Chapter 24: An Epilogue Isn't Always Good...

December would draw to a close and the new year would finally be welcomed with open arms. After the events that transpired and the many news reports of the sporadic explosions in Imp City, normality seemed almost like a pipe-dream. Not only that, but everyone was none the wiser about the one who was technically the Overlord of Imp City. Yes, things were changing, whether people knew it or not. Zack was the one who was feeling it the most. Change was all around him, revolving around him. His home had been switched, his hermit life had been completely replaced, and his loneliness was now but a footnote in his life. His life was nothing like it had been before, and he welcomed it.

I.M.P. was quickly rebuilt, thanks to Stolas and his connection. What with everything going on and all of the danger that was around them, getting back to the swing of things was a slight bit jarring. Fortunately for them, it wouldn't last long. Now, they were able to live like normal. Well, as normal as you could get. Zack was, of course, still in hell, working as I.M.P.'s investigator. Now, instead of just cases, he was working in case they needed to find a target that was off the grid or was so paranoid that they would hide. Funny enough, Zack didn't have any qualms with it, as long as he was able to stay around them. It was still slightly bittersweet, what with the reason he had to stay there. Whatever was going to happen, he knew it wasn't going to be small-scale. It was big, really big.

"Hey, Loonie, we get any phonecalls yet?!" Blitzo called from his office, pulling Loona from her thoughts. She groaned, her legs kicked up on her desk and a magazine in her hands.

"Nope, we don't! Just like what I said the last 5 minutes ago..." She said, mumbling the last part. Though she was doing her usual duties, which consisted of basically ignoring most of them, her mind was elsewhere. After Zack had made his way back to Stolas's place to use the phone to call Loona's cell, he told them all that was said to him. Needless to say, they were all filled with a jumble of emotions; most of them being worry, anxiety, confusion, and even curiosity. Loona, however, was feeling more worry and fear than anything. Zack was slowly spiraling into a downward shot into the true horrors of hell, something no one should ever have to deal with. Even with him constantly saying that everything would be fine, she was still not very convinced. After all, she knew more about hell than him, and if THE Lucifer was announcing him as not only an Overlord, but also as a member of the Ars Goetia, then there had to be something much more foul at play. Still, it's not like he could just refuse him, lest he get destroyed right then and there. Still, she couldn't help what she felt, fearing for a loved one.

"Love him... Never thought that would happen... Not complaining though." She said in a huff, as she leaned back in her chair, a smile on her face. Love was never something she thought she'd feel, especially for a human. A part of her still wanted to just chalk it up as her just having an inch that needed to be delt with, but if she said that, she knew she'd just be lying to herself. She truly loved him, wanted to always be with him, regardless of what he was or what he was dealing with. It was a strange occurrence, but a good one.

"Heya Loona, we're back!" Millie bellowed, as she walked into the room, her hand holding on to her beloved's, whilst her other hand held a large bag. It wafted with a delicious scent of food, most likely for lunch. She waved at the two, not even looking up from her magazine.

"Hey, glad you're back, or whatever. So, got lunch for me to steal, huh?"

"I'd rather you keep your paws off my food this time. You can't blame it on a hangover this time." Moxxie huffed, his face holding a look of annoyance. She, of course, merely responded with the ol' middle finger.

Millie giggled, before placing the bag on the table, "Oh, don't worry, we got something for you and your beloved Zacky!" She looked around the room in curiosity, "Speaking of which where is Zack? I saw him cleaning the windows before we-"

Her voice was soon cut off by an ear-piercing sound, one that was akin to a tornado alarm. The three's eyes widened and their hearts stopped. They knew what that meant, what that entailed. They just didn't think it was already that time of year. With everything that had happened the year before, they must have completely forgotten about their usual, yearly, fear inducing holiday; Extermination Day.

"That time of year again, huh?" Moxxie mumbled, as he pulled out his Avocado salad. Millie nodded, smiling awkwardly.

"Y-Yeah, but at least we'll be alright if we're inside. Everything will be fine, trust me."

Blitzo, who was eating a footlong sub, walked out of his office, his eyes searching the inside of the room, "Hey, is Zack not back yet?"

