“Well? Who are we going for?”
“Don’t know. Can’t decide. They’re both a good choice.”
“Why not both then? I’ll make them go to the alley and attack each other, then I’ll hold one down while—”
Jack and Miles gasped as their pendants pulsed with heat against their chests. Though it had never happened before, they knew exactly what it meant and dashed to the nearest hiding spot behind a dumpster. In an instant, before either could say anything, the vacuum took them back to Gaap’s seal in the transportation chamber. The chamber was full of other demons, all dressed differently for the various places they were brought from. It was clear who got to work in the warmer climates and who had to suffer harsher winters.
The one thing they all had in common, however, was an expression of confusion and concern. Jack tried to listen to the mumblings or read anyone’s faces to find someone who could give insight on what was happening, what this mass return might mean, but got nothing. Slowly the crowd moved forward through the portal where they shed their clothes, and to the desk to return their pendants. Jack had not caught any souls yet that day, but the nervous looks of Gasyaxe’s servants meant it likely didn’t matter. Something more serious was happening.
Well-dressed guards flanked the desk and the route to the next seal, and Jack recognized the sigil of Beelzebub on their vests. “Return your pendants and go to your houses immediately!” they shouted. “No speaking. Move along.”
Jack nodded to Miles as they separated at the seal, and he went to the house of Andromalius without delay. An endless sea of demons was gathered outside the castle, which seemed no farther away than usual despite being surrounded by no less than billions of servants and guards. This was a scenario he had experienced before; there would be an address by Lucifer himself, and it must be a big one if servants were called back from Earth en masse without warning.
The gathered population was mostly silent, with only the sounds of shuffling feet and the occasional brave soul that whispered something. Finally, Andromalius exited his castle, descended the stairs while surrounded by guards, and a smokey projection appeared before the entrance, the room dimmed to near darkness as the shape of Lucifer from the waist up appeared to all clearly in white smoke. Though the smoke made him appear like a heavenly angel with white wings and body, the horns on his head were the reminder that the Dark Lord was nothing of the sort.
“Greetings,” Lucifer said in his booming voice, though there was no pleasantry in his tone. “I’m sure the sudden return of all external servants has been cause for alarm, as it should. President Malphas, whom you know monitors supernatural enemy activity, has notified me of an incident that has taken place on Earth. Prince Buriel has been summoned by humans, foolish ones that let him free.”
Gasps were heard from all around. Jack’s jaw dropped.
“That is a bad thing for obvious reasons,” Lucifer continued. “However, what’s more concerning is that there was an occurrence of strong angelic power at the place of his summoning. Whether this is coincidental is unknown, but it means we cannot take any chances. Effective immediately, all external servitude is suspended indefinitely. Malphas’s servants have done what they can to cover up evidence of Buriel’s…actions, but I have withdrawn them as well. Your house leader will inform you of changes in duties from this point forward. Rioters will be punished, as always. Goodbye.”
The smoke disappeared, the room was alight by the fire again, and demons all around struggled to remain silent, instead exchanging glances of worry and confusion. Suspended indefinitely. Jack remained still, staring at the castle, wondering what he was going to do all day and if he’d ever see Miles again.
Andromalius had ascended the stairs again and faced the crowd. His voice boomed as if he were standing right near each demon. “My loyal servants,” he said, “because those who do their work on Earth are of higher quality and usefulness, external servants will be taking over some of the internal duties. Those whose work is transferring to them will spend their time in their cells other than to eat.”
These words brought a roar from the crowd, mostly from those who would likely have their duties changed to occupying a cage for nearly twenty-four hours a day, but also some who probably felt internal duties were beneath them. Jack didn’t like either option, but remained silent and still. A loud crack filled the caved area and everyone who had been speaking was shocked as if a lightning bolt had struck them.
“Silence!” Andromalius boomed. “Anyone who defies new orders will be punished for the amount of time in which external servitude is suspended, which could be a very long time. Until these new duties can be sorted out, external servants will return to their cells immediately.”
