Chapter 2: A Dysfunctional Family
"So, Adam."
A soldier asked. Laying on a pile of dirt and drinking some water.
"Yea? What is it? I'm supposed to watch for enemy movement, not talk."
I look at him annoyed, he can be a frustrating comrade. I had to do a few rounds with him and I still had to take a lot of effort to remember his name. Was it Mikhail? Or something like that.
"Oh cry me a river, we have been sitting here for almost half a day. Its hot, its boring and it pays horribly. The only saving grace is the fact that we found these sandbags and whatnot and built a nice camp for us. Honestly, still looks better than what we usually sleep on. At-least in the sand there are less bugs and horseshit. By my standards, this is a fair trade off."
I let go of the machine gun and place it down.
"Alright, you got a fair point, but what you want?"
He takes out his silver watch. He looks at it for a few seconds before his face changes. From the smile he held, it has drifted downwards and now his face was emotionless.
"What do you think about this war? What do you think about our "Grand" purpose here. Aren't we just mercenaries for someone who cares little about us? I mean… for Christ's sake, we are cast to die while he attends charity music nights. Look at me, than look at yourself, than please, do glance at our equipment. From the radio, to the machine gun. In the name of our dear Lord, you were given a MG-42. That shit was used by the Germans in world war 2. Its not even a MG3 which is almost identical, but with slightly better upgrades. There is no excuse to us using this shit unless we are literally scraping the barrel."
I look at my gun. It was in poor condition and was not much of use for it. I honestly feared that it might explode in my hand as I fire it. I would much rather use anything else. From a bolt-action rifle, to sub-machine gun, even my sidearms are more preferable choice than this. Sadly, I cannot just drop it and leave it. If I was to do that, I would be sent into the punishment battalion and sent into my death even faster. So I either loose my fingers or I lose my life. The deal of the century, I say.
"Well, better than using that old Russian machine gun from the Great war."
Mikhail chuckles
"Just wait, I'm curious as to when we got to that point. Also, can I borrow your knife? I haven't shaved in a while and I really feel like getting rid of this hair before it becomes a beard."
I reach into my jacket and throw him my knife. I look at him as he picks it out, puts it over the fire for a few seconds and closes his watch and uses it as a mirror. He slowly begins to get rid of the facial hair as I look around. A barren desert, with kilometre upon kilometre of dead trees, sand and our trench. Our job was simple. If an enemy attacked we would hold out until we could and radio the backline trench so it may prepare. If the enemy had any armoured vehicles, you just say your prayers and hope you can take out enough squishy targets before it reached you or blown you into tiny pieces. Or both.
The "sun" was setting, its reddish light over the land slowly disappearing and the shadow of the "moon" appears. This night was darker than usual. I could only see for a few meters and that was it. Our fire has already died out as Mikhail was to lazy to get any burning wood. Now he sleeps with a piece of cloth over his mouth and face so he doesn't inhale sand while he sleeps. Somehow, he has no problem inhaling dust and sand while he's awake.
I yawn as I look at him. He looks like a corpse rather than a living being. I lay down and take my knife out with some bread and meat. I begin to slice the meat and eat it with the stone hard bread. If only the fire was burning, so I could make some bread-meat soup so the bread would soften up and be more easy to swallow it than this way. I could most likely kill someone if I were to hit them on the head with this chunk of bread.
After I manage to eat this "food" I stand up to gaze towards the land. I turned my head as I looked, but the night was like a void. No light in it. I had to stay awake to look at this dark nothing. I could sleep some, but in this heat I wonder how Michael manages to sleep. I take out my water bottle and take a few sips. I rub my eyes as I have nothing else to do than just stand guard and try not to fall asleep.
I hear a soft explosion sound. My eyes hurt as I glance to the sky and see a blood red flare flying sky high from a few hundred meters away. I chuckle as I turn back and I drop my bottle. Around a handful of armed demons who were also looking at the flare. Its light was enough to illuminate the area. They were only, at max, 20 meters away. As my bottle finally lands in the sand, a hell-hound turns to me. I reach for my machine gun and as the flare falls down, taking away our last hope of light, I begin firing everywhere. After around 10 seconds before my guns top cover let out a loud pop sounds and opened up. I tried closing it, but it seemed as it broke. Luckily, it didn't explode like I predicted it would. Michael, awoken by the rapid gunfire rushes next to me. He glances at me than takes out his flash-light and point it toward the empty desert. Corpses laying in the sand, some face first, some on their backs. Michael looks at them for a few sands then pats my back.
"Nicely done."
As we both glare onto the field, a demon stands up quickly and fires two shots with his pistol. I, myself, reached for my own sidearm and fire three shots. 2 hit her chest, one her head. She fell like a sack of potato's.
"This was close to comfort was-"
I stop as I turn to Michael. He lays in the sand looking up to the sky. He has a hole on his helmet, in the forehead area. Warm blood escapes down to his head and chin, then fell into the sand which drinks his blood so greedily. I kneel down next to him. I look into his eyes, slowly loosing their warmth. With his last strength he takes one of my hand and puts something into it. He then lets go of my hand and with a small smile, finally succumbs to his injury. I open my palm to see his silver watch. I kneel down to him and close his eyes. I pocket the watch and lay down into my own sleeping place. No matter how I tried, the sleep that I have longed for didn't arrive that night.
"The fuck has happened here?"
I look up. The bright "sun" has once again risen across all of hell. I see two soldiers, who came to relieve us from our duty. I stand up and look at them.
"As you can see."
I motion with my hands at the demon corpses and Michael's corps.
"I believe you can figure out the rest, you don't seem to be dumb. Sorry for the extra work of getting rid of the corpses in the heat, but its your job after all."
The two of them look confused and one of the rubs the back of his head. Than points at the machine gun.
"And what's the story of the gun?"
I sigh.
"Shitty production and quality. That's mostly it. I can thank god that I still have all 10 of my fingers."
I began making my way towards our camp. This was the first time in the war I have felt this way. My joy and happiness vanished as I saw him dead. I take out his watch. I look at it. We were only comrades for these missions and yet … His loss was still effecting me this much. Then I heard a voice behind me.
"It was…Your fault!"
I turn my head and found myself face to face with Michael. His clothes were dirty, his helmet rusting and his blood, long dryed up. He grabs me by the throat and lifts me up and I can feel air slowly slipping away. As I can finally feel my body giving up, I close my eyes.
I wake up in heavy sweat. I rub my face with hands and get out of bed. With a few trembling steps I walk over to the sink and gaze into the mirror. I can clearly see my eyes fatigued and tired. I get into the shower and finally wash the filthy of that two months away. It was starting to give that horrible feeling. When you feel the dirt and you can do nothing. You want to scrape off your skin to remove the dirt. Good think I started that siege with some decent mental health or I might have actually shot myself. I spend a while in the shower. It has been way to long since I got this luxury. Finally I got out and dryed up with a towel
I sigh and walk over to my clothes. As I put them on, the pistol falls out and onto the ground. A loud thud, then nothing. I thanked myself for keeping the hammer not turned on. On the other hand, if it came to actually fighting it might have been a problem. I kneel down and pick it up. I look around, for place to hide it from any prying eyes. I settle with the sheet of the mattress. I stuff the pistol under it, along with the Cigar case. I reach into my other pocket and feel something cold in it. I grab it and take it out. To my surprise it was a silver watch. I open it and to my amazement it still functioned like it did a year ago. I look at it for a few seconds before putting it into my shirts pocket, one near where my heart is. Just in case.
