"Ah, this is nice." Vega sighed. Content on what was happening.
Having been greeted by Helsa with open arms when he returned to Abaddon's circle. The two of them spent a fair amount of time having a one-sided conversation. Although Helsa couldn't speak right now, and there was the uneasy possibility she might never talk again, Vega could still read her thoughts when she consented. That is how he answered her questions regarding Abaddon, how they spoke, how they made this beautiful place, and many other topics.
However, Helsa didn't ask about Stella or anyone else for that matter. Though she probably wouldn't until they were a good bit into her recovery. For right now, the two of them focused solely on themselves and Abaddon, the latter of whom Helsa wanted Vega to teach her how to communicate with.
"I'm glad you're able to have dreams rather than nightmares, Helsa," Vega said as he looked down at her, for she was using his lap as a pillow of sorts while she slept, "I am also glad that I can't say the same for the one responsible for any potential terror that may plague your mind." He continued before he moved his gaze to the sky, "I wonder how things are progressing with him?" He asked.
Meanwhile, On The Sentinel Homeworld...
"P...P...P...P..." Valentino repeatedly stuttered as he had been since the twelve-hour mark. BJ wasn't kidding when he told Gabriel what the torture would be. The first six hours were
Valentino being cooked by a bombardment of purity. Then there was a brief break where BJ went inside the divinity machine and roughed him up for thirty minutes straight. Another six hours of frying the moth demon to a well-done state followed until it was finally time for the interrogation. This brings the current time on the Sentinel Homeworld from when they started somewhere near five in the morning, a perfect time for a prisoner to receive a small water dose.
"Morning." BJ greeted him as the door to the divinity machine opened, allowing him to step inside. "P...P...P...P..." Valentino carried on, having enough strength to make each P pop.
"Yeah, besides the pain this has been causing you, I bet it's hotter than the Sahara during summer." He said as he walked over to him, "You're probably desperate for ANY hydration. Even if it's some disgusting sewage waste, huh?" He asked before setting down a tiny cup in front of him.
Although, it was barely a cup. In truth, it was a slight bit bigger than those tiny paper things they give you in hospitals to help you take pills. Also, BJ wasn't fucking around. When he said it was sewage, he legitimately meant it.
He went out, asked the Sentinels where he could find some sludge, and they gave him directions to where they process and treat any chemical waste produced by the forge. So while it wasn't something as appalling as human excrement or anything similar, it sure as shit wasn't fit for consumption. But unless Valentino wanted to keep smacking his lips like a fish out of water, he could accept what he had been given and be grateful, or he could receive another beating, his choice.
"That's it. Get it down." BJ told him as Valentino grabbed the container and downed its contents in
one go.
"FUCK ME!" That was the first thing he shouted once he was finished. "Thanks, but I'm good," BJ replied.
"You...you sick fuck..." He said while throwing the container to the side, "I'm lying here dying of thirst...which doesn't even make fucking SENSE since I don't have a FUCKING body...and you give me a serving of piss and shit?!" He questioned.
In response, BJ kicked him straight in the face. Admittedly taking a great deal of pleasure from doing that, the moth demon flew across the ground by a few feet due to how hard he'd been struck.
"Yeah, I asked Gabriel about that." BJ said as he walked over to him, "From how he described it, and I'm grateful he kept it simple. The soul is a reflection of ourselves. If we have only lived a certain way for most of our lives, then our souls will replicate that when we don't have a body." He explained before kicking him again in his side, "For example. You've lived most of your life knowing that if you got kicked in the ribs, it'd hurt like hell. So even though you DON'T have ribs right now, your soul, which is replicating your body, does the same thing to how that body would interact and react to certain things." He continued before kicking him again, "So while you aren't suffering from dehydration, and I'm not kicking any ribs, your soul is creating these experiences for you because it's how you'd...well...expect them." He concluded.
"Th...Thanks for the fucking school lesson..." Valentino replied.
"Don't mention it." He told him before he grabbed onto the back of his head with his hand, "Now, let's move onto a different topic of conversation. I'm thinking...what you know about the invasion of earth. That'd be a good place to start." He suggested.
"Heh...wow...get that from stupid cop show?..." Valentino asked with a slight smirk.
"Aw, don't be like that. We're on the same side now. We BOTH want to stick it to those demon bastards. You especially since they backstabbed you and threw you to the wolves." He said.
