Together

"I buried it. At the same grave I made for Merem." Devotion said.

Meanwhile, at the site of Devotion's battle with Dreven, and Merem Dhanu's final resting place, a lone figure hunched over the grave, heavy rain dotting their back. They dug with their hands and triumphantly raised the staff. Ghostwhisper has a new owner.

....

Devotion awoke that morning even more stressed. The rest of his conversation with the Duke was short and uneventful, just pleasantries exchanged before the Duke's Astral Self departed. He had no way of knowing what had happened to Ghostwhisper the night before, but was stressed nonetheless.

"You alright?" Victor asked Devotion, seeing his sunken eyes and forlorn expression.

"I'm fine. Just... there's a lot coming, you know?" Devotion said. "It's a lot to carry. Thanks for helping with it."

"Of course. Remember what we promised." Victor said.

"Reach the peak?"