I look onto the picture that I have taken from the old man. It was wrong to rob him of that, but I feel, as the old Marshall and the one, while not directly, the result of his death. His family should at-least know that he will not come home. Finally I glance at Macro's gloves. They were gifts from his mother after all, wearing them would be disgraceful, but he would have not handed me them if he didn't want me to wear them. If I get the chance, I will return it to his mother, until then, they will serve me as they new wearer.
Last but not least my knife. It had been rotting in that closet for almost a year, but seemed mostly clear. I ran it under the sink for a few minutes and then dryed it with a towel. I hide it near my chest so it cannot be spotted from far away. Keeping the illusion of defenceless is a great strategy here. I take a deep breath and look out the window. Their so called "Sun" has risen a bit. If I had to make a tip it was around 4 am-5 am. It was shining upon the land, but it was still weak compared to the scorching heat it usually had during the middle of the day. I turn around and make my way to the door and lean to it. I listen for a few seconds and after I hear not even a faint sound, I open the door.
I look out onto the hall and walk a bit. As I explore this mansion I come across many paintings. Each bigger than the one before with seemingly more details and money put into them. As I look at each painting, one thing seemingly changes hand to hand with the quality. The emotions. Each new painting seems to depict them with less joy and happiness on their face and more pain. Not shown outright, but it clears that after a while they aren't happy. I can see a child in the pictures who seemingly seems happy. Than, after a while, she joins her parents and becomes less and less happy, their smiles fading to nothing. Their faces took up a face that lacked all the basic emotions. It seemed more like a chore to them than something that they could take pride in or just enjoy.
I spot many plants. Most are simple, normal plants but I see some bigger ones and a huge one in the kitchen. It looks like a venous fly trap, just a lot more menacing and with eyes. It opens them and looks at me. We exchange a look and than, with one of its bine, points towards me. No… Not towards me. Behind me? I turn around and saw a bird like thing standing behind me. It was around my seize. We both look at the other, sizing the other. She puts her hands together, takes a deep breath and points her hands towards me.
"Your the reason why yesterday this house sounded like the battleground of Kesthen?"
I shake my head.
"Most likely. Let me guess, your the little girl from those pictures that all hanged all over this mansion. Heck, this could be almost a palace, like the one his Majesty had."
She rolls her eyes and puts some earphones into her ears. She walks past me and sits down at the kitchen table. I just walk over to then counter and open a few cabinets. I find some tea and put some water on to boil. I lean to the counter and look up at the ceiling.
"How come you ended up here?"
She asks as she pours herself some cereal.
I take out a cup and put the tea filter into it.
"I was bought by your mother, Stella. It was more of an accident than anything else. She was fighting your father and accidentally raiser her hand, I presume to hit him. Annnnnd the auctioneer took it has her placing money on me and cause no one offered more she was forced to take me. Also, now I got this on my hand."
I said as I removed the glove from my right hand. She looks up and after a few seconds she looks back down.
"Yea, a mark. Honestly, your the only one who must bear it as we are rich and noble enough to be able to both get and to afford only the most loyal servants. Your bound to me mother. I hope you didn't plan on living for long. She has, let's say, a bad habit of throwing servants around the mansion like some kind of tennis ball. No hard feelings, but your, well, a lot more squishier than the others."
I pour the hot water into the cup and I enjoy as the burst of fruit tea smell fills the room. I pick up the cup and take sip. I place it back than as I take a few deep breaths as I manage to burn my tongue.
"Careful, its hot."
She says, trying not to laugh at me. After a few seconds my tongue has calmed down but still has a burnt feel to it.
"Thank you Sherlock for this information, if only you spoke before I lost the ability to taste for three days."
She pours some milk to her cereal and I look around the room once again. It seemed pretty normal. Nothing out of the ordinary other than that huge plant. Seems friendly.
"Where were you captured?"
She asks casually
"Kesthen. Yesterday, after the unconditional surrender had been announced."
She looks up to me.
"So, your a brave one, fighting in that impossible and pointless situation."
Pointless… The nerve of some people. Not only does she dare to call it pointless, she seemingly has no idea of what was actually going on there. She most likely on heard whatever her parents or friends told her.
"Morning Via!"
I hear a voice from down the hallway. I can hear steps on the soft rug coming towards us. I turn to her.
"Your name is Via?"
I ask as I blow cold air at my drink and take a few small and careful sips. I look at her and her expression changes to one that is closer to someone wanting to fucking die than what she was a few seconds ago.
"Octavia. Name's Octavia. Dad just likes to give shorter nicknames to anyone he holds dear."
I nod.
A tall bird walks in with a red robe on him. He walks over to Octavia.
"How did my only star-fire sleep?"
She looks up to Stolas with eyes that could kill.
"Would have been more enjoyable if you and mom didn't replicate the siege of Kesthen down to the smallest detail. From the screaming to the noises and destruction."
Stolas takes a step back.
"Sorry. A few things happened that were mostly out of min- I mean our control. You see… A human was bought from the auction house we went to. It was, not a nice time to say the least. But worry little, whatever may happen I will not allow him to even lay a finger on you. After he is awake I will ensure that he will remember this."
Octavia plants her face in her hands.
"Dad, for the love of Satan, I'm not a kid any more. You don't have to protect me from everything. Especially boys. I can protect myself against a human, even without magic."
He says as he clenches his fist together. I take loud sips of my drink. He turns around and looks at me. We look at one another for a few seconds before Stolas laughs nervously.
"Hey, uhm. How are you on this fine day?"
I look down onto my cup of tea. Half of it is already finished.
"Fine I suppose. Talking with your daughter. Listening to how I will not lay a finger on Octavia and you gonna make sure I remember that."
I take another sip of my tea. It now has come to be a bit cold. Stolas just looks at me and Octavia plants her face deeper into her hands.
"This is so god damm awkward."
I shake my shoulder.
"Not to me. To him, perhaps, to you, certainly, not to me."
With a final sip I down my tea and place the now empty cup on the counter.
"May we talk in private?"
Stolas asks as he points at the two of us. I nod and look at Octavia.
"If you hear any screaming, bring the medical equipment. Your father might need it."
As I chuckle the two of us begin to walk the dark corridors of the mansion. After a minute of walking, I look at him and he looks at me.
"As you heard, I don't want you near Octavia. Or at-least didn't wanted you. Now that the two of you talked and meet the other it would be impossible to make her believe I didn't scare you into keeping your distance. I do not like you near her. But keep yourself at bay with what you do and talk about with her."
He turns toward a window and stops.
"On the other hand. Stella. I do believe you witnessed what actions occurred. Believe me, if not for the outcomes of a divorce, I would not be standing here. I would have long escaped with my tiny little imp. But that is hardly possible. No. I have tried to break the marriage. I was told if I was to take that road, I would loose Octavia in court and Blitzy… In a less than convenient way. Forever. I, for now, have to take this horrible status as something that I cannot change. Neither can you. If Stella wants something, she has the power to keep it. Well, not the power, but the knowledge of those who have that power. My moves are monitored strictly, and so will be yours. But your will be a lot less dire as you not only lack the power to enact anything, humans are looked on as either a show of wealth and power or desperation. You will be looked on as more of a status simbole. If you can act in a way that pleases her you will certainly have a much nicer time. She cannot show up with a human having his face swollen up from a beating."
