The Deathforged stood in the heart of the Demon Chieftain's grand hall, surrounded by towering black marble pillars that stretched high into shadow. Red moonlight poured through massive arched windows, bleeding across the polished granite floor like spilled wine. At the far end of the hall, seated upon a throne of layered obsidian and chitin, was Chieftain Fael. The letter bearing Drakos's seal was already in his grasp.
"Seize the intruders," Fael commanded.
The words carried weight. Tall demon soldiers closed in at once, their armor formed of overlapping dark red plates etched with sigils that glimmered faintly in the moonlight. Spears lowered. Blades slid free. The sound of steel echoed through the hall.
Seris reacted instantly, tugging her bow back as her eyes tracked movement from every angle. Ako dropped into a low stance, claws scraping against the floor as a growl vibrated deep in her chest. Lorian vanished in a blur, reappearing a moment later beside a perfect copy of himself. Garruk stood unmoved, chewing slowly, unconcerned. Atlas only sighed and calmly sheathed his dagger, as if annoyed more than threatened.
"Stand down," Atlas said.
The Deathforged hesitated.
"Stand down!" he shouted, his voice booming through the hall.
The Deathforged obliged.
The chieftain simply raised an eyebrow and ordered his men to stand down too.
The demon soldiers froze, then slowly lowered their weapons, glancing back toward their chieftain for confirmation. Fael leaned forward slightly in his throne, his long horns casting sharp shadows across his pale face.
"We have an offer, Chieftain," Atlas said evenly. "We were sent by the Coalition."
Fael's black sclera eyes narrowed. "Do they lie?"
He turned his head slightly toward one of his advisors, a smaller demon draped in layered black and purple robes. The advisor stepped forward, adjusting the small spectacles perched on his nose as he withdrew a slender steel rod etched with intricate runes. Holding it out toward the Deathforged, the rod began to tremble, humming faintly before settling and glowing a deep violet.
"No, my lord," the advisor said. "They speak truth."
Fael leaned back, crossing one long leg over the other as the tension in the hall eased by a fraction. He motioned for his soldiers to withdraw several paces.
"Speak, human."
Atlas stepped forward, removing the Culling Sphere from his sash. With a brief glance upward, he approached the throne and placed the sphere into Fael's open palm. The moment Fael's fingers closed around it, the sphere flared to life, light pulsing from within.
"Chieftain Fael," Vorenna's voice echoed through the hall. "I am Lady Vorenna, Grand Arbitrator of the Coalition's High Court. I am here to discuss the matter of the Inquisitor of Godfall's proposed alliance."
Fael grunted. "Speak."
"What has Drakos offered you?" Vorenna asked.
Fael's grip tightened slightly around the sphere. "The end of the Coalition's authority over my people. The return of demon artifacts seized and hoarded by your states. Freedom from prosecution. All in exchange for our support in his war, and something of value only our people can provide." His gaze hardened. "What do you offer that compares?"
In the High Court, Vorenna stood surrounded by councilors who watched in tense silence. She inhaled slowly before responding.
"We will free every demon enslaved within the Umberspire States," she said firmly. "Your people will be permitted to return to the Demon Territories without restriction. All demon prisoners of war will be released to your custody. In addition, you will be granted ownership of land within three of the Coalition's seven territories."
A murmur rippled through Fael's court.
"How much aid would you require in return?" Fael asked.
"None," Vorenna replied. "Only your complete neutrality."
Fael laughed, the sound deep and resonant. "You would give us all of that in exchange for our silence?" He leaned forward, amused. "The Coalition must be desperate. Make it four territories. One hundred thousand square miles each."
On the other end of the sphere, the High Court erupted in outrage. Vorenna raised a hand sharply, silencing them.
"Four territories," she said after a pause. "Fifty thousand square miles each. That is my final offer."
Fael studied the sphere, then smiled slowly. "You negotiate well, Lady Vorenna. I accept. . A messenger will draft the contract."
Relief rippled through the High Court.
"Good," Vorenna said. "And ensure my… associates return safely."
"Of course," Fael replied. "Thank you."
Fael tossed the sphere back to Atlas, the light within fading as the connection cut. In the High Court, celebration broke loose as Vorenna exhaled and allowed herself a rare smile.
Back in the demon hall, the Deathforged stood awkwardly in the sudden quiet.
"So… we go home now?" Lorian said, scratching his cheek.
"I could really use a nap," Ako added, stretching.
"I'll send for Bithorn," Seris said, patting Ako's shoulder.
Fael rose from his throne and approached them, his towering presence casting a long shadow over Atlas.
"You have my thanks," Fael said, extending a massive hand. Atlas shook it, his grip swallowed entirely.
"Just doing our job," Atlas replied.
"My guards will escort you back," Fael said.
"We came through the tunnels," Lorian added casually. "Real annoying."
Fael raised an eyebrow. "You survived the tunnels?"
"Yeah," Ako said proudly. "We did."
"I hope you didn't encounter my son," Fael said with a laugh.
Atlas stiffened. "Your son?"
"Its he just.. a weird guy or..." Lorian added.
"No, no, no. He's cursed," Fael said lightly. "When frightened, he changes. But he usually does not stick around people."
Lorian let out a sigh of relief, "Oh thank the gods. He just has mood swings." He whispered loudly to Seris, "I thought it was that thing we killed."
The hall went silent.
Fael turned slowly. "The thing you killed?"
Atlas's eyes widened. "Ignore him. He's an idiot. It was a rat."
The Advisor's rod glowed red and shook violently. He looked to Fael, "He lies."
The chieftain nodded and stepped to Lorian.
"I am not an idiot," Lorian protested. "I'm just saying I thought we were screwed there for a second because there is no way that thing was his son."
The chieftain's voice became sour, "Tell me. What did this...'creature' look like?"
"Um...I don't know. Tall, grey, lanky, looked a lot like you actually-" Lorian's eyes widened as he gulped, "It looked a lot like you...shit."
The realization hit him too late.
Fael seized Lorian by the throat and lifted him effortlessly.
"You killed my son?!"
"It was him!" Lorian wheezed, pointing wildly at Garruk.
Atlas moved instantly, slashing Fael's wrist and freeing Lorian, but the moment Lorian hit the floor, spears and swords pressed to every Deathforged throat.
Fael snarled. "Take them to the tower. Execute them. The deal is off."
He turned to his advisor. "Tell Drakos we accept his offer."
As the soldiers closed in, Atlas clenched his jaw.
The Deathforged's first mission had ended in failure, all because one hybrid couldn't keep his mouth shut.