. . . the committee begins to look around at each other, silently sharing their thoughts. After a time, the Chairman sits forward out of the deeper shadows he has been in and brings the proceedings to a conclusion. This demon is, of course, the Master of all demons, a man all black, of enormous beauty, a perfect obsidian Apollo.

“Very well, Lewis. We will give this assignment to you and your team. Understand that you are on a short leash, and we will be expecting regular updates to the whole committee.

“We are close to the dawn of a new Dark Age—the entirety of humankind will be ours for the taking. If your team fails, we will have to contend with a new ReAwakening, and the Enemy will reinforce His Stronghold.

“Do. Not. Fail.”

And with that, the entire committee disappears in a variety of blinks and clouds and warpings. When the room is completely empty and quiet, the Administrator lets out a big breath, and slumps in exhaustion. But soon, he regains himself, smiles a slight, dark smile, and fades into a cloud of black vapor which quickly flows out of the room.