"Zoe..." He said, looking at me very angrily.
"Yes, sir." I said, in more of a question than I thought, as my heart stopped.
"You keep going up there and you haven't even finished training. And you haven't even been told everything, yet."
My heart started to beat again, realizing that he wasn't curious about why I was always so eager to arrive on Earth. I had never been so relieved in my entire life. "I thought you wanted me to remain in the dark?"
"I did but I think that it would be best if you knew exactly what we wanted."
"Well, so do I."
"Come." He said, gesturing down the hall to where his "office" was. "I should be discussing this with you."
So we walked down to the room. Disgust grew rapidly inside of me as I walked past hideous walls, lined with paintings that looked as if they were created with blood. But I knew it wasn't and I also knew that this wasn't a cheap place. Everything looked expensive, for what reason I have no idea because all anyone cared about here was taking over Earth. Strangely, I found myself longing to look upon the demon heads decorating Dante's wall. At least they made me laugh. He opened the door and let me in, closing it behind us.
His room was expensive. More so than any I'd seen in the Underworld, especially mine. His desk was made of the finest wood, chairs of the finest leather, and a showcase showing off the finest medals I'd ever seen. It was a room that was a lot more royal and aristocratic than I'd ever seen. The "carpeting" looked like velvet and the blankets thrown over the backs of chairs looked like crushed rose petals. I seriously wished this room was mine. But I was stuck with the quarters that felt like the ones meant for slaves and I certainly was not a slave.
He motioned for me to sit down, in one of the chairs that caught my fancy, as he did likewise. "Now, Zoe, you know why."
"Yes, sir. I do." I replied in an unhappy tone. Or maybe it was a jealous one...
"Good. First of all, we picked you because we thought he might go for you." He clasped his hands together on his desk.
"What the fuck do you mean by that?" His eyes widened as I angrily snapped out at him.
"Zoe calm down. I mean that, in the simplest way, you're an attractive woman. And we know he likes women. Especially women like you."
I rolled my eyes again, losing track of how many times I'd done that when I was in his presence. "So, what you mean is that he likes demonic women, like me. Right? Or is it that he likes women who are supposed to be leading him into a trap?" My mind reminded me of the first time I met Trish. I knew she had been trying to do the same thing, to the same Hunter, for the same man. I was ashamed and knew I had to turn my ways just like she did.
"Neither. He likes beautiful women."
Standing up in less than an eye's blink, I accidentally pushed the chair behind me, creating a loud screeching sound. "I'm doing this because 'I'm beautiful?' Not because you think I can?" I ran my hand back through my hair, beyond a state of being pissed.
"Partially. But I do think you can do this. Though, we needed someone he would let in. And we thought he'd let you in."
I sat back down, pulling the chair back to its original spot as I did so. "You know, I really don't like your train of thought."
"That doesn't matter, now does it?"
"Obviously not."
"Back to the matter at hand." He leaned back, relaxing. "You are meant, not just to lead him into a trap, but to get information about all of the other Hunters. Giving us the chance to take them down as well."
"So why didn't you tell me to 'trap' one of them, instead of Dante?" I then realized the stupidity of my question and how it could show my true feelings for this job.
"Because he's the one we're all afraid of. Though, you seem to lack any fear of him."
"That's because I don't need to fear him."
"Oh? Why's that?" I was really beginning to consider the notion that my instructor already knew about my attraction.
"He doesn't fear me, that's why."
He lowered his eyebrows but accepted that answer and continued. "We have summoned more demons from Hell. And, this time, you're not to tell him. These are supposed to be special, call them a surprise."
Knowing I couldn't do as he demanded, I inquired about the demons. "What are these?"
"There are five different ones, now: Burgons, Kenders, Isedons, Rdions, and Gnollos. Each one is powered by an element. The Burgons get strength from fire. Kenders are just the opposite."
"Water, then." I interjected.
He nodded. "Rdions are of air and Gnollos are of earth."
"What about the Isedons? What are they powered by?"
"Ah... they are the most difficult to put down, as they are from spirit."
"If that is true then how are they killed? Spirits cannot be." I insisted.
"They can only be killed by the proper instrument."
"A... spirit weapon. Very original name." That comment got me one of the most dirty looks he'd ever given me.
"Yes. And," he opened a drawer and pulled out an object wrapped in thick cloth. "This is for you. Just in case one ever turns on you."
I took the bundle as he pushed it across the desk. Unwrapping it, I nearly gasped. It wasn't, in fact, an object. It was a pair of long daggers. I picked them up and, to my surprise, they were as light as air. "Why is that?" I asked, referring to the weight.
"They are spirit weapons. Not only will they work on spirit demons but any creature, demonic or otherwise."
"So, just a weapon with a great advantage."
"Basically yes."
"Thank you, sir."
"No need. As I have a feeling they'll come in good use. Now," he said as he stood up. "I really must ask you to leave; I've business to attend to."
