The Winged Wolf
Written by catsamurai16.
An Idea from TalosLives.
Chapter 10: Finishing Touches
The campgrounds were quiet as morning came. The mist was starting to clear. On the lake close by, Jericho sat in a canoe and looked around as the rising sun began to glow across the lake. The birds were chirping peacefully in the trees. Dragonflies were buzzing all around. He sighed as admired the beauty around him. He looked toward the shore and saw Loona standing at the edge of the water. She had her phone out as usual and she was waving at him. He turned to wave back.
Suddenly, something burst out of the lake behind Jericho! It was covered in slime and mud. It's cold, dead eyes were on him! Jericho barely got a look before its disgusting arm was around him, trying to pull in under! He screamed and held onto the canoe! The thing pulled him down under the water, capsizing the canoe. Then, everything was quiet again.
Jericho burst up from the water. Coughing and sputtering, he swam to the capsized canoe and held on. He growled as he heard laughter from the shore. He moved his fur out of his eyes and looked to see Blitzø, pulling himself out of the water and covered in muck from the lake. Loona was laughing too. She was still recording everything on her phone.
"Damnit, Blitzø! Why'd you do that?" Jericho shouted.
Blitzø wiped some of the mud off his face and said, "Cause it was funny, kid! Didja get all that, Loonie?"
"Bet your ass I did, Blitzø," Loona said, smirking.
Jericho swam to the shore, pulling the canoe with him. He passed by Blitzo, who was washing the mud off himself. He stood and shook himself dry. Loona and Blitzø tried to shield themselves from the spray. Jericho walked toward the dining hall.
"They had me sitting out there half the damned night, calling out strays, and for what?" Jericho muttered.
"It worked, didn't it? I never would've found that gal in the barn if you hadn't told me she was there," Millie said.
Millie and Moxxie walked up to Jericho. Millie was wearing a hockey mask and holding a sack with a pickaxe over her shoulder. Moxxie was wiping the blood off of his machete. Blitzø and Loona caught up. Blitzø was still putting on his jacket as he walked.
"Yeah. Besides, I wanted to keep things funny," he said, straightening his clothes as best he could, "Hey, Millie, did you see the look on that stupid fucks face when that crucifix he pulled out didn't work?"
They all laughed. Jericho even chuckled a bit.
He said, "Okay, yeah. That would've been funny to see. Anyway, I guess we're done?"
Blitzø said, "Yeah. We're done here. You got a head count of the heads, Mils?"
"Yep! All twelve counselors, both cooks, the grounds keeper, and even the camp mascot," Millie said, holding up a sack.
Jericho cast a portal spell and Moxxie and Millie jumped through followed by Loona and Blitzø. Jericho shook himself dry again and hopped through. Blitzø was already on his phone with their client.
Moxxie sat on the couch with Millie and said, "Humans are strange creatures."
"Now, Mox, remember what I told you," Millie said, patting his cheek.
Moxxie nodded, "Yeah, I know. 'Killing who we are paid to is our business.' Still, I wished we could have figured out who the killer was."
"I'm not normally one for innocent blood spilling, but with what the client told us, someone had to be turning a blind eye to the murders for years. So, I agree with Millie. Kill 'em all and let God sort it out." Jericho said.
Jericho's attitude about killing had… eased somewhat after his near miss three weeks ago. If he hadn't heard that shot coming, he'd be dead. If he hadn't fired back, he'd be dead. It took some time after to process it, but in the end he felt better. But honestly, more than that was on his mind.
Thinking back on that night made Jericho ask himself the same questions over and over. Where was Alastor? He must've known that they got his amulet back by now. And what about the amulet? Why had all of its magic suddenly vanished? He knew his magic canceling spell wasn't permanent. And, more importantly, who had sent their undead attackers? How did they know where they were or when to attack? Regardless of those questions, once they had the amulet, it was back to business as usual for I.M.P. Since they had no way of contacting Alastor, they just decided to give it to him whenever he sent someone else to check on the hit.
