The sound of footsteps echoed down into the darkened abyss. Each step, filling Eary with questions and unease. The revelation of a possible reincarnation sparked hopes that he indeed had a soul. While fears surrounding the missing four statues were felt tensely within the group. 

Calvin and Mei could be heard speculating about being soul mates. Denby proudly boasted of his past importance. Luke and Sakile bantered among themselves with Ben keeping pace. While Hannah and Maggie talked quietly to themselves.

Decan was quiet. Eary held his hand as they strolled down the dark path. The occasional glance left both smiling reassuringly to the other. Alice had joined them. Though she wasn’t her usual confident and witty self. The tall and beautiful girl walked troubled through the darkness. Eary rested his hand on her back reassuringly. But Alice politely winced and pulled away.

Mote guided the group at the head, with Maxwell. Both seemed to be in deep discussion. Eary overheard the professor pressing Mote again on answers to the shrine. With only snarky dismissals To show for his efforts.

The team came upon another fork. They gathered around while Mote tried to remember the way. A loud crash interrupted them. Everyone jumped right out of their skins. When examining the source of the noise, it was revealed the path behind them had closed up.

“Well that aint supposed to happen.” Mote said in disbelief.

“Are we trapped?” Calvin exclaimed in a panic.

“Let’s all just calm down.” The Professor announced to the panicked youths. “Denby, see if you can clear that obstruction.”

Denby confidently walked up to the newly formed wall. He gave it a quick jab. But nothing. He proudly swaggered off the failed display by claiming it was a test hit. Next, he tightened his focus and slammed his fist as hard as he could into the dark brick. But to no avail. He even brandished his mace and began to swing wildly at the undamaged wall.

“Bloody hell. What’s this shite made out of anyway?” Denby said angrily.

“Eldris stone.” Mote grimly stated. “Collected from the same ore that formed from where it manifested on your world. This whole place was made from it.”

“Then how do we knock it down?” Denby asked in a huff as he collected his pride.

“Ya don’t. This stuff is as durable as it gets.” Mote replied.

The moteling examined each path in a swirl of light. Eary could hear him mutter to himself as whisked back and forth. Finally, he stopped and stroked his long ears. Eary approached and folded his arms.

“You’re lost aren’t you?” he said flatly.

“No!” Mote replied in annoyance. “I’m just getting my bearin’s that’s all. Sheesh!”

Mote immediately announced the path to the right to be correct. Eary and his friends followed along uncertainly. Each hall ending with a new fork and a new suspected guess from Mote. The charade was over once the team was met with a dead end.

“I thought you knew where you were going.” Eary asked passive aggressively.
Nobo
“I’m not gonna lie. I’m a little high and the underworks, here, are a labyrinth.” Mote whined.

“Then maybe don’t lead us.” Eary replied angrily.

“Hey! Fuck you! I thought I knew!” Mote aggressive replied to the teens corrections.

Eary gasped in exaggerated offense. Not to be out done by the moteling, he quickly fired back. Before they knew it, the rest of the group stood by as the two exchanged heated words.

“You’re just a no good leach. You know that?” Eary lashed out.

“Well at least I ain’t some ungrateful prick with stunted growth and a big dog complex!” Mote hissed.

“Yes you are!” Eary replied sharply.

The two continued their rant until they we’re met with a familiar crash.

“The wall!” Eary cried out. “We’re trapped.”

“What? No! I need to trapped with someone more interesting. Like Alice or even Ben.” Mote snarked.

Eary rolled his eyes and began to examine their prison. It was four solid was of black stone. Each with no visible way forward. Extending his hand, he tried to slice it open with a force field. But the wall prevented any attempt. He watched as the stone absorbed his lightning. Next his engulfed the room in white light. After the blinding flash, their sight returned to normal. Revealing a newly opened path forward.

“Thank God!” Eary cried out as he huffed down the dark path.

“Hey you’re takin’ up all the path.” Mote called out as he caught up with the young claris.

“Then walk behind me!” Eary stated abruptly.

“Then I’d have to smell ya.” Mote growled.

The two argued all the way until they found themselves in large room. With a terrifying sight in the center. A Large bestial demon sat perched on a large throne. It’s large horns, wings and claws gave off an intimidating aura. It tilted it’s head, with a fierce growling face it sniffed the air.

“ A moteling and a human?” The demon stated in an authoritative voice. “Who are you?”

“Uh.” Eary squeaked out.

“We’re the entertainment.” Mote replied confidently.

“I don’t recall ordering entertainment from The Celestial Heavens, moteling.” The demon replied suspiciously.

“You, good sir, have a secret admirer.” Mote replied coyly.

“Really? Who is it?” The demon inquired.

