Song Play: Fury of The Storm by Shadow's Fall. (Collision Course).
Knowing his kids were out of the way of the fight to come. That was all that mattered to Snow right now as he stared down Balthazar. Almost as if on cue, the angel charged him.
"Pyrus Gauntlet!"
Balthazar dodged the initial blow. Only to be caught in a barrage of flame-covered fists coming his way from his opponent. Once the barrage ended, Snow never let up the assault he dished out. Once he got close enough again to Balthazar. He landed six more punches, followed by a high kick to the chin of his opponent.
Staggering, Balthazar charged again. This time, Snow dodged again at unbelievable speeds at each swipe of the angel's sword. Making the black-winged angel angry. Which, in turn, caused the demon to grin at the wildly swiping angel trying to land a hit on the fast-moving male. One missed swipe of the sword led to Snow swinging his elbow into the back of Balthazar's head. It opened an opportunity for Snow to use his feet again to send the angel crashing into the road below them. Causing a crater to be created where he had landed.
Eric hadn't even broken a sweat. The same couldn't be said for Balthazar. As he stood back on his two feet. Blood was covering him from head to toe and, he was groggy from the punishment he had taken.
"Don't get cocky, Lazarus. You haven't beaten me yet."
Eric merely made a noise in snark towards the black-winged angel. But, something still bothered him. Mainly, it revolved around why this angel, and Azrael, kept calling him this 'Lazarus' character. He was called Eric. Not some all-powerful hybrid that could topple empires, or whatever dumb shit Azrael had said this demon could do. So, having enough of being called something he wasn't. He shouts back.
"Azrael called me the same thing before my daughter shot her brains out. I don't know who this 'Lazarus' is. But, I'm starting to get pissed off by being called someone I'm not! My name is Eric Snow!"
Despite his shout of anger. Eric didn't see Balthazar's second wind coming. A clash of sword versus machete was what told Snow to dodge the angel's attack and, allow him to block the incoming attack that followed. The intensity of the attacks and clashing of blades told anyone that was watching this fight to get to cover immediately.
"You should have run with them, Lazarus. You know you will die here!"
Eric makes a noise while blocking another swing from Balthazar's sword. Leaving him open to respond.
"You're beginning to piss me off!"
Song Change: Warrior by Disturbed (Snow Vs Balthazar Phase 2).
The swords clashed again. This time, Snow got the upper hand while bobbing and weaving away from each thrust of Balthazar's sword. Kicking the black-winged angel's jaw which, in turn, caused him to lose his grip on his blade long enough for Snow to use a swinging back fist to knock loose the sword before using a few more side kicks to rattle the angel's jaw.
Despite staggering and looking to get his bearings again. Eric didn't have time to breathe before, using his wherewithal, Balthazar launched himself off of a piece of metal sticking out from the destroyed part of the arcade to propel himself into Snow. With a full body twist, Balthazar came out of the spin with an axe kick that knocked Snow backwards. But, when he tried another kick against the defending demon. Eric got his guard up in time to block the kick with his right forearm before grabbing Balthazar roughly by the left leg that tried hammering him into the ground. Launching the black-winged angel into the building. Collapsing more of the building on top of the angel. Despite the need to let up and focus on catching up to the hound and the three children. A piece of rubble struck the angel in the face. Spitting out a tooth and looking in anger towards the demon who refused to die. Eric saw Balthazar regenerate the arm he'd lost from the demon throwing him back into the building that was, now, vacant.
"I can do this all day, Black Wing!"
Balthazar merely smirked. Though he knew the real Snow from years ago. Something in Balthazar's mind told him that, this Snow was different from the one who used to spar with him in Heaven. This Snow had found a piece of himself that had been locked away since he was banished from Heaven. This demon, he'd unlocked a piece of himself that he'd put to rest years ago when he was an ally to Heaven. He also noticed this version of Lazarus was taking the fight to him without any restraint to his movement or actions. He wasn't fighting to stop Balthazar from trying to kill the hound and his kids anymore. Oh, no. He was fighting to kill Balthazar now his kids and beloved hound were standing at a safe distance.
With Loona, Eliza and Winter
The shock waves of the battle raging on had caused the hound to grab the kids and take cover behind an overturned car. Laying Austin against the upturned car door. Loona braved a glance over the cover she had taken by the metal vehicle. Once she looked, her eyes widened in shock and horror. She had never seen her boyfriend move at the unparalleled speeds he was moving at right now against this one enemy. She was too frozen to even move. Frozen to the point of not even seeing the I.M.P. van wheel spin to a halt beside her. She didn't even hear Blitzo shout when he ran over to her and the kids.
"LOONEY!"
"Grandpa!"
