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"The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn't exist"- Charles Baudelaire. A true enough statement but who in hell could cover up all its activities on earth. With all the possessions, murder, strife, war and general misdeeds that are enacted out in Lucifer's name it would seem obvious that all humanity would know the truth about Hell. This is where I step into the equation. My name is Malthus, I am Hell's main liaison on earth, and it is my responsibility to ensure that humanity never notices the glaring fact that we exist. ~As far as background goes here it is. I am a nephilim, a second generation demon if you will. Some demons look down on Halflings like me, but in many ways I am so much more powerful then they will ever be. While they are trapped in hell, torturing souls and waiting for the next war, I can actually make a difference. This is because of the all important sacrifice of a few key Satan worshipers in the early 19th century. Yes there were Satanists in the 1800's, and yes by sacrifice I mean their lives. I was born on earth and they were sent directly to Hell, which is where they wanted to go anyway so I guess it all works out. Grungy little rats Satanists are, but they serve a purpose to Lucifer, as do I. By being born on Earth I may slip in between Earth and Hell without any trouble. Heaven is still off limits however, snobby pricks. I commune with Angels and Humans to act as hell's PR man, deal broker, spy, diplomat, and most importantly, clean-up squad. Since my appointment to this position ninety seven years ago I have accomplished so much: war, strife, hatred. I have had a major hand in many of the conflicts around the globe. The Balkans, West Africa, South America, and the Middle East, I've been to them all. Believe it or not nearly 40% of all wars on earth are funded by Hell, usually on both sides. I am now the major representative for hell on earth.
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Shimmering
 Teleportation: Ultimate
I was working on a routine arms trade when it began. I was in West Africa meeting tribal leaders to discuss the possibility of arming them in a possible revolution against their government. Their people had been partially wiped out by a vicious plague and the new government regime did nothing to help them, (give you two guesses on how the plague started, hehe).Anyway I was sitting at a large wooden table with my prospective business partners. A large bottle of scotch cast a long shadow across the table as the sun began to rise across the horizon. I briefly looked into the distant horizon as light spread across dry land. Then I looked back at my clientele~"Mr. Amin, I can guarantee that my organization would be willing to fund you, free of charge mind you, but only if you can guarantee that this effort won't fizzle out before we can benefit"~The men looked into my eyes and pondered their options. I had them on the hook, now all I have to do was reel them in; make them feel like war was the only option. I was about to continue but I was interrupted by a high pitched metallic version of the funeral dirge. I searched my pocket and pulled out my crimson red handheld. ~"Excuse me gentlemen I have to take this..."~"This is Malthus...Oh hello sir what do you need...Huh, how'd she manage that...Ok.........Well you see right now is not really the best time, I'm in the middle of a meeting......No sir I understand, and whatever you want is what I want, you can trust me sir............All right, say hello to the misses for me. Goodbye"~With that I hung up the phone, slipped it back into my pocket, and finished the business at hand. ~"I'm sorry gentlemen that was my boss, something emergent has arisen in another sector of my business and I must leave you. I'll give you a few days to think the deal over and see you when you're ready with your decision"~I then got up turned away, and in front of their amazed eyes became a waving mirage. Normally it is against protocol to use any of my powers in front of humans, but I couldn't wait, this was an emergency. Besides if they became a security problem I could kill them later.~I arrived at Carfax station an instant later. I had had my base of operations in London for sometime, so I knew the place very well and remembered a men's bathroom where I could shimmer in unseen. The big boss had said that the succubus Natalia would arrive at Carfax station within the next few seconds. Why she had to be brought back so immediately was unclear, but I never question the hell's high authority. I exited the men's room and walked into the station proper and searched for her "distinctive" appearance.
