The Broken Halo

Lilith’s warning left Simon confused.

However, the cold expression on his face did not change. His sky-blue eyes remained fixed on the Biggest Kev, and the dangerous silence inside the room continued as though no voice had spoken from within his heart.

[What do you mean by a fate worse than death?]

Lilith did not answer immediately.

When her voice finally came, it was colder than before.

[There are endings that make death look merciful, and trying to uncover the secrets of the Chaos Wraps is a gate to one of them.]

[What exactly would happen to him?]

[Do not let him try, and you will never need to find out.]

Her presence withdrew slightly after those words, making it clear that she did not intend to explain further.

Simon became suspicious.

A part of him wondered whether Lilith’s warning came entirely from concern for Kev’s life. The Chaos Wraps had belonged to her father, and there were still many things about them that even Simon did not understand.

Perhaps Kev might discover something Lilith did not want exposed.

Perhaps the Wraps themselves contained a defence placed by the Sword Daemon that Lilith did not want activated.

Or perhaps touching the concepts hidden within them would truly destroy a weaker mind, soul, or existence in a manner Simon could not yet comprehend.

Curiosity pulled at him, but caution won.

The Chaos Wraps were ancient, powerful, and dangerous enough to turn nearly every weapon he held in existence to ash. Simon had no reason to doubt Lilith’s warning merely because she refused to satisfy his curiosity.

His attention returned fully to Kev.

The Armor King remained where he stood, waiting patiently. Sonya and Akaza were also silent, but Simon could feel their attention moving between him and the enormous armoured demon.

Several tense seconds passed.

Then Simon finally spoke.

”What exactly would you offer me in exchange?”

Akaza’s brows rose.

A similar reaction appeared on Sonya’s face. Neither had expected Simon to even consider the request after the coldness that entered his eyes moments earlier.

Akaza knew Simon rarely allowed another demon close to anything he considered important. Sonya also knew that Simon loved to keep his secrets. To both of them, Simon’s question did not sound like acceptance.

It sounded like the beginning of a negotiation whose true price had not yet been revealed.

Kev became still, and the faint metallic movements within his armour stopped as he considered the question properly.

”I can offer many things,” he said eventually.

His deep voice carried none of its earlier humour.

”I will allow you to choose one artifact from my treasury.”

Simon tilted his head slightly.

”What is the highest grade inside it?”

”A Calamity-grade artifact.”

Simon raised one brow, and nothing resembling excitement or greed entered his eyes.

A Calamity-grade artifact was designed for Demon Lords. Even if an Archfiend obtained one, using its full power would be difficult, if not impossible.

It was valuable, but just not valuable enough to interest Simon.

A Transcendent-grade artifact meant for Demon Kings might have made him consider the offer more seriously.

Kev noticed the absence of desire in Simon’s expression, and a strange look entered the dull-yellow eyes behind the Blood Jaguar helmet.

Most Archfiends would have struggled to remain standing calmly after hearing such an offer. Some would have agreed before asking what the artifact did. Even Greater Demons would compete violently for the chance to obtain a Calamity-grade treasure.

Blackmoon merely looked curious.

’What sort of place did this demon come from?’ Kev wondered.

’Does his family possess enough Calamity-grade artifacts that they no longer impress him?’

His interest in Simon’s hidden background deepened.

”What type of artifact is it?” Simon asked.

”I have more than one at that grade,” Kev replied. ”Weapons, shields, and armour make up most of them.”

Disappointment appeared openly on Simon’s face, then he shook his head.

”I’m not interested.”

Kev stared at him with slightly wide eyes.

”Some are extremely unusual. One of my shields can rival a Transcendent-grade artifact when resisting a single concentrated attack. I also possess a spear that can pierce materials above its grade under the correct conditions.”

”No.”

Simon’s refusal came just as easily as the first.

Inside, his thoughts were even simpler.

’Even if you offered a Transcendent-grade artifact, I would still refuse if it was merely a weapon, shield, or armour.’

’Don’t blame me. Blame the Chaos Wraps.’

The Chaos Wraps prevented him from using any weapon, shield, or armour. For him to choose an artifact, it would have to be something else and not just a weapon.

Simon looked at Kev.

”What else can you offer aside from artifacts?”

For the first time since entering the room, the Biggest Kev appeared genuinely stumped.

His treasury was one of his greatest sources of pride. He had expected Simon to negotiate over which artifact he could choose, not dismiss the entire collection before seeing it.

Kev considered hell stones, forging services, rare materials, and access to his knowledge. However, he wasn’t certain if Simon would want any of that.

In his mind, for him to ignore his treasury meant his background must be extraordinary.

’I should still make an attempt. Those two artifacts are unique and studying them would be immensely helpful to me.’

Before he could even make an attempt to make another offer, Simon’s gaze changed.

A calculating glint moved through his sky-blue eyes as he thought of what he wanted from the Biggest Kev.

’A favour.’

A fixed reward had a fixed value.

A favour did not.

The Biggest Kev was a Half-Step Demon Lord, a friend of Korran, a demon who was known by both the rebels and guards of Velmora, and a demon whose strength and artifacts could alter the outcome of many situations. Simon did not yet know when that influence would become most useful.

He also had no idea if the Biggest Kev had any political power which he could use, but he knew that the Biggest Kev could be used in the future.

Perhaps during his dealings with the Second Claw.

Perhaps when Crownless Dawn reached its final stages.

Perhaps when he needed to leave Velmora beneath the eyes of Black Horn, Black Banner, and the city’s hidden experts.

There was no need to decide now.

An unused favour was a weapon without a shape. Simon could give it the form he needed when the correct moment arrived.

He could even use the favour to ask for an artifact from the Biggest Kev’s treasury.

He unfolded his arms.

”I want a favour.”

Kev’s helmet tilted.

Simon lifted the hand wearing the ring.

”One favour from you, to be fulfilled when I choose. In exchange, I will allow you to study this ring under my supervision.”

His eyes became colder.

”Only the ring. The black wraps are not part of the agreement.”

The room became silent again.

Kev looked from the plain ring to the black strips disappearing beneath Simon’s sleeves. The difference in Simon’s willingness told him that the wraps were far more dangerous and valuable than he had first assumed.

Simon however did not care what conclusion he reached.

His terms had been given.