The three quickly looked back at Blitzo, their eyes widened slightly. What did he mean by that?

"...Blitzo, what do you mean by that?" Loona asked, her pupils shrinking with fear.

"Oh, I sent Zack out...to...get some more...ammo..."

His eyes widened, as he stood in shock, realizing the situation at hand. If Zack wasn't back with the ammo, then that meant he was still out in the open, and if he was out in the open, then that meant he was able to be visibly seen. In his shock, Blitzo dropped his sub; the situation just went grim!

--

"Okay! Got the ammo and now all I gotta do is get back to the office. I hope I got the right shells..." He mumbled, as he walked down the streets of hell, a small smile on his face. Life was good, amazing even. With everything that had happened before, he never thought he'd be able to live semi-normally ever again. However, thanks to the welcoming of his friends, nay, his family, he was able to find his place in hell. Even with him telling the others about Lucifer's plight and his desire, they still stuck by him, even told him that he was completely welcomed by them. He felt undeserving of such care and kindness, but here he was, basking in all of it.

"Heh... Maybe hell isn't so bad after all..." He said, as he walked down the... eerily empty streets. This was strange, hell was always having demons roaming around, some even commiting crimes out in the open, but it was quiet, not a soul in sight. He raised an eyebrow in confusion. What was going on here? That's when he felt it; a murderous and almost evil pressure was growing all around him. He was being watched by someone. Without even thinking, he quickly bolted down the street and ran into an alley way, his hands held tightly at the bag of ammo he had acquired. Something was happening, and the last thing he need was for some bullshit to ruin his day.

"What's going on?! Why do I feel like I'm fucked beyond relief?!"

Suddenly, the sound of a loud siren filled his ears. He winced from the earsplitting noise, as he turned a corner. He had to get back to I.M.P. and fast!

*

"Damn it sir, didn't you know today was THE day?!" Moxxie screamed, as he paced around the room. Everyone was in a state of panic, especially with how bad things were right now.

"Shut up Mox, I'm trying to think! Damn it, what do we do?! We never told him about those guys!"

Millie was doing her best to keep them calm, but to no avail. Loona, however, was quick on her feet, as she gripped her phone and dialed his number. She just hoped that he'd pick up the phone.

"Come on Zack, pick up, pick up..."

It rang for a few agonizing seconds, before it the sound of him picking up was heard. Her ears perked and her eyes lit up. He was okay!

"Hello...?" Zack said in a calm and hushed tone.

"Zack! Wherever you are, you gotta get back here! Remember that thing we talked about, where demons are hunting once a year?! Well that day is today! You're in danger right now, being out in the open! If you can't get back here, them hide anywhere you can, alright?! Don't let the see you, or they won't rest until they have your head on a platter, do you understand?!"

Silence was the only thing she heard, until he finally responded, "These guys you're talking about... Are they tall and dark, with horns and a halo, jet black wings, and faces that remind you of screens?"

Her eyes widened, her heart dropping down to her stomach. He wasn't already...

"Z-Zack... don't tell me..."

--

"Yeah...I'm looking at a bunch right now..." He said, as he stared at the gang of demonic-looking angels. If only he hadn't mad that extra turn, then he wouldn't be stuck between the wall and a whole bunch of murderous beings. Things weren't going good. If anything, they seemed worse than anything he had to deal with.

"Z-Zack, listen, we'll be there as soon as possible! Just stay alive, alright?! We're heading there right-"

"No, don't move. I'll be there as soon as I can, just keep the door unlocked."

"Wh-What?! You can't be serious! You're not gonna be able to-"

Zack quickly interrupted her, "Don't worry, I'll be fine, I promise. Just keep yourselves hidden and I'll be there in no time at all. I'm going to hang up now. See you in a few minutes."

"W-Wait no, Zack, don't hang-"

He quickly hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket slowly, as to not set them off. They were all just staring at him, their hands holding spears, swords, and even axes. They were geared for murder, and right now, Zack was going to be their next target. With a huff, Zack got braced himself, readying for the escape he had to make. Too bad that he didn't have much of a plan to go on.

"Alright... This should be fun... I think..."

The End...?