Here's chapter 9, everyone! I apologize for any delay.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss, or its characters, except for the OC's.
Warning: May contain violence, foul language, and mature themes in this and/or future chapters
Enjoy!
Reby Montana - Glad you've enjoyed it! Most couples have an argument once in a while. It tests their relationship and may come out stronger than ever. That's one of the unique bonuses I've always wanted to add. Wanted to make the song special.
The Background Conquerer - Well, I like to add bonus drama scenes on my stories whether they're tragic or not.
Journey for Exlucero
Chapter 9: Rescuing Exlucero
Back in the thorn tunnel, Vittorio finally managed to dig himself out after the root demon's hand attacked them. Next to him, his Hellvern and Striker burst through the surface, spitting dirt from their mouths.
"I hate to bear to bad news, sir, but it seems we've lost them again," Striker said.
Fed up with their failures, Vittorio grabs both Striker and the Hellvern's horns and was about to give them the beating of their lifetime, but he held himself as soon as he saw the path of giant clawprints. He released them, realizing where his targets were heading. "Ah, that's where they went," he grinned. "Today's your lucky day, Striker. There may be some use for you yet."
Reby, Angel, Cherri, Stolas, Blitzo, and the animals continued following the tracks until they've reached to rocky ground. What's worse is that their path was shrouded by a thick fog, making them unable to see the tracks.
"Oh, no," Reby said.
"What's wrong?" Angel wondered.
"We've lost the trail!" She answered.
"Giant footprints don't just vanish. We'll find them again unless they've been washed away or we've reached to the culprit's territory."
The group carefully walked forward, sticking together to prevent themselves from getting lost in the fog. Suddenly, they're heard a loud groan-like noise. "Please, tell me anyone is hungry here. I hope it's your stomachs," Reby nervously said.
Everyone shook their heads no. Angel then calmly replied, "Nope. That was just an earth golem."
This new info made both their Goetia and imp friend halt in paralyzing fear. "Earth golem?!" Stolas slightly panicked.
"Well, see ya. Don't wanna be ya! Good luck, have a nice life. Whatever's left of it," Blitzo said.
"What's so scary about golems?" Reby asked.
"Honestly, don't you read myths and legends or even the classic fairy tales? If you must know, earth golems are ancient giants of Hell. Known to rest deep in volcanic chasms, underground, or even in burning fire. Their size alone can make any Blueblood turn yellow!" Stolas explained.
"They're the size of mountains. Some are even bigger! You could build kingdoms on their backs without knowing!" Blitzo commented. "They're big, destructive, dangerous, monstrous, and deadly!"
"And those facts are not the parts you have to worry about!" Stolas added.
"Then what is the part we have to worry about?" Cherri wondered.
Her answer literally came crashing down on top of them in the form of a giant bird-like skeleton, causing Stolas to jumped back in alarm.
"Their appetite!" Stolas whimpered. "Their bellies are never full!"
Luckily, Cherri, Angel and Reby were unharmed under the skeleton's ribcage.
"Damn! That demon looks like it was one of your own kind, Stolas!" Blitzo checked the skeleton.
Stolas checked the remains of the bird demon and with a deep frown, he announced. "That's because he was. I believe it's my cousin, Oberon."
"Oh, no. Not Moonface!" Blitzo sadly said. "That's what I'd always call him. He was the only Goetia nice enough to keep us safe from the others. I always wondered what had happened when he never returned from his flight."
"And now we know," Stolas shared his sadness for his fallen brethren. "Alas, poor Oberon. I knew him well."
"Is it me or is the sound getting louder?" Reby listened to the stomping sound.
Dynamite neighed loudly while Fat Nuggets squealed, jumping in Angel's arms in fright. Angel tried to pinpoint the noise and gasped when he realized why the sound got louder. "Quick! Get out of the way, everyone!"
Everyone dodged out of the skeleton as a gigantic, clawed foot stomped down where they were, crushing the bones into crumble.
Reby looked up to see the giant golem stomping ahead. It was the size of the tallest skyscraper, had dark and crimson skin, texture matching like volcanic walls, and its strength can destroy villages in a matter of minutes. Luckily, the golem hadn't discovered their presence and even if it did, it rarely waste its time in chasing small demons that are barely morsels. The golem's movements shook off some debris, leftover bones, rocks, and roots from his skin as it walked towards its cave to sleep. One unique object landed in front of Reby and immediately recognized it.
"It's the scabbard for Exlucero!" She gasped as she picked it up. "The golem does have the sword."