He takes a deep breath. I feel weird hearing all this.
"But what cause all this? In the older paintings you two seemed sorta happy. Now? You two look like you could kill the other any given minute."
Stolas turns to me.
"What has happened? She always had a less than ideal temper. But around the time after Octavia was born I think she felt like her duty was done. She changed a lot. For the worse. I do not wish to imply that it was always this bad. But right now, it is the worst it has been… It also didn't help that I had an affair in the meantime."
I raise an eyebrow.
"Who's the lucky lady?"
Stolas looks at me confused.
"He's a man. His name is Blitzo and an imp."
I take off my glasses and rub my eyes.
"So you cheated on her with a man. That sounds like something that would turn her from 100% to 110%"
He chuckles a bit.
"You mean 1000%"
I take a deep breath.
"So, let me get this straight. Your gay and you were forced into a marriage, for what I assume, as a royal family, to produce an heir? Now, your stuck in this situation and you lack all the needed allies Stella has. Then out of the blue you decide the situation would certainly improve if you were to cheat on your wife with an imp. Aren't cheating on with a low ranker a really looked down thing? Whatever, do not answer that. In the end, you made not only your life worse, but you also threw your own blood, your daughter, under the bus and dragged her into this suffering just so you can suck a red dick every once in a while. Jesus, I thought we were supposed to be the bad guys. You honestly don't sound better than Stella. You are both horrible parents, that's for certain."
He lowers his head. He doesn't even look at me.
"Do you even know what kind of wine she likes? When her birthday is? When your marriage anniversary is? Do you know anything about her that isn't shown or seen on first glance."
Stolas slowly shook his head.
"Look. I'm not judging you. I'm just trying to piece together this messed up situation. Believe me, on the front I saw much worse actions taking place. I just feel like you need to hear what are the results of your actions."
He raises his head slightly and looks at me.
"I know… I have messed up. But that endless tunnel only had a single glimpse of light. I felt like I had to take it and now I'm not the one who pays its price but my daughter. I do not want you near her as I said. But I know she's really rebellious especially now. She wants to know what the war was like. I never let hear near any battle and pulled all the strings to keep that status quo. As the war was coming to a close it was becoming harder."
I nod.
"Alright. I see. You tried to keep your daughter away from the war at all cost. Your name, it reminds of a name I have heard before. From a commander of mine. I can recall you not being the best commander in the world. Tho, my memories are highly foggy in that regard so it might be someone else."
Stolas nods.
"That would be me. I can take your kind on with ease, but as many of our angelic guns got seized it became suicidal. I… never fought in any battles or war games. This… is another reason why Stella is so mad. As we failed to provide successful data and results, we became the laughing stock of both our families and hell itself."
He looks up to the ceiling.
"Octavia became of age recently. Many members of other families wanted her hand and Stella really wants her to get married into a high ranking family. I, on the other hand want her to chose who she wants to be with. This, is another major cause of our fightings. I feel like I'm fighting a battle which I cannot win, but slightly delay."
He looks at me.
"Oh, before I forget, we need to get you a new outfit! You cannot wear… That. Your a servant, not a soldier. I think."
Stolas spoke cheerfully. His sadness from a second ago vanished. I look at my clothing.
"What's wrong with it? It is comfortable, keeps both warmth and cold out and is made out of strong enough material to withstand a hell-hound claws. All the more reasons I want to continue to wear it."
Stolas just grabs me by the neck and begins dragging me.
"Is this how you all get what you want? I swear, I won't be surprised when Octavia does this too."
Stolas laughs a bit before opening a door. He takes me into a magnificent bedroom. It had ruby red walls, a softer, more pink bed and pillows, hard but softly cut wood frames. He finally lets go of me and I decide to just sit on the ground until he finds what he wants. After a few seconds of looking through the wardrobe he takes out a black tuxedo with a golden flower form sown into it. He also took out a black trouser and some dark shoes.
"Do I really have to?"
I look at him, making sure he gets my distaste towards the whole idea. He throws the clothes over his shoulder and walks up to me. He lays a hand on my shoulder and kneels down to eye level.
"If you value your life, you will head my tips carefully. If you do not, you may not put these clothes on."
His voice lacked emotions. His eyes lacked emotions. His face lacked emotions. He was stating facts to me. After a few seconds of looking, I reach over to his shoulder and took the clothes.
"Where do I change?"
I ask as I looked around the room once again.
"Please, change here if you want."
I nod but keep an eye on him.
"Would you kindly… You know? Leave?"
I says as I point towards the door. Stolas puts a hand on his forehead like he forgot it and swiftly walks out. I change my clothes swiftly and my items. The silver watch was still ticking loudly as I took it out and placed it into my new tuxedo's pocket. In the knifes reflection I saw my face. Since I was in a hurry when I woke up I just realized that I had high need of more sleep. I know I was fatigued but this was horrible. I could, perhaps, lay low here for a while. I think Stolas would not be against it, Stella has face to save and Octavia seems more neutral. After a while I might be able to escape. Thank god I have been wise enough to not hide any money, gold or anything valuable here. If I can make it out, I'm full for a few lifetimes.
"Are you finished?"
I hear Stolas as he knocks on the door. I open it and nod at him. He walks around me a few times than whistles one. I just turn to him.
"Stay away from my ass, demon."
He puts his hand on his chest.
"I was complementing your looks. I would never cheat on my Blitzy! Unless its a 3 way…"
I raise an eyebrow.
"Come again?"
He laughs a bit before pointing at my shoes.
"Clap them together."
I do as I'm told and one small dagger comes out from the front of the shoes. I look it at for a few seconds before I clap them again, and as expected, they go back. I do it a few more before I get satisfied with it and stop.
"Now that you are in a clothing which is appropriate for a servant of the Goetia family I need to leave, some immediate issue needs to be solved and I don't want to keep it waiting."
I look on as he began to walk away.
"Is it because you do not want to be around your wife?"
He stops and sighs. Without answering he continues walking away. I guess I accidentally hit to close to the heart. I kinda felt bad, but on the other hand, not really. I guess I just explore the house in the meantime. I began walking around this huge mansion. It somehow was even larger than it looked from the outside. As I walk I can hear some people talking.
"Have you heard? Her Majesty has bought a HUMAN!"
I hear someone talk. A female voice responds.
"She did fuckin t?"
The female voice seemed the be really surprised by that.
"I know, right? I was the one who had to drive him and that bitch home. I had to sit and wait for them to come out of Lord Urias house. It was so god damm boring and annoying. When they finally decided to come out it was almost an hour of waiting by that time.
After that I hear some more talking, but couldn't make out a things as multiple people were talking. I close the distance between me and the voices. I enter a kitchen. Unlike the one I have seen, this seemed like where the food was prepared. Demons were standing in a group. Mostly imps and a three or four hell-hounds. They don't seem to notice me as they are busy talking. I just stand in the door frame and look at them. After a few seconds I knock on the door frame and that catches their attention.
"You know, its highly looked down upon to talk about people behind their backs."
The demons say nothing, just stand there.
"What, did cat got your tongues? I heard you all speak just well a few seconds ago."
Silence fills the room. They look at me, I look at them. For some reason, it feels as if they were more afraid of me than I was supposed to of them. Finally an imp steps forwards. His clothing was white, with some gold and jewellery on it. He had some golden powder on his horns. He walks and stops in-front of me and reaches his hand out.