Jericho leaned on the wall and looked around the room. Moxxie was filling out the paperwork for the last hit. Millie was sitting on the couch twirling a switchblade in her fingers. Loona was at the computer, browsing the internet again. Blitzø had gone into his office. Jericho started to wonder what he should do next. After all, they only needed him to stop the amulet's magic. He was only sticking around because nobody had told him to stop coming. But then again, did he really want to stay with the group?
Honestly, he liked working with Moxxie and Millie. They had been very welcoming ever since they first met. Blitzø was a handful sometimes, but for all his problems he cared. Trying to get him to admit it was like trying to coax a feral cat out from under a porch, but he did care…mostly. And then there was Loona… Yeah, maybe it was best for him to leave. In the time he knew her, she had been an insulting, violent, and mean-spirited bitch who rarely passed up an opportunity to insult or punch him. And he had tried to be nice! He tried to make up for his mistake at that hound party, but she wasn't having any of it. Apologies were usually met with a punch to his snout. Jericho was pulled from his thoughts by Blitzø bursting back into the room.
"Okay, everyone! Let's get to the conference room. We got a new client!" he said.
Millie did a quick fist pump, "Whoo! Alright!"
"Two in one day. Seems we're starting to get busy around here," Jericho said, stepping forward.
Blitzø flipped Jericho off while M & M chuckled.
They started back to the conference room. Moxxie asked, "Who's the target, sir?"
"Some asshole wants us to blow up a gas station," Blitzø said.
"With anyone in particular in it?" Jericho asked.
Blitzø opened the door and walked in, "Yeah, the owner. Some guy named-Fuck me sideways!"
"Odd name," Moxxie said.
Loona pushed everyone aside to get into the conference room to see what Blitzø screamed about. Blitzø was struggling with a large black tendril! It was coming up out of the table and it had a hold on the amulet case! Blitzø was pulling against it with all his might.
"Quick! Give me a hand!" Blitzø shouted.
Everyone grabbed a hold on Blitzø and pulled. As they all held on and tried to wrench the case free, another tentacle rose from the table. It swatted Blitzø's hands hard. Blitzø shouted in pain and let go of the case. Everyone flew back onto the floor. They looked up as the tendril with the case sunk back into the table, taking the case with it. The other tendril gave a quick wave goodbye and sunk in too. Blitz jumped on the table and began clawing at it, growling in frustration.
"That blood soaked shit stain! He welched on the deal!" Blitz shouted.
Suddenly, they heard a loud bang coming from the lobby. They all got up and ran to see what it was. A stack of five small suitcases had appeared near the computer. There was a note pinned to the one on top. Moxxie took the note and began to read.
Moxxie read, "Dear Blitzø and Company. Please forgive the quick acquisition of my amulet, as well as the settlement of my payment. But circumstances have arisen that require my attention elsewhere. You may notice that the payment is slightly smaller than what I had promised. It is frustrating, I know, but you will remember that I said time is money. However, if all goes according to plan, I believe I can compensate you all further. Till we meet again. Alastor.
"Two-faced strawberry bastard!" Blitzø shouted. He kicked the suitcases hard and knocked them over. Millie walked over and picked one of the suitcases up.
"This one has Loona's name on it," she said and looked at another, "And this one's got mine. I guess we each get one, Blitzø."
Jericho walked over and took the note from Moxxie. He read it over himself.
"I wonder what he's up to now," Jericho said.
Nursing his sore foot, Blitzø shouted, "Fuck it! He got his fuckin' fancy jelwery, we got paid, it over! Let's just forget the radio fucker and move on."
"I second that!" Millie said, smiling. She pulled Moxxie close and said, "We probably have enough for our trip now, huh?"
Moxxie smiled back and nuzzled her cheek. "Yeah, I guess we do,"
"Knock it off you two fuck bunnies. I'm not in the mood," Blitzø said.
Blitz began to talk about their current hit again, but Jericho wasn't listening. He now had several new questions. It was obvious now that something had taken Alastor's attention away from them and the amulet. But what could be so important that he would change a deal and wait so long to fulfill his end of it? Jericho was pulled from his thoughts by Loona punching him hard in the shoulder.
"Pay attention, jackass," she said.