Jack sighed, and as the disgruntled crowd dispersed, he made his way to the lodging quarters and climbed into his cage. As he stared at the ceiling he thought about Miles. He would probably make some joke about Buriel wreaking havoc on Earth, using that as his entertainment while he was likely locked up just as Jack was. But Jack saw no humor in the most vile demon having free reign out there, probably killing people in horrible ways. Angelic power. His curiosity grew at the thought that maybe there were others like him on Earth, but playing for the other team. In all the time he’d been a resident of Hell—which he had no idea how long that was—he had never witnessed any “angelic power” from anyone. Perhaps it was invisible. Perhaps those people that had strong white auras were some kind of angel. But would he be able to read an angel? Did they have souls? Maybe it was just some angel that was sent down for the moment and was no longer there. Or maybe there’d be a war, and Lucifer would make them all be soldiers in battle, and maybe in a battle he could see his friend again. He knew he was probably the only demon in all of Hell that actually cared about someone else. Except it seemed the feeling with Miles was mutual.
What did I do to deserve to be in this shitty place for all eternity?
* * *
Jack had fallen asleep among his thoughts, but was jolted awake by a banging on his cell door. “197!” a guard’s voice said. “Andromalius wants you.”
Suppressing a groan of disappointment, Jack tried to convince himself to enjoy the opportunity to walk around. He climbed out of his cage and made his way to the castle, thinking of what news was awaiting him there. Again he was escorted to the earl’s throne room and again he was pushed to kneel on the red velvet carpet.
“My Soul Reacher,” Andromalius started. “I hope you know I would never make you stay in your cell during these unfortunate times.”
Jack didn’t know what an appropriate answer would be so he said nothing.
Andromalius seemed amused by the lack of response. “Your modesty is so strong, I think it will get you in trouble one day. Hopefully not. I’m sure you really enjoyed that treat I gave you not long ago.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good. I’m disappointed that you won’t be able to use your true talents now, at least for a while, but as my most loyal and obedient servant I would like to have you work here with me.”
Jack swallowed and said nothing.
“Now, most demons would be eager to serve me directly like that. Are you not honored that I would choose you to serve me here in my castle? My chambers?”
“I—yes, sir, I am.”
“I do not appreciate lying, and I will punish it.”
Jack began to shake. “I’m not lying, sir. I am greatly honored that you would choose me, and I will serve you with all of my soul, and do your every bidding with honor.”
Andromalius smiled. It was the same smile he’d had when giving Jack the strawberry—intense enjoyment at watching his servant be overcome by his exertion of power. “Very good, Soul Reacher. I know that you will. And you will be greatly rewarded for exceptional service, this I promise. But first, a test.”
The earl motioned for Jack to come closer, and he crawled toward his leader until he was right at the foot of the throne. Andromalius held out his serpent between them.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“You’ve met Alice before,” the earl said, “but you’ve never had to witness her true power. She’s very powerful indeed. Anyone who serves me in my presence must pass a test by Alice. She’s a bit of a Soul Reacher herself, detecting who is worthy of serving me and who is worthy of getting thrown out. Though I think she will approve of you, I must test it. That modesty, that sensitivity of yours, it’s not a good thing. It helps your soul reaching powers, but it does not do you any favors when it comes to inner strength. I must make sure you have inner strength as well. You must prove it to Alice.”
Without another word, Andromalius nudged the snake toward Jack. She eagerly wound her massive body around him, a thick, slimy body that seemed to grow larger by the second. Jack’s heart pounded as the serpent coiled around his entire body until only his head and legs were visible, and squeezed.
Panic filled him as his chest was prevented from expanding and his throat was clamped shut. The urge to writhe, to scream, to beg for mercy was intense, and as the terror rose the snake curled tighter. As dizziness hit from lack of oxygen, all he could think of was death, that he was going to die and Andromalius would be disappointed and—
I can’t die.
