Read Into The Abyss (Demons of Astlan) for Free Online

fright with pity.
    "So I'm dead?"
    "No, not exactly, when you die your soul goes off somewhere, to regenerate, or to some sort of heaven or ceases or something ; I don't know.  In our case, our minds and spirits, our consciousness if you will, are still alive, our physical bodies just aren't."
    "And what's considering the state of our lives and our slavery, you might say were in a living hell," giggled Tizzy at his joke, as he mischievously let his eyes dance around looking at the flames.
    "Ignore him, Tom.  Sure, this isn't the greatest way to live, but it doesn't have to be the worst.  If you're lucky."
    "Lucky?"
    "Yes, if you get a master who's not too demanding or too happy inflicting pain.  Pain, now that’s the rub!  We are very hard to kill, but with their spells, the wizards don't have too much trouble inflicting pain on any demon under their command.  That's how they maintain their mastery, by threatening us with excruciating pain and torture."
    Still stuck on Tizzy's analogy, and struck by Boggy's comment on torture, Tom said, "So there is some basis to the legends.  I mean we're not physically alive, and we aren't where most lucky souls go, we get tortured, we look like devils and demons, and we do live in a place of fire."
    "Well, a lot of cultures do have similar mythos, especially the Astlanians, and the way they control us and perceive us does lend credence to those legends.  However, it is really a self-perpetuating circle.  We look like this and are treated like this because of Astlanian legends and religious beliefs, and our existing like this, of course, strengthens their belief in demons and hell and all that sort of thing.  Where the beliefs come from in the first place, I have no idea."
    "If the shoe fits, wear it," interjected Tizzy.   Pointing at him with the stem of his pipe.
    "Like he says, most give up questioning it and just go with the flow, do what's expected, and be a demon."
    "But the other stuff, damned souls and all.  I mean, I realize this is a damnable situation, so to speak," he stated before Tizzy could interrupt with a similar type comment, "but what about the reason we're here, is it because of sinful or evil acts?"
    "Well that's a matter of personal opinion and belief, some would say yes; but me, no, I don't think so."
    That relieved Tom a little; he didn't like to think this had happened because of some evil act on his part, he really couldn't remember any.  "Well, what about the other legends, demons being evil and enjoying evil acts, and just waiting for a wizard to goof up, so the demon can rend him horribly."
    “We call that a party!”  Tizzy exclaimed.  Tom’s eyes widened.
    "Well now, evil is a matter of perspective, generally speaking.  However, just like the humans most of us once were, there are nice demons and not so nice demons.  As far as rending wizards limb from limb, more than just the generally wicked demons would love to rip a wizard or two apart.  After all, you try having your life interrupted, subjected to centuries of abject slavery, degradation, torture and pain, and tell me if you don't get just a bit pissed off and want revenge on those doing this to you."
    " Crap, it looks like I'm going to get the chance to find out," Tom said despondently.
    "Oh, yeah, sorry.  That's just kind of a sore spot a lot of us have.  We, of course, always want to defend what we feel are , ah, justified actions."
    "I guess I understand, or soon will, at least."
    "Yeah, you will, heh, heh," chuckled Tizzy, sticking the pipe stem back in his mouth.
    "Well, actually, you understand there are of course other more logical reasons for trying to ax e your master, beyond simple exquisite painful revenge.  Because, if you kill off everyone who knows your true name, no one can call on you for your services.  Therefore, you are essentially free, until someone realizes that there's a bound demon running around out there with no master, and tries to find out your name, or