"Names Caralus. Head of Goetia family servants of this branch. I'm happy to meet you."
We shake hands.
"Uhum. For some reason I have a hard time believing you guys are actually happy to meet me."
I get to Caralus's eye level.
"You do not have to fake that you like me. I hate you as much as you do me. This is just the status quo, so to speak. It will not change just because we share the same working place. You want to see me dead as much as I do. You know that you know that you cannot kill me and I can't kill you. I fought in the war since the day it began. I have seen what you and what we are capable of. Let me tell you, we are both terrible beings. But that's just life for ya. So please, do not try to sweet talk with me. I can see through people really easily."
I said as I looked him in the eyes. His face was frozen for a few seconds before he chuckled a bit.
"Guess you aren't the average human who thinks we forget and forgive easily. That is good, as we don't have to pretend around you. Look; you do your job with lady Stella and spare us from having to interact with her in the majority of the time and I swear that we will not oppose you and keep you well feed and anything you want."
I reach my hand out.
"We got a deal."
The of us shake hand. A hell-hound from behind raises his hand. I point at him.
"Does that mean we are mostly safe from Stella for the majority of our time?"
I nod my head.
"Mostly. I will do what I can."
The demons seemed happy, but mostly relieved. It seems as Stella is not so close to their heart, but that's easily understood. Having to deal with someone like her might be a job that no one in their right mind would sign up for. But I could use this as a leverage. For now, its best to keep this little agreement.
"Here, take this."
I'm handed a large bottle of wine. I read its name. "Barolo". Isn't this super expensive Italian wine? How the fuck did these demons get hold of something like that? Wait, they can enter earth pretty easily. One of the reasons the war has started. Right. This is still an expensive wine. Isn't it like a 100 euro or so? I turn the bottle around to look at how much alcohol it contains. 15%. A lot of money for something this weak.
"Take it to Stella. When she wakes up she likes to start the day with a bottle. And also before meetings. And going out somewhere. And before heading to bed."
The imp rubs the back of his head.
"So, she's an alcoholic. A big one at that. Eh. Dealt with alcoholic superiors she can't be that worse than those. Right?"
The guy just shook his head and motioned with his hand for me to get moving.
"If I catch any of you talking about me I snip your tongue out before you can speak my name."
They all look at one an another.
"What is your name?"
I shake my shoulder. I didn't really feel like or cared enough to answer that question of theirs. They can call me whatever they want, I have bigger issues at hand than letting them know my name. After all, I'm still in this dire situation between life and death. For now the die cannot be cast. As I walk I realize something. I have no fucking idea as to where her room is. I look around for a few seconds and think. No idea springs to mind so I decide to just keep walking. Perhaps I might run into another servant who could give me some guidance. With each step the floor squeaks quietly. The atmosphere is extremely depressing. Only a few curtains aren't closed, around one in five. Barely enough to lit the hall, but the lack of natural sunlight is fixed by candles. Around every few steps there are candles lighting the area. They are contained in a seemingly golden holders. But even with the candles, as I go further some are already burned out. I decide to take a candle off and walk with it. Soon the last candle on the wall finished its last flicker and stopped burning. I look on as I walk in the now complete darkness.
I take steps with as much confidence as I can but even with that, truth be told, it was frightening. I hear some movement behind me and I turn. The candle cannot light the entire hallway and neither can it give enough light to see what I want. I look on for a few seconds before turning back and to my surprise Octavia stood there. She scare the shit out of me and I fell on my back. The candle's light died out when it hit the ground and luckily the wine was undamaged. She glances at me with a grin.
"Wow, for a soldier your easily scared, aren't you?"
"I rub my back."
"Wow, for a girl your age your pretty flat. Heck, flatter than a freshly paved road. Also, you could have caused a fucking fire. You all demons have this illness of lacking common sense?"
She crosses her arm.
"Asshole."
She looks at me for a few seconds before she laughs a bit.
"Alright, you might have a point in both matters. You need a helping hand? You seem to be pretty much lost and you don't seem like you have even the slightest idea of where my mothers room is."
I get off from the floor and look at her.
"Did the bottle gave it away? Also, yea, some help would be nice as I prefer my insides not splattered on the walls."
She just begins to walk. I look on for a few seconds before following. We walk for a while, the silence of the mansion is still frightening. I slowly come to a conclusion. Her steps make no sound. Neither does the floor. In this deafening silence I can only hear my and my footsteps alone. I than heard a faint, but noticeable sound; She was listening to some music. I walk up to her.
"What your listening to?"
I ask as I glance onto her phones. Perhaps I could see something that would benefit me. Perhaps a few pictures of other Goetia's? It would certainly be nice to get an idea of how the others look and perhaps try to guess how I should act around them.
"My world is burning down around me, by Fuck you dad!"
I look at her half expecting her to say something. After a few seconds of getting no answer, I just assume she's either telling the truth or just wanting to get rid of me. Either way, seems like she isn't a talkative one.
"How was it?"
She asks out of nowhere
"How was what, exactly?"
She turns her head towards me.
"The war. How was it like? What was it like?
I motion a zip around my mouth.
"Sorry kid, I believe you aren't exactly fit for that type of talk. Plus, your father might not take it lightly if I was to scar you with what actually happened there."
I can hear her grunting and making a few annoyed sounds. I roll my eyes and place my hand on her shoulder, drawing her closer.
"You should be grateful. I have seen things which you would never wish to hear, let alone witness. Your father did all he could so that you may wake up each morning with a mind that doesn't scream; "Murderer." For that, you do not know what was it like. Did you ever go hungry?"
I look her in the eyes. She tries avoiding eye contact and I sadly get no answer out of her. I can easily draw a conclusion.
"No. You never had to feel that. You only ever felt your fathers warm embrace in a hug. He isn't a good father. He isn't ideal to be a parent. He makes mistake, a lot. But the end of the day, he tries his best. After you show me your mothers bedroom, call him up and talk with him. Not in that "I wanna die" tone. Because unlike you; I have seen true death. It isn't like how you love to think. The war wasn't some noble battle for either side. One wanted total control so it may conquer the rest of the realms and the other, only fought back because they wanted to keep that right to themselves and only lifted a finger when their conventional troops and ways have failed. Even than, they learned that they aren't unbeatable."
I take a deep breath.
"Have you ever head one of your closest friends head get punched by a single bullet? Have you ever had to walk over lanes and lanes of soldiers, civilians, children, corpses whom, yesterday at that hour were fine and healthy? Have you ever received an order to kill a children running away, with two shots? Have you seen your comrade, burned, having small black skin remains in his otherwise red skin? Asking for water, pen and clear paper, knowing he has not much time left, wishing to write to his relatives."
I look at her. I can see fear in her eyes now. I think I managed to give her a good scare. But as I look I find another feeling: Curiosity. She fears it, but wants to know more. I think I have failed in my attempt to scare her away from asking any-more of these questions.
I let go of her and begin walking.
"You aren't gonna show me her bedroom?"
I ask as I turn around. She blinks a few times and quickly rushes next to me. She seems to be in a bit of a shock. Seems like, perhaps, it might have worked.
"Did you actually kill anyone?"
She asks, quietly.
"I would not be standing here if I did not. From the top of my head I have personally killed a hundred or so demons. From being a common soldier, to the punishment battalion to the People's Defence Army, finally stopping at the White army and the White Baron."
I can hear her gasp for air. I turn towards her concerned.
