by Vincent Culp

Created on: February 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Garag was ushered unceremoniously into the palace throne room by a pair of burley guardian type angels. With their shining spears they prodded him along as he walked, wounding his pride more than his thick, scaly skin.

The throne room blazed with the light of a thousand torches, forcing him to squint to keep his eyes from burning. Little by little as they adjusted to the bright light he began to make out shapes in the glare. Pillars of the purest white marble ran the length of the immense hall, flanking him on both sides and forming a pathway down the center towards the throne. The throne was a single piece of diamond, pulled from the bones of the earth and carved by hand for millennia. Its facets threw a dazzling mosaic of color throughout the hall, illuminating the faces of the multitude of lesser angels who served Him that stood surrounding his throne. And as Garag's eyes cleared he beheld Him. There on the throne he sat, dressed in shining silver armor, with his wings spread majestically. His lord and master, he who spoke into the darkness and gave it life, the ruler of all demons, the king of the nether realm, and the mightiest of the fallen angels. There seated regally, gleaming in all his pride and power, was Satan himself.

As he approached the raised dais which led to the throne the angels brought the butts of their spears down on his shoulders and forced him to his knees. One of the lesser angels, the one with the youthful face and shining blue eyes he knew as Gabriel the Messenger, stepped forward to speak.

"I am sent by he which is all love to seek answers." His melodious voice sang out like the shimmering crystal he stood before, and its very virtuousness stung Garag's ears. "I have been led to believe that it is you who may have them."

"I beg your forgiveness Lord," he said, responding to the man on the throne rather than to Gabriel. "I know not of what he speaks."

Gabriel spat with distain towards the trembling wretch. "You will speak to me when I address you demon!" His arm shot out and he pointed an accusing finger towards Garag. "I am of the understanding that there is one of your kind loose upon the earth, and I am also told that this creature is one of your minions." His eyes caught fire and blazed with a bright blue flame. "This is a violation of the Covenant that binds all creatures of this plane, and if it is true, your existence and the existence of that creature, will be eradicated."

Garag shivered beneath the angel's wrathful gaze. "I assure

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