This chapter is rated M for sexual and graphic content.

Don't worry, no one gets violated. Well, no one we like, at least. Don't make me give it away.

Song is, "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire" by The Ink Spots.

https/youtu.be/6l6vqPUM_FE

Chapter 12: Tension

Arthur chortled as he sat in the vault, looking over the bulky looking device that was now attached to his wrist and forearm. "Lilly really built this?" he asked in amazement.

"Yes," the eye replied. "It even has a radio to tune into the local broadcast stations."

"Uh, radio? Broadcast?"

The eye maneuvered over on its crane like neck that was sticking out of the floor. "Do you see the green knob here on the front? The words next to it?"

Arthur took a gander. "Stats, Inventory, Data, Map, Radio. Okay?"

"Roll the knob down until the arrow points to "Radio"."

Arthur did as he was told, hearing weird sounds coming from what he was told was a "Pip Boy". The screen had a list of what he assumed were names, though some of them were grayed out. "Mojave Music Radio, Radio New Vegas, Galaxy News Radio, Valentine Broadcasts, Strawberry News, Colter Commons, Tumbleweed Tales, Van Horn Trading, Annesburg Radio, Armadillo Station, Lagras' Fishing Hub, Rhodes Radio, Blackwater Broadcasts...wow."

"Okay, now turn this other knob to select which station you want."

As Arthur went through the different stations, he settled on one that had a man talking on it. "What's up, Hell? This is Three Dog, bow wow, and you're listening to GNR! That's Galaxy News Radio, in case you forgot! Now for those of you not in the know, in the northwest we had a huge storm roll through just a few hours ago and man!" the radio man named Three Dog let out a harsh chuckle. "Prince Cyan is not happy about the mess. Granted, there's not too much up north for people, but we need to be nicer to the land, at least if you believe that crazy scientist Dr. Goldberg out there living in the sticks of Blackwater."

Arthur cocked his head as he adjusted the volume on the radio. "This is crazy," he laughed.

"And now, some music. This is The Ink Spots with their timeless classic, "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire"."

Play music here

A guitar started playing and Arthur smirked as he looked over at O'Callaghan, who was talking with Lugh about all the technological advancements inside the vault.

I don't want to set the world on fire

He got up and moseyed on over to her. This song sounded like it needed a dance.

I just want to start a flame in your heart

He held out his hand to her as she paused to look at him. "May I have this dance?" he asked.

O'Callaghan nodded and took his hand with a grin.

In my heart I have but one desire

Arthur pulled her in close, his hand in hers while the other rested on her lower back. And then they began to sway.

And that one is you

No other will do

O'Callaghan smiled brightly at Arthur as they danced slowly.

I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim

I just want to be the one you love

And with your admission that you feel the same

I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of

Believe me

I don't want to set the world on fire

I just want to start a flame in your heart

Lugh leaned back against one of the counters, a big goofy grin on his face as he watched the two lovebirds.

I don't want to set the world on fire, honey

I love you too much

I just want to start a great big flame

Down in your heart

Arthur put O'Callaghan in a little twirl, making her giggle before pulling her in again.

You see, way down inside of me

Darlin' I have only one desire

And that one desire is you

And I know, nobody else ain't gonna do

O'Callaghan smirked before pecking Arthur's lips gently. "I love you, Arthur," she whispered.

I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim

I just want to be the one you love

And with your admission that you feel the same

I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of

Believe me

I don't want to set the world on fire

I just want to start a flame in your heart

"I love you too, O'Callaghan," Arthur replied as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.

The song ended with a little piano dash and Lugh clapped for them both. "Very nice dancing," he remarked.

"You're listening to Galaxy News Radio, and I'm your host Three Dog! Lord and master of aaallllll I survey!" Three Dog announced over the radio.

Arthur laughed as the radio announcer kept on talking. "Who is this feller?"

"I don't know, but he sounds delightful!" O'Callaghan replied cheerfully.

"Up next, we've got a public service announcement! Listen up, children! This stuff's important. Remember, children, when the monsters come, there ain't no shame in locking your doors, barricading the windows and cowering under the nearest bed. When these psychos come to play, they have one thing on their minds: making your life as fucking miserable as humanly possible. Monsters can't be bargained or reasoned with. There ain't no use surrendering, 'cause they'll just shoot you anyway. So run, hide or...fight, if you've got the balls and the guns. But for Darrach's sake, don't go wavin' the white flag. They'll just strangle you with it. Much like our beloved Queen, but it'll take more than balls and guns to bring her down."