“We got a line up performance for ya tonight. It should be pretty obvious by the end of it.” Mote said quickly.

“Oh come on. Just a hint.” The demon pleaded.

“They’re big and scaly.”  Eary said with a convincing smile.

“Hmmm. Now that does narrow it down a little bit. What are they the demon of?” The demon asked.

“That’s cheating.” Mote snickered. “My partner and I have to change. Give us a sec will ya?”

Mote guided Eary to a small alcove out of sight.

“What the fuck is that?” Eary asked in a panic.

“That’s Baelfagor, the demon of secret knowledge. He’s been down here for over 13,000 years. The Rathok were using him to advance their technology.” Mote explained hurriedly.

“What are we going to do Mote? That thing is huge. I can’t fight it alone!” Eary replied.

“We’re gonna preform, kid!” Mote replied as he pulled two tablets out of his rear.

“What’s that?” Eary inquired, examining the small red and white capsule.

“It’s two of ‘em costume pill thingies from the convention.” Mote explained.

“I thought you said you didn't have any more of those.” Eary asked folding his arms.

“Nah, I was just fuckin’ with Sakile. I stole the whole bowl.” Mote replied nonchalantly.

Mote examined the capsules.

“So who do ya wanna be? Ike and Tina? Or Sonny and Cher?” Mote asked holding out each pill.

“Sonny and Cher.” Eary griped.

Mote opened the capsule. A bright light surrounded both of them. The sound of a 70’s acoustic guitar rang out around them. The opening to ‘I Got You Babe’ was clearly distinguishable. Eary glanced over to the moteling. He was dressed in a shaggy brown wig and mustache with a paisley printed shirt and bell bottoms.

“Oh God!” Eary thought as he looked down at his glittering sequin dress.

“Just lip sync your part, kid. And remember the hair flips!” Mote called out as the two moved forward.

Eary lip synced and hair flipped to perfection. While Mote shook his too long hair and dazzled the beast. Baelfagor erupted in delighted applause as Eary and Mote closed the set. They nervously backed out to the alcove, bowing all the way.

He felt a swell of guilt fill his gut. A deep sense of remorse had taken hold. He had taken Moe’s quick thinking and tenacity for granted. With a heavy heart he said,

“You were pretty good out there.”

“Yeah you too, Kid. Look, I’m sorry for what I said before. There ain’t nobody else I’d rather be trapped with.” Mote said apologetically.

“I’m sorry too. You’ve gotten us out of more jams than I can count.” Eary said smiling warmly.

“Yeah, and you ain’t too boring. And I’m sure that smell is just from livin’ with Josh and Ephraim.” Mote stated earnestly.

“Thanks.” Eary replied.

“No problem, Kid.” Mote said politely.

“So what now?” Eary asked.

“I dunno. Ike and Tina?” Mote replied, holding up the remaining capsule.

Eary examined the capsule in the moteling’s hand. Then he peered around the corner at the demon. He let out an exhausted sigh.

“I don’t wanna be Tina.” He huffed.

“Of course not. You could never pull it off.” Mote replied bluntly. “You can be Ike.”

“What will we do after this? He’s going to want some sort of conclusion to all this.” Easy said matter of factually.

“We need to strike when he’s distracted. Let’s do ‘Proud Mary’.” Mote explained. “Then when the tempo changes, you go Claris mode on his ass. Ya got me, kid?”

Eary nodded hesitantly as Mote cracked the capsule. In a flash he was dressed in a fedora and vest. A guitar had magically materialized in his hands. Mote dawned a silvery dress covered in tassels and a shaggy brown wig. They pumped themselves up while they took their make shift stage.

Eary sat on a rock that didn’t look too uncomfortable. He brandished his guitar. Strumming the strings, he began to play the opening to ‘Proud Mary’.  Mote explained the song to the ‘audience’ nice and easy. As they began to sing the lyrics, Eary’s stomach sank at the ticking time bomb that was the song’s mid-way point.

“How can I fight this thing?” He thought as he sized up Baelfagor.

He looked strong, but not too fast. He would need to be light on his feet, like Luke, in this fight. He also may have a few tech and magical aces up it’s sleeve. A demon of secret knowledge could have many secrets of his own. Eary readied himself as Mote finished the slow part of the song.

The moteling raised it’s hands triumphantly into the air while a series of spot lights struck him in every direction. Eary dropped the guitar and brandished his scythe. He leapt through the dazzling lights, flying up and swiping at the demon’s throat. He left a large gash that oozed with black blood. Baelfargor swatted at the hovering Claris. Eary darted out of the way. The clawed hand of the beast moved in closer. In a moment of desperation, Eary glowed orange and was instantly across the room.

