1. Kairos

1

KAIROS

I stand in the center of my private chambers in Ti'lith, the air thick with anticipation. The room's organic black walls pulse with an eerie, otherworldly energy. I take a deep breath, centering myself for the complex ritual ahead.

My silver eyes flicker across the intricate runes etched into the floor. I've spent weeks preparing for this moment, studying ancient texts and perfecting every detail. This ritual will push the boundaries of soz'garoth magic, potentially unlocking secrets about the very nature of our existence.

"Fuck," I mutter, running a hand through my floating white hair. "Let's do this."

I raise my arms, feeling the magical energy coursing through my veins. The blue runes covering my obsidian skin begin to glow, pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat. I start to chant, my voice low and resonant:

"Oltyx, God of Earth, hear my call. Netia, Goddess of Chaos, lend me your power."

The air crackles with electricity. Sweat beads on my forehead as I pour more of myself into the spell. The runes on the floor ignite, casting an eerie blue light throughout the chamber.

"By the seven, grant me sight beyond sight!"

A vortex of energy erupts around me, whirling with chaotic force. I grit my teeth, fighting to maintain control. Lesser demons would've been torn apart by now, but I'm not some weak-ass peon.

The vortex coalesces into a shimmering portal. Through it, I catch glimpses of other realms – places beyond Ti'lith, beyond even Protheka. My theories were right. There are countless worlds out there, waiting to be explored.

"Holy shit," I breathe, my eyes wide with wonder.

But something's wrong. The portal starts to destabilize, its edges fraying like torn fabric. I pour more power into the spell, my muscles straining with effort.

"Come on, you bastard," I growl. "Stay open!"

The chamber shakes, artifacts toppling from shelves. I can feel the magic slipping away, threatening to tear a hole in reality itself. With a final burst of will, I slam my hands together, severing the connection.

The portal collapses in on itself with a thunderous boom. I'm thrown backward, crashing into the far wall. As the dust settles, I lie there, panting heavily.

"Well," I croak, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "That was fun."

I stumble out of my chambers, still shaken from the ritual's aftermath. My body aches, but my mind races with the implications of what I've just witnessed. I need to share this with the others.

The hall buzzes with activity as I push open its massive obsidian doors. Fellow soz'garoth demons huddle in small groups, their voices a low murmur beneath the crackle of magical energy that permeates the air.

"Kairos!" Zilgron, a lanky soz'garoth with emerald eyes, waves me over. "You look like shit. Rough day practicing?"

I smirk, dropping into an empty seat at their table. "You could say that. Just had a breakthrough that'll make your horns curl."

Mara, a fiery-haired sorceress, leans in. "Oh? Do tell."

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Remember our discussions about Aerasak? How it couldn't possibly be the only habitable world besides our floating rock?"

Zilgron nods. "Yeah, but that's just speculation. We have no proof-"

"I saw them," I interrupt, my voice low but intense. "Other realms. Countless worlds, just waiting to be explored."

Silence falls over our little group. Mara's eyes narrow. "That's... impossible. The amount of power needed to pierce the veil between realms-"

"Is fucking insane, I know," I finish for her. "But I did it. Nearly tore myself apart in the process, but I did it."

Zilgron leans back, his face a mask of skepticism. "Kairos, come on. We all know you're brilliant, but this is a bit much, even for you."

I feel a flash of frustration. "Think about it. We know Aerasak exists. We know Asmodeus made a pact to bring Galmoleth here, above Protheka. If there are two habitable worlds, why not more?"

"Because it defies everything we know about magic and the nature of reality," Mara counters.

"So did the existence of Aerasak, once upon a time," I argue. "We can't limit ourselves to what we think we know. There's so much more out there."

Our debate grows heated, drawing the attention of nearby demons. Some scoff at my claims, while others listen with growing interest. I describe the portal, the glimpses of other worlds, careful to omit the more dangerous details.

"Even if you're right," Zilgron says, "what's the point? We have Galmoleth. We have Protheka below us. Why risk everything on some wild theory?"

I lean forward, my voice intense. "Because we need new horizons, new possibilities. If there are other worlds out there, maybe we can find a true home. One that isn't a floating rock or someone else's planet." I look around. "Unless you're telling me you haven't returned to Aerasak for some other reason?"

But no one argues with me on it. Those of us that have chosen to stay don't want to go back to a world who has shunned us. Those of us from Galmoleth are seen as traitors, deflectors.

And I won't be subjected to it. Even if I want off the floating island.

As conversation breaks out again, I leave the other demons to their heated debate, their voices fading as I make my way back to my chambers. My head throbs, a reminder of the intense ritual from earlier. I need some time alone to process everything I've experienced.

Back in my tower, I settle into a cross-legged position on the cool obsidian floor. The familiar hum of magical energy surrounds me as I close my eyes, focusing on my breath. In, out. In, out. Slowly, the tension in my muscles begins to ease.

As I sink deeper into meditation, something unexpected tugs at the edges of my consciousness. A faint, yet insistent pull of magic. My brow furrows. This isn't the chaotic energy that permeates Galmoleth. No, this feels... different. Foreign.

I concentrate, trying to pinpoint the source. It's coming from below. Far below.

"What the fuck?" I mutter, opening my eyes.

The pull intensifies, like an invisible hand reaching up through the floating island, trying to grab hold of me. It's not aggressive, but it's persistent. Curious.

I stand, moving to the window of my tower. The storm-shrouded expanse of Protheka stretches out beneath Galmoleth, hidden beneath swirling clouds. The magic seems to be emanating from somewhere down there.

My heart races. Could this be connected to the portal I opened earlier? Did I inadvertently create some kind of magical link to the world below?

I pace the room, my mind whirling with possibilities. This could be the breakthrough I've been waiting for. A chance to explore Protheka, to test my theories about the nature of magic and reality itself.

But it's also dangerous. Asmodeus has forbidden any unauthorized contact with the surface world. If I pursue this, I'd be risking everything.

But Asmodeus has been pulled away for a trial on Aerasak. There is no one to enforce our rules or laws.

The magical pull tugs at me again, stronger this time. It's like it's calling to me specifically, ignoring the other soz'garoth in Ti'lith.

"Fuck it," I growl, making up my mind. I've never been one to play it safe, especially when knowledge is on the line.

I begin gathering supplies, my silver eyes glinting with determination. Whatever's down there, whatever's causing this strange magical phenomenon, I'm going to find out.