Jericho rubbed his shoulder and grumbled. He figured she was right. It was best to focus on their next hit and leave his questions about Alastor for later.
Octavia was sitting on the couch reading one of the books Jericho had loaned her. He had gotten it from the human world. It was a collection of stories and pictures about what humans called Cryptids. It was funny how humans would sometimes imagine creatures like these. I mean, a monster that was basically an umbrella with a human leg and an eye? Ridiculous. Sometimes they would get real glimpses of other worldly things that had found their way to Earth from other realms. She was just about to read about something the humans called the Fresno Nightcrawlers when Gerald walked into the room with a tray of food.
"Here's your lunch, Miss Octavia," he said.
"Thank you Gerald," she said, putting down her book, "Is dad still working in his garden?"
Gerald said, "He was, miss. Now, he's getting cleaned up. He should be here in a few minutes."
Then the doorbell rang. Gerald wordlessly left to go answer it.
"Hello Via, darling," Stolas said.
Octavia turned to see your father walk in the room. He was dressed casually in gray sweatpants in a red pullover t-shirt.
"Are you ready to do some more of that 'binge watching' you were talking about?" he asked.
Octavius smiled and said, "Sure. But first, take a look at this."
She held up the book and showed him a picture of the nightcrawlers.
"Aren't these things from the Envy ring?" she asked.
Stolas took the book and looked the picture over, "I think so. That's rather fascinating. I've never seen these creatures come on land before. I wonder how that happened."
Octavia said, "Well, maybe-"
She was interrupted by Gerald bursting back into the room
"Sir," Gerald said, trembling, "It's him."
Neither Octavia nor Stolas had to be told who "him" was. They both ran to the front door and there he was. Standing just outside the threshold of the door was Alastor, twirling his cane and humming. He noticed them both and bowed with his usual smile on his face.
Alastor said, "Good afternoon, Stolas my friend! And to you as well, Princess Octavia."
Crossing his arms, Stolas said, "Good afternoon, Alastor. How can I help you?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Alistair asked with a touch of static in his voice.
"Only if you promise that your visit will be brief," Stolas said, "I'm spending the day with my daughter."
Alastor said, "The briefness of my visit will be entirely up to you."
Stolas glared at Alastor. Something wasn't right. Alastor usually liked to beat around the bush, showboat a little. But now? Now, he seemed almost in a hurry. After a moment, Stolas turned to Octavia.
"Please go to your room, Octavia. I'll come get you the moment I'm done." he said.
Octavia took a quick glance at Alastor and then back to her father. She gave him a quick hug, then ran to her room. Once he was sure that Via was safe in her room, Stolas turned to Alastor and motioned for him to come in. Alastor grinned and slowly stepped through the threshold.
A sudden shimmer of light filled the doorway, then faded. Alastor looked over his shoulder, then back at Stolas.
"Quite an interesting set of defensive spells you've got, Stolas. If an intruder had tried to enter, something… unpleasant would have happened to him. I assume this rise in security was due to my last visit?" Alastor asked.
"Yes. Now, what do you want? Come to collect your favor?" Stolas asked.
Alastor said, "I am in need of some magical aid."
Stolas raised an eyebrow, "With what kind of spell?"
"A scrying spell," Alastor said.
Stolas said, "Scrying? I assumed you knew enough about Hell to find anyone you want by yourself."
Alastor said, "Well, not for lack of trying. My… contacts keep me informed about most of the happenings in Hell. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was being followed. Ha! Me, of all people. It took some time, but I managed to nab one of the little dickens. For the last few weeks, I've been interrogating him. It wasn't going quite as well as usual. Oh, the torture was fun and all, but every bit of information I gained was mostly worthless. I did manage to learn about a safe haven for his group. However, during our latest discussion, the resourceful little rascal managed to slip his bonds and slit his throat."
Stolas asked, "And you want to see if I can scry this 'safe havens' location with the body?"
"Quite right. Can you help me, friend Stolas?" Alastor asked.
After a moment of thought, Stolas asked, "You didn't answer me before. Will this settle our deal?"
A static buzz filled the air as Alastor said, "I believe that was implied."
