Kairos sat in the arena, his hands clasped beneath his chin, eyes fixed on Gilen's lifeless body. The air was thick with the scent of blood , yet his face remained a mask of indifference.
"Kairos," Myra spoke hesitantly, watching him carefully. "You tried to help him. It wasn't your fault."
"She's right," Mysa added, standing up. "Don't blame yourself."
Silence.
They didn't know. They didn't understand.
Gilen was dead because of him.
He had intended to convince him, that had been the plan. But after seeing the boy earlier that day, he had made up his mind. There had been no other way.
"Kairos." Myra leaned in, her voice softer this time. "Let's go home."
Kairos stood without a word and began walking. Myra and Mysa followed close behind. As they neared the exit, he glanced back once more. A guard was already stuffing Gilen's corpse into a sack, the body reduced to nothing more than waste to be disposed of. Kairos' face remained expressionless as he turned away.
The walk back was silent. Even Myra, usually talkative, said nothing. She understood—sometimes silence was better.
They passed through the Corridor of Thorns and headed to the entrance of the force field, the prison's oppressive aura weighing on them. The guards stationed at the entrance exchanged glances as they opened the barrier allowing the trio to pass.
"Look at them now," one muttered to his comrade as he looked at trio walking away. "They entered with confidence, now they leave with nothing but pain."
"I know," the other agreed, glancing at Khra'gixxoth, the prison looming behind them. "This place shatters the hope of anyone who steps inside." He lowered his head. "We may be demons, but this place… this place is true hell."
Khra'gixxoth was a place of nightmares. Even demons weren't immune to its horrors. No one who entered left the same—not the prisoners, not the spectators, not even the executioners.
As the trio walked in silence, Kairos suddenly stopped as he turned to face Mysa and Myra.
"I'm going to see Instructor Valkos. You two go home. I'll find you later."
"Kairos, no," Myra said, concern lacing her voice. "Come home with us. You can visit him tomorr—"
Mysa caught her arm. "Myra, stop."
She turned to Kairos, touching his cheek gently. "Just don't come back too late."
Kairos nodded and walked away, vanishing into a narrow street leading toward Valkos' house.
"I hope he'll be okay," Myra whispered.
Mysa sighed. "This world has been cruel to him. And just when it seemed like he might escape the darkness, it pulled him in even deeper." She turned away. "Come on, let's go."
Kairos walked with his head lowered, footsteps echoing in the narrow streets. The whispers of passing demons slithered into his ears.
"Disgusting demi-demon."
"This thing has no shame, walking around with its face exposed."
He blinked. He had forgotten to pull his cloak up. Even after realizing, he didn't bother. It didn't matter.
A sharp pain struck his shoulder. A stone bounced off and clattered to the ground.
"I hate these things," a child spat.
"Yeah," another agreed. "They're weak."
More stones followed. Kairos kept walking, his face devoid of reaction.
"Yeah, just walk away," the first child sneered. "It's not like you can do anything about it."
He ignored them.
The house was only a few minutes away now—a small, unimpressive structure. Instructor Valkos lived alone. No wife, no children. No one waiting for him after his academy duties.
Kairos approached the door and knocked lightly.
"Hold on." A voice boomed from inside. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Instructor Valkos
"Come in, Kairos." He stepped aside. "So, you remembered to visit?"
Kairos simply nodded and stepped inside. The room was cluttered with books and scrolls, the air thick with the scent of ink.
"Apologies for the mess." Valkos shoved a stack of books off a chair. "You can sit here."
Kairos sat down, his expression unreadable.
"I heard what happened." Valkos took a seat across from him. "I'm proud of the choice you made. It was dangerous, but it was the right one."
Kairos' head snapped up, eyes narrowing. For the first time, emotion flickered across his face—confusion, curiosity.
"I know what you did," Valkos continued evenly. "You used your Sin Affinity of Lust to cast an illusion on Gilen."
Kairos's body stiffened.
"…How did you know?"
"My secretary was there. She also possesses sin affinity of lust." Valkos folded his arms. "That's why it was dangerous. If anyone else with the same sin affinity had been present, they would've seen through your illusion." He exhaled. "Let's just hope she was the only one."
"There aren't many demons with sin affinity of lust," Kairos muttered.
"That doesn't excuse your recklessness," Valkos hissed, his voice tinged with disappointment. "This isn't like you."
Kairos looked down. "I was desperate. I had no other option."
Valkos studied him. "Judging by the stunt you pulled, it seems you've fully mastered your Sin Affinity of Lust."
"No am only able to do illusions."
Every demon was born with a Sin Affinity, a force that defined their very essence. These affinities stem from the Seven Cardinal Sins, shaping their abilities from the moment they draw breath. Wrath demons are forces of destruction, their bodies brimming with raw strength, their elemental abilities capable of reducing entire landscapes to ash. Those of Pride command with an undeniable presence, their very aura bending weaker demons to their will, their words an irresistible force of domination. Greed manifests in those who have the ability of twisting space- creating domains- to hide their treasures, absorbing matter into their endless reserves.
Lust demons weave illusions so seamless , their charm capable of enslaving minds, their touch stealing the very essence of life. Envy is the curse of those who covet, allowing them to mimic the abilities of others, to reshape themselves into whatever form they desire. Sloth is not mere laziness but mastery over time itself, stretching moments into eternity. And then there is Gluttony, the endless hunger that devours all, stealing the skills of the fallen, consuming without limit, turning void into sustenance.
But high-ranking demons are not bound by a single sin affinity they can wield two or more, or master all the hybrids of one sin affinity- a feat not achieveable by lower ranks-their power a terrifying fusion that reshapes the battlefield itself.
Valkos' gaze was sharp. "Now, tell me, Kairos… why did you abandon your original plan? Why didn't you try to convince Gilen to take the Trial of Blood?"
Kairos hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke.
"I didn't want him to suffer like I do."
The words were quiet, but they carried a weight far heavier than any illusion.