I studied the eleven black rods for a long moment before turning my attention back to Gerald.
"So..." I said.
"What exactly do these things do?"
Gerald smiled faintly, as though he had been waiting for that question all along.
"They don't kill Verilux."
I frowned.
"Then why call them the Verilux Slayer Rods?"
"Because they create the only situation where Verilux can be killed."
He slowly walked toward the floating rods and rested his palm against one of them. The countless crimson runes covering its surface brightened instantly, flowing beneath his hand like living veins before gradually dimming once more.
"You already understand why Verilux is feared," Gerald began.
"It isn't merely because he's powerful. There are Saints who possess terrifying destructive abilities. There are others with overwhelming physical strength or impossible regeneration. Yet none of them inspire the same hopelessness."
"Because of his connection to the Soul Sea."
Gerald nodded.
"Exactly."
