FOUR
The demon moved through the chambers of the underworld. It knew those
chambers well. And even in its human form, no demon would dare oppose it. It
stood just over six feet tall with dark hair. It was wearing a suit and tie as
many humans did. That was only fitting. It spent a great deal of time on the
mortal plane. As the demon approached the chamber ahead, two demons stood on
guard outside.
"Greetings, Raynor," said one of the demons. "The Source has told us that
he as sent for you. But be warned. The advisor is with him right now. And you
know how he detests humans. I would advise you not to enter the chamber in your
present form."
Raynor simply nodded. He knew who the advisor was. All demons knew him.
The Source had many advisors but only one that he trusted as completely as this
one. As Raynor entered the chamber, he changed from his human form to his
demonic form. The advisor hated anything that dealt with humanity. He had been
known to vanquish demons simply for the appearing before him in human form.
Raynor wasn't sure even the presence of the Source could temper the advisor's
hatred.
The demonic form of Raynor was impressive. Standing some seven feet tall
it was a uniform black all over. On the head and hands were red tribal
markings. Markings that identified who, and what, it was. Markings that were
well known throughout the entire underworld. The markings of the Brotherhood of
the Thorn, personal servants to the Source of all Evil.
"Hello, Raynor," said the Source as Raynor entered the chamber. "You know
Malevant, of course."
"Of course," said Raynor. "I was told you wished to see me."
"Yes," said the Source. "It will be only a moment."
The Source turned to Malevant. The latter demon resembled Raynor but only
superficially. It stood some seven feet tall and its skin was a dark green -
nearly black - with bright yellow markings. Markings very dissimilar to those
of Raynor. Its eyes glowed bright red like two piercing spotlights in the dark.
"Malevant, I need you to tend to those matters immediately," said the
Source. "Very soon my enemies will be vanquished and when that is completed I
have other plans that will need tending. I know I can count on you."
"As always, my liege," said Malevant, bowing slightly to the Source.
Malevant nodded slightly to Raynor, and then turned and moved from the
chamber. Although of the same height, Raynor was bulkier than Malevant, making
him appear larger. Still, Malevant's temper and power were near legendary in
the underworld. And as the personal favorite of the Source, he was able to take
liberties that no other demon would dare.
"Raynor," said the Source, "I have a mission for the Brotherhood."
"As always we are here to serve you," said Raynor. "This must be some
mission. You rarely call on the entire Brotherhood. What adversary could be so
dangerous and powerful that it would require all of us?"
"Belthazor," said the Source. "Very soon I shall destroy the Charmed
Ones. But Belthazor is a thorn in my side. Since his powers have been stripped
I have not seen the need to deal with him though he betrayed me. That has
changed."
"I don't understand," said Raynor. "How could Belthazor be a problem? He
has no powers. He is a mortal. Even the lowest of demons would be more than a
match for him."
"But he has knowledge," said the Source. "And as the humans say,
knowledge is power. He aids the Charmed Ones against me. Within a matter of
days I shall put into action a plan that is guaranteed to destroy those accursed
witches. But Belthazor's knowledge of the underworld could complicate my plans.
He must be removed if I am to succeed."
"I don't know," said Raynor. "You know it is not a question of loyalty,
my lord. But Belthazor is a member of the Brotherhood. We have never
vanquished one of our own before."
"None has ever dared betray me as Belthazor has," said the Source, his
anger flaring. "He vanquished the Triad. He helps and protects the witches,
especially the middle one. I will not tolerate betrayal even by one of the
Brotherhood. I have sent two demons to vanquish him but both have been
destroyed by the Charmed Ones. Now, I will send enough demons to destroy
Belthazor for good."
"I understand," said Raynor, his brow furrowing. "What are your
instructions?"
"All ready a Slasher and Sona have been vanquished," said the Source.
"The witches protect Belthazor. So I am sending you and the Order of Tallock in
together to destroy him."
"The Order of Tallock?" questioned Raynor. "Surely you are aware of the
animosity which exists between them and the Brotherhood. Do you think it wise
to send us together on this? They may seize the opportunity to strike at us."
"I have all ready spoken with Bellock," said the Source. "He understands
that if the Order tries anything but destroying Belthazor I will be very
displeased. He will give you no trouble."
"Very well," said Raynor. "Have you a plan in mind?"
"Yes," said the Source. "Bellock will attack with others of his fellow
demons. That should keep the Charmed Ones busy. They will make it appear that
they are there for Belthazor. That should put the witches on the defensive and
try to get Belthazor away from the battle. While they are battling with the
witches, I want you to take others of the Brotherhood to shimmer in and vanquish
Belthazor. That is your only priority. Once Belthazor is vanquished, those
which survive will return to the underworld."
"What if we have the opportunity to dispose of the sisters once Belthazor
is vanquished?" asked Raynor.
"No," said the Source. "Leave the sisters to me. I intend to deal with
them myself. So that there are no failures. You are simply to destroy the
traitor."
"I understand," said Raynor.
"Good," said the Source. "Bellock will contact you shortly. You can make
whatever arrangements you need for this mission. Once you have sent me word
that Belthazor is out of the way, I will deal with the sisters."
"As you wish, my lord," said Raynor.
Raynor turned and left the chamber. As he did, he resumed his human form.
He didn't like this mission. Traitor or not, Belthazor was still a member of
the Brotherhood. He had been ordered to do a lot of things he didn't like since
becoming the head of the Brotherhood of the Thorn. But this one was the most
distasteful of all. Raynor thought about the turn of events as he moved through
the underworld looking for Bellock.