"You served under the White Baron?"
She almost sounded like a fucking fangirl. Extremely uncharacteristic of her. And I have only known her for a few hours.
"Don't fucking tell me your another one of those weird demons who have a poster of the White Baron half naked in their room or I swear to god I will cook you as my dinner."
She quickly regained her cold and kinda dead voice.
"Its not that I support him or anything, he was our enemy after all, but you gotta admit he was hot."
I plant my face into my hand. I begin to slowly shake my head. I know having someone like him would have dire outcome. Our good Baron was indeed, a woman eater who could get all the ladies into bed, sadly, his skills as a commander were a lot more weaker and useless.
"Alright. We are here."
She pointed at the door. It had a white pink colour and was heavily decorated. Small gold and jewellery were embedded into the door. I turn towards her. We look at one another for a few seconds.
"Fine, what do you want to know?"
I say quietly as to not awake her mother, who, perhaps, after a night of shouting, stress, rage and alcohol might prefer to get a few extra hours of sleep.
"Who was your first kill?"
I throw my free arm into the air.
"The fuck you want from me, to name who I shot? You think I know?"
She raises her hand as to calm me down.
"Alright, alright, stupid question. Tell me how it happened."
I sigh heavily.
"Why in the bloody hell you want to know that?"
She doesn't give me an answer. Its like my question didn't even reach her.
…
"It was the second day of the war. There were news about us, but most of your lower classes dismissed it as, perhaps, a sick joke by the rich and powerful. Early in the war, we, soldiers had little information about demons. We knew some of your kind was hard to keep dead, but also knew that there were ways to keep them dead. We felt no need of using your so called "Angelic Metal". We had limited amount anyway, so made little strategic sense to have any on us. Our objective was to ensure a few strategic locations and a starting base for further military missions."
I lean to the wall and take a deep breath. This part is not my favourite.
"We were to raid a few farms for both supplies and for a starting base. We had around 8 man in total, including a commander. We entered a few houses to get a few civilian prisoners. As I entered a barn, I saw a family of 3. The parents surrendered but the kid began running. The captain ordered me to fire with me M4 rifle. I remember switching to semi-auto and taking aim. I was about to fire but the mother jumped me with a harvesting sickle. She made a deep cut on my upper hand. Enraged, I kicked her in the stomach. She fell back, but was caught by her husband. She raised her head to look at me and the last thing she saw was the long barrel of my rifle. I pulled the trigger once and both parents fell to the ground. The mother was dead on the spot, the father was bleeding in the chest area. I turned back to the child who was now far running. I got on my knee to get a better grip of my gun and easier aim. I fired twice. One at the start of the shoulder, second, just below the kids head, I think I hit his spine. The father later parished as a result of the wounds. In a single hour, three dead."
Octavia doesn't say a word. She just looks at me. Her face having all the different type of emotions.
"Did you enjoy it?"
She asks as she looks me in the eyes. Gotta give credit, this kid can be kinda creepy when she wants to be. Even a bit scary.
"The killing? Not necessarily. To me killing was a neutral thing. I did not weep when I had to do it, but no joy arisen from it either. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the benefits I gained by being reliable. I gained popularity along the lower ranks by being able to carry out duties which would have other wise broke other people. In the higher ranks I was liked because when I was asked to do something, I didn't ask why, I asked how many and when… Sadly, I was to find out that I'm also not immune from being haunted by my actions of the past. But that is not part of our little talk. Got what you wanted, begone."
She sakes her shoulders before turning around and walking away. I turn towards the door and open it. To my surprise and horror, Stella is already awake. She turns towards me and scoffs.
"Took your time. I thought you humans were more useful."
I roll my eyes on her idiotic comment.
"I thought noble woman would act in a noble way. Guess both of us are disappointed."
I walk over to her and hand her the wine. Her eyes are full of rage. It seems as she didn't like me talking back to her, but seems as she didn't had the guts to hurt me. She cared more about her status, name and look in the eyes of the other Goetia's. She takes the bottle and looks at it for a few seconds.
"This isn't what I have asked for you useless peasant."
I shake my shoulders.
"Your not disabled, you have two legs to walk with. If it bothers you this much you can go get it yourself."
I turn around and begin to walk away. Then I feel a hand on the back of my neck. With a swift movement, I'm on the ground. My glasses flew off and my back was hurting like hell. She stood in-front of me and covered my mouth with her hand.
"I guess I need to teach you one thing. You might think just because you caused me so much trouble and I was forced to obtain you, I will not retaliate in the fear of loosing more and more of my face. Well… With my little, pathetic husband I have already reached the bottom of the pit. So your little "immunity" you think you have is nothing more than your little thinking. Your not the first person to think like this, but I think I will make sure your the last. An example is to be made."
With a single, but swift move I could feel warm liquid pouring onto my face. I reach to my eye. I could not see my hand. I swear my eyelids were open but I could not see with my left eye. The war liquid was my blood. It was escaping my body, racing down my face. I did not feel pain. I think I was in shock. I can see Stella standing back up and taking the bottle with herself. She left me alone there. I tried standing back up, but my body was refusing its orders. It did not follow my commands, so I just sat there. With each second my head was hurting more and more. My cloths were now bloody, and so was the carpet.
I do not know how long I sat there until a hell-hound came to the room. He looked at me for a few seconds and shook his head. I could see his mouth move, like he was saying something, but I didn't hear anything. I'm to focused on trying not to pass out. I can see with my only that he takes out a cloth and puts it to my face. He puts my hand over his shoulder and helps me stand up. I could only hold out for this long. I can feel my body giving up. I remember nothing after that. I do not know how long I was out, but I can remember when I awoke I had horrible pain in my eye.
I put my hand on my left eye, to feel a few bandages on it. They are a bit bloody, but not terrible.
"Got to daring, didn't you?"
I can see Caralus standing in the doorway.
"I expect better of you. Honestly. You really thought you were invincible or what? The last person who ended up like this, said a few things which she did not like. You should have honestly expected this. Your lucky that our hell-hounds instantly felt the smell of blood. You could have been a goner, kid."
He says as he enters the room.
"We already called his Highness and informed him about your condition. He wanted to speak with you, but during that time you were out cold. He requested that I call him back when you awake."
A servant brings in an old phone. He dials a few number and places the phone onto the bed, around my stomach area. The two of them turn and leave. The door closes with a heavy thud and I'm left alone, hearing the phone beep. After a minute or so I hear someone pick it up.
*Yawn*
"Hello..?"
I hear a tired voice speak.
"Stolas, is that you?"
A few seconds pass by.
"Yes, who is it?"
I take a deep breath.
"The new human servant. Adam. I just now realized I never introduced myself."
I can hear a sudden take of breath,
"Oh, yes, yes. I heard what happened… I'm… I'm sorry that this happened. I'm sorry, I really thought she wouldn't do this. I… I now see that I don't know her as much as I thought I do. Its all my fault."
His voice is weak. He genuinely seems sorry. Surprising, especially coming from a demon like him.
"Eh, not your fault. I honestly got to cocky. If I kept my head I would still have my eye. Guess this is how one learns?"
I do not get a response for a few seconds, until I hear someone else speak.
"Who the hell are you talking to, Stolas?"
A new voice. I do not know who it was, perhaps another overlord or relative?
"Sush, my little Blitzy. I have to talk that I need to finish."