Jack remembered the demons that had been temporarily destroyed by Buriel, that even though they had experienced agony and terror, they had been put back together and returned to duty with no residual effects. This is the test. As he felt himself beginning to fade out, he pushed away the urge to fight back and instead accepted the pain, knowing it would end and he would be fine. This seemed to make the snake suddenly constrict extremely tight, crushing his ribs and arms in painful snaps, but he redirected any focus that was drawn to the pain to instead fuel a semblance of calm. You’ll be okay. It will end. You are strong. Just before Jack was to succumb to the suffocation, the serpent released him and returned to her master.
Collapsed in a gasping heap at the feet of his leader, Jack did not move, his broken bones radiating pain all over.
“Excellent,” Andromalius said. Jack could hear the grin on his face, and it sickened him knowing the earl had enjoyed the scene immensely. “I will have my guards take you to President Osé, then you will return here to begin your work. You make me very proud, Soul Reacher.”
* * *
Jack had not expected the repair process to be as agonizing as the injuries themselves, but was also not surprised. Some of Osé’s servants had held him down while others healed him with powers gifted by the president, all without a single word spoken. Jack had felt the bones moving back into place under his skin, the cracks sealing as he screamed. He couldn’t imagine what the demon who had been turned into flaming goo had experienced in the healing chamber.
Given no recovery time, Jack had been sent on his way back to Andromalius immediately, still aching. But he didn’t dare show any of it in front of the earl. Upon returning to the castle he was led to his first assignment by a guard. The door to a massive, humid, dim room opened and he was pushed inside without explanation.
He was surrounded by giant tanks, each filled with a variety of snakes. Their mini habitats were lavish, made up of logs and plants and swamp-like areas. Some of the snakes were quite small while others were even larger than Alice.
“197.”
Jack jumped at the sound of the voice. Another demon, a servant dressed exactly like him, approached from another door. The look of scorn kept Jack silent.
“You’re the Soul Reacher, aren’t you.”
Jack nodded.
The demon walked closer, scrutinizing him curiously. “You’re not gonna rub that in my face?”
“Why would I do that?”
“The most elite external servant is in the presence of a pathetic internal guy like me. You should be spitting on me right now.”
“I’m not like that.”
The demon stared, his curiosity now mixed with surprise.
Jack ignored it. “So, do you know why I’m here?”
This seemed to break the demon from his thoughts. “Oh. The earl wants to have you care for his serpents. I’m supposed to teach you how.”
Jack looked around the massive room. “All of these? By myself?”
“You have no idea what an honor it is to have this job.” The demon glared at him. “These are the earl’s most prized animals, and he trusts very few servants to care for them. I’ve been doing it for a long time, and now I’m getting sent to my cage indefinitely because he wants you to do it instead.”
“Oh. Shit. I’m sorry.”
The demon’s eyes widened slightly, and after a moment’s silence he said, “What did you say?”
“I…I’m sorry you’re losing your job.”
“Are all Soul Reachers like you?”
“What do you mean, ‘like me’?”
“You know. Nice.”
Jack thought a moment. He was being nice, which would probably be frowned upon, but he couldn’t help it. “I don’t know,” he said. “I never thought about that. Haven’t met any others actually.”
“Really? Me neither, but considering how nasty regular external servants can be to guys like me, I just assumed you’d be, well, worse.”
Jack shrugged. “Well, I’m not like that. And maybe if you take your time to show me around this place, that’s less time you have to spend in a cage. And we can blame any delay on me asking questions.”
Pure shock showed on the demon’s face. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. Now teach me how to not royally fuck up this job, please.”
* * *
During every shift, Jack pondered whether cleaning up the excrement of over two hundred snakes really was more honorable than spending that time locked in a cage. Despite being praised for his work by Andromalius himself, and receiving a pillow every night as a reward, he longed for the tiny bit of freedom he’d once had every day on Earth. At least I’m not killing people. But many times he wished he could go back to the terrible deed just for a breath of the glorious fresh air.
He had counted ten shifts now, and with no news about Buriel, he was beginning to think he should stop counting and accept “indefinitely” to mean “eternity.” After finishing shift number ten and heading to the lodging quarters, he was intercepted by two guards bearing the sigil of Paimon on their vests.
