Dragged before his throne, we were able to catch a glimpse of Bel. He was a massive pit fiend. Much bigger than any of the others I saw while wandering. "I've heard a lot about you. Words spread of a small band of misfits wandering aimlessly in the southern wastes. Is that you lot!?" he demanded. Still looking down, I simply said "Yes, milord. That describes us." There was a pause. "You've cut quite a path. Chain devils and pit fiends alike fear your names. If I remember it correctly, those were Wraxix the Wandering Mage; Kyle the Infernal Wind; Myles the Hellish Breeze; Nymorin the Seed Drainer; Sparks the Young Flame and Blaze was the Youthful Inferno. Each of us raised our heads at our names. The news had indeed reached far for a duke of Hell to know us. We had been noticed. I hoped that was a good thing. He then interrogated Grulilan, Zaranarax, Jalgros and Zannormin. They had to speak for themselves. Bel was not keen on incubi. He insulted them ruthlessly. They knew better to reply in kind. We were there for hours litigating everything. I answered him honestly.
There was nothing else that I could do. When he had heard enough, he stood from his throne. "Playing with teleportation circles is a dangerous game. For your crimes against Avernus, you all shall be given a trial by combat with my elite soldiers." he said. That was a tough sentence. His elite soldiers had to be pretty tough. Jalgros and Zannormin were up first. These were 3 on 1 fights. We were not supposed to win these trials. That did not matter though. I had given them each 11 souls to eat. A basic pit fiend was level 80 at spawn. These elite warriors were all level 100. Jalgros and Zannormin were both level 135. 3 on 1 was still a hefty handicap. Jalgros was super aggressive and took the fight to them. He managed to kill all 3 of them. He was left of death's doorstep by the end for his troubles. Zannormin was up next. She scrapped with then head on. At the end, she was victorious in her trial. Grulilan and Zaranarax passed the trial as well. Their charms were so strong, they could get 2 of the pit fiends to kill each other. With the third, both incubi calmly beheaded them. So brutal.
Nymorin did much the same. Kyle and Myles were not able to win. They were just not strong enough. Luckily these fights were not to the death. They were chained up by the pit fiends. Only torture awaited them after this loss. Spark and Blaze were able to win. It was extremely tough for them. Teleporting and using charms was how they kept in the fight long enough to win. The younger children did not need to fight. Bel deemed that they were too young for such a thing. I was grateful for that. Whelps were left to the side. I was up last. I used my magic to dismantle the pit fiends. They did not even get a attack in. When that was done, we were all brought before the general again. The greater air elementals were still wrapped in the burning infernal chains. "For those that won, I see a lot of potential in you. I could offer you positions in my army." Jalgros leapt at the chance. Bel chuckled and raised him in his service. Jalgros jumped up 25 levels and changed forms. Zannormin was next. She was really beautiful. The incubi smiled as they were raised. All of them gained power. Me too.