"Is he talking about Queen Aynaet?" Lugh asked as he got closer to Arthur and O'Callaghan.

"That demon witch Aynaet is the baddest of the bad. Ice runs in her veins and she gives me the heebie jeebies with that evil stare of hers. Three Dog don't play around with that. So for all you children of Hell who think King Mallacht is evil, I'll tell you now...he ain't the one you gotta worry about. Trust Three Dog on this proclamation. This is Galaxy News Radio! Bringin' you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts."

Arthur turned the radio off and sighed. "Well, that's comfortin' news," he said before rubbing his face.

"No kidding. We know less about this Aynaet than we know about Mallacht," Lugh said, walking over to a type of console and pushing some buttons. "Let me see if I can find anything on her."

The screen in front of him came up with very little references to Aynaet other than she was an Ethiopian demon who was the personification of the "evil eye". "See if ya can find anything on Mallacht," Sir Jack said as he came over.

Lugh typed in Mallacht's name. "Well, we know it's an Irish name meaning "curse" but I'm not getting much other than he's the King of Hell. Darrach, what can ya tell us about this machine?"

Scotty got closer to the console and started to scan it. "Hmm," Darrach said through the drone. "It's definitely a computer, much like mine, but this one seems to have only a few basic functions."

"Like what?" Arthur asked as he came over.

"Keeping unauthorized beings from getting in, sending prayers and...Lugh, search for data caches."

Lugh clicked on the keyboard, focusing on the screen as he typed. Another screen popped up beside the main one, showing a list of words that Arthur didn't know what to make of. "Uh...what do all these abbreviations mean?" he inquired.

"They show what type of format the data is in," Darrach replied. "I think this one, the one labeled map...open it."

Lugh took the controller for the moving icon on the screen, using it to select one of the files. A map appeared on the main screen and Arthur recognized it as Lilly's Hell, or at least the states that represented Lilly's Hell. There was even a large island just south of Saint Denis. "I reckon that's Guarma," Arthur said as he pointed at it, then he aimed at another land mass to the east. "And there, just off the eastern coast...that's gotta be Sisika Penitentiary."

"Ya seem tah know this territory well, Arthur," Sir Jack said with a smirk. "I suppose it's good that ya tagged along after all."

Arthur narrowed his eyes before glaring at his father-in-law. He straightened his back and tightened his fists. "Tagged along?" he said in an agitated tone.

"Do I need tah repeat meself?" Jack teased.

O'Callaghan scowled at her father. "Now you listen here, Dad," she said, pointing a finger at Sir Jack. "You do not talk to my husband that way."

Jack raised a brow with a smirk as he looked at his daughter. "And why's that?"

"Because he doesn't need to pass any of your stupid tests. He passed mine. Don't be an arsehole."

Lugh snickered as Jack's eyed went wide. "Did ya just curse at yer father?"

O'Callaghan lifted her chin. "I did."

"Don't make me take you over me knee and spank ya, child."

"Hey!" Arthur barked suddenly, getting close to Jack with a glare on his face. "The only who is gonna be spankin' her is me."

Lugh broke out into a deep guffaw as he covered his eyes with a hand, leaning on the counter as his laughs got more high pitched. Jack and Arthur had a stare down while O'Callaghan blushed with embarassment.


Nails tapped on the desk as Apate palmed her chin, staring at the microscope. The crossbreeding of her flowers and Carman's was not going well at all. She wanted to make something special for her lover. Something unique and beautiful.

Unfortunately, Apate was not one for fertility magic.

The acorn on her desk flashed blue and she groaned. "Now what?" she said before clicking on it, seeing Darrach's face in a blue oval screen. "Darrach," she mumbled.

"Apate," he replied.

"How goes the journey into Hell?" Apate asked absentmindedly as she pushed a ball point pen around.

"Splendid. We have Lilly, now we need to find Rose and kill Mallacht, along with one another."

"Who?"

"Aynaet. Mallacht's queen."

Apate blinked in confusion. "Uh, sorry?"

"Yes. Apparently Mallacht has a woman in there with him. Nasty lady, from what we've heard on one of the radio stations down here."

