Chapter 36. Plots.


Poch and Jack entered the meeting room through Stolas's gateway. Once they came in Loona approached Poch and gave him a kiss on the cheek, the brown hellhound blushing, taken by surprise, but still smiling.

"You ok?" She asked.

"I'm fine. Mostly just…talked with Toket." Poch answered.

"Toket!?"

"Yeah surprised us too," Jack said.

"How'd it go with you guys?" Poch asked, facing the others. He saw that they were a bit scuffed up.

"Looks like you guys had a fight."

"We did. With other Crusaders." Shred responded.

"Others!? So you also got duped by the fake boss?"

"Yeah. I fought two." Shelly said.

"Two!?" Poch exclaimed.

"A pair of deer twins. Bit creepy not gonna lie."

"The barrier also changed your colors too," Millie told them.

"The color of the Crusaders was the same but they had blue instead of red." Moxxie added.

"Wonder what that's about." Jack wondered.

"I'm afraid I might know," Stolas said.

"You might?"

"First, let's discuss what you apparently talked about with Toket."

Poch and Jack explained what happened with Toket, having sat down around the table while discussing, Poch being in Loonas lap.

"So there's eleven of them." Dundy remarked.

"Well we've met five of them already, not including Toket." Echo added.

"I guess the most worrying part is this void of his. With it they caught up to us."

"At least there's a drawback. Problem is we dont how long that drawback is, so if we're not careful they could easily get past us." Shred mentioned.

"Maybe we could make our own?" Jack suggested.

"But based on what Toket said we'd need an equivalent of angel monsters to sacrifice."

"Not something that would sit right with me." Dundy noted.

"If only we had a Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Poch said.

"What?"

"Dragon ball," Poch and Loona said in return, smirking and giving the other a look.

"Ok?"

"If we knew more about it maybe we could make some alternate version," Echo suggested.

"Hey I've been thinking. If Toket apparently found out how to be a crusader through a book from the Unknown Period, doesn't that mean the're other books just like it? Ones with blank pages that we can read somehow?" Solis asked.

"Maybe, but we don't know how exactly, nor if they're all like that, plus even so we don't know which has valuable info." Stolas replied.

"Couldn't you just use your grimoire?" Blitzo asked.

"My grimoire can do many things, but it's not some translator nor does it have much in dispelling whatever spell might be in use, so let's not put to much in that….Though I think I know someone of the Theurgia Goetia that could help."

"Theurgia Goetia?"

"They're like those of the Ars Goetia royalty/bloodline except they use compasses instead of grimoires. Their compasses uses a combination to invoke their spells and such, allowing them a creative freedom but compared to the grimoires but a limit in options, as grimoires have more of a spell variety, plus they're easier to use by others, like this company, while compases or more complicated to be used by others." Jack explained. Everyone looked at him surprised. "...What? I know things."

"Hm. What if Collin and Keenie know anything?" Poch asked.

"I could ask tomorrow when I give sis a visit."

"There's….one more thing…remember how those barriers changed your color?" Stolas brought up.

"Yeah?" Shred rose a brow.

"Well I believe I know what it is, seeing the Crusaders in it too confirmed it. What was shown was the colors of your souls."

"Colors of our souls?"

"White is the color of chaos, which is the nature of the human soul. Red is demon, and blue is angelic. Hell has been intertwined with your souls, meaning the color of it is white surrounded by a layer of red around it. The angel monsters are blue with white surrounding it, and the crusaders are white with a surrounding of blue."

"If that's the case-" Shred started.

"Then whoever was watching has seen the colors of our souls." Dundy finished.

"Yeah but…you don't think they…noticed the human soul…I mean…the surrounding red could throw them off." Jack speculated nervously.

"Well the good news is the color of souls isn't common knowledge among the denizens of hell…bad news however…its a common thing…among succubuses." Stolas explained.

"Huh…guess that explains those weird looks you all have geting." Millie noted.

"And some comments on you on some of your posts. Luckily, they were without a lot of attention." Moxxie added.

"And luckily it's just color, not shape." Stolas brought up.

"Hopefully the red throws them off, if it wasn't for that then we'd have a lot more rumors." Jack said.

"Agreed. I'll try and work on getting those bases for you tonight before the movie."

"Movie?"

"Yeah Stolas and I are watching a movie at my place." Blitzo announced with a smirk.

"And with the vacancy there can be a little…after credit special." Stolas said sexually.