"Ha...yeah...but I still hate your fucking guts..." Valentino replied, "So while they may have fucked me over...I'd be fucking you worse by keeping my mouth shut..." He argued.
"Hmm, that IS a good point..." BJ agreed, "Alright. Suppose you don't want to share what you know when I ask you nicely. I guess we move onto the next option." He decided as he let him go.
"What?...Are ya gonna cook me some more?...Or are you gonna get rough like you did last time?..." Valentino questioned.
"Me? Oh no, I'm clocking out for right now." He admitted while walking to the door, "I'm in the mood for some breakfast. But these fine men and women have been itching to meet you." He informed.
Once BJ stepped out of the machine, a group of people took his place. Each of them wearing knight-like armor, though it was different from the regular Sentinels.
"These are Templars. And I hear that just one of them is all it takes to hand a thousand different demons their asses." BJ revealed as the door started to close, "Imagine what ten of'em can do when they work together on one." He said.
The last thing he saw before the door entirely shut was Valentino's eyes going wide, followed by
the sound of the Templars moving in closer. Breathing in deeply, then letting it out slowly, BJ left the sanctum and headed for the dining hall, hoping there'd be some coffee and toast to help him start the day.
Elsewhere...
"Mmm...William~..." Verosika lightly moaned in her sleep. Her naughty, naughty succubus brain was taking her to places it shouldn't.
You'd think with a succubus as a bunkmate, who was horny 24/7 for a man that was testosterone incarnate. Neither Stella nor Octavia would've been able to get a wink of sleep themselves.
Unfortunately, it was only Octavia who couldn't succumb to slumber. For whatever reason, her mother was doing the EXACT. SAME. THING.
"Gabriel...we shouldn't...we're in public...what will people say if they see us...so close?..." Stella muttered. Her dreams were FAR less suggestive than the crap coming out of Verosika's mouth.
In all fairness, this sleep talk that both women were doing might've been a good thing. Octavia's mind still thought back to that terrifying night, and she was sure she would be having nightmares for a long time. But it was hard for her to think about any positives of being kept up all night, especially when one of the causes was her mother dreaming of what sounded to be a date between her and Gabriel, which was weird because he'd become as close and essential of a friend to her as Loona was.
"This...is...hell..." She groaned with a pillow over her face, hoping with all her might that someone would save her.
As if the universe was listening and also possessed a twisted sense of humor, someone did arrive at their door a few moments later. And it was none other than...
"Ahem. Good Morning ladies." Gabriel called from the other side, accompanied by a few knocks on the door's surface, "I'm sorry to disturb you. But the Slayer has requested I come to get everyone." He informed.
"Huh?..." Stella groggily awoke, "Gabriel...is that you?.." She asked.
"Of COURSE she wakes up when he says something...not when miss burning loins talks all night..." Octavia thought.
"Yes. Miss Stella. Tis I." He answered, "Is miss Mayday present as well? Or has she already awaken?" He asked.
"Nope...she's here...and a part of me wishes I threw her out of the window hours ago..." Octavia replied instead of her mother.
"Are you alright, miss Octavia? You sound...muffled." He inquired, concerned that she might be sick or something else.
"Thanks, Gabriel..." She said as she removed the pillow from her face, "But I just had something over my mouth...I'm fine..." She assured, even though she was dead tired.
"Hm, I'm not so sure. You sound weak." He pointed out as an idea came to him, "Miss Stella.
Would it be alright if I went ahead and brought Octavia with me as I finish my rounds? It might do her some good." He suggested.
Looking over at her mother to see what she was doing. Octavia was simultaneously surprised and wasn't that she was far too focused on making herself presentable to hear him. So, before this could get any worse for her, she quickly got out of bed, hurried over to the door, opened it, stepped out, closed it, then grabbed onto his hand.
"Come on. Let's go wake the others up. Then get as far away from here as possible." She told him before she dragged him away.
"Perhaps you're not ill. My mistake." He said, impressed by how much energy she had so early in the morning.
Elsewhere, In The Forge...
"Oh, man. Been a while since I've had to come down here and make sure a request was fulfilled." The forge master admitted, her whole body covered in sweat and various other things.
The position of forge master was essentially equal to a foreman. She oversaw the day-to-day work and only got involved with the bigger stuff. Don't mistake this as her being lazy; the only way to receive this position is by the nobility. And as it stood, both King Novik and the Slayer agreed her craftsmanship skills and service record against the forces of Doom made her worthy of being forge master. Should anyone have any objections, they were more than welcome to share them with the Slayer in the arena.
