Vex could hardly contain his glee as he finished his meeting with Thompson, the hapless mortal bureaucrat twisted into Damien’s loyal puppet. Soon Vex's intricate web of lies and exploitation would finally draw all his playthings into his grasp.

"Excellent work securing the permits, my good man," Vex purred, placing a hand on Thompson's shoulder. "I could not ask for a better pawn."

Thompson nodded; his eyes glassy. "I live only to serve you, Master Vex."

Vex chuckled. "Yes, so you do, so you do."

He glanced at the documents Thompson had provided, sanctioning the joint portal expedition by those meddlesome guilds—such delicious irony to using the mortals' own rules to enable their doom.

Vex could already taste the banquet of anguish ahead as he finally dragged all those troublesome thorns down into his realm. No more resisting his exquisite torments.

And once their heroic little squad passed through the portal's threshold, the transformation could begin. The darkness lurking in their souls, which he had cultivated so lovingly, would rise to the surface. His grip on their minds would become absolute.

"Please, Master Vex, if I may ask...what will become of me once your great work is complete?" Thompson enquired nervously.

Vex flashed a razor smile. "Oh, I have special plans for you, my pet. Your loyalty warrants a reward."

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Thompson sagged in relief. "You are too kind, Master."

"Indeed," Vex purred. But inwardly, he imagined the delicious agony in store as he transformed this groveling insect into the lowest of demons, an eternity of torment to repay Thompson's aid.

Of course, Vex would have to be cautious not to let that wretched demon Damien learn of his plans. Damien had always envied Vex's clever plots and detested his methods. Their rivalry went back eons.

No, Vex would keep Thompson and the coming ruin well hidden from Damien's prying eyes. This triumph would be his alone to savor, no meddlesome demons permitted to spoil his feast.

Soon, all his enemies who dared resist him would meet terrible fates, minds shattered, bodies mutated into horrors. Vex would unleash them as his army upon the mortal world in an orgy of long-awaited ruin.

Let those fools Masters and Fournier believe they pulled his strings. In the end, they would see the demon lurking underneath the mask of man. Then his true feast would begin at last!

Vex threw back his head and laughed wildly, savoring the impending moment when all his clever plots came to wicked fruition. Let the pathetic mortals stock their little trove of treasures and glory. Real power awaited on the other side of the portal, power to sunder their realm completely. Soon, all would be his!

Thompson shuffled nervously into Damien's darkened sanctum, clutching his permit documents. The silhouette of the demon lord materialized from the shadows.

"Master Damien, I have done as you bid in following Vex's instructions," Thompson began hesitantly.

Damien's eyes glowed red in the gloom. "Yesss, Vex believes you are his loyal pawn. Continue playing the fool for now."

Thompson nodded. "Of course, Master. But his realm beyond the portal...Vex means to lure the guilds there for some vile purpose."

"Pay his mad schemes no mind," Damien hissed. "You must not let Vex draw you into his twisted domain, where his power is unfettered."

Thompson sagged in relief. "Thank you for your wisdom, Master. Vex is cruel and fickle, but you have always been just and reasonable."

Damien waved a clawed hand idly. "Think nothing of it. I protect my investments. Now go, maintain appearances with Vex. But do not follow where he leads, no matter the honeyed words."

"As you command," Thompson replied gratefully. He felt calmed knowing the rational Damien still held Vex's leash, keeping the sadistic demon's depravities in check.

Thompson departed to continue playing his role in their intricate schemes. He trusted Damien to steer them safely through the coming tempest. Whatever Vex had planned, Damien would ensure Thompson emerged unscathed.

With his true master's steady guidance, Thompson feared no darkness ahead. Damien's light would reveal the path through the coming chaos. All Thompson need do was obey and leave the fates of those meddling guilds to his betters. His own survival was all that mattered.