice quiet. “For telling me.”
Londo nodded, relief flickering across his face.
Raze’s tone sharpened slightly as he continued. “But don’t confront him. Don’t make yourself a target. I want you to keep watching him closely. Report everything he does back to me.”
“I can do that,” Londo replied immediately. “I’ll be careful.”
Raze studied him for a moment longer before releasing the silence spell. The faint hum of the world returned, the clatter of dishes, the faint wind outside, a distant voice calling orders from the kitchen.
He leaned back, lost in thought.
Londo had been right about one thing, Harvey wasn’t wrong to believe Raze might hesitate to go too far.
But if Harvey truly thought that justified murder, then perhaps it was time for Raze to remind everyone, including the Dark Guild, who the Dark Magus really was.
For now, though, he stayed seated, his gaze drifting toward the quiet street beyond the diner window.
He didn’t know what he would do with this new information yet.
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