"...I miss her." Blitzo said, a little teary eyed.

Loona rolled her eyes. "I'm not dead."

"He's going to be in this phase for a while isn't he?" Poch deadpanned.

"He still cried after you moved in yesterday," Stolas whispered.

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"You gonna be like that when Octavia leaves for Dundy?" Jack joined in.

"What!?"

"Those two birds have been getting rather close. I'm just saying it might not be long before she flies the coop to his nest like Loona left the pack to Pochs Den."

"I give him points for creativity," Poch commented.

"Wha- that's different compared to them!" Stolas replied to Jack.

"Yeah, those two are more open and less denying then them, not to mention less dense."

Poch and Loona wanted to retort but knew they couldn't.

"Well yes, and less provocative." Stolas added.

"Right? I was afraid at some point theyd have sex but still deny it their feelings."

"You too?"

"Alright, we get it!" Loona said annoyed.

"Heh," Jack chuckled, "So anyways, you can't deny they've gotten close."

"Well…yes… but…Even though I will be sad to see her leave…I trust Dundy to keep her happy so…I believe I could make peace with that…besides if he ever makes her cry I'll rip his feathers off and roast him alive."

"Hm?" Dundy felt a cold chill and looked to the whispering quadro. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh nothing, nothing. I should get going, bye Blitzy!" Stolas scurried off in one of his gates.

"Seeya!" Blitzo waved off. "Now, I know you all just got back from a cleansing, but we did get a few clients today, and seeing how Poch and Jack didn't do much fighting, they'll get the bulk of it. Whaddya say, up for it Shred?"

"I'm game!" Shred flexed.

"Wait hold on, where's our say?" Jack asked.

"What part of you two didn't fight did you not get?"

"We fought….in the beginning…before he parlayed us."

"And how long was that?"

"...like…Poch, how long was that?"

"Barely a minute." Poch admitted.

"You couldn't lie dude?"

"He wasn't gonna fall for it."

Jack groaned while Blitzo smirked.


Poch and Loona walked back in the office with Shred and Millie, just finishing up a kill, the two duos tag teaming as their targets were in the same area and surprisingly affiliated with each other. Poch and Shred competed to get the most which led to Shred going a bit crazy, which led to ripping it up in a cell. A cheap wine cell. Which got them both getting drenched in cheap wine.

"For cheap wine it's not bad," Shred said while licking his fingers.

"It'd be better not all over us though." Poch commented.

"Yeah, sorry. At least Millie was with me at that moment."

"Yeah, she woulda lit us on fire."

"Hey, I'm not that Impulsive." Millie said, offended. They all gave her a look. "...Ok maybe a little."

"Uh huh. I'm gonna head back now before my fur gets way too sticky." Shred said, heading out.

"I'll drive you home." Millie headed out with him.

"Thanks. Stolas said he'll set up my new place tomorrow with a T-array."

"I need a shower too. It's starting to get in my eye." Poch said, rubbing his left eye.

"I'll make us a gateway." Loona said, getting the book.

"Thanks. Hope Rex's sword didn't get too drenched." He pulled it out, shaking some of the wine off. He went through the gateway with Loona once she made it, entering their now shared room. He took off the sheathe. "Mind spraying this off while I'm in the shower?" He tried to hand it to her.

"Um…actually…mind if I," She nervously rubbed the back of her neck, blushing, "joined you?"

Poch blushed as well. "Y-you want to…shower together!?"

"Y-yeah…I mean…I…liked it when we first did it so…why not?"

"You…liked it?"

"Di-...did you not?"

"No no, I did! Why wouldn't I when its with someone as sexy as you?" He facepalmed.

"Pervert." She smiled.

"Says the one wanting to shower with me."

"I mean…we're dating now and…with how much we've done it just…feels…kinda natural…dont you think?"

"Ye-yeah I get what you're saying…so uh…after you?" He smiled a bit nervously.

"You're just saying that to stare at my ass." She said, heading to the bathroom.

"Maybe." He followed.

"Pft! You just admit that?"

"I mean…we're dating now so…no point in denying I…like your ass…is that…weird?"

"...No I…guess not…I like that you like it….Just like I like your tail…though not as much."

"My tail?" He looked at it.

"Yeah…it's cute…and kinda soft."

"Oh Thanks. Yours is better though." He took off the sword and set it near the door.

"I still like it. Especially when you wrap it around me when we cuddle." She turned the water on.

"I do?" He took off his jacket.

