Elias stared at the screen, Asmodeus's image flickering across every news channel like a dark king surveying his new kingdom. The Devourer's voice was smooth and honeyed, each word heavy with false promises and veiled threats.
"You will kneel," Asmodeus said, a smile curling across his flawless face. "Your leaders already have."
Naomi stood frozen by the console, fists clenched. Dan cursed softly, pacing the room.
"Do they even know what they've welcomed?" Naomi muttered, barely audible. "They have no idea what he is."
Dan scoffed. "They probably think he's an upgrade to our politicians."
Elias sat still, the newly forged sword balanced across his knees, his gaze locked on the broadcast. The weight of Kairo's memories still pressed on him—sharp and clear, but not unbearable. Asmodeus's presence was powerful, yes—but it wasn't invincible. He saw it for what it truly was.
It was pride. Pure, unrelenting pride.
And that was a weakness Elias knew how to exploit.
He exhaled, the pieces starting to fall into place. This wasn't just a game anymore—but the Devourers still followed rules, rules they couldn't break. He thought of Azazel, the smug confidence, the way he tried to bait him into action—and it all clicked.
Elias sat forward, hands tightening around the sword's hilt. "We provoke him."
Everyone, excluding Lucius, turned to look at him, confusion flickering across their faces.
"Provoke him?" Ava repeated, brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
Elias stood, the weight of the sword familiar now, not just in his hands but in his mind. "The Devourers are prideful. It's their biggest flaw." His gaze flicked between them, each word measured and deliberate. "We can't fight them on their terms—they'd crush us. But if I challenge Asmodeus... there's no way he'll back down."
Dan tilted his head, piecing the idea together. "You think you can bait him into a fight?"
Elias gave a tight smile. "Not just any fight. A high-stakes, winner-takes-all fight. In front of everyone."
The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over them.
"You're serious," Naomi said slowly, arms folding across her chest. "You want to provoke the most dangerous being on Earth—on purpose."
Dan whistled under his breath. "Bold move, Ward. Very bold."
"It's not just bold." Elias's eyes darkened, the tension in his shoulders easing as he fully embraced the plan. "It's the only way. If we hit him where it hurts—his pride—he'll have no choice but to fight. And if it's a one-on-one duel..." He trailed off, the rest hanging unspoken in the air.
Ava's frown deepened. "Are you sure about this, Eli? Isn't this suicide?"
"Not if we do it right," Elias replied. "There are rules—game rules. I challenge him in front of everyone, so he can't refuse. If he refuses, he'll look weak. And Devourers can't stand looking weak. So he will agree. And when he does, that's when we get him."
Dan grinned. "I hate how much sense this makes."
Naomi dragged a hand through her hair, frustration warring with reluctant agreement. "Let's say you pull this off. How do you kill him? He's a giant with ice magic powers. He'll tear you apart before you get close."
Lucius, who had been listening quietly from the corner, stepped forward with a small, approving smile. "As Elias said, there are still rules—rules even Asmodeus cannot stop. And you, Elias..." He gave a slight nod. "Are brewing something in that devious mind of yours."
Elias gave Lucius a questioning look. "So you think this will work?"
Lucius chuckled softly. "It will work—if you execute what I think you want to do perfectly."
Naomi looked between them, her frustration simmering just below the surface. "Hey, guys. Care to elaborate?"
Elias turned the sword in his hands, the cool metal grounding him. "The Forge of Immortality."
Dan leaned against the console, chewing on the idea like it was gum. "Alright, I like the idea. An arena for the final fight. Symbolic and badass. But how do you plan to get him to log into the game?"
Elias tapped the edge of the sword against the ground. Then, with a slow smile, he said, "He won't. I'll bring it here."
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "The arena?"
Elias nodded. "It's the only place that makes sense. It's where the strongest come to prove themselves. Asmodeus won't be able to resist."
"No, I know that, wise-ass," she quipped. "What I mean is, how the hell will you bring a whole arena from the game into real life?"
Dan grinned, understanding sparking in his mind. "I'm into this! Leave the livestream to me. We make it public. Broadcast the fight to everyone—live."
Ava's eyes, once dulled with doubt, now gleamed with approval. "I think I know what you want to do. If this works, the world will see him for what he is—a tyrant desperate to prove himself invincible."
Naomi pressed her lips together, still uneasy and seeing no reprieve. "Ok, hello? Am I the only one who doesn't get it?"
Elias held her gaze, steady. "Volkov's mansion. The ritual. Ring any bells?"
"Ah…" Naomi finally nodded in understanding.
Lucius stepped forward, hands behind his back. "Mister Stratton, I can get you access to the broadcast feeds. I'm sure you will use them to the utmost of their ability."
"Oh, you know it, magic man!" Dan said with glee as he followed him toward the elevator.
Elias exhaled slowly, the weight of everything resting heavily on his shoulders. "This is it. It's now or never."
Ava reached out, gripping his arm. "We're with you, Elias. No matter what happens."
Naomi gave him a lazy salute. "Time to make history, WardensBlade."
Elias smiled, but it was a quiet, determined thing. He wasn't doing this alone—not anymore.