[https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

Within the dimly lit confines of a dark room, adorned with opulent relics of ages past, an old woman sat in her worn chair. Her long, flowing white hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes were fixed upon the crackling embers in the fireplace, their glow reflecting in her gaze.

On a bare coffee table before her lay an ominous-looking tome, radiating with dark energies. Its pages were sealed with intricate magic runes, concealing its forbidden contents from prying eyes.

As the woman sat there, her attention was drawn away from the fire by a sound at her door. Slowly, she rose from her chair, her weary back protesting the movement. Opening the door, her eyes widened at the sight of the visitor who stood before her.

"Vorner... It has been a while," she greeted, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Vorner, observing the aged woman before him, noted her frail appearance. "You look unwell,"

A sly grin spread across the woman's face, and she gestured for him to enter her abode. "And so do you."

Accepting her invitation, Vorner stepped inside her humble home—a cottage nestled amidst swampy lands. His eyes were immediately drawn to the array of jewelry and lavish trinkets that adorned her dwelling.

"Would you like some tea? Or perhaps some coffee?" she offered, extending hospitality despite the modest setting.

"Coffee would be fine," Vorner replied, settling into a seat in the shabby dining room, facing the kitchen area.

Slowly, Lady Gray made her way to the kitchen. She poured water into a brewing stand, mixing it with coffee powder before lighting the fire beneath it.

"Why are you here, Vorner? Surely you didn't abandon your master just to come and drink coffee with me,"

Vorner's gaze hardened, his eyes locked onto the aged face before him. "Gray... I need your help."

A flicker of resentment flashed across Lady Gray's face, taken aback by his sudden request. "That's Lady Gray to you now. My heart still smolders from your betrayal," she retorted.

"Please, Gray, just hear me out," Vorner implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

"You've traveled all this way to seek assistance from an old woman like me? Can't you see that I can barely stand on my own?" she challenged, her voice laced with bitterness.

"Enough with the games... You may deceive the others, but I know you are not who you claim to be," Vorner muttered, his frustration seeping through.

Gray's attention focused on the brewing station, adjusting the flame beneath the coffee to low before pouring the brewed liquid into two cups. Carrying them to the table, she placed one before Vorner, her eyes meeting his.

"I'll hear you out," she acquiesced, her tone softer yet guarded.

As Vorner's gaze fixed upon the cup of coffee before him, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to reveal.

"I did it... But only for a moment,"

Lady Gray's eyes widened in astonishment, a mix of curiosity and apprehension dancing within them.

"You don't mean..." she trailed off, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, the flames of hell, the very black flames that are a signature of my master. I have found a way to recreate them,"

Taking a seat across from him, Lady Gray's gaze shifted to Vorner's missing arm, a mix of curiosity and concern evident in her eyes. "The flames of the Demon God... How could you possibly recreate such a spell?"

Vorner's expression grew somber as he replied, "I have deciphered much of the infernal scripture belonging to our master. Because of that knowledge, I can cast his spells."

Lady Gray's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You have? But how is that even possible? Many have deemed its contents as nonsensical. Even I cannot comprehend its texts."

"It is an intricately encrypted codex, the most complex I have ever encountered. Even the Holy Scripture and its writings pale in comparison."

A hint of cynicism crept into Lady Gray's voice. "Makes you wonder if that incompetent God you serve truly authored it."

Vorner shook his head, a fervent conviction in his eyes. "He is intelligent, Gray. He may act as a fool, but his actions have shown me otherwise. I cannot fathom the depths of his intellect. The great supreme overlord of darkness, the ruler of hell itself... Surely he did not ascend to such power if he were a mere simpleton."

Lady Gray's eyes shifted around, contemplating Vorner's words before finally settling on him. "Are you here to simply boast of your accomplishments? to boast of your evil master?"

Vorner's gaze turned to his decapitated arm, a sense of loss and determination evident in his voice. "Gray, the flames of hell... they burned my arm."