"I want to hear you say the words," Stolas said, slowly.
The static buzzed louder for a moment and finally Alastor said, "Yes. This will settle the deal."
Stolas nodded, "Good. Come with me to my study."
Stolas turned and began walking. Alastor followed close behind him. Stolas snapped his fingers and his clothes changed into his normal regal attire. They entered Stolas's study. It was a large room with several bookshelves, jars of potions, and ancient tomes and scrolls. Alastor hummed quietly to himself as he looked around the room. Stolas went to a table on the other side of the room. He waved his hands and cleared the table, sending each book or scroll back where it came from.
Turning to Alastor, he said, "All right. Where's the body?"
Alastor summoned up a portal and a sack fell out of it, onto the table. It was too small for a normal body, even an imps. Stolas opened it up and jumped. He saw there was only a demon's severed head inside. Stolas scowled at Alastor who simply shrugged.
"I felt it would be more compact this way," he said.
Stolas rolled his eyes and set the head down on the table.
"This kind of scrying isn't difficult." Stolas said, "It won't be a moment."
Stolas cast the spell and the room grew dark. The shadows themselves seem to echo with voices long forgotten. Arcane ruins begin to float around the room. The runes slowly closed in upon the head and circled above it. A view of several tall buildings began to take shape in the rune circle.
"That appears to be lower Imp City," Stolas said.
"Oh yes. I'm sure you know the area well," said Alastor, leaning closer to the picture, "Can you give me a more precise location?"
Grumbling, Stolas tried to focus the spell further. The image went further down into the outskirts of Imp City, moving past several abandoned apartment buildings before finally slowing to a stop. Suddenly, the head began to jerk around. Stolas grabbed the head and held on tight, but the head shook violently from his grasp. The head rolled along the table and onto the floor. Then, it burst into bright orange and golden flames. In an instant, there was nothing left of the head, but a scorched mark on the floor.
Alastor looked at Stolas and asked, "A problem with the spell?"
Stolas knelt down and ran his fingers along the scorch mark. He said, "No. That wasn't a spell backlash. It seems someone has made a spell to incinerate anyone who was attempting to scry into their territory. This kind of spellcraft is highly illegal."
"Oh, when has that stopped anyone in Hell?" Alastor asked with a hearty laugh, "In any case, difficulties aside, did you get the address?"
Stolas stood and turned to Alastor. Without a word, he summoned a quill pen and paper. He wrote a quick note. He finished and held out the piece of paper to Alastor.
"Here. Now, get out of my house," Stolas said.
Alastor took the paper. He smiled, "Thank you so much for your help, my fine feathered friend. And now, as you wish, I'll be going now. But before I go, I want you to have something. "
Alastor snapped his fingers and opened a portal. Three shadows came out, holding a table. A fourth shadow set a small old-fashioned radio on top of it.
"A little token of appreciation. I hope you'll use it to tune in tonight," Alastor said.
Stolas said, "As entertaining as it is to listen to you set an example of those poor wretches, I have to decline. I'll be spending time with my daughter."
Alastor said, "Oh, I'm sure she'd enjoy it herself! There's nothing like a little mayhem and music to start off the evening. Besides, I have a special announcement for tonight's broadcast."
"What do you mean?" Stolas asked.
Alastor's smile and eyes glowed red and in a low voice he said, "Stay tuned."
And then, Alastor and his shadows left through his portal. Stolas looked at the radio he had left for him.
"What is that foul thing up to now?" he thought.
Meanwhile, back at I.M.P., the team were having a hard time getting Blitzø out of his bad mood. After blowing up the gas station, which Lonna recorded on her phone, several more clients had come in. It had been a very productive day. But every time they returned from a hit, Blitzø would look at the cases from Alastor, growl, and stomp back into his office. Now, it was near quitting time and Blitzø's mood hadn't improved. He simply sat at his desk and growled. There was a knock at his door.
"What?!" Blitzø shouted.
The door opened and Moxxie came inside.
"Sir," he said, "I know you're disappointed about the Radio Demons payment being short. But we should look on the bright side. We won't have to deal with him anymore."
