Many of Dantalion's armies were no longer recognizable. Those with eyes like his, were now dark, their razor sharp claws diminished to bone. Dantalion extinguished the fires controlled in his hands, renewing them with an opaque wave emerging over the demons one by one. The armies rose from the mists, emerging in the stream of light shining from above. Count Druitte's claws were once again daggers, his red eyes blazing with the fires of war. The demons grew stronger, immediately absorbing Dantalion's healing powers. They became animal-like, in a frenzy, feeding off one another's powers to regain their strength.
They were unaware that high above the cavern, the Demonic Lord was watching them. His intention was well planned. Satan was hungry for power, but also hungered for lust. Within his dominion, a debauchery was commencing.
"Enough!" Dantalion commanded, coming between the demons, fired by their newly restored strength. "Remember why we are here."
"My Lord, we must be near the girl. Listen. A ritual commences," Druitte informed them.
"Alright. We will move out! Use caution. The barrier still exists depleting our powers once we draw nearer to his infernal realm" Dantalion ordered.
"Dantalion, if Laurel's soul rests within the demon Lilith, how will she be freed?" Rowan inquired.
Dantalion's demon eyes grew wide. "There is another way. I will sacrifice my soul." He did not say to whom.
He knew of two ways to free me. He would surrender his soul to Satan, or call upon God. Both would release my soul, but neither would allow him to ever touch upon my mortal body again, an almost impossible sacrifice for a demon of the Goetia to achieve, no matter how strong his will.
"We cannot allow you to go through with this," Druitte added. If thou commits to Lord Satan, we will have failed you. And we will be at his mercy for eternity."
"I will bargain my soul alone for the girl's. Your allegiance will remain with me. He will hath no claim over any of thee."
They all knew his words were of truth. Dantalion was loyal to his armies. And also to me. He would protect us no matter what the price.
Chanting grew alluring to the demons. It had been two ages they heard the sounds of sacrifices, or of seduction. Shades moved nearer, enticing the demons as they ascended the caves, past the mists. They followed the echoes of the chanting, the familiar fires Dantalion had seen earlier emerging from beyond the rock crystal formations. Glowing crimson flames carried the scent of death, lingering in the air.