THE NINE HELLS (SO, YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL)?

CHAPTER ONE - THE CALL

The mightiest of heroes had all heard the call. From the halls of the seventh heaven where good reigns supreme, the platinum trumpets sounded. This was no ordinary muster of the forces of good, this was a special moment, indeed. From the mighty citadel of Illumina the great forces of good called across the multiverse a cry of help. Those who received the summons, were amongst the elite of the elite, absolute masters of their professions, who had no equal.

In the great city of Alcanta, Mythgar the White, the Paladin King bowed his head. The trumpets of Heaven resounded in his ears, but only he could hear it. With little fanfare he moved to his armory to acquire the items that he needed he knew. Donning his lustrous white plate mail and grabbing his ivory greatsword he turned from the armory and headed down the long hallway. Placing a magnificent white helm, complete with a flowing horsemane at it's crown, upon his head, he whispered the words that the Gods of the Most Holy had taught him and disappeared from the Prime Material and was transported into the audience chamber, Wellmet, in the citadel of Illumina on Heaven's seventh layer.

Alone in his laboratory, a bespecked man with flowing drab grey robes sat at a table reading from a large dusty tome. The skin of the old man was so wrinkled and weatherworn that he looked to be a hundred years old. This was however, not true, in fact, the wizard was almost two thousand years old. Gently lifting his head from the tome, he cocked his head to one side as the summoning trumpets filled the room.

"I am needed", was all that he stated as he rose from the table.

Walking to a small closet he picked up an old gnarled staff of what looked to be mahogany with an ebon sphere mounted atop it and placed a weathered pointed hat upon his head. With a simple wave of his hand, Verlock watched as the room melted away and Wellmet appeared solidly under foot.

Sitting in a field of tall grass near the gently flowing river Meadowflow, the halfling bathed himself in the warm sunlight of summer's afternoon. Having just played a wonderful tune on his magic lute and watching the river suddenly stand still, this delighted him to no end.

Gabby Bristletoes was no ordinary musician, he was a mighty bard, whose skill with the lute was legendary amongst those of his profession. But a sound came gently pouring over the river which made it flow again. The sound of trumpets whose call was authoritative and compelling, commanded even this distracted halfling's attention.

"Well, someone's going to make me late for dinner"! he replied as he stood up and walked toward the river.

He began playing his lute as he waded waist deep into the river and suddenly faded from view until the golden audience chamber filled his eyes. The fish that was in the Meadowflow that had been eyeing his large hairy toe as a potential meal swam away in disgust at losing what looked to be quite a satisfactory catch.

"Aye, laddie, that I will", agreed the long bearded dwarf, Knucklebones Axehaft" to a young dwarf he had just bested in a drinking contest.

The young dwarf bowed in submission to his elder and stumbled slowly out of the inn after knocking over a chair in his path. "Come on back, if ye wanna try it again"! yelled Knucklebones after him.

Picking up the silver pieces the young dwarf had given him and giving them to the bar wench "for her troubles", he walked out of the inn himself. He stretched his arms out fully and yawned as the sunlight started to fade on the sign of the Lucky Coin Inn. Readjusting his extremely large hand axe on his back and smoothing down his chainmail, he decided a walk would be in good order.

Turning away from the shop, he meandered down an alley. As daylight started to fall, a couple of hoodlums appeared in the middle of the alley and stopped in front of Knucklebones.

"Give us your coin, old dwarf, if you knows what's good for ya"! demanded one of the hoodlums.

"I'll give ye and yer pal a cracked skull if ye don't get outta me way"! retorted the dwarf.

"We'll just be seein' about that", asserted the other hoodlum as he pulled a dagger from his cloak.

Right at that very moment, a sudden wind rushed down the alley carrying with it the cry of a thousand trumpets in unison. The hoodlums stood still as the sound filled the alleyway. Knucklebones pulled free his axe and tapped it upon the ground three times. As he faded from view his words whispered in the air, "Too bad for me ... ye boys mighta gave me a second or two o' entertainment".

Both hoodlums looked at each other in amazement and had they known, they would have thanked their lucky stars that this paticular fight did not take place. Seconds later, Knucklebones stood too, in the city of Illuminati.

In the famed Elven city of Everdim, Cy Quithall sat on his wicker throne next to his father, King Mallan. The sound of the heavenly trumpets filled Cy's ears as he talked with his father.

"My father", Cy stated, "The heaven's are calling me, I must abide their call".

"It is well, my son, for they would not call if it weren't for a great reason", replied the King.

"Father, I must go at once, the call seems of great importance, though no words are parted with".

"Cy, go with thy heart and respond to this summons", agreed his father.

Quickly gathering his emerald bow and his emerald arrows, the Prince of Rangers stood before his father.

"I must venture forth my father, be thee well".

King Mallan stood upright before his son. Taking a necklace from his pocket and placing it about the neck of his son he stated, "Whisper the name of Wellmet into the pendant on the necklace and it will take you there. May all your arrows shoot straight and your bow forever bend, my son."

With a nod of his head, the tall white haired lanky elf with the purple eyes looked at his father one last time and did as was instructed and spoke unto the pendant. The King watched as his son faded from view and chewed at his delicate lip wondering at what meaning such a great call could have. Nervously, King Mallan sat back down upon his throne. Cy Quithall having used his father's planar pendant stood in the audience chamber of the Golden Hall of Wellmet in the citadel city of Illuminati as well.

His name was Scarletthorn, an assassin. Blackest heart, blackest deeds. He cared for no one but himself and if anyone got in the way of his goals, he ended up on the wrong side of the grass. His skills with daggers and light swords were unmatched. His persona absolutely reeked of the word deadly. Dressed in all black and carrying his twin silver daggers, he plied his "trade" wherever gain was to be found.

Scarletthorn mostly kept a low profile due to his tiefling blood. His bright red eyes that glowed in the dark and the horns that protruded from his head usually didn't sit well with human company. Also, the vampire-like fangs that jutted from his mouth didn't make matters any better. The ability to see in the dark for a ways also helped him in his "endeavours".

Usually only the most well heeled and wealthy could afford his kind of services. His reputation as a killer was renowned amongst his kind. All would-be assassin's aspired to be just half as good as The Scarletthorn.

Scarletthorn sat on a rooftop in the evening surveying a potential "client". He crept down the side of the roof to get a better look through the windows of the building adjacent him. Suddenly, as if from nowhere a sound of a dim trumpet, faint, quiet, carried as if on a whisper appeared on the breeze.

"Strange", thought the assassin and gave it no more thought.

Appearing in the window for a brief second was his future victim which brought back his attention full bore. Moving even closer, Scarletthorn wanted a better look. As he edged down the roof, the shingles suddenly gave way beneath his feet. Scrabbling for a hand hold, he slid as the roof gave way. Down the slope he went. Shingles fell to the ground. Just as he was about to plummet over the edge a weird shimmer appeared around his body and he was vaulted from the prime material into a world of solid platinum and light.

Wellmet. The great golden audience chamber of the seventh plane of Heaven located in the citadel city of Illuminati. The chamber could easily hold a million people and have room to spare. It's floor consists of more than ten trillion solid gold tiles, with pillars also carved in gold as well. The ceiling is open to the basking light of solid platinum which illuminates the whole realm. Rainbows of light cascade over almost every surface and the air smells of the most sweetest of scents. A resounding peace and a feel of total tranquility permeate the whole place.

Suddenly, six people stood in what was a totally empty room. Each in turn look about as the room slowly fades into view. Two humans, a halfling, a dwarf, an elf, and a tiefling look about the area as they become accustomed to the new terrain. Before the "guests" could get their bearings proper, a set of double doors bursted open suddenly.

A large male of a bright bluish hue with incredibly large feathered wings gracing his back strode into the room purposefully. His long white hair and bright white glowing eyes, announced him as an angel from the Heavens. A large glowing blue sword hung from his hips and he sported a glowing blue tunic. His air spoke of authority and no nonsense. His demeanor seemed grim despite his beauty.

"I am Methril. The Guardian, The Watcher, and The Keeper. My master has instructed me to call you here for a matter most urgent. I am glad that your response was hasty. We have, as my master has stated, arrived at times most dire."

"You have called us hear, mighty one. But why"? asked Mythgar the Paladin King.

"Yeah, why, I should definitely like to know"? reiterated Gabby, "I'm missing my dinner, a warm fire, and a good book. Heavens knows, there was to be chicken, stuffing, gravy, dumplings, and ...."

"Please inform us, Holy One, why thy need is great"? interrupted Cy the Prince of Rangers.

"Thy presence is requested, nay, demanded by the One Most Holy, The Light, and The Giver", stated Methril. "We have learned through an agent that the Hells are about to rise up against the Heavens with an artifact that we cannot hope to vanquish. It is said that the Lord Asmodeus, Ruler of the Hells, has acquired an item called Angelbane. Our cohort also informs us that once the Fell Lord uses it his armies will flood the Heavens and overwhelm our armies with it's might. With it's use he will destroy all that is Good and replace it with all that is Evil. It is also said that angels can not come within many miles of the Angelbane as it's power will destroy them utterly. So whomsoever shall wield it can wade through armies of angels and destroy them as one would a mere fly without thought. Even the most powerful amongst us cannot stand within it's sphere and not succumb."

"I have heard rumors of this Angelbane before, Great One, but nary have I heard of it's whereabouts or uses until this day. How perhaps did this great relic fall into the hands of the fiends"? asked Verlock as he stood before the behemoth angel.

"The Angelbane was forged millennia upon millennia ago and was hidden after a great travesty. Many eons ago a great schism occurred that shattered the heavens. A long forgotten devil forged the Angelbane from the capture and torment of a million angels. Their very tears and blood wept into the bowels of his cruel machines and was corrupted to form a gem of hellish black and red called the Angelbane. Many dark and secret rituals only known to the foulest gods were performed to create this relic. Once the Angelbane Gem was complete, this paticular devil reveling in the glory of his creation sought out the higher Heavens. In the schism that followed, if it were not for His One Most Holy's foresight, all the angels in Heaven would have fallen victim to the gem. But, the Most High had been vigilant and saw the signs that something was amiss and barred the gates to the Holy Grounds with powerful enchantments. The devil known as Baalyor carried the Angelbane from the Hells to the gates of Paradise with a million million strong of his brethren. He breached the Golden Gates of the Heavens and killed many million angels upon the first layer of our realm. However, the One Most Holy, had foreseen the possible breach and had his wards in place. More than nine tenths of Hell's minions died within seconds of encountering the severe wards of the Most Holy. With little troops left to fight on, Baalyor even with the mighty Angelbane, could not hope to breach further into the Heavens. So, licking the wounds of the trillions in death, he snuck back into the Depths to replenish. Another many millennia later, a second assault was imminent. However, our Lord Of the Holies, The Eternal Light, sent a band of our fiercest angels into the bowels of Hell to intercept. The casualties on our behalf were quite high. But, we gleaned a very important piece of information: if a devil does not actually hold the Angelbane within his hand with the intent to kill our kind, it's powers are null and void. A devil must actually hold it within his grasp and consciously will it too kill us for it to be effective. This is how we eventually defeated Baalyor and his minions. But, alas, the Angelbane during the second war with the devils, became lost. Perhaps it was carried off, or buried beneath the carnage, but it was lost too us as well as the devils. Now, though, it has been recovered. And whose hands did this fell device fall into, but the Lord of the Nine Hells Himself, Asmodeus."

"My lord, what is it that you wish from us"? asked Mythgar submittingly.

"Aaah, that is a question which you do need answers to", replied Methril.

"Yeah, Lord Angel, or whatever ye call yerself, what do ye need from us", demanded Knucklebones.

"The heavens require this from you, my mortals", stated Methril. "The Angelbane is currently in use in the hands of Asmodeus himself, and through our connections we have learned that he is amassing an army of armies on an assault against all the good planes. We cannot have this obviously, as it would destroy the balance of good in the universe and give in to a realm of total evil, led by none other than Asmodeus himself. We have also learned of the whereabouts of the Angelbane, but we cannot reach it ourselves as we would be destroyed in the process. That is why we need you, the most elite of the elite. We understand that you are mortal, but all of your powers that you have are so very close to godhood itself, that you are the angels last hope to demolish evil and keep it at bay."

A large golden light mixed with a million rainbows suddenly fills Wellmet just as Methril finished his speech. A voice of a billion angels, sweet, harmonic, peaceful, energizing, and empathetic fills the room in a cascade of a million pleasant sounds ... "I COMMAND THEE TO REMOVE THE ANGELBANE FROM IT'S CURRENT POSSESSOR, THE DREAD LORD, AND DESTROY IT! THIS I DEEM JUST AND HOLY TO PRESERVE THE BALANCE AND TO BRING THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND LAWFUL BACK TO THE UNIVERSE. IF THIS DOES NOT COME TO PASS, THEN ALL WORLDS WILL SUFFER IN AN ETERNITY OF PAIN AND TORMENT. DO YOU THIS UNTO ME AND THY REWARD WILL BE GREAT INDEED. I HAVE SPOKEN!"

Methril and all of the companions except Scarletthorn got up off the floor in a state of submission. The room turned back to it's original state of golden hued bliss.

