Mulguran appeared before him, his tall, lean body twitching in rage. His long leathery wings stretched wide. Turning his head, his horns seemed to glow. The demon’s long sharp fingernails gently scraped against his throne but his gaze sent a shiver of terror through him.

“Plans have changed.” Mulguran hissed. “If my forces fall, you will be my hands. I’d prefer to kill her myself though.”

“Must she die?” he asked. “Why now? After all these years? It was only months ago you told me she needed to live.”

“Do not question me!” the demon barked. “I will decide. Not you. And I have decided now. That is all you need to know.”

“Yes, master.” he nodded.

“You will head for Unari,” Mulguran ordered. “In the woods, a few miles off you will find two more of my servants. Lead them to the city. If she fails, it will fall to you to finish the job.”

He tilted his head up, his black robes obscuring his face in shadows, “It will be done, master.”

“I don’t have time to babysit you.” Mulguran looked upset, as usual. “It must be swift. If the Emarine catch wind of you, you won’t stand a chance against them.”

“Why are they not our targets then?” he asked. “With the element of surprise, we could slay them and be rid of all your problems.”

“Don’t be a fool.” Mulguran sneered. “Humans are weak. Even with my power, they would slaughter you. No, their time will come. Their deaths must be public. For all to see.”

A look of worry and fear in the demon’s eyes demanded his close observation.

He looked wounded. Fearful and most of all, tired.

For so many years, the man in black had waited patiently, watching for any weaknesses to exploit and this was the first he had ever seen.

Mulguran feared something. Or someone.

“Is there something wrong, master?” he asked cautiously.

Initially, Mulguran hissed in anger at the question but his eyes softened ever so slightly. He couldn’t believe it but a look of genuine panic crossed his demonic face.

“He…” Mulguran hesitated. “He has come back.”

“The Dyaddan?” he asked.

His master hissed, “Don’t use that name with me.”

“Forgive me. But why now? He has been hiding like a coward for decades.”

“Certain events have transpired.” Mulguran sneered. “I need more power. I need more time. He’s still too powerful for me even after all these years.”

“What will you do?” the man in black asked.

He glared down at him but to his surprise, Mulguran confided in him. “He has come out of hiding but I don’t know what his plan is. We just fought and I barely escaped. I have to hold him off until the time comes for you to make your final move. In the meantime, I have nearly conquered the planet. It should give me enough power to defeat him.”

“I am honored to aid you, master.” he bent his head, hiding his gritting teeth. “What can I do to make it easier for you?”

“Your job.” the demon hissed loudly. “Do your job. I will handle Him.”

Regret and shame washed through him like fire burning at his soul. Ever since that day, he wished with all his might he could take it all back but alas, he had sealed his fate the moment he had given himself to Mulguran. That one moment of anger.

“The time is coming. Soon I will have them all where I want them.” Mulguran smiled. “Trapped like caged animals. And He will watch as I destroy them.”

“What if I am discovered in Unari? Xerath is no fool,” he asked. “I will do the deed if need be, but I fear he will recognize me this time.”

“He is fool enough to believe you to be a friend.” Mulguran pointed out. “It doesn’t have to be in Unari. I’d prefer you kill her in Xerixes but she fled. We will have to wait until my forces drive them back. Then you will do it. As for Erik, he may die yet. He is gravely wounded and is on death’s door. With any luck, he will die.”

“Yes, master.” the hooded man said. “It will be done.”

“Time is short.” Mulguran scratched his chin.

“Must I bring the others? They will only get in the way,” he asked his master.

“Do what you will. But they will meet you in the forest.” he sneered. “Afterward, you will meet me at our rendezvous. But stay clear of the Emarine or you will die. And I have need of you yet.”

Mulguran squinted his eyes, burning bright red, a hint of yellow flickered in them as if on fire. “Don’t fail me,” he said in a low menacing voice. “My plans are so close. There’s no room for error.”

“I won’t fail you, master.”

“Pray you don’t.” the demon flared his eyes.

Mulguran looked down at him and sneered in disgust, “Serve me well, and you will have a place in my new world. I’ll even let you settle down with another family if you so choose. But don’t ever think you can break free of me. I can feel it in you. You are so close to achieving what only others can dream of. My new world will be perfect. And if you continue to please me, you will be the head of it all.”

The man in black lowered his head in shame and fear. “I need to be more careful with my emotions.” he thought. “He saw right through me.”

“Don’t falter now.” Mulguran hissed.

The image before him was one of a nightmare, the demonic being before him crushed all hope and humanity from him, peeling back his soul like a leech. Shivering in pain and the mere presence before him, the hooded figure flattened himself to the ground, getting as low as possible.

“You can never be forgiven.” Mulguran mocked. “I own you. Your soul is mine. And I can take it back in an instant. You have so much potential and yet..” he trailed off. “I have such high hopes for you.”

“I am yours to command, master.” he relinquished any notion of defiance.

“That’s better.” Mulguran smiled. “Here’s more, in case you forget who you are.”

The tall demon looming over him, pulled out his wrist and sliced his flesh, causing small droplets of blood to drip down onto the back of his head. He immediately pulled his face up and opened his mouth to taste the black sticky blood. His body serged with energy and his mind cleared.

“Now.” Mulguran said quietly. “The only thing I want from you is when you’ve finished the job. I’ll see you at the rendezvous.”

Before the demon left, the man in black once again noticed the arm he had pushed through the portal looked to be pale. His suspicions only grew.

He’d have to bide his time, waiting for the perfect moment.