It started as a chuckle and built to full laughter that echoed through the hall. "Oh, I like you. The sheer audacity of walking into my domain and announcing your intention to rob me – that's brilliant, and yet suicidal."
"Not for me."
"Oh." He circled us slowly, like a predator assessing prey. "So. You want something from my vault. And rather than trying to sneak in like thieves, you've come to negotiate. That suggests confidence. Or stupidity. Which is it?"
"Confidence. We can pay for access, we can trade for it, or we can take it by force. Your choice."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Demons around us tensed, hands moving to weapons, magic crackling in the air.
Asmodeus raised a hand, and everyone froze.
"By force," he repeated. "You think you could take something from me by force. In my own domain. Surrounded by my people." He moved closer, until we were almost nose to nose. "You're just a fallen. What makes you think you could challenge me?"
