You're in this now and you can't stop just because it's looking tough. You got your family to think about. You're staying.

However you do, do something slightly out of character, you spend what little money you have on a whore for the night, mainly because you're a lot less sure if you're going to come back from this mission.

The next day you're on the job. The march to the dwarven lands is mostly uneventful, though the fighting between the Zalan Empire and the Tulan Kingdom is still going on their borders which even skirting around, still manages to find your company. The Boss takes advantage of straggling Tulan soldiers that have fled battle. The butchery isn't uncommon, after all, nobody will know and the Zalan Empire will just be blamed anyway.

Arrival in the Dwarven lands is met with caution, the Dwarves obviously know of the Chimera Company's reputation and a small group of them motion the Boss to just talk to him directly. A deal seems to be made and the Dwarves leave to go back to their underground home.

The Captain now addresses all of you.

"Alright, apparently there HAVE been demons running all up and down and through the area. The Dwarves are preparing defenses in case they try to invade underground; apparently they consider their underground city takes precedence so their main force is there. However they still have plenty of mines above ground and not nearly enough dwarves to defend them all. Now its been said the demons have been heading toward the Tulan Kingdom, but a lot of them still have been fucking around here and generally wrecking shit for the fun of it. Collapsing even the sturdy mines of the dwarves on their heads seems to be amusing to them. So our goal is to make things bothersome enough for them that they'll leave the dwarves alone and go elsewhere."

The Captain spits on the ground before continuing.

"We're going to split up for this assignment and take different mines in the area. Watch your fucking ass. I don't think any of you eunuchs have fought any demons before, but I have and they're utterly fucking ruthless. Forget all that shit about some of them being civilized. They're about as civilized as damn Quillar, but a lot more intelligent. The chaos that is in their hearts is always there and these ones are the complete embodiment of it. And for fuck's sake DON'T stay near any explosives! The dwarves are always using shit like that in their mines and demons have a tendency to have fire throwing abilities. It's probably the reason for all the easy mine collapses."

The Captain takes out a map.

"One more thing. While I know the common thing to do on our assignments is to take advantage of things. We need to play this one completely fucking straight! Do NOT fucking do anything that's going to piss off the dwarves! If you do, we don't get paid. We don't get paid. I'm going to get pissed, because we're getting a lot for this one. And assuming the dwarves don't kill you, I certainly fucking will. Alright now I'm going to assign you according to this map."

You and a few others (Including Dimitri) are assigned to the Karzac Mines where you make your way to after some climbing which fortunately isn't too far off ground level. The dwarves there regard you with suspicion immediately.

"Oh great they're here. Alright, let's set the ground rules. I'm head miner Morri and I'm in charge of this place! Don't even think about trying to steal some loose bars of silver that you might find lying around. You do it, and your skull meets an axe or mining pick! Got me?"
"Stand up when you speak to me." Dimitri laughs.
"Yeah, make yer jokes human, we'll see if the demons will appreciate that humor when you're meeting them face to face."
"Demon, pah! Just one more thing for me to kill, people make a big deal about them. I've seen how they fall in line and become law abiding citizens just like anyone else when beaten down."
"Yeah and those same civilized ones will kill you when they get the chance. Didn't you hear the Captain?" you say.
"Yeah well he's got a tendency to be over dramatic; he probably picked that up from that fine ass elven bitch he's married to. Besides who DOESN'T try to kill you when they get the chance? They aren't anything special. Their race just has a tendency to have assholiness come natural to them."

Morri interrupts the pair of you.

"Hey if you two morons are finished, I'm about to tell you the fun part of this job. There are demons already in this mine."
"What?!"
"Oh yeah, bunch of those fuckers as we speak. Seems we got the fortune of one sneaking in here and decided to have her spawn in the deep reaches of this mine. The only good thing is these types don't seem to be interested in collapsing the mine, however they're trying to turn this place into some sort of fucking demon hive or something. We've been trying to eliminate them, but of course it's slow going. We need to get them before they start breeding more though. So we're splitting up…"
"Here we go again…" Dimitri says.

Morri assigns at least a few dwarves with each mercenary. You, Morri and Dimitri make up the last one.