"It's not the money that's the problem, Moxxie! It's the disrespect," Blitzø said, slamming his fist on the desk, "That fucker kicked down our door, threatened us into taking his hit, promised us loads of cash, and then when we finally pull it off he gives us fucking peanuts! And why? Because he's the fucking Radio Demon and we're pathetic little imps."
Moxxie understood Blitzø's frustration. How many times have he and Millie tried to find a better apartment, only to be turned away for being imps.
Moxxie stepped closer to Blitzø, "Sir, I-"
"Don't fucking apologise, Mox. It wasn't your fault," Blitzø said, "But you're right. It's over and done with."
Blitzø looked at the clock and said, "All right. Let's pack it up for the day."
He and Moxxie walked out of his office. Loona looked up from the computer.
"Another job, Blitzø?" she asked.
"Naw, nothing new. Let's head home, gang," Blitzø said.
Loona turned off the computer and headed for the door. But when she tried to open it it wouldn't move.
"The fuck?" she said.
She tugged harder but the door wouldn't budge.
"What's wrong?" Millie asked.
"I don't know. The door's stuck." Loona said, "Run down, shitty building."
Jericho stepped forward, "Let me try."
Loona pushed him away, saying, "Fuck off! I can open a damn door."
But try as she might, it wouldn't move. Millie came up and tried herself, but it didn't help.
"The hell's going on," Millie asked.
Loona and Millie started pulling together. Jericho looked around the door.
He said, "I don't think the door is stuck. It's been locked with magic. Moxxie, check the windows."
Moxxie quickly ran to one window after another. "They're all stuck."
"Move over, Moxxie. I got it," Blitzø said, pulling his gun.
Jericho shouted, "Blitzø, no! If we're sealed in with magic, the bullet could ricochet!"
Blitzø rolled his eyes, "Fine, ya damned worry wart."
He turned the gun over and stuck the glass hard, but it didn't shatter.
"What the fucks going on?" he asked.
Suddenly, a portal opened up in the middle of the office. Millie and Moxxie held onto each other. As they watched the portal, a large old style radio came out. Jericho moved closer to it. It seemed like an ordinary antique radio. It had to be from Alastor. The radio started playing a lively band tune. An announcer started talking over the music.
He said, "Good evening, Dregs of Hell! It's that time again! It's time for the Radio Demon Rampage Hour! Brought to you by the dark magics of Alastor himself. And now, to start off our show, a little number from our band, the Damned Danny's! Take it away, boys!"
The band began to play slow jazz music. Millie turned to Jericho.
"What do ya think he's up to?" she asked.
Jericho shrugged, "I guess he wants us to hear his broadcast."
"Why? He's got his amulet," Moxxie said.
Loona said, "It could be that he's trying to scare us into keeping quiet about it."
The announcer chimed in again, "And now, the host with the thirst for blood to match his suit, Alastor!"
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," Alastor said, the music swelling around his voice, "On tonight's program, we'll be featuring an interesting group of imps."
A chill ran through the office. Blitzø ran to Loona to shield her from danger and held his flintlock close. Moxxie pulled out one of his guns and moved him and Millie closer to Blitzø. Jericho summoned a shotgun and tossed it to Loona. She cocked the weapon and aimed at the windows. Jericho faced the door, ready for whatever came through it. Alastor continued on the radio.
He said, "I've been looking forward to this massacre, my friends, and I hope I can make it entertaining for you as it will be for me. So, let's get to it!"
Then, there was a sudden loud explosion, screams and gunshots rang out, and Alastor's cruel laugh could be heard throughout it all… on the radio. In fact, all the noises were coming from the radio. The group relaxed a little. Moxxie moved over to the window and tried to look down at the street.
"No sign of anything going on down there," he said.
Loona said, "I don't smell anything weird either."
"Yeah," Jericho said, "No smoke, no blood, nothing."
Millie moved to the window and looked around.
"Hey, look!" she said, pointing outside.
They all looked out the window and they could see the building Alastor was attacking. Several fires had already spread to other buildings close by. Demons were running for cover, lest they join the poor bastards Alastor was targeting.
Jericho said, "I think you're right, Loona. This may be a threat to keep us quiet."