"The One Most Holy has spoken" Methril declared. "His vision and declarations are just and good. We, the angels of the Seven Heavens and all that are good and holy ask this of you ... seek you the Angelbane that lies within the grasp of Asmodeus and destroy it, for if you fail, this time the Most Holy might not be able to keep the wave of Evil from washing over the lands of the Seventh Heaven and if this were to pass, all good would be extinguished as a small flame from a candle in the midst of a windstorm, and all worlds would know the hand of indelible evil. An eternity of pain and suffering would wash the multiverse over and all it's inhabitants succumb to the unholy might of the Baatezu. This MUST NOT HAPPEN! We the Angels of the Most High, find this a transgression that cannot be permitted. We beseech thee mighty mortals to intervene and restore the balance! The angels themselves are left helpless in the wake of the Angelbane. Wilst thou help?"

"Thy whim is my bidding and pleasure, oh great Methril. At once, I shall obey"! cried Mythgar the White, dropping to his knees in supplication.

"I have heard your cries, Angel of Light. I will stand beside you in your quest to overcome the Great Darkness", stated Cy Quithall.

"I have more questions of thee, but in private I must ask", Verlock the Wizard intoned to the bright blue angel.

"Very well, my most able wizard", responded Methril.

"If there be devil bones to crack, me axe twill be ready"! declared Knucklebones Axehaft while patting his axe Skullsplitter.

"I only hope to get back before my chicken is overcooked. Gracious, I hope my grapes don't spoil sitting out on the table"! cried Gabby Bristletoe as he became even more disenheartened over missing his sixth meal for the day.

"I don't understand why I am even here", exclaimed Scarletthorn, "I care nothing for angels or for devils".

"Hmmmm...", muttered Methril to himself more than too anyone, "You are needed".

"What"?!?! said Scarletthorn in reply to this.

"My Lord, the Most Holy of the Holy, has handpicked you, even in your most distastefully evil, self-adhering ways, as a benefit to this cause. I understand not why this is, but it is not my place to question the Master. To let evil parlay with evil I cannot understand, but He Who Is Most Wise And Beneficent has chosen you as this group's partner. It is His choice and His wisdom that has brought you thus unto us."

"Damn, all of you to the devils and the Hells"! yelled Scarletthorn, "I want no part of this idiocy. What do I care for your precious existence or that of the devil's possession of this Angelbane? You summoned me here, but not by my will. I am the farthest thing from good and would prefer that you were all dead. No profit, is too be gained from this for me. Send me straight to the Nine Hells, right to His Royal Infernal Majesty Himself, steal an artifact that he covets greatly right out of his own hands, fight at least a billion devils in the process, and return to you completely unscathed and get your "Hey, thanks a lot for helping" blessing, sounds like a whole lotta dung. Tell me, Oh Majestic Blue Angel of The Ever Truth Bending Stupidity, why I should help you. What's in it for me"?

"There is a prize for you greater than which you know, assassin", quipped Methril the First Angel.

"Oh, I bet there is, a sun drenched vacation in Baator, with beautiful Eryines meeting every desire I have. Oh, and let's not forget a trip that I would just absolutely die for"! sneered Scarletthorn.

"But, my dear assassin", sweet-talked the angel, "There is something in this ... even for someone like you ... a gift"

"What ... gift"? questioned Scarletthorn cautiously.

"In time I will have an answer to your question, but this is not the time". answered Methril.

"Sounds like I'm out of this then", stated the assassin flatly.

"I think you have no choice in this matter, young mortal. YOU ARE NEEDED"! commanded Methril as he stood up to his full gigantic height towering above the mortals in the hall. White flames flickered from his eyes as he dared the assassin to say something else.

Scarletthorn's hand instinctively rubbed the pommel of one of his daggers, but thought better of it and slowly moved his hand away. With a look of agitation he shook his head, but said naught in response.

For a minute all in the hall witnessed the great splendour of the angel in his anger. Blue wisps of fire cascaded across his frame and his wings pointed straight upwards toward the sky. Heavily muscled arms undulated as his anger mounted. Crackles of heavenly lightning stabbed from his crown upon his head. The giant sword of the purest azure seemed to hum on his belt.

And then all was over. Methril composed himself and looked about the room. The blue fire and lightning subsided. His large wings slowly sank back down and were tucked behind his massive soldiers.

"My apologies", he simply stated, "If this matter were not so dire, I would not have reacted so. Know you all this, the rewards of this venture will know no bounds. I assume you will have questions of me"?

"Mi'lord, I was wondering ... er, when is dinner being served"? asked the halfling Gabby expectantly.

"This is the easiest question I will have to answer, my good bard. Dinner will be served after our meeting and you will have more than your fill of it", smiled Methril suddenly, eyeing his little guest.

"Most excellent"! cheered Gabby in excitement.

"The Hells are not a traveler friendly place, Methril. I would ask of what provisions we might take as well as what protections would be afforded to traverse the harshest of elements that the Hells will provide"? asked Verlock the wizard.

"My Lord of Lords will provide you with food and holy water that will aid you in your quest. He will locate these provisions in a special magical bag that will hold more than you and your party could consume in a half-year. His Most Blessed will also provide you with rings that grant the wearer immunity to the fires and ice that you will surely encounter in the Nether. These rings will not however protect you from the fires or ice of spells. Be you cautious", replied Methril.

"Angel of Light, where does the Angelbane reside within the Nine Hells and how are we to extract it from its possessor, the Ruler of Hell Himself"? asked Cy.

"The location of the dreaded gem is located in the Ninth Circle outside the Infernal City of Malsheem, in a temple called Soulrake. It is not known what guards it, but the Dreaded Eye of Asmodeus watches it continuously. As for the extraction ... I will get to that in a few moments", stated the Lord Angel.

"This is a farce", muttered Scarletthorn under his breath as he watched the conversation.

Without missing a beat, Methril, looked toward the black robed assassin and stated, "If the devils have their way with the world human, your life would end in a torturous existence at worst, or you would be snuffed out as fodder at best. Nonetheless, you would not reap your "trade" any longer and your dear profits would be no more."

"Ye might be tellin' us angel, how just six of us are to be fightin' whole armies of devils. Now, not that I couldn't dent in many a skull before they be takin' me down, but a million to one odds are not ye best bet on a fight", declared Knucklebones the dwarf.

"Yes, my good dwarf, you are correct. We have thought of these things as well. We have a secret weapon, that which the Enemy is unaware. I will get to that when I speak of the extraction of Angelbane. But, I must introduce you to a member that will be joining your party"! exclaimed Methril.

The same double doors with which Methril had first entered the room began to open. A man appeared within the doorway. Something struck all the unlikely companions eyes as he entered. The man had eyes of glowing silver and a large pair of wings that were of bright white. Other than this he appeared quite human. He was bare chested and wore only a long loin cloth. On his side he had a great green glowing sword that clung to his hip. He strode into the room with a smile upon his lips.

Methril declared as the man approached, "Welcome you, companions, to your newest member, Eiledan the half angel."

The half-angel bowed his head to the companions, smiling the whole time. "We are Well Met", the half-angel greeted the group. "I am Eiledan the half-angel".

Scarletthorn bowed his head so as to cover his voice even more furtively than the last time as he said, "Oh great, another goody, goody".

"I have hand picked this aspiring young champion of good to aid you in your battles with evil. He has a unique gift amongst us angels in that he is only half-angel and cannot be harmed by the Anglebane. He will willingly go into the Hells with you on this quest. If your group succeeds in this mission, The Highest of the Holies, will grant him full Angelhood and a place amongst our most beloved. He has much too lose if this fails, though this does not deter him", offered Methril.

"It is good to see one so bright and good with us", bowed Mythgar the White, "I am at your bidding".

"This is a pleasant surprise", slowly stated Verlock in agreement.

"I too am pleased at this", agreed Cy Quithall as he moved the quiver on his back to a more accommodating position.

"I will stand by yours sides undaunted and may the Hells tremble as we go forth", declared Eiledan as his eyes flashed silver.

"All is well with this gathering. A few questions still linger and it almost time to answer them, but before the questions can be answered, one more companion to this party must be called out", said Methril as he turned toward the double doors again.

This time, the doors did not open smoothly or slowly. The doors practically flew inward as the next companion approached.

No angel of light, nor man was this. A blackness floated forward before it and as it's gigantic frame ducked through the doorway all the companions were taken aback. Even Scarletthorn stood completely upright and took a small step backward.

A creature of darkness was this. Tall it was, more than twice that of a tall man. Large bat-like wings jutted from it's incredibly muscled torso. Large horns adorned it's head. Fangs almost a foot long jutted from it's maw. Hide the color of a burnt corpse covered it's body. Talons tipped the being's fingertips that dripped venomous poison. This creature had no weapons upon it's body, for it needed none, it was a weapon in and of itself. Those of the Lower Planes would give this being a very wide berth indeed. It was the mightiest of the Baatezu, barring the Overlords themselves. It was a pit fiend.

The companions were startled as the monstrous devil strode into the room, obviously extremely out of place in the most holy of the Heavens. The devil stopped just short of Methril and stood still.

Methril turned to the pit fiend briefly and acknowledged his presence and turned back to the company before him and stated, "Behold, the last companion of this mighty party, Maelbog the Enthraller."

"What ... "? cried Cy the elf ranger in disbelief.

"Me old eyes be playin' tricks on me", said Knucklebones Axehaft as he rubbed his eyes to take a look again at the fiend.

"What mistake is this"? shuddered Mythgar in total denial.

"Surely, even the Heavens have erred", stated Verlock, "Companion? Evil begets evil".

The large devil stood silently as the companions brayed their apparent distaste at his selection as one of their members. Methril, the Keeper, stood before the company and waved his hand in a gesture of silence.

"If any of you have a doubt to the choice of this last member, let me clear the air, so to speak. This is Maelbog, a pit fiend. He is what one might call "a risen devil" just as one might call one of us who succumb to evil a "fallen angel". He found his way here of his own accord and has avowed to turn his back on his former way of life. The One Who is Most Holy has searched Maelbog's mind to ensure that this is indeed the truth and has let us know that he is trustworthy. This pit fiend although abhorrent to our sight is legitimate and wishes to help in our foray. For this endeavour that he wishes to be a part of, he in turn shall be rewarded for that which he seeks. A new body will be given unto him. He will become a lesser angel with the right to become greater according to his deeds. Understand, many millennia he has trodden on the good of the world and committed unspeakable acts, but even in this, our Lord of Lords has said that if one truly repents, that he that does this, may be salvageable", Methril imparted upon the guests.

"I don't hold much stock in a 'converted' devil", Mythgar stated suspiciously.

"Neither had I", agreed the Keeper, "But, as it were, the Master has stated that he is true. This is where our new companion can help us tremendously in our quest. Maelbog knows of secret avenues in which to get to the lower Hells without attracting hordes of Hell's finest. He was a perimeter guard on the ninth layer and knows where the Angelbane is located in that realm. This is information which we will utilize to it's fullest in order to snatch the Angelbane out from under the Dread Lord's eyes without him knowing. Many secrets of the layer, this devil knows. His particular change of heart to that of the good was long in the making, but let us say that a human woman, a mortal, if you can so believe, changed his ways from a corrupt, evil-dealing devil, into that of someone who sought more than destruction and the corruption of souls. That tale I will leave to Maelbog himself if he so chooses to reveal it".

"Great, I am in the company of a half-angel, whom I already hate and a pit fiend of all the creatures in the world that would surely rip my heart out and eat it while I am asleep, a company of people I don't know or don't even care for, and a 'gift' that is promised, but you can't even tell me what it is. I think I trust angels even less than devils. Sounds like a nightmare if you ask me. Well, I guess we all gotta die sometime. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be living for much longer. This 'gift' you speak so secretively of, better damn well be worth it", thought Scarletthorn derisively.

"If it were not for the Most Holy Himself declaring this devil trustworthy, I would have no such alliance with this quest", stated Mythgar,

"I am ill at ease with this". "I too have many questions regarding what seems to be a lack of wisdom in these matters", Cy the Ranger Prince agreed.

"Come, my mortals, the Lord of Good has spoken. His search of Maelbog's mind and heart cannot be fooled. He will grant you aid where others cannot. Rest easy upon this subject and lay your trust in my master's hands. Maelbog, do you wish to speak unto your new companions"? asked Methril the Guardian folding his wings in tighter and looking toward the pit fiend.

A wisp of flame flickered slightly around the enormous devil's body as he turned fully unto the group gathered before him. His large burning red eyes, even brighter than Scarletthorn's, surveyed the ones in front of him. He turned his head and lingered upon each, as if studying them, before he spoke. With a voice that resonated with deep booming bass and sounded of hissing snakes and the darkness of a cave which one cannot escape, the giant devil spoke.

"All of you mortals and angels that stand before me. I AM MAELBOG, once called the Enthraller, I am this no more. Many eons I scoured the planes for souls to corrupt and torment. I no longer find pleasure in this. My former lord, He Who Cannot Be Named, found great service from me. I stood as one of His Lieutenants, reporting only unto the Dark Eight and the Dread Lord Himself. Within the outer perimeters of Malsheem, the dark city of the Ninth Hell's ruler, I patrolled. The temple of Soulrake, which we call Malragthra Ungdredth, was an area within my range of guard. I know of this temple and it's grounds intimately. He Most Fell, after finding the Angelbane, keeps almost a constant watch upon this temple, but I know of ways even He does not know, in order to enter the temple. I also know where exactly the Angelbane is kept and have "friends" who can help our company acquire it, without the Dread Master knowing of it immediately. Why do I do this, one who has suckled evil his entire existence, you are questioning? I cannot answer you at this time fully, other than to say, that after being demoted several times through treachery amongst my own kind and my Lord's disfavor with my accomplishments, that I sought out another plane with which too make home while licking my wounds. While staying in Limbo hiding from my Fell Master's wrath, I chanced upon a human female. To make the story short, I became enamored of her and sought solace within her arms. Surprised? Even devils can become enthralled. And I once was called the Enthraller"! Maelbog laughed at himself. "To think, a mighty pit fiend falling in love with a human female"!