The demon moved through the chambers of the underworld. It knew those
chambers well. And even in its human form, no demon would dare oppose it. It
stood just over six feet tall with dark hair. It was wearing a suit and tie as
many humans did. That was only fitting. It spent a great deal of time on the
mortal plane. As the demon approached the chamber ahead, two demons stood on
guard outside.
"Greetings, Raynor," said one of the demons. "The Source has told us that
he as sent for you. But be warned. The advisor is with him right now. And you
know how he detests humans. I would advise you not to enter the chamber in your
present form."
Raynor simply nodded. He knew who the advisor was. All demons knew him.
The Source had many advisors but only one that he trusted as completely as this
one. As Raynor entered the chamber, he changed from his human form to his
demonic form. The advisor hated anything that dealt with humanity. He had been
known to vanquish demons simply for the appearing before him in human form.
Raynor wasn't sure even the presence of the Source could temper the advisor's
hatred.
The demonic form of Raynor was impressive. Standing some seven feet tall
it was a uniform black all over. On the head and hands were red tribal
markings. Markings that identified who, and what, it was. Markings that were
well known throughout the entire underworld. The markings of the Brotherhood of
the Thorn, personal servants to the Source of all Evil.
"Hello, Raynor," said the Source as Raynor entered the chamber. "You know
Malevant, of course."
"Of course," said Raynor. "I was told you wished to see me."
"Yes," said the Source. "It will be only a moment."
The Source turned to Malevant. The latter demon resembled Raynor but only
superficially. It stood some seven feet tall and its skin was a dark green -
nearly black - with bright yellow markings. Markings very dissimilar to those
of Raynor. Its eyes glowed bright red like two piercing spotlights in the dark.
"Malevant, I need you to tend to those matters immediately," said the
Source. "Very soon my enemies will be vanquished and when that is completed I
have other plans that will need tending. I know I can count on you."
"As always, my liege," said Malevant, bowing slightly to the Source.
Malevant nodded slightly to Raynor, and then turned and moved from the
chamber. Although of the same height, Raynor was bulkier than Malevant, making
him appear larger. Still, Malevant's temper and power were near legendary in
the underworld. And as the personal favorite of the Source, he was able to take
liberties that no other demon would dare.
"Raynor," said the Source, "I have a mission for the Brotherhood."
"As always we are here to serve you," said Raynor. "This must be some
mission. You rarely call on the entire Brotherhood. What adversary could be so
dangerous and powerful that it would require all of us?"
"Belthazor," said the Source. "Very soon I shall destroy the Charmed
Ones. But Belthazor is a thorn in my side. Since his powers have been stripped
I have not seen the need to deal with him though he betrayed me. That has
changed."
"I don't understand," said Raynor. "How could Belthazor be a problem? He
has no powers. He is a mortal. Even the lowest of demons would be more than a
match for him."
"But he has knowledge," said the Source. "And as the humans say,
knowledge is power. He aids the Charmed Ones against me. Within a matter of
days I shall put into action a plan that is guaranteed to destroy those accursed
witches. But Belthazor's knowledge of the underworld could complicate my plans.
He must be removed if I am to succeed."
"I don't know," said Raynor. "You know it is not a question of loyalty,
my lord. But Belthazor is a member of the Brotherhood. We have never
vanquished one of our own before."
"None has ever dared betray me as Belthazor has," said the Source, his
anger flaring. "He vanquished the Triad. He helps and protects the witches,
especially the middle one. I will not tolerate betrayal even by one of the
Brotherhood. I have sent two demons to vanquish him but both have been
destroyed by the Charmed Ones. Now, I will send enough demons to destroy
Belthazor for good."
"I understand," said Raynor, his brow furrowing. "What are your
instructions?"
"All ready a Slasher and Sona have been vanquished," said the Source.
"The witches protect Belthazor. So I am sending you and the Order of Tallock in
together to destroy him."
"The Order of Tallock?" questioned Raynor. "Surely you are aware of the
animosity which exists between them and the Brotherhood. Do you think it wise
to send us together on this? They may seize the opportunity to strike at us."
"I have all ready spoken with Bellock," said the Source. "He understands
that if the Order tries anything but destroying Belthazor I will be very
displeased. He will give you no trouble."
"Very well," said Raynor. "Have you a plan in mind?"
"Yes," said the Source. "Bellock will attack with others of his fellow
demons. That should keep the Charmed Ones busy. They will make it appear that
they are there for Belthazor. That should put the witches on the defensive and
try to get Belthazor away from the battle. While they are battling with the
witches, I want you to take others of the Brotherhood to shimmer in and vanquish
Belthazor. That is your only priority. Once Belthazor is vanquished, those
which survive will return to the underworld."
"What if we have the opportunity to dispose of the sisters once Belthazor
is vanquished?" asked Raynor.
"No," said the Source. "Leave the sisters to me. I intend to deal with
them myself. So that there are no failures. You are simply to destroy the
traitor."
"I understand," said Raynor.
"Good," said the Source. "Bellock will contact you shortly. You can make
whatever arrangements you need for this mission. Once you have sent me word
that Belthazor is out of the way, I will deal with the sisters."
"As you wish, my lord," said Raynor.
Raynor turned and left the chamber. As he did, he resumed his human form.
He didn't like this mission. Traitor or not, Belthazor was still a member of
the Brotherhood. He had been ordered to do a lot of things he didn't like since
becoming the head of the Brotherhood of the Thorn. But this one was the most
distasteful of all. Raynor thought about the turn of events as he moved through
the underworld looking for Bellock.