"Yeah, well my lips were sealed anyway," Loona said. She looked at her phone and said, "Fuck. He's jamming the wifi and phones too."
Jericho turned and tried to summon a portal, but it didn't work. He shook his head.
"He's blocking magic too," he said.
"So, we're stuck listening to this?" Millie asked.
"Looks like it," Jericho said.
"Fucking Radio bastard. Ugh, might as well get comfortable, everyone," Blitzø groaned.
Moxxie and Millie jumped onto the couch and held each other close. Loona sat back at the computer desk. The internet was out, but she could still play the games on her phone. Blitzø went to get his chair out of his office. He sat it right in front of the radio. He figured if anything was going to come out of it, it would have to go through him first. Jericho leaned on the wall again. He tried to think about any spells that might help them if Alastor came for them. Regardless, they were all ready for this hour to be over.
Meanwhile, Stolas was in his living room, pacing around his radio. Or rather, he was pacing and the radio was following him. Alastor had used his magic to make the table the Radio was on to walk with Stolas wherever he went. It had been annoying him most of the day. That was until Alastor's broadcast started. Stolas was worried. Not only had Alastor stopped him from calling Jericho or his dear Blitzy, but he had somehow blocked his magic from reaching them as well. He couldn't understand it. Alastor couldn't possibly be powerful enough to stop him. Could he? Octavia was sitting on the couch, hugging a pillow in her lap and watching Stolas pace.
"He won't hurt them, will he, Dad?" she asked.
"Surely not, Via," Stolas said, "He wouldn't dare hurt a hair on any of their heads."
She asked, "Then why is he doing this?"
Stolas bit his lip. He didn't like lying to his daughter, but he would rather her not know about his deal with Alastor.
"I'm not sure, dear," Stolas said.
Octavia hugged the pillow tighter. Stolas looked at her and sighed. He sat next to her and pulled her into a hug.
He gently stroked her hair, "Don't worry, Starfire. They'll be fine."
Octavia nuzzled her father's shoulder.
"I hope so, Dad," she said, "I hope so."
The broadcast was only an hour, but it felt like an eternity to the I.M.P. crew. Blitzø was drumming his fingers against the arm of his chair. Moxxie was still holding onto Millie who had fallen asleep in his arms. Loona was standing by the window, watching the building across from them smoke. It had been reduced to rubble by Alastor. Jericho was watching it too. He couldn't believe how powerful Alastor was. He wasn't an Overlord for nothing. The broadcast seemed to be ending. Alastor had just finished rounding up the stragglers. He was currently strangling the last unlucky imp.
"Please," he gasped, "I have a fami-"
The sickening sound of flesh ripping cut off the imps' words.
"Ah, there's nothing like an absolute blood bath to end an evening. You might say we've painted the town red!" Alastor said, laughing at his bad joke.
Blitzø rolled his eyes, "Shit, even I never told such shitty jokes."
Alastor continued on, "Well, friends, it seems that was the last of these impish little troublemakers. So, it's time to say good night. But before we do, let's have a quick commercial break."
A bouncy tune began to play and a barbershop quartet began to sing.
If you want somebody gone and you don't wanna wait too long,
Call the Immediate Murder Professionals!
Hand grenade or cyanide,
We'll it look like suicide,
The Immediate Murder Professionals!
We do our job so well,
Cause we come straight up from Hell!
Alastor began to talk as the quartet vocalized in the background.
"Do you have a hated enemy still walking around the Mortal realm?" he said, "Did a former loved one stab you in the back, literally? Of course you want retribution. But how do you have it while you're trapped in Hell? Well, look no further than the Immediate Murder Professionals! That's I.M.P. for short, folks. The I.M.P. have exclusive access to the land of the living and they can take care of your unfinished business of revenge for you! Why, I've used their services myself and I must say, I'm a totally satisfied customer! So, call the I.M.P. today! They are always ready to take your calls. Just ask for Blitzø. The O is silent. And remember!"
The quartet began to sing again.
We'll kill your husband or your wife,
We'll even let you keep the knife,
We're the Immediate Murder Professionals!