He and Baelfagor made eye contact as Mote increased the volume and shook the tasseled dress. The demon raised it’s massive arm. A ball of fire erupted in it’s hand and swiftly homed in on Eary. He immediately popped behind the dark magic in a swirl of orange. Only to spot to more incoming.

He tightened his focus. Spotted Baelfagor among the flames and filled himself with resolve. He weaved in between the two balls of flame. As the closed in on him, he popped to the demon’s right achilles tendon. With a mighty slash, and splash of black blood, Baelfagor feel to his knees. Eary popped in by the demon’s neck. Lunging forward his was immediately stopped by a force field.

Regaining his composure, he examined his surroundings. He lay suspended in a cube in mid-air. The demon drew his attention towards him. His eyes ignited in rage. Baelfagor opened his mouth. An enormous torrent of flame erupted forth as Eary popped behind the demon. In a falling dive, he drove his scythe into the back of the demon’s neck. Baelfagor collapsed motionless to the cave floor as Mote jogged in place.

“Dad?” A familiar hiss echoed in the chamber.

“Flum? Is that you? How ya doin’ kiddo?” Mote exclaimed in full drag.

“Yeah. What are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?” Leviathan hissed as he slithered into the chamber.

“Just doin’ some field work. Had to teach ol’ Baelfagor a lesson.” Mote replied with a grin.

Leviathan looked down at his fallen comrade. “Pity.” He hissed.

“Say, why not lend your ol’ man a hand, eh?” Mote stated enthusiastically to his demon offspring.

“Eh? Don’t you have my seal?” Leviathan asked in shock.

“What’s that?” Mote replied

“God dad, stay in touch.” Leviathan scolded his father. “A seal is used to summon us with a ring of Solomon. It’s all rings of Solomon these days dad. So we all have special seals to call us forth.”

“Well where do ya pick up one of them trinkets?” Mote pouted.

“Baelfagor should be wearing one. Take it off and I’ll give you my seal, dad.” Leviathan explained.

Mote riffled through the demon’s corpse. Besides the ring, he found four large sacks of jewels and gold, a book of ancient schematics and an enchanted sword that glowed with ethereal light. He proudly dawned the ring. Approaching his son he held it aloft.

“Alright, punch in the seal do-dad. We gotta boogie.” Mote explained.

A circle of light appeared before Leviathan’s snout. It was quickly filled in by numerous lines, circles and symbols. They slowly shrunk and entered Mote’s ring. A strange tether united the two in a faint blue glow. After the exchange the two gazed upon the other with new found appreciation.

“So, eh, what are you doin’ down here anyway, Flum?” Mote inquired awkwardly.

“This is where we all hang out and eat Celestial chocolate.” Leviathan explained. “I was supposed to meet Bee around here. But I can’t seem to find him.”

Realizing he meant Beelzebub, Eary and Mote nervously glanced to one another. Mote charmingly smiled back to his son.

“Well I hope ya find ‘em!” Mote said enthusiastically.

“Thanks dad. Say, are you going to eat that?” Leviathan asked in deep temptation as he gestured to Baelfagor’s body.

“Nope. Nope. I ain’t too keen on demon flesh. It’s all yours.” Mote stated as he and Eary moved towards the exit.

As they headed out the door, Leviathan hissed once more.

“Hey, Dad.” he called out, “Are you going to visit my siblings?”

“Um, I’d love to. But I ain’t seen ‘em since I lost custody when I was deemed unfit. I mean really. Sheesh!” He explained handily.

Leviathan quickly informed his father. “Abezethibou lies slumbering at the bottom of the Red Sea. Valac resides in the ruins under the Eye of the Sahara.”

Mote sighed in nervous repose.

“Do ya think they’d even talk to me?” He asked gruffly.

“I would try Abezethibou first.” Leviathan explained. “He’s been hiding out there since he was humiliatingly defeated by a Hebrew wizard.”

Mote and Leviathan began to chuckle uncontrollably.

“He dropped the entire sea upon him.” Leviathan stated, gasping for air as he used his tail to wipe a tear from his eye.

“What a bunch of assholes.” Eary thought to himself watching the spectacle.

“Oh, I wish I coulda seen it! His face. Bwahahahaha!” Mote cackled as Leviathan joined in.

The two slowed their heinous laughter. After catching their breath, Mote half-assly stated,

“Sure I’ll give ‘em a visit. Help pull his head outta his ass.”

“If anyone can dad, it’s you.” Leviathan hissed approvingly.

“Thanks Flum. Say hey to your Ma for me!” Mote exclaimed as he waived goodbye and headed down the corridor.

The two gasped in relief as the shuffled away from what should have been an early grave. They could hear the unnatural noises echoing from behind, as Leviathan began to swallow Baelfagor’s corpse whole. The two squeamed at the sound and hurried down the path to find their friends.