"Needless to say, after spending much time with this female she started to affect me. I found that love was winning over evil and I slowly started to backtrack in my natural way of thinking. But enough of this, I will allow that I am repented and wish to rise to the ranks of the Angels, so that I may be once again be with my beloved Anthala", the devil slowly lowered his head as his last words lingered in the air.

Everyone in the room looked at the large fiend as he stood silently before them, each in turn wondering at the meaning of the words that were spoken. For minutes the room was quiet and nary a sound was heard. Once again the rainbow hues of glowing brightness filled the room. A sweet soft. yet utterly commanding voice intoned, "IT IS SETTLED. THE COMPANIONS ARE CHOSEN. LET ALL BE READY FOR THEIR PASSING INTO THE REALMS OF EVIL. ACQUIRE THE ANGELBANE. DESTROY IT. FEAR YOU NOT, MANY GOOD THINGS WILL TRANSPIRE UPON YOUR JOURNEY WHERE GOOD IS NOT FOUND. IN THE SHADOW WILL BE CAST A LIGHT. ON THE MORROW OF PLATINUM TIDE, THE FIERY GATE SHALL AWAIT THEE. BE IN PEACE".

Each of the mix-matched group looked at one another as the voice slowly faded from their minds. All of them turned to Methril who was now standing by the double doors he had entered. "Come, all of you, let us waste no more words", Methril beckoned, "After all ... Master Gabby is starving"!

CHAPTER TWO - ROAST IN THE OVEN

Awash with bright platinum plumes the brilliant sky above the city shone crystal clear. Light poured over all of the surfaces of the white and gold walls and bathed them in beauty. The most pleasant scents and fragrances wafted about the gorgeous trees and shrubs located within the city of Illumina. Beautiful angels walked and floated throughout the streets on their eternal business.

After a wonderful rest (the best any of the companions had ever had, excluding Scarletthorn, who still had serious doubts about this whole adventure and didn't sleep hardly at all), the party was awakened and brought into the gardens for breakfast. Food from the Seven Heaven's was delectable and abounded en masse. All of the companions except Maelbog who did not need to eat indulged in this magnificent feast. Once breakfast was over, the attending angels quickly removed all of the remnants and the companions were made to follow a golden hued angel to a chamber adjacent to the eating area. Within the chamber Methril stood waiting as the party entered.

"Well met", declared the angel, "It is now time for you to take this perilous journey and retrieve the Angelbane. Let you ready yourselves accordingly."

Verlock approached Methril and queried, "May I now speak in private with you, Methril"?

"As you wish", granted the Lord Angel.

As the two stepped further away to assume their discourse, the others checked their belongings and looked at the new rings that were bestowed upon them to protect them from the Hell's elements. Other angels and servants whisked in and out of the rooms with supplies to give to the companions to take with them into the Depths.

While the angels flittered about checking this and that, Scarletthorn looked up suddenly from his belt pouch, which he was adjusting and noticed Maelbog staring at him furtively.

"Mental note: don't take your eyes off that pit fiend for even a minute", thought the assassin, "I don't like the way he is watching me. First chance I get, I'll put my daggers straight through his black heart".

Finally, all of the servants left the room, leaving bags and pouches full of necessities neatly lying on the floor beside the expeditioners. Verlock and Methril had just finished their private conversation and were walking back to the main group. Methril once again stood to his full height and towered above all except the pit fiend, Maelbog. He pulled his gigantic blue sword from its' sheath and stuck the point skyward and chanted, "Faerilae domni anda mek doennan. Mi lectus inferni pas nocto. Inferni nocto, NAIEL UNDRIN"!

A large black sphere about chest high appeared within the room. It was rimmed with purple undulating fire. As the seconds passed it grew larger, until it formed a giant black oval. As the companions stood near, the smell of brimstone oozed from the newly formed gateway. The oval itself was utterly black. The indigo flames that wreathed it, hissed and sputtered almost as if the flames themselves felt an abhorrent reaction to the location in which they were formed. Screams and cries of the eternally damned echoed from the magical gate. The black oval throbbed as if alive in the presence of the company.

Each companion in turn looked to each other for assurance as they faced the gate. Only Maelbog was nonplussed. He simply stood there silently as the other party members girded their loins to entering the foul hole. No one made a move toward the black magical orifice.

Finally, due to the lack of willingness to go forward, Methril spoke. "Fear not this place", he rallied, "My Master is watching thee. Good company could not be better gained than you, my friends. Step thee boldly and shake the foundations of the Hells with thy fury! Bring forth the Angelbane and restore the balance that Angelkind themselves cannot. Thy reward will know no bounds"!

At last, Mythgar emboldened by his Lord Angel's words stepped directly up to the black pulsing gateway. Without pausing further, he stepped into it and vanished from the company. Next followed Eiledan, tucking his wings closely about himself, with eyes flashing bright silver, he followed through the gate boldly.

Following closely on Eiledan's heels, Knucklebones the stalwart dwarf strode on his stocky legs through the black oval also. Gabby however, after swallowing several times hard, gently approached the gate. Standing before it, he looked at it with his large green eyes and shuddered. "I like a warm fire and a bit o' wine at dark, but this type of fire seems to be uncanny. I don't like this, I'm tellin' you, and nothin' good can be made of it. I hope ol' Tom Greenhill is a'watchin' my home. Don't need no burglars ruining my return trip you know ... if there is gonna be any return trip"? gulped Gabby as he finally grew the nerve and stepped into the magic blackness.

Cy Quithall gingerly walked up to the gate and as he did so, pulled forth an arrow and nocked his bow. With easy graceful steps and an arrow pointing forward, he too magically vanished. Verlock strode to the gate with steps that belied his years.

Looking back at Methril who was still maintaining the gate with his magic sword, he quipped, "I think this may very well be the last time I speak to thee, Methril. 'Tis folly, at best. Remember our conversation."

With that utterance, he too was transported in the blink of an eye to the Nine Hells. Scarletthorn thought to himself, "This is folly! Ridiculous! First chance I get, I'll abandon them all".

He strode to the gate and looked to Methril and said to him, "Someone is going to pay for this, and it isn't me"! With that he pulled forth his daggers and stepped into the black oval.

Maelbog the pit fiend walked to the gate casually. This was nothing new to him. He would be going "home" so to speak. The cries of the damned didn't even cause a ripple in his mind. The purple fires and the ebon orb that waited before him were as nothing. The horrors of the Hells he had known for millennia upon millennia. Just as he was about halfway through the gate, he stopped and turned his head to look at Methril who was slowly lifting his sword to end the gate's empowerment. The devil looked directly into Methril's eyes as Methril met his gaze. Blue eyes met red eyes from across the room. Maelbog, just as his form slowly started to teleport from one plane to the other smiled (if that is what you could call twelve inch long fangs jutting from an open maw) at Methril. Methril watched curiously at this last scene as the hellish portal finally faded from view. Methril turned on his heel abruptly and quickly left the room to confer with his master.

CHAPTER THREE - WELCOME TO HELL

A small horned devil flew across the ever storm-filled skies as bolts of red-hot lightning flickered across gray-green clouds. Keeping a close eye out for more powerful devils he flew toward the Iron City at top speed. He licked his sharp fangs in anticipation of delivering some extremely important news to his master. This news that he would deliver would be of much interest to the Iron Lord and maybe he would be rewarded thusly.

With these thoughts pleasantly filling his evil mind he navigated the treacherous airway, continuously watching out for his mightier brethren. In the distance the Iron City of Dis loomed. Innumerable stories high and unimaginably wide and deep, the city of Dispater ruled the landscape.

Up ahead, the small devil knew would be Dis' sentries. They would shred him to pieces just for sport once he was within eyesight, except he had some blackmail on one of the guards that he was sure his Beloved Overlord Dispater would really want to know. With that knowledge in mind, he boldy approached the Iron Fortress. As the small devil drew near, a cadre of malebranche devils drew forth their tridents blocking the interlopers progress.

"What do you want, little imp"? questioned a malebranche guard menacingly.

"Yes, little maggot, what is your hurry"? queried another as he licked his trident with a forked tongue in anticipation of some fun.

"I must see the Iron Lord on a matter most urgent", stated the little devil standing before the guards and their sharp tridents.

"Well, my tiny pus-monger, what is this news that is so important"? laughed a larger devil to his companions as he looked down on his lesser kin.

"It is for the ears of the Ruler of Dis only", demanded the small devilkin.

"Well, I bet if we just ripped out your entrails right here, you would just be begging to tell us this news, I think"! growled a malebranche guard.

"Yeah, little worm, give us the news and we will see that His Iron Majesty gets it", said another.

"I think Maelthdrak that you and your cronies will do well to let me enter to his Ironship immediately", stated the small devil who had just named the true-name of one of the guards.

"Why I ought to tear you to pieces right now and feed you to Illkadgux. She is always hungry for devil-flesh", roared the malebranche devil who was true-named in front of his peers.

Before any further adversity was reached, the small devil pulled a pendant from his person and showed it to Maelthdrak the guard. It was a pendant of imprisonment. Maelthdrak looked at the pendant and slowly started to back-peddle.

"Now, there's a good lad", cooed Maelthdrak, "No need getting all upset over nothing. We were just having some fun, right boys"? intoned the devil-guard too his companions in hopes of some sympathetic compliance.

Seeing his plight however, the other malebranche guards made sport of him. "That's right, little one, go ahead and use the pendant on the ol' boy", laughed another of the guards, "Make him squirm"!

"Now there, Haluister", beseeched Maelthdrak, "Don't be giving the lad any ideas".

"Oh come now, mighty Maelthdrak, spooked by such a little one, eh"? guffawed the devil to his other companions who got a great kick out of the spectacle.

"Well, do I get an audience with the Lord Dispater or not", questioned the little devil holding the magic pendant.

"I have no problem with this, whatsoever", cried Maelthdrak visibly shaken.

"Fine, my little ambitious one, we will grant you an audience. You have entertained us greatly this day", smiled one of the larger devils as he cast yet another mocking glance at Maelthdrak, who stood there pleadingly.

"Go, before we change our minds and have you as our dinner guest, if you know what I mean", offered the bigger devil. With that, the smaller devil flew beyond the guards toward the audience chamber of the ruler of Hell's second layer.

One by one the companion's stepped out of the portal and into the uttermost barren wasteland that any human or otherwise could encounter. Mythgar the White, the first to step foot onto Hell's first layer cringed at the all-encompassing evil that permeated the area.

Purveying the area, his horse helm now in his hand, the Paladin King whispered beneath his breath, "Lord of the Holies, what is this place"?

As each of the party witnessed what lay before them, hopelessness in the success of their mission waned dramatically. Cy Quithall's eyes seemed to deceive him. The elf ranger whose gaze was better than all the rest of the company, despaired at the landscape that was before him. The land was mostly flat and pockmarked by large holes scattered here and there. Black thorny tendrils crawled this way and that across the bleak barren ground. The thorns were almost two feet long on most of the foliage. The sky was a bright red and cloudless. The ground was bone white and littered every so often with some victim whose was unfortunate enough to have met one of Hell's mightier denizens. The air itself was hot, stifling, and acrid. If it were not for the rings of protection afforded to each of the party members, they would have started choking on the fell air.

Black sulphorous smoke issued forth from some of the holes that dotted the eternal landscape. In each direction that one chose to look, the ground was flat and without feature. The screaming sounds of souls forever damned filled all of the companies' ears. It was like the sound of a mother who had lost her children to a tragedy all at the same time. White wisps of ghostly souls being pulled from the planes of their origins were sucked downwards through the red skies screaming in despair as the Nine Hells enveloped them in it's dark embrace. These souls were destined to become larvae, the barter of the Hells, the lowest form of evil that evil beings could become. One day each of the larvae could mature to become a devil in it's own right, if it was powerful enough.

Eiledan vomited upon entering Avernis, Hell's first layer, also known as the Foyer, or Grand Entrance. Curling his wings tightly about his body, he convulsed as that of the purest of evil washed over his semi-angelic body. His eyes turned pale and the hue of silver had turned to a dull gray. The green sword that lay at his hip pulsed strongly, however, even though it's master seemed incapacitated.

Carefully checking his belongings, Verlock the wizard turned fully unto Maelbog the pit fiend and pointedly asked, "What do you advise, fiend"?

"Yeah, devil, this be your country, what do ye think we should do"? seconded Knucklebones loosening his axe in it's holster.

Maelbog standing to his full twelve feet in height lifted his large nose to the air. A small flicker of flame ran up his giant bat-like wings. Looking this way and that, he seemed deep in thought. Suddenly, he lifted his wings high above his body as if he sensed something that made him nervous.

"Be quiet and do not move"! hissed Maelbog through his overly large fangs.

In the near distance a large black speck gathered on the horizon. With a nod of his head, the great devil blanketed the area around the companions in deep darkness. This was an innate ability among greater devilkind. Each of the devil's companions suddenly was engulfed in absolute blackness, within which each stood statue-still as was instructed, all except Gabby of course, who needed to scratch his invisible hairy foot, because it was itching. As Maelbog stood next to the large circle of darkness, a small company of imps flew toward him. As the imps drew closer, they suddenly landed on the ground a goodly distance from the dreadful pit fiend. One of the imps, the apparent leader of the group strode forward a few cautious steps.