Kids Die For Free!
And then, a portal opened under the radio and it sank back in. Blitzø and the others were stunned. Jericho looked around the room. Loona had dropped her phone, Moxxie and Millie both had their mouths hanging open, and Blitzø was standing where the radio had been.
Blitzø said, quietly, "We just got an endorsement from the Radio Demon."
Moxxie stood up with Millie. He said, "I suppose that is what he meant by compensating us."
"Well, it's gonna bring in business, that's for sure. But won't it bring trouble too?" Millie said.
"We just got an endorsement from the Radio Demon," Blitzø said again.
"Try not to panic, Blitzø. He didn't mention anything about the book," Jericho said.
Loona asked, "But what's stopping some asshole official coming down here to figure out how we're getting to Earth?"
Jericho rubbed his chin, "Well, it's possible we can just lie about having a license, but-"
"WE JUST GOT AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE MOTHER FUCKING RADIO DEMON!" Blitzø shouted, happily.
Blitzø began cheering and jumping in the air. He ran to Moxxie and Millie.
"Do you guys get how big this is?!" he asked, "All of the Ring of Pride heard that broadcast! We're gonna have clients pouring in! We're finally going to the big time!"
Millie said, "Blitzø, this could be bad for us!"
Blitzø said, "No, don't you get it?! He said he used our services! That means we took out someone even the Radio Demon couldn't!"
"Sir, that's not what happened," Moxxie said.
"Yeah, and the only ones who know that are us!" Blitzø said, "Besides, we've got Stolas backing us up. We can handle any problem!"
Jericho said, "Don't rely too much on my Uncle to keep us out of trouble, Blitzø. He may not be happy about this."
Blitzø waved him off, "Aw, don't worry too much, guys. This is gonna be great. Hey, maybe we can put something about this on our business cards!"
He had stars in his eyes and he waved his hands in the air and said, "'Alastor's First Choice.'"
Moxxie said, "We don't have business cards, sir."
Blitzø ran over and picked up all the money cases, "We will soon!"
Millie dove for Blitzø and tackled him. He fell and the cases landed all around them. Millie quickly stood up and grabbed Moxxie and her case.
"Nu-huh, Blitzø," she said, sternly, "We haven't minded you take money of our paycheck before-"
"I've minded," Moxxie said.
"But this money is going to our second honeymoon. No ifs, ands, or buts!" Millie finished.
Loona took her case from Blitzø. She said, "And I want to get some new clothes. Sorry, Blitzø."
Blitzø looked at the others and sputtered, trying to come up with a good reason for them to hand over their money. When nothing came to mind, he grumbled and sat down on the floor. He held up Jericho's case to him.
"I guess you'll be wanting this," Blitzø said.
"Well, actually, no," Jericho said, "I mean, I don't actually work here."
Blitzø lowered the case and asked, "What the fuck do you mean, 'you don't work here?'"
"I'm only here because my Uncle asked you to let me help," Jericho said.
"Yeah, and?" Blitzø asked.
Jericho said, "Well, now that you don't need me anymore-"
"Now, who the hell said we don't need ya anymore?" Millie asked.
"I did. Often," Loona said.
"Well, I"m the boss and I say who works here and who doesn't," Blitzø said.
He tossed Jericho his case. Jericho caught it and looked at the others.
"Wait. You really want me to stay?" he asked.
Moxxie nodded, "Of course. It's pretty useful having another worker around."
Millie walked over and put her arm on his shoulder, "Yeah, Jeri. You're one of us now."
Jericho looked at Loona who turned away. She walked to the door and opened it.
She turned to the others, "I'm headed to the van. Hurry up and let's go or I'm leaving you all here."
Then, she left, punching Jericho in the arm as she did. Jericho rubbed his sore shoulder and growled at her. Millie groaned. She turned to Jericho and smiled.
Millie said, "Nevermind her, Jeri. She'll get over it."
Blitzø stood up and brushed himself off. He grabbed his case and headed for the door.
"I know that tone, you two. If we don't get downstairs quick, Loonie will take off," Blitzø said.
Blitzø said to Jericho, "You wanna lift, kid?"