The demon hunting in the mines is actually a very "mundane" job. They certainly are horrible looking creatures and very vicious, but after the first few times, you get used to it. These particular demons have an insect like appearance so maybe that's why these behave the way they do. They aren't very tough in the scheme of things, but like Morri said there do seem to be a lot. You can't use your bow like you want to either due to the cramped mine conditions.

Demons aren't really the problem though, the problem is Dimitri.

After one of the harder battles, Morri is attempting to catch his breath. Dimitri notices the very large silver deposit you're next to and the silver that's just there for the taking. He quietly whispers to you that you and he should waylay Morri and take some of the silver. Leave his body to be munched on by a wandering demon. Who's going to know?

You're not really for this plan and you say no, but Dimitri begins to argue and Morri notices the both of you.

"I'm not doing it! The Captain said…" you exclaim.
"Fuckin' pussy!" Dimitri says pushing you.
"Hey hey hey! Not doing what? What are you two on abo…"

Dimitri takes the opportunity of distraction and hits Morri in the face with silver bar that he lifted off the ground earlier.

" Ugh! Bastard dog you'll pay for this treachery!" Morri utters falling to the ground.
"Come on, this is your last chance to be a man and help me pig farmer!" Dimitri says as he goes to finish off Morri.

You help Morri

You've had enough. You're not going to help OR stand by for another immoral act performed by your "co-workers". It's bad enough that it goes on, but that doesn't mean you need to let it, if you can do something about it.

You run Dimitri through the back with your sword, he yells out in pain, but still manages to swing his armored fist to strike you in the face. You fall to the ground.

"Fuck…lute boy…goin…down…pig fucker…" he wheezes as he attempts to step towards you only to fall to his knees. At this point Morri has recovered and cleaves Dimitri's skull in with his axe.

"Bastard." Morri then looks at you. "Heh, I guess you must be one of the few with a conscious in the company eh?"
"I guess so." You reply.
"Or perhaps you knew it would be better if I lived so you could find your way out this maze?"
"…Actually I hadn't even thought about that. I just…just couldn't let him kill and rob you like that. Seen it too many times."
"That a fact? Well tell me son, why the hell are you hooked up with these bunch for then?"
"Money to help the family…besides it's not that bad."
"Okay, if you say so. However, this little incident is going to cost your company. We warned your captain that if any evidence of treachery occurred, we weren't paying him shit and this deal was off!"
"But can't we just keep this secret? I mean…"
"Secret? Fuck no! Look, you're not a bad person, but you're hanging out with bad people. The only reason why we hired you in the first place is because you ARE effective and you're about the only mercenary company insane enough to do a job like this. But a deal's a deal. You captain apparently doesn't have control over his men like he thinks, because I'm sure he warned you all."
"Yeah, but everyone will probably blame me and my life will be in danger!"
"…well…I'm sorry about that, but that's the price you pay for the company you keep…look I'll tell you what, because you helped me, I'll take you back to the entrance and you can leave. Should at least give you a head start. Hell, maybe I'll even tell them you died before this happened. You could then just hide out and stay out of sight without even anyone looking for you."

Not knowing what to say next you just agree and ponder your possible future.

The way back to the entrance is uneventful as far as demon attacks are concerned. You don't know what you're going to do. You'll have to go on the run or at least relocate regardless of what Morri tells everyone. And if he mentions the truth, then your family may well be in danger. You imagine that if the Boss couldn't get to you, he may very well take it out on your family.

You feel sick and upset. You wish you hadn't chosen this path. All you ever really wanted to do was play your lute, not fight demons or anything else really.

You follow behind Morri in a daze. You're surprised that he doesn't insist that you walk in front of him, but then that's probably because he trusts that you're not a murderer. You also realize you recognize this part of the mine and could probably find your way back from here…

You shake your head and take a deep breath.

"Hey Morri."
"Wha…glagh!

An arrow goes right through Morri's mouth and out the other side of his head. He gurgles obscenities while trying to raise his axe towards you. Another arrow goes through his eye. He ceases his struggle.

While you solved the problem of Morri telling anyone, now you have to cover your own tracks, then you hear a sound you never thought you'd be glad to hear. The chittering of those insect demons and a bunch of them are coming right behind you.

You pull the arrows out and run as quickly as you can to the entrance leaving the demons to feed upon Morri's body. The thought crosses your mind to just leave anyway. Maybe they'd think all three of you got eaten. However, you run into another group during your dash to the mine entrance.

