A woman stands on her porch, the light emitting from it barely piercing the cold rain. She squints her eyes, trying to make out a small form coming towards her in the darkness. It is a dog, soaked to the bone, its wet tail dragging over the concrete. The dog makes its way slowly up the steps and collapses at the woman's feet. She steps back before running inside and grabbing a dry towel. Carefully the woman wraps the dog up and carries it inside, shutting the door behind her. She dries it off and they sit together by the fireplace and fall asleep. The next morning the woman wakes up to find a damp, empty towel on her lap. She gets sleepily to her feet and looks around for the dog. Suddenly she hears a noise come from the kitchen. The woman walks through the doorway to see a little boy sitting at the kitchen table. He is small, maybe ten or so years old, with white hair that has a brown streak down the middle. The same coloring as the dog from the night before. The woman slowly approaches the table, confusion running through her. The little boy looks up at her and smiles kindly. She stops, a bit taken aback by his calm demeanor.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" She asks.
The boy tilts his head to the side. "It's me, from last night. Don't you remember?"
"I-I remember a dog," the woman replies shakily, sitting down across from him. "But certainly not a little boy."
The boy blinks. "Well, it's still me. I don't see what difference it makes."
"You don't see what difference it makes?" The woman's asks. "Yesterday you were a dog and now you're a boy."
"If I had been either you still would have let me in though," the boy replies. "Because you're a good person."
As he speaks a golden glow slides over the boy's brown irises.
The woman's eyebrows furrow. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"It means that you get one wish from me," the boy replies, holding up a single finger.
"One wish? Why? How?" The woman asks, looking at him dubiously.
"Yes, one wish. Because Lord Bee told me to do something in the human world to see what would happen," he explains. "And as a demon I can grant most of any human wishes."
"Lord Bee? A demon?!" the woman exclaims, starting to stand up.
The boy thinks for a moment. "Yes, I'm a shape-shifting demon under the command of Lord Bee. You humans mainly know him as Beelzebub, I believe."
The woman goes pale. "That isn't possible."
The boy stares at her for a moment. Then suddenly his form begins to shift and he turns into a blue and gold parrot. The parrot perches on the back of the chair and tilts its head.
"Is it possible now?" it squawks.
The woman backs against the wall, her eyes wide. "Please leave me alone. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I want you to leave."
The parrot shifts back to the boy. "Is that really how you're going to waste your wish? I'm going to leave anyway, so why wish for that?"
"I..." the woman begins, unable to think of a reply.
The boy gives her a dull stare. "Just wish for something, it's simple really."
"Anything?" the woman asks.
The boy nods, examining his fingernails.
The woman takes a deep breath. "Then I'd like to see my husband again."
The boy looks up at her. "Was your husband a bad man?"
"No."
The boy sighs. "This is going to be tricky then, we demons aren't typically allowed in the heavenly realm."
"Then you can't do it?" the woman asks, her heart sinking slightly.
"Well, Lord Bee did say he wanted me to make something interesting happen, " the boy says, shrugging. "Come on then, let's find your husband."
He holds out his hand. The woman hesitates for a moment before shakily taking it. There is a second of darkness before light. The woman looks around to see fire raging across a land of dark rock. Is this Hell? She thinks, looking on in horror.
"Hang on, let me call Lord Moloch," the boy says, holding out his palm.
A dark crystal appears above his outstretched hand. The woman gasps as she realizes that the boy's form has changed once more.He is now a small red demon with fangs and scales. The demon pays no mind to her and taps the crystal, which opens up, and from it a ghastly face is projected.
"Hello, Lord Moloch," the demon says. "I was wondering if you could transport me somewhere. I'm on a mission from Lord Bee."
"And why should I care about what mission that moron has sent you on?" Moloch asks in a monotone voice. "It probably isn't anything important anyway."
"Please?" the demon asks, crossing his arms. "He would owe you a favor afterward."
Moloch thinks for a moment. "Fine, where are you?"
"At the cliff before the gates," the demon replies.
