He tilted his head back and carefully applied the paste to his right eye, using his fingers to spread it across the entire surface of his eyeball.

The sensation was uncomfortable, a burning cold that made him want to blink it away immediately.

But Jack held still, counting to ten in his head before moving to his left eye and repeating the process.

The burning intensified. His vision swam, colors bleeding together as the mixture did whatever it was supposed to do.

For a moment, Jack was genuinely worried he'd made a mistake, that he'd just blinded himself with an untested alchemical paste.

Then the burning faded.

His vision cleared.

And when Jack looked at his reflection in his polished armor plate, yellow eyes no longer stared back at him.

Dark red eyes, the color of dried blood, looked out from his face.

Replaced by something that could belong to any demon in Pho's fortress.

"Remarkable," S said, leaning forward to examine Jack's transformed eyes more closely. "The color is completely different. Even the luminescence has changed. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a different person entirely."

"This one sees red eyes," Kyren observed. "Not yellow eyes. Master's eyes are different. This one likes Master's new eyes."

CAW!

"Bird also likes Master's new eyes."

Jack blinked a few times, testing his vision. Everything seemed normal.

No strange visual artifacts. Just... different colored eyes.

"How long does it last?" S asked.

"Twelve days, give or take." Jack reached for his helmet, lifting it carefully onto his head.

He placed the helmet over his head.

The transformation was complete.

Jack Kaiser, the Soul Warden with distinctive yellow eyes, had become just another demon soldier in Pho's army.

"When do you leave?" S asked.

"Now." Jack stood, rolling his shoulders to settle his armor properly. "The longer I wait, the more time they have to stabilize their security measures. I want to hit them while they're still panicking."

"This one will guard camp," Kyren stated. "This one will make sure no demons bother Master's things. This one is very good at guarding."

"Bird will help this one guard," Kyren added, reaching up to pat Corvin gently.

CAW!

Jack looked at his unlikely companions. A reanimated demon with the mind of a child and the loyalty of a saint.

A raven who was probably smarter than most of the guards he'd be infiltrating among.

A contract demon who treated survival like an entertaining game.

'If my big sister was here now, she'd tell me I'm absolutely insane.'

----

"Jakar," the armored demon said, his voice flat and emotionless behind the helmet. "Dread-rank."

Rynath's scaled skin rippled with something that wasn't quite satisfaction but close to it.

No elaborate titles or house affiliations. Just a rank and an identity.

"Jakar," she repeated, testing the name. Her serpentine form shifted slightly, moving a fraction closer. "I haven't seen you in the barracks before. Where were you stationed previously?"

"The eastern patrols," Jack replied, keeping his answers short and vague. "Rotating assignment."

It was a safe lie. The eastern territories were vast, and with Kragoth's recent death throwing everything into chaos, record-keeping would be the last thing on anyone's mind.

One more soldier transferred in from the outer regions wouldn't raise suspicions.

Rynath studied him with those calculating eyes, her gaze moving across his armor with the analytical precision of someone who'd spent centuries reading people.

"You fight well. That demon you crippled won't be walking properly for weeks."

"He was weak," Jack said simply.

"Most are." Rynath's lips curved into something that might have been a smile. "It's rare to find demons who understand that mercy is a luxury we can't afford."

Before Jack could respond, voices carried across the training yard.

They were loud and sounded like they were mocking her.

"Rynath! Is that you actually talking to a soldier?"

Jack's gaze shifted past Rynath to see two figures approaching. He recognized them immediately using his flawed sight.

Loryn, his tattooed hands were clasped behind his back, and his hollow eyes studied Jack with the distant interest of someone examining a particularly interesting specimen.

Kaedor followed a step behind, his merchant's clothing looking almost comically out of place in the military setting.

His rings caught the light as he gestured animatedly, a smile playing across his face that suggested he'd found something entertaining.

"I've never seen our dear Rynath take such an interest in a common soldier," Kaedor said, his voice carrying that false friendliness that merchants perfected. "This must be quite the demon."

Rynath's scaled skin darkened slightly, a tell that she was annoyed by the interruption. "I was simply commending his combat effectiveness. Unlike some, he understands the value of decisive action."

"Is that what we're calling it?" Kaedor's grin widened. "Commending his combat effectiveness? How cute."

Loryn's hollow eyes moved from Rynath to Jack, studying him with uncomfortable intensity. "Interesting armor. Very unusual design. Where was it forged?"

"Personal commission," Jack replied, his voice maintaining that same flat tone. "From salvaged materials."

"Hmm." Loryn's gaze lingered on the black and crimson plates for a moment longer before he turned back to Rynath. "Kaedor is correct, though. You do seem... unusually interested in this soldier."

"I recognize talent when I see it," Rynath said coolly. "Something you two should try occasionally."

"Oh, we recognize talent," Kaedor said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "In fact, I have an idea. Since you seem so confident in this Jakar's abilities, perhaps we should put it to a test?"

Rynath's posture suggested she knew where this was going and didn't like it. "What kind of test?"

"A friendly wager," Kaedor said, spreading his hands in a gesture of innocence. "Nothing too serious. Just a bit of entertainment to lift spirits after recent events."

He glanced meaningfully at the training yard, where demons were still sparring with the nervous energy of soldiers preparing for war.

Loryn's skeletal fingers tapped together thoughtfully. "A contest. Three combatants. The last one standing wins."

"And we each bet on a fighter," Kaedor added, his smile growing. "You put your gold behind this Jakar. Loryn and I choose our own champions. The winner takes the pot."

Rynath's eyes narrowed. "This is childish."

"This is entertainment," Kaedor corrected. "And given the current mood in the fortress, I'd say we could all use some distraction."

Jack remained silent, watching the exchange with careful attention. This was... unexpected.

But not necessarily bad. If he could maintain his cover while demonstrating skill, it would only solidify his position among Pho's forces.

And if these three generals wanted to make a game of it, he'd play along.

Rynath looked at Jack, her expression unreadable. "Can you fight against two opponents simultaneously?"

"Yes," Jack said without hesitation.

"Confident," Loryn observed. "I appreciate that in a soldier."

"Then it's settled," Kaedor said, clapping his hands together. "Rynath backs Jakar. Loryn, who's your pick?"

The gaunt demon's hollow eyes swept across the training yard, examining the demons sparring with clinical detachment.

Finally, his gaze settled on a massive figure near the far end.

"Vox," Loryn said simply.

Jack followed his gaze and felt a slight tension build in his chest. Vox was impossible to miss.

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