Azaroth already Knew Evernight was not to be taken seriously but what did he meant by, ’kill the enchanter?’ It doesn’t make any sense. How did he expect Azaroth to kill a person he didn’t even know?

"You must have underestimated me, also all this is based on the assumption that you are telling the truth," Azaroth said.

"Trust me I have not underestimated you, Azaroth. This task isn’t as big as you might imagine." Evernight said. "And I have no reason to lie since we will both benefit."

"No, it’s only bigger, isn’t it? You don’t want to blow your cover that’s why you won’t do it yourself," Azaroth studied Evernight, saw the way his shoulder tightened briefly and he knew he was on to something. "That means you still have a lot to do there."

Evernight was silent, he tilted his head up and Azaroth studied his mask. It was solid black and blank like other Hound’s masks with no rope holding it to the back of the head. No flame patterns like the Captain’s either.

It must be the enchantment, Azaroth thought.

Evernight dragged his feet on the wooden floor, rasping it with its boot. His voice was somber and deep when he spoke "You see too much and so little Azaroth. And you say so little about yourself. Even a small viper is still a viper. They are too blind."

"Who are they?" Azaroth asked. His nerves sat on edge immediately, was Evernight talking about the people he worked for or the Hounds? Azaroth had no idea and that disturbed him that he knew nothing about Evernight.

Evernight’s tone was uncharacteristically serious when he mentioned "they"

"Nothing! Just thinking aloud!" Evernight said, cheerful once again but Azaroth wasn’t fooled.

It reminded him of someone, how they can change their emotions so fast, too fast from sad and serious to dramatic playfulness the next minute. It reminded Azaroth of Alex in the crypt that day. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Azaroth said nothing to that and instead continued their conversation. "So is that who you wish to kill? The enchanter?"

Evernight had told Azaroth to kill the enchanter, it couldn’t be a coincidence, not with Evernight.

"Yes and no. My target is not Ghostwriter but he is a bonus." Evernight said.

"Who is Ghostwriter?" Azaroth asked.

"He is an enchanter. One of the most powerful in the Inferno Legion and the one who made the Hounds mask. He is very brilliant with the way he worded and weaves enchantment. He’s very good at what he does." Evernight said, his voice a little respectful. Azaroth wondered if there was a story there.

"If there’s one enchanter that made the mask, what’s stopping the Inferno Legion from getting another one to do it?" Azaroth asked. Knowing the Inferno Legion they might have multiple enchanters learn the techniques.

"It’s not that simple you know," Evernight shifted on the bed. "Awakeners once they began to advance might have something we called....a speciality. Something unique to them. Not every Awakener has this of course but some have."

"Ghostwriter is one of those with a specialty of obedience and command enchantment. His enchantment is so flexible and complex at the same time. I’ve been told he summon ghosts to do it and that’s where he got his name." Evernight explained.

That..actually made sense to Azaroth but he still wasn’t satisfied. The Inferno Legion won’t put such powerful a tool in just one hand, what if he died? There have to be plans for that.

Evernight chuckled. "I could see what you’re thinking about and yes they probably have a plan for when he died or was kidnapped. But it must not be a very sure plan because the Inferno Legion took his security seriously and he is one of the most protected."

Azaroth raised his brows. "And how do you plan to kill such a person?"

"Opportunities Azaroth! Opportunities! Normally you won’t find him in a little outpost like East Haven but with this Yama project he had to be here for your mask enchantment." Evernight snapped his fingers.

Azaroth narrowed his eyes. "And why is that?"

"Because you won’t be placed under the normal Hound command chain," Evernight said as if it was so obvious.

"What?" Azaroth asked.

"You will receive your commands from the Capital directly." Evernight shrugged. "Ghostwriter might need to make some quality mask specifically for his master."

"His master?" Azaroth asked.

Evernight was silent. Probably thinking if he should answer Azaroth or not. When he made up his mind he spoke. "The Inferno Legion isn’t as central as you might imagine. Of course, they have one leader but the Inferno Legion is split into different almost independent clans or houses, ruled by an ’Elder’. One of this Elder is my real target with the Ghostwriter."

Azaroth froze. This was more information than he thought he could get, one of the things he had been lacking was information. Like how the Inferno Legion operates.

So why was Evernight targeting this Elder? Revenge like Azaroth? Somehow Azaroth doubted that.

"Why? Why did you want to kill this Elder?" Azaroth asked.

"I can’t answer that," Evernight said.

Azaroth sighed and then asked another question. "So how do you plan to kill them?"

"They will both be attending the official ceremony of you becoming Yama Hounds. And it will take place in an enchanted chamber deep inside East Haven here." Evernight said.

Azaroth raised his brows. "That’s not the how."

Evernight chuckled softly. "Monsters Azaroth! We will use a monster!"

Azaroth finally believed Evernight was crazy, he would release the monster inside here. Where Hounds were trained to kill such? Then he thought about it, a monster capable of killing high-ranking Awakener won’t be an easy kill for the Hounds.

When it hit him, Azaroth hissed. "You want me to release a monster where I would be? That’s foolishness." His voice ended flatly.

"You won’t have to worry. The monster will only go after the Elder and Ghostwriter." Evernight assured him.

Azaroth shook his head. "That’s a risk I’m not willing to take."

"There’s no risk! Do you remember the crypt? Did you see how the monsters only focused on specific things? It’s the same!"

"The monster that you sent and almost killed me?" Azaroth said coldly. If Evernight had meant that to be reassuring, Azaroth wasn’t impressed.

"Oh come on! Nothing like that will happen. You know I’m serious about this." Evernight said.

Azaroth said nothing, he had little alternative anyway. He had to get the solution to the enchantment but he wouldn’t risk his life to do so.