Xander strolled down the main thoroughfare of the cemetery, trying to peer
through the thick haze that obscured anything that was more than ten feet
in front of his face. Xander cautiously looked left and right, on the
lookout for danger. Unknown and unseen to him, other forces at play were
also protecting him from danger.
********
The screams and moans of the tortured dead greeted Abishai as he exited the shimmering portal and stepped into the Realm of his banished Master. As the portal began to warp and bend, one of Baatezu's personal servants made a break for it.
Abishai made a move to stop the fleeing servant, but Baatezu held up his terrible hand, instantly halting the movement of his Second-In-Command. Baatezu looked on in amusement as his servant approached the portal. The instant that Baatezu' s servant touched the portal, a red haze enveloped his form. The servant began to scream in pain as every bone in his body was horribly broken. Collapsing to the ground in a shapeless heap, the servant began to moan in terrible agony as his body burned from the inside out.
Baatezu rumbled with laughter as he stood to address the damned. "Let him be a lesson to all who would try to escape! Only Abishai has been especially enchanted with the ability to leave this plane. Now remove the remains of that traitor!" The servants nearest to the portal raced to collect the smoking lump of protomatter that formerly was Baatezu's servant.
As his servants carried out his bidding, Baatezu returned to sit on his throne. Once again he raised his terrible hand and spoke aloud. "Abishai, my faithful servant, come forth. I await your report."
Abishai looked away from the scrambling servants toward his Master's throne. The throne seemed almost alive in the dim light that prevented the denizens of this realm from viewing the full form of Baatezu. The throne was a horrible creation, made of the remains of those who displeased Baatezu at one time or another. Those who displeased Baatezu the most, had their heads adorned on His throne. Many new additions to the throne oozed blood and gore, especially where the newest head was perched. Even one as evil as Abishai shuddered in barely hidden fear each time he viewed the throne.
Abishai, acknowledged Baatezu's order and bowed before the throne of his Master, awaiting his bidding. Baatezu addressed his servant in a voice that made the earth tremble, "Abishai, the time of my return is nigh upon us. Is all in preparation for The Choice?"
Abishai lifted his head and looked his Master in the eyes. "Yes Master, the Two have been chosen. All that remains in our preparations for your triumphant return to Earth is the coming of the Dark Moon."
Baatezu laughed evilly, "Excellent. I shall await your return at the appointed time with the Two. Now go! Return to Earth and resume your protection of the Chosen One. Nothing must prevent my return to the realm of humanity!"
Abishai rose from his knees and turned towards the trans-dimensional portal. As he approached the only exit from this realm, Abishai paused to spit on the location where the cowardly servant perished. Having done this in honor of his Master, Abishai stepped through the portal and returned to the mortal plane.
********
The screams and moans of the tortured dead greeted Abishai as he exited the shimmering portal and stepped into the Realm of his banished Master. As the portal began to warp and bend, one of Baatezu's personal servants made a break for it.
Abishai made a move to stop the fleeing servant, but Baatezu held up his terrible hand, instantly halting the movement of his Second-In-Command. Baatezu looked on in amusement as his servant approached the portal. The instant that Baatezu' s servant touched the portal, a red haze enveloped his form. The servant began to scream in pain as every bone in his body was horribly broken. Collapsing to the ground in a shapeless heap, the servant began to moan in terrible agony as his body burned from the inside out.
Baatezu rumbled with laughter as he stood to address the damned. "Let him be a lesson to all who would try to escape! Only Abishai has been especially enchanted with the ability to leave this plane. Now remove the remains of that traitor!" The servants nearest to the portal raced to collect the smoking lump of protomatter that formerly was Baatezu's servant.
As his servants carried out his bidding, Baatezu returned to sit on his throne. Once again he raised his terrible hand and spoke aloud. "Abishai, my faithful servant, come forth. I await your report."
Abishai looked away from the scrambling servants toward his Master's throne. The throne seemed almost alive in the dim light that prevented the denizens of this realm from viewing the full form of Baatezu. The throne was a horrible creation, made of the remains of those who displeased Baatezu at one time or another. Those who displeased Baatezu the most, had their heads adorned on His throne. Many new additions to the throne oozed blood and gore, especially where the newest head was perched. Even one as evil as Abishai shuddered in barely hidden fear each time he viewed the throne.
Abishai, acknowledged Baatezu's order and bowed before the throne of his Master, awaiting his bidding. Baatezu addressed his servant in a voice that made the earth tremble, "Abishai, the time of my return is nigh upon us. Is all in preparation for The Choice?"
Abishai lifted his head and looked his Master in the eyes. "Yes Master, the Two have been chosen. All that remains in our preparations for your triumphant return to Earth is the coming of the Dark Moon."
Baatezu laughed evilly, "Excellent. I shall await your return at the appointed time with the Two. Now go! Return to Earth and resume your protection of the Chosen One. Nothing must prevent my return to the realm of humanity!"
Abishai rose from his knees and turned towards the trans-dimensional portal. As he approached the only exit from this realm, Abishai paused to spit on the location where the cowardly servant perished. Having done this in honor of his Master, Abishai stepped through the portal and returned to the mortal plane.