You know, when people think "hell," "plain of oblivion,"Limbo," and all other ominous sounding punishments, they think endless pain and suffering, torment unending. But really it is soooooo boring.

I mean don't get me wrong, it hurts a lot. But after what seems like an eternity, it gets tedious. There is only so many times your body and soul can be rent and eaten and put back together before it just background noise.

There is so many other ways to punish someone, but endless suffering? So unimaginative. But a lonely apprentice shouldn't say such things. I mean normally. But after what seems like many years what else to think about.

Being apprentice to a mage, I guess I can think about the magic I was supposed to be learning. I mean repeated the principles thought to me by... my master... oh yeah... forgot about him. Like I said, many years it felt like...

Yes... I remember him. One of the faces before being sent here. That whole party we traveled with. Me being a lowly apprentice was treated as a mule sometimes. A camp attendant at others. I mean they weren't all assholes but they didn't see me as an equal. My master did see me a student teaching me...

But yes. Magic. Learned what was thought. Observed the spells. And when the pain became just like white noise, I went and thought it all through. All the principles that was taught. Make sense of them. And eventually practice it. I mean what else am I to do with all this time on my hands? Go mad? Already went there. Got better. Twice.

Of course as an apprentice, I watched the others in our group. Even sparred with them now and then, for all the bruises I earned it didn't do THAT much good. But like I said, what am I going to do with all this MaDdEnInG tImE on my hands? So I practiced on these creatures who were tormenting me. Got quite good too... where did these weapon come from again?

Oh right! The cursed fighters who would sell their souls to survive this battle or this war...Sheesh. So angsty. At least you chose to be here. Me? Not so much. I was sent down here. That damn master! Lend him power my ass. Now that I had so much time I can now decipher the Circle he used. Sacrifice. In order to banish that foul beast, they finally lured it into that trap we made. That circle was supposed to banish it. And well... it did. So I guessed no supposed about it. But they all knew it would mean a sacrifice.

hmmm. I guess that makes sense. Why they all treated me better that last leg of the journey. They found the Tome that had the circle. Master deciphered it. And they decided...

Whoops. Burned these things all around me. Got to control my temper. Magic is such a moody thing. So my Master would say... but that Circle... hmmm.

Can it work the otherway?

******

Ok that took a while. The math! And all while with this damn headache from all this pain and torment. Seriously. But I worked it out. Took some time. Did have to find enough demons and fould beast and some cursed fighters to power that thing. Almost went mad again trying to gather them all. Actually took less time. All those eons of practicing paid off.

Now. Lets see if I can banish myself back to my home.

This Circle brings back memories. What did happen to the beast that started this? *growls from inside head* Oh right... merged with me when banished and is now my constant companion and a reason I have more power and strenght. Yes, I know Fluffy. You are a fierce hunter. We will hunt on the outside.

So this Circle. Right. So figured out how not to sacrifice anything to return me. So hurray for advancement in the arcane. I should write a paper. But it does take a lot of power and these components I gathered from these foul beasts will help. No, they are not sacrificed! They return back after a time. Like me. They do look put upon now that I beat them a couple times.

Ok my dread companion beast Fluffy. Ready? Lets go back...

****

Ow. ow ow ow. That stung. Yes I know I said it doesn't affect me but that is the mind altering kind of pain. This is that lemon on a papercut kind of sting. Really now. But... I am back? Yes. that looks like the town we cornered that beast... sorry Fluffy... in...

I look like a vagabound. I mean I have rags on and look like hell... I mean there were some nice looking parts but never mind. I look like the poor in some of these towns always have. But... wasn't this town abandoned? Why it was chosen. The town center was the trap... Looks lively and well lived in...

The center of town... there was no fountain... Wait... there is a statue.

"Dedicated to the Victims of The Foul Demon Beast,"-*proud preening growls*-"Who was banished forever by Arcane Master Tobias, Sword Saint Elias, Saintess..."

What?

"...May the many names of the victims of this town live on in the rebuilt city..."

So many names... That one looks familiar... oh right... *mad giggle*... it was mine... No! Wait... no Mad giggles. We are sane again. They are mocking giggles...

So I am forever immortilized as victim. Not even an honored Apprentice? Just a name on the side of a fountain that people sit on? At least the water is clean enough. Wow is that my reflection? I didn't have these slit like eyes or hair that had white streaks. At least my youth is the same. I look... hmmm interesting. Can I change my eyes a bit? Oh... ok yeah some conentration. Normal eyes, beast like eyes. Yes.

Hmmm I better find out how much time has passed. What happened after. What happened to dear, old, Master. And see about revenge. Or forgiveness. Eh. I got time. I mean I guess I could give them the pain and torment they gave me... but like I said. So unimaginative. So boring. I bet I can come up with better. If they deserve it I mean.