Page 34 of Trial By Fire

“Human,” Zaxos said at last, his voice a low rumble that echoed in the vast chamber. “I hope your time in the cells has offered you some reflection on your sins.”

The crowd chattered and hissed amongst themselves, and Aric fought to keep his chin high. “Your kind feasts on sin. Why should I feel remorse or guilt? Does that not defeat the point?”

“Do not get clever with me. What have you got to say for yourself, human?” Zaxos’s lips peeled back in a grotesque grin. “Do you beg for mercy? Plead your case, and perhaps I will deign to show you some small measure of clemency.”

Aric’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists behind his back. He’d sooner die than grovel at this monster’s feet. But before he could give voice to the fiery retort burning on his tongue, Malekith stepped forward.

His movements were fluid and graceful, and all eyes turned toward him, drawn by his otherworldly presence. In one hand, he held an ancient scroll, its parchment crackling as he unrolled it. A hush fell over the crowd as he began to speak, his voice carrying through the vast chamber.

“By the authority vested in me as the prince of House Ixion, I claim the right of the Accused to Trial by Fire,” Malekith intoned. “As is our ancient custom, the accused is permitted to undergo a series of trials to prove his worth and his loyalty to demonkind.”

Aric’s heart leaped in his chest. He’d never heard of any such law, but he wasn’t about to question Malekith, not when the demon prince was staking his own reputation on it. A silent message passed between them, a flicker of understanding, and Aric realized that he needed to play his part in this charade.

“I offer myself as champion for the human’s trials,” Malekith said, his voice never wavering. “And vouch for his loyalty to the demon realm.”

Zaxos’s eyes narrowed, and he sat back on his throne, considering Malekith’s words. The other demon lords exchanged uneasy glances, and Aric knew that he was far from the only one who sensed the trap closing around them.

“Convince us,” Zaxos said at last.

“Esteemed members of the war council,” Malekith said, his eyes scanning the assembled demon lords. “I bring before you a matter of great import. This human, Aric Solarian, is in possession of knowledge that could prove invaluable to our cause.”

A fresh wave of murmurs rippled through the chamber, this time tinged with disbelief. Aric met Malekith’s gaze, and the demon prince winked at him, a sly, secret reassurance. Aric’s heart swelled in his chest, a surge of hope coursing through his veins. Malekith was playing to the crowd, setting the stage for whatever trick he had up his sleeve.

“You know of what I speak, Sovereign,” Malekith said, turning back to Zaxos. “The schematics for a devastating human weapon, one that could shatter our forces with a single blow. We witnessed it for ourselves on the fields outside Brenville. We know it is a threat. We need him to dismantle it.”

Zaxos’s eyes blazed, and his claws dug into the arms of his throne. Aric had never seen the demon sovereign up close before, and the raw power that emanated from him was almost suffocating. But Malekith held his ground, his posture relaxed, his expression cool and composed.

“Imagine the devastation we could unleash with such a weapon in our arsenal. We could bring the human realm to its knees, forcing them to beg for mercy.”

Several of the demon lords were nodding, their eyes gleaming with avarice. But others scowled, clearly not swayed by Malekith’s words.

“Or we could use it as a bargaining chip, to force them to accept our terms,” Zaxos said.

“And what terms would those be, Sovereign?” Malekith asked. “The subjugation of our kind? A return to the shadows, while the humans bask in their false victory? I, for one, will notrest until demonkind is the true master of both realms. And with the human’s weapon in our grasp, that dream can become a reality.”

The demon lords erupted into chaos, shouting and arguing amongst themselves. Malekith’s words had struck a nerve, setting the chamber aflame with the promise of power and victory. Zaxos remained silent, his expression unreadable as he regarded Malekith.

Before Zaxos could respond, however, a new voice cut through the chaos. Sylthris glided forward, her silver hair shimmering in the torchlight as she moved. The demon lords parted to allow her passage, their earlier arguments forgotten as they turned their attention to her.

“Perhaps the prince has a point,” Sylthris said, her voice a haunting melody. “The Accused’s right to Trial by Fire is enshrined in our most ancient laws. And as much as I admire your creative approach to leading us, Sovereign, even you cannot simply discard the laws of our kind at a whim.”

Sylthris bowed to Zaxos, her movements graceful and deliberate. Aric caught a flash of something passing between her and Malekith, a silent understanding that left him both uneasy and strangely exhilarated.

“You claim to have the schematics for this human weapon in your possession?” Sylthris asked, turning her lavender-midnight blue eyes on Aric. “I trust they are with you, then.”

Aric nodded, his throat dry. “They’re concealed in my memories. A safeguard, to keep them out of demon hands.”

Sylthris’s lips curved in a smile, her fangs frightfully sharp. “Clever. But I can extract them. I can’t promise it will be pleasant for you.”

“I’ve endured worse,” Aric said, meeting her gaze with as much defiance as he could muster.

“Undoubtedly.” Sylthris straightened, her attention returning to Malekith. “But it seems the human’s fate is in your hands, Malekith. Will you take up the mantle of champion for his trials, and prove his loyalty to our kind?”

The demon lords were silent, their eyes darting between Malekith and Zaxos, the tension in the chamber trembling like lightning. Aric held his breath, his entire being focused on the silent exchange between the three demons before him.

“I will,” Malekith said at last, his voice firm and unwavering.

Aric’s heart soared at the note of determination in Malekith’s tone. For all Malekith’s skill at manipulation and political games, there was no mistaking the truth in his words. Malekith was willing to risk everything to save him, and it was a heady, intoxicating realization.

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