"Yes." I picked up both weapons and walked back to my quarters. As I entered, I quickly shut the door and walked to my closet. Inside, I placed my new weapons next to my guns, swords knives, bow and arrows, and my flail. Those were all I had, my pride. Strange, I know.
When I neared my "desk" there came a knock on my door. "What?" I hollered out, annoyed by the immediate interruption.
"Zoe, come out." The voice was one I did not recognize.
Grabbing a small knife and slipping it up my long sleeve, I opened the door. "Who are you?" It was a demon and one I'd never seen before.
"My name?"
I sighed out of pure disbelief. "Yes."
"Dartan, my lady."
"Why did you call me that?"
"Because you are the daughter of our ruler, are you not?"
"Bloody hell..." I whispered to myself. "Yes, I am and, if you don't mind, I'd like to forget that."
"Ma'am, I did not expect that from you. He is an excellent ruler."
"You only say that because He'd kill you if you said otherwise."
"I've no comment."
"See?" I asked, clearly proud of myself. "It's true."
Dartan took a deep breath and began to speak again. "Your Father, miss, has asked for your presence."
"Oh, is that so?"
He nodded. "He said it was urgent, as well."
"Then why didn't the lazy ass come here and get me Himself?"
"If you don't mind my saying so, you certainly should not be talking about Him like that."
I laughed at the poor creature. "I'm His daughter. He's not going to be killing me anytime soon. I guarantee it." Walking past Dartan as I headed for my father, I heard him whimper. He followed me.
The moment I saw my Father I heard Him call out. "Zoe!"
"Yes, father...?"
"I've not seen you for a while."
"Well, recently I've been busy. Thankfully so." I knew He'd heard me and I didn't quite want that.
"Thankfully so?" He repeated. "What does that mean?"
"It means that I have been bored and I am grateful for this chance to actually do something."
"Oh, I hoped that's what it meant. No, what is this I hear about you getting the 'trap' job?"
"It's true, if that's what you were wondering."
"No. I know it's true. I was wondering about if you're enjoying this chance to take him in."
I allowed a smile to snake across my lips, knowing that I could actually answer this truthfully and He wouldn't know the difference between the how I interpreted it and the way He did. "Very much, Father. Very much indeed..."
"Excellent!" He cried. "So you have no problem with this?"
"Not at all."
"Again, excellent. But do you think this is cause for celebration?"
My smile grew. "Of course it is."
"Then celebration it is." He raised His glass of wine. "To the rise of the Underworld!"
After his voice stopped, all of the demons within hearing distance called out the exact same words, except for me. Proudly, but silently, I called out my own little cheer: "To the rise of the Hunters... to the rise of Dante."
"Yes, sir." I said, in more of a question than I thought, as my heart stopped.
"You keep going up there and you haven't even finished training. And you haven't even been told everything, yet."
My heart started to beat again, realizing that he wasn't curious about why I was always so eager to arrive on Earth. I had never been so relieved in my entire life. "I thought you wanted me to remain in the dark?"
"I did but I think that it would be best if you knew exactly what we wanted."
"Well, so do I."
"Come." He said, gesturing down the hall to where his "office" was. "I should be discussing this with you."
So we walked down to the room. Disgust grew rapidly inside of me as I walked past hideous walls, lined with paintings that looked as if they were created with blood. But I knew it wasn't and I also knew that this wasn't a cheap place. Everything looked expensive, for what reason I have no idea because all anyone cared about here was taking over Earth. Strangely, I found myself longing to look upon the demon heads decorating Dante's wall. At least they made me laugh. He opened the door and let me in, closing it behind us.
His room was expensive. More so than any I'd seen in the Underworld, especially mine. His desk was made of the finest wood, chairs of the finest leather, and a showcase showing off the finest medals I'd ever seen. It was a room that was a lot more royal and aristocratic than I'd ever seen. The "carpeting" looked like velvet and the blankets thrown over the backs of chairs looked like crushed rose petals. I seriously wished this room was mine. But I was stuck with the quarters that felt like the ones meant for slaves and I certainly was not a slave.
He motioned for me to sit down, in one of the chairs that caught my fancy, as he did likewise. "Now, Zoe, you know why."
"Yes, sir. I do." I replied in an unhappy tone. Or maybe it was a jealous one...
"Good. First of all, we picked you because we thought he might go for you." He clasped his hands together on his desk.
"What the fuck do you mean by that?" His eyes widened as I angrily snapped out at him.
"Zoe calm down. I mean that, in the simplest way, you're an attractive woman. And we know he likes women. Especially women like you."
I rolled my eyes again, losing track of how many times I'd done that when I was in his presence. "So, what you mean is that he likes demonic women, like me. Right? Or is it that he likes women who are supposed to be leading him into a trap?" My mind reminded me of the first time I met Trish. I knew she had been trying to do the same thing, to the same Hunter, for the same man. I was ashamed and knew I had to turn my ways just like she did.
"Neither. He likes beautiful women."
Standing up in less than an eye's blink, I accidentally pushed the chair behind me, creating a loud screeching sound. "I'm doing this because 'I'm beautiful?' Not because you think I can?" I ran my hand back through my hair, beyond a state of being pissed.
