Sympathy For The Devil
Ch.10 Courtesy Call
As the seven humans and two devils sat around a table drinking, Sparda did his best at answering all of their questions. "Are you The Legendary Dark Knight Sparda?!" Chester asked, his eyes big with admiration.
"Uh, yeah." Sparda responded.
"Oh, man! This is so cool! I never thought that I would ever get meet you in my life time. My god-mother told me about you! She said you saved her life and helped fight off a legion of demons coming towards the island!" Chester exclaimed.
"Island? Who is you god-mother?" Sparda asked.
"Maître! She's one of the guardians of the clan of Vie Du Marli." Chester said, bouncing up and down in his seat.
Sparda looked at him more closely. "You're a half-demon?" Sparda questioned.
Chester nodded.
"Will you please explain to me what is going on?" Taylor said, rubbing his head. Half-demons? Devils? Dark Knight? Taylor felt his head would explode from all the questions he had. Sparda put his drink down and finally acknowledged him.
"Two-thousand years ago there was a war between Devils and Humans. Mundus wanted to take over the human world then, and almost came close to succeeding. My companions and I started a rebellion that stopped Mundus from taking over the human world. I later put a seal in place. The amulet is what keeps the seal in its place, effectively cutting off the devils from the humans. Now, two thousand years later Mundus seeks to take control of the human world again." Sparda explained. He downed his drink in one gulp as he waited for Taylor to take it all in.
"Wait--you said, that you put this seal in place. Then that would make you almost over…" Taylor trailed off as he just realized that Sparda wasn't human. "Oh, man. Who exactly is this Mundus?"
"Mundus is Emperor of the Underworld. He's actually not that powerful, but he fights dirty. Not to mention his forces are none to be trifled with." Sparda said, leaning into his seat.
Taylor downed his drink pouring himself some more. "The hotel murders? Were they the ones that fought this Mundus?" Taylor asked, staring Sparda in the eye.
Sparda answered unblinking. "Yes."
Taylor sighed. "Do you know who did it?"
"Yes, my brother was the one that murder them. He was also the one that stole the amulet from me. No, technically it was Tate that stole it from me. My brother just delivered it to Mundus."
Taylor nodded. "And this is Hades, right?" Taylor asked.
Sparda nodded.
"What does Tate get out of this?"
Sparda shrugged. "It depends on what kind of deal he made. You know, I have a question of my own. Eva, how did you get here?" Sparda said, thoroughly surprised to have seen her.
She batted away Maria's straying hands while trying to answer him. "I made Lazarus teach me a teleport spell. Stop already!" Eva shouted at Maria who laughed sipping her drink.
Sparda glared at Lazarus. He held up his hands in defense. "I had to! She started using the spells I taught her on me! What would you have had me done?" Lazarus said, in a pleading tone.
"Endure." Sparda growled.
"So, uh Mister Sparda--''
"Just Sparda please."
"Right, so do you have a plan for getting that amulet back?" Jean asked, nursing his drink.
Sparda's face fell. He sighed as Lazarus sniggered. He shot him a glare to shut him up. "No, not really. I was just--''
"Making it up as you went along." Eva cut in. She smiled at Sparda as a look of shock crossed his face. He looked away as a soft blush crossed his features. It was replaced however with a death glare aimed at Lazarus.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Lazarus asked.
Hours had passed, and night began to fall. "So, where are we going? You got some kind of liar or something?" Maria asked, sarcastically although curious at the same time. Outside Bobby's place, the nine of them started walking into a desolate ally.
"Of sorts. We need to go to L.A." Sparda said, stopping.
"Los Angeles? Why?" Vincent who'd been quite up until now said.
Sparda nodded as he began to open a portal. Taylor blinked as the air in front of Sparda began to shift. He stared at the spot as it turned into a big dark hole. Sparda turned to the group behind him. "Lazarus, you go first."
Lazarus blanched at Sparda. "Why must I go first?!" He shouted.