"And we're going to get it back," Angel declared as they both watched the golem retreating to its cave lair to sleep.
"This is going to be fun," Cherry Bomb said with determination.
"Oh, it just keeps getting better and better," Stolas said sarcastically before sighing in defeat.
After minutes of walking, they found the cave entrance and ventured inside. The cave was filled with rats and the walls were covered with skeletons from the golem's previous victims. Deeper inside, there were moss covered rocks, few flaming torches, and leftover bone pieces.
"Most golems are nocturnal, so we're in luck. We'll wait for it to fall asleep and then we'll grab the sword," Angel whispered the plan.
"I'm sorry. Define 'we'," Stolas asked, not feeling optimistic or enthusiasm for the crazy plan they'll be taking part in which, mostly likely, involves in him and Blitzo being bait.
"SHH!" Angel silenced them. "Quiet! The slightest noise and we're dead. Golems are highly territorial."
The Goetia analyze the environment, realizing how gloomy and uninviting the cave is. It was definitely nothing compared to his home in the Goetia Woods. In fact, it looked like a museum of the golem's victims judging by the bones in display from its previous meals. "What a charming place. I must get the name of its decorator," Stolas muttered sarcastically.
"You do that," Blitzo whispered. "I just hope I don't faint from the stench of this place. What is that smell?"
"I don't think you'll like the answer," Cherri replied.
"What's he doing?" Angel asked Reby whom took the lead.
She scanned the area but all she could see were rocks all around. "I don't see him."
"I thought bats could see in the dark, especially in caves," Blitzo teased.
"They do, but I can't use my echolocation, which I have, without waking the golem," Reby said.
"Oh, he's here, alright. His skin can blend in with the environment. And the animals can smell him," Angel explained.
Suddenly, the rocks began to shift, revealing the Golem's body. The group sticked themselves to the wall to avoid detection. The golem was so massive that not even the biggest Goetia in full demon form is nearly half the size of the golem. They watched the Golem moved until he found a comfortable position.
"You're right. He is here," Reby gasped in amazement.
"Damn, what a giant! It's probably bigger than Queen Charlotte's castle," Cherri said.
"Where's Exlucero? Can you see it?" Angel asked.
Reby peeked and watched the golem picking leftover food from its teeth with a sharp, shiny object. She gasped when she realized the object to be none other that the legendary sword, Exlucero. "He's using it as a toothpick!"
"How classy," Stolas sarcastically said.
"Nasty. I vote we leave that information in the dark when we return the sword to her majesty. Or at least, wash it," Cherri offered.
"Wonder how long 'til he falls asleep," Angel wondered.
The Golem's movements made the whole mountain shake but only slightly. Dust and stones fell from the ceiling but barely bothered the golem. It groaned until finally settled down, laying down on its arms with Exlucero right under a tall ledge.
"Let me guess: he fell asleep," Blitzo snorted with a deadpanned look.
The others ignored his sarcasm as they thought of a plan to retrieve Exlucero. "Now, how to we get it?" Angel studied the distance.
Cherri told her idea. "I can try getting it on Dynamite, but I think the sounds of wings flapping might wake the golem."
"Even if I could fly to it, it will be hard for me to grab it, let alone hold on to it," Reby added.
Angel studied the area and Exlucero's position. "I think I found a way. There's a ledge up ahead which hangs just above the sword. We can reach down from there."
"That might work, only it's too far down. Maybe at least 20 feet from it. None of us are tall enough to reach," Reby figured.
"You're probably right," Angel thought. But then he studied the distance, plus measured Cherri, Stolas, and himself and quickly lightened up when a new idea lit up in his mind. "I believe I have a better idea."
The others became confused by his new plan. Moments later, Blitzo held onto the rock at the ledge with a rope. "This is so stupid," Blitzo groaned. Stolas's tail wrapped around the same rock for extra weight while he held on to Cherri's legs, Cherri holding onto Angel's feet, and finally, Angel holding onto Reby with his staff. Together, they were merely a feet away from the sword and in front of the golem's sleeping face.
"I need a little more," Reby instructed quietly.
"We're trying," Cherri grunted.
"You know, it's a good thing you're not all big and fat or this will be really difficult," Blitzo replied sarcastically.
"Shut up, Blitzo!" Everyone whispered to the imp.
Little do they know that someone decided to show up at the worst possible moment. Vittorio arrived at the scene with Striker, the Hellvern, and some Shades behind him. They saw the friends reaching for Exlucero and the sleeping Golem.
