Zeta tightened her grip on my hand. Her anxiety mirrored my own. A traitor? Among us? The idea seemed unthinkable, yet from our lord's voice, there seemed no reason to doubt. The Demon King of Death stepped forward, saying, "I believe someone within our ranks has been colluding with the Ebon Heralds, possibly even aiding them in their recent strategies."
Zeta's voice trembled as she spoke, "But... who? And why would anyone dare betray the Primordial Kingdom and side with the Ebon Heralds?"
The Demon King of Death looked away as he seemingly gazed at The Demon King of Revival's face. "It's still a pretty baseless assumption. But that is precisely what we need to determine," he said, his voice disappointed. "Ruin revealed too many terrible details regarding secrets that shouldn't even be known to most of our ranks. In fact, secrets only you two would know." The Demon King of Revival said.
"In no way am I here to blame the two of you. Instead, the two of us spoke to the two of you because you two are the most trusted people we deem."The Demon King of Revival returned to his usual warm and encouraging tone. "We need you, Lilitha and Zeta, to be our eyes and ears. You two have been our most trusted warriors, and we need your help to uncover the truth."
Zeta and I exchanged a glance. The weight of the responsibility they were placing on us was immense, but we couldn't refuse. Not when the fate of the demon kings, No. Not when the fate of the entire kingdom could be at stake.
"We will do whatever it takes," I said, my voice steadily ready to serve the two. "We will find this traitor and bring them to justice." I continued with a gracious bow, followed by Zeta.
The Demon King of Revival nodded while smiling. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you both," he said.
"Start your investigation quietly," the Demon King of Death added. "Question those you trust, observe their actions and report anything suspicious directly to us."
With a final nod, Zeta and I turned and left the throne room, the heavy doors closing behind us with a sense of finality. As we walked down the dimly lit corridors, the weight of our new mission pressed down on us.
"Who could it be?" Zeta whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I don't know," I replied, trying to calm my voice. "But we need to be careful. If there really is a traitor among us, they won't hesitate to strike if they feel threatened."
Zeta nodded, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a steely determination. "We'll find them, Lilitha. We'll protect the kingdom, no matter what."
As we made our way through the castle, our minds raced with possibilities and suspicions. We would have to tread carefully, for the enemy could be anyone.
***
The chamber fell into an uneasy silence as Lilitha and Zeta exited, leaving the Demon Kings alone in the throne room. The Demon King of Death turned to the Demon King of Revival. His voice was as cold and aggressive. "You were too quick to involve Lilitha and Zeta. Yet too half-assed to press the two of them. No way in hell is this efficient. We should have handled this ourselves."
The Demon King of Revival, his face sternly seeming to dislike the remark The Demon King of Death made, he sighed deeply. "Isn't it enough that we are facing an unreadable enemy now? We cannot afford to be divided in this. Besides, the two of them are no doubt capable and the least likely person to betray us. We need their help if we want to find the traitor discreetly."
Death put a finger on his chin. "I somehow wonder, is that trust? or naivety? Your trust in our ranks has led us to this very moment is it not? Providing chances for our enemies to grow stronger under our noses, and our forces weaken."
Revival clenched his fists, and bluish magical energy coated his body. "Do you think I don't see that? Do you think I don't know the risks? But we cannot fight this war alone, not against the Ebon Heralds and certainly not against their leader, Ruin."
A heavy pause settled between them as both kings considered the implications of the name. Ruin, a figure shrouded in mystery. A person claiming to have the ultimate goal of controlling the world from the darkness. Who claimed that he wielded a power that defied and surpassed everything The Demon King had faced. Not to mention, he had the ability to mimic the [Author] voice of the demon kings.
Death's voice broke the silence, softer than before. "Have you decided to believe what he is saying? The claim that he has the ability to see the future?"
Revival looked down as his mind raced. "We've seen him perform feats that should be impossible, even for someone like the seven heroes. His technique is able to bypass my healing magic, and now his ability to use the [Author] voice. I doubt that his other claim was baseless or mere lies. If he does possess foresight, it would explain how he's been able to stay one step ahead of us in most of our encounters."
"What makes me suspicious is that he does not outright say foresight but rather, the certainty of the future." Death's voice was laced with skepticism. "It defies the natural order. Something we have not even been able to perform. Seeing the future is one thing, but knowing something that was set in stone is another thing. If Ruin truly wields such power, it means he has discovered something beyond our understanding. Or perhaps he can force the fate of the future."
Revival hesitated, then spoke, his tone edged with frustration. "Alternatively, it could just be someone within our ranks who has been feeding him information, making it seem as if he can see the future."
Death's gaze hardened. "And that brings us back to the traitor. If there is one among us, they are either deeply entrenched within our inner circle, or they have been deceiving us from the beginning. But as you say, I doubt there will be anyone within our ranks that would betray us."
"Which is why we must tread carefully," Revival replied, his earlier resolve returning. "Lilitha and Zeta are our best chance of uncovering the truth. They are the most loyal and best-performing people we have. We should trust them at least."
Death was silent for a long moment, his thoughts inscrutable. Then, with a slow nod, he conceded. "Very well. But we must also prepare for all possibilities. If Ruin possesses the power to force fate. Then we must understand its limits and weaknesses."
Revival's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. "Agreed. Such as his previous tricks. It still has flaws even though it was so powerful."
The two then look at each other with renewed determination that masks their dilemma. Both know the inevitability of their ideals. Their ideals must once again clash, like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
The question remained.
Destroy everyone that does not have demonic blood?
Force reincarnate everyone so that they all have demonic blood?