Filet of Soul

All's Well That Ends Well

Zag approached Atticus' prone form and dragged him into the magical circle. He looked up at Zane, "This might work." He removed the soul-safe orb from his own neck and placed it around Atticus'.

Zane understood immediately, "Do you think this will work? He can take your place?"

Zag smiled hopefully as he re-traced the circle's outline where Zane had smudged it out to release the demon, "We'll know in about ten minutes."

"And if it doesn't work?"

"Well," Zag replied in a hushed tone, "I'll dissolve into nothingness."

Zane tried to look cheerful as he clapped Zag on the back, "Well in that case, let's hope it works."

"I'll second that."

As they waited nervously, Zane's phone rang and he answered. He spoke for about five minutes, sounding cheerful and even laughing twice. When he hung up, Zag was about to ask Zane about the call when the lights began to flicker.

Zag closed his eyes tightly and his heart pounded like a timpani. The floor and walls began shaking. It became chillingly cold in an instant. Then all the lights went out.

Zane called out, "Zag, are you all right!?"

The lights came back on, revealing the hulking blue form of Zag, smiling broadly, "I'm still here!"

Zane pointed to the now empty circle, "But Atticus isn't...where do you think he went?"

"If I had to guess," the ecstatic demon replied, "I'd say the deepest level of Hell."

"Won't they know it's not you?"

"I don't think so, the orb is empty, I failed. Baal said I would be sent straight to the torture pits and my name would be forever stricken from all records. I would just be another anonymous demon in service to Hell."

Zane smiled, "That's encouraging."

"Who were you talking to on the phone?"

"That was Dara, she asked about Atticus."

"What did you tell her?"

Zane chuckled, "That he quit the band and I had their money. She asked if you were sticking around and whether you'd consider being the new lead singer for the band. I said that I thought you might."

A broad smile spread over the demon's face and a tear welled in his eye.
"Hell yes I will!"

Zane put his arm around Zag's shoulder.
"I think this calls for a celebration, let's find you some cotton candy!"

Atticus awakened to the gentle prodding of a moist misshapen hand. He looked up into the dull eyes of a swollen scarred creature that looked a lot like a toad. The smell of sulfur permeated the air. He was in an immense cavern lit by a thousand fires. The creature spoke to him.

"We were expecting you, our shift is about to begin. You better get up, these souls won't torture themselves."

Still groggy, but strangely unafraid, Atticus rose to his feet, aided by the beast.
"Where am I?"

"Level 27, you must have fucked up pretty bad to be sent here."

"Here?"

"Yeah, wow, you're really out of it," the creature smiled, "It's actually a pretty good gig. Torture damned souls for half the day till the next shift takes over and then off for the other half. My name is Asmordus, by the way."

Atticus looked around. The sounds of tortured souls echoed through the huge chamber. Groups of grotesque beings wandered around. A smile spread across his face.
"Torture the damned, huh? Cool!"

"Yeah, cool," Asmordus agreed, "what should I call you?"

Atticus stood tall walking alongside his new co-worker. He thought about what he wanted to be called. Finally it hit him, he grinned happily, "Call me Destroyer."

"Okay Destroyer, follow me."

As the two walked to the torture pits, Atticus turned to his companion and asked, "Do you play an instrument, Asmordus?"

The great beast grinned shyly, "I play bagpipes."

Atticus clapped him on the back, "Bagpipes, awesome. Let's talk when our shift is over, I got a great idea for a band."

And they all lived happily ever after.