"Yeah. Especially when we spooned each other that one night." She said as she started to take her clothing off, starting with her top, pulling it off and setting it to the side. She glanced back to see poch was glancing back as he slowly took off his shirt. She thought about teasing a bit, feeling less nervous or shy about it since he was her boyfriend now, feeling as though they could be more honest with each other now and with herself, and she honestly did like to tease him, finding that the last time they showered together she did like that his eyes were on her ass. She took hold of her pants by the waist, grabbing her panties as well, and bent down as she slowly slipped them off herself. She moved her tail allowing him to get a good view, blushing a bit as she did but not feeling too nervous. As she slipped them off her foot she gave him a teasing wiggle, blushing even reder but smirking a bit. She placed her bottoms near her shirt and rose up, turning to see her boyfriend.

Poch was in the middle of taking off his shirt when she went to take off her bottoms, his eyes focusing on her rear when she bent down. He noticed the teasing wiggle and he honestly liked it, his tail wagging to it, not able to look away from his girlfriend butt, feeling his blood rush. She rose back up and she looked back at him. He turned red, feeling like a pervert and being a bit flabbergasted as he hadn't even taken off his shirt yet.

She chuckled, thinking he looked cute when he was flabbergasted like that. "You gonna undress or gonna wash your clothes with you?" She smirked.

"Uh, ri-right. Sorry…though it's your fault for being such a tease." He said while taking off his clothes.

"Your tail's still wagging, so I'm guessing you're not really complaining."

He looked back and grabbed it. "Traitor….Though I guess means you enjoyed teasing since yours is wagging too."

She blushed redder, seeing her own tail wag just as much as his. "Sh-shut and get in already!"

"Heh, alright alright." He took off the rest of his clothing, walking to the shower, being let in first.

When she came in she grabbed a bottle of shampoo. "Here."

"This yours?" He got a handful, lathering it up.

"Yeah. It's a brand for hellhounds, better than the dog shampoo you got." She placed some in her hands and put the bottle up.

"Hey, that's a good brand and it keeps the fleas away."

"Really?"

"Yeah and it's good for your fur. Shelly suggested it." He placed his hands on her hip.

"Mm!" She jostled somewhat in surprise.

"What?"

"N-nothing just…didn't expect that."

"Oh sorry, I thought we were…gonna wash each other again."

"Y-you want to?"

"Y-Yeah. I mean unless you don't."

"No I do…. in fact I'd…like that."

"Alright…I'll uh…continue then." He started at her middle, washing around.

"Ok," She bit her lip, his fingers pressing onto her as he got around, almost the same as when he massaged her. She started on him, getting his ears, hearing him make a pleasing sigh. She made a small smile to it, remembering that he liked his ears being touched, feeling as though he liked it from her especially. She froze when his hands reached her butt. "Mmph!"

"You ok?"

"I-Im fine."

"I'll be quick here."

"...D…don't."

"Huh?"

"D-don't be…I…" She looked away, turning red, "like it…when you touch me there."

"Oh…well I'll take my time then."

"Please be thorough," She said silently.

"What?"

"N-Nothing! Take your time!" She said getting redder, a bit flabbergasted by her own love of his touch, especially on her rear, something she didn't expect to like so much.

They continued to clean each other, Poch also getting a bit stiff when she got to his crotch.

"You ok?" She asked him, also feeling heated from touching him there.

"Im…Im fine!" He told her.

"O-ok." She just used her palm, trying not to wrap her hands around it, not wanting to get overtly sexual. She did go a bit quick during it.

By the time they finished and got out they were surprised to see Shivarna washing Rexs blade, currently in the process of drying it off.

"When did you come out?" Poch asked.

"Few minutes ago. Someone had to clean this sword." He pointed to the sheathed laing upside down on a towel. "Cleaned the inside too."

"Oh. Thanks."

"Mhm." He set the sword down next to the sheathe, dismissing himself.

Poch checked the sheathe. It was still wet inside. "This still needs a moment." He took his clothes and headed out with Loona when she put hers back on. He went to his drawer and placed on a pair of boxers and a red shirt. "I'm gonna throw these in the wash then I'll make dinner. Sound good?"

"Sounds good." She replied, following him to the kitchen.


