DEVIL'S advocate

The village's research center wasn't a grand fortress of knowledge like the royal academies. It was a collection of reinforced workshops, filled with the scent of burning metal and the constant sound of hammers striking anvils. Here, engineers, inventors, and skilled swordsmiths gathered, working tirelessly to create something that had never been attempted before—a way to compress and weaponize the power of the devil itself.At the heart of the project stood Dr. Veylan, the lead scientist, a man with sharp eyes and a mind that never rested. Beside him was Master Hegan, the village's greatest swordsmith, whose experience with forging weapons from rare materials made him invaluable. Together, they had one goal: to create a battle suit that could harness the enemy's power and turn it against them.

The biggest problem was controlling the devil's energy. It was chaotic, unpredictable, and burned through everything they tried to contain it in. Steel shattered, enchanted stones cracked, and even the toughest demon-hide they had recovered from past battles dissolved when exposed to concentrated devil energy.Dr. Veylan, rubbing the stubble on his chin, paced in frustration. "We need something that won't just contain the energy—we need a structure that can adapt to it."Master Hegan crossed his arms. "Metal alone won't work. But what if we mix it? We could fuse demon-hide with reinforced bones and enchanted metals to form a living armor."The idea was bold, but it made sense. Instead of just trapping the devil's power, they would create something that could withstand, absorb, and redirect it.

After weeks of trial and failure, the first version of KhaosGear was born. It was crude, grotesque, and still highly unstable, but it was a step forward.The exterior was a mix of woven demon-hide and hardened, reinforced bone plates, giving it a grotesque, almost organic look.Energy veins pulsed with unstable power, barely contained within the suit.The helmet had a skeletal design, with glowing runes etched into the jawline to help regulate the energy flow.

Weapons were still limited, but retractable claws and a bone-forged blade had been successfully integrated.

The village's research center buzzed with tension. The engineers and swordsmiths gathered around the crude but promising creation—the first prototype of KhaosGear. It was grotesque yet mesmerizing, its woven demon-hide and reinforced bone plates pulsing with raw, unstable energy.Dr. Veylan exhaled heavily, wiping soot from his brow as he turned to Master Hegan. "It's not perfect, but it exists," he muttered. "That alone is a victory."Master Hegan inspected the suit with a critical eye, running his fingers along the skeletal engravings on the helmet. "A victory, maybe. But it's an unstable one. We need more time before anyone wears it."Dr. Veylan nodded in agreement. They had harnessed the devil's power, but containing it was another matter entirely. If the energy went out of control, the wearer could be consumed from the inside out.

Suddenly a young apprentice hurried into the workshop, breathless and carrying a sealed parchment. "Chief Orion needs an update on the project," he announced. "Should I tell him we've made progress?"

Dr. Veylan and Master Hegan exchanged a look.

"Tell him…" Veylan hesitated, glancing at the glowing energy veins on the suit. "Tell him we've created something powerful—but dangerous."

The apprentice nodded and sprinted toward the Chief's quarters.The apprentice rushed through the village, past the forges and training grounds, until he reached the stone-walled quarters of Chief Orion. Inside, the village's leader sat at a heavy wooden table, poring over reports of increasing devil attacks along the borders. His weathered face remained unreadable as the apprentice handed him the sealed parchment.Orion broke the seal and read through Dr. Veylan's words carefully.

> The KhaosGear exists. But it is unstable. Powerful, yet dangerous. We require further time before it can be worn safely.

The chief's fingers tapped against the table. Time was something they didn't have. The devils were growing bolder, their attacks more frequent. If this suit could truly turn the enemy's power against them, it had to be tested now.

A deep voice interrupted his thoughts.

"I'll wear it."

Chief Orion looked up to see Captain Ryder standing at the entrance, his arms crossed over his broad chest. The battle-worn soldier had been listening from the doorway."It's too soon," Orion warned. "The scientists say the energy is unstable. It could kill you."

Ryder stepped forward, eyes locked onto the parchment. "Every day, we send our men into battle without a guarantee of survival. If this suit works, it could change everything. And if it doesn't…" He smirked slightly. "Then at least we'll know before it kills someone weaker."Orion studied him for a long moment. Ryder was the village's finest warrior, fearless and unyielding. If anyone could handle the risks, it was him.

Finally, Orion nodded. "Very well. But you won't do this alone." He turned to the apprentice. "Send word to Dr. Veylan and Master Hegan. The test begins at sunrise."