Jericho said, "No, thanks. I'll portal myself home soon. Thanks, Blitzø,"
"Hey, hey, don't be so informal! It's boss or sir to you, got it?" Blitzø said.
Jericho was surprised for a second. He smiled and said, "Yes, sir."
Blitzø nodded, "Good. So, be here tomorrow at 8 o'clock sharp."
"Right, boss," Jericho said and gave a small salute.
Blitzø said, "See ya tomorrow, kid,"
"Bye, Jeri," Millie said.
"Good bye, Jericho," Moxxie said, "We'll see you tomorrow."
With that, Moxxie and Mille left, holding hands and one case each and Blitzø was following behind them. Jericho watched them go. He moved over to the couch and sat down. He sighed. What a crazy month it had been. He'd left his home and found a job with the craziest bunch of imps he'd ever met. Honestly, he never thought he'd have a job like this one. Assassin? Him? After what had happened?
"Well," she said to himself, "Mom was right. Life's a strange ride."
He stood, took his case, and left himself. He reached the parking lot and saw Blitzø's van was gone. He looked up in the sky and saw the pentagram was low. It was getting late. He was raise his hand to open a portal back to Stolas's palace when his hellphone rang.
"Who'd be calling me?" he thought.
He reached for his phone and looked at the caller's I.D. He gasped. It couldn't be… If this was a trick…
He quickly answered, "H-hello?"
"Hey, son," said the gravelly voice on the other line, "How are you?"
Tears started to fill Jericho's eyes, "Dad? Is that you?"
Naberius said, "Yeah, it's me. I hadn't heard from you in a while, so I decided to call. Are you doing okay?"
Jericho wiped his eyes and smiled, "I'm doing okay now. It's great to hear from you, Dad. I'm surprised you're using your hellphone."
Naberius groaned, "Yeah, well, you're right. I need to get with the times. Speaking off, how's your training going? Is Stolas keeping you busy?"
Jericho said, "Yeah, he is."
"Well, tell me all about it, son. I want to hear what's been going on," Naberius said.
Jericho smiled and began to walk down the street. He said, "Well, the first thing that happened didn't have anything to do with training. It all started at a hound party."
"A what?" Neberius asked.
Jericho laughed and continued talking with his father. As he talked, he felt a lot better. It seemed everything was going to work out.
A demon was sitting at his desk reading over several proposals and around his office were maps, lists of dates, or pictures of Stolas, Blitzø, Jericho, Moxxie, Millie, and several other demons. Suddenly, the intercom on his desk buzzed. He reached over and pressed the button.
"Yes? What is it?" he asked.
A woman's voice came back, saying, "Sorry to disturb you, sir, but one of the Cider's is here to see you. He has a report"
"Send him in," the demon said.
He turned to his door. It opened and an imp come inside. The imp was wearing a leather jacket with a large double L blazed on the back. The imp gave a quick salute. The demon saluted back.
"What can you report, Cider?" he said.
The imp said, "Base 4 was a complete loss, Wine, sir. No personal survived."
"And the Radio Demon?" Wine asked.
"It is believed he was completely fooled, sir. With Bacardi feeding him false information before his death, the Radio Demon thought Base 4 was our only one. He's made no other moves to any other base," Cider said.
Wine leaned back in his chair, "So, their sacrifice wasn't in vain. Nevertheless, we can't relax yet. Report to Gin and Tonic. Tell them to call off the search for the Radio Demon's base. We got too close to him and we were burned for it."
Cider said, "Yes, sir. What about Lord Stolas and his imps, sir?"
Wine said, "Forget the imps. The Radio Demon may be watching them now. Just keep tabs on Stolas. If all goes according to plan, the time to strike will be soon. Dismissed."
Cider saluted again, turned, and left. Wine moved some papers around on his desk. He found the picture he was looking for. It was off Alastor, standing with a winged cat demon. He crumbled the picture up and tossed it aside. He lifted another picture. It was Stolas presiding over the Harvest Moon Festival in the Wrath Ring.
He said, "If we can't kill an Overlord to show off our power, you'll have to do, my lord."
End of Part 10.