"Mi'lord", bowed the imp before Maelbog, "If it is permitted, a few questions"? asked the imp whose bright yellow cat like eyes warily watched the large devil.

The imp twitched nervously as the question was put to Maelbog. Knowing what game was about to be played, Maelbog looked down at the purple tiny horned imp. If he said no to the request of the company of imps, they would report immediately back to their master that something was definitely amiss and if he killed them all outright (an easy task), it would raise questions as to the fate of a whole company of spies disappearing on a course that they knew the dangers of all too well.

With this in mind, he simply stated, "Ask little maggots, your questions, I am Maelbog and my time and patient is short"!

"Yes, Great One, we shall hurry", blurted out the leader of the imps named Mikblix.

"It has been noted that a most uncanny occurrence has just recently happened in The Front Parlor. It seems that a most unlikely company of humans, a dwarf, a halfling, an elf, and some even say an angel, have gained entrance into our beloved kingdom. Some would even go so far as to say that a mighty devil was with them also! Can you imagine that! What a gathering that would be?!" declared Mikblix the imp, studiously watching the pit fiend.

"Oh mighty Maelbog, in your business, which of course, is none of ours, would you have seen this particular party wandering about"?

"I have not seen this said party of which you speak, for I would have destroyed them for sport upon meeting them", assured Maelbog flexing his large black red muscles and oozing more green venom from his fangs than normal.

The leader of the imps listened as he watched the out of place large globe of darkness just beyond the pit fiend where the party of Heaven's warriors stood silent and hiding.

Eyeing the darkness, the imp asked, "Forgive me, Your Greatness, but what is that behind you? It seems that a great darkness has manifested as if from nowhere. This is a strange event indeed. Perhaps someone is trying to sneak up and spy on this meeting"? offered Mixblix slyly.

"I am on an errand from my master, imp", growled Maelbog, "He does not wish for every devil in Hell to see what I carry back to him, as you should well know. I grow tired of these questions".

Taking a few cautious steps backwards, Mikblix and the rest of his company stood even more nervously than before. To raise the ire of the pit fiend was to call death upon themselves in a hurry.

Very carefully, Mikblix asked even more slyly than before, "Certainly, oh Great Maelbog, you know that most devilkind can see through the deepest of darkness and that which you try to hide would be easily seen"?

"A sly little bastard", thought Maelbog to himself, "But let him deal with what I have to say next".

"I will tell you what", offered the larger devil to the imps, "I have in my possession a stone that will give it's wearer the power to store souls within itself, thereby granting the wearer the next level of devilhood. It is only useable to the wearer himself. Getting a higher station is something not to be scoffed at, if you know what I mean"? purred the pit fiend to the lesser devils.

Each of the imps started to clamour as Maelbog stated this. Mikblix looked skeptical however, until Maelbog pulled the large glowing stone from his person. Each imp thought of what powers they could attain at a greater station in the hierarchy of devilhood. Mikblix began to slaver as he looked upon the large glowing stone.

"I will give to you this stone of advancement, if you could just seem to look the other way where the concerns of my business here lie", gave Maelbog.

"This stone, I think I have seen this before in Lord Bel's court", stated another imp in the company. "It gave ol' Prylax a new body and he moved up a notch in Lord Bel's battalion."

Mikblix was salivating now as he watched the stone with bright hellish eyes. Others in his company too were watching just as closely as their leader. Mumblings amongst the imps could be audibly heard amongst the Seven Heaven's companions who stood in the magically created darkness waiting for something to happen.

Finally, Mikblix, looked at Maelbog and greedily said, "Give this gift unto me, Great One, and we shall forget that you and your 'business' were here in the first place".

"Very well", stated Maelbog and he lifted the gem in his large taloned hand. "May the power of this gem give greatness to you", he said as he flung the gem into the midst of the company of imps.

As the gem fell in the middle of the imps, each of the imps fought furiously to attain it. Claws were bared, daggers drawn, and spells cast. Each of the imps desperately sought to attain the gem of advancement. Imp blood soon blackened the barren ground as the multitude of small devilkind dwindled in their desperation. Soon all of the imps had killed each other except for one, Mikblix who mortally wounded, clawed at the gem as his eyes burned a hellish yellow. Grasping the gem in his sharp taloned hand, he held it aloft and exulted in it's bathing light.

"Now, I will transform into the next higher devil", he rasped, albeit excitedly through his broken mouth.

"Fool", growled Maelbog as he bent down to rip the "gem" that was nothing more than a stone with a dweomer cast upon it, from the broken imp's hands. With no more thought, he stepped his mighty taloned foot upon Mikblix's head and crushed it beneath his heel. Mikblix was no more.

Maelbog, the mighty fiend had outfoxed the imps and smiled to himself evilly. With a small wave of his hand, the globe of darkness that he surrounded his heavenly companions in, dwindled into nothingness. Each of the comrades looked toward the big devil as the darkness faded about them.

"That was close", Cy the elf stated.

"Twernt nothin' I couldnta' handled by meself", Knucklebones added patting the haft of his great axe.

Verlock the wizard gazed at the devil and shook his head slightly with apparent disdain, but said nothing. Placing his staff firmly down onto the hard cracked, heat drenched ground, he walked out ahead of the group. Eiledan, the half-angel, still half bent over and quietly dry heaving, finally gathered himself and wiped clean his mouth. His wings were dragging on the ground behind him as he stumbled upright.

Mythgar quickly came to offer the aid to Eiledan, but he waived him off with assurance, "Tis but a passing of the first taste of indelible evil. Thank you though".

Mythgar obeyed and moved off to the side of the half-angel, ready if he needed further assistance. As the company composed themselves, Verlock walked ahead without consulting anyone as to where or what he was doing. He slowly surveyed the dead landscape about him.

Once he was far enough ahead, Scarletthorn, the tiefling assassin, called out, "Wizard, what are you about? Perhaps you have gone mad with the hellish heat of this blasted place? To walk out alone would surely be your death! Perhaps you are growing senile"?

Verlock whipped around on his heels, leveling his staff at the assassin. All of the first layer of Hell stood temporarily silent as he growled, "Watch thy mouth, youngling, for you know not the path with which I trod. You would do well to remember this throughout our journey".

With this being said, the staff of Verlock was raised back to its' accustomed position, and he turned again away from Scarletthorn.

"Well, well ...", thought the assassin, "I think someone has just asked for a quicker trip to the grave today".

"Wait, Mr. Verlock, errr, Mr. Wizard, ummm, Verlock", called Gabby after the old sorcerer as he quickly trotted up in behind him. "I don't like it that you are wandering away, so alone, so to speak. Is everything, ok"?

"My dear, Gabby, I am merely surveying the area ahead for myself. There is no need for concern. I am not leaving the company", stated Verlock.

Gabby gave a visible sigh of relief. He had heard of the mighty Verlock in his wanderings and knew him to be the mightiest of his craft. Many aspiring spellcasters the world over and beyond looked up to him and aspired to be just like him. He seemed to be one with magic and it seemed to be one with him. Casting spells that were of the highest level seemed as child's play. Many spellcrafter's that were at the height of their profession could not even come close to Verlock's ability with magic. Verlock, it was said, garnered tomes of the mightiest spells that were ever created by man or god, and could cast them all. This made Gabby feel safer inside knowing that a great wizard was in their company, although Gabby was a force to be reckoned with all by himself.

"What do you see"? questioned Gabby, wide-eyed like a child looking about the bleak white panorama. As Gabby put his last question to the wizard, the other companions came up to them from behind.

"I see ...", Verlock started, "I see we need to get to a portal that will lead us further down. The openness of this terrain doesn't bode well".

"We will be seen easily on the open ground. I agree that we should make haste to any available portal that will get us to our destination", said Cy the elf.

"Just how are we to traverse miles, perhaps, of desolate wasteland and not be seen by the locals to find a portal which we don't even know it's location, without being caught, tortured, and killed"? miffed Scarletthorn.

Before anyone could respond however, Maelbog spoke. "I know the location to the next gate. It is only a few hours walk from here. We could teleport there, but using that type of magic would raise eyebrows amongst the Rulers. We must walk in this direction and hope that not too many sentries are keeping a sharp eye out this day".

"Maybe if we could just dress up like devils, they wouldn't even know we were here. Too bad ol' Jonkin Leafsmoker wasn't here, he could whip us up some costumes in no time", thought Gabby out loud.

"An excellent idea, my boy"! cried Verlock.

Everyone turned to look at the wizard who now was smiling. "This should work upon the lesser kind on this layer, but wouldn't work upon the more elite. Excellent"! said the wizard puzzling his companions.

"What are ye about, wizard"? asked Knucklebones eyeing the old man suspiciously.

"When one is interested in meeting with devils, why not be a devil himself"? laughed Verlock. Even Maelbog smiled slightly at this, for he had caught on to what the crafty old magician was up to.

Verlock turned to his companions and stated, "I will transform us all to look as if we were denizens of this plane. Nothing too mighty as to raise suspicion, but just enough of a look to make most of this plane's ilk to leave us unmolested. I have just the spell"!

The wizard waved his hands in a convoluting gesture and commanded the words from the arcane. A glowing green shimmer surrounded all but Maelbog as the spell of transmutation took effect. As each moment passed, the companions looked at one another and noticed that the person to his left or right started to look like a bone devil. Slowly fangs and horns appeared on the mouths and lips of each one. Elongated barbed tails appeared above the waist of each. Claws grew from fingertips and a reddish palor appeared on the skin. Glowing white eyes shone from the faces of each member in the party.

"Disgusting and vile, this is an indignity of the highest order"! exclaimed Mythgar gazing upon the parts of his body that he could see.

"I agree, this is most hideous", seconded Eiledan, "I am not at comfort with this".

"Hmmm, I don't seem to have changed all that much", thought Scarletthorn to himself.

"I have a tail"! whooped Gabby as he swung it about excitedly.

"This best not affect me axe-play, wizard. I ... ", stammered Knucklebones as he realized his axe was temporarily gone.

"We are quite the devils indeed", laughed Cy seeing humor in the transformation, "How do my fangs look"?

"You look as a company of hell's finest bone devils", admired Maelbog, "Nothing to be trifled with by most of the minions of this layer".

"I see nothing humorous in this", quipped Mythgar looking at his long claws on his fingers. "This is simply disgusting. I would rather be assailed by a thousand devils as myself, than to go forth in such a guise".

"There, there, my good Mythgar", soothed Verlock, "It is a must if we are to reach the next gate unmolested. Your companions depend on this for their survival. It is for the greater good. Certainly you can see this"?

"I don't like it, wizard, but I will tolerate it if there be no other way. This is an abomination to my senses", stated Mythgar the Paladin King again observing his new body distastefully.

"As am I, Verlock. I will only abide by this if there is no alternative. My psyche is tortured, as I look upon myself in this unholy dressing. Only for the benefit of my party's life will I do this willingly", demanded Eiledan.

"Give it up, people", cried Scarletthorn. "It is only a guise, a rouse. Here we are tramping about the front gate of all that is evil, on a mission that is severely questionable at best, and all you goody-goodies can think about is aesthetics. Can you please shut your holy mouths and proceed with the plan, or can you just lay down and die right here and spare me the pleasure of taking care of you both myself"?

"Please, let us not squabble about this. It is a necessity for the present. My good angel and paladin, please make due with the circumstances at present, until we get farther along", Verlock offered with a sidelong gaze indicating that the assassin had once again overstepped his boundaries.

"Very well, Verlock. It is not my custom to go in deceit, but if there be no other way, then I will tolerate this", offered Eiledan still looking at his new "body" in disdain.

"Alright, I guess if Eiledan can take this, I too can abide by this as well", stated Mythgar looking at Scarletthorn, with his hand on the pommel of his ever-so-slightly drawn sword. "Watch thy mouth, evil one, I will not tolerate such insults lightly much further", he added glaring at the assassin.

"Now then, once again gentlemen, this is of necessity. Let us turn to our guide, Maelbog, who must show us the way to the next layer. Come my company of 'devils', let us make our way to the portal".

Without further ado, Maelbog slightly shuffled his large tail, fluttered his great black wings quickly and started to walk toward the direction in which the gate to the next depth lay. His company of subordinate "devils" followed closely on his heels.

The little devil had long passed the malebranche sentries at the gates of the Iron City of Dis. Traversing a path throughout the city to the Fortress itself was difficult at best, unless one knew the exact way. The devil flew nonetheless toward the most direct path to the Iron Fortress to deliver the news that was most pressing to his lord. Once he had attained the threshold to the main gate of the fortress he was once again stopped by the guards.

"All hail the Mighty Ruler Dis, Conqueror Of Planes, Lord Of Iron, Master of Strategy", cried the guardians of the large gate.

"Hail, Mighty Dis", replied the small devil as he stopped before the two gelugons guarding the entryway.

"Your business"? asked the guardians together as one.

Whispering ever so quietly, the devil gave a secret password to the guardians. The guardians, immediately recognizing the password (which was one of the highest order), quickly opened the sealed gate and let the small devil through.

Without hesitation, the devil flew through the hallway forward, to an antechamber, which he knew that the Lord of the Second would meet him. As he made his way toward the meeting place he once again thought of the rewards his Lord Dis would grant upon him for delivering such relevant information. He smiled to himself in anticipation of currying his dire lord's favor. Finally, up ahead the antechamber awaited.

