Previously-
"Oooo, this is so exciting!" Niffty squeals. "I just hope she knows what's she doing." Vaggie says worried. Alastor on the other hand, wasn't concerned at all. His smile widened a bit more as he kept his gaze at Erica. 'Let's see you can handle these incompetent buffoons' the same as you did with the 'Cleansers. Show us what your really capable of~.' he mused.
Erica stretched her arms out while popping her finger at the same time as cracking her neck. She smiled at the gang around her. Getting ready to face her. She smiled and said, "Alright boy's. I'm game. What's say you?"
Erica's point of view-
I stood there in a readied stance, waiting for one of the studs to make the first move. Soon, the 'Gray Hound came charging at me. "Clock starts now.~" I mused, hearing Misty start the timer. He comes in to swing at my head but I dodge, grab his arm with one hand then placed my other at the back of his head.
Then in a flash, I had him face plant into the ground in font of him while holding his arm back. Dislocating it in the process. 'He'll be down for a bit.' I thought. Then 'Bull brought his fist down at me, but I got out of the way in time to see him make a crater. I then took the opportunity to upper kick him in the jaw, sending him flying a bit.
'Shepherd came at me and we both duked it out, as he threw swings I dodged and blocked. I'll admit, he held his own pretty well. But his skills in combat, I'd say were compared to a low ranked armature. He then swung his leg up for a kick, but I caught it and held him good as I swung and used him to the 'Dane twins. "Strike!" I laughed.
Finally the little mutt. The 'Terrier started swinging a knife at me. I evade him like it was the simplest thing to do, which it was the guy wasn't even worth fighting back. Then I swirled behind him and tripped him with just a swift of my foot. Suddenly I felt both my arms being grabbed, I looked and it was the 'Dane twins again. 'Okay, grabbing me by the arms is getting old now.'
I did the same trick to them as I did to those creeps I fought back in the forest. Though, in the process I kicked the 'Terrier in the face when I jumped. Oh well, it worked both ways. While those three were out of commotion. 'Gray Hound tried to get me with his machete, same thing I did with the 'Terrier I practically danced with him.
When I got board with it, I jumped over him and landed perfectly on the ground, standing proud. "Come, on, I'm barley breaking a sweat here. Are you guys even trying?" I mocked. I caught another machete in my hand the was thrown at me. I look to find it was 'Shepherd who threw it. The look on his face was hilarious. "Oh wait, they are trying. And it's absolutely just sad."
"That's it!" Yelled 'Gray Hound, as he jumped from behind me bring down his weapon hoping to be finishing blow. To his disappointment, I made a disappearing act on him as his blade met the ground.
"Huh?!" I appeared behind him, he quickly noticed and swung again. This time, I used my foot to guide the blade away from me, then kicked it out of his hands or paws and into the air. Later I brought my foot down and kicked him right in the gut.
Then both 'Shepherd and 'Bull came at me. I simply waited there till they were close enough. One they were, I just sachet myself forward as 'Bull rammed his fist at 'Shepherd. I ran up to 'Bull bringing my leg up to his neck, then brought him down to the ground hard. Seeing the pathetic dogs still groveling in the dirt, I dusted my hands as I turned to them saying. "You boys still game?" I mocked them with a smirk. I heard Misty stop the clock.
Third person point of view-
As Misty stopped the timer, she announced. "Less then sixty seconds, as she said she." the whole group excluding Alastor were shocked to the core. "She just took down one of the toughest gangs in hell like it was nothing!" Angel pipped. Misty scoffed, "The toughest? You kidding? Those bastards didn't even stand a chance the moment they decided to pick a fight with Erica."
"The way she caught the machete was like she knew it was going to be thrown at her, before it even happened." Vaggie pointed out astonished. "Same thin happened when she pulled me out of the way from the flying 'door!" Niffty exclaimed excitedly. Husk leaned over to Alastor and asked.
"She's that 'guy's kid isn't she?" Alastor's smile widened a bit. "Indeed she is my friend. And in more ways then one she's much like him. So fair warning, be cautious with your conversations with her." he told Husk. " *Tisk* If she's that mush like her old man, You'd have to be a f**** moron to talk sh*** with her." Husk huffed, going back to drinking booze.
Charlie let out a breath of relief that she didn't know she was holding. But that relief was short lived when 'Shepherd got up and went up behind Erica with his bland in hand. "Erica! Watch-" she didn't finish when she saw Erica turn around to the 'dog with a weapon in her hands. armed and ready to strike the enemy down at that moment.
