Nightfall was beginning to settle over the Shadow Clan; however, Kairos hardly noticed. He sat on the chair of the living room, his hands clasped beneath his chin, his eyes locked onto the door, but his mind was elsewhere.
"What was that? A nightmare?" he thought. "It felt too real to be called a nightmare, perhaps a vision."
He got up from the chair and started walking around the room with steady, measured steps.
"Who was that man? I don't know why, but I think I have seen him before, though I don't remember where or when." He exhaled. "A leader to be obeyed."
Kairos clenched his fist in frustration; this feeling of not understanding anything was the worst.
"I will leave it be for now. I must focus on the task at hand. Myra has already agreed to help me—that's a positive." He paused mid-step. "I think tomorrow I should return to the castle."
The door of the living room creaked open, the sound pulling him out of his thoughts. He turned around to find Mysa and Dephne entering the house with laughter.
"Well, that took long."
Mysa closed the door. "Yeah, it was a long meeting."
"How is Lizzy?" Dephne asked as she took further steps into the room.
"She's with Myra in my room."
"Can you please get her for me? We need to go; night time is approaching," Dephne requested.
Kairos turned and walked to his room. As he entered, he found Myra and Lizzy confabulating.
"Am I disturbing something?" he asked jokingly as he entered the room.
"Oh, Kairos," Lizzy exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy at his sight. "Myra was just telling me how you saved her from that wicked prince." She tapped her chin as she looked back at Myra. "What's his name again?"
"Vakon," Myra said sotto voce.
"Yeah, you saved her from that wicked Vakon."
Kairos looked at Myra then Lizzy. "Ah... I wouldn't say saved her."
"Come on, Kairos," Lizzy sighed. "You never change. Take some credit for saving Myra. I wish it was me."
"Maybe it will be you next time," Myra chuckled.
"Kairos, could you also save me if I were in trouble?"
Kairos nodded his head in agreement. "Lizzy, your mom has come to get you, so let's go."
Lizzy sighed. "I wanted to spend some more time here with you guys."
"You can always come to visit," Myra said as she got up.
"Yeah, you can always come to visit," Kairos added as he walked towards the bed and lifted Lizzy.
"Bye, Myra."
"Same."
Kairos walked to the living room where Dephne was waiting; he put her on the wheelchair.
"Thanks, Kairos," Dephne said, her voice laced with gratitude.
"Mysa, we are now going."
"Ok, travel safe."
Kairos gave one little wave to Lizzy as she and Dephne left the house.
Back to the castle—
"Kairos Wilder," Maelthor muttered, seated on a lavish chair in his chambers. Before him was a map spread on a table, highlighting all the Seven Clans and the outer territories.
The chamber for the prince was quite lavish, with jewelry hanging on the walls—a testament to his sin affinity of envy. Though Maelthor only possessed one sin affinity, he had mastered all its hybrids: shape-shifting and ability mimicry, making him a high-ranking demon that few—even some princes included—dared cross paths with.
As he casually studied the map before him, a faint knock pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened, revealing an old female demon. She wore a long black dress that even concealed her feet. Her long black hair also reached the floor. She took small, measured steps as she entered, a cane in hand supporting her movements.
A smile tugged on Maelthor's lips as he looked at the demon, whose face remained unreadable. The demon then closed the door and slowly sat on a stool near the door.
"How did it go, my lord?" she asked, voice low and measured.
"It went well, Grimona," Maelthor replied, a smile tugging at his lips. "Haida agreed."
"He agreed?"
"Yes, he did."
"Good work, my lord," she muttered, voice laced with satisfaction.
"I know, but the work is not done," he opined as he tapped the map. "Have only gathered the puppets." He looked up. "All that remains is to tie the strings."
"Of course, my lord," she agreed. "But I suggest you be wary of Kith—Haida's advisor. It will be hard to earn his trust."
"I know."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
Maelthor remained silent as he let out a sigh, looking at the ceiling.
"My lord, what are you going to do about it?" she enquired once more, her voice carrying a sense of impatience.
Maelthor slowly lowered his head, tilting it in the process. He then let out a sigh as his eyes fell on Grimona, then he smiled.
"I'll leave it to the expert."
"What do you mean, my lord?"
"I said I will leave it to the expert," he repeated, his words still holding no meaning.
She leaned closer. "And who is the expert you are referring to?"
Maelthor chuckled before his face turned serious. "The main puppet of my plan."
Grimona smiled as realization sat in.
"The demi-demon?"
"Yes, Kairos Wilder."
"Good choice, my lord," she admitted. "The way you have used him to help you in your plan without him knowing a thing is a testament to your sharp mind."
Maelthor let out a sigh before chuckling. "I know, I know." He got up from his seat. "Everything went as I planned it. Ever since I laid my eyes on him during his Trial of blood, I saw potential in him."
Grimona leaned back. "When you first told me about your plan, I honestly thought it was not solid—considering that you put all your plans in the hands of one person—but now I see why you chose him."
Maelthor walked toward the window, and his body began changing its form. His once thick body became thin, his black long hair disappeared, replaced by a bald head that had horns. What he now turned into was an imp.
At the sight of the transformation, Grimona smiled.
"It's time I serve Master Kairos," Maelthor muttered, a wicked smile spreading across his face.