Loona hadn't realised Winter had left the safety of her arms to run to Blitzo. That was until he had to duck down by Loona's orders. Wanting to shout at his daughter, a huge chunk of debris the size of a meteor rocketed over the upturned car. And, flew over the three that were able to move. Causing Blitzo to look where Loona pointed towards. His eyes widened in horror at what he was witnessing.
"Who is that monster?!"
Not missing a beat. She responded.
"That monster… is Eric Snow."
He must have misheard the stunned hound beside him. The guy holding his own against an angel was his employee?!
Back With Snow Versus Balthazar
Eric was doing well to hold his own against something that, honestly, should've been stronger than him by a country mile. Move for move. And, every mannerism Snow ever had while fighting. This black-winged angel was matching him step for step. Every time Snow saw an opening. Balthazar closed him off just as quickly. Every sword swing resulted in the clash of steel with Snow's machete. But, all fights must come to a close. And, knowing Snow was getting sloppy with how he swung the smaller sword he carried. He knew it was hard finding an opening. If he didn't find a way to kill this angel quickly. He would die. And, he would leave Loona, Austin, Eliza and Winter alone. He just couldn't allow that to happen.
"You're getting sluggish, Snow. Almost like I'm tiring you out!"
"Me? Never. You, however, will soon learn not to underestimate me."
The angel had a look of confusion on his face at Snow's words to him. But, when he realised he'd left an opening. Like an uncoiled snake, Snow struck. Ducking the swing that narrowly cut three hairs from the top of his snow-white hair. The demon, now Lazarus, sent Balthazar reeling from a spinning back elbow to the mouth. But, before the angel could do anything. Using his surroundings to his advantage. Eric leapt from a piece of debris and, with one clean swing. He attempted to behead the angel where he stood. But, someone else had other ideas.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
End Song
Breathing heavily from the encounter he'd just survived by the skin of his teeth. Eric had no idea who had stopped the fight between himself and Balthazar. But, he would soon get his bearings when he saw a royal-looking demon appear before the two.
"That's quite enough you two. Stop this senseless violence, NOW!"
A demon with blonde hair stood between the two with his hands up to allow her to halt the violence and destruction the two were causing. Balthazar was the first to take the knee before the succubus who exuded regality when he says upon bended knee.
"Queen Lilith."
Eric didn't give the Queen such curtsey. He merely stood shellshocked by the radiant beauty of the demon approaching him. Upon her standing before him. But, the next thing he knew, he had fallen to the ground wordlessly. The last thing he sees is Loona, Blitzo, Eliza and Winter running over to him in worry. He also heard reassuring words come from the Queen to his beloved hound and daughters.
"I've merely put him to sleep. He has just shown me why I need him."
With that. Eric and Balthazar's worlds both went black.
Pride Ring of Hell. The Next Day at Lucifer and Lilith's Mansion
Waking with a start, and sitting up in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar place. Eric searched for his son and daughters first. Calling out their names upon his awakening.
"Austin? Eliza? Winter?"
"Relax, babe. The kids are doing okay. You've just been through a terrifying battle."
Eric's eyes darted over to the hound sitting by his bedside. Letting go of a heavy breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He brought Loona in close to him and kissed her. The hound gratefully returns the act of affection before having to separate for oxygen purposes. Once they separate, Snow asks.
"How long was I out for, Loona?"
"A full day, Snow."
That was when Snow remembered someone who he had gone to war with. Making him ask angrily.
"Where's Balthazar? Where is that bastard that assaulted Austin and Eliza!?"
Pressing Snow closer to her to calm him down. Loona merely answered whilst Snow bristled in anger within her arms.
"The Queen has him in chains down in the basement. Lucifer is furious an angel broke the deal between the King and God."
Eric nods. Though his anger had simmered down long enough for him to settle down into his girlfriend's arms. His smile returned when he heard a male voice speak from the open doorway.
"Is dad awake?"
Loona nods. Allowing herself to be released from Snow's embrace. Eliza and Winter came bounding into the room. Tackling their dad back onto the bed whilst crying into his chest. Austin, however, merely stood with support from the crutch under his right arm. But, he smiled warmly at his adopted dad holding his baby sisters close to their dad's chest.
"They wouldn't stop worrying about you, pops. Not even Uncle Moxxie and Aunt Millie could ease their worries."
Eric looks towards the tall hound standing with his crutch who had spoken from beside his bedside. But, the moment he saw the welts and bruises all over his son. Eric felt his heartbreak at his eldest having to go through what he had done. Though Austin just saw himself as doing his job as Eliza and Winter's big brother. Eric saw a man who had stood his ground and fought on. Despite the odds.
"I'm just happy all four of you are safe. I don't know what I would have done if any of you had been killed."
Loona takes Snow's hand. Gripping it firmly, she replies.
"If yesterday is any indication. I think all four of us know what would happen if that outcome came to light."