Erica's point of view-
As I turned to the 'sore loser, A.K.A 'Shepherd. Then manifested a bow and arrow in my hands. Face the man and aimed the point directly at his face. 'I need to remember to thank Misty for teaching my how to make weapons appear when needed later.' I said to myself. I gave the dog one of my hardest glares as I look souly into his eye's. Seeing the fear, he knew he was really out of his league now.
"Attacking from behind is a sign of weakness. Proving that you don't have the guts to actually face your opponent." I said lowly to him. "And tell your 'little buddy that if he some much as to pull that trigger on his gun. He'll be one step closer to his 'second grave." I informed, knowing that behind me the 'Terrier was pointing a loaded gun at me.
"How did she?!" he cried out stunned, "Here's what's going to happen." I started to say. 'Shepherd gulped as he looked at me. "You and your cronies are gonna 'beat it with your tails between your legs and 'never set foot here again." I demanded. Not leaving any openings to him.
He tried to put up a 'tough guy face. "And if we don't follow your demands?" he talked back, with a growl. My grip on my bow tightened, "This isn't the first time I've had someone at 'arrow point. So unless you want a new nostril in the middle of your fore-head. I'd meet with those demands if I were you."
'Shepherd was at a loss for words. Suddenly, I felt 'Bull getting up and ready to charge at me, and 'Terrier about to take a shot at me. Luckily I predicted the perfect tactic to avoid both.
I slid back out of the way as 'Terrier pulled the trigger. Instead of me, the bullet it 'Shepherd in the color bone. As I moved I released my arrow and it went right through 'Terrier's shoulder. While the two were down for the count, I stood my ground and face 'Bull as he raged on towards me.
I waited, "What are you doing Erica!? Bail out of there now!" I heard Angel scream at me. But I stayed. When 'Bull was close enough, I swiftly made a 'pirouette to the side around him and from behind elbowed him closer to the creator Alastor made earlier. With a cry, he fell right in. I went up to the hole and looked in, I frowned at the sight.
There, clinging on a ledge for dear life was 'Bull, whimpering like a puppy. "Well that unfortunate." I groaned. Turning around, I went up to 'Shepherd and reloaded my bow with another arrow. "Considering my demands now?" I questioned.
He sneered at me, "This isn't over wretch! Not by a long shot!" he shouted. As he said that. I heard foot steps approaching us. "As entertaining as that performance was. I believe it is over." Alastor spoke. When he stepped into the field, the whole mutt gang froze in pure terror.
"Y-Y- You!?" 'Shepherd stuttered, pointing a fearful finger at Al, as he just kept his ever wide smile up. The aura of his complexion was dark and menacingly, "I suggest you meet with the young lady's demands. Or else the out come for you and your men will not be appealing." He said impending on every word.
'Shepherd and his boy's quickly attempted to get up and make a run for it. "W-we didn't know you were here." he said pathetically. Al wasn't amused, that much was said in his eye's, "Do I need to remind you of the unfortunate demise I've given to your boss 'Cerberus?" he asked.
"Who?" I heard Misty ask Vaggie. "Cerberus, he was one of the most feared crime boss and overlord in Hell decades back. But since he one of those who Alastor over powered. With him gone now, his gangs reputation went down hill. Now they've been making sad attempts to bring their rank back up."
'I say 'sad is an understatement.' I retorted. The dogs started to gather themselves up to flea. "W-we'll meet with the chick's demands! We'll leave and never come back!" And like the dogs they were, they ran off with their tails between their legs. "I had that handled." I said to Al.
He turned and grinned at me. "I'm aware~. However I find it most distasteful how men like that are now a days to woman. Especially when those men were loathsome mongrels'." he growled at the end. I gave him a brow as we started walking back to the hotel. "I take it you aren't practically fond of dogs?" I questioned.
"Not in the slightest." he replied. 'As a deer in a sense, I guess reasonable.' I figured. As soon as we both made our way to the door. I bombarded by everyone's questions, well almost everyone. Misty was just watching, finding my discomfort funny. So did Alastor, Husk on the other hand was just to the side drinking.
"That was incredible Erica!" Charlie cheered. "Where the hell did you learn to fight like that?" Vaggie asked. "Who needs a guardian when your basically a one woman army toots." Angle said with a grin. That earned him a glare from Misty. "Couldn't agree with you more.~" I heard Al say. I held onto Misty as she tried to lunge at him.
"Let's just go inside kay? I haven't eaten anything since lunch and it's been quite a day for me." Thankfully, they all agreed. In a private dinning room, we all gathered in there after Niffty cleaned the whole place. 'In mere seconds.'
