Order of the Golden Dawn (Neophyte Series 2)

CHAPTER 18 : A DEAL WITH A DEVIL

        Knowing that I was being watched from high above my head, I felt uncomfortable, but I turned to look into the eyes of my host; being extra cautious not to step into the room in fear of attack.

    'What are they?' I inquired, my eyes glued to the horrific beasts.

    'Sub-creatures.' Belial answered plainly. 'Savage animals; hopeless souls who have been tortured for countless millennia.'

    'Will they come down here?' I asked, imagining the wretched creatures falling upon me.

    'Not unless they are summoned. Worry not, my friend; they are under control and would have much to lose from defying their master.'

    'Who is their master?'

    'I am, of course. I am a Demon Lord. My position is to oversee them and most importantly, keep them at bay.' I took a step back; fearful that I was standing in the presence of a man I would never have guessed to have such ties. From where I stood, I inspected his impressive wing span. He certainly did not look at all like I had expected a Demon Lord would look; his wings where beautiful and majestic, his demeanor so friendly. While I stood silently in shock, he turned to address the monstrosity next to me.

    'Thank you for your help Mary; you are excused.' The bloody demon who had guided me there bowed silently and turned back to the mystical hallway of the reflective world.

    'That thing has a name?' I asked; utterly perplexed that something so grotesque could have any human attributes.

    'Of course she has a name. Mary was a representation of a psychotic aunt who used to abused your friend Lewis Carroll when he was a child. She is long since deceased, and has been waiting here for her fear for many years.'

    'Waiting for her fear? Enlighten me.' He gestured for me to move toward the front of the room, where upon a platform with many stairs, several bowls were filled with an unusual sparkling liquid.

    'When a soul is worthy of Hell, the personal power it possesses here is based on how much fear and anguish it had inflicted in accordance with its time on earth. Mary had a particular talent of looking into a person's true self and tearing it to shreds. Now that her most fearful memories have been unleashed from her victim himself, she will grow all the more powerful. It's wretched when you think about it; but hey, I don't make the rules.' He shrugged.

    'So what happens to her now?'

    'She will roam the world she has created until she . . . finds what she's looking for.'

    'What is she looking for, exactly?'

    'More fear of course. Here in Hell, fear is power, and the more fear she instills, the more powerful she will grow. Fear not, though; like all my minions and sub creatures, she can only be unleashed if she is called upon. Now, come have a seat; we have much to discuss.'

    'Wait; what world did she create?'

    'Mary has created the eyes of the reflective world; been working on it for many years. She will roam her new home for all eternity, unless she is unleashed from Hell of course. Enough small talk; as I said, we must talk.'

    That was the third time he mentioned that we were in Hell. Though I wanted to ask him to repeat himself, I was terrified of the answer. He perched himself upon a very grotesque throne, and gestured for me to sit before him on the floor at his feet. Not wanting to take any chances, I confessed that I would rather stand, to which he responded with laughter.

    'My dear boy; I am the ruler of this realm. I was not suggesting you sit before me; I was demanding your knee.'

    'You wish me to kneel before you?'