"You were lucky to escape then."

"And yet, I still bear the weight of its dark powers... They course through my wounds and veins, igniting a relentless fury within me. I struggle to focus, as my mind is consumed by an unfamiliar rage."

"Pardon me...?"

"When the flames engulfed me, they seared into my very being, intertwining with my essence... for the price to wield their power, I lost my arm, but in the wake of what I've gained, I think it's more than worth it."

"That's impossible." Gray rose from her seat, unable to fathom what she was hearing. "The flames of hell spare nothing... And you lost only an arm? Not even the heavens themselves can come out as unscathed as you have."

Stolen story; please report.

"It is the truth, Gray..."

Vorner extended his wrist before Gray, revealing a dagger, and with a swift motion, he slit his own skin.

Gray's eyes widened in shock as she witnessed Vorner's actions. "What are you doing? Have you gone mad?"

Vorner ignored her protests, his gaze set on the dark blood that gushed from his wrist. The black substance seeped through his veins, revealing their dark nature. He held his arm before Gray, as the wound began to close, leaving behind only a faint scar.

"The flames of hell... they have become a part of me. I can control them, harness their power,"

Gray took a step back, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief. "This is madness! You cannot wield such dark powers and expect to remain unscathed."

"But Gray, with this power, I can tip the scales. I can challenge the Gods themselves. I can bring about a new era, one without the hell or heaven." Vorner declared, his eyes burning with an intense fervor.

Gray's face contorted with a mixture of concern and anger. "It is not our place to challenge the Gods. Do not take borrowed power as your own."

Vorner's voice grew colder, his gaze piercing. "You yourself have challenged the lord of the heavens and have the audacity to tell me I'm wrong? The Order's cause is nothing compared to the power I now possess. I will no longer be held back by their feeble attempts at righteousness. I will reshape this world according to my own design."

"With all this power you speak of, you still failed to properly kill Grismala as your master commanded you." Gray's hands clenched into fists, her eyes filled with anger. "And even if your master is as clever as you claim him to be then perhaps he is the one that has allowed you to wield this power, you should not be reckless with it! You are still channeling his energies through the scripture."

Taking a deep breath, Gray calmed herself, taking a seat by the table before Vorner.

"It's sheer arrogance to wield such power, for it is not your own... I cannot stress this enough... I admit, your master may be clever, but if it's true then you are merely being used."

"You've abandoned us in our time of need, blinded by that very arrogance. I still see no reason to help you if you cannot learn from your mistakes. Even if you wield the flames of hell, it's not like those flames are the most powerful weapons within his arsenal. He has magical powers far superior to these minor spells and his greatest weapon beyond anything a leader could ask for."

"And what would be that weapon?" Vorner questioned.

"That would be Alpos, his henchman. A master of deception and strategy, they are a perfect duo, and in all honesty, he is the reason why hell has yet to fall."

"Alpos huh... He is a clever one, I'll give you that."

"And that is exactly why your plans to defeat the Demon God will fail, as long as Alpos stands by his side."

"Then perhaps he can be convinced somehow?"

Taking a sip of her coffee, Gray's gaze turned thoughtful as she contemplated Vorner's words. The steam from the cup rose and swirled around her face, adding an air of mystique to the conversation.

"Convincing Alpos would be no easy feat," Gray replied, her voice filled with a mixture of skepticism and hope. "He has proven his unwavering loyalty to the Demon God time and time again. But... perhaps there is a glimmer of doubt within him, a crack in his devotion that we can exploit."

Vorner leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Gray's face, eager to hear more. "Do you have a plan, Gray?"

A mischievous smile played upon Gray's lips as she placed her cup back on the table. "Oh, Vorner, my dear, I always have a plan. But it will require patience, cunning, and a willingness to delve into the darkest corners of our existence."