As we were eating a dish called jambalaya that Al made. That also was actually pretty good. The others still asked me questions. "So Erica, who taught you how to fight like that?" Vaggie asked. "Well, My third cousins and their friends. Some were 'black op's and ex military. And they also knew some folks who trained in 'special task force. Plus I know some people myself who've taught me basic combat, some martial arts, and basic self defense. And I'm also self-taught" I answered.
Everyone was impressed were as Alastor was intrigued. "Damn, bet no one messed with you at home." Husk inputted. I awkwardly laughed at that. "Not only is she an excellent fighter. But also an all star athlete." Misty brought up. "Really?" Charlie asked. "What's your major?" Angel came next.
"Geez, where should I start? Um, well to name some I do Archery, obstacle racing, horse-back riding, cross country, fencing, wrestling gymnastics, parkour, hunting, swimming, and some different forms acrobatics." By then everyone but Al was looking at me like I'm some sort of 'power house all star.
" *Whistles impressed* With a life like that, I bet you and your folks are loaded." Angel lightly laughs. "Mmm, not really. My mom and I lived on a ranch she owned on the side of Mt. Hood in Oregon." I corrected him. "A farmers life style?" he sounded degusted when he said that. "I gave him a had glare. "You got a problem with that?" I snarked.
He lifted his hands up in defense. "Nope! Not at all hun!" Vaggie chuckled. "What kinds of things did you do in the ranch Erica?" Niffty asked. "Well, we mostly breed horses and trained them for things other people would need or use them for. And there's my mothers apple orchard and garden." when I mentioned 'apple orchard, I noticed Charlie making a cute little smile.
"I recall you mentioning my dear~." Al spoke up. "You've said you've also did hunting correct?" even with his radio tone, he bared some interest in that subject. Which left me questioning his peers more. "Yes, well with my home being apart of a highly dense forest area and near the mountain. It's only natural that 'hunting would be one of the main sports." I explained.
Vaggie narrowed her eye at Alastor, so did Misty. "What 'game did you go for?" she asked not breaking her glare from the demon. "Pending on the area, it was mostly elk, pheasant, duck, deer. However in the Mt. Hood region, there was mostly elk then deer. Having to come across the right deer that's in hunting jurisdictions is a bit challenging. Oh! Almost forgot, we sometimes took down wolfs and mountain lions as well."
That made Vaggie break her glare from Al and turn to me with a questioning brow. "I get the wolfs part but why mountain lions?" she asked. I took a moment to think. "Yeah, aren't they like illegal to hunt?" Angel added. "Yes, they are. However you are given permission to shoot them if they are spotted near civilian property or animal live-stock." I explained
"Have you shot some down?" Niffty asked, tilting her head in the most adorable way. 'If being cute was a sin, she'd be the queen of it.' I hummed to answer her. "At least one or two. None were close enough to be an occurrence. Also I only wounded them. Couldn't bring myself to put them down, so I had them to be relocated to a different country where they'd be safe."
The questions towards me lasted for another hour as dinner came to a close. After that we all went to our rooms. Well those who stayed at the hotel of course, Alastor went to his home wherever that is. Misty and I sat on my bed in my room. I was already in my pj's which were just a black tank-top and black pajama pants with red trim at the bottom.
Misty and I played friendly poker to pass the time. The bids we put down were money from hell and some candy and obsidian crystal stones courtesy of my mother. "I still can't wrap my head around the fact that your mom had all these crystals the whole time." she spouted, taking a card.
As I put down a card, I asked. "Why are you making them a big deal? They're just crystals." She gave me a board look. "They aren't just that. When cut in a specific way, they can be quite lethal weapons. Like, as lethal as the 'Cleanser's weapons." she said.
"Really, how?" I asked. "Well back then, in the living world. Obsidian crystals were one of the main items natives used for in spiritual rituals as; offerings or spiritual tools. As weapons, natives would ask the spirits they worshiped to bless them so that they'd have goods hunts and all that." she exclaimed.
I pondered as I took this all in. "Soooo, I take it because of that. The things the crystals were used in the past. They now serve a purpose for the supernatural?" I theorized. Misty nodded putting down another dollar.
"Yep, they started absorbing spiritual energy. Making them as the second ideal weapons to or for demons. But now a days they're really hard to come by. Just finding one down here can give a demon good cash, they're worth quite a lot." she added. "Hmm, that explains why your so eger to win this game." I huffed amused. Did I mention I've never lost a game or challenge in my life? Because of that, Misty tries her absolute to beat me whenever it's just the two of us.