Jack stretched, taking his scythed off and setting it next to his bed. He just got home to his apartment. He sat on his bed, taking his phone out, texting his sister what time he'd be over. She messaged back saying that she'll see him soon. He sighed, reaching to plug his phone up, attempting to grab the remote till he noticed it wasn't on the nightstand. He looked around and saw that it was on his dress in front of him, right under his tv. He got up and went to it but as soon as he took three steps his whole body thumped. "URK!" He fell to his knees, his body heating up, hearing his own heartbeat in his ears, feeling some great pressure squeeze onto his body. "What…the…"

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Faint laughter was ringing in his ears along with his heartbeat.

"Who…who's…there?" Jack struggled to ask, looking around. He saw a faint shadow in front of him, one that came from no object. "The hell?" He reached out but as his hand got halfway, it stopped. The pressure was lifted and his body started to cool down. He gasped for air, panting, his head hurting a little. He got up, walking over to his bed, flopping onto it, waiting to calm down. "What….the hell…"


Next day

Shelly and Solis were at Shelly's family home, Dax inviting them over to play a new board game he created with custom pieces and everything, the play area even having a few special features.

"Ok im gonna move my Knight right here and then move my Orc over here." Solis said, moving the pieces on the board.

"Dial check." Dax turned a dial and the panel the orc was on raised up, a sword coming out. "Your orc got an item."

"Sweet!"

"Damnit, now he's got an advantage!" Shelly snapped.

"Looks like I'm gonna be the dominator today." Solis smirked.

"Not tonight," She said in a lustful tone.

"Keep it in your own room you two," Dax deadpanned.

"Heh, sorry Dax." She went to move one of her pieces with her left arm, cringing a little, but still moving the piece, rubbing her hurt elbow.

"You ok?"

"Yeah. One of those deer twins got me good here. It's just a bit sore."

Dax looked at her worriedly. "Things are getting pretty wild with these Crusaders huh?"

"Yeah, real wild." She saw his worried look, smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "Dont worry lil brother, I'll be fine. I got the others watching my back, and Gen's working on some new gear for me. Helps that im tough as fuck too!"

"And so humble about it too." Solis sarcastically remarked.

"Anyways," Shelly rolled her eyes, "you don't have to worry so much. Ok?"

"..." Dax sighed, knowing his sister wasn't one to be taken lightly and solis at least being there, even if he's not an exterminator, gave him some clarity. He still had a semblance of regret from being unable to help her.


Dax went to the kitchen, getting a snack while his sister and her boyfriend continued the game. Mik walked in

"Hello son," he said, grabbing a sandwich from the fridge.

"Hey dad," Dax replied.

"How is the game?"

"It's going good. Need to make some tweaks to the board."

"Ah." He noticed he seemed a little down. "You ok?"

"I'm fine, it's just…with all this Exterminator stuff happening and Shelly being involved in it makes me…worried."

"Ah. Worried for the harm that could befall your sister?"

"Yeah. Just wish there was some way I could help."

"You want to be an Exterminator?"

"I don't think I'd be good at it, but at this point all I can do is watch from the sidelines."

"I understand how you feel." He set a hand on Dax's shoulder, looking at his son compassionately, "When Shelly first told me about becoming a slayer of angels I…was afraid…Ive been through war….and it was terrible…but what helped me through it was knowing what I was protecting…my children and wife and those I did not know at least not yet for some. I felt that that was what she thought as well and I could see that determined look in her eyes…remember what I told you both when you turned fifteen?"

"That we're getting to an age where we have to make our own choices in life and as a father the best you can do is let us know when it's a bad choice and help us in any way possible that's in your power?"

"Yes. You'll make choices in life and they won't always be bad nor good ones, just choices. Shelly made a choice, it wasn't a bad one, wasn't a good one, just a choice. One she thought was right. Best we can do is support her in anyway we can, no matter how small."

Dax sighed. "But how can I help?"

"You'll find a way." He patted his back. "Oh! By the way, hand this to her when you go back." He took out Shelly's special visors from his pocket. "She left them here last time."

"Oh those special glasses that were made for her." Dax took them and examined them. "It's really amazing what Gen can make but honestly I think Im…..Hm…"

"Something wrong?"

"..." Dax smirked, "Think I found a way to help."


Dax barged in his room. "Hey Shell!"

"Hm? What up?" Shelly asked.

"Mind if I borrow your phone?"

"What for?"

"It's a secret." He smirked.

She raised a brow. "Better not be a prank." She took out her phone.

"Oh trust me, it's not. Don't want a repeat of last time you paid me back." He took her phone and headed out. "Brb!" As soon as he got out of the room he went through her contacts finding a number and saving it to his phone, making a mental note to call them later.