As the devil entered into the place, he noticed that no one was about. The room was a polished iron floor and the walls glistened as of wet steel. There were little trappings about the place and the entrance that the little devil came through was the only way in or out. The ceiling vaulted so far above his head, that it could not be noted. Impatiently the little devil waited, licking his blackened lips in anticipation of his dread lord's arrival. The antechamber swam in a twirling miasma of fog and crystalline twinkling. A large gong seemed to echo and reverberate throughout the room. The small devil shivered in excitement, for he knew it was the time of his lord's coming.

With his small barbed tail flicking back and forth, he watched as the fog coalesced into a mighty form. The fog and the crystalline air formed a massive devil with small horns on his regal head. His skin looked like drab iron and a cold wave seemed to emanate from his body. Tall was he and regal. The small devil prostrated himself before the coalescing Ruler of the Second.

"Speak, fool and quickly", demanded Dis looking down at the devil fawning before his feet.

"Yes, Your Lordship, immediately", cried the diminutive fiend even though he still fawned at Dis' feet for more than a few seconds. "There is news of a great party, Your Iron Sovereign, that has made entrance into the Front Parlor. The party is composed of a mix of humans, non humans, an angel, and I could not believe it, myself, Oh Great Iron King, a pit fiend", offered the wee devil groveling still.

"Unthra, you foolish, imp, did you not guess that I have long since heard this news and that you have nothing to tell me"? said Dis in a most gentlemanly manner while peering down at Unthra who dared not look up at his lord.

"Mi'lord", stammered Unthra, "... I just received word of this myself through my trusted network. It only happened mere minutes ago".

"Do you not know that you are not my only messenger"? questioned Dis smiling almost benevolently at Unthra the courier devil.

"Yes, Your Ironship, but I am your fastest", stated Unthra pleadingly.

"Ah, yes, Unthra the Great Spy. The messenger most swift. Long have you been in my service little one, is that correct"? asked Dis whose baleful eyes shone with a flicker of blue lightning.

"Only you know, Lord, how long it has been", gave Unthra, looking slowly upwards.

"This news I have already known from the onset", lied Dis who had not heard of this news before Unthra's arrival.

"My Great Iron Lord, I have wasted your time", cried Unthra suddenly in fear.

"Indeed, little Unthra, you have, but your services to me are still useful, are they not"? smiled Dis.

"Yes, Mighty Master, I will redouble my speed upon reporting to you. I have many networks afoot that will provide you with any information that you may desire", offered the small devil earnestly.

"Even though you did not provide me speedily with this important piece of information, still you have your uses and mayhap a smallish reward should be given"? asked Dis who watched Unthra expectantly.

"Dire Lord, if you deem it appropriate", smiled Unthra to himself, anticipating anything that his lord would give to him.

"Very well, then, Unthra, stand before me and receive your reward", commanded Dis.

Unthra quickly stood before his master, the ruler of all Hell's second layer, and anxiously awaited his remuneration.

Dis looked down at Unthra and stated, "I decree thee a fortnight of torment at the pain devil's hands for failing to report to me in a timely manner. Perhaps their gentle ministrations will teach you to perform more diligently the next time.

"My Lord, noooooooo"! screamed Unthra in disbelief as he fell to his knees before Dis.

With a wave of his hand, Dis slowly began to dissipate and two evil pain devils began to appear in his stead. Unthra shivered and quavered in a palsy-like state as the pain devils hefted their razor sharp hooked chains in glee as they approached the small devil now laying on the floor.

Whipping their hooked chains into his quivering devil flesh they bound Unthra as he screamed in hellish agony and began to teleport away to the Pits of Pain. But not before they took their long, clawed talons and ripped out Unthra's eyes...

Maelbog slowly traversed the cracked, withered plain before him followed by his companions in the guise of lesser devils. A hot, acrid wind blew across the desolate layer stirring up bone white dust in large plumes here and there. The sky overhead was a hellish red though it did not seem to illuminate the ground with the same color. Flickers of lightning sometimes flashed, with incredibly loud peals of thunder shortly to follow. As the company traveled further in the direction that the pit fiend guided them, viscera seemed to start to cover the ground beneath there feet.

Maelbog seemed uneasy. It was not normal for this plane to be so empty. Usually Bel the Lord of the First had thousands of his troops crisscrossing the landscape everywhere, always in preparation for the Blood War, the eternal struggle between the Hells and the Abyss for domination. Certainly there would be courier devils at the least flying the skies on an errand from their infernal masters. However, all was empty. Something smelled of a trap and Maelbog studiously eyed all of his surroundings uneasily. He could easily defeat most of this layer's denizens, but should an army march out of nowhere, well, that was another matter entirely.

With an uneasy mind, the great pit fiend and his party of fake devilkind still moved forward through the ever-growing puddles of blood about their feet. The landscape was also becoming harder to navigate as crevices began to appear betwixt them and their goal. Foul greenish steam issued forth from the cracks in the ground. As they walked, Gabby strode up next to Maelbog and struck up a conversation.

"Why would anyone want to live in a place like this"? questioned Gabby looking at the forlorn area around him.

"Why would you want to live in a world where the green grass and blue skies hide the evil that lurks deep within dungeons, in the basement of the house just down the street, or on a city's back-alleys in the night. It is just a façade of good hiding the true evil that runs rampant in your native plane", gave Maelbog as he glanced down at his mock devil companion who still was playing with his newfound barbed tail as he walked beside the bigger devil.

"That's puzzling", Gabby the halfling offered, "Do pit fiends eat"?

"Anything we want. Usually overly inquisitive halflings", said Maelbog amusedly and then turned his attention back to the task of guiding the party to the portal.

Gabby eyed the big fiend warily and slowly dropped back in the ranks after the exchange. Not long to be still however, he pulled a small lute from his pocket and began to play it softly to himself. He amused himself by creating butterflies from the bloody soil beneath his feet.

Scarletthorn eyeing Gabby from further back in the formation shook his head and thought, "Stupid halfling will be the first one dead".

Almost two hours had passed as the company trod along. Not a soul or the soulless had they encountered along the way. The area seemed bereft of life of any kind. In the near distance a large column of twisted skulls could be seen rising from the flatlands. The only noticeable difference in the past hours of travel was the ground was more covered in gore than before and the sky seemed to be flickering with large fireballs that flew way overhead. Suddenly, Maelbog signaled the assembly to halt.

"Do you notice what I notice", questioned the pit fiend to Verlock the wizard.

"The lack of devilkind... the utter lack of life as a whole. Or are you referring to the general uneasiness that I am feeling also"? Verlock wondered as he stepped alongside their guide.

"This area should be crawling with Hell's rabble. Never in many millennia have I seen such an occurrence. Something foul is afoot, I'd bet my left fang on it", said Maelbog surveying the area once again.

"It would almost seem that someone or something wants us to reach the portal without resistance", offered Mythgar overhearing the conversation.

"It would indeed seem as such", agreed Maelbog.

"The gate looms close then"? asked Mythgar.

"We are less than one hour of travel to the portal", stated Maelbog flexing his wings and pointing toward the large pillar of skulls ahead.

"Uncanny, that's what methinks. And not a drop o' devil blood have I shed yet. This trip is getting boring", growled Knucklebones to nobody in particular.

"Let us make haste nonetheless to said gate", stated Eiledan the half-angel emphatically, "I grow tired of wearing this devil skin".

"Yes, keep your eyes peeled at all times, I fear Maelbog is right and that a trap is waiting. I do not know who or why anyone would know of our whereabouts or how they could have been ascertained, but diligent alertness is in order here", warned Verlock sternly to his companions. "Let us proceed warily".

Each party member slowly followed Maelbog as he skirted the crevices and made his way toward the looming pillar of skulls in the near distance that marked the portal to the second layer of the Nine Hells. Everyone kept their wits about them as they traversed the last few miles. Only Gabby seemed to be incognizant of the seemingly apparent danger that surrounded them.

With each step forward, their new "devil feet" were mired in the endless viscera that the plain was becoming covered with. Each of their footsteps seemed to resound with a thick squishing sound that carried on the air farther than they would have wished. More than once, Eiledan reeled and lurched as he vomited at the entrails and gore that he waded through. Mythgar the Paladin King watched his angelic brethren in despair, always close if the need arose.

An hour came and went and the portal loomed close before them. No adversaries had appeared and all seemed too quiet. An incredibly large pillar of skulls, some devilkind, some humanoid, others indistinguishable rose from the plateau about a mile into the sky. It was a very narrow column that seemed incapable of supporting the great weight of which it was constructed. It stuck upward as an appalling spire. Blood and ichor drenched the skulls that were perched one atop another. Mere yards away from the pillar of obscene skulls lie the portal to the second layer of Hell. It was a pool of radiant fire that scintillated different hues of the rainbow. Even with the rings of protection that each of the party were wearing, they could feel some heat from the portal itself. If the companions had not had the rings, they would have been immolated in the fires that the portal produced. The portal itself lay on the ground as if a pool. Each of the company stood nearby and waited to see what Maelbog their infernal guide would do next.

"The gateway to the second layer, called Dis, is before us. I do not like the fact that none have assailed us thus far", stated Maelbog, "It is not like the Hell's to let us move about unimpeded".

"I agree with you, Maelbog", seconded Verlock, "This was almost too easy to reach a gate to the next layer with no adversity".

"Perhaps we are as pawns, playing on a large chess board. Each of us in turn will be knocked from the board by a greater power. I do not like this type of game we seem to be playing, yet cannot abandon it either", said Cy eyeing the surroundings contemplatively.

"I for one think this an ambush. This is what I would do if I were at the helm. Let the enemy think they are okay to move about freely, and once they become somewhat complacent, then spring the trap", offered Scarletthorn whose red eyes were almost comparable to the sky overhead.

"Yea, the assassin's right", agreed Knucklebones, "Tis but a moment's notice and a million o' the demons will be upon us, I'll bet"!

"This may be all well and true, but we have to continue forward. This portal will lead us to the second layer and greater hazards yet. The Ruler of Dis will have many sentries and spies that will notice our passage almost before it begins. We will have to think fast on our feet or become fodder for the powers that be. Our disguise will only last so long and then the enemy will be upon us in a way that I will not describe. If anyone is not committed thus far, now is the time to turn back. It only goes from here, from bad to worse", said Maelbog ominously to his party.

"I think...", started Gabby, who was trying to cook a small bit of meat from his pack over an open flame that was spouting from a crack in the ground, "I think we could use a bit o' ale and some bread before venturing further down. It would lift the spirits, if you know what I mean".

"Damn, halfling, is that all you think about is your stomach"? questioned Scarletthorn angrily. "You might be looking at your gut turned inside out if you don't start paying attention to your surroundings. This is Hell after all, remember"?!

"Sorry, Scarlet, I haven't eaten in almost an hour! But what was I thinkin'? Perhaps you are right. I will now think about the course ahead instead of my belly", stated Gabby, "But I still say a good pint o' ale would go down right proper just about now".

"Whatever", Scarletthorn replied shaking his head and turning away from Gabby who was munching on the meat he had just roasted.

Just as the two had finished their conversation, a plume of flame leapt from the pillar of skulls next to the portal. It showed an off-green color and shot skyward. Cy was the first to act as a company of real bone devils emerged as if from nowhere. He reached for his bow and remembered that it was temporarily gone in his transformation as a fake bone devil. Instead, he shouted to his companions the alert of the approaching devils.

Verlock motioned them to silence as the bone devils advanced.

"What are you rabble doing here? You may be patrolling the area, but you are too close to the portal. This is our perimeter, not yours. What mission are you about"? questioned one of the bone devils who was their apparent leader.

"We are on an errand for the Lord of the Ninth and will not be stayed", answered Maelbog who noticed the guardian devils hadn't seen through their disguise.

"Tell us your mission and produce your walking papers", hissed the bone devil to Maelbog, swishing his tail impatiently.

"My mission is ...", started Maelbog who was interrupted by Knucklebones who had had enough of standing around and was charging headlong into the bone devil guardians fists flailing.

"You've got to be kidding", cried Scarletthorn, "Too late, fight"!

Verlock watching in disbelief at the dwarf's response, used the call word to turn the party back into their normal selves again. One of the bone devils cast a wall of ice between the party and Knucklebones to keep him separated. A thick icy barrier cut off the party from their companion. Knucklebones realized he had his axe back as he punched a bone devil in it's tight skinned jaw. He quickly released it from it's tether and swung it down on another devil's leg that was in close proximity, promptly removing the leg from said devil. Three other osulyths (bone devils) who were close by, quickly turned themselves invisible to aid in their attack.

Verlock cast a fireball directly at the ice wall in front of the party. As the fireball impacted the wall, shards of ice shot in all directions. The wall stood with a gaping hole in it. Eiledan sprouted his angelic wings and flew over the ice to land on the other side in order to engage in battle. Cy and Mythgar watched Verlock as he cast the fireball and shielded themselves as best they could from the flying chunks of ice. Maelbog flew to the top of the icy barrier and positioned himself above the fray in order to assess what he would do next. Gabby ran to the side of Verlock and grabbed his magic lute and began to play a song on it, which sent out emanations of warmth toward the ice that started to melt it rather quickly.

Two bone devils ganged up on Knucklebones as he stood in their midst. Swinging their scorpion-like tails his direction, the dwarf lifted his axe in response. With the precision of an exalted axe-bearer, the two tails fell to the ground as they came into proximity of the battle-hardened dwarf. From high above the tumult, Maelbog cast a meteor shower spell to lay low the opponents that were not too close to the main fray. Large fiery meteors began to impact on the outer fringes of the bone devils crushing them beneath their large hot orbs.

