Ethan understood Anuket's warning, but if they couldn't use the Aaru portal, then their only alternative was to return to Yggdrasil and use that portal, although he preferred to avoid crossing paths with Thor again. Anuket, seeing that Ethan was still hesitating, stepped forward and proposed something different.
"But I'm not here just to bring you bad news," she smiled slyly. "I mentioned the Underworld to you before, didn't I? There's also a portal there, one guarded by a demon, someone easy to bribe."
Ethan looked at her thoughtfully.
"The Underworld?" Lyra repeated, curious. "Is that place safe?"
Anuket let out a mocking laugh.
"Safe is a relative word in the Underworld." She then turned to Ethan. "But it's much safer than trying to enter Aaru. You don't have to face Ra or his guardians. And besides, we have some influence there, at least among the demons. I can guarantee our entry without being disturbed."
