"I won’t force you, you just need to remember that I will come for you if you do something that can prejudice others," Terry said. "Don’t forget it."

Gustavo’s thoughts swirled like the winds of uncertainty. As he gazed at Terry, a notion crept into his mind—a notion he wasn’t sure he should voice. The idea of Terry becoming the overlord of Earth had crossed his thoughts before, but he suspected that Terry would reject such an offer without a second thought. The burden of such power, the weight of ruling, was not something to be taken lightly.

Yet, as Gustavo contemplated the challenges they faced, he couldn’t help but consider the potential benefits of such a transformation. Terry’s strength, his determination, and his innate leadership qualities made him a natural contender for such a role. But Gustavo’s respect for Terry’s autonomy held him back from sharing this thought aloud.

The failure to rescue the guild masters weighed heavily on them all. The missing piece of the puzzle, the armor that could have made a difference, remained beyond their grasp. It was a painful reminder of their limitations and the steep price they had paid. Gustavo grappled with a sense of helplessness, unsure of their next steps without that critical piece of equipment.

His eyes shifted to the mound of black steel that lay nearby, a stark contrast against the surrounding landscape. The material that comprised Terry’s sword—a testament to both its strength and the origin of their challenges—was a reminder of what they had encountered, fought against, and ultimately overcome.

"What are you going to do now?" Gustavo asked.

"Return home and then prepare for the next pain in the ass enemy, I guess I will leave the stuff about the guild masters with those two," Terry replied. "I feel bad for them, but the preparations needed to be finished sooner."

"I might not be able to get rid of the stone, but you can ask for help if you need it," Gustavo said.

"I will keep that in mind," Terry said.

With the first light of dawn illuminating the horizon, the group began to disperse. Gustavo and Fernanda made their way back to their territory, their hearts heavy with a mixture of relief and loss. The battle was won, but the toll it had taken on their companions was not to be ignored.

Terry and the remaining members of the group set off on their journey back home. The distance seemed shorter than before, yet the weight of their recent encounter lingered in the air, casting a somber shadow over their thoughts. As they traveled, the bodies of the fallen guild masters lay on ice blocks, a grim reminder of the sacrifices that had been made.

Rebecca used her abilities to transport the frozen bodies, along with all the equipment and gear. The journey itself was silent, the usually lively banter and camaraderie replaced by a heavy silence. Even the victory they had achieved couldn’t erase the sense of unease that settled over them.

The atmosphere was charged with a mix of emotions—relief, grief, and the weight of unspoken thoughts. The battle had proven their strength, their unity, and the indomitable spirit that bound them together. But at the same time, the absence of the guild masters and the knowledge that their mission had fallen short created a lingering pain.

Their return was as quiet as their departure, slipping back into their world unnoticed, just as shadows melt into the night. However, there was no rest awaiting them upon their return. Instead, they found themselves confronted with the solemn duty of taking care of the bodies of their fallen comrades.

The group had not returned empty-handed. Their victory had come at a cost, and the lifeless forms of the guild masters were a somber reminder of the price they had paid. Without any fanfare, they embarked on the task of transporting the frozen bodies to their respective territories and loved ones.

"We will deal with this, you have preparations to make," Rebecca declared. "We can’t let something like this happen again and will be better at explaining what exactly happened."

"This will be tough, are you sure of that?" Terry asked.

"Don’t worry, we got this and we will make up for it by closing more portals," Vanessa said. "The guilds can’t be disbanded, though, since it will create chaos. We should at least give them more time to select their new leaders. While they do that, we will work on closing the portals and you will focus on the preparations for the next battles."

Terry nodded in agreement as they divided the responsibilities among themselves. It was clear that handling the situation in a coordinated way was the best course of action. Each of them had their role to play, and together, they could navigate through this difficult time.

Later, Terry made his way to Clark’s workshop. As he entered, he exchanged a somber look with Clark before proceeding to give him a condensed version of the events that had unfolded. Terry’s voice was measured as he recounted the battles and the losses, making sure to relay the gravity of the situation.

While he talked, Terry was also focused on another task. He carefully allowed his blood to fall into a small container, collecting it for a specific purpose. This blood, combined with the knowledge of blacksteel and greysteel, held the key to something significant.

Terry and Clark’s collaboration had yielded an important discovery. The unknown weapons they had encountered were rooted in Terry’s own blood, which served as a foundational element. This revelation had significant implications, as it tied back to Terry’s unique abilities and essence. The combination of his blood, the specialized metals, and Clark’s craftsmanship had led to the creation of these potent weapons.

"I am going to give as much blood as possible, and I will only leave to eat anything that can help me produce more, so you should start working," Terry said.