Eiledan ran toward Knucklebones with his large green sword pulled forth from its' sheath, intent on freeing the smaller companion from his devilish enemies. As he grew close to the dwarf however, a particularly savage devil slashed at him with his tail, stabbing through the skin of Eiledan with its' barbed tail, knocking him to the ground.

Cy ran toward the hole in the ice wall and started shooting bright green arrows from his emerald bow faster than any human could ever manage. Two shots found a home in a bone devil's eyes and he fell face forward into the viscera that covered the ground. Another shot launched an osyluth backward into a small stone outcrop pinning the devil against the rock. The osyluth writhed and twitched in agony, but could not free itself from the arrow stuck through its' guts.

Gabby played another tune on his potent lute that sent a calming wave over their adversaries. Some of the devils stood still after listening to the tune, but some were still engaged in red-hot battle with Knucklebones who strode through their ranks with hostility. Verlock cast another spell in his mighty arsenal. This particular spell was meant to stop time for a moment. As he said the words of this great incantation, a large bone devil leapt toward him through the gap in the ice. Verlock not having time to react, lost the spell in it's utterance.

The fiend loomed large over the wizard and prepared to lay his claws into his flesh. The quick thinking Verlock however, raised his ebon-orbed staff and cracked it over the devil's skull and stood watching as his adversary became little more than a pile of dust. The magic dwindled down quickly within the magician's staff as he looked down at his fiendish adversary and started to move forward in the rift in the icy barrier.

Scarletthorn stood on the "good" side of the ice in anticipation of what was to come. He did not risk going into battle as of yet, until the outcome became clearer. "Why jump into this just yet", he thought to himself selfishly, "If you don't know whether they can handle it alone"?

The bone devils that did not stand transfixed by Gabby's lute were still making their way toward the fallen Eiledan and Knucklebones who stood nearby. It was at this time that Maelbog flew down from atop the wall and landed within the midst of several unaffected fiends. It was just a matter of seconds before the six bone devils in front of him howled their demise at his large poisoned tipped claws and fangs. The last few bone devil adversaries that were left knew that the battle was against them and flew off as fast as they could. Cy shot down one more of them as they bolted for safer territory. The lone standing devils that were still under the persuasion of Gabby's lute were executed summarily in quick order.

Knucklebones checked over himself and noticed very minor wounds from the devil's claws, but nothing that amounted to anything. Placing his axe back into it's holster he looked toward the fallen half-angel. Stumbling over the blood and bodies and dead devils he slowly made his way to his wounded companion. Eiledan lay on his side convulsing. A light colored spittle formed on his lips and his eyes were half rolled back in their sockets. The wound from the bone devil's tail oozed a tar-like black poison. His wings flickered erratically on his back. Knuckelebones stood before him and looked down at him.

"Be there something we can do for the lad"? he beseeched.

Mythgar approached the fallen comrade and said as he knelt beside him, "I will lay hands on thee, may the Gods of Goodness take away this wound".

The paladin placed his hands on the shivering Eiledan and a bright white light shown about the wound. The wound started to slowly close, but did not close completely. "What is this"? questioned Mythgar in disbelief, "The wound should have healed completely".

"Paladin, this is Hell. Calling on your holy gods here is a gamble at best", remarked Maelbog as the fiend moved toward the two. "The poison that is coursing through him will eventually bring about the Devil Chills. If he is not healed soon ...", Maelbog did not finish the sentence and let it drop ominously.

"Can't somebody do something for poor Eiledan", cried Gabby stricken with sudden grief.

"We are not equipped to deal with this type of wound", stated Cy, "This is a mistake on the part of the Heavens to not have someone who can treat this type of malady".

"Yet again, all of this, the entire mission, all of it ... it's all a great big, dung-laden mistake", offered Scarletthorn vehemently.

"Maelbog, do you have any suggestions", asked Verlock who winced as Eiledan shuddered violently from the effects of the poison running through his veins. Maelbog stood silently shaking his head back and forth, not liking the question posed to him.

"Yes, there is a way ... but something that I am loathe to do".

"Surely nothing can be worse than watching him lay here and slowly die", the ranger stated.

"Ye gotta help him out, devil, if ye be knowin' a way", intoned the stalwart dwarf.

"It is something that will ... ", Maelbog started, "We shall see".

"If it is something that will help him and keep him from dying fiend, it is your duty to perform it. Remember, you are supposed to have turned from evil"? flatly stated Mythgar as he looked at the half angel twitching before him.

"Very well then. It will be done, but woe the results", the pit fiend granted.

Maelbog knelt next to Eiledan and gently lifted the quivering celestial from the ground. Raising him to his chest, the fiend took one of the half angel's arms and placed it in his maw. Slowly he lowered his fangs into the flesh of Eiledan, pumping his own venom into his body. The companions stood aghast as they beheld the spectacle. Watching the towering fiend bite down into their beloved comrade, was a wincing ordeal at best. Gabby actually started to "tear up in the eyes" as he sheepishly dropped his head. A scream. The kind of scream that rips boards off of buildings. The kind of scream that represents a thousand splinters jammed under flesh. The kind of scream a mother cries over the wrongful death of a child, screeched forth from Eiledan's mouth as Maelbog's poison mingled with the bone devil's. The half angel convulsed so badly in the pit fiend's arms that even Maelbog with his great strength had a hard time keeping a hold of him. Maelbog realizing what was about to come, lowered the half angel down to the ground. Eiledan writhed in agony as the two poisons made war with each other in his veins. Minutes had passed by and slowly the celestial became still.

"What is happening"? questioned Mythgar the paladin breathlessly.

"It is beginning", was all that the pit fiend offered the paladin.

Slowly, Eiledan worked his way up from a prone position into a sitting one. With his head still hung down he wretched upon the ground several times. As the party looked on, each noticed the color of Eiledan's skin turn a bright pinkish hue. He looked up with vomit on his lips and saw not the companions who watched him intently. The color in the half angel's eyes had turned from silver to a milky red. Dazed, he tried to lift himself to a standing position but, failed several times. Mythgar tried to go to him but, was warned away by the pit fiend. Finally, after several attempts, the celestial stood up.

"It is done", was all Maelbog gave, eyeing the spectacle.

"What is done"? questioned the paladin king side-glancing the huge devil.

Before any answer was forthcoming however, Eiledan spoke. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME, DEVIL"??!?!?!

Maelbog stood stiffly before him and made no response. Just as the celestial had finished speaking he again started to convulse. A sheen of sweat appeared on his body as a transformation started to take place. Long talons started to protrude through the tips of his fingers where before, had been silvery fingernails. Small fangs, that dripped with the blood of his newly pierced gums, slowly took form in his mouth. The celestial's eyes turned from the milky red to a fully burnished red, as if from hot glowing coals. The feathery wings on his back started to dessicate and turned from their bright white color to that of dull brown-gray. The transformation was mostly complete. Looking slowly back up again, Eiledan faced the devil Maelbog with the same colored baleful eyes. Hefting his sword which now glimmered weakly, he pointed it at the pit fiend.

"You have violated me! This is not me! Look at me!" screamed Eiledan. "You will pay a thousand deaths for this, I swear"!

Maelbog stood stock still.

"This travesty that you have visited upon me will be avenged"! cried the celestial.

"Eiledan, there was no other way", offered Verlock seeing the angel's dilemma.

"Shut up, filthy wizard! You were just as much a part of this as that deceitful fiend", scathed Eiledan.

"Eiledan, please", started Cy, "It was this or death".

"Then death would have been preferable! And for this transgression, all of you who witnessed, are accused of, is punishable by death"! yelled the celestial, now half fiend.

"Come to your senses, Eiledan, surely there is a way to be turned back to normal", implored Verlock the mage.

"It is done, half angel ... there was no other way. At least not here", intoned Maelbog, finally speaking.

"Damn you and your corrupt party! You should have found another way"! screamed Eiledan as he suddenly kept on changing further into a fiend.

"Your life would be forfeit, otherwise", offered Maelbog, "And besides, the transformation will only be partial. There is a way to still redeem yourself and go back to your former self".

"I hope each of you suffer an eternity of pain! This is unforgiveable"! cried Eiledan.

"Eiledan ..." started Maelbog, but it was too late.

The half angel now turned half fiend vaulted forward and rushed through the portal to the next layer. Just as he entered the portal, the party heard his last cry, "I will ensure you all pay for this dearly"!

Each companion turned to the pit fiend and started a conversation.

"What did you do to him"? asked Cy. "I gave him some of my life essence via my poison. It fought off the osulyth's poison and brought him back from the brink of death, but in doing so transferred some of my taint unto him. This is why he is changing ... this is why I was loathe to do this", gave Maelbog.

"Damn, be there no other way"? cursed the dwarf.

"No, at present, there was no other way", offered Maelbog.

"It is not good that he reacted so", stated Verlock, "And I deem he will be forever lost to us".

"I cannot believe what has transpired here", Mythgar said as he shook his head, "I just cannot believe it".

"What do you think is gonna happen to him"? asked Gabby with tears still in his eyes.

"He went through the portal to the next layer", Maelbog stated, "His life without our help is almost certainly forfeit".

"Let us follow him and see if we can find him and talk some sense back into his head", offered Cy.

"Yes, we have stayed out in the open for far too long", agreed Maelbog, "I guarantee that this small band of devils we ran into, was nothing more than a ploy to test us. I fear we have been noticed from the onset".

"Let us make haste then", seconded Verlock.

Deep within the iron fortress of Dis on Hell's second layer, Dispater the Iron King, watched the scene of Maelbog and his company unfold.

Lifting his regal head up from his scrying device he smiled, "Good, everything is going according to My plan..."

CHAPTER FOUR - WHEN THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE THERE

"Mighty Master", bowed a grizzled old pit fiend, old even for one that is immortal, "They are coming".

"I know", was all that was said in response, as a set of eyes of the brighest red closed in the all-encompassing darkness.

