Infernal Ascendancy

Dragos said coldly, "It seems you don't have anything of importance to say," and turned to leave.

Veymar's lips curled into a grin. "I came to fight you, Dragos."

Dragos froze mid-step.

Veymar placed his hand on Dragos' shoulder, his grip firm. "What do you say, old man?"

Dragos' aura flared, the air cracking around him as his eyes glowed with lethal light. His voice dropped to an icy growl. "Let go."

Veymar's own eyes ignited with power, his smile sharpening. "And if I don't?"

Before the words even settled, Dragos swung the back of his fist with crushing force.

BAM!

A thunderous gust of wind ripped through the corridor, steam hissing from the impact. Veymar was flung back, sliding across the ground before digging his heels in. His cloak fluttered wildly, his shimmering shield shattered into fragments.

He dusted himself off, chuckling. "That was quite a punch, Dragos. You even broke my shield. Guess I'll have to reinforce a stronger one next time."

Dragos' glowing eyes locked on him, unblinking, unmoved.

Veymar's grin widened, aura pulsing as his eyes burned brighter. "But you know, Dragos… you might be the perfect opponent to test my next shield on. Come on. I've reinforced another. Break it—if you can. If not, I win. Fair enough?"

Dragos' fist tightened, fury simmering. "You really piss me off, Veymar."

But then, in a controlled exhale, his aura began to fade. His eyes dimmed, his rage suppressed. He spoke calmly, but with steel in his tone. "I've learned not to let you get under my skin again. If that's all you came here for, then leave. You won't get anything from me."

Veymar's smile faltered slightly, his glow fading as well. He let out a sharp laugh, though his eyes narrowed. "Dragos… not you too."

Dragos stepped closer, his voice heavy with authority. "Go back to your gate, Veymar. You're a Pillar—act like one."

Veymar sighed, shaking his head. "You and Malphas… always lecturing. That's why you're both old." With a snap of his fingers, a swirling portal opened behind him. He stepped into it without looking back. "I'm out of here."

The portal snapped shut.

Dragos exhaled deeply, his shoulders heavy. He muttered to himself, "I was close to losing myself there." Slowly, he turned and made his way back to the Dragon Hall.

The towering doors swung open as he re-entered, his footsteps echoing across the ancient chamber. The elders looked at him with questioning eyes.

Elder Krazmyr finally spoke, "What was going on?"

Dragos walked to his throne, his expression calm once more. "It was nothing," he said firmly. "Let's continue with the meeting."

---

Second Gate of Hell — Veymar's Room

A portal ripped open in the center of the chamber, its edges sparking with infernal energy. Veymar stepped through casually, cloak brushing the floor as he dropped into his chair with a lazy grin. A knock echoed against the heavy iron door.

"Come in," he said, voice low but commanding.

The door creaked open, and Lexi stepped inside. "Good day, Lord Veymar."

Meanwhile, outside, Blight was giving orders to the Hell Guards. "Patrol around. Report anything suspicious. Move!"

The guards barked in unison, "Indeed!" and scattered into the darkness. Blight folded his arms, muttering under his breath, "Lord Veymar must have returned by now. I should probably check on him."

He strode through the blackened corridors until he stood at Veymar's door. He knocked once. Silence. Knocked again. Still no answer. Then faint giggles leaked through the cracks. Blight's brow furrowed. He pushed the door open.

Inside, he froze.

Veymar sat cross-legged on the floor, laughing with Lexi. In her hand, she held a test tube. Inside it—squirming violently—was a miniature infernal, trapped and writhing in agony. Lexi shook the tube hard, slamming the creature against its glass prison while both of them chuckled like children playing with a toy.

Blight's voice slipped out, shocked. "Lord Veymar…"

Veymar turned, smiling like nothing was wrong. "Blight, you're here. Come—take a look at this."

Blight stepped forward reluctantly. Lexi held the test tube out, the tiny infernal screeching inside as it battered against the glass.

Blight's jaw tightened. I can't believe Lord Veymar finds this entertaining…

Lexi stood, brushing off her clothes. "Lord Veymar, I have to go now."

"Why? Where are you headed?"

"Lord Azreal summoned me to the Royal Palace. It's about the mission concerning humans turning into infernals."

Veymar tilted his head, eyes narrowing with curiosity. "So that means… you're going with him?"

Lexi smiled. "Of course, her face tightened. But now I'm late—I need to hurry."

Veymar rose slowly. "Wait. I'll get you there on time." He snapped his fingers, and a portal yawned open beside them, shimmering with pale light.

Lexi beamed. "Thank you, Lord Veymar. See you later." She stepped inside, vanishing as the portal snapped shut behind her.

Veymar dusted off his cloak and leaned back against his desk.

"My lord," Blight said carefully, "why was she here?"

"Orvath sent her," Veymar replied dismissively.

"I see… but my lord, how did it go with Lord Xaltheon?"

Veymar scowled. "Boring. No entertainment. Just a lecture. I went to Dragos as well—guess what? Another lecture. Those old fossils… that's all they're good for."

Blight blinked, stunned. "Lord Dragos… lectured you?"

Veymar chuckled darkly. "Even I was surprised. I expected fire, maybe rage. Instead? He brushed me off like a senile old man."

Blight hesitated. "But my lord… don't you think there's someone else you're forgetting about?"

Veymar's eyes narrowed. "And who's that?"

"Lady Laisa."

Veymar burst into laughter. "Blight, you should think before you spout such stupidity. Laisa? What can she do? Apart from prancing around like some dolled-up princess? What would I even do there—play tea party with her?"

Blight fought hard to stifle his laugh, shoulders trembling.

Veymar shot him a glare.

Blight quickly straightened. "My apologies, my lord."

But Veymar's grin lingered. "Wait… that gives me an idea. Azreal never mentioned Laisa joining him. Which means she's in the same position as us—the Pillars, left behind."

Blight nodded slowly. "That's true…"

Veymar's grin widened into something dangerous. "Then I'll be the one to deliver the news to her. After all, she'll be furious when she learns that Aria is going with Lord Azreal… while she's not."

Blight frowned. "My lord, I don't thi—"

"Enough." Veymar cut him off sharply, snapping his fingers. A portal bloomed before him, dark and swirling. "I'll go now."

Without another word, he stepped through, and the portal slammed shut.

---

At the Royal Palace Gate

A portal flared open, its glow throwing shadows across the towering gates. The guards instantly raised their spears, eyes locked on the figure stepping out.

Lexi emerged, the portal sealing behind her. She stared up at the colossal palace, her lips parting in awe. "The Royal Palace… my first time here. It's even more marvelous than I imagined."

"Who are you? State your purpose!" one guard barked.

Lexi bowed slightly. "I was summoned here by Lord Azreal, to join the others."

Another guard lowered his spear. "Let her in. Lord Hulk already told us of her arrival."

The gates groaned as they swung open, and Lexi stepped inside. Behind her, the iron doors slammed shut, sealing her within the grandeur of the palace.

She wandered the polished halls until a maid guided her to the throne room.

---

Throne Room

Azreal was mid-speech when the doors creaked open. Lexi's voice rang out, breathless but polite. "Forgive me for being late."

Every head in the chamber turned toward her.

Azreal's cold eyes softened slightly. "Aria, meet Lexi. Lexi, meet Aria."

Lexi smiled warmly, bowing her head. "Nice to meet you, Aria."