Andrey's finger tightened on the trigger. The white-and-gold pistol was aimed directly at the fractured crystal in Etos's chest.
Etos's cracked lips twisted into a bloody sneer. His golden eyes, now dim and flickering, fixed on Andrey with a mixture of hatred and bitter amusement.
"I don't care," the demon rasped, his voice a ragged whisper. "Kill me. I would rather die than tell you anything more."
Andrey's expression didn't change.
"Because I want to see you suffer," Etos continued, his smile widening despite the ichor dripping from his chin. "I want you to lie awake at night, wondering about my words. Questioning your precious system. Wondering if it's really your ally... or your enemy."
"Is that all?" Andrey asked quietly.
Etos's eyes gleamed with defiant satisfaction. "It's enough. Your doubt will eat you alive, Andrey. And when it does—"
CRACK!
A sharp crack split the air as Andrey pulled the trigger, the gunshot echoing through the crumbling chamber.