For this reason, the Slayer asked her if she could help in producing a large number of custom weapons and armors for his friends. To which she accepted eagerly and happily.
"Sorry if it was a bit much..." The Slayer apologized, not wanting to be a burden.
"M'lord. You honor me with your worry." She said before pounding her chest with her fist, "But if I couldn't handle this much for our king. Then I'd resign from my position to avoid disgracing it and my fellow workers." She stated.
"Don't be so drastic...without you, our troops would be screwed..." He replied as he picked up one of the weapons to look it over, "Even down to the tiniest details...you got everything right..." He complimented.
"Of course. You told me that you wanted your friends to feel comfortable using them. As if they've been doing so their entire lives." She reminded while crossing her arms, "I'll be honest though, do you think they can handle them? Even with the boost from Argent, only our people, and you, have ever wielded weapons this heavy. Then you have to consider the kickback from the guns; if they're not careful, they'll go flying out of your friends' hands." She warned.
"Do you think I can't properly assess what my friend can handle?..." He asked. "No, sir!" She immediately answered, fearing she might've insulted him.
"Easy there...I didn't mean to put you on guard..." He said, which put her at ease, "I appreciate your concern...but I wouldn't have given you such precise details unless they mattered for each person...so I know it'll be fine..." He explained.
"Right." She replied, before turning her attention to the armor, "Now...the suits, on the other hand, are a different story. It's not that they're strange with how you wanted them designed. If anything, they're my best work in a while. But we could've made new versions of their clothes like we did for your great-great-grandfather, sire. Might be more comfortable and easier for them to get the hang of." She suggested.
"Yeah...I thought so too..." He agreed, "But...they're always telling me how cool or awesome or badass I am...figured it was time to let them have something to make them feel that way about themselves..." He shared.
"Careful, m'lord. If anyone else hears that, they'll realize your heart's as big as your guns." She joked, making him chuckle.
"Oh no...whatever would I do then?..." He responded rhetorically.
"Anyway, do you want me to have some of my people take these and set'em up in the arena? Make it so that it's like a big dramatic showcase when your friends go there for training?" She asked.
"Yeah...that sounds perfect..." He answered, "Speaking of...I should get going...they'll be at the dining hall before too long..." He said.
Giving him a salute as a send-off, the Slayer returned the gesture before he and the forge master parted ways.
Elsewhere, In The Dining Hall...
"Ah. Coffee." BJ quietly sighed to himself, savoring the dark brown liquid in his mug.
As it turns out, even the Sentinels need a solid caffeine injection now and then. BJ was thankful for this, which anyone would be after twelve straight hours of torturing a literal piece of shit. AKA, Valentino. But before he could take another swig of the brew or grab a bite from the breakfast he gathered, a voice called out from behind him at the entrance.
"Did our songbird sing already, BJ?" Gabriel asked as he and Octavia entered the building.
"Nope. But he's currently having some fun with ten Templars. So he should be whistling a merry tune before too long." He answered while looking over his shoulder at them, "Whoa. You okay?" He inquired, referring to Octavia and how out of it she looked.
"Could I please have some of your breakfast?..." She requested before plopping down at the table, her body unwilling to move anymore, "I'd get some myself...but I don't want to..." She added.
"I knew it. You are under the weather." Gabriel said with a sigh, "Come now; I'll take you back to your room so you can rest." He offered.
"NO!" She exclaimed while bolting upright, catching both men off guard, "I'm...fine, Gabriel. Honestly, I am." She promised.
"Although I don't believe you, I'll respect your insistence on staying." He conceded, "But may I be allowed to get you at least breakfast? So that BJ might enjoy all of his?" He asked.
"Mhm...thank you..." She answered politely.
Laying her head down on her arms as the archangel walked away, BJ was left alone to try and figure out what was going on with her in his place.
"Have nightmares about what happened?" He asked, getting that punch to the stomach out of the way first.
"No...which I am happy for..." She answered.
"Huh, okay." He replied, now feeling more comfortable to ask about her current state, "So, why do you look like someone tied you to the back of a car and dragged you twenty miles down the road?" He asked.
"My mom and Verosika...the big tall pink succubus, in case you don't remember...talked in their sleep all night..." She answered.
"Oh, so she's here now." He said, earning a weak nod from her to confirm, "They must've had some pretty nice dreams to talk about them all night long." He commented.
