Wolves and Realms: before

A deep, dark cave

The blood red hound limped through the dark tunnels; its fiery orange eyes dimly lit the path ahead. It's paws left scorches on the cold, uneven stone. The demon turned a corner. Ahead of it was a cavern littered with stalagmites and stalactites. Serpent-like creatures weaved around the monstrous formations. Some emerged from orifices bored into the edge of the extensive space.

Hellbound looked over it all. His body began to light up like molten metal. The hound shape that the demon had taken began to transform. He grew a much longer, more reptilian body. Another pair of legs burst out from the scaly creature. His claws became longer and sharper. Torn wings erupted from his back, extending high above his head. Sharp horns pushed out from the back of the skull which the demon wore. When the burning light faded, Hellbound looked different. Very, very different. He opened his three eyes and then ran down to the other serpent creatures.

They were like him except most were larger. Many were red but there were some that were a dark blue and others that were an extremely deep purple. Hellbound walked forward, past the other demons. Finally, he reached a huge column of cooled magma. He crawled through a hole and made his way to the chamber within. There were several demons gathered around stone tables, drinking molten minerals from bedrock chalices. At the far end of the chamber was a bar built out of slabs of rock. Running it was a blue demon with azure eyes. The skull on its head was stone grey and the horns attached pointed back, ending in a sharp, almost spear-like point. Hellbound approached the demon. There was a moment of silence between the two before the blue one spoke.

"Ah. Bound. I thought you were trying to... What was it? Oh yes. Dominate the world." Mocked the blue demon.

"Don't make a mockery out of me, Asmodeus. I don't see you ruling anything outside of your tavern." Hellbound retaliated.

Asmodeus laughed. "Of course you don't see me ruling anything outside this tavern. I gave up my rulership to run a life of my own. My purpose now is to bring pleasure to the masses. Intoxicating drinks, stunning shows staring yours truly-" Asmodeus began to brag.

"Where is Apollyon? I need to see him this instant!" Interrupted Hellbound.

"Bound. My brother. Do you really think Apollyon isn't busy running the rest of the Netherworld?" Replied Asmodeus. He gave off a chuckle. "You really think he'd want to talk to the runt of the litter?"

There was a huge thud. Silence fell over the tavern and it's inhabitants. Asmodeus stared at the source of the sound, wide eyed. A large demon with eerie black scales stood at one of the entrance holes. The tip of its tail faded into a midnight blue. Its eyes were grey and the skull over its head was adorned with bone spikes and two ram-like horns.

"You were saying, Asmodeus?" Hellbound teased. He turned to Apollyon. "Father. It's so great to see you. I-"

"To you, Bound, it is Lord Apollyon!" The demon king growled.

"Y-yes. Of course... My lord. I have come here to request troops. The surface dwellers are far more able than I thought. I will not be able to overwhelm them alone."

The room was silent. Then came a booming laugh. "I can't keep a straight face with you, Bound. Do you truly think the surface dwellers are strong? No, Bound. You're just a weak and puny disappointment. You want to take over the surface?" Apollyon laughed again as he looked around at the tavern's guests. He then turned to Hellbound with a much more serious and angry look on his face. "I'd like to see you set foot up there without being turned to ashes. You think I'll waste good men on you? No. I'd rather be thrown into the distant void of space. Now, what I can get you is a pathetic disgrace of a possessed wolf. Bloodhound! Get here now!"

A red wolf walked in slowly. A ring of decaying flowers sat on his head.

"This? This is what you send me?" Hellbound looked into Apollyon's grey eyes. Apollyon's cold gaze struck a sense of fear into him. He knew at that moment that talking back would get him killed. "I... I will see what can be done." Hellbound walked past the demon king, looking back at the faces staring at him one more time. He crawled out of the column with the red wolf in tow. Once more, he reached the overhang in front of the cave entrance  which overlooked the civilization. He looked down at it, his fiery eyes burning with anger. "One day, my new slave. One day this place will be as lifeless as the cold extents of space."

Bloodhound stared at the demon, a blank expression on his face.

Hellbound transformed once more into his wolf self. He let off a maniacal chuckle as he walked through the tunnel that had bought him into the Netherworld.