Wolfe focused his gift, letting his consciousness expand as he peered probabilistically into the threads of time. What he glimpsed made his blood run cold.

There, bright as day - Captain Ruslan drew a concealed blade and turned on Director Black with murderous intent during their secret meeting. Ruslan had betrayed them and allied with demonic forces!

Heart pounding, Wolfe sprinted down the hall toward the closed door of the director's office. He had mere moments to intervene before disaster struck.

Bursting through the entrance, Wolfe's eyes desperately sought his target. There - Ruslan looming behind Director Black, knife rising for the kill.

With lightning reflexes honed by foresight, Wolfe drew his pistol and fired two precise shots. Ruslan collapsed, the bloody knife clattering to the floor.

Black turned, surprise flashing across his face. "Wolfe? What is the meaning of this?"

"He was about to end you, sir," Wolfe panted, rushing to check Ruslan's lifeless body. "I saw it seconds before it happened."

Black was silent a moment before nodding solemnly. "Your gift has saved me it seems. You have my deepest thanks."

Wolfe let out a breath of relief. The future was shifting; the threat was contained. But just as he began to relax, agony erupted in his back as a blade burst through his chest.

"How...?" Wolfe choked out through the pain, crumpling to his knees.

Behind him stood Vex, smiling cruelly, arm still extended from the killing strike.

"Did you not foresee this possibility, seer?" the demon taunted.

Wolfe could only gape in shock as his lifeblood drained away. How had Vex appeared so unexpectedly? His gift had failed him, just when it mattered most.

The edges of his vision darkened as Wolfe clung desperately to life. But the threads were already slipping away. He had saved Director Black, yet lost his own future. The bitter irony nearly made him laugh as death's void embraced him.

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So close, yet so far. His sight had remained blind to the most obvious truths. Now entropy's tides swept him away into the unknown. The light was fading fast...so fast..

Black sank down to the floor as Wolfe bled out by Vex's claws. One moment he was talking to Ruslan and Damien. The next well… Black turns, only to watch in horror as Damien, his most trusted analyst, begins transforming before his eyes. Skin split, and horns erupted as the man's outward appearance finally aligned with his twisted inner nature.

"No longer must I restrain my true self in your service," the demon intoned, flexing his claws experimentally.

Black took an instinctive step back. "Damien...my friend...what have you done?"

Damien laughed coldly. "I was never your ally, fool. Merely the patient spider that is pulling your strings."

He began circling Black like prey. "Soon, the Portal Security Agency will be mine to control, waging war in your name."

Black shook his head in dismay. "Our mission was protection and peace!"

"Your mission," Damien sneered. "Mine was always power by any means."

He leaned in close, eyes burning malevolently. "Imagine the glorious chaos once I turn your defenders against the very citizens they swore to shield."

Black felt icy fear trickle down his spine. How could he not have seen the viper hiding in their midst? "I'll expose your deceit," he declared, though his voice shook. "The people will resist you."

Damien's smile was vicious. "Who could believe your word over mine after I whispered the poison in your ear for so long?"

He seized Black by the throat. "You played your part well, puppet. But the time for pretense has passed."

Black struggled for air, clawing weakly at Damien's iron grip. This couldn't be how it ended after a lifetime of service.

Just then, Vex emerged from the shadows, rage etched across his face. "You usurp my rightful claim, whelp," the demon lord spat. "These mortals are mine to subjugate."

Damien released Black, turning to face Vex with claws splayed. "Perhaps we settle this matter once and for all then."

The two demons circled each other, vying for supremacy.

Vex watched with distaste as Damien gloried in Director Black's fear and despair. While Vex enjoyed inflicting suffering as much as any demon, Damien's pleasure seemed clinical, detached.

"Look at how the mighty mortal cowers!" Damien crowed, tightening his grip on Black's throat. "Once I claim his throne, none shall be beyond my reach."

Vex snarled in disgust. "You take no true joy in his pain, only power gained." He circled them slowly. "Where is the artistry in that?"

Damien paused to glare at Vex. "I leave the pointless sadism to creatures like you. My will shall dominate, by any means necessary."

He returned his attention to Black, whose struggles were weakening. "Those who resist will be eliminated. Those who obey will be rewarded. Simplicity itself."

Vex flexed his claws, aching to tear into Damien's smug hide. "You miss the beauty of breaking a soul slowly, savoring each exquisite cry." His eyes flashed red. "Allow me to demonstrate..."

But Damien merely flung Black aside like a ragdoll, straightening to his full height. "Another time, perhaps. I understand your more primitive instincts demand appeasement."

His cold smile returned. "For now, I must consolidate power before putting my grand vision into motion. You may amuse yourself with petty torments."

With that, the demon departed, leaving Vex fuming. How dare that upstart belittle eons of carefully honed torture expertise! Vex would teach the whelp respect, eventually.

But Damien was right about one thing - wanton violence was not enough. Real domination requires strategy and foresight. Much as Vex hated to admit it, he could learn from a cunning intellect like Damien.

Vex stood over Black's crumpled form. "Consider yourself spared my full attention, mortal," he rumbled. "But once I claim my rightful throne from that emotionless husk, your true agonies will begin..."

For today, Vex would restrain his hunger and watch. Damien's cold logic was a means to an end. When their goals no longer aligned, the taste of retribution would be sweet indeed. Patience ruled the day. Darker passions would yet have their time beneath the sunless skies.