Vorner's gaze intensified, his curiosity piqued by Gray's cryptic words. "Tell me, Gray. What do you have in mind?"

"First, we must gather information," Gray replied, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. "There are whispers of forbidden knowledge hidden within the depths of the Holy Empire itself. Secrets that can shed light on some things within the darkness."

"But... The Demon God has infiltrated the Holy Empire as we speak... Going there would be an extraordinarily perilous undertaking, especially for someone like you."

Gray's eyes widened, causing her to sputter and spill her coffee.

"He has what?!"

"You weren't aware? I assumed you were the master of the whispers..."

Gray, staring into Vorner's eyes, contemplated his claim.

"What do you mean he's within the Holy Empire?"

"He is presently engaged in a covert endeavor within his mortal form. Only Alpos possesses knowledge of its nature and purpose. You don't think he is after that forbidden knowledge, are you?"

Gray's mind raced, a sense of urgency intertwining with her thoughts. She paced back and forth in the small kitchen, her mind consumed with doubt.

"Why else would he choose to go there if not for that purpose... If the Demon God truly resides within the Holy Empire, our mission becomes even more perilous. We must exercise utmost caution and devise a plan that allows us to gather information without arousing suspicion. Underestimating the gravity of the situation is not an option, particularly now, when the Holy Empire's selfish bishops callously turned their backs on Tasildor's plight. The ruins of Tasildor serve as a catalyst, bolstering Alpos's determination and deepening his unwavering faith in his ruler. The stakes are growing higher, and with the heavens forsaking us, we have no choice but to rely on ourselves."

Vorner expressed genuine sympathy as he offered his condolences for the tragedy that befell Tasildor. "You're absolutely right. Allowing the Holy Empire to crumble is not an option. Whatever my master has planned, chaos is bound to ensue. We must ensure that this does not go unnoticed or unchallenged."

Gray's gaze hardened as she addressed Vorner, her voice tinged with caution. "You must understand that my trust in you is still shattered. You betrayed us in the name of power, and I cannot reveal my plans to someone who has proven to be disloyal. However, as a friend, rest assured that I will take action. Stand up, Vorner. It's time for you to leave now. We will discuss this further at a later date. And please, I implore you, do not toy with the flames of hell again. One wrong move could cost you your life, your soul torn asunder. Do not dabble in magic that you do not fully comprehend. Understood?"

With a firm nod, Vorner rose from his seat, leaving behind his empty coffee cup on the table as he made his way toward the door.

"I assume you will handle the matter concerning the Holy Empire?" Gray asked, seeking confirmation.

"Indeed," Vorner replied. "However, I will refrain from intervening until the situation reaches a critical point. I hold no affection for their people and would rather spare my own men if possible."

"Very well," Gray acknowledged, understanding his stance.

Exiting the building, Vorner began reciting an incantation, swiftly teleporting himself away. Left alone within the confines of her surroundings, Gray contemplated her predicament and the weight of her responsibilities.

I have roughly three hundred men under my employ, all working in secrecy, so how, how did something like this go unnoticed? How did the Demon God infiltrate our realm without my knowledge? Is he as smart as Vorner claims him to be? He couldn't be... That fiend only knows one command, and that is to attack. He has no strategy, no honor, no decency, so how is it that he has managed so much I such little time... Something's wrong here, the scales seem imbalanced.

With all that's going on, perhaps I should personally interfere, but with my hands already full with Grismala, that might be tough... Damn it, if Tasildor didn't fall we wouldn't be in such a predicament.

Still, I have no way of convincing Alpos, and I'm not even going to try. He is loyal to the core, it would be a waste of effort to even try, especially now after his recent success...

This web he has created, they all lead to empty ends... this is going to prove to be challenging, but as long as he doesn't lash out and destroy the Holy Empire then things should be fine I hope...

Then it's a gamble, I'll have my men retrieve the lost artifacts while he is distracted, and we'll be long gone before anyone notices.