The Broken Halo

Chapter 807 - 806: Reminder

Sonya rose without accepting Simon’s hand.

She brushed dust from the back of her clothes, then glared at him as though losing the spar had somehow been his fault.

Akaza watched her expression and gave a quiet snort.

”You should not look so offended. The result was hardly surprising.”

Sonya turned toward him.

”What is that supposed to mean?”

”We have all sparred during the past month,” Akaza replied. ”We already know how powerful Blackmoon has become. Even when he uses only his body and limits his strength, his control and experience are troublesome.”

He glanced at the shallow marks their feet had left across the floor.

”You losing was expected.”

Sonya’s heel pressed down, and a pebble rose from one of the cracks.

Akaza immediately pointed at her.

”Throw that and you prove I am right.”

The pebble hovered for another heartbeat before dropping.

”This Honourable merely allowed little kitty to become confident before the invasion.”

Simon looked at her.

”How generous.”

Sonya harrumphed and folded her arms.

”You’re welcome.”

Akaza shook his head.

Sonya ignored the expression he gave her and focused on something that was more important.

”Did you at least understand more about the Broken Rhythm Art from watching us?”

”A little.”

Akaza unfolded his arms and looked at the section of floor where Simon had brought Sonya down.

”I understood the explanation before. Watching both of you use it made the difficult part clearer.”

He raised one fist and moved it forward at an ordinary pace.

”The first attack has to be real. Then the rhythm changes only after the opponent reacts. But sometimes there is no change, and the opponent defeats himself by waiting for one.”

Akaza lowered his hand.

”I can recognise it better now. Using it properly is another matter.”

”That means you need this Honourable to teach you,” Sonya declared.

Akaza gave her a flat look.

”You just lost.”

”Teachers do not need to win every demonstration.”

Simon almost smiled.

The light atmosphere lasted for several breaths before his expression became serious.

”Tomorrow is more important than this spar.”

Sonya’s smile reduced, while Akaza’s attention sharpened.

Simon looked between them.

”Remember everything I told you. Especially you, Sonya.”

Her pale eyes narrowed.

”Why especially me?”

”Because Akaza occasionally listens before punching something.”

”And this Honourable does not?”

Akaza answered before Simon could.

”No.”

A second pebble broke free from the floor.

Simon stepped between them before the training room suffered another hole.

”The campaign oath Korran forced us to swear places all three of us among the first demons who will cross the rift. Once movement begins, there may not be time to explain anything or correct a careless decision.”

Sonya folded her arms.

”This Honourable does not make careless decisions.”

Simon and Akaza looked at her.

She frowned.

”Not often.”

Simon decided not to comment on her words and continued speaking.

”If something happens around the rift, do not act simply because one side appears to be attacking the other. Do not expose any of my identities, and do not mention anything about my secrets.”

His gaze moved to Akaza.

”If I disappear, change my face, or give an instruction that seems strange, assume I have a reason unless following it would immediately kill you.”

Akaza nodded once, but Sonya raised a hand.

”What if your reason is foolish?”

Simon’s lips could not help but twitch.

”Then survive long enough to complain afterward.”

Sonya nodded.

”That sounds acceptable.”

Simon had not entered the final stage of the campaign without preparing both of them.

Before he swore the mirror oath with the Eastern Faction, he had already explained most of what he had done in Velmora.

He told Sonya and Akaza what he told Sava and Ivara.

He told them that Blackmoon and the Outsider were identities controlled by an unknown demon which was him. He described some of his dealings with Black Banner, some of the tasks he had completed, the road’s bones, and the agreement he intended to form with the Eastern Faction.

Both already knew about Crownless Dawn from the information Simon obtained after the Eastern Warden’s death. So, he was not going against his word since he was not exposing the operation.

Most of the important discussion occurred before Simon placed his blood and demonic energy into the oath mirror.

He also explained once again Black Horn’s suspicions, the false story involving the Abyssal Tortoise Shell Bead, and the dead Tempest Tyrant he had used as an imaginary rescuer. Sonya and Akaza knew what they needed to say if Korran, Tarvak, or another investigator questioned them.

However, Simon did not tell them everything.

He never explained the bloodline evolution he had spent years preparing, what his goal was by going to Earth, or the real reason he needed Crownless Dawn to succeed.

He also said nothing about the Abyss or what he had overheard through the ShadowEyes placed on Sava and Ivara.

Some information would help Sonya and Akaza survive.

Other information would only give enemies more things to tear from them.

Simon saw no reason to place such a burden on them. He had calculated that he would need their support, and this time around, he chose to trust them to a certain degree.

Sonya’s voice pulled him out of the recollection.

”You have reminded us of this several times.”

”And I will remind you again if necessary.”

”You worry too much.”

”You do not worry enough.”

Akaza looked between them.

”You’re both right. There’s no need to argue about that.”

Sonya turned her head toward him, but Akaza was already walking toward the door.

Simon released a breath and followed.

”We should rest. Tomorrow will be important, exhausting, and definitely dangerous.”

”That sounds enjoyable,” Sonya said with a light grin and cracking of her knuckles.

”That response is why I singled you out.”

They left the isolated training room and returned the key tablet to the attendant outside. The attendant went to check the training room personally, and when he saw the damage that had been done to it, he demanded extra payment.

Sonya immediately pointed at Simon.

”Little kitty did it.”

Simon paid without arguing.

By the time they stepped outside, Velmora no longer felt like the same city they had entered months earlier.

Military wagons crowded the wider roads. Soldiers directed transport beasts toward camps beyond the walls, while rune masters carried sealed cases through guarded streets. Inns were full, shops remained open later than usual, and conversations repeatedly remained about Earth.

Some demons spoke with excitement.

Others lowered their voices whenever Black Banner, the White Crown, or Black Horn was mentioned.

Above everything rested a pressure that had nothing to do with an aura.

Expectation.

Tomorrow, the road between worlds would open.

Simon, Sonya, and Akaza crossed the crowded streets and returned to Pipeline Inn. They exchanged only a few words before separating and entering their rooms.

For one final night, the three prepared in silence.

The following day, their campaign oaths would place them among the first demons to cross into Earth.