FORGING PLANS

As Marshall and Wyn waited for the rest of the team to show up at the Tainia stronghold five days later, the disciple never stopped pacing around, a scheming smirk hanging off his lips. He stopped in front of the snow deity, snapping his fingers.

"By the way, I've been thinking about the demonic energy—if I manage to master control over it fully, I might be able to drive the demons out of Sky Oriels."

Wyn arched an eyebrow at him. "It would require a lot of energy."

"I know, but—"

The main doors to the castle creaked open, and a cinnamon bun came flying at the disciple. "Marsh! Catch!"

He caught it with a happy exclaim, "Thanks!"

"Calla Akeya was held back in a summit, so it's just us today," Lai Rylan mentioned, watching the two disciples tear down their sweet buns within seconds. He walked over, handing one to Wyn before unwrapping his own.

"Thank you," the snow deity politely received the treat. "Have there been any changes around the Chastity Tower?"

Lai Rylan gave him a firm nod. "There has been an increase of demonic energy around the tower as well as the Eastern Mountains. Yet, no abnormal amounts of demons have been spotted," he explained. "Just the energy."

"Hm?" Marshall raised an eyebrow, sitting on the ground next to Sun Hayden. "How come?"

The blond disciple folded the empty wrapping, shrugging with his cheeks stuffed. "It's creepy. There are barely any demons wandering around, but the energy is so heavy! It's as if it belongs to an entire army."

"It might be the Stygian Overlord hanging around," Marshall mused. "His presence was incredibly strong—the demonic energy lingered for a long while after he left the cave."

Lai Rylan's face hardened, his eyebrows drawing close as he sat down on the bench. "You met the Stygian Overlord?"

Marshall's mouth twitched. Had he said too much? If he told them about what happened in the cavern, he'd have to tell them about his unlocked demonic energy as well. It was better to do it now. The more he dragged it out, the harder it would be to say it.

He drew in a deep breath and stood up, "There's something I need to tell you."

Two sets of eyes turned to him with looks of suspense. Marshall clenched his fist by his side, feeling the cold sweat trickling down his spine. The weight of his confession pressed on his chest like a boulder. What if they saw him as a threat after?

The silence stretched as he braced himself for the judgment. He slowly exhaled and threw it out there before he could change his mind, "My demonic energy has been unsealed."

The disciple held his breath, bracing for their reactions. It felt like his heart was going to jump out any second. However, instead of receiving any horrified frowns, he got a heavy pat on the back from Lai Rylan. He stumbled a bit, glancing at his friend in confusion.

"We figured it might happen once we heard about your seal," Lai Rylan told him.

Marshall blinked in disbelief. Just like that? They were fine with it? It felt like he was the most shocked one out of them all. "You did?"

Sun Hayden leaned over with enthusiasm spilling over as he bumped into him. "So you met the Stygian Overlord and came out alive? Are you stronger than him?"

"No," Marshall shook his head with a quiet laugh. Still bewildered by his friends' nonchalant reactions, he changed the subject to ward off confusion.

"Uh, anyway, speaking about Lord Chioni—I came up with one way to expose him. However, for that I would need to get inside the Chastity Tower unnoticed."

"What's your plan?" Lai Rylan queried, sitting down on the closest bench.

Wyn stood nearby, listening from the side.

"I'll draw out Rime Herald in front of everyone and expose his demonic energy," Marshall revealed.

Lai Rylan crossed his arms thoughtfully, considering the proposal. "Drawing him out in the open is a risk. Are you sure you can control Rime Herald?" he questioned.

"I'm sure," Marshall affirmed without a second thought. He had been practicing on the wandering demons outside the stronghold while waiting for the next meeting.

Wyn spoke up, "The increased demonic presence is concerning. We would not want to walk into a trap. How long has the demonic presence lingered near the Chastity Tower?"

"About two days now," Lai Rylan responded.

The snow deity arched a brow, turning to Marshall. "If your guess is right and it is the Stygian Overlord's presence, he might be waiting for you to show up."

"In that case..." the disciple chewed on the inside of his cheek, thinking. "Once we get to the city, we'll need a way to hide. Wyn, could you use spiritual frost to stir up your wintry clouds? That way we'll be able to reach the tower without being out in plain sight."

After receiving a nod from Wyn, Marshall resumed tapping his foot as he weaved up a plan. "When's the next summit or some type of gathering where the powerholders and officials will be present?" 

"A trial will be held three days from now," Sun Hayden revealed, intrigue and apprehensiveness flickering in his round eyes. "Everyone will be there to watch."

Marshall nodded, a pleased smirk making an appearance on his face. "Perfect. All I have to do is get inside unnoticed and reveal that Rime Herald's a demon in front of everyone."

Lai Rylan seemed skeptical. "What will you do after you draw him out? Your demonic energy will be revealed too."

"I never said I was going to reveal myself," Marshall wiggled his finger cheekily. "I'll control him from a distance. They won't know what hit them."

Sun Hayden's eyes widened in excitement. "If you succeed, it will be easier to bring the rest of Lord Chioni's crimes to light! Once everyone sees he has a demon by his side, the trust will be gone!"

"I do not think it is a good idea for you to enter the Chastity Tower," Wyn interjected, cutting through the excitement.