"Where the hell are you running off to?" a mercenary asks. It's Cal. You come up with a lie quick.

"(pant) Shit! We got fucking ambushed! (pant) Barely fucking escaped! (pant) Dimitri and Morri are dead! Probably eaten! And the rest of those demon fuckers are heading this way!"
"What?! You cowardly fucker, you just let Morri die?" one the dwarves says angrily.
"It wasn't my idea! I tried to help him and Dimitri, but they just came in force, I don't even know how I escaped!"

Your story is a little suspicious, but thanks to the demons, you're covered. They didn't leave much for the dwarves to find. However, you're not looked favorably on by the rest of the dwarves for the rest of the mission. Your fellow mercenaries don't really care one way or another. It's part of the job and Dimitri wasn't well liked so they could care less if he died or lived.

You on the other hand are still not feeling so great about yourself. The longer you're part of this company the more you're starting to think or be more like them. You hate it and you'll be glad when this job is over.

A few months pass and the contract is over. The "problem" isn't completely gone, in fact there's reports of some undead wandering in the area now, but the Dwarves are growing more weary of your presence, hand over your payment and tell you to leave. They say they can handle anything else themselves.

It's quite a lot this time. Best job you've had. Upon your return to the Zalan Empire you buy yourself a new lute. It's your "reward". The rest of it goes to your family who of course are eager to hear about your tales as usual. You don't tell them that many this time. You just try to take your mind off your "job" by asking them more questions this time around. When you're alone you play your new lute, trying to emulate a couple of the songs you overheard the Dwarves engage in when you were there. You never knew they were musically inclined; it's a shame you had to kill one to protect your future. You're still debating on whether or not to give up the mercenary life, but you see how much it's helping the family out, so you decide to stay and put up with it.

After your "break is over" you go back to the job as usual.

Three years pass…

Four years have passed since the "Nuro Incident" and things have gotten much worse in the world. The Necromancer Lord conquered the Brot Kingdom, A demon lord called Velzix conquered the Tulan Kingdom, both are expanding and a so called Grand Alliance of nations doesn't seem to be doing much good against either of them.

The Chimera Company was recently hired by the Zalan government. Due to your past battles with demons, they decided you would be good to put on Tulan Border which is still a bloodbath, but instead of fighting the Tulan Kingdom, the Zalan Empire is fighting Velzix's hordes.

It's not an easy assignment or very pleasant, in fact it's got to be the worst job you've been on. You company is assigned to make commando raids and sabotage shit to keep the demons fairly unfocused, while the Zalan Empire's real armies try to make progress into Velzix's realm. Currently you're making your "camp" in small abandoned village in enemy territory where you have to fight the occasional demon patrols.

Why the Captain took this job on for the company is beyond you. Nobody really knows why. The company in general has been taking more dangerous jobs in recent years. Ever since the Nuro Incident actually. While it's always been known he's not a man to shy away from danger and has a love of battle, there's a lot of talk within ranks that he's got a death wish.

The only "good thing" about this assignment, is that the chance for usual Chimera Company wicked acts are much lower. There's not many "innocents" in a demon realm.

As you think about things, strumming your lute in an abandoned general store by yourself. You hear someone speak.

"Pretty good playing. Wish my kind appreciated some of the more subtle things in life sometimes."

You turn your head and see a demon! He's not very tall and is "dressed up". He must be one of the "civilized" demons who realigned themselves with their demonic natures and flocked to Velzix when he took over the Tulan Kingdom. He doesn't seem hostile, but you drop your lute and draw your weapon, before you can yell a warning, he speaks again.

"Wait! Before you go warning your friends, I should warn you that there is a very large group of my fellow kin surrounding this village. You kill me and they'll attack and quite frankly I don't fancy your chances. However I got a deal for you that can be worth your while. What can it hurt to listen to me? You can always kill me afterwards."

You listen to the demon

You aren't sure about this, but you let him speak.