Apate's face scrunched up. "Uh...what's a radio station?"

"It's a system people use to broadcast music, news and other audio through electromagnetic waves. I don't know if that's what's used down here in Lilly's Hell, but it's at least a similar concept."

"Huh. Strange." Apate got up and walked to a shelf. "Anything else?"

"Lilly built a vault full of weapons and things for Arthur and his "disciples"," he giggled.

Apate grabbed a vial full of small flowers and walked back to the desk. "Disciples, huh?"

"Yes. She made Arthur into a Griffin God legend down there, there's a prophecy about him and the others we sent down there...it's touching, really."

Apate snorted as she sat down. "Lilly must really love him," she mentioned as she pulled a flower from the vial.

"She does. But...uh...Apate, may I ask you something about...your hell?"

Apate paused her motions. "...Why?"

"Well, it would seem that time moves faster in Lilly's head. O'Callaghan was trapped for seventy two years and this...vault that Lilly built is at least three hundred years old, so...did time move faster in your prison?"

"No." Her eyes went wide as she looked at Darrach. "Lilly told you that?"

"No, but someone did. Lilly is, uh...unable to communicate right now."

"What do you mean?"

Darrach huffed before lowering his gaze. "She is stuck in her wolf form, and she is deaf, blind and mute."

With a hard swallow, Apate closed her eyes and smashed her forehead on the desk. "For gods' sake..." she mumbled. "Well, I hope Rose is found just as easily. And you should probably find out why Lilly is stuck as a wolf but I'm sure once you kill Mallacht and this-"

The door to Apate's laboratory opened and Cahira came waltzing in with a grin. "Auntie Appa!" she exclaimed while running over. "Darrach!"

Apate and Darrach chuckled as Cahira climbed into Apate's lap. "Hello, Cahira," Darrach said with a smile. "Are you excited for your birthday tomorrow?"

Cahira shrugged. "I guess," she answered glumly.

"What's the matter?" Darrach asked.

Cahira sighed and cuddled into Apate's arms. "What I want for my birthday, Auntie Apate won't let me have."

"And what would you like for your birthday?" Darrach inquired with a smirk.

"To come see Momma, Daddy and the rest of my family," she said. "I...I understand why it can't be done, but-"

"Apate, shame on you!" Darrach chuckled. "You could've just asked to have an arrangement made."

Apate eyed them both before smirking a little. "Don't think I don't see what you both are trying to do. Uh uh..." Apate said, shaking her head. "I am the Queen of Deceit, you can't fool me."

"What ever do you mean?" Darrach cooed.

"You both are trying to team up so I'll give Cahira what she wants," she replied with an amused grin. "I applaud the effort but you both are gonna have to do better than that."

Cahira pouted while crossing her arms. "You owe me. How's that for better?" she mumbled.

Apate squinted her lips as she looked down at Cahira. "The accuracy of your gut punches astound me," she said before looking at Darrach with a grin. "Very well. Darrach, I would like to grant Cahira's birthday wish."

Cahira squealed in excitement as Darrach laughed. "Alright, let me just approve the request with Lord Morgan, don't go anywhere," he said before moving out of view for a few moments. He appeared once more with an acorn in his ear. "Lord Morgan, I bring good tidings!" he chimed happily. "Cahira has asked for something special for her birthday." He paused for a moment. "She wants to come over tomorrow to spend time with her family."


Aynaet stormed into her bedroom, hissing violently as she slammed her doors shut. She made a huge mistake in eating those apples. They were enchanted with some sort of aphrodisiac. And she ate a lot of apples.

She was so stupid.

Aynaet snarled and threw her staff onto her bed, gripping her fists tightly as she tried to get a grip on herself. "Problems?" a voice asked.

"Fuuuck!" Aynaet thought. "Not now!"

Mallacht came walking in from the sitting room, leaning his body against the door frame with a honeycrisp apple in his hand. "Did you like my gift?" he asked innocently.

Aynaet pulled a dagger from her dress, glaring Mallacht down. Fighting was always a great way to make the sexual urges go away. That and the occasional "treatment" she would go to Valentine for. Mallacht chuckled with a shake of his head before taking a bite out of the apple and chewing. "These really are good, though," he said, smacking his lips.