My Arsenal
 Weapons Creation: Superior
- Ranged Attack Only
- Area Affect
- Multi-Attacks
I walked down the white lit underground hearing my footsteps echo through the empty station. I did the math in my head; dawn in Africa meant that it was about one hour before dawn here. No wonder it was so empty. That would be good if things got messy. As I waited behind a pillar I heard hurried steps coming down the stairs behind me. They were paired with the honk of an oncoming train in one of the tunnels. The footsteps got louder and louder. I leaned against the pillar out of sight from where they would be coming and waited. ~The steps pounded closer and closer until a group of human like blurs ran past me. Damn they were in a hurry. ~"Excuse me but you gentlemen wouldn't know a lady by the name of Natalia would you"~They turned back and saw me. There were seven of them. They were human, at least by their appearance. Pale skin, no wings, no horns. As I spoke I could feel the tension growing~"She's about yay tall, red hair, small horns coming out of her scalp. Ahh there you are"~I found Natalia hiding behind the wall of men protecting her. Her usual smug grin was replaced by a panic stricken gasp. She had changed styles since I last saw her. She wasn't wearing the very stimulating apparel a succubus would be expected to wear. What she had on wasn't bad however. She had a black leather jacket with a shirt two sizes too small, and a pair of vinyl pants. A knit cap was tugged down over her head to cover her granite horns. In her arms she cradled a white bundle of blankets. As I took one step closer something shocking happened; the bundle began to cry.~"Oh my lord... That's why he wanted you back so badly" she turned to run as her bodyguards pulled their weapons. They pulled out gleaming handguns and fired nearly point blank. I shimmered out of the way. Nearly seven rounds blasted into the pillar that stood behind their target. They let out hyperventilated gasps as the terror passed over them.~"wow-e, nice shootin' Tex" I appeared behind them. They swerved to fire again but were met by my own weaponry. I reached my hand into the side of my jacket and pulled out a fully loaded Uzi. My opponents were met with hot lead. The shell casings bounced off the pale tile, echoing through the tunnel. I blasted away at the gang; two were dropped immediately, the others ran for cover. I released the trigger of my gun and meandered up to the fallen bodyguards. As I saw them I realized something, that explained how serious the situation really was; ~They weren't dead. They waded in death, not submerged or floating. Their faces went slack, and I could see the clothes on their backs being pushed upward by pairs of large protruding curves. ~"Ohh well she is in trouble. Affiliating with the likes of you; what did you tell her? That you could pull some strings and get her into heaven" I chuckled and once more visualized my weapon of choice. Carefully I then reached into my jacket this time pulling out a jet black revolving chamber shotgun, a little something special I keep in mind when dealing with Halfling Angels. I pointed the barrel of my specialty gun at my enemies and fired. The explosion ripped through their heads as if I had fired it into water. My eyes saw the blood splatter, my ears heard the blasts deafen the tunnel, and my nose burned with the traces of brimstone sulfur in the ammo. Two down five to go. As I walked I heard an oncoming train whiz into the station. As it did one of my targets revealed himself and fired. His bullets sang into the air but served no purpose~I shimmered out of view and repapered, my gun barrel inches from his face. The sulfur burned through his head and continued to travel forward to scar the sides of the still moving train. Four bodyguards left.~I heard running towards my left close to the now stationed train. With one hand I whipped out an incendiary grenade and threw it through the open train doors. It exploded with a blaze of fire and charbroiled two of the escaping Halflings. I knew Natalia was on that train. As the door closed I shimmered myself inside and proceeded to finish the job...