"Speak demon, but make it quick!" you demand.
"Ah, glad you're willing to be reasonable. Name's Big Red by the way."
"Get on with it!"
"Very well. Your company and everyone in it is doomed to the infernal planes when they die I'm afraid. You captain's deeds alone make him one of the most sought after souls in Hell. He used to be much worse before he got married, but ah well; women often make men weak like that."
"Yeah? Well not me."
"Heh, yeah you too. I understand that you're probably the most moral person in it, but this whole company has been targeted by Hell and Hell gets what it wants."
"Well Velzix isn't…"
"Velzix? I'm not talking about Velzix! Velzix is just another demon with big dick complex. If I trust my judgment he's not going to last another year in his current status, he'll probably either be dead by one of you mortals or that little Necromancer. (Sigh) Wish I'd known about him sooner, things could've been a lot…different."

Big Red sees that you're getting antsy so he gets to the point again.

"Anyway, seeing as you're all doomed to Hell, I figured it would be nice if I got direct credit for bringing you there. Bringing in evil souls yourself is one of the few things makes Hell all worth it. You get all sorts of perks. However, if I just call in the reinforcements now to have you guys get ripped from limb to limb, I won't get direct credit. The souls will just be gathered wily nily and then I gotta argue with the fucking collectors and lawyers and all that other shit about who killed who and who gets credit which will probably just result in nobody getting credit and doesn't help me out at all."
"Barring that you're saying that I'm doomed in any case, I fail to see why I should help you."
"Well that's why I'm coming to you with a deal. I can see you're not a bad person, you just serve a bad master, and he's the one I really want direct credit for. The rest of you are just a bonus and you in particular aren't even worth that much given your tendency towards good."
"So what is it you want from me exactly?"
"I want you to take out the sentries and distract your fellows for as long as possible while my boys sneak up on this village and strike with as little resistance as possible. To sweeten this deal, I'll try to tell my boys to not target you while you try to escape the mayhem. I'm not making any promises though, killing rampages among my kind encourage indiscriminate killing. You'll be on your own; however it gives you a small chance for survival and by agreeing to this plan it gives me direct credit as the mastermind of this cunning plan. Getting other demons to kill isn't any kind of feat, but employing a mortal to help is looked upon as more favorable. So do we have a deal?"

Big Red offers his hand…

You make the deal

It sounds like your only chance for survival, slim though it may be. In some ways you'd like to be out of this company and who are you really betraying? From what you've seen the company is little better than the demons. You're sick of all of this, the fighting, the demons, the company, all of it.

"It's a deal, but make a damn good effort for your kin NOT to target me, AND not to go chasing me either!"
"Okay! Sheesh, you're mistrustful. You just make sure you do your part." Big Red says and shakes your hand.

You both exit the abandoned store and you look for where most of your fellows are located. The village square of course. You know there are look outs in each of "corners" of the village. You sneak about the village like an assassin and ready your bow.

You take out each sentry in relative silence with your skillful bow shots and drag their bodies into a nearby house. Now nobody will raise an alarm too soon. You then head to the village square and begin interacting with some of them. They find it odd since you're usually keeping to yourself, but they enjoy your playing so they don't mind it when you do that.

Your Captain on the other hand comes out from the house he's set up in and is wondering what all the commotion is. He gets angry.

"What the fuck are you idiots doing? We're fucking deep in demon territory and you're all making enough noise to attract a damn army of them."
"What difference does it make? They got patrols that have come across our location before, so they know where we're at." You remark."
"The difference is that I want you fuckers to be alert and focused if we get attacked, not getting drunk and dancing to music like some fucking sissy elf!"
"Aren't you married to an elf?" you say still playing and backing away from the Captain's reach. He's almost in shock that you'd speak to him in such manner especially since you never usually speak too much in the first place.

"You, pig farmer are really pushing my patience tonight. If I didn't need all the people I can get for this job, I'd kill you myself!"
"Shhh! I think you better shut the fuck up lute boy." One of the other mercenaries whispers.
"Why? We're already in fucking Hell, who gives a shit how much noise we make?"

You defiance gets worse and finally the Captain draws his weapon to shut you up. At this point you call him a pile of orc shit and run. This causes the rest of the mercenaries to get out his way as he charges at you. Some of them also give chase, but most just stay out of it.

Fortunately at this point the demons have finally gotten into position and strike. Most of the company is so bewildered by what has occurred between you and the Captain that they're unprepared. Your Captain immediately stops his pursuit of you when a particularly large demon jumps on top of him from one of the rooftops. He fights it off with the help of some of his men, but you see more coming and continue to make your escape.