Aynaet's eyes widened automatically. He was eating the apple too? Suddenly she huffed and slipped her dagger back into the dress. She knew what he was doing. Mallacht was trying to get her to mate with him.

There would be none of that happening, though.

Aynaet merely turned around, walked to the bed and untied the shopping bags from her staff before picking it up. "And where are you going?" Mallacht asked, marching over to her and grasping her arm. "You're not going anywhere."

Aynaet shoved him off and scowled, talking in her voice as clicks and hisses. Mallacht rolled his eyes before closing in on her personal space once more. "No, you don't go where you please. I let you go out this morning for shopping. I want you to help with the anniversary preparations."

Aynaet hissed and snarled bitterly at the king and he took a deep breath. "Don't make me get angry, Aynaet," he warned, dropping the apple onto the floor. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It's your choice."

Aynaet fingered the other dagger she had in the back of her dress. There was no easy way for her. Both options were difficult. What a narcissistic bastard he was, but this didn't surprise Aynaet. She was all too familiar with his manipulative games. And she should've thought about that before eating all those apples.

Stupid mistake. One that would surely cost her, but she could postpone the payment.

Aynaet smirked at Mallacht a little before grasping her dagger discreetly, feigning sweetness. Her other hand dropped the staff and Mallacht gave her a surprised look. "Oh, are we playing nice now?" he asked.

Aynaet nodded with softened expressions, no longer showing the fierceness that was constantly on her face. She took her free hand and ran a clawed nail down his face to his neck, inspecting the collar of his suit. Mallacht's breath hitched as her nail went down further until it reached his belt buckle. Aynaet stared into his eyes with a seductive gleam, inching her toes up to have her lips reach his, just barely. "Have you finally forgiven me, my love?" Mallacht whispered with desperation in his voice.

Aynaet said nothing as she undid his belt, still looking into his eyes. It was very important that they maintained eye contact so he wouldn't see what she was planning on doing to him. Something she learned a while back...something Mallacht didn't know she learned.

Courtesy of The Old Crow that lived in Hell.

As his pants dropped with ease, Aynaet went to get down but Mallacht stopped her. "Kiss me," he said, his eyes pleading for the taste of her mouth.

"Dammit," Aynaet thought.

She had to.

It made her stomach churn to kiss him, but Aynaet knew the art of lying very well. Mallacht deepened the kiss, breathing heatedly through his nose as his hands grasped her head. Aynaet wanted to imagine it was someone else kissing her this way, but then that would just be an insult to the one she would imagine. The hand that held her dagger twitched, her long nail dragging against the mound of her thumb to draw blood. The blood that came took shape as lines and clung to the dagger handle, infusing itself with her magic that was good for one slice. This one had to count.

Aynaet's other hand fondled him gently, stroking his erection slowly and Mallacht whimpered against her lips. "I've missed you," he groaned softly.

In one smooth motion, Aynaet pulled the dagger from its resting spot and sliced through his cock. Mallacht screeched for a moment before grasping himself and buckling to his knees. "Oh, you fucking...aaaargh!" he shouted as he curled in on himself.

Aynaet quickly holstered her dagger, grabbed her staff and ran towards the balcony doors. They slammed open, the glass almost shattering in the process. She raced to the railing of her balcony, threw the floppy piece of flesh she'd removed from Mallacht off the balcony and jumped to land on the railing gracefully before kicking off her sandals. She faced Mallacht, who was still screaming and on the floor.

He really was quite pathetic.

"OH, WAIT 'TIL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU!" he shouted. Aynaet let out a chirp, her mouth contorting into a creepy, wide smile. She pointed at him as she continued to chirp and he growled. "Why won't it grow back?!"

Aynaet shrugged. She was sure he'd figure it out eventually. After flashing him the middle finger and clicking at him, she jumped off, falling backwards off the castle.

"AYNAET!" she heard Mallacht yell.

As the queen descended towards the ground, feeling happier than she had in so many years, black, large dragon wings protruded from her back and she twisted around, the wind catching in her wings like sails. When she finally landed on the ground, people had moved after seeing her coming. They gaped at her in awe, most people unaware that she had wings to begin with.

Aynaet looked at everyone who was gawking, recording on their cameras or running away. She showed her wings away and stared at everyone with her consistent, evil stare before gracefully making her way north of Saint Denis.

She was going to pay a visit to Valentine.