Minor Demons by Randall J. Morris

going to allow that sort of shit to continue. He grabbed his scythe, disappeared from his office in a torrent of black fire, and appeared right behind Venom. He punched Venom through the back and his fist came out through Venom’s chest. Venom fell on the floor of Hell and oozed a black, blood-like substance. Cain let go of his scythe and it levitated in the air. He pointed at the summoner on his left and then at the one on his right. The scythe sailed through the air and decapitated both summoners and then returned to Cain’s outstretched hand. Baal whispered in one of his messenger’s ears and the messenger vanished.
    “LUCIAN! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!”
    Lucian appeared in red flames in front of Cain, also wielding his scythe.
    “You’re going to pay for that. You just killed one of my middle demons and two of my minor demons. I’ve already sent a messenger to the Dragon and he agrees that I’m to take you into custody. You’re looking at demotion for this one, Cain.”
    “Well there are a couple of problems with that, Lucian. First, I don’t believe you. There’s no way you’ve talked to the Dragon already. Second, you’ve tried to take me into custody before and you couldn’t do it then... so what makes you think you could do it now?”
    Everyone in the audience was shocked. The other major demons were at a loss as to what they should do. Middle demons and minor demons started to form ranks behind Cain and Lucian but both of them waved their armies off.
    “So how does it feel knowing that my nephew kicked your son’s ass? I guess you must have been expecting it since you already had your backup plan in place.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never asked Venom or his summoners to do anything. How do you know Nightmare wouldn’t have caught your nephew’s blade mid-strike and then kicked his ass?”
    “Maybe its how quickly Shadow knocked him over and stabbed at his throat. I’m guessing that’s what convinced me.”
    “Why are you hiding behind the little demons-in-training, Cain? If you want a piece of me, take a shot.”
    “Gladly.”
    Cain and Lucian lunged at each other but Baal brought his scythe down in between them before they could collide.
    “Enough. I have the official decision of the Dragon right here.”
    Baal’s messenger was bowing at his side and Baal opened a scroll and held it out for everyone to see Satan’s personal insignia.
    “The Dragon has decided that I will oversee this match. Cain will lose the newly opened position of middle demon of torture to pay for the loss of Venom. A new instructor will be appointed that the six major demons will vote on after the match and the new middle demon instructor position will report to the Dragon directly so that nothing like this ever happens again.”
    “The Dragon also said that Cain and Lucian are to return to their offices. Satan has given me temporary command of his personal army to see that neither of you sticks around to get in the middle of this death pit match any further.”
    Cain and Lucian continued to stand there and stare each other down.
    “I guess the two of you didn’t hear me. Leave. Now.”
    “That’s fine, Baal. Shadow has already kicked his son’s ass once. I’ll go watch him do it again from up in my office.”
    Cain disappeared in black fire and appeared back on his private balcony.
    “You too, Lucian. Go.”
    Lucian muttered several curses under his breath but vanished in red fire and appeared back in his office. Baal turned to the death pit.
    “I have no personal involvement in this fight. I’m sick of watching the two of you to be honest. If one of you quits, I will remove you. Otherwise the match ends in death. Continue.”
    Baal hit his scythe against the ground and a throne-like chair made of bones appeared from the floor. He seated himself and everyone focused back on the match.
    ––––––––
    N ightmare had continued to search for Shadow during Lucian and Cain’s