CHAPTER FIVE - UNCERTAIN TIES

The streets of the Hells were lined with brimming fire, paving the avenues with hot coals and acrid smoke. Of course, this was not a problem for the denizens who traversed here. On missions best left unspoke, they scampered here and there. A paticular horned devil was on a special errand for his master. He carried with him a scroll that had some vital information that needed to be delivered to his master's confidant. His master a paerliyon, a bloated, make-up wearing, dealer of secrets had sent him on a paticular mission to blackmail some of Hell's upper-middle hierarchy. The horned devil was named Tharza the Smug. He paticularly enjoyed delivering devastating information from his master to his victims. As it seemed, a couple of devils were bartering with demons from the Abyss in soul-selling to achieve some magic items that were quite powerful in order to improve their own personal status within Hell's hierarchy. Unfortunately, Tharza's boss, the paerilyon, Umshraghtu, had been witness to these events through his network of spies. Quickly, on his way throught the streets of Mildontor, he found his way to his master's partner. Walking up to twisted iron gates of superheated metal, Tharza waited as he was acknowledged by the ever-present guards. Immediately, after the guards signaled him through, Tharza went into the cavern which was just inside the gate. Coursing his way through an absolute maze of passages, Tharza having been through here many times, picked the correct course toward the center. The caverns leaked a greasy slimy ooze-like substance that smelled of burnt garbage. Finally, after some time, the center appeared. Pillows lined the interior of the spacious cavern. They were of pure purple of the finest silk. Gold and jewelry scattered the floor knee deep. Large exotic braziers were filled with incense that would cost a wagonload of gold on the prime material. Magic items littered here and there throughout the cavern. glittered brightly under the fire's glow. Sitting in the middle of the pile of pillows was an incredibly large, bloated, creature that defied human description. It's mouth was almost four foot wide, too large for it's head, and filled with rows of razor sharp teeth. It face was the parody of a clown, make-up, the kind a lady of the evening might have on, applied over heavily, adorned it. It's body was fat, and it's arms hung heavy with fat and were much to short for it's massive frame. A waft of very heavy perfume assaulted Tharza as he stood before the beast. It was a paerliyon devil. Paerilyon's were Hell's favored dealers in the things better left unsaid. If you didn't know it, but wanted too, make contact with a paerilyon and chances were high they knew it, or could readily find it out ... for a price. "Aaah, yes, beloved Tharza, how delicious to see you again"! purred the paerilyon devil, "What delicacy have you brought Bromet this day"? "Umshraghtu the Knowing, sends the mighty Bromet a small offering", said Tharza bowing before the cosmetically adorned devil. With a tongue about two feet long, the mighty paerilyon licked his vast lips as he received the scroll of information. Tharza waited patiently as the larger devil unfurled the parchment and read it's contents. "Well, my dearest Tharza, this is indeed good news"! beamed Bromet. "My master, will be glad to hear it pleases you", offered Tharza as he again bowed his horned head. "Tell Umshraghtu that I will repay him with one thousand larvae for this bit of information", gave Bromet as he looked down on Tharza. "My master seeks three thousand larvae, minimum", stated the horned devil flatly. "My, my, ever the bargainer, aren't we, Tharza"? questioned the paerilyon slyly, "And just how many of the extra larvae do you plan on keeping yourself without your master's knowledge"? "Umshraghtu would not brook the taking of larvae without his knowledge, without offering severe punishment in return", retorted Tharza with a baleful gaze. "But what the master is unaware of ... he is unaware of, if you get my meaning", replied Bromet smiling the smile of a serial killer. "I am a trusted servant of my master", gave Tharza again, eyeing the fat devil before him. "Perhaps, I will offer Umshraghtu a thousand larvae and you, my dear Tharza, another five hundred larvae in return for a favor", gleamed Bromet watching the horned devil intently. "And this offer ...", questioned Tharza with a gleam in his eye that matched Bromet's. "I have a task that needs fulfilled. One that needs to go unnoticed, if you know what I mean. Your master need not be bothered with it's knowledge. It would be a short trip for someone like yourself, and an easy mission as well", purred Bromet as the small horns on his head twitched. "Go on", said the horned devil patiently. "There is a certain group of individuals who have made their way to our most beloved home's second layer. They are here for a purpose which my small group of comrades have not yet discertained, and would gladly appreciate that information. Find this group and report on their activities and I shall reward you the five hundred larvae upon your arrival", offered Bromet lowering his enormous head and scratching his large obscene belly with his claws. "The catch ..."? Tharza asked, which was always a devil's response to any sort of bartering. "No catch. Simply, information. Filter to myself alone, this information, and be thusly rewarded. Deal"? questioned Bromet the paerilyon expectantly. Tharza weighed in his evil mind all the possibilities and concluded that this was something that could go potentially well. After all, five hundred larvae! That could be traded off with some other devils he knew and could make Tharza's life a lot more comfortable suddenly. "Deal", responded Tharza. "Very well", laughed the make-up wearing Bromet, "I look forward to seeing you again". Tharza bowed one last time and made his way out of Bromet's layer. As he flew beyond Bromet's boundaries, he wondered to himself how to obtain this information and yet doublecross Bromet at the same time. A plan started to hatch within his wicked mind... ` CHAPTER SIX - WHEN HOT GETS HOTTER The remaining companions entered the fiery portal at their feet. Even with their rings of protection, it felt as if they entered a blast furnace. As they emerged from the portal into Hell's second layer Dis, each companion fell hard onto the hot ground upon their knees. Wisps of hot smoke issued from small cracks in the layer's surface. Tall black mountains seemed to encircle the group from every side. Sharp pinnacles of the mountains shot skyward as if to cut the very atmosphere in twain. The air was thick with a smog that would choke the unprotected and cast the land about it in an enveloping gray haze. The sky was a sickly orange-green in color with fattened clouds of ash. But, what shook the landscape up the most, was the ever-present city of Dis that stood forth on the horizon. It dominated the landscape in the direction that the companions neeeded to travel. A million lights of dull yellow shown from the windows of the hellish city before them. The city of Dis seemed impossibly large. It seemed as if it were larger than the mountain ranges about it (and indeed it is). To the casual observer, one would have to be blind to miss it, stood the incredibly tall fortress of the Iron King himself, Dispater. It was located in what appeared to be the middle of the city. It stood far taller than the buildings around it. From a distance it appeared like burnished silver. Innumerable windows shown a reddish light from the second layer's ruler's citadel. An apparent heat seemed to shine from the city itself, as if it were in an invisible fire. This was the great city of Dis, home of Dispater, lord and king of all Hell's second layer. Upon arrival, Gabby the ever inquisitive halfling spoke first, "This doesn't seem like such a bad place. Look, everyone's got a candle glowing in their window. Food must be on the table and the folks are settling down for the night"! "Damn, fool halfling", smarted Scarletthorn looking at Gabby with death in his eyes, "I thought we had been through this once before! Do you forget your surroundings so easily? Where are we, Gabby? Oh, that's right ... Hell, remember"? "Do not let the city fool you, good Gabby, this is still Hell. Anything that looks as if it is okay, is most certainly the opposite", offered Verlock the wizard as he gazed at the curious lad. "I'm sorry, all. It just kinda looked, well, er ... inviting", said Gabby almost sheepishly. "Yeah, it's about as inviting as a fat lass before you've had any drinks", stated Knucklebones the dwarf who had about enough of Gabby as well. "Do you think, Eiledan might have gone toward the city"? questioned Mythgarlooking ahead. "I see no signs of his passing", said Cy the elven ranger, "I would think his blood would litter the landscape". "Are you sure of this Prince Ranger"? asked Verlock. "Yes, my good wizard, my eyes detect nothing of his passing", agreed Cy Quithall. "Forget about that idiot", quarrelled Scarletthorn, "Where and what are we going to do now"? "Assassin, as the gods in the Heavens are always before me, I will cut out your tongue, if you do not quell your trespasses"! slammed Mythgar, pulling forth his sword, "I've enough of your wicked mouth"! "You'll be dead before you can draw another breath if you so think", responded Scarletthorn whipping out his daggers in less than a blink of an eye. Mythgar moved toward Scarletthorn at the insult he used. Meanwhile, Scarletthorn brandished his throwing blades menacingly. "ENOUGH"! shouted Verlock. The mighty wizard drove his staff in between the two combatants and suddenly the air hummed with magical power. Each of the two on opposing sides, suddenly found themselves weaponless. "I will tolerate this no longer", stated the wizened wizard angrily, "If this happens again, I will personally end it. I am in no mood to be trifled with. STAND DOWN BOTH OF YOU! Do you both understand"? Mythgar looked upon Verlock as his eyes flared electricity and finally bowed his head in submission. Scarletthorn simply turned his back on both of them and kept whatever thoughts he had to himself. A time went by and finally, the large devil, Maelbog spoke, "We need tarry here no longer. Let us go". The company slowly moved forward to the looming city of Dis that lay expansively before them. A heated gust of festering wind blew on their faces as they crept on. Cy's bright green emerald cloak flailed behind him as he strode before his party in search of any signs of Eiledan's progress. Each of the companions plodded along behind Cy ever looking to the skies and terrain for any sign of inherent danger. After about two hours had passed, the party noticed two devils who were small in stature approaching their direction. They appeared little more than imps, except for the elongated stingers on the end of their tails. As the party finally reached conversational distance, the small devils spoke. "What is this, Phraethix"? asked the devil to his companion. "Pray tell, isn't it delicious, my friend", answered the diminuitive devil. "Is it something scrumptious"? asked Phraethix with drool oozing down his mandibles. "Too many of them, my precious", replied his companion. "Can we take them to their graves", asked the first again. "We cannot, my love. They have a King with them", replied Zortat the companion. "Is the king blind"? questioned Phraethix. "No, he is watching", replied Zortat. "What do we do with them"? asked the first. "Talk with them. Subdue them. Tranquilize them. Devour them", answered Zortat. "Proceed my beloved", Phrathix responded as he twitched his scorpion-like tail. Once within hailing range, both parties came to a stop. The smaller devils who were apparently deranged stopped just short of the party and began a conversation. "Are you the kings of the heavens that lay before us"? asked Zortat the scorpion devil. "What are you asking"? asked Verlock the wizard to this offering. "We seek the flesh of the good, that which is holy, the bringers of good. For we, are their downfall", intoned Phraethix. "We are the decievers, that which is unholy and unjust, and the utlimate bringers of pain", exclaimed Scarletthorn tired of dealing with devilkind. Each of the two devils looked at one another in apparent amazement. Quickly they started to talk amongst each other in secret whispers. Finally, Zortat spoke. "My cousins, the Great Dispater has long awaited thee. He has announced that all devilhood be prepared for the coming of the Heaven-front." Maelbog, the great fiend spoke next, "We do not understand the meaning of this message". "The Iron King bids us to devour Heavenkind and to rid our world of goodness", declared Preathix. "My brother, these foolishes do not know what volumes with which you speak", added Zortat. "Yes, my love, a third eye is needed, eh"? questioned Phraethix. "Delicious is, as delicious does", responded Zortat to the seemingly meaningless retinue. "Do you wish us to bring you to the Great City of Dis? Of course, for a price"? asked Zortat suddenly seeming to regain sanity. "For what reason"? questioned Verlock. "To the gathering of the Devilbrood in Great Dispater's court. He will speak before many of us this day", offered Zortat. "I believe we are quite capable of making it their ourselves", gave Verlock eyeing the two devils skeptically. "Oh, but my beautiful, you do not look to be from around here. What type of devil must you be"? questioned Phraethix more to Zortat than to Verlock. "They are the ugly brachina-kind", Zortat responded, referring to the beautiful female and male devils who tempted mortals with their stunning beauty. "They do have a beautiful one, though", Phraethix said pointing to Maelbog lasciviously. "The ugly ones and the delicious one are not familiar with the passages to the Great City. They may be killed and killed and killed before they get there. My love and I, can get you there, past the armies of armies", offered Zortat. "Let me confer with my companions on this", said Verlock as he motioned his party a small distance from the insane scorpion devils. "What folly is this? We cannot follow these two anywhere. They are not right in the mind and evil to boot"! Cy exclaimed, still eyeing the pair over his shoulder warily. "The path to the next portal down is inside the city of Dis. It is not heavily guarded, for it is under the ever watchful eye of this layer's Ruler. However, an army of guards would be on us in seconds, if we get discovered too early", hissed Maelbog quietly as he tried to stoop low enough to his shorter companion's height, so as not to be overheard. "These idiots might be leading us directly into the waiting arms of Dis himself", scowled Scarletthorn. "Methinks these lads are trouble", growled the dwarf softly, "I ain't likin' it"! "I understand everyone concern. Maelbog, do you know how to get to the next gate"? asked Verlock looking up to the giant fiend. "I know it's approximate whereabouts, but not directly", gave Maelbog. "We may need their help then"? asked Gabby shyly. "I trust this not ...", Cy began, but was cut short by a thunderous sound. On the horizon a vast army of devils began to head toward their direction. A clamour of hissing horns and the sounds of a million devil feet trodding on the heat blasted ground, resounded in their ears. Large banners displaying an anvil with horns protruding from it could be seen by the elves' eyes in the looming distance. "Quickly, a decision must be made"! stated Verlock. "Let us take our little 'friends' help for the moment then", said Maelbog looking their way, "The army will see us soon enough and all will be for naught". "Agreed for the moment", seconded Cy, who could now make out the forefront of the army individually. The companions quickly made their way to the two scorpion devils. Verlock was the first to speak. "We will take your offer of guidance to the city, but you must help us avoid the encroaching army immediately". "Yes, dearest. You are a smart one and a bright one", purred Zortat. "Name your price", queried Maelbog looking down upon them. "Five thousand gold", stated Phraethix without hesitation. He might be insane, but a devil never misses a cue when it comes to making a deal. "Steep, but we have no choice. Done then"! Verlock agreed. "But if you doublecross us, you will find a swift death". "Delighted, am I", squeaked Zortat happily, "Agreed then". "Follow us, my deliciousses, before the angry ones make it to us and have a feast"! cackled Phraethix. Verlock loosened a bag full of gold and tossed it to Zortat. "A down payment", Verlock offered. Zortat smiled between his fangs wickedly and turned with Phraethix toward a small defile in the plain. "This way", the scorpion devil motioned hastily as he walked down the incline. The companions quickly followed down the crevice and around a bend toward a small cavern. In the distance the army drew closer. The howls of the devilish army were getting too close for comfort. Just as the companions ducked into the small cavern, Verlock again warned the twin devils, "Remember, no doublecrossing. I promise you that death will be the punishment". Phraethix and Zortat strode a good distance ahead of the company. Their gleaming yellow eyes could be seen in the darkness. As they walked further, Zortat leaned close to Phraethix and whispered between his fangs, "Remember, my love, no doublecrossing. Death will be swift". Phreathix purred back, "Yes, precious, but not for us. Death will not be for us. For them. however" ... CHAPTER SEVEN - WHEN ANGELS FALL Eiledan plummeted through the portal and slammed to the ground on the second layer called Dis. Hot acrid smoke rose about him as he regained his stance. Suddenly, the smell of sulphorous ash and peat didn't smell so appalling. It was yet another reason to hate the devil who had transformed him into this parody of a fiend. His skin glistened with a pallid red hue and his dessicated wings hung raggedly down his back. Small horns jutted from his forehead. Fangs about an inch long graced his mouth. The talons that were now his fingernails flexed involuntarily. Angered and disgusted, Eiledan now fully one quarter fiend, one quarter angel, and half human stomped forward not heeding his direction. The great city of Dis lay before him even though he knew not it's name. A small legion of flying devils circled