Crossover Earth '98
Meanwhile, in Hell Jay Shaffstall
The man known as Sebastian writhed.
He was chained spread-eagled to the top of a boulder sitting in the middle of a lava pool. This made the boulder extremely hot, and caused him great pain.
"Damned unimaginative bastards," Sebastian yelled. "They could have tortured me with pleasure, or at least driven me mad by small degress, rather than this cliche!"
"That's not their way," an familiar voice said. "After all, demons aren't the most imaginative types."
Sebastian turned his head, feeling the heat of the rock scorch his cheek. He could see the face of his visitor. By Earthly standards, the face was beautiful and desirable. By Hellish standards, the face emodied everything cruel and inhuman. Sebastian didn't know if she was human or demon, or both.
"Why do you deal with them?" he asked.
The woman laughed.
"On Earth, Sebastian, you summoned demons all the time. Only now have you realized the final price for such behavior." The woman looked around the desolate, lava filled landscape. "Even here, I have power enough to make Calydrys pause. On Earth, once the demons invade, I shall reign supreme."
"That's strange," Sebastian said. "The way I heard it from a couple of lava demons, you ended up here after an attempt to close off access between Limbo and Earth. If you could get back to Earth on your own, I'm sure you would have."
Anger flashed across the woman's face, then she smiled.
"Perhaps demons aren't the most imaginative types, Sebastian, but I certainly am. I'll have a talk with Calydrys about modifying your torment. Perhaps periodic ice-cold downpours would liven up your day."
The woman stalked off, leaving Sebastian eyeing the sky warily.