Gravity control
 Gravity: Superior
I noticed the carpet of the train was still burning where the Sulfur and fire grenade went off. I carefully stepped around the flames as my eyes found Natalia once more. One of the charred angel Halflings rose. Everything below his knees was a blackened stain on the floor. His appearance reminded me of beef jerky. He still had just enough energy to speak: ~"You demonic bastard! you'll never get away with this, I'll see*BLAST*..." My shotgun took off his face before he could finish. I slid the gun back into my jacket where it promptly disappeared. The last angelic guardian sat next to Natalia and stared me down. He shielded her with his body. He couldn't run from me and he couldn't stop me, but he tried any way. He removed his gun quickly and pointed it at me~"You will never get this child you hear me" he screamed. The gun was aimed, but as he lifted it, it yanked forward on his arm. His body lifted off the ground until he floated in mid air, flailing like a fish on dry land. My palm was held out in front of me as if I supported him on my fingertips. The gun was wrenched out of his hand and into mine. I calmly walked forward to his apparent "lover" and met her gaze. I pushed him aside with my hand and lifted her with my other. She slid upward as if dragged up the side of the train by a chain around her neck. ~"The child, if you please."~As I said this the baby swaddled in cloths was lifted from her arms and levitated into my free hand. A single tear caressed her face. I turned to the furious, floating, and helpless angelic Halfling:~"Well now, it seems I have what I want. So you...... may...... go" with that he fell horizontally through to the end of the train car like a plummeting comet. He crashed through the door of the car and continued to fall through the next. He flew through each of the remaining train cars colliding faster each time. When he reached the last car he plummeted out the back and crashed onto the ground, sliding on the train tracks. His body had effectively sustained a seven story fall. Natalia's single tear was joined by many new ones as she saw her lover so utterly destroyed. I turned to her despaired face:~"And you my darling may go..... to Hell" as the words still echoed in my lips her body turned to waves of heat as I sent her directly home. That was the end, and in my hands I held the world's only double nephilim to be born in centuries. I looked down with interest and examined the infant. No wings or horns yet, but his life force was immense for a child. Hid dual powers made him a more powerful breed than angels or demons. Born of hell and heaven, sulfur and silver, this child could be our secret weapon. :~"You shall be called Behemos, do you like that?"~The child gave a giggle of approval, so from that day on he was known as Behemos, son of Malthus.
My Soldier
 Necromancer: Supreme
That was one great day. I killed some Angelics, sent a whore to hell, and adopted my son Behemos. You would think that would be the end of the story but its not. After grabbing the kid I ported back to the "home office" if you will. Hell has a kind of chaotic beauty that only geniuses can envision but only nut jobs can truly enjoy. The big boss's office is quite a scene. Like many other places in hell it alters depending on the person within it. When he is working it's an office, when he's tired it's a bedroom, when he's horny it's a harem, and when he's angry or drunk it's multiple things at once. At this particular time it appeared to be a throne room, with him center on a large golden chair of ineffable beauty. On his left and right were the chained soles of human slave girls, fucking whores. The thing you have to remember about Hell is that everyone deserved to be there, and everyone served a purpose.~"Malthus, my servant, have you brought the child?"~I gathered a lump in my dry throat. I had occasionally spoken to him in person at this point, but the effect of his voice was still the same.~"Yes Sir. Right here"~As I said this the child lifted out of my arms and floated in mid air. I kneeled prostrate before him, but could not take my eyes away. He stared quizzically at the child. For a second I thought he might eat it. As if sensing my thought he lightly flicked his hand sending the child back to me. While at this point any other child might have cried, Behemos cooed nonchalantly as if unaware of where he was. ~"This child will be are key weapon in the upcoming wars. He may in time become the most powerful Halfling on either side. That is why you will take care of him."~"Me Sir..., I am grateful, I will not fail you"~A grim smile crossed his pale face like a sinkhole. ~"No, You will not. You have proven yourself worthy, and as such deserve... a promotion. Tell me Malthus what rank do you currently uphold?"