Do it

Sagus stared at the demon. 1/4 of the world at best and maybe kill the only one who can stop Arakarin, should they fail. But Marianne may be his again.

Or, refuse, lose Marianne for sure and possibly doom the world.

Unable to believe the words that came from his mouth, Sagus spoke. "How do i know you'll only kill a fourth and not the entire world? How do i know that whole story wasn't a lie?"

"I suppose you'll have to make a judgment call and do what you believe is right."

He sighed. "Alright. Give me back Marianne and once i made sure she's alright, i'll....i'll get you Stradi's axe."

"Will you? What guarantee do i have you will do it?"

"I'm not the demon here. If you've been watching us like you claim, you know i keep promises, even if it disgusts me to do it."

"......Very well. But, i'm giving you only one month to do it. If the axe isn't in my hand by then, i will take your heads as consolation."

"I'll have it by then."

"Do not underestimate Stradi. He is not called the Genocidal because it sounds intimidating. The majority of disasters where towns were devoured mysteriously were because of him. He will not be easy to fight and you will likely lose at least one ally."

"If you're so concerned, lend me the Cerberus Blade."

"I am not concerned for your safety. I am concerned for my convenience. If you can't do it, i'll have to do it myself. I have too many other things to do to worry about him too."

"Wait. You said one of us had faith in Utoness. What about them?" Sagus decided not to reveal who it was on the slim chance Arakarin didn't know.

"If i didn't have a plan for her, i wouldn't be offering to revive her right now. Your minute is up. If your woman is satisfactory, you will bring me that axe, right?"

".....yes."

"Good. Alright then." Arakarin closed his eyes and chanted.

"Ex nex, ego to order is animus ut reverto ut somes quod taedium is. Embue is per ipsum change nusquam.." [the exact translation of this would give away a future plot-point, but basically it calls back Marianne's soul from ****.]

Three seconds after the incantation finished, Marianne's eyes were thrown open and she gasped. Sagus ran to her and held her after Arakarin dropped her.

"Marianne!! Are you ok?! Do you know me?!"

"...sagus...i-i'm back from the void." She smirked. "did you miss me?" He said nothing, instead holding her close, trying to keep from shedding tears in front of his nemesis.

"Touching. I have kept my end of the deal, Sagus. Now, keep your's." He melted into his shadow and vanished.

"arakarin, wait! deal? what did he mean?"

Sagus hadn't thought about this. He couldn't tell Marianne they were working for Arakarin for now, it would crush her. She'd hate him. He pulled away, smiling as convincingly as he could.

"You must be tired. Come on, i'll take you back to the others and you can get some rest, alright?"

"sagus....alright..." She fell asleep in his arms as he carried her.