"Hey, boss! Look, it's Ex-" One shade point out before Vittorio shuts him up by shoving a big rock into his mouth, not wanting to alert unwanted attention. Luckily for Vittorio, neither the group nor the golem heard them.
"I hate golems," Vittorio growled in frustration. "Almost as much as I hate children and weak, soft-hearted demons. Walk this way silently," he ordered. His men followed behind him, but one of them knocked over some rocks on the path, which Stolas picked up.
"Oh no. Guys, we have uninvited guests," Stolas whispered, accidentally releasing his grip on Cherri.
"Hey!" Angel cried out when he and Cherri felt themselves lowering farther down.
Stolas grabbed onto them on time before Reby hit the Golem's hand. Reby recovered from the slight scare but now she has Exlucero in her sight.
"Striker, follow my lead," Vittorio demanded as he stretched his wings while Striker hopped onto the Hellvern's back. "And you better make it count."
"Sure thing, boss," Striker obeyed, slapping the beast's back with his tail.
The Hellvern snarled and flapped its wings in order to take flight. This cause clouds of dust to form around them. The moment they flew through the dust cloud, dust flew into the Hellvern's nose, causing it to let out a big, loud sneeze. Everyone, both good and bad, froze in terror as soon as they heard the sneeze's echoes.
When Reby turned around, she was staring directly at the Golem's opened eye. "Shit! Naptime's over!" She whispered. "Quick, you guys! Swing me back and forth!" Angel then gently swung her as Reby smoothly spoke to the golem in a hypnotic manner. "You are getting very sleepy. Sleeepy..."
The plan worked for the golem returned to his sleep. As soon as its eye closed, Reby finally grabbed Exlucero and pull it off successfully. "I got the sword!"
"She's got it. Pull us up!" Angel called out.
Stolas and Blitz pulled backwards with difficulty, but with Dynamite and Fat Nuggets helping, the duo managed to bring Angel and the girls up onto the ledge right on time because the villains were coming towards them from the air.
"You're mine!" Vittorio snarled.
But before they could come close to his targets, the Golem suddenly rose from his sleep and let out a yawn so powerful that it blew Vittorio right into Striker, knocking him off the Hellvern and they all fell below to the ground. Reby and her friends began to run away with Vittorio's Shades chasing after them. The Golem's movements shook the cavern around but not enough to bring the roof down and it didn't notice the small intruders that when he stretched, he bashes his open hand to the wall...right where the Shades were, completely missing the heroes. The giant being yawned once more and then repositioned itself, trapping Vittorio, Striker and the Hellvern right under its butt.
"The Golem's butt!" Vittorio muttered, his fury growing by the minute since they were half stuck beneath the beast.
"Well, look on the bright side, boss," Striker said with a nervous smile, trying to ease his boss's temper.
"What bright side, Striker? Choose your next words carefully so I won't strangle you after this," the bat demon growled.
Striker gulped. "At least things can't get any worse."
In a split second, the worse is about to come when they both heard a deep rumbling noise coming from behind them and noticed the stones trembling.
"Wanna bet?"
A huge noise blasted through the tunnels where the group escaped through. "Look out! Duck!" Blitzo cried out as they ran when he saw what was coming. Everyone ducked their heads when Vittorio, Striker, and the Hellvern zoomed over them, crashing into a wall in one piece. After the group hurried away from them, Vittorio gave out his next order.
"Seize them!" He groaned.
"Yes, sir!" Striker squeaked.
Stolas and Blitzo rushed out of the cave but immediately skidded into a halt when their path ended in the form of a dead-end ledge. Below was a sheer drop to the ground with no other way to escape. They knew they are trapped like mice.
"There's no way out!" Stolas realized in a panic.
"Shit! We're dead!" Blitzo cried out.
"We're not dead yet!" Reby hurried while pulling Angel's hand to help him catch up. "There's one way out! We have to fly!"
"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" Blitzo shouted.
"I would really rather do anything else right now but that!" Stolas admitted.
"Well, I'm not gonna let those bastards take a piece of me!" Cherri declared as she whistled Dynamite to her. She jumped onto his back, and they flew into the air, waiting for the others to follow. "Let's go!"
Reby placed Exlucero into the scabbard she collected before and tied its belt around her waist. After securing the blade, she flapped her wings and rose up from the ground. "Come on, Anthony, grab onto me!"
"Are you sure, Reby?" He believed that there must be more accurate method of escape.
"Do you have a better idea?" She asked him.
