{Okay, that was... genuine. He didn't even hesitate. Either he's the world's best actor or he actually means this. I'm leaning toward him meaning it because WHO cuts themselves that deep just to fake loyalty?}

Jack studied the kneeling general for a moment longer, then gestured for him to stand. "How did you know?"

Loryn rose smoothly, his wounded hand still dripping blood but apparently forgotten.

A smile crossed his stitched features, his eyes lighting up with something that looked almost like pride.

"The papers," he replied. "At the generals' meeting. The documents that burned away after being signed. I recognized blood contracts immediately. I've studied soul magic extensively in my work. The way the parchment consumed itself, leaving no trace... only blood contracts bound with essence behave that way."

He gestured at himself with his bleeding hand, leaving dark droplets in the air.

"I realized then that someone with soul magic had infiltrated Master Pho's fortress. Someone capable of disguising binding contracts as administrative documents. Someone clever enough to trick two of the three generals into accepting terms they never read."

{Wait, so he figured it out from seeing the papers burn? That's actually... kind of smart. If he's studied soul magic, he'd recognize the signature. But does that mean he signed one? Or did he avoid it?}

Jack's red eyes remained fixed on Loryn, giving nothing away. "And you chose to surrender instead of warning Pho."

"I chose survival," Loryn corrected, his smile widening. "Master Pho is powerful, yes. Feared throughout Floor 24, the demon who controls his territory through overwhelming force. But you, Soul Warden... you infiltrated his fortress, subverted his generals, and announced your presence with thunder that killed dozens of his soldiers."

Loryn's eyes gleamed with genuine enthusiasm.

"That kind of power, that kind of audacity, doesn't belong to someone who can be stopped by a simple demon. You're going to win. And when you do, I want to be on the winning side."

{He's not wrong about that assessment. Though I'm surprised he's being so open about his opportunism. Most demons would at least pretend it's about loyalty or honor or something.}

Jack considered the general's words, his mind working through the implications.

His surrender seemed genuine, driven by calculated self-preservation rather than coercion.

Jack couldn't read demon language, so when he looked at the contracts he asked S for clarification. S denied him that information, thought it would be more fun and challenging that way.

Which made him potentially useful, but also unpredictable.

"The experiment," Jack said, his flat voice cutting through Loryn's obvious excitement. "I want it ready."

Loryn's entire demeanor shifted, his enthusiasm becoming almost manic.

His skeletal hands clasped together, eyes widening with delight.

"The experiment! Yes! Oh, Soul Warden, you have no idea how perfect your timing is! I've just completed the final control mechanisms. The binding runes are stable and the power output exceeds even my most optimistic projections!"

He began pacing, his movements jerky with barely contained energy.

"It's specifically designed to counter demons. Anti-regeneration properties and essence disruption. It's designed to learn from each fight growing stronger and stronger. Against Pho's ice manipulation and overwhelming physical power, it will be devastatingly effective!"

{Okay, he's REALLY excited about this experiment thing. Like, concerning levels of excitement. What exactly did he create? And should we be worried that he's this happy about unleashing it?}

Jack let Loryn's enthusiasm run its course for a moment, then spoke again. "Get it ready. It's time to kill Pho."

His pacing stopped immediately, his eyes fixing on Jack with an intensity that bordered on religious fervor.

"You're moving against him now?" Loryn's voice shuddered. "Already? The generals are barely bound, the fortress is still organizing its defenses, and you're going to strike at the heart immediately?"

"Yes."

That single word carried absolute certainty, no room for doubt or hesitation. Jack's red eyes glowed brighter, the Blood Frenzy state making his presence feel more dangerous despite his calm demeanor.

Loryn's smile returned, wider than before, showing teeth that shouldn't fit in his stitched-together face.

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Strike while they're disorganized, before Pho can consolidate his power and mount a proper defense. Use the chaos you've created to your advantage."

He bowed again, deeper this time. "It will be done, Soul Warden. The experiment will be ready within the hour."

Jack placed his hand on Loryn's shoulder, the gesture almost paternal despite the skeletal general being centuries older.

"When this is over, when Pho is dead and his fortress is mine, you can sit on his throne."

Loryn went completely still.

His eyes widened impossibly far, his stitched mouth hanging open as he processed what Jack had just offered.

For a moment, he looked like he might collapse from shock, his skeletal frame actually trembling.

Then he started sweating.

Dark blue droplets formed on his pale skin, running down his stitched features as his breathing became rapid and shallow.

But underneath the shock, underneath the apparent terror of such an offer, a grin spread across his face.

Pure, unbridled excitement.

"The... the throne?" Loryn's voices came out strangled, barely coherent. "You would grant me... Master Pho's seat of power? Control over his territory? His resources? His…."

He cut himself off, seeming unable to finish the sentence. His skeletal hands came up to his face, his eyes darting between Jack and some distant point as if already imagining himself seated on that throne.

"Yes, Soul Warden," Loryn finally managed, his voice steadier but still carrying that manic edge. "Yes. I will prepare the experiment. I will serve you with everything I have. And when Pho falls..."

He trailed off again, that grin widening further, sweat continuing to pour down his face despite the freezing temperature.

Loryn's hand came up to grip Jack's shoulder in return, his skeletal fingers pressing against the armor with surprising strength.

The gesture was meant to be heart felt, perhaps, or maybe just an unconscious response to the overwhelming emotions running through him.

"I won't fail you," Loryn said with absolute conviction. "The experiment will be ready. Pho will fall. And you, Soul Warden, will reshape Floor 24 entirely."

{He's really buying into this. Like, REALLY buying into it. I guess the promise of a throne is pretty compelling when you've been serving under someone else for centuries. Though something about how eager he is feels... I don't know. Off?}

Jack released Loryn's shoulder and stepped back, his red eyes still glowing with that crimson light. "Go. Time is critical."

Loryn nodded rapidly, multiple times, his enthusiasm making the gesture almost comical.

He turned and practically ran toward the flesh factory, his skeletal form moving with surprising speed despite his appearance.

Jack watched him go, his expression unchanged, his mind already moving to the next objective.

{Well, that was intense. We got ourselves a mad scientist general who's apparently willing to betray his master for a shot at power.}

'Well, the contract makes it so he has to listen to me. And I can tell he wants the seat, so why not motivate him.'

The reinforced structure loomed in the dim light, its surface covered in runes and enchantments.

He approached the first door and opened it. Jack stepped through into a smaller antechamber.

And found Kaedor waiting.

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