She gave me a hard stare. "I'm getting those babys one way or the other. Cause they can be the perfect tools to shadows to. Also~ I think I got you this time gurl.~" She placed her cards down. "Straight up. All in spades.~" she sang. Thinking she's won, I rained on her parade.
"You've gotten better Misty. But, sorry to say it's still not good enough.~" I sang back, showing her my cards. "In your honor~. A royal flush.~" I mocked with a grin. Misty swung her arms in the air with an aggravated groan, then flopped backwards on the bed. "Damn it! I thought I had you!" "Nope." I laughed.
As I gathered my winnings, I tossed her one obsidian crystal. "Here, since you wanted one so bad." I said. She rushed up and hugged me tight. "Your the best! You know that!?" she gushed happily. "I know." I laughed, gently pushing her off. Then her eyes widened in realization, "Oh! I almost forgot. I need to go back to the house and clean up that mess those Worgs left behind." she said.
I figured those things were messy. If someone from home were to see that, it would not only brings suspicion. But also a slight panic, if anyone were to think it was an animal attack. "I'll be back soon. You better be asleep by then. After what's been down today, you look like you could use some rest." she stated.
Nodding in agreement with her, she vanished out the window. "I'll get to bed, as soon as I get a cup of that tea." I said to myself. I got up and walked out of my room. I headed down the stairs to the hotels kitchen. When I walked in, I gave the place a big dead-panned look. "Exactly how dose Charlie expect to run this place when it's so run down from the inside out." I groaned.
I brushed it off and went to the stove. The kettle with the tea was still there from when Misty used it. As I tuned on the stove to heat it back up, I pulled out my phone to see if there was any words from my parents. Mainly my mom. "I hope your okay mom." I whispered sadly.
Suddenly, I felt a presents behind me. One I was now familiar with, 'okay what is with this guy?' I asked myself as I turned around and meet with the smiling demon. "I've already have Misty shadowing over me. I don't need you to do the same." I retorted to Al.
He chuckled, "Apologies my dear~. But I couldn't wait any longer to formally greet you myself." He said giving me a small bow. "You wear my gift quite well my dear.~" I rolled my eyes at him, then kettle started to whistle. "Making some tea are we?" he mused.
I went to take the kettle off the stove, "I always have a cup before going to sleep. It helps me relax better." I told him, poring a cup. I then turned to him, "Would you like one?" he shrugged his shoulders. "Who am I to turn down a generous offer. Though do hold the vanilla, I'm not fond of sweet either." he quickly pointed out when I grabbed the bottle.
I gave him a cup, and started to enjoy mine. "It was you who healed my shoulder wasn't it?" I questioned him. Al hummed amused as he smiled at me. "Now whatever gave you that accusation?" he mockingly asked. "The way you've displayed you powers recently felt the same when I was some how put in a sudden sleep." I narrowed my eyes at him.
He took another sip of his cup. "Very observant and decisive, Just like Vincent.~" He hummed. "How do you and my dad know each other?" I asked. "Oh that is an intriguing story if I do say so myself. However it is far to long to tell at this moment. For it seems to be past your bedtime.~" He teased at the end.
My eye twitched, "I'm eighteen, practically an adult. I decided when I go to bed thank you very much." I seethed. "True.~ But down here it doesn't matter, and your just starting out here in Hell. And there have been other sinners who've lived here longer then you at the same age."
I froze and sweat-dropped. "That's... A valid point." He wasn't wrong, there are sinners who've died at my age and become demons here. Compared to them, I'd might as well be a child in their eye's. I sighed as I faced him, "Look, it's been a long day. And I'd rather not drag it down even more. So when your done with your tea will you leave me alone?" I asked.
Al just chuckled at me, "Are you sure being 'alone is what you want today?" he asked me back. I turned to look at him, 'what did he mean by that?' I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion. He hummed a smirk as he adjusted his monocle. "I was quite surprised to sense just you entering Hell. The plan was for you and your mother to come here. Yet it was just you."
I didn't like how his tone sounded even with radio static. "Either plans were changed or... certain ordeals occurred at home?~" he mused the question darkly and the end. My eyes widened at him, 'Is he saying that he?!'
"It'd be a real shame if something were to happen to your-" he was cut off by the slamming of my cup. "If your the one responsible for the Worg attack, I swear I'll!-" I didn't get to finish my sentence when he placed a finger at the middle of my forehead.
At that moment I felt my body go numb, like all of my energy and strength just left me replaced by over exhaustion. Before I closed my eyes, I heard Alastor hum in my ear. "It's rude to accuse someone so suddenly without evidence my dear~." at that point, everything went black.
Stay Tuned Folks...