Blitzy… Blitzy… Isn't this the lover he said he had, or something like that? Wait a fucking minute! Did this motherfucker left me alone with that harpy so he can get pounded in the ass? If I get my hands on his fucking owl neck.
"Wait! What time is it, Blitzy!?"
I can hear him almost scream it.
"Around 7:34 pm. Why?"
I can hear the guy answer. I can also hear Stolas entering a state of panic. I'm confused as to what the fuck is going on over there. I swear, if his getting his dick sucked, I will break him in two.
"I overslept! I should be in a ceremony to celebrate our families and other important overlords victory by 7:45 pm. If I go to late Stella will be even more mad than how she usually is! Unless…. Adam, right? I need to ask you a question. Would you kindly take my place in the ceremony as my representative?"
"Nope nope nope nope nope nope. No."
I say without even thinking.
"She just gouged my eye out like the middle fucking grape fruit. I'm not going to spend a ceremony with her. Forget it. I managed to not get injured during the whole war and on the first day of the peace I lose an eye. Fuck this."
That bitch is more dangerous than the battlefield of Kesthen. I rather go back for anther two months instead of this ceremony.
"~I pay you.~"
What the fuck.
"Are you trying to seduce? Not working, I'm straight as fuck. Now put it in a way I want to hear it or I slap this phone down and go back into dreamworld."
I can hear some laughter on the other side of the phone by his lover.
"Was worth a try."
I clear my throat. I do not want his seemingly small attention spam to be taken away.
"As I said I can pay you. Well, in a form. We are rich, but the war did leave us a bit on the worse side, but nothing serious. I can make a credit card for you, with it, you can access your own bank account. I will transfer money to it. I do believe the amount I will send to you will… Appease you."
I take a few seconds to think. If I was to accept it, I would get money to buy stuff with. It would be a benefit which I will need if I plan on seeing my father ever again…. I either get to see him again or I die in the attempt.
"Fine. I will take care of it. But a single question remains. Why not someone else? It would be certainly cheaper."
I hear him take a deep, painful breath.
"Imps are… Disliked by her. Even Caralus isn't safe. Hell-hounds are the lowest of the lowest. It would be an insult to send one."
I think for a few seconds.
"What about Octavia? Isn't she your heir? Isn't she your best representative? Or fuck it, you can just make portals out of thin air. It takes you less than a minute to come here. You really dislike your wife that much."
I hear Stolas breathing. Not fast, but loud. He seems to be a bit pissed about my suggestion.
"No. Yes and yes"
That's all I get. I don't think it would be ideal to push this question any further, if I prefer having my last eye. Guess I'm the one who gets thrown under the bus now. Better to have him as a friend than an enemy.
"Alright, I understand you. I will get some new dress, cause these are bloody, and I will go with her. But that money better be enough to feed a whole family for a year, ya hear me?"
I can hear him laughing a bit.
"Alright. We got a dea- Oh Blitzy, your so naughty."
As I hear that I slam the phone down. I'm not gonna listen to that shit. Time to get fucking dressed and go with that bitch. As I put the phone onto the night-table I hear the door open. Its Caralus and a few other servants with clothings, jewellery and anything that can make you look fancy.
"Did you listen to all that has been said?"
Caralus rubs the back of his head,
"Perhaps. I think your an idiot for talking back to Stella and now going to the ceremony."
He says as he places a captain hat on the bad. Seems like its made out of fine material, might be even better quality than the one I had. Fuck me, I might actually enjoy this place, if not for Stella.
"You wanna take my place?"
I say as I look at him. He places his hands on his chest and than looks at me.
"Nope. I'm not suicidal enough to go with her."
I begin to take off my clothings. To my surprise the bloody on my body has been washed off. Guess these guys either already accepted me or just want someone else to deal with Stella as-long as they can.
"Why not? You could learn how to fly!"
We look at one another and we both chuckle.
"Does she actually throw people across rooms or is it some kind of joke you guys have here? I heard it before but after what I experienced I'm not really doubting it."
He nods.
"Yes, more often than you would think. Its not a daily occurrence, its hourly. Feels like half of the time your a fucking air plane."
I just put the clothings on, not bothering to really look what I'm given. I see a black eyepatch. I pick it up and look at it.
"Buddy, I'm a representative not a fucking pirate. Was nothing else lying around?"
He rubs his chin.
"We had around 10 minutes to get something for you. 'Cause let me tell you, Stella will not let you go with such a visible injury. She will twist your neck and throw you away. I'm actually surprised she didn't just straight up kill you. Consider yourself lucky, if you may. I'm just happy I'm not the one having to deal with her."
He pats my shoulder. He reaches into his pocket and throws a monocle onto the bed.
"Now you only need this."
He laughs as he leaves. What an actually asshole. A charming, but still asshole kind. Could be worse.
I finish putting all my clothes on. The last steps are removing the bandages and looking at my eye in the mirror. The tissue was red, as to be expected. I will need some anti-biotic for this. Other than that, the wound seemed acceptable, not terrible at-least. I put on the eyepatch and the monocle. I have a bit of a hard time finding a place where I could put the pin, but one of the pockets was exactly made for this. I look at myself in the mirror. I look horrible, other than the cloths. Just like the servant clothing, it was black, but it was somehow even more darker, with a lot more gold and jewellery on it.
I reach under the mattress. After a few seconds I take out my golden pistol. As it was golden, it would arouse less suspicion and if I was to bring it along it might paint her in a good light. Having an obedient servant only after a day might make other think more highly of her? I guess? Self defence in this case might come hand. In hindsight, I should have carried this with myself to shot that bitch dead. But than I would be also dead. This fucking mark. This woman. She's terrible, but sadly, not stupid. Sadly.
"Are you ready?"
I hear a voice speak behind me. A female imp asks.
"Sure, sure, give me a second."
Almost forgot the knife and the watch. Not essential, but I prefer having them on myself. I pocket the watch and put the knife into the jacket. A man must be ready. I turn to the imp and walk to her. She steps aside. As I step out of the room she grabs my clothes and brings me down to her level. She whispers into my ear.
"May Satan guide you through this torture and make it out alive."
I nod to her and stand back up. She motions for me to follow her. She leads me to a large room. She was there. She had a magnificent dress… If only her personality was just half as pretty. She wore black clothing. Her long dress covered with small, dark blue jewellery. She wore black gloves with a hint of dark red and in her hand, had an ash grey hand fan. She turns to look at me and her face twisted.
"The fuck are you doing?"
I filled my lungs with air as I looked at her.
"Your husband had other business to attend to. He chose me as his representative in the grand ceremony. If you wish to protest, do that with him, but he stated that even if the sky falls down from its place, he will not be able to make it here. You can just order me not to come if you have that big of a problem. I mean, he told me that going alone is not a good thing. You said you got nothing to lose, so go ahead. Only difference is how long until you can wash away the shame."
I say as I turn to walk back to my room. Now if she tried to pull the same shit I can take the both of us to death.
"Wait, filthy peasant!"
I hear her scream. I think this is the nicest thing she called me yet. I turn back to her. Her fan, firmly in her hand. Her eyes, darker than ever.
"Going alone is worse than going with someone pathetic like you. Not by a lot. But fine. I gracefully allow you to accompany me."
This bitch. I swallow my pride and give a small bow. I cannot express the disgrace this invokes in me, but in the grand scheme, this is but a must do thing, if I plan on getting out of hell for good.