Moloch disappears from the crystal's projection. Then the woman claps her hands over her mouth as he appears behind them, towering over both. The demon looks at her and shakes his head, turning to Moloch.
Moloch gestures to her. "Who is this?"
The demon shrugs. "I didn't get her name, but she is necessary for the mission."
"It's Lily," the woman says, trying not to meet Moloch's eyes.
Moloch gives her a blank stare. "So, where do you need to go, Pwyll?"
"To Lord Asmodai," Pwyll replies.
"Fine then," Moloch says, holding out his hands. "Be quick about it."
Lily grabs his massive hand quickly and suddenly they are in a different place, one with less fire. Moloch releases them and disappears as quickly as they had arrived.
Pwyll begins to walk towards a large structure in the distance. "This way Lily."
Shrieks and growls come from every direction as they make their way to the castle. Pwyll seems calm, while Lily shakes uncontrollably. Finally, they reach the castle, but at the entrance stands a huge beast. It is a large lion with a snake for a tail and glowing red eyes. Pwyll hisses angrily at it, flipping it the bird, before walking past. The beast steps back and lets them through, glaring at Pwyll. They enter a large throne room and in the throne sits yet another demon. Pwyll bows and Lily quickly does the same, scared out of her mind.
"Does Bee need something from me Pwyll?" the demon asks in a booming voice.
"Yes, Lord Asmodai," Pwyll replies. "We need to reach a soul located in the heavenly realm and we require your help."
Asmodai's eyes narrow. "If you want what I think you want, I suggest you go talk to Asmodeus."
"Lord Asmodeus is not quite as merciful as you," Pwyll explains. "Plus Lord bee likes you better. He'll owe you for this too."
Asmodeus raises his eyebrows.
"I will take over for Thammuz for a week so that you may hang out?" Pwyll suggests.
"Lord Thammuz," Asmodai corrects.
"Lord Thammuz," Pwyll repeats. "Is that a yes?"
Asmodai sighs. "Fine, but this is strictly a one time thing."
Pwyll bows low. Asmodai glares at him before whistling loudly. A large bat soars in from an unseen place, clutching a large orb in its talons. Asmodai grabs the orb and takes a deep breath. Then the orb begins to glow and a humanoid face appears in it.
"Asmodel," Asmodeus says. "I have a request."
"Go rot you demon scum," Asmodel replies murderously.
"We have a human here who would like to commune with a soul if you don't mind," Asmodai says in a stern tone, holding the orb out towards Lily. "Certainly you'll do it for her?"
Asmodel looks at her. "Miss Arguel, I suggest you not hang around with this filth, it is pure blasphemy."
"They said they would grant me a wish and I simply want to see my husband," Lily says, her eyes watering.
Asmodel stares at her coldly. "That is not how things work around here, now return to your home and pray, that is how you will see your husband again."
"Please, Holy Asmodel," Lily begs, her voice cracking. "I just need to see him again."
"Please show mercy," Asmodai agrees.
Asmodel glares at him. "Do not toy with me or this holy woman. Return her to her home at once!"
"She just wants to see her husband," Pwyll exclaims. "How can you be so cruel?"
Asmodel's eyes glow dangerously. "It will not happen for her in this lifetime or the next if she refuses to heed my warning!"
Tears stream down Lily's face. "Please."
Asmodel's eyes narrow and he shakes his head. The orb goes dark. Lily collapses and begins to sob.
"I'm sorry, Lily," Pwyll says. "We did not foresee this."
"Take her home, she has been through enough," Asmodeus agrees.
Pwyll touches Lily's hand and she appears back in her own bed. Pwyll is nowhere to be found. Tears still burn her eyes as she tears down the cross that hangs over her bed and throws it against the wall.
"My, my, my."
The scene freezes in that moment, captured in a glowing orb.
"You did well, Pwyll," Beelzebub cackles.
"Thank you, Lord," Pwyll replies, grinning. "Humans are quite easy to manipulate."
Beelzebub smirks. "Yes indeed, I wonder what else we can do."
