The Primordial Record

Rowan pointed out, "We are Demons, Kohron. You would pardon me if I keep my skepticism in place, you are the Prince of Strife, if I'm not careful with my dealing with you. It would be an insult to your renowned name."

Kohron smiled and nodded to him, "You have grown wiser in death. I would assume the reason you called for me is your discovery of my subordinate on Jarkarr, you can be assured that it has no concern with your recovery, and he would never cross your path, I am just tracking the rumors of a sighting of a particularly potent weapon. It may turn out to be a false lead, but no harm in checking."

Was he referring to Envy? Rowan thought, nevertheless he wasn't concerned about the mind of the Demon, he only needed to know how to use him, "Is that so?" Rowan said, "Then it's all good. Your subordinate was not the reason for your summoning, I have justifications to believe that a particular high-value target that is related to my situation would be coming to Jarkarr soon, and I will need your assistance in killing him or her."

Kohron laughed as his wings spread out behind him, like two erupting volcanoes, "This is good…. A hunt is good…It has been a while since I stretched out my wings. This target of yours, would it be a god?"

Rowan thought for a while before he answered, "Most likely not, but their abilities may be peculiar and their powers may be equal to a god, and so, to avoid any mishaps, I would prefer them to be discreetly wiped out without any chance for them to retaliate."

"If that is the case, my subordinate should be enough, he is a powerful Demon Duke, and if by chance he is not enough, then I shall place my imprint on his body, and you would be able to summon me, is that good enough?"

Rowan nodded, "That should work. Now, for the matter of your price, state them."

Kohron laughed, "you have nothing I desire for now except your Elura fragments, and if I collect those as my price, it would slow down your return for a long time, how about you owe me a favor."

Rowan frowned, the Elura Fragments were powerful sources of energy and mysteries to him, but if he succeeded in killing the god Erohim he suspected still lived in Jarkarr, he may have enough Soul Points and Energy points that could surpass what he might gain from an Elura Fragment, and so he did not particularly need the Fragments.

Also, he had five Elura Fragments and even though his priority was to kill any members of the Order who might be on his trail, it would be stupid to allow Kohron to notice his desperation, if he easily gave in and agreed to use the Fragments as a bargaining chip it would be uncalled-for. After all, as far as the members of the Covenant knew, it should be the most valuable possession he is currently having.

There would be no way he would agree to give Kohron the Elura Fragment, and also he would never agree to honor an unknown favor for a Demon, it was a recipe for disaster.

Rowan tapped the table with a long silver claw,"Are you sure there is nothing I can pay you with? As you said, there would be no way I can give up my Elura Fragments, but please keep in mind I also have Origin shards."

Kohron paused as he considered his next words, he realized he might have shot himself in the foot when he first mentioned he would not scheme against Ohrox because he was weak for now.

 A refusal to collect Origin shards for a small task that could be likely performed by his subordinate would be perceived as weakness. He also needed to cultivate a reliable partner in the Covenant in case of future problems, the mages had been suppressing him in the last few thousand years, and he had lost out on many benefits, so helping Ohrox was an investment.

"Then I will take a million Origin shards. That should be enough to alleviate the cost of my efforts."

Rowan was surprised, this was far cheaper than he thought he would get, clearly he must be trying to create a favorable impression."Thank you, Prince of Strife." Rowan said sincerely. 

Kohron sneered, "Don't bother thanking me until the task is done. Call my name when you need me, and I will be there."

His Anima returned to stone, and Rowan bowed in thought for a while. He had used less than he was expecting, and this opened the doors to more possibilities. He had 10,000,000 Origin shards and if he pays Kohron, he still had a nice lump of change next, even if the others would charge him more for the same services, he would make it back soon enough.

"What am I waiting for then," Rowan sighed, "Fiona Shadowsoul, I have need for your presence."

The Anima of Fiona Shadowsoul had both her eyes closed, but with the summoning from Rowan, she cracked open an eye. It was like looking at the white of the moon, she had no pupils, it was just a white orb that glowed.

The rest of her body lost its petrification as white hair that floated without any wind came down her shoulders and her robes blacker than ink turned the throne she sat upon to darkness.

She turned to Ohrox and sniffed in annoyance, "I can see you are becoming more familiar with your position Prince of Destruction, now I've lost the bet."

"What bet?" Rowan asked.

"I had a bet with that brute, Kohron that you would hide yourself for the next thousand years, even miss the next gathering a decade from now as you recover from your demise. Now I will have to sacrifice one hundred million of my acolytes to his name at the next solstice, and they were a good batch this century, with many great seeds."

Rowan blinked, "It would seem you are in luck Fiona, for I have a proposition for you that you might recoup some of your losses."