Page 10 of Demon Lord's Proposal

Deus approaches, his expression unreadable. "You did... adequately," he growls, which I suspect might be high praise coming from him. "But remember, Sage. This isn't a charity. Every soul here has their own path to walk."

I nod, understanding the warning in his words. But as I straighten up, preparing for whatever challenge comes next, I can't help but feel a sense of purpose growing within me. In this unlikely haven of lost souls and dark powers, I've found more than just a job. I've found a calling.

The night is far from over, and I can see the next wave of patrons already pushing their way towards the bar. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. In this realm of eternal twilight, I'm beginning to see the first glimmers of a new dawn–my dawn. And I'm ready to face it, one elixir at a time, one lost soul at a time.

I can't shake the image of the lost soul at the end of the bar. Her fear, her confusion–it's all too familiar. Despite Deus's warning, I find myself drawn to her during a brief lull in orders.

"Hey," I say softly, sliding another Ethereal Mist her way. "I'm Sage. What's your name?"

She looks up, her eyes wide and brimming with unshed tears. "Anna," she whispers. "I... I don't understand. One moment I was in the hospital, and then..."

"And then you were here," I finish for her, my voice gentle. The weight of her words, the reality of our shared fate, hits me like a physical blow. "I know. It's a lot to take in."

Anna nods, her fingers tracing the rim of her untouched glass. "Am I... are we...?"

"Dead?" I say the word she can't bring herself to utter. "Yeah. We are."

The finality of it hangs between us, heavy and undeniable. I feel the full gravity of our situation pressing down, threatening to crush us both. This isn't just a strange new world–it's the afterlife, our eternity.

"But how?" Anna's voice cracks. "Why here? I thought... I always believed..."

I lean in closer, mindful of the chaos around us. "The afterlife isn't quite what any of us expected," I explain, trying to keep my voice steady. "This place, Slim's Last Chance? It's a waypoint of sorts. A place for souls to... adjust."

Anna's gaze darts around the bar, taking in the bizarre patrons and otherworldly atmosphere with new understanding. "And you? You work here?"

A rueful smile tugs at my lips. "Apparently. It's... a recent development."

"How do you do it?" she asks, her eyes searching mine. "How do you just... go on?"

The question catches me off guard. How do I go on? The truth is, I haven't had time to really process it all. But looking at Anna, seeing the desperation in her eyes, I know I need to find an answer.

"One moment at a time," I say finally. "We take it one moment at a time. We learn, we adapt, we find new purpose. Death... death isn't the end, Anna. It's a new beginning."

As the words leave my mouth, I realize I'm not just saying them for her benefit. I'm reminding myself, reaffirming my own place in this strange new existence.

Anna nods slowly, a glimmer of something–not quite hope, but perhaps acceptance–in her eyes. "And this?" she asks, gesturing to the drink I've given her.

"A little piece of comfort," I reply. "Something to ease the transition. It's okay to drink it. It's okay to find moments of peace, even here."

She raises the glass to her lips, taking a small sip. As the Ethereal Mist works its subtle magic, some of the tension eases from her shoulders.

"Thank you, Sage," she murmurs.

Before I can respond, a gruff voice cuts through our conversation. "Sage! Back to work. We've got souls to serve."

I turn to see Deus glowering at me, his eyes flickering with barely contained hellfire. With an apologetic glance at Anna, I start to move away.

"Wait," Anna calls softly. "Will I... will I see you again?"

I pause, looking back at her. At that moment, I feel the full weight of my new role–not just as a bartender, but as a guide for lost souls like Anna, like myself.

"I'll be here," I assure her. "Whenever you need a friendly face or a sympathetic ear. Death is a journey, Anna. And you don't have to face it alone."

As I return to my station, the gravity of our situation settles over me like a shroud.

6

DEUS

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