In the underworld of Hell, a demon lord named Set_(deity) sends forth a trio of diminutive servants called the Totems, magically controlled by his Underworld wikt:minions, to kill those who possess the Immortality, including the Magic (paranormal) Andre Toulon used to give his puppets life. It transpires also that a team of researchers working on the development of artificial intelligence are close to discovering Toulon's secret. Sutekh sends one of the Totems as a package to two of the researchers involved, Dr. Piper and Dr. Baker of the Phoenix Division, who are taken by surprise, killed and stripped of their souls by the foul creature.