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Mani is imprisoned for thirty more days with the appropriate lashes given for his treachery. Then attend to Santanya by securing her a safe place within our realm where she will be untouched by those who might otherwise wish her harm.”
    Zenthus had moved Santanya to quarters near his so he could continue to watch over her. Nothing and nowhere was safer than this manor. Zen also resided there as the head bailiff. He was the son of Boralium, once the best friend of Azamel’s, but never knew the actual cause of death of either his parents. Mel made sure no one knew or would ever know as he took Zen under his wing to raise him. In time, the man earned his ranks to the head bailiff position.
    He made many look small and puny against his massive size and demeanor. At six foot nine inches, his biceps were the size of cannons, his thighs as thick as oak trees. He had a low rumbling voice which boomed when he talked.
    When Mel first took over his profession to hunt, judge, punish and even execute rogue demons who wanted to disrupt the human existence, Nana granted him assistance to successfully accomplish his job. The work was extensive, for many demons wished to roam the Human Realm, feasting on mankind as a snack. Mel was allowed to choose whomever he wanted to train as his crew. Of course, he chose one man whom he trusted more than most, a close friend and confidant he could discuss his problems with and who found women to be as untrustworthy as Mel did.
    Zenthus’ father, Boralium, stood by Mel through his transition of incorporating the demon into his body and finding a way to manage it. Boralium took him in when Mel’s mother tried to kill him.
    Mel would never forget Boralium’s duplicity. He had just sat down with Boral late one evening over some roasted rabbit. To thank his friend for shelter, Mel willingly assisted with chores, including providing nourishment. Since the demon had been placed within Mel, his sustenance requirements had changed considerably. Although he could still eat and digest normal foods, Mel had different and special dietary requirements to actually survive as a result of the demon symbiont which resided within him.
    Boralium was eerily quiet that particular evening. Mel wondered why, when his friend was usually talking his ear off, but didn’t give it much thought beyond a passing rumination. Boral knew Mel was always available to listen should he decide to discuss whatever was on his mind.
    As Mel sat back against the small boulder watching the fire burn, he remained quiet, enjoying the peacefulness which surrounded them.
    Boralium stood and moved to the bushes. Mel relaxed and even shut his eyes for a few moments. The demon within had been particularly troublesome in remaining inside the past couple of days and Mel found the constant struggle exhausting.
    As he reposed, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. Surprised, Azamel gazed down to see an arrow shaft protruding from his shirt, rapidly becoming stained with blood. It took Mel a moment to comprehend what occurred when two more arrows pierced his chest.
    The demon inside roared as loudly as his host did. Mel’s eyes immediately changed to an iridescent red as he gazed towards the location from where the shots were being fired. Pulling the shafts out, the tips still embedded inside his body, Mel scrambled behind the boulder, using the stone as a shelter. His powers forced the arrowheads out, his wounds slowly closing.
    Mel realized there was some sort of poison on them, preventing his godly healing abilities to work effectively or quickly. Mel struggled to maintain control and not let the demon out but he knew the inner conflict he fought was a lost battle without his full powers.
    Destruction had a reason to appear. He was being attacked and the natural response was to prevent any further damage to his host’s body. Mel’s voice was low and demonic as he called out to Boralium, “Boral! Help me!”
    At first there was no answer as