"Every idea is better than this idea," Angel said. "Besides I'm a lot heavier than you think I am."
"I'm sure you're light as a feather. Hurry!"
"Oh, hell," Angel groaned and with a leap, he grabbed Reby's foot. As soon as she felt his weight, she began to struggle in the air. "Are you ok?"
"Sure, I'm doing fine!" She panted as she flapped her wings harder. "You better not let go!"
"Oh, I'm not worried about that," Angel called out, knowing that Reby will soon fall to the ground from exhaustion. They were only 6 feet in the air when Angel urged the flightless duo to take flight. "Come on, you jackasses! Fly!"
"I told you! We can't fly!" Stolas reminded them. "We explained that before our song."
Reby grunted and felt herself losing strength. "I can't...fly much...longer!" She soon fell with Angel in tow.
Blitzo looked up and saw their bodies getting bigger in view. "This is gonna hurt like hell!" He closed his eyes, waiting for impact.
Luckily for the couple, they had a soft landing when they collided with Stolas and Blitzo. However, the force from their fall pushed them over the ledge. They all landed onto a flat stone and Stolas' feet maneuver it like a longboard.
"For the record, I hate you!" Blitzo shouted as the four demons started to slide down the steep, slippery slope below the ledge.
Cherri Bomb saw the result of their flightless effort and sighed. "This is no time to be playing games!" She then followed them on Dynamite.
Vittorio and his minions exited the cave and the Shades immediately halted before they can fall from the ledge. Vittorio then kicked the Shades off the ledge to pursue his enemies. "After you!"
Soon, the chase began though it is more of a challenge to avoid crashing into any obstacles down the hill. It was quite a drop from the ledge and if they weren't in life-threatening danger, it would be a thrill to go down an exciting slide to the bottom. While Stolas kept his balance on the stone, the others held on for dear life. Cherri tried to catch up to them, hoping to find a way for them to stop.
"Cherri, help us!" Blitzo yelled.
She then stretched out her hand to them. "Grab my hand!" The tall imp grabbed hold, but the speed and bumpy ride made it difficult to pull them away. Cherri almost fell down when Blitzo pulled her arm too hard. Blitzo let go of his grip and Cherri climbed back onto Dynamite, catching her breath from the scare. "What was I thinking?! I'll see if I can lose them!"
Striker appeared with the Hellvern and stood beside Vittorio, awaiting his next orders.
Cherri Bomb locked eyes onto the assassin and grinned. "Well, well, look who decided to show up! Ready for round two, snake tail?" She taunted.
"You!" Striker hissed. Their last encounter has caused Striker the sword and great humiliation for his failure. Now all he wants at the moment is payback. The assassin jumped onto the Hellvern and both charged at the Chaos Knight and her Pegasus. Within close distance, both sides took out their blades and metals clashed with sparks coming out upon contact. "Time to repay the favor, little lady!"
"Are you kidding? Though you've stolen the sword, you made my night fun...especially when you lost to me," Cherri chuckled.
Striker's anger fueled his actions, intent of going after her no matter the cost. They flew around, clashing swords during flight, and dodging every strike their opponent's made. "Once I'm done with you, I'll get the sword back, reclaim my honor, and help my boss achieve victory!"
"Honor? You're an assassin. A lousy one, in fact!" Cherri pointed out. "Only Chaos Knights are honorable and none of them will follow a bastard like Vittorio. You make it sound like you're trying to be a knight."
Striker became stunned. The words silenced him but did not deter him from the fight. "Vittorio is strong, smart, and has great power. Anyone who follows him will be greatly rewarded beyond their dreams."
"Then you're a goddamn fool! You are blind to Vittorio's true nature!" Cherri argued.
"What?" Striker wondered.
"Compared to the Chaos Knights, who are risking their own lives to defend the Queen, Pridalot and even their families, you are NOTHING!"
Striker took those words with him, wondered if the path he's taken is the right one. But instead of pondering over his thoughts, he attacked Cherri.
Cherri managed to dodge at the last minute and began flying away. Striker chased her as she led him towards the ledge where Vittorio stood, unbeknownst to her motives. She then circled around the evil bat demon, taunting him to swing her sword at her. "I'm over here, Fangs!" He swung his sword, only to miss her. "Strike one!" He tried again and again, but she dodged the balde without breaking a sweat. "Strike two and strike three. You're out!" He then tried to bite her. "Whoa! I'm not in your menu! Also, special delivery for you! Right here, assassin!" She shouted to Striker and at the last second, she jumped out of way before Striker and the Hellvern crashed face first at the ledge where Vittorio stood, destroying it completely as they all fell with the avalanche.
