Chapter 2: The Hiatus Broken
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        The sun shone down upon the exterior of the Floating Fortress,
making its black, almost crystaline surface gleam as if it were liquid. 
The inside, however, was not quite so glamorous.  The curtains were drawn,
so to speak, and not a single ray of sunlight pierced its outer shell. 
Only the dim, grim, occasional torch lit the magnanimous halls and
corridors.  Demonic beings roamed the walkways, barely aknowledging one
another, just to be safe.
        Sardonumus lurked with expertise towards the gigantic double-doors
of seasoned oak.  'Quite an interesting texture,' he thought as he melted
through it, leaving no mark or blemish.  He found himself in the great
white Holy Chambers of his master, as he did every day.  However, unlike
usual, today, his master was already awake.  "Oh..." Sardonumus said, as
he bowed majestically.  "Lord Sithon, I assumed you were asleep.  Am I
interrupting something, sire?"
        Sithon sat upon a mammoth throne of white crystal.  He was quite a
contrast to the Light-filled chamber, dressed all in the blackest of black
garb.  He had the look of a cadaver about his features, but when a demon
impersonates a human, this can be expected.  He rose, making a splendid
gesture with his long black cloak.  "It is all right, my friend
Sardonumus, I was just ruminating on things past.  What have you to
report."
        "Well, it seems recently one of our Lights of Judgement went off
by mistake." Sardonumus said, with a fairly bewildered tone.
        Sithon paled slightly, though it would seem he could become no
paler than before.  "Where?  What news?"
        "Zozo, Sire," Sardonumus replied.  "However, it seems that the
power was set on its lowest level, so there was no resulting damage."
        "Thank..." Sithon paused, then continued with much difficulty.
"...Heaven... Is that the correct reaction?  I should hope not."
        "Alas, yes it is..." the little demon clarified, shaking his head.
"I must say, Lord, you're working extra hard.  Perhaps I should send a
patrol down to Figaro to find more books?"
        "Yes, that would be most appreciated, Sardonumus," Sithon replied,
looking at the floor.  "This project must come off without a flaw.  It is
essential that I succeed..."  He examined his reflection on the glassy
floor.  He was definitely of human form now.  However, he didn't seem to
be a living human by his looks.  'I need to find something to cure this
morbid complexion... something the Light can't provide...'
        Sardonumus was about to leave the chamber, when he turned and
said.  "You are looking more human day by day, Your Majesty."  He began to
melt through the wall again.
        "Sardonumus, hold a moment..." Sithon commanded.  The small Demon
glanced backward at his master.  "If you would, friend, could you fetch me
some Figaran food as well?"  Sardonumus only nodded, slightly bewildered,
then slid through the closed door into the soothing Darkness.  A moment
passed, and Sithon returned to his throne.  He brooded over his current
state, and what should happen when he decended upon the Earth, in all his
glorious Humanity.  'If I should act as a demon in human's skin, my
identity would surely be revealed.  How can one avoid this?  I've lived in
the dark with the witches and were-things for all my existence.  The
humans adhere to certain rules of ettiquette unheard of even to the kings
and gods of my people.'  He stroked his chin for a good long moment, in
deep thought.  'There can be only one solution.  I must walk among them
now, before the final details of the transformation have taken place.  I
must mingle with them, and partake of their food.  I must be one before I
fully become one!
        'But, how can such a thing be done?  If this fragile body were
spoiled prematurely, I would have to wait a long while to replace it.  I
must proceed with the utmost caution.  I must be friendly, agreeable, and
above all, I must be careful.'  Sithon slammed his right fist against his
left palm, as his mind was made up.  "Tomorrow," he spoke aloud.  "I walk
among them again!"