Sparda glared at him. "Would you prefer to be the last one here with me?" Sparda threatened, giving him a tight lipped smile.
"But…" Lazarus whined.
Eva rolled her eyes, and pushed Lazarus out of the way. "I have never seen such a cowardly devil in my life." Eva said, walking into the portal.
"Eva!!" Shouted Sparda. There was a reason why he wanted Lazarus to go first. "Lazarus, go!!" Sparda yelled, angrily.
Lazarus gave a little yip of terror and ran in after her. Chester went in next, followed by Vincent, Maria, and Jean. "Something wrong?" Taylor asked, gazing at Sparda with a worried expression.
"I wanted Lazarus to go in first to make sure there weren't any traps laying in wait. He's a devil, like me." Sparda said, ushering him into the portal. Taylor had to resist the urge to plant his feet and push himself to walk into the portal.
On the other side, everyone was assembled in the warehouse. Lazarus turned on the lights while Eva sat herself in her makeshift bed. Chester was rooting through the books piled atop one another with Vincent while Maria got comfortable right behind Eva. She smiled up at her as Eva glared down at her. Jean went about checking the overall water pipes, electricity, and security of the warehouse.
When Taylor and Sparda finally emerged from the portal, Taylor was out of breath. He sat down on the hard concrete floor as Sparda walked over to Lazarus. He looked like he was going to hurt him.
Lazarus cringed and wondered if he could run away from Sparda. Sparda shook his head at him as if knowing what he was going to do. "Can I have a word with you?" Sparda said, grabbing his arm. Lazarus put up a struggle, but it was useless as Sparda was way stronger than him.
Outside the warehouse
"I do recall telling you to keep your mouth shut about earlier. Did I, or did I not tell you?" Sparda said, growing increasingly angry.
Lazarus shook his head. "I don't know what you mean. I seriously don't. I didn't mention a thing to her!" Lazarus said, meaning Eva.
"Oh, yeah! Than how is it she knew I was making things up as I went along? How did she copy exactly what I said?" Sparda shouted.
Lazarus glared at him. "Well, there's an obvious explanation for that! It's possible that she overheard our conversation this morning. After all, she is a light sleeper." Lazarus said, rolling his eyes as if that should've been obvious.
Sparda glared at him. He turned away with growl. This wasn't going to be easy. Damn it!If he'd just killed Mundus when he had the chance, none of this would've been happening! He wouldn't have met and fallen in love with Eva! He wouldn't have had to reveal his identity to all the flippin' patrons at Bobby's cellar! None of this would've been happening, if he'd just killed Mundus!
"Damn it." Sparda cursed softly. He walked back into the warehouse with the intention of actually formulating a plan.
Elsewhere in the Underworld
Hades awoke feeling like he'd been drained of all his life force. He stood shakily on both feet planting them beneath him. Mundus sat on his throne with a bored look on his face. "You bore me. Leave, now." Mundus commanded. Hades bowed and turned on his heel to leave.
"How are the preparations going?"
"It's only a matter of time, your majesty. The souls are being funneled in as we speak. The seal grows weak." Mundus nodded. He tried to be patient, but it seemed that he could not wait any longer.
Hades walked away from the throne room feeling the need for some much needed sleep. Mundus had attacked him relentlessly, and not given him a chance to rest. His entire body ached just from the physical strain it took to walk the long distance to get back to his chambers.
It angered him to no ends that Munduswas still Emperor. He had no idea how he was still alive even. It was only because of his goddamn army that he could do whatever he wanted. He began to feel angry at everything around him. An uncontrollable rage began to course it's way through his veins, eliciting meaningful growls and snarls from other demons that he passed by.
"Someone looks a tad tense? Want me to relieve you of your…stress?" Nevan asked, appearing from out of nowhere. She draped herself over Hades. Hades glared at her.
"I've no patience for you. Go away." Hades said, walking away from her.
"Aww, how cruel. Are you going to treat me like Mundus does, now?" Nevan goaded.
