Chapter 261: The Weight of Chains
The council chamber was alive with tension. Kael could feel it in the way Rogan sat forward with his hands clenched, in the way Varik's sharp eyes narrowed at every word spoken, and in the way Saekaros's fingers drummed nervously against the table. Even Thalos—normally calm and centered—rested his chin on his knuckles with a frown that had none of its usual patience.
Kael stood at the head of the table, every set of eyes on him. The memory of Zerathis's chained form still lingered in his mind, the daemon's words heavy in his chest.
"He told me," Kael began, his voice steady but edged with weight, "that he would serve under me—bend his knee willingly—if my fate is steeped in strength and power. If I prove myself worthy. And he cursed the Daemon Lord for binding him, claiming he no longer serves that world."
The chamber went dead silent for a moment. Then Rogan barked a harsh laugh.
"And you believed him?" Rogan spat, pounding a fist onto the table. "Kael, that thing is one of the upper daemons. If you cut his chains, we'd have a storm tearing through our Hollow before we even had time to blink. Men like him don't kneel. They consume."
"I agree," Varik added sharply, his voice like steel drawn from its sheath. "Every instinct in me says to slit his throat while he's bound and be done with it. You don't gamble with something like that. You don't weigh the lives of thousands against the chance a monster might keep his word."
Azhara flinched at the word monster, but said nothing.
Saekaros cleared his throat, his expression grim. "The people won't hear of it. They'd revolt if they knew you were even considering keeping such a creature alive. They don't care about what he says, Kael. They'll only see chains snapped and fire on their roofs."
Even Thalos, who usually sought balance, gave a slow shake of his head. "The risk outweighs the reward. I understand your… curiosity, Kael. But I can't condone it. Not when so much rides on your judgment."
Kael leaned on the table, meeting their gazes one by one. "You're all right. He's dangerous. Maybe more dangerous than anything else we've faced." His voice hardened. "But so am I."
That made them fall silent again, though unease lingered on every face.
The meeting ended on a sour note—Kael formally agreeing to hold off on any decision, though he could feel the council's distrust buzzing under their composure. By the time he stepped out of the chamber into the cooler night air, his chest was tight.
He didn't go to Lyria first. Instead, his steps carried him toward Azhara's quarters. She was in the courtyard outside, practicing her new forms, her aura flickering faintly around her hands. She stopped when she saw him approach, tilting her head.
"You've got that look," she said softly. "Like you've been carrying stones all day."
Kael huffed a humorless laugh. "Feels heavier than stones." He sat across from her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "The council's right. Zerathis is dangerous. He could destroy everything if I misstep. But…" He hesitated, the words rough in his throat. "So could you. So could I."
Azhara's eyes softened, but she didn't interrupt.
"You've done nothing but good for the Hollow," Kael continued, "and I think about that when I look at him. If he truly despises the Daemon Lord, then maybe he could be an ally. Maybe I'd be killing someone who could change the balance of power in our favor."
Her smile was faint, almost sad. "Or you'd be unleashing a natural disaster. If he really has no loyalty left, Kael, then he's more dangerous than anything else. Loyalty is what binds power to purpose. Without it, strength is… wild fire. It burns whatever it touches."
Kael nodded slowly, her words sinking into him. "Then let me ask you this. If I can subjugate him—whether by blade or by word—make him mine in truth… what would you think?"
Azhara was quiet for a long time, her eyes searching his face. At last she said, "I'd think it was the most dangerous gamble you've ever taken. But if anyone could make even a daemon kneel, Kael, it would be you. Just remember—your strength doesn't only belong to you anymore. If you fall, we all pay the price."
Her words hit harder than he expected. Kael leaned back, staring up at the stars above. The chains of Zerathis clinked faintly in his memory. His laugh echoed.
A gamble, Azhara had said. Maybe the biggest of his life.
And Kael knew he would have to decide soon.