Lucifer's presence shifted the air, his charisma almost tangible. Dressed in a dark, tailored suit that seemed to shimmer in the spire's ethereal light, his piercing gaze scanned the group.

Kei tightened her grip on the frost blade. "We don't need your help."

Lucifer chuckled, the sound deep and almost hypnotic. "Oh, my dear Kei, such hostility. I'm not your enemy. If anything, I'm your only ally who understands what you're truly up against."

Ignis stepped forward, flames flickering in her palms. "And what's in it for you, huh? Guys like you don't do charity."

Lucifer tilted his head, feigning offense. "Such cynicism. I'm wounded." He turned to Moon Knight, who stood silently with his crescent blades at the ready. "And you, Marc? Still playing the righteous knight? How's that working out for you?"

Moon Knight didn't flinch. "Cut the games, Lucifer. What do you want?"

Lucifer's expression shifted, the playfulness fading. "Nullus is unlike anything you've faced before. It's not just a threat to this realm, but to existence itself. If it succeeds in consuming the final Anchor, there won't be any realms left to protect. Not even the ones I rule over."

Raven's voice cut through the tension, her tone icy. "And let me guess. You want to 'help' because you have a vested interest in keeping your own playground intact."

Lucifer's lips curved into a sly smile. "Clever girl. Yes, I do. But that doesn't make my offer any less genuine."

Kei stepped closer, her eyes locked on his. "And what's the price for your help? There's always a price."

Lucifer met her gaze, his tone softening. "The price... is trust. For now."

Ignis snorted. "Trust you? That's hilarious."

Lucifer ignored her, his focus still on Kei. "You'll find that I'm far more useful as an ally than an enemy. But if you'd rather face Nullus alone, by all means. I'll be here to pick up the pieces when it's over."

The Group's Divide

Kei turned to the others. "We need to decide—now. Do we let him in, or do we do this without him?"

Ignis shook her head vehemently. "He's Lucifer. The literal king of lies. We don't need him."

Moon Knight crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "He's not wrong about Nullus. The fight ahead might be bigger than we can handle."

Raven, always pragmatic, spoke up. "If we can use him without giving him too much power, it might tip the scales in our favor. But it's a dangerous gamble."

Kei felt the weight of their words. The Anchors pulsed faintly in her hands, as if urging her to make the right choice.

"Lucifer," she said finally, turning back to him. "If we agree to this, you follow our lead. No double-crossing, no secret agendas. You help us stop Nullus, and then you're gone. Deal?"

Lucifer's smile widened. "You have my word."

Ignis groaned. "Your word? That's worth less than a bucket of ash."

Raven raised a hand. "Enough. Let's keep moving. Nullus isn't going to wait for us to sort out our trust issues."

The Final Anchor

The group, now joined by Lucifer, set off toward the final destination: The Void Nexus, a realm where reality itself frayed at the edges. The journey was fraught with tension, every step weighted by the uneasy alliance.

As they traversed the shifting landscape, Lucifer walked alongside Kei, his voice low and almost conversational.

"You're different from the others," he said.

Kei glanced at him, her expression guarded. "Flattery won't get you anywhere."

Lucifer chuckled. "Not flattery. Observation. You carry the weight of these realms like it's your sole responsibility. It's admirable... and foolish."

She stopped, turning to face him. "If you're trying to get in my head, don't. I've made my choice, and I won't let anything—or anyone—distract me from protecting these realms."

Lucifer's smirk faded, replaced by something almost genuine. "You remind me of someone I once knew. Someone who thought they could save everyone. It didn't end well."

Kei's gaze hardened. "Then I'll make sure I don't end up like them."

Arrival at the Nexus

The Void Nexus loomed ahead, a swirling vortex of energy and chaos. The final Anchor floated at its center, guarded by a monstrous being of pure darkness.

Nullus's voice echoed through the void, cold and unforgiving. "You've come far, but your journey ends here. The Anchors will be mine, and with them, I will unmake everything."

Lucifer stepped forward, his presence radiating power. "We're not going to let that happen, old friend."

Kei tightened her grip on her blade, her eyes blazing with determination. "This is it. No holding back."

Ignis grinned, flames igniting around her. "Finally, the big boss fight."

Moon Knight and Raven prepared their weapons and spells, their resolve unshaken.

The battle for existence was about to begin.