The bedridden male nods with a smile. Had he really allowed Lazarus to take a hold of him to fight again? If he had, thank Satan. He wouldn't have managed to defend his kids if he didn't have Lazarus as an ace in the hole for him to use. Even though Snow wanted more time with his kids. A handmaiden knocked on his door.
"Enter."
Upon her entrance into the room, she spoke gently.
"Mr Snow. If you're feeling well. The Queen has requested your presence in her study."
Eric nods. Dismissing the handmaiden so she could go back to her tasks for the day. He turns to the kids and Loona before addressing them.
"I mustn't keep her highness waiting."
Loona smirks in response. Kissing Snow on the cheek. She takes Winter and Eliza's hands into her own. After the kids say goodbye to their dad. Loona began walking away with the kids in tow. Leaving Snow to change into some clothes left on a chair for him last night.
He had no idea why Lilith wanted to speak with him. But, it must be important if the Queen of the entirety of Hell requested you.
Queen Lilith's Study
"Thank you for coming on such short notice, Snow."
"You're welcome, my Queen."
Lilith nods with a pleasant smile at the gratitude from the hybrid before her. When the smile vanished. The conversation soon turned to a serious tone the minute Lilith stood up from her chair. With a look out of the window of her study. With a heavy sigh gracing her beautiful features, the Queen speaks.
"Let's get to the point shall we, Snow? I called you here for one reason and one reason only. I'm sure I don't need to remind you. But, I want you to rescue my little girl from God's clutches. And, I want you to bring her home. Back home to where she belongs!"
Snow nods in confirmation at what is being said to him. Despite this, Lilith keeps her solemn face when she turns to face the male who is sipping his special shine and listening carefully from the edge of the leather seat he was currently occupying. While Lilith, who is seen sitting across from him on the couch on the other side of the table, speaks again.
"Though my husband, who had planned for a long time to marry our beloved Charlie to one of the lord's angels. He never accounted for one of his father's angels to come to Heaven and, break off their arrangement to make peace. This is where you come in."
Snow didn't need to think about what the incentive was at all. Instinctively, he answers the Queen.
"Me? But, my daughter killed Azrael. It wasn't I who committed the deed."
"Exactly, Snow, exactly. Lucifer knew his scheme would work the moment Azrael was slain by your daughter's hands. He didn't care how the angel was killed. He only cared about the backlash and uproar it would cause towards the cunt up high. The moment this happened…"
Lilith showed Snow the document. The moment this one piece of paper with Charlie's forced fate was signed and sealed upon it was placed in the hybrid's hands. It was the contract between Lucifer and God about Charlie marrying the angel Gabriel, something Lilith knew nothing about until she stumbled across it in her study. Feeling a rage wash over him after reading the document for himself. Snow incinerated the document within the palm of his hand. Now it was null and void due to the hybrid incinerating the offending object right before the eyes of the Queen. Something, she couldn't help but smirk at.
Realising her thoughts were getting off track after watching the last embers of the document fall into the ashtray in front of Snow. Lilith continued with what she was saying.
"… Charlie was waltzed into a situation she couldn't control, Snow. And, she couldn't run her hotel project in peace. Now, her father has nearly ruined her life. All thanks to her father and those bastard angels!"
SMASH!
There went Lilith's whiskey glass into a million pieces against the wall. As the glass fell like shattered flurries of snow to the floor with a whiskey stain left behind. Lilith's fury was now in full force at the memory of her daughter being taken away. When she regained her composure the minute Snow placed a hand on her shoulder. Lilith smirks motherly at the demon before her when he asks.
"When do I leave for upon high to save the princess?"
Once Snow removed his palm from the queen's shoulder. Lilith turned to face him fully. She responds by simply stating this.
"I, Queen Lilith of the seven circles of Hell. Task you, Snow, with one simple quest! Return Princess Charlotte to Hell!"
With no hesitation. Snow bends the knee before the queen and, responds boldly.
"Thy will be done!"
With a simple hand motion. Lilith commands Snow to stand to his feet. Once he is up on his feet again. She hands Snow a simple desert eagle pistol from a secret compartment in her studies chest of drawers. To Snow. This pistol was nothing like the weapons he was used to handling at work. This is shown when Lilith begins to explain the weapon to the male.
"Made here in Hell by one of our finest gunsmiths. The Cerberus pistol is a custom-made desert eagle. It comes complete with eight hundred thousand rounds in angel killing bullets. This killing machine can switch between one-round, three-round and full-auto burst settings of fire with the switch on the side of the gun. This is the weapon you are going to bring Charlotte home with. Do you understand, Snow?"
Snow nods with pride. Bringing Lilith's confidence up at the fact that, this demon, NO, this fabled wanderer, a Genesis! Would burn down Heaven if he had to. All just to return the princess to her rightful home in Hell.