Meanwhile, the group are still sliding down the cliff with Reby grabbed hold onto Stolas' feathers while Angel tried steering the stone with his lance with failed results. Behind them, Vittorio, Striker, and the Shades still slid, or in this case, tumbled far in the back. "Ladies and gentlemen, please restore your seats in the upright positions," Stolas instructed, trying to lighten their situation by imitating they're exiting a plane.
"Assume your crash position and hope you don't smell your socks!" Blitzo added, though in a negative, sarcastic tone. "Tray tables up and put away your sandwiches!"
"Turbulence!" The Goetia cried, feeling the unsettling environment.
Nearing the bottom of the hill, the group gasped when they saw a huge rock wall at the end of their destination, fearing they will crash into it. "Hold on, gang. I think we're going in!" Blitzo said, hoping the crash won't be painful.
"Help! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" The group fearfully waited to crash into the rocks. Stolas grabs a tree root sticking out but loses his grip. However, his stunt causes them to change course and continued sliding down on the opposite side, avoiding the rocks. Unfortunately for the villains, the Shades crash-landed onto the rock wall, knocking them out. Then the Hellvern, Striker, and Vittorio fell on them as the rock avalanche buried them alive.
Meanwhile, the group are still sliding down the slope, but loses the flat stone along the way. Stolas then uses his tall feet to skid with the others holding onto his back. But then his feet started to burn, causing small traces of smoke to come out, due to the friction from sliding down the cliff.
"We know you do have a choice, so thank you for flying Demon Air! Ow! OW! OWW!" Stolas concluded the act.
With a giant leap, they safely landed on a shallow lake which Angel and Fat Nuggets fell into, but Reby remained dry since Stolas' grabs her on time. The water cooled off the Goetia's talons, extinguishing the heat.
Soon enough, Cherri and Dynamite arrived to join them. "Wow! Yeah! Who's up for round two?" Everyone glared at her, not wanting to go to another death ride like that again. "Sorry," she managed to say before silencing herself.
With a glare, Blitzo then sarcastically suggested to Reby, "Tell you what, next time you try to fly, and we'll hold on."
"Blitzy, she can fly you know. But she did had trouble lifting heavy weight," Stolas said.
"I told her," Angel agreed. "Hey, what do you mean by heavy? I'm not that heavy!" He added, feeling insulted by being called fat.
"No, no! You're not fat. I mean you are taller than her...I mean..." Stolas stuttered, hoping to find words to calm Angel.
Reby did not listen for she was proud and happy that they beat the villains to the sword. Feeling the sword in her hands, she could not contain the glee deep inside of her. "We did it. We did it! I can't believe it! We did it!"
Angel chuckled as he dried his hair. With an affectionate smile, he expressed his own content. "Congratulations."
"Wow." Unable to wait, she curiously pulls out the legendary Exlucero out of its scabbard for all to see. She had heard many tales of its power and origins from her father, but to see it and feeling it up close is beyond anything she imagined. To her, it was a dream come true. "So this is Exlucero. It is beautiful!"
Upon seeing the magic sword, both Stolas and Blitzo squabble over each other in order to hold the sword for themselves. "Hey, can I hold it?" Blitzo asked.
"Please, please! Let me hold it! I am royalty!" Stolas pleaded.
"Hey, I got dibs! Give me, give me, give me! Give me that!" Blitzo reached out for Exlucero.
"ME!" Stolas begged.
"No!" Angel sternly scolded. "Exlucero only belongs in the hands of Queen Charlotte. We should hurry. Come on, Reby."
"You're right, Anthony. We must," Reby agreed, putting the sword back inside of the scabbard and then eagerly followed Angel.
Cherri got off Dynamite and walked besides Reby with a hopeful thought in her mind. "Say, Reby, since Chaos Knights risk their lives for the sword, you don't mind if I could have another small peek or maybe even touch it?"
"Cherri!" Angel stopped her, knowing her plans. "You know you can't!"
"Can you blame me? It is a rare opportunity!" Cherri defended herself, but she knew he is right. Besides, rescuing the blade from unworthy hands is reward enough.
Now that the sword has been rescued, all that's left is to reach Pridalot and deliver the sword back into the Queen's hand before Vittorio's army arrives. Hopefully, the young demons and their companions would reach them in time.
Hope you liked it!
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Neomoon585