She laughs at my bow and turns around. She snaps her finger and a pink-white portal materialises. I take a deep breath and walk right next to her. She glances down at me for a split second before entering the portal. I take a step and enter.
I find myself in a highly decorated room. Two imps stand in-front of the door. When they spot us, you could see them turning white. If one listened close enough, even hear their heart skip a few beats.
"G-greeting, Madam. I see his highness could not c-"
He was cut short by Stella's glare. As if a thousand dagger struck him. The imp simply gives an awkward smile and open the door. The floor creaked as the other imp stepped as far as he could without looking suspicious.
We entered another room. It seemed was filled to the brim with expensive things. Diamonds on the lamps, silk curtains, Cuban cigars, expensive wine, whiskey, vodka, the finest beer. The cups were made out of different materials. Some, in golden clothings had cups made out of gold, filled with huge ruby's. Some, in a lot more common clothing had only silver or copper cups with seemingly no gems or at best, really small ones. Each breath I take is harder than the one before. I can feel the smoke in the air. Some demons are dancing on some poles and serving the guests. It isn't the noble gathering I had expected. It seemed more like a school re-union than something to celebrate a victory. Guess celebration is different in hell than in our living world.
"Stella! Long time no see darling!"
A female voice spoke. We both turned towards the direction from where the sound came. A male bird sat in a golden chair. He had burning orange feathers on his head and dark red feathers on his chest. He motioned with his arm for us to come closer to him. I look at Stella who doesn't seem to be to sure about if she should go there or not. She finally gives in a walk over to his table. I follow her. As we walk I can feel the eyes, like restless knifes being struck at me. The more we walked the more stares we got, mostly me.
Two chairs were free at the table. We sit down and I examine the bird even more. He can clearly see it and gave me a half smirk.
"Who's this little meat bag you have with yourself? Perhaps you to, gave in and found someone more appealing to your taste?"
The bird gives a wink.
"As if, Phoenix. Unlike that failure of a husband, I know my duties and I'm not weak like him, to give in like that."
The bird shakes his head.
"And yet, he isn't here. He's most likely having fun with his little pet, isn't he?"
He glares at me, expecting a reaction.
"Where his Highness is, is not my concern or job to know. My job is to replace him in this situation and to answer to any question that may occur. If you wish to know where he is, it is up to you to find it out, not mine."
He looks at me for a few seconds before taking out a cigarette. He puts the end of it to his feathers and than into his mouth.
"Well, whatever you managed to buy certainly has a spine. A small upgrade from your husband, if nothing else. Plus he seems pretty harmless compared to that dipshit who goes around fucking up all that you worked for."
He raises his head to the ceiling and puffs. Dark smoke fills the air and I cover my mouth. I can feel sweat ran down on my back. This heat is unbearable. I look at Stella who's slowly using the fan as if the heat was not effecting her. I take off my hat and use it as a makeshift fan. Phoenix looks at me with a wide grin.
"Can't bear the heat, mortal?"
I reach out for a glass of water.
"Yea, sorry that I don't spend all day outside on the sun. Its not like I have more important things to do, than increasing my heat tolerance."
I down the glass of water and he looks on amused. I can feel Stella hitting my side with her elbow. Phoenix raises his hand.
"Stella, let her speak. This guy seems fun. Speaks like he doesn't fear death. Been a while since I talked with anyone who didn't shit their pants at my sight or wanted to use me for their advantage"
He looks directly at Stella, trying to establish eye contact, but Stella looks away. Phoenix takes a deep breath.
"I'm not saying I have problem with you using me. That was to be expected. But failing to keep your end of our bargain IS a problem."
Stella closer her fan and looks at him.
"I-It's not my fault that useless brick refuses to allow it! I would need both of our signatures for it to be accepted!"
Stella tries to explain something, but Phoenix doesn't seem really interested.
"You failed me. I'm honestly don't understand why I'm surprised about it. After all, you couldn't keep your marriage together, how would you be able to do anything?"
I pour myself another cup of water. I try to keep my head down but I glance up time to time. Stella's head hang low, looking down at her feet. Phoenix takes a few aggressive puffs than picks up the ashtray and pours the ash into his drink. He downs the whole cup and looks at me.
"Your confused, aren't ya? Well, let me give you a small insight, εντάξει?"
I blink for a few seconds before he planted his face into his hand.
"I tell you what was the bargain, alright?"
I nod.
"This woman was supposed to secure me her daughters hand. As you can see she utterly failed. In return, I was to support her claims and help her out in-case Stolas was to try anything funny. But it seems like this deal is now null and void."
He looks at Stella once again and motions with his hand for her to go away. Like a dog when you don't want its company, he shoed her away.
"Kid, you should follow her. She's not herself when she's angry. Also not a good idea to be around her when she's mad. Or when she's annoyed. Or drunk. You know, there aren't a lot of times when she's pleasant to be around. I may have a disdain for humans for obvious reasons, but she, she is a fate worse than death."
I look at him and nod.
"Your not the first to tell me that. Probably not the last either. You know, I expected a lot worse from high ranking demons like you. Out of all the five I have met, only Stella seems, well, you know."
He puffs his cigarette.
"The higher you go, the less we care. I'm gonna level with you. Each high ranking demon that your little friends and you killed increased our power. Think of each death as… Hm. "The scramble for Africa". Yes, that's a good example. We do not and did not care who died or dies. We just see an opportunity to jump in and claim power, wealth, hands in marriage. In all regards, I have increased my power in this two year more than in the last thirty or so. Go now, she will paint the walls red with your bloody if you don't hurry.
I stand up and down my glass of water.
"Wait, where did she go?"
I speak as I look around, not seeing her. Phoenix coughs loudly to catch my attention and points towards a door. The door was a mix of both light blue and dark blue and had some ice and snow on it. I feel something hit my shoulder. I look at the ground, its a small, orange gem. I look up at Phoenix downing another glass of wine. Half of it runs down his face and evaporates.
"Take that, freezing to death is not a pleasant death. Your fingers and toes getting frostbit, turning black, your internal fluids slowly freezing and whatnot. Would be a shame for you to die so soon. I feel you could be of use for me in my goals."
He winks at me and turns around for another cup of wine. I don't need to be told twice what to do and walk trough that door. I take my steps in a hurry, trying to catch up to her. As I run I can see my breath. Even with this stone it feels like I could freeze to death any minute. Lucky for me, I spot her. Her black dress makes it easy to spot, even if you have no idea where to look. I walk up to her and I hear some ice cracking under my feet. I look down, than try to look up but I fell back as a punch hits my face. I rub why chin and look up. Stella's eyes are wide open and taking deep breaths. I could see it, just for the split second it was visible.
"What the fuck was that for"
I demand an answer.
"You scared me. I didn't expect you to be able to come here."
She speaks with her usual tone, as if I was some worthless peasant. It takes me quite a bit of effort not to snarl at her. It does not worth it. I will have the last laugh one day, but one has to endure, to be able to enjoy his harvest fully.
I get back onto my feet and walk alongside her. Soon I spot a big round table. The two of us walk there and sit down. We just sit there and wait. In the waiting, I get bored and begin to play with my breath. I remember vividly, in chilly days we joked about our breath being visible. From being dragons, to be smoking, we found a way to make it fun. As I toy around I hear a loud slam. The glass or ice, I do not know what it is, has a few cracks in it. Stella's hand is firmly placed on the table.
"Brother! I know your here! Come out or I drag you out and I won't be gentle!"
