A man, naked and charred, gripped at his leg, wailing down at the red clay earth. His hands were bloodied, bones peering out from beneath sliced skin, and they tried to draw out his own, or perhaps his sympathy. The demons eyes looked down at the dead man and he pondered the fragile creature for a handful of moments. They stood just beside the sea of ragged bodies- the newly arrived sinners from the Gate- marching off toward the Palace. The man at his feet was not the only soul wailing- they all were- screaming and crying things he'd heard thousands of times before. None of this was new. None of this phased him. With an annoyed flick the demon brushed the creature off of him and kicked him back into the Sea of the Damned. He fell into a handful of others- but they were so dazed and grief stricken that they only pushed the thrown man out of their way, making sure not to help him up once he fell under their feet.

Vaylian watched as the poor soul was crushed under the feet of the thousands swarming the path. The screams raised high above the others and continued for some time- for he would and could not die now. The blue demon scanned the crowds again, bringing a claw up to his mouth to pick at something caught between his teeth. His arrowed tail swished once before he felt a familiar presence by his side. He turned his black eyes on Ashirom, a fellow demon that aided him in scouring the Sea for any out of the ordinary activity. The lesser demon cleared his throat and held up some parchment into his companions face,

"Master bids you appear before him." 

"And what is this?"

"Your contract of employment- it has something to do with it, I assume." And at once they were off, jogging alongside the Sea, headed toward the palace.

***

Once they arrived to the main gates of the Palace Ashirom stopped and bid him farewell, claiming that he had no business to see their master other then to send Vay on his way. The demons parted without another word. He shouldered past the mortals until he reached the head of the line- where normally Satan would be seated. However his throne was empty at the moment, it seemed, for whatever reason. He thought it odd that he was sent for but not met. Just then a curtain was drawn from beside the throne and a short demon poked their horns out from the shadows. Vay stood on attention as this demon strolled out only to beacon him with a hand into the darkness behind the curtain.

"Master," he called once behind the curtain, "you have summoned me."

As his eyes adjusted to the dim light he noted that he was in the corner study of Satans right hand and that this was his first time being here. Three others besides himself stood within the room. The largest of which sat at its center, the embers of his eyes glared down at him as they spoke,

"Summoned, yes. Summoned is exactly what you have been." Croaked the demon, exhaling vapors as it spoke.

"You confuse me." Admitted Vay, keeping his expression even and stoic. The master demon shifted where he sat and clapped his hands once. A circle of light at the center of the room burst to life between them. Suddenly Vay knew exactly what was going on.

"You've been promoted. Your first assignment awaits."