"Partially. But I do think you can do this. Though, we needed someone he would let in. And we thought he'd let you in."
I sat back down, pulling the chair back to its original spot as I did so. "You know, I really don't like your train of thought."
"That doesn't matter, now does it?"
"Obviously not."
"Back to the matter at hand." He leaned back, relaxing. "You are meant, not just to lead him into a trap, but to get information about all of the other Hunters. Giving us the chance to take them down as well."
"So why didn't you tell me to 'trap' one of them, instead of Dante?" I then realized the stupidity of my question and how it could show my true feelings for this job.
"Because he's the one we're all afraid of. Though, you seem to lack any fear of him."
"That's because I don't need to fear him."
"Oh? Why's that?" I was really beginning to consider the notion that my instructor already knew about my attraction.
"He doesn't fear me, that's why."
He lowered his eyebrows but accepted that answer and continued. "We have summoned more demons from Hell. And, this time, you're not to tell him. These are supposed to be special, call them a surprise."
Knowing I couldn't do as he demanded, I inquired about the demons. "What are these?"
"There are five different ones, now: Burgons, Kenders, Isedons, Rdions, and Gnollos. Each one is powered by an element. The Burgons get strength from fire. Kenders are just the opposite."
"Water, then." I interjected.
He nodded. "Rdions are of air and Gnollos are of earth."
"What about the Isedons? What are they powered by?"
"Ah... they are the most difficult to put down, as they are from spirit."
"If that is true then how are they killed? Spirits cannot be." I insisted.
"They can only be killed by the proper instrument."
"A... spirit weapon. Very original name." That comment got me one of the most dirty looks he'd ever given me.
"Yes. And," he opened a drawer and pulled out an object wrapped in thick cloth. "This is for you. Just in case one ever turns on you."
I took the bundle as he pushed it across the desk. Unwrapping it, I nearly gasped. It wasn't, in fact, an object. It was a pair of long daggers. I picked them up and, to my surprise, they were as light as air. "Why is that?" I asked, referring to the weight.
"They are spirit weapons. Not only will they work on spirit demons but any creature, demonic or otherwise."
"So, just a weapon with a great advantage."
"Basically yes."
"Thank you, sir."
"No need. As I have a feeling they'll come in good use. Now," he said as he stood up. "I really must ask you to leave; I've business to attend to."
"Yes." I picked up both weapons and walked back to my quarters. As I entered, I quickly shut the door and walked to my closet. Inside, I placed my new weapons next to my guns, swords knives, bow and arrows, and my flail. Those were all I had, my pride. Strange, I know.
When I neared my "desk" there came a knock on my door. "What?" I hollered out, annoyed by the immediate interruption.
"Zoe, come out." The voice was one I did not recognize.
Grabbing a small knife and slipping it up my long sleeve, I opened the door. "Who are you?" It was a demon and one I'd never seen before.
"My name?"
I sighed out of pure disbelief. "Yes."
"Dartan, my lady."
"Why did you call me that?"
"Because you are the daughter of our ruler, are you not?"
"Bloody hell..." I whispered to myself. "Yes, I am and, if you don't mind, I'd like to forget that."
"Ma'am, I did not expect that from you. He is an excellent ruler."
"You only say that because He'd kill you if you said otherwise."
"I've no comment."
"See?" I asked, clearly proud of myself. "It's true."
Dartan took a deep breath and began to speak again. "Your Father, miss, has asked for your presence."
"Oh, is that so?"
He nodded. "He said it was urgent, as well."
"Then why didn't the lazy ass come here and get me Himself?"
"If you don't mind my saying so, you certainly should not be talking about Him like that."
I laughed at the poor creature. "I'm His daughter. He's not going to be killing me anytime soon. I guarantee it." Walking past Dartan as I headed for my father, I heard him whimper. He followed me.
The moment I saw my Father I heard Him call out. "Zoe!"
"Yes, father...?"
"I've not seen you for a while."
"Well, recently I've been busy. Thankfully so." I knew He'd heard me and I didn't quite want that.
"Thankfully so?" He repeated. "What does that mean?"
"It means that I have been bored and I am grateful for this chance to actually do something."
"Oh, I hoped that's what it meant. No, what is this I hear about you getting the 'trap' job?"
"It's true, if that's what you were wondering."
"No. I know it's true. I was wondering about if you're enjoying this chance to take him in."
I allowed a smile to snake across my lips, knowing that I could actually answer this truthfully and He wouldn't know the difference between the how I interpreted it and the way He did. "Very much, Father. Very much indeed..."
"Excellent!" He cried. "So you have no problem with this?"
"Not at all."
"Again, excellent. But do you think this is cause for celebration?"
My smile grew. "Of course it is."
"Then celebration it is." He raised His glass of wine. "To the rise of the Underworld!"
After his voice stopped, all of the demons within hearing distance called out the exact same words, except for me. Proudly, but silently, I called out my own little cheer: "To the rise of the Hunters... to the rise of Dante."