“King Paimon wishes to speak with you.”
The guards gave him no chance to respond, and he had no words anyway. The Great King of the west was requesting him, had sent for him, something that hadn’t happened since his first days in Hell. He was whisked to the transportation seal and once in the central area of the west, was led swiftly to the massive castle.
Inside he was hit with blasting music, heavy and melodic, similar to Buriel’s but with more positive vibes. Despite the excessive volume, it was more enjoyable than the silence of Andromalius’s castle. He had to ascend three flights of stairs to reach the throne room of the great king, and when the door to the room opened, the music was even louder. Jack winced, but tried to hide it to avoid offending the king.
“Hello, Soul Reacher!” King Paimon’s voice was louder than the music, which Jack did not think was possible. He knelt on the velvet floor and resisted the urge to cover his ears.
“Hello, sir,” he said, not comfortable raising his voice more than normal while speaking to such a superior.
“Oh, sorry, so sorry!” Paimon boomed, and with a wave of his hands the music faded, become soft in the background. “I just love music, you know.”
Great King Paimon sat upon a throne not much different from the earl’s, other than it was made from gold. He appeared younger and more slender in a flowing black robe and black boots. Long blond hair framed his effeminate face and was topped with a jeweled golden crown. Beside him lay a camel, its legs tucked up under it and black beady eyes judging the newcomer. Jack hoped there would be no “tests” involving the beast.
“You must be wondering why I have called for you.” Paimon’s voice echoed in the room.
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, as you might have guessed, Buriel has yet to be located. The bastard is no doubt on a killing spree, but unfortunately President Malphas has been unable to track him. Buriel isn’t using strong enough demonic powers to be detected, and Lucifer is understandably nervous about sending demons out there to search all over for him. Risks of a holy war, for example. You know, if he sees demons searching all over for him, he might recruit them for some sort of army. Would get ugly. But if we knew exactly where he was, it’s more likely we can sneak up and catch him and bring him back with minimal damage.”
Jack sat silent, not understanding why he was being told all this.
“Yes, yes, ‘get to the point’ you’re saying. Lucifer has suggested we monitor incoming humans for any that may have been killed by Buriel. They could give us information, you know. Where they died, for example. And the best choice for someone to do this sort of…screening…is Soul Reachers. Newcomers are still human-ish when they first arrive, therefore you should be able to read them, yes?”
“Um…I suppose so, sir.”
“You suppose so.” Paimon’s jovial tone darkened along with his expression. “Do you know why I have called you separately from the other Soul Reachers of the west?”
“N—no, sir.”
“Because you are not like the others. All of you are powerful, yes, but the vast majority of Hell either does not know of your immense power, or does not appreciate it enough. And as I’m sure you know, the west is not appreciated for its greatness—with the exception of Lucifer, of course. We are good friends, you know. The west does not have as many Soul Reachers as other regions, but we are lucky to have the best one right here.” Paimon’s smile returned. “Anyway, I am asking you to prove to everyone how great we can be here. I want you to be the one to find the best intel on Buriel. I want to see the other kings impressed by your abilities. And I want to see Lucifer praise you. And as a result, the west will be respected.”
Jack began to tremble. He saw nothing but failure ahead.
“Are you accepting of this honorable challenge?”
There was no choice. “Yes, sir.” His voice was noticeably weak.
Paimon scrutinized him. “Andromalius claims you are very courageous and strong. I see none of that right now. Was he lying to me?”
“No. No, sir. I can do it. I will do it.” He hoped his effort to make his voice stronger was working. “I will do everything I can to make you proud. To prove our greatness. This I swear. Sir.”
“Very good. Starting tomorrow you will be reporting to Gasyaxe. This is not a demotion as your fellow Soul Reachers seem to think. You are doing crucial work. The knight will explain in further detail what you are to do.” Paimon waved to dismiss him. “Go. Rest. I am putting all my faith in you.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
Jack was sent back to his house alone, and once in his cage, buried his face in his pillow. It took every effort to push away what he imagined would happen if he failed. And he was certain he would.