I hear a giggle. The snow and ice begin to form into one solid mass. In a blink of an eye, a bird sat there. Great, another bird. I might never eat bird meat again.
"Sister! Such a marvellous time to meet. I see you have this little toy by your side. Mind if I test him for you before you enjoy him yourself?"
He says as he rans his fingers through his face and chest. He slowly licks his mouth as he looks at me. So this is her brother? Interesting.
"Andrealphus… How many of your bones would you like me to break? Right now we are at fifteen. Keep it up and we'll gonna get to the point where no bone of yours will be safe."
She says, her voice a lot more relaxed, but more vile than with others. Not surprised, that's how I used to talk with my brothers before they left.
"Oh c'mon sis! Your no fun! It isn't incest if we don't do each other, only him."
He slaps his knee as he laughs. I than see a large ice shard fly across the table, into his throat. Both the shard and he shatters into ice. After a few seconds he reanimates with the same, goofy face.
"See sis? This is why I never show myself! Your no fun and when people want to have fun you react like this. You cry all day that no one loves you, but when someone offers to, you snap their spine in three."
He takes out a glass of whiskey. He rubs three of his fingers together and makes an ice cube out of thin air. He drops it into his drink.
"But I digress. Your not here for no reason and judging by the pace your patience ran out, your not happy. As I see things, your husband is not here."
He points at me.
"He sent you to represent him, while he chokes on a red cock. I'm aware you can't really give out details, but we have no need of them anyway. We can read him like a book. A most boring one, but still a book."
He snaps his finger. A blue door rises from the ground.
"Would you kindly get the fuck out? We have things we need to discuss and I don't want you around during this time. Go get your dick sucked or something, I care not, but not here."
I do not need to be told twice. I get up and walk through the door. I'm back in the main party room. I look around and as I do I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Well, well, well. Your still alive."
I turn to see Urias. He's wearing the same clothing as before. His two snakes are by his side and are actively examining me. He hands me a drink. It looks like a coke. I smell it. Smells like a kalimoxo, a wined coke. Not bad.
"So, how ha-"
He stops as he looks at my face.
"…"
He takes a deep breath.
"I know you have formed your opinion about her, I'm not judging you for that. I do not know what you did, but this isn't something she would often do. But I want you to know that I'm at fault for this. I should have expected something like that. I could, perhaps have talked with her about something like a trade, so that your safety is secured. I'm truly sorry for your eye."
I scoff. As if.
"So now I'm permanently disabled. What the fuck I'm gonna do with one eye?"
Urias lets go of his drink. It floats next to him.
"Well….."
He taps his fingers together.
"Urias… If you have any way of un-disabeling me, speak up or I make you disabled as well."
His snakes didn't like my comment as they hissed at me.
"Alright. There IS an unorthodox way of getting your eye. That being a blood pact."
I motion with my hands for him to go on.
"Alright. A blood pact is a pact formed between a lesser being and a demon. It brings both parties to the same level. With it, you would inherit parts of Stella's powers. Such as immortality, fast physical regeneration and just a bit increased endurance to physical trauma. The last part can be left out as it isn't anything big, its like if you were, in a normal case, taken out with a single hit with a baseball bat, it would take two hits instead. Not a bad thing, but nothing major."
I take a sip of my drink as a listen to him.
"And I need the following things for a blood pact?"
He looks away as I ask that.
"Well… some of your blood, some of the other demons blood, a paper made by me which includes the details of the pact and a pit of ink as well as an angelic knife or dagger."
I smile.
"Sounds easy to get."
He raises his finger.
"There is one small, really small detail."
I look at him.
"That would be? ? ?"
He takes a large breath.
"What I and you mortals call a blood pact is called by most demons… A marriage pact."
I down my drink.
"Whelp, guess I'm a Cyclops now."
He hands me his drink.
"Oh please, it isn't that bad, if you can get on her go-"
I cut him off. This isn't happening, not today, not in a thousand year.
"It would be easier to shove ten thousand dollar up my ass in the form of dimes. I appreciate you trying to boost my moral, but you just did the complete opposite with this. If you excuse me, I will be downing as much alcohol as I can and watch some naked demons while I wait for her and reconsider my life choices. If you want to join me, come."
He shakes his head.
"I know your situation is dire, but I believe in you. I truly do."
I down his drink and look him in the eyes.
"Why… Why are you so friendly towards me? You have no reason to care about my mental state or my well being, yet you do. What is in it for you?"
He puts his hand on my shoulder.
"Nothing. I just think enough blood has been spilled. Even now, fathers never see their sons again. Some are now hunted and sent to the gallows. Mothers, never knowing what happened with their own blood, only that he got a "Great job offer". Plus, as I said before I do not care about humans. I'm in the position where I'm happy. I could have done some stuff in the war, but why would have I? I disliked the idea of going up to the living word and wreaking havoc, but when heaven or earth did it, it is "Barbaric" and "Uncalled for". Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy everywhence."
He speaks with anger. He looks at me and gives me a half smile.
"I'm sure you will make it through. You seems smart."
He than let go of me and walked away. I rolled my eyes and entered a room. It had three large X above its door frame so I did the math. To my surprise a human was greeting the people who entered. Blonde hair, green eyes, tall body. Wait… Oh FUCK.
"Good day and welcome to Valentino's special bar. Please enjoy-"
I walk up to the guy.
"Enrich?"
He looks at me. The two of us stare in silence.
"M-marsh-"
I put my hand on his mouth. I speak through my teeth.
"Don't you even think about finishing that. I'm happy I made it out and I have no interest in being found. I'm happy that your alive, but I make you into a corps if you threaten my safety."
I let go of his mouth. He looks at me for a few seconds.
"Your eye… what happened?"
I roll my eye.
"Lets just say I'm not in an enviable position. How about you?"
He chuckles a bit.
"Not to bad I guess. I get to eat four times a day and have somewhere warm to sleep."
I smile as I pat his back. Its a bit awkward as I have to almost get on my toes to reach his shoulder.
"Good for you. I'm happy. If only Macro was here."
I look down onto the floor. Enrich reaches into his pocket and takes out a flask. He takes a sip of it and hands it to me.
"For Mateo Marco. For that, even in death, he cannot be taken out of our soul, which he now finds his new home in."
I take a big sip. Vodka. It taste shit, but in his memory, I shall drink. I hand the flask back to Enrich. He puts it away. The two us look at one and another. I hear a voice from behind of us.
"Hey handsome boys, you need your dicks sucked dry?"
I turn to see a pink haired four armed… something?
"Are you a guy or a girl and the fuck are you?"
The thing chuckles.
"Why don't you come and find it out? Whatever I am, I still have two holes and four hands either way."
I look, highly confused as to how to answer to that.
"Hey Angel. Also, Angel is a guy."
Enrich says as he takes out some papers and looks through them.
"Uhum. I pass."
He shakes his shoulders.
"Your loss."
As he says that I hear some commotion near the room.
"Angel where are you?! You better not be doing anything while your supposed to be staying clean."
I turn to Enrich for any possible answers. He gives me the "Don't look at me, I have no idea either" look. As I look at him he points towards the crowd with his pen. I see a short dark skinned girl with an eyepatch and an angelic spear emerge and a taller, white skinned girl follow close. She had red clothing and seemed to be another noble. Wait a minute. White skin. Staying clean. Body guard…
This is the fucking daughter of Lucifer.