She knew where he just came from now, and wanted to see how angry he would get before taking her. Hades, however, ignored her because he wasn't in the mood. "Nevan, leave me be. I'm not in the mood for your annoyance." Hades said.
Nevan glared at his retreating back. "All you men think about is revenge." Nevan said, angrily.
In the Human world
Sparda found himself staring, again. He looked away before anyone noticed. Eva study as Maria tried in vain to cast a flame spell. Jean had a wide assortment of guns laid bare before him as he oiled, cleaned, and then reassembled them. Vincent read one of the books that Lazarus had brought out, while Chester did sit ups. Taylor rested in a corner wanting to ignore everything for a moment and gather his thoughts.
Sparda shook his head. They made a motley bunch. He rubbed at his eyes feeling that the battle was drawing near. He could feel it in his bones. The time to fight was coming closer and, yet…he still felt that something was missing aside from the plan at hand.
"You look tired." Eva said with a bit of worry in her tone.
Everyone had stopped what they were doing to look at Sparda. He sighed sitting up.
"I'm fine." Sparda said, looking away from Eva.
Eva sat down in front of him. "Maybe you should relax a little. After all, you've been through a lot these last few weeks." Eva said, looking Sparda over.
Sparda groaned flopping down on the concrete beneath him. "This is nothing. I've been through worst. Besides, I told you I'm fine." Sparda replied, rolling over facing away from her.
Eva glared at his back. She knew something was up. Ever since she heard some of his conversation with Lazarus she knew that something was up. But since they were whispering she couldn't make out exactly what it was that they said.
"Whatever," Eva said, walking away from him. He could be such a jerk sometimes, Eva thought. She sighed wistfully rolling her head on her shoulders. She sat down pulling out her CD player and listening to 'She's Just a Girl' by Devo. Eva bobbed her head in tune with the song, laying on her back. She might as well enjoy these precious moments. They might be the last she would ever get.
Hours into the night, a light shined over the warehouse. It was a dark purple light, but was for all intents, bright. Sparda was up before all of them and peered out a dirty window to see who was producing that light. Jean joined him, rubbing the dirty window with a rag so he could see better.
Jean couldn't quite see anything, but by the way Sparda's brows knitted together he knew that whatever this was couldn't be good. "What's out there?" Jean whispered.
"A Devil." Sparda simply stated, quietly going back to his makeshift bed. He hurriedly pulled on his shirt and shoes and grabbed Yamato. He quickly made his way over to the warehouse door, Chester on one side. As the door began to slide open, Sparda tensed up ready for a fight. The door opened all the way, and the devil vaulted through shooting Sparda and Chester on the way in.
Sparda rolled out of the way of the bullet, and Chester grunted as the bullet grazed the side of his head. Landing on the ground opposite them, the devil stood with a smirk on his face.
"You!!" Sparda shouted, glaring the devil down.
He smiled up at Sparda. "Aw, and here I thought you wouldn't remember me! I'm ashamed at having have doubted you. Been a long time, eh Sparda?" Sparda rolled his eyes.
"Dominique? I thought you were going to burn the whole bloody building down." Lazarus said, relaxing his guard.
Dominique looked over at Lazarus with a withering look on his seemingly young, effeminate face. "Who says I don't intend to?" Dominique replied.
Lazarus blanched. "You…wouldn't do that to us, would you?" Lazarus said, with an unsure smile.
"Not if I can help it." Sparda growled, glaring at Dominique.
Dominique returned his attention to Sparda, whom he smiled at. "Now, now Sparda. It wouldn't be the wisest decision to try and fight me. After all, do you even think that you and a few humans can stop Mundus? You don't even have a plan, do you?" Dominique mocked. Sparda's hands clenched around Yamato's hilt, ready to draw it. They both stared at each other, Dominique waiting for an answer, Sparda waiting for a fight.
Dominique laughed at the silence. "Dear pupil, you haven't changed. Still so naïve."
"Why have you come here?" Sparda said, between clenched teeth.