"Verosika's just too horny for her good..." She corrected, "As for my mom...well...that's a lot weirder..." she confessed.
"Was she dreaming about Gabriel?" He guessed. "Damn...is it really that obvious?..." She asked.
"Eh, it's not that bad. But things are pleasant enough between them to where it wouldn't be the wildest development we've seen." He answered.
"I don't think she sees that as a possibility..." She admitted.
"Heh, I don't think he does either." He said, "But that is something for another time. Right now, I'm curious to know if you've got a problem with the idea of those two hooking up. What with your folks being separated and everything." He mentioned.
"Honestly... they shouldn't be together anymore...it's like powder keg meets forest fire between them..." She told him, "But still...I like to think that Gabriel and I are good friends...after everything he's done for my mom and me...it's not that I don't want either of them to be happy or some stupid petty shit like that...but...I don't know...it's just weird." She tried to explain.
"No, I get you. It is odd." He assured, "And hey, who knows. Maybe your mom's just flattered and overwhelmed by all the good he's done. Give it some time before you talk to her about it because it may turn out this is harmless interactions between two people who're becoming friends as time goes on." He suggested.
"Yeah...that sounds good...thanks..." She said, looking at him with a smile.
"I have returned." Gabriel proclaimed as he put a plate and glass in front of Octavia, "With nourishment, to help you feel better." He added.
"My savior, as always." She responded while sitting up, maintaining her smile so he could see it.
For the next few minutes, these three sat there in blissful silence, enjoying the tranquility the dining hall had in these early hours. But soon, that would come to an end as the rest of their group arrived, led by none other than the Slayer, who they ran into on their way here.
"You know something, Will. If I didn't have this Argent shit inside me, I might not be too happy about getting up so damn early." Angel Dust playfully said as he stretched out all six of his arms.
"Why can't I walk next to him?!" Verosika questioned with a pout, being kept behind the Slayer by Cherri.
"Just because that love potion's got you acting like a dumbass doesn't mean we're going to put up with it." She told her.
"Come on, guys. Not right out of the gate, please." Vagatha requested, Needing some breakfast before the usual banter got into full swing.
"Yeah, could we keep things orderly for a little while, everyone?" Charlie requested, not her usual peppy self this morning.
"Didn't sleep well, princess?" Blitzo asked, being surprisingly considerate and also lacking any sarcasm.
"I was up for most of the night thinking about Helsa...stupid thing to do, I know..." She answered.
"Not all. I was worried too. How could any of us not be after what we heard?" Stolas replied, which made her feel better.
"Now, now. Vega told us that he was serving as her caretaker. And I, for one, can't think of any hands more capable than his to help miss Eldritch." Alastor said.
"Agreed!" Nifty exclaimed, "But maybe we should change the subject, for all of our sakes?" She suggested.
"Can we please get some food first? I'm starved; we didn't have dinner last night." Husk pointed out.
"We definitely should. Our training will get a lot more intense now that we know what our enemies are up to. Right, Will?" Moxxie asked.
"Yep..." The Slayer confirmed, "So, let's get some grub before we keep talking..." He said. "But before we do, YOU are not sitting next to him. OR in his lap." Katie told Verosika. "You can't tell me where to sit!" She exclaimed.
Octavia, BJ, and Gabriel watched in silence as the others continued to talk among themselves, despite deciding not to until they got their food before eventually making their way over to the table. The seating arrangement had been figured out by now, minus the inclusion of Verosika. Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona with Daisy, who'd been bunking with the Hellhound, all sat together. Stella sat on the right side of Gabriel while Stolas on his left, both owls wanting to be as close to him as possible for reasons that weren't too dissimilar.
Husk and Azrael had their corner, as did Charlie and Vagatha. While Sir Pentious, Velvet, and Vox sat together as a trio. Alastor was a bit of a wild card, sometimes sitting next to Husk, other times by Stolas or Velvet if they just came from their training, but no matter where he sat down, it was never somewhere that'd cause issues. Nifty didn't sit at the table, far too focused on making sure their group and everyone else in the dining hall, including the cooks and bards, had everything they needed and were cared for.
And finally, you had Angel Dust, Katie, Cherri, and the newly added Verosika. And they were going to sit in whatever arrangement they could figure out so long as it was close to the Slayer.
"Alright...is everyone settled?..." He asked the group, receiving nods from all of them, including Nifty, who was running about, "Good...then let's get today started..." He said.