Ten minutes earlier…
"The Earth is finished," Zola said coldly. "If I don't take him away by force, he'll die here along with everyone else."
"But he won't leave," the female voice replied calmly. "Instead… we can help him defeat the demon."
Zola frowned. "Help him defeat it? How? Just because I'm helping you recover your body doesn't mean I'll recklessly violate the Heavenly Laws. I have no intention of dying."
"You don't need to defeat the demon for him," she said. "Just help him remember… a fragment of his past self."
Zola's eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean… the Dreamspace Artifact?"
"Yes."
Zola let out a dry laugh. "Do not trifle with me. That artifact is one of a kind, and it can only be used once. And you want me to waste it on him?" He shook his head. "Not happening. Not while I'm here."
"Help him this one last time," she said, her voice steady. "If you do… even when I return, I will allow you to remain the Deity of the seventh upper heaven."
