"Sh*t, when did the foreman get here, I completely forgot about him," Praxis thought.
Luckily for him, the four-legged demon had already started making excuses to the unhappy demon, "My apologies, foreman Blixare, I was trying to teach this demonkin what actual hard work looks like. Of course, these pampered idiots never know what actual hard work looks like."
The foreman looked and Praxis and scoffed. "They are always so useless and weak. Those bastards never know how to raise their pups right," the demon said.
"Well, ya better hurry up this and at least get a few soulrocks, else the big boss won't be happy with this division."
The big boss, someone higher in rank than the foreman, and another person to add to the list of characters Praxis has gotten to meet. Praxis hasn't met this boss yet, but he has already grown suspicious belief that it won't be an all-too-friendly demon.
"Yes, we will get plenty of soulsrocks, you don't have to worry, sir."
The large demon, whose name Praxis now knew was Blixare, slowly trudged away. Each step took him a few seconds and caused the ground around him to shake a little.
"Wow, that was close. I thought this time he was going to kill me." Praxis said.
"At least you won't have to worry about the foreman too much. He's a big guy, but he's fair. Can't say that about the other foremen or the Circle Master. He's a mean sack of demon shit."
"I guess I will have to try to be extra careful around here," Praxis tried joking.
The four-legged demon added, "Yeah, death seems to be following you today, my friend."
"What do you mean?" Praxis asked, knowing full well what the demon could have been referring to.
"You almost got eaten alive by the soulrocks from the first time we saw you. Then you almost pissed of foreman. Then you almost blew up yourself and everyone else with your glowing shovel. And again now with the foreman. It looks as if you are looking to die."
"Trust me, death is the last thing I want. And what are soulrocks? Is that what we are supposed to be digging for?"
"You're just full of questions, aren't-ya."
"My apologies if I am coming off as ungrateful, but you've been a great deal of help to me..." Praxis paused, realizing he had never asked for the demon's name. "I'm sorry, but I don't even know your name," he said, half embarrassed.
"The name's Kranis. I am obviously a... well, not obvious to you, I'm guessing, but I am a demon-mite. As a boy, I used to... I don't do that feeling sharing crap, so don't bother me with any personal question, but let's start by getting your shovel back."
Kranis began digging where Praxis' shovel was buried.
"Why did we bury the shovel?"
"Two reasons, first, we had to discharge some of the essence somewhere and the dirt in this place is perfect for that. Second, it was to hide the bright glowing object from the foreman, but we still managed to get his attention, so that failed."
The dirt was removed from the shovel and its surroundings. There was still a faint glow, but not too noticeable for someone who was far away to see. Someone like the foreman.
Kranis held onto the shovel for a few seconds and swung it around a little. With a slight smirk, he said, "This is good. Here, take it back." He put the shovel in front of Praxis' face, who quickly took hold of it.
"That shovel still has some essence, actually quite a good amount of it. It should last you for the rest of the workday."
Kranis stomped twice on the ground, "Start digging here." He moved a few feet over and said, "I'll dig here."
"And what is it that we are digging for?"
"Be patient and I'll ya everything I know."
Praxis stood over the spot Kranis told him to dig. He looked at his shovel, still uncertain if he was able to penetrate through the ground. He bent his legs a little and got into position to start digging. He plunged the shovel towards the ground.
The shovel flew through the air and plunged straight into the ground. Praxis was surprised by the sheer force and power that the shovel was carrying. He almost flinched but held his ground and kept his body straight. "Is this is power of wielding essence?" Praxis thought, still feeling the vibration of the impact through his body.
He scoped out the dirt and plunged it again, this time prepared for the shock impact of the action. Praxis kept digging out a hole similar to the ones he saw the other demons digging.
Kranis, noticing how comfortable Praxis was getting using the shovel, began talking.
"I'm guessing you're still curious about what we are digging for here. I hope you already know that this is the first circle of Tartarus, the Empty. At first glance, it looks rather peaceful and quiet, but in reality, this place is alive and will eat you alive, as well."
Praxis experienced that firsthand, almost being completely wrapped up by the grass and being dragged under.
"The creatures under the dirt, the soulrocks, while weak and slow, are persistent. Those who find themselves in this endless desert alone and lost, they either trek through lost for an eternity or they lie down, close their eyes, and get digested by the soulrocks."
"I'm guessing that's what happened to you when he first came across you. It waited for you to fall, then it hooked itself onto trying to drag it down slowly... well, you know. That's also why we put your shovel in the dirt. These creatures love to consume essence and will eat it up quickly."
Praxis was still confused, "I understand what they do, but why are we trying to dig them?"
"While soulrocks are harmful if you fall victim to them, they can also be dug out and then used for energy. I can tell you more about that later, but for now, just dig. The shovel is forged with a metal that reacts and repels when soulrocks are near, so you'll know when you are about to find one."
While Praxis was still relatively confused, he just continued digging.
Looking from afar, he now looked just like he could be any of the demons that are in the Empty. Just a soulless husk of the creatures they used to be, toiling away in the desolate place that was the first Circle of Hell.