Damonculous looked the five humans over. They had been picked by Persius and brought to him for his approval. Each of the men was a warlock. Each was powerful in their own right. And each seemed very interested in this being of seemingly ultimate power.
"They are all warlocks?" Damonculous asked.
"Yes," said Persius, smiling an evil smile. "I've worked with most of them before at one time or another. You can count on them."
"Persius says you have a job for us," said one of the warlocks. He was average height for a human. He had red hair and was clean-shaven except for sideburns that ran all the way down the sides of his head. "My name is John Pollock. And I don't come cheap. I've vanquished upper level demons when they've gotten in my way. This job must be something pretty big for Persius to bring me in on it."
"Indeed," said Damonculous. "Only it is not a 'job', as you put it. Nothing so mundane as a simple mission. You are to be part of a new order. An order without Elders or demons. An order under the leadership of my fellow Gray Council members and me."
"A new order, huh?" questioned Pollock. "That's a pretty tall order. No Elders or demons? You must be crazy if you think you can get rid of all of them."
"You are arrogant for a human," said Damonculous. "I should dispose of you right now."
"Damonculous, wait," said Persius. "You have to understand the world we live in. Warlocks are considered the lowest form of evil here. Even the lowliest demon has a higher status than we do. And there are some pretty powerful demons out there, not to mention the Elders, witches, and others. It would be like someone coming to you and claiming they could wipe out this Gray Council."
"That is not possible," said Damonculous. "Our power is too great."
"That's what I mean," said Persius. "John isn't arrogant. He just needs to be convinced that you can do what you claim. Like I had to be convinced."
"I see," said Damonculous. "Very well. With you help I will rid you of your greatest enemies. And, if what Persius has told me is true, cripple the forces of good in such a way that they cannot possibly recuperate from it."
"Our greatest enemies?" questioned Pollock. "That could only be..." His voice suddenly trailed off. He chuckled aloud. "You're talking about the Charmed Ones. You're planning on going against them? Now I know you're crazy. No one who goes up against those witches lives to tell about it. They'll vanquish you the moment you appear in their manor."
"They did not so earlier," said Damonculous. "Had it not been for the demon that protects them I would have had the power of the Elder they now protect. I wasn't prepared for the demon. But with your help, I will destroy these Charmed Ones and get the power I desire from the Elder?'
"If you're so all powerful," said Pollock, "what do you need us for? I know the demon you're talking about. His name is Belthazor. He supposedly betrayed the Source. And he's extremely powerful. But he's nothing when compared to the Charmed Ones. He should be easy for you to deal with."
"You are insolent," said Damonculous. "But Persius is correct. Perhaps I do need to prove myself to you. It has been a very long time since I walked among mortals. And it seems you humans have forgotten who your true masters are.
"I need your help to gain the power of the Elder. With it I shall be able to prevent all beings of magic from using their power, not just those who use good magic. The plan is really quite simple. We shall return to the home of these Charmed Ones. Once there, you will need to keep the demon occupied while I drain the Elders' power. When that is accomplished, we shall dispose of the witches."
"Go against the Charmed Ones and Belthazor in their home?" Pollock questioned. "With an Elder thrown in? That's suicide. You want us to fight the most powerful witches in history, one of the most powerful demons from the underworld, and an Elder all at the same time? Might as well just kill us now and save us the trip."
"The witches and the Elder will be of no concern," said Damonculous.
"Their magic is not available to them. I have blocked all those who use so-
called 'good' magic. Once I have the power of the Elder, I will be able to
block those who use so-called 'evil' magic as well. Save for those who follow
me. You will need only concern yourself with the demon. And you need not even
vanquish him. Simply keep him occupied so he cannot interfere while I take the
Elders' magic."
"The Charmed Ones don't have their magic?" questioned Pollock. "Are you sure?"
"Trust me," said Persius. "He can do what he says. Now, John. What do you say? One demon against the six of us? And when it's over we can kill the witches and take their power as well. Nothing will be able to stand against us then. Not even the Source. And when Damonculous is finished, we'll no longer be the lowest of the low. We'll be superior to all the demons who spit on us now."
"This isn't going to be a fight," said Pollock smiling. "It's going to be a massacre. When do we do it?"
"What is that phrase Persius told me about?" Damonculous asked.
"No time like the present," said Persius, smiling.
"Yes," said Damonculous. "It is time this petty dispute between good and evil was ended. Keep the demon occupied long enough for me to get to the Elder. Once I am finished with him, I shall dispatch the demon. Then, the witches and their Whitelighter will be yours to do with as you wish."
"What about the witches powers?" Pollock asked. "If you've blocked it then it won't be any good to us when we take it."
"As I said," said Damonculous, "once I have the Elders' power I can block all magic save for those who follow me. Help me accomplish my goal and you will have the full use of any powers you gain from the witches."
"What are we waiting for?" Pollock asked. "Let's get going."
Damonculous waived his hand and the entire group vanished from the house.