~He knew the answer but was testing me. I nearly forgot with the intense pressure on me~"A..., a knight sir, I am a knight. So the next highest rank would be a Baron I believe." I tried to smile calmly but it only came off as phony and contrived~"Ah yes a Baron. As I recall once someone obtains baronship or above they get certain privileges, such as a place in hell in which to rule..."~While he spoke I was waiting for three simple words, twenty five legions. Any baron in Hell's army gets a small plot of hell to rule and at least twenty-five legions to serve over. I couldn't give a shit about the hellscape, but my own army, that was the big time.~"And a garrison of my legions... However after much calculation I have decided that you will not benefit from getting either of these things, and I have few troops to spare, so you'll have to live with the title alone."~Shit!! I only said it in my head but the effect was the same, he stood up and looked down at me with his gleaming eyes. ~"Don't think about complaining Malthus, I've though this over and there would be no point! I need you on Earth so soldiers in hell would do you no good; and you certainly won't have time to govern any portion of hell because I need you to train this boy, once again, on EARTH." I immediately rose to meet him.~"I apologize Sir, it was not my place to question you...but believe me I am proud for this title and I will continue to do whatever I can."~Another smile crossed his lips. I knew this smile. He was coming up with a plan.~"Well maybe I was too harsh; after all you do deserve something for your efforts. How about one soldier to go with you to earth?" ~He flicked his fingers and an iron cage fell from the ceiling. It was red hot, burning the victim inside in total pain. She performed an agonizing dance inside the cage as she tried to stand without burning her feet. Her scream was silenced by the enchanted cage to make her torture more bearable for those around her. The door of the cage swung open as the beautiful woman fell out. Her body healed quickly from the painful burns and two granite horns stood on of her head. I knew then that this was Natalia, the succubus from before. I tried to hide my surprise and disappointment.~"Oh, great...Natalia..., I'm grateful it's just... She's not exactly a soldier though, I mean what can I really do with her?"~My boss smiled his trademark smile.~"Despite her appearance she is actually quite tough for a succubus, not a soldier demon exactly but pretty close. As far as what you can do with her she's all yours, no reservations. Use your imagination...~Now if you don't mind there are some things I have to do"~I turned and began to walk away, my new "comrade" behind me, ~"Oh sure yeah, thanks for seeing me, I'm grateful once again, and uh I don't know..., enjoy your whores." With that I exited the room with a smile, my new son in my arms and his mother following me. As soon as we were outside she opened her glossed mouth ~"Give me my son!!" tears were streaking down her face, she could barely yell in her state. I couldn't focus on what she said. I felt annoyed, I wanted twenty five legions of soldiers and I got a whiny bitch whore who caused all the trouble in the first place. She repeated he demand~"Give Me My Son!!", this one I heard.~"Actually he's my son now. Lucifer dictated that I raise him. I've named him and everything"~At this she lunged at me in incredible speed, teeth gnashed, claws extended. She may have killed me or at least mauled me if I did nothing. However I did do something. I said one word~"Pain!"~Her body fell before she reached me. She clenched her gut and wailed as her body lit up in crippling and destructive pain. Her eyes began to bleed from their corners. I kneeled down and spoke into her ear~"Here's the deal, I don't like you, you don't like... well I don't really care whether or not you like me because I'm in charge. I have free will, you don't. But I'll make you a deal, I'll let you see your son everyday while we're on earth as long as you follow my orders whole heartedly, go out of your way to be an asset to me, and refrain from being a total pain in my ass. What do you say?" I made the pain stop so she could answer. She stared into my eyes like no demon I've ever seen can.~"Yes Sir" ~That was the last time we ever had a problem.
Natalia
Necromancer: Supreme
Natalia is your ordinary babe set with retractable claws, teeth, small horns, and a killer set of curves if you get my drift. She has normal brains for someone in "her line of work", but above average strength and speed as with most demons.As a succubus she posseses some pheremone power allowing her to seduce men; Let's just say she's a back up plan when brute force doesn't work. The only thing she really loves is her son Behemos, although she respects the "big boss" and to a lesser degree me. Everyone else is just a meatsack to her. I killed the only man she ever loved so I can't really say I blame her for hating me, but hey things like that happen. In the end I'm just glad she's on our side to say the least.
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