As you run away from the village, a few demons pass you by and don't attack, looks like Big Red kept his word.

To a point.

Big Red suddenly appears in front of you.

"Thanks friend, now for your reward!" he says and then puts his fist through your chest which kills you instantly.

You don't know how much time has passed, but you eventually hear Big Red speaking to you.

"Get up, I need your word."
"Huh?" you say in a daze.
"Did I not get you to distract the Chimera Company in an effort to collect all their souls?"
"Huh? Yeah…" you continue to say in a daze.

You start shaking the cobwebs and see that you're in a completely different place. A very bad place. Big Red and another much bigger demon are talking. You see the rest of your Company in the distance, naked and in chains. The entire landscape is very barren, has a reddish hue and its uncomfortably hot.

"Okay, you'll get credit for all these souls."
"Hang on, I want to keep this one, he has certain talents and he did allow all this to happen." Big Red says pointing to you.
"Very well…that's your right. Just sign there, and there, okay. Let's load these sorry souls up!"

Big Red looks pleased with himself as the souls are taken away.

"Come on, I'm going to take a break."

You feel compelled to join him, but you still have questions obviously.

"What the fuck man?! I'm in Hell!"
"Got it in one. Excellent detective work."
"But…But the deal! You broke the fucking deal! I don't belong here!"
"No I didn't. I said my fellows wouldn't harm you, not that I wouldn't. Besides YOU made a deal with me, which damned you in the first place. You definitely belong here."

The reality of this situation has now caused a massive amount of fear within you. You're in Hell and there's no escape from it! You can't even attack Big Red, he's got a permanent magical hold on you from causing him any sort of harm, though you probably wouldn't be a match for him anyway. You collapse on the ground and feel defeated. Big Red stops, but he doesn't get angry.

"Now what is your problem? I just saved YOUR soul from being eternally tormented by my superiors. They'll probably be eating them and shitting them out only to eat them again for who knows how long. Not a pleasant process."
"But…but what are you going to do to me?" you ask.
"You? You're going to play for me at my home in the Blood Hills. Trust me, its not nearly as bloody as the name makes out."
"Play?"
"Sure. I said you played pretty well, and I do appreciate such things. Music is one of my hobbies other than the whole soul collection thing of course. I've got sheets of music from lots of places; I can't play worth a shit though. The claws don't help either. Now come on let's go."

You are finding this very odd, but you don't feel as bad now. You're Big Red's slave, but given where you're at, things could be a lot worse. You'll at least get to do something you've always wanted to do. Play music without hindrance. You wonder about your family, but there's little that you can do for them now. You just hope things work out for them in the living world.

Big Red's home isn't some giant castle, but a moderate sized house. The inside is decorated with grisly trophies, which you guess can only be considered demonic art.

"Sinthinia! I know you're here! I can smell your scent!" he calls out.

A sexy female demon comes out of one of the rooms. You can't help but stare, she barely acknowledges you at all though.

"I've been waiting for you Big Red, so did the deal go down well?"
"Well, it could've gone better, but it was still a good haul. So how is it really going with Velzix?"
"(Sigh) He's probably going to lose as predicted. I can sense it, anyone with half a brain can. That whole world is going to eventually become a graveyard, I know it. And the undead are no fun. That's why I've come back here."
"Well my house is your house. Let's put some music on shall we?" Big Red points to you. "You, go pick up that mandolin over there and start playing that something on those music sheets I got set up. Sit over there and continue playing until I say stop which won't be anytime soon."

Once again you feel the need to comply. You do exactly as Big Red commands as he and Sinthinia head to a bedroom. He then stops to turn to you.

"Oh, I don't know if you realized it at the soul market, but your Captain was NOT there. You know why? Because he somehow managed to fucking escape death! Now I could blame the idiots that were working for me for allowing him to escape, but I figured since I got you anyway, it would be more fun to blame you. Enjoy playing music for all eternity!" he says as Sinthinia giggles and they close the door.

You don't quite understand that remark until you begin playing the mandolin. You begin to feel excruciating pain all over. Your mind is tormented with negative emotions causing you great distress as well.

Big Red has made it so your greatest love which is music causes you pain.

And you can never stop playing.

All you can do is suffer.