We have a problem

Blood oozed from his mouth, thick and black, bubbling at the corners as it dripped to the floor of the containment cube. Asmodeus pressed his hands flat against the transparent walls, teeth bared in a crazed, furious grin. His body trembled from both pain and rage. There was no escaping this prison—unless he did the one thing that burned his pride.

Submit.

He was being forced to submit.

Seth stepped away from the others and pulled Charlene aside. His face was serious but tinged with hope.

"Princess, please tell me you got the items he took from Torock. Please tell me we didn’t lose them."

Charlene raised her eyebrows and gave him a smug little smirk. "Of course," she said sweetly. She reached into her coat and pulled out a soft satin bag, its drawstrings glowing faintly. She dangled it in front of his face with a victorious grin. "It was hanging from his belt. I summoned it just before the box closed."

Seth exhaled in relief, eyes lighting up. He ruffled her hair with pride.

"That's my girl."

They high-fived, a warm and brief moment of triumph between father and daughter. Seth knew then that they had regained the upper hand. The game wasn’t over, but the balance had shifted.

Inside the box, Asmodeus coughed and spat blood again. "What do you want from me!" he howled, voice echoing off the enchanted walls. He slammed his fists against the glass, then paused. A sick grin spread across his lips as he dipped a finger into the puddle of his own blood. Slowly, deliberately, he wrote one word across the clear panel:

PIGS

He turned back toward them, laughing with rotten gums exposed.

"We want nothing from you, demon," Seth replied calmly, arms folded.

"We just want you to leave and never come back," Idris added, his tone light but laced with steel.

Charlene stepped forward, her posture strong. “But since you’re already here—uninvited, I might add—what was your plan?”

Asmodeus narrowed his eyes. They wanted something. He could feel it. They didn’t trap him just for sport. That meant he still had leverage.

He started pacing inside the box, long slow steps. "This is rich," he said mockingly. "You let your babies talk for you now, Seth? Don’t your spawns know their place?"

Charlene’s eyes narrowed. "You’re in our realm," she said sharply, "and you dare to act arrogant? I should end you now."

"Oh, go ahead," Asmodeus sneered, spreading his arms. "Oh wait… how could you? I’m in a box!"

He burst out laughing, wild and manic. "You stupid child! You think you’re strong? You think you’re in control?"

Then he turned his back to her, arms crossed. “Go play somewhere else. I’m bored.”

Charlene faltered, the sting of his dismissal hitting harder than she expected. She looked at Seth, uncertain. He nodded once, giving her strength.

She straightened and stepped closer to the glass. "I’m sorry I bore you," she said, and slowly ran her fingertips across the panel with a high-pitched squeak.

Asmodeus didn’t turn around.

Charlene leaned in, voice low and cruel. “Just imagine it. All alone. In this damp basement. Forever. With only rats for company.”

He flinched.

“I want to speak to Destiny!” he barked, spinning back around. “NOW!”

Charlene’s eyes glinted. “Did you not know…” she said, voice calm, powerful, certain. “We are one.”

Asmodeus screamed. His mouth unhinged unnaturally wide, and black smoke spilled out—inky tendrils lashing at the edges of the glass. They searched, probed, hunting for any weakness. But the box held firm.

“She’s right,” Seth said, stepping forward. “Talk, or—”

He snapped his fingers.

The catacombs fell into pitch blackness.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Asmodeus slammed against the walls, frantic now.

“I know you’re still there!” he shrieked. “You’re a goody-two-shoes, you’ll never leave me down here!”

BANG. BANG. BANG.

“HELLO!? Don’t walk away from me!”

His voice cracked. The fear had set in.

“Come on… don’t leave me like this!”

Charlene turned to her father.

"Dad, I think he needs time to think about it."

Seth smiled and nodded. “Princess, you’re right.”

Without another word, they turned and walked away. The sound of their retreating footsteps echoed. The last thing Asmodeus heard was silence.

“You’ll ALL DIE!” he screamed into the void. “You’re too late!

CHECK THE POUCH!”

---

Back at Torock’s office…

"Check the pouch. Now," Seth said.

He spilled the contents onto the desk. Crystals, old scrolls, glowing orbs. Torock scanned everything quickly, his face tightening.

"There are six blue stones missing."

Charlene’s heart skipped. “Dad… what are the blue stones?”

“They’re called portal stones,” Seth explained. “They let us travel between realms without being detected. That’s how we’ve been moving between Earth and the demon domains. But they’re limited—only one Fate can use one stone at a time.”

Charlene’s throat tightened. “He must’ve taken them when he opened the portal…”

Torock nodded grimly. “To the demon domain.”

“There’s still hope,” Seth said quickly.

“How?”

“The demon realms are scattered,” he said. “And the Lords don’t trust each other. The stones will take time to distribute. And demons… they don’t work well as a team.”

“They’ll act selfishly,” Torock added. “As soon as they get their hands on a stone, they’ll enter alone. That’s when we strike.”

Seth turned to his daughter, sensing her doubt. “It’s a long shot,” he admitted, “but I’d bet my left leg.”

He pulled her into a quick hug. “We’re not done fighting yet.”

Professor E entered. “What about the one in the basement?”

Idris smirked. “Leave him. And put a sign on the door:

DO NOT ENTER—IF YOU HAVE COMMON SENSE.”

“I ought to—” Asmodeus’s voice echoed faintly through the crystal link.

“You ought to what?” Idris snapped.

“…Nothing.” Then quieter, “What if he escapes? He’ll come for me. He knows I trapped him.”

Seth’s voice darkened. “Then you better pray to the heavens he doesn’t.”

---

They opened a portal and returned to the war room.

The professor smiled. “Good job, everyone.”

Charlene shook her head. “We didn’t stop the Lords. We just slowed them down.”

“Princess—” Seth tried to stop her.

“I’m tired,” she muttered. “I’m going to bed.”

She disappeared down the hall. Seth moved to follow, but ReNew held up a hand.

“I got this,” she said softly. “Relax.”

ReNew followed her down the corridor.

Destiny appeared behind Seth and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I need to return these to you.”

Seth turned, palm out. Destiny dropped the rings into his hand.

“It’s not over yet,” she said gently. “I will find Tamera. And I will bring her home to you. I promise.”

Seth didn’t look up. His eyes were clouded, distant. But he nodded.

“Awesome job today, team,” he finally said to the others. “Everyone, try to get some rest. Stay vigilant.”

---

Argun and Destiny took first watch.

The hounds were given treats. Ariel hesitated, glancing around.

“What’s wrong, girl?”

In a hushed, animalistic voice, she whispered, “I spoke earlier. I’m sorry. I was startled.”

Asbeel growled, but Argun raised a hand. “It’s okay. You’re not in danger here. No council rules apply now.”

The hounds looked to one another, then nodded in silent agreement.

Argun opened a portal. “Go home. Rest.”

They stepped through.

---

Back in the war room, Argun kicked his long legs onto a chair beside Destiny.

“So… what should we do while we wait?”

Destiny rolled her eyes and sat back, arms folded. “You fool,” she muttered with a laugh.

She peeked sideways. He was still watching her.

He scooted his chair beside hers.

“We’re supposed to be watching for anomalies,” she said flatly.

Argun reached out, grinning, and pulled her gently into his lap.

“But I seem to remember… we still need to talk.”