high in the sky to his left, but seemed to take no notice of him at present. The hot acrid air blew over his fiendish face as he moved slowly toward the city. The landscape was sometimes hilly and not near as flat as the first layer of Hell. There were mountains that were seemingly all around in whichever direction one chose to look. No apparent plant life of any sort seemed to abide here. It was a land of hard rocks and oppressive heat. Plumes of sulphorous smoke trickled out of cracks in the ground here and there. The city of Dis looked to be in every direction. If you faced south, there it was. North, there it was again. East and west, still the same. It was truly immense. An astute eye could see that even from a distance, the city radiated heat. Onward, Eiledan trudged. He cared not which way he went or even what happened to him. A fight, whether he be torn apart or not, would be welcome. He had been betrayed. Never, in all his long life had he been mixed in with evil. Always, a pillar of righteousness, he chose the higher path and forsook evil. Temptations he left alone. Sin, he tried to avoid whenever possible, thus his rise to half-angel, before his mortal death. As he walked forward, he examined the talons that extended where fingernails used to be. He shook his head back and forth slowly in remorse. Grasping one of his wings in his now clawed hand he looked at what was once bright beautiful feathers that were now gray and dull and ragged. Vengeance was all that he could muster in his mind. Long years he toiled for the right and the just, and in the end, THIS! His sword, which constantly hung at his hip, was just a glimmer, where once it throbbed brightly. He pulled it forth from his scabbard and stood stock still amongst the hilly landscape. With a cry of utter rage and despair, he screamed aloud, "Come, devils! Devour me! Send me from this body! Make me free of this"! As he stood at the edge of a small, blackened hill, his cry was heard. A large hellhound crept out slowly from it's hiding place. It's feral mind discerned the cry of prey. Thick, greasy saliva slavered down it's long canines. Small gouts of flame licked about it's maw. Hell-red eyes scanned the perimeter this way and that searching for a victim. Eiledan, didn't immediately notice the large hound crest the hill before him. It was as large as a pony. He was caught up in his reverie of angst. It was suddenly cut short however, when the hell hound let out a baleful howl as it crept closer to it's quarry. Lowering it's fell head and baring it's three inch long fangs, it closed in for the kill. "Want some of this, brother"? questioned Eiledan to the beast mocking himself as well as the hound. The hound moved in ever closer. "Come, see what I have to offer", challenged the fiend-angel to the dog of Hell, "But, if you get the upper hand, go for my throat and end it quickly"! The hell hound crept ever closer watching his prey intently. Once he was within a few yards of Eiledan, he sprang suddenly. Eiledan with his sword already drawn slapped the hellhound in mid air with the flat of his sword sending it flying askew of it's target. Quickly, whipping around he faced the hound as it rolled across the bleak ground and got back onto it's feet. The hound growled menacingly and lunged again, this time lower. As the hell dog barreled into Eiledan, both fell to the ground in a heap. Eiledan quickly raised his sword in front of his face as the hellhound slammed it's jaws shut very near his head. The sword just blocked the attack and Eiledan took his new found talons and raked his opponent's eyes. The dog lurched backward quickly at the assault and howled in pain. This temporarily freed the two combatants and each gained their battle stances as they circled warily. Eiledan fainted a quick stab at the hound as it circled. This made the beast vault back a bit, and Eiledan quickly moved forward in a second motion and thrust again. This time, his sword found flesh. It was not a critical wound, but did cripple the hellhound somewhat. Howling again in agony, the hellhound let out it's breath weapon. A gout of flame sprayed over Eiledan's body. Normally, this would have immolated him, but due in part to the ring of elemental protection he wore, and his newly formed fiendish body, the flames did very little to deter him. Now infuriated, the part fiend, part angel waded into the hellhounds personal area and swung his greatsword with extreme prejudice. The hellhound, already crippled, and having used it's breath weapon, only faltered at the flurry of blows it was cascaded with. Less than a minute had passed and the light in it's feral eyes grew from a bright red to a dull black. It's life essence lay about the ground around it. Eiledan, standing in triumph over the hellhound, again thrust his sword into the already dead body of the beast. He looked down and smiled at his accomplishment. Killing had never felt so invigorating before. He exulted in the new feeling that coursed through his veins. "Bravo"! came a voice not far from behind Eiledan. Quickly turning on his heel, Eiledan turned in the direction of the voice. A horned devil sat upon a rock above the conflagration and was clapping his taloned hands in apparent approval. "Are you next"? asked Eiledan pointing the tip of his sword in the devil's direction". "Why, no! I am simply here to applaud your efforts! I must say, that was quite a show of swordsmanship"! gave the devil eyeing Eiledan. "What do you want then, devil"? queried the beleagured Eiledan. "Well, if you must ask, I have been watching you for some time", offered the horned devil truthfully, "And you are a bit of an enigma to me". "Why are you watching me"? asked the part angel, part fiend guardedly. "First of all, you look as one of us, but none of us devilkind have the wings you have. Those are angelic, I'll bet", put the devil. "And your point"? stabbed Eiledan verbally. "You look like one of the newly fallen", gave the horned devil now standing on top of the rock, "Is this so"? "Why am I too offer you information fiend and better yet, why do you care"? questioned Eiledan. "My master said to be on the lookout for a party of heavenkind. So I am doing his bidding", again offered the devil truthfully, "I also know, that you did not come alone, but are now so". "Not by my design", hissed Eiledan, remembering his transformation. "No, I do not believe it to be by your design. But, I must mention that the party you had traveled with, now seek to end your existence", lied the horned devil. "I do not believe that at all", said Eiledan, "They tried to comfort me, though they have failed". "But, they do", again lied the devil as he looked down upon the tainted angel, "For they know if you are caught, you will be questioned, and should you not submit, they gentle touch of the pain devils will make you speak volumes. You being alive and wandering around alone causes great risk to their mission. A mission which they cannot fail". The horned devil simply guessed that their mission was of great importance, not truly knowing anything of it at all. "They will come for me to rescue me, but it will not be allowed", said Eiledan, "I will die fighting first". "That is precisely their hope. For if you live, you put their lives and mission in jeopardy every passing minute that goes by", said the devil flexing the horns on his arms as he embellished his speech. "They are the ones who corrupted me! Not me"! yelled Eiledan. "I am the victim here, not them"! he screamed stabbing his thumb to his chest. "Precisely", agreed the horned devil, "You are correct. There should have been another way to heal you". "Yes, this is blasphemy what they did to me", said Eiledan through clenched teeth. "I know of a way to help your condition and to pay them back for their transgressions", offered the devil slyly. Eiledan stood still as his rage over his loss consumed him. Moments ticked by and finally he spoke, "Tell me devil what is this of which you speak"? "My master knows many ways to make one such as yourself more powerful than ever. He will offer any aid you require in making your former companions pay for this abomination that they have visited upon you. He will guide you to their location after giving you powerful magics and let your revenge be whole and complete. Just look at you", crooned the devil as he produced a mirror from his person and allowed Eiledan to view himself in it. Eiledan cringed as he saw his reflection. Rage shot through his veins at a life wasted and lost to this debilitating scenario. He lowered his head and said quietly, though angrily, "What must I do to avenge this"? The horned devil named Tharza, jumped down from his perch and promptly produced a scroll of vellum and stated, "Simply sign here on the dotted line. A small drop of blood will do". Eiledan barely glanced at the contract before him. His anger and shame was so complete, he hardly gleaned the devil's comments. He took his sword and quickly slit open the tip of his finger. Fresh blood spouted forth from the nick and he placed his hand upon the parchment. Tharza eagerly rolled the contract up as the blood stained the dotted line. "It is done then", smiled Tharza ever so wickedly , "Let us go. Umshraghtu is waiting". CHAPTER EIGHT - ONE HELL OF A GOOD TIME The great city of Dis literally crawled with devils and other evil denizens. Their great lord and ruler Dispater was going to be giving a speech to his minions on this day and all from near and far were bade gather here. Dispater's great generals mustered their evil armies on the expansive parade deck in front of Dis' great iron fortress. Steel devils (who looked very human but, had compassionless expressions) patrolled the city streets for anything amiss. Large blood soaked banners were erected around the great courtyard. Many merchants who plied their trade in debauchery and dubious goods set up around the periphery. A set of devils who were in charge of admittance, took their large tome and sat it on a pedestal outside of the main gate, to log in everyone's name (not their real names, of course) that entered. Special seating was arranged near the dais that their ruler would speak from for the more important of their ilk. Slaves were prodded and poked along to set up this and that by their evil masters before the ceremony. A special large stone of incredible weight that bore the emblem of Dispater was being hauled into the main parade grounds by a great number of slaves. The stone was being pulled by no more than ropes and muscle. Those slaves that tripped or faltered were immediately crushed under foot by the slaves after them or were beaten severely by the barbed whips of their devilish masters. For every slave that fell, two were beckoned to take his place. After a couple of hours and many wounded slaves finally, the great stone was erected. Special fires were lit that glowed an eerie blue-green light in large sconces before the dais. They produced a strange green smoke that seemed to drive the devils about it into a drunken state. Large braziers full of blood were set about and lit with hellfire. The black salty smoke rose high into the bloody skies and swirled around the fortress. Tormented souls were allowed to be beaten and prodded by their fell masters for a price, simply for the amusement of the locals. Non natives who where of flesh and blood, but of slave stock, where flailed and whipped with barbed rope before the crowd. A paticular individual, a stocky dwarf, was lashed about a frame made of burning hot wires. His devilish master purred an appetizing price to the crowd for the priviledge of punishing this worthless slave. For a small fee, any devil who desired, could rip the liver out of the dwarf, as his master quick healed him, so that he could endlessly relive the agony in front of the audience. Of course, there were a large amount of hell's ilk in line to enjoy this festive event and many paid good coin to do it more than once. "Make this little maggot feel Hell's fury", cajoled his master standing above the dwarf, "Make him suffer like no other! Come, all coin is welcome! One hundred gold to sink your talons into dwarf flesh"! A cadre of dancers, some human, some elven, some of races not known by most others were going through their paces around a large tent. With heavy spiked chains wrapped around their necks and wrists, it was all the dancers could do to even move, much less dance. Their garb was scant at best. A great pit fiend stood beside the tent. He was the stable master. He beckoned to the myriad devils that stopped to admire his slaves. His profession was the blackest of the black. He dealt in the meetings between other races and devils... those of the lascivious kind. For a fee, any devil wishing to purchase his wares for a limited time, could have their way with his slaves in any way they wished, provided they didn't outright kill them. Any devil that damaged any of the pit fiend's wares beyond useability would have to pay many times the slave's worth, plus deal with the wrath of one of hell's greatest devils, the pit fiend himself. This discouraged most devils from doing any permanent harm to his slaves. It was a very lucrative deal for the pit fiend as many of hell's minions eagerly awaited a chance to encounter the fiend's goods. The pit fiend was named Glugror the Unrepentant. His slaves stared the blank haunted stare of the abused, beaten, molested, and tortured. Their necks bled rivulets of blood that gently coursed down their bodies as they tried to dance with the heavy spiked chains enveloping them. Each shook almost in a palsy like state that gauged their near death state that they had succumbed to. Each slave wanted to die, but Glugror kept them alive ... barely. The abuse they suffered from over zealous devils was an abomination at best, and an eternal nightmare at worst. And the worst part, it never ended. Each day to be traded amongst devilkind like toys amongst children. Each new devil they encountered visited upon each slave a new meaning of ferocity, anger, haterd, lust, terror, and pain. One day it was a devil that wished to flay the living skin off his victim before more nefarious deeds and another was sharp instruments being thrust into the body. And the fire, let us not forget the ever present fire ... And for any slave that didn't perform well before his customers, Glugror made sure his handy whip of flames brought them back to the fore. Plying his whip in a way that was unmercifully masterful, he literally whipped his women back into shape. "Come, my kin, endulge in the finest of delights", roared Glugror to the crowd, "They will fulfill your most evil desires"! At another tent close by, a smaller devil placed beakers full of gelatinous fluid upon his counter. The vapors that eminated from the tent caught many a devil's attention, though most of them could not afford the steep price of the intoxicants that were being offered. The devil in charge of this drug emporium was called Luesat. He was a merchant of drugs and elixirs. He wore a great green apron that bore the symbol of Dis and a small hat that sat betwixt his horns. Many jars and powders sat behind him as he bustled back and forth between his wares and a growing line of affluent customers. There were very few times in Hell in with which a devil was permitted to become intoxicated, as it didn't befit Hell's definitive structure of laws and rules. This however, was one of the times in which it was allowed. Most of the lesser devils could not afford any of the elixirs as it was primarily meant for the the well off. The affluential devils however, had no problem paying the hefty price for something that could bring about a bit of chaos to their lives. This was a diversion that was only permissible on rare occasssion, or for those of the most highest social status. Luesat bothered himself with mixing this and pouring that. A small line had formed before his garish tent and he sought to attend to each guest as quickly as possible. "What sire, will it be on this fine occassion"? Luesat asked a wealthy patron. "Bloodrot, and make it a fine one"! exclaimed a lesser noble of the second layer. "Very well, and a good choice at that", offered back the proprietor as he whisked off to gather the drink. "Here you are, mi'lord", gave Luesat as he handed over a red black drink bubbling over it's beaker, "That is, of course, ten thousand gold". "Very well then", offered the noble, "Perhaps eight thousand"? "Not likely, great one", responded the merchant. "Nine thousand and firm". "Ten thousand and firm". "How about a deal". "I don't deal with devils", responded Luesat laughing. "Very good then", laughed the noble, "Neither do I". The elixir passed hands as did the gold. The noble parted ways and strode through the crowd imbibing his drink with relish. Lemures and nupperibo, the lowest of the Nine Hell's offspring were gathered into the midst of their mightier kin and were whipped into a frenzy by talon and flame. They crashed into each other and bowled one another over as they sought to escape their superior's beatings. A game common amongst the lower regions was placing bets on the the subordinates to see which ones would last in a battle of "last man standing". The nupperibo, fat and bloated, nearly mindless, and carrying large cleavers were beaten and prodded mercilessly. They were provoked by their masters into a frenzy of hatred and pain. Each nupperibo raised his cleaver and sought to destroy anything in it's path (sometimes, even it's superiors). Each of the lesser devil brood raised claw and weapon and hacked and bit at each other for all they were worth. Many fell before the throng of spectators much to the one's who watched them delight. Gold, souls, and other nefarious barter changed from clawed hand to hooked hand faster than the blink of an eye. Blood, gore, and death were the thrill of the event. When only one of the slave kindred was left standing, only the devil's who had placed their early bets on him stood tall above their peers, advancing their personal wealth tenfold. Another area close by to the main promenade held an elf who entrails were lashed onto two hell hounds that pulled them in opposite directions ... ever so slowly.
The elf screamed in agony over and over. Just as the hell hounds that were tethered with his guts got to a point that would certainly kill their captive, they turned around and moved back toward him.