The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 28

The silence settled heavily once we finished memorizing the incantation and studying the seal.

Contrary to Mammon's warnings, the Seal of Solomon carried no inherent corruption. It wasn't a weapon built to destroy demons or a cursed artifact waiting to consume its user. It was simply a tool—a dangerous one if misunderstood.

Solomon had never controlled demons through brute force. He had done something far more unsettling: he understood the rules. The seal worked through recognition, not domination. A demon could only be bound by something it willingly acknowledged—a name, a promise, a contract, a truth it could not deny.

Mammon had exaggerated the risks, as usual. The seal itself wasn't the threat. Carelessness was. A human who tried to wield what they didn't truly understand would destroy themselves.

Beelzebub and I relaxed on the couch, processing everything and waiting for Belial's signal. I was growing impatient, suspicious of his whereabouts. Doubts gnawed at me—was he ever going to signal us, or was he procrastinating, playing a double agent? To push the thoughts away, I turned my attention to Beelzebub.

"I ran into Mammon earlier," I said.

Beelzebub's expression immediately tightened.

"He wants back in the cause." I leaned forward, resting my head against my hand. "I thought you were keeping an eye on him?"

"I was." The answer came quickly, almost defensively. "Couldn't keep him contained while also training everyone else."

I frowned. "No, I mean... I thought he was locked away somewhere. Forcefully."

Beelzebub sighed, rubbing his temple. "I can't exactly imprison him. He's the gatekeeper, remember? Whether we like it or not, Mammon is still useful."

"Clearly useful enough to wander around and confront me whenever he feels like it."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I had a few minions watching him. They report back."

"Apparently not well enough."

The irritation flashed immediately. His jaw tightened.

"You think it's easy keeping Mammon under control?" he asked. "You think I haven't tried? He is not some random demon I can throw into a cell and forget about. He knows things. He has influence. And despite everything, we still need what he can offer."

The sharpness of his tone made me pause. "...You're right," I admitted quietly. "I'm sorry."

His expression softened slightly. "We're all under pressure," he said. "But don't mistake frustration for failure."

I looked away, turning Solomon's ring over in my pocket. "I just can't shake the feeling something is wrong."

Beelzebub watched me for a moment. Then he spoke. "Maybe because something is."

I looked back at him. "What?"

He shrugged, but there was a seriousness behind his eyes. "Think about it. Belial has been gone for days. Paimon disappeared. Mammon somehow slips through every attempt to monitor him. The Devil notices enough to start asking questions, but not enough to act."

A cold feeling settled in my stomach. "You're saying..."

"I'm saying we've been waiting for someone else to make the first move."

Silence. Then Beelzebub leaned back. "Maybe that's exactly what the Devil wants."

My fingers closed around the ring.

"You want to move now."

"I want answers." His gaze sharpened. "And if we have the means to get them, I don't see the point in sitting here hoping everything fixes itself."