"I came to warn you. Mundus is building up an army for the invasion." Dominique said, seriously.
Sparda scoffed. "Mundus already has an army."
"Yes, but this one is not like before. Not like the first time. His numbers are increasing. He's gaining support, and soon there will be no stopping him. I recommend you stop your dilly dally and for once formulate a plan, Sparda." Dominique said, his cheerful demeanor replaced with a cold calculating one.
"What do you gain from helping me?" Sparda demanded.
Dominique smirked at him. "Don't you think that for once I'm doing something from the goodness of my heart?" Dominique replied, crossing his hands over his heart.
"What the fuck? Did I miss some kind of change of heart session or what? Suddenly everybody wants to stop Mundus. Why Dominique? Why you?" Sparda said, frustrated.
"Oh, didn't you hear? It's become a new trend now. Mundus has made many enemies, and remained unchallenged for quite a while. Some think it's time they take him down a peg or two for good." Dominique said, crossing his arms. He smiled gently at Sparda. Sparda would have to accept his help whether he wanted it or not.
"If it's his death you want, I won't help you." Sparda said.
Dominique laughed. "And why not? You do realize that if you kill him, you'll be rid of his annoyance forever. You won't even have to deal with him."
"Yes, your right about that, but you also neglect the fact that I would have to take the roll of the King of the Underworld. I don't want that responsibility." Sparda said, glaring at him. Dominique smiled. "And besides, even if I did kill him I wouldn't take that role. And when I wouldn't, the underworld would be in turmoil. Who would be the new king? Certainly not you. You would rather control things from the shadows." Sparda said.
Dominique chuckled. "Yes, your right. Shame isn't it? But oh, well on to business. Listen Sparda, the only way to get into the Mundus's castle right now, would be to go in as a prisoner. He's still very vain, so he wouldn't kill you right away, and he'd talk your ear off for quite a while before he even got onto the torture." Dominique said.
Taylor shook his head. "That's crazy! You'd have to have a death wish in order to pull that off." Taylor shouted. Dominique looked over to him, a hint of disgust and annoyance in his features.
Sparda thought about it a moment. It might just work. And if he went in as a prisoner then Mundus wouldn't kill him. He was sure of that. After a long silence, Sparda nodded his head. Eva stared at him a little shocked. "It's amazing how fast you'll agree to something that might get you killed." She said, shaking her head sadly.
Dominique smiled at her. "He does it because he knows there's no other way. He could wait here for the portal to open and Mundus to come get him…or he could take the initiative and go to Mundus himself. After all, it seems he's found his enthusiasm, again." Dominique said, staring at Sparda again who stared back. They both shared a look and a moment. Between a pupil and teacher.
Dominique sadly looked away from him. "I have to say Sparda, your were my best student. And if ever the time comes…I may have to put you down." Dominique said, a sad look on his face. Sparda smirked then.
"I'd like to see you try, old man." Sparda replied, crossing his arms.
Dominique closed his eyes then, a smile spreading across his face. "Then I take it that you will accept my help?"
"What other choice do I have?"
"Smart devil."
Author's Note:
I would like to start off with an apology for the late update. I said that I would start having the chapters up on the weekends and mostly on Saturdays, but I had the misfortune of not having this chapter finished in time.
Sorry!
Only reason it's up on a Monday is because it's Labor Day weekend and I have no school. It would've been up on Sunday, but I was extremely lazy and did not want to get out of bed.
Sorry, again. I'll try to make sure it won't happen again.
Anyway, this is the end of me introducing new characters. Hopefully, that is unless I introduce someone I mentioned in an eariler chapter. My favorite character so far has to be Jean. I love his cowboy attitude! I always thought cowboys would make good hunters.
Anyway, this chapter didn't have as much action in it as I hoped, but hopefully I can remedy that in the next chapter which is already in progress.
Anywho, I would like to hear what you think about this chapter if you guys don't mind dropping a review!!
Sooooo, R&R, plz!