The Broken Halo

Korran began with the facts.

He explained how Blackmoon entered Velmora as a Minor Archfiend, dominated parts of the recruitment examination, and displayed control far beyond what his recorded rank suggested.

He spoke about the convoy, the Prime Calamity Crag Hound, the Furnaceback Centipede, and the moment more than fifty witnesses watched the beast swallow Blackmoon with the rebel carrier.

Then he described what came afterward.

The three cargo signals vanished at the same moment. The residual imprint on the carrier’s spatial ring continued north-east before Teren’s unit found the ring completely empty.

Two days later, Blackmoon returned alive.

Not as a Minor Archfiend.

But as a Supreme Archfiend.

Korran told them about the supposed artifact that had concealed Blackmoon’s true rank, the Abyssal Tortoise Shell Bead, and the unknown Demon Lord who allegedly tore open the Furnaceback Centipede underground.

He also explained the Fury Tempest Art.

”I personally watched him perform it,” Korran said. ”The technique is genuine, and he did obtain a book from the rock gambling den. That part of his statement can be verified.”

Selan remained motionless beside him.

Dorel’s fingers tapped once against his knee.

Korran continued.

”His account is possible. That is the problem. Every part is possible on its own, but together they form too many convenient explanations.”

He placed one report above the others.

”Sonya and Akaza were certain he survived before any evidence suggested it. Neither behaved as though they had lost a companion. They knew something about him that they refused to disclose.”

Marek’s pale-orange eyes remained fixed on Korran.

”Do you believe Blackmoon stole the cases?”

”I cannot prove it.”

”Do you believe he serves Black Banner?”

”His actions during the ambush do not support that conclusion. He warned the convoy, fought the Crag Hounds, and placed himself in danger beside our soldiers.”

Korran paused.

”But I believe he is connected to what happened after the centipede escaped. I don’t completely buy the story of the unknown Demon Lord that saved him. For a Demon Lord to save him is extremely odd.”

The room became quiet, and Korran leaned forward slightly.

”I no longer recommend watching him and asking questions while waiting for another impossible event to occur.”

Dorel, the Vice Commander who was in charge of the opening of the rift, finally looked at him properly.

”What do you recommend?”

”Imprisonment.”

Korran’s answer came without hesitation.

”Seal his demonic energy, separate him from Sonya and Akaza, search his body, his spatial ring, artifacts, and possessions, then force the truth from him.”

Selan’s smoke-grey eyes narrowed.

”And if his supposed family retaliates?”

”Then kill him before he becomes harder to kill,” Korran replied coldly. ”Or, if the Commander considers that too dangerous, banish Blackmoon and his companions from the Darkness Kingdom. Remove them from the invasion and make them someone else’s problem.”

Dorel released a short, humourless laugh.

”You speak decisively for a demon whose operation lost the stabilisation core and two cases of spatial materials.”

Korran turned toward him with slightly narrowed eyes.

Dorel continued.

”Those materials were assigned to the final rift preparations. Their loss forced my divisions to replace components that were not meant to be replaced, redraw sections of three formations, and burn through reserves intended for the first crossing into Earth.”

His dark-blue eyes became colder.

”The road is consuming more resources every day because your convoy never reached its destination.”

Selan spoke before Korran could respond.

”And this entire discussion began because you allowed Black Banner to move freely inside an operation under your command.”

Korran’s gaze shifted toward him.

Selan’s tone remained even.

”Spies entered Black Horn. A prisoner escaped internal custody. Officials died inside our own walls. Then an infiltrator walked into a guarded convoy and left with strategic cargo.”

His expression barely changed.

”You now ask us to trust your instincts after your precautions repeatedly failed.”

Both Vice Commanders wanted Marek’s position one day.

Korran had always known it.

Neither would ignore an opportunity to turn the failed convoy and Blackmoon’s mysteries into evidence against him so as to spoil his record.

Korran smiled without a single bit of warmth.

”If you had performed your responsibilities properly, Selan, the spies would have been uprooted before you ever left Velmora.. Also, don’t forget that locating spies is not my duty but yours.”

Selan’s eyes hardened.

”You controlled the operation.”

”And you control counterintelligence. Unless your title is merely decorative.”

Korran turned toward Dorel.

”As for the rift, perhaps it would already be stable if your formations were better. Black Horn has poured enough resources into that road to build a second branch, yet you continue asking for more.”

Dorel’s aura stirred.

”Do you have any understanding of what it takes to stabilise a road between worlds?”

”Enough to recognise failure when it keeps submitting expense reports.”

Dorel’s eyes flashed with a cold light and shifted forward slightly. Even Selan’s restrained aura also began unfolding.

It looked like a battle was about to unfold between three Superior Greater Demons.

Marek tapped one finger against the desk.

Tap

Then a portion of his aura descended, and the office froze almost like a prey standing before a predator.

The reports flattened against the desk. The chairs groaned, and every trace of hostility from the three Vice Commanders disappeared beneath the weight of Marek’s aura.

”Enough.”

The single word ended the argument immediately.

Marek allowed the pressure to remain for another breath before drawing it back, then he looked at Korran.

”Are the campaign oaths placed on Blackmoon, Sonya, and Akaza still effective?”

”Yes,” Korran replied. ”All three marks remain stable. None of them has violated the clauses they swore.”

”Then you will not imprison or kill Blackmoon.”

Korran’s brows furrowed.

Marek rested one hand over the report.

”The invasion is approaching. If Blackmoon possesses even half the ability you believe he does, he will be valuable on Earth. Disposing of that strength before the campaign would be wasteful.”

”We would be keeping a tiger inside our home,” Korran said. ”A tiger becomes useful while it eats our enemies. That does not mean it forgets our throats.”

”I know.”

”And when we finally decide to dispose of him, it may be too late.”

Marek’s expression remained calm despite Korran’s words.

”You may be right. But do not allow fear to disguise itself as caution and cloud your judgement.”

Korran said nothing. However, deep inside, he felt his judgement was clearer than anyone else’s in the room.

Marek had not stood before the three crowns of the Fury Tempest Art.

He had not felt the warning in his instincts.

’He is still looking down on Blackmoon.’

Marek’s fingers moved to the edge of the report.

”The campaign is not the only reason I will not permit you to act.”

Korran’s eyes narrowed, and Marek looked at all three Vice Commanders.

”Obviously, I’ve also known about the strangeness of Blackmoon and my sources found something that was rather... strange and disturbing.”

He paused, and the room became quiet again.

Marek’s pale-orange eyes settled on Korran.

”Blackmoon has connections to the Shadowgrave Clan.”