Next day.

"So youre saying the words are hidden?" Collin asked, closing the cabinet after putting the dishes in, drying his hands off. He had just finished doing the dishes.

"Something like that. Toket said that he stumbled into a way to make it readable. I'm thinking since that one had a special cover, it must've been supposed to be read." Jack said, putting the silverware away.

"And you think we have a way of making it readable?"

"Well maybe. Don't you have any fancy angel tools like your crossbows?"

"Yeah but, what makes you think we have any fancy decoders?" Keenie asked, taking a seat at the table.

"Well maybe you have something that could allow the words to be seen?"

"All we had when we started Cherubs was our crossbows and a few essential items. I don't think any one of us had something like that."

"Well…what about…Cletus?"

"What do you mean?" Collin asked.

"He made that chaos gem somehow?"

"Well…yeah I guess he did," Collin tried not to remember that moment he turned into a monster.

"But we don't have anything that could have done that." Keenie added.

"...Maybe he made it himself."

"Huh?"

"I'm just saying, with all that we had it wouldn't have been impossible to make a refinery for chaos gems."

"I guess. He was one to read in the library alot to impress the higher ups, maybe that's where he found out how to make one."

"Well that doesnt help us much. We don't know anything about making these books readable, we don't even know what makes them unreadable."

"Well I do remember a few decoding spells, and how to make a monocle translator. We could try something with that?"

"Ok, but where are we gonna get a book from that era?"

"There's one in New York," Nala said from behind Jack, her phone in hand

"Ah! When'd you get there!?" Jack said, startled by his sister's sneakiness.

"A while ago, ya doof. Anyways I found the kind of book you're looking for in a museum display in New York. Got the same kind of inscription on the cover, though it's worded differently."

"New york?"

"That the only one you can find, blockhead?" Keenie asked with a smirk.

"Jack didn't find it, I did." Nala replied.

"Hey!" Jack said, wondering why he was added to their game.

"Anyways, it's the only one online that looks the same. It was luckily on display a while ago and they apparently still have it."

"That's good and all but how are we supposed to get it? Not like we could just ask for it."

"Plus how would we sneak in?" Keenie gestured to her and collin. "We don't have disguises."

"Could Dust Dive ya, but I'd have to stuff you all in a suitcase for the plane."

"But how would we get the book?"

"Why are you guys worrying about that? Just have Stolas take you, sneak in, and try to decipher it before you get caught," Nala suggested.

They all looked at her before looking at each other dumbfounded.

"Why didn't we think of that?" Jack asked.

"Don't look at us. You know Stolas better than us. Well, you and Nala." Collin responded.

"Huh?" Jack looked at his sister.

"He visits sometimes to avoid Stella." Nala replied.

"Really? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?"

"Cause, NYFB."

"Huh?"

"None of yo fucking business."

"Oh fuck you. I'll give stolas a call, see when he can take us there." He took out his phone, giving the Goetia a call as he left the room.

"Also you guys know him well enough too. It's not like you aren't here when he is." She said to the angels.

"Yeah true, we just don't talk much." Keenie said.

"You just don't wanna admit you forgot him, do you?"

"Oh shut u-" She was cut off by a loud thud heard in the other room.

"What the-?" Collin got up along with the others and went to the other room. They found Jack, on the ground, holding himself up, panting.

"Jack!" Nala got to his side. She noticed his Exterminator symbol glowing and that he was sweating profusely. "What's wrong!?"

Jack took a few breaths and his symbol started to fade. He looked over to see Nala and the others near him, concerned. He shook his head and rose up, sporting his usual smile. "I'm fine…just tripped."

Nala stood up, crossed her arms and gave him a "Don't bullshit me look".

He sighed knowing she wouldn't fall for it, Collin and Keenie even giving him a raised brow. "...Remember how I told you that…somethings been challenging me?"

"Yeah. You get taken to some world and fight some silhouette right? And somehow it hurts you?"

"Yeah that…well….I haven't been challenged in a while but…yesterday I…think something was….calling to me…and it did it again just now. I don't know what it is, this is like the second time it's happened."

"Have you asked Stolas or maybe someone at the corps like Albest?" Keenie asked.

"Well around the time, the challenges became less and then there was Poch finally admitting he Loves Loona, then there date, then came Toket, it just…slipped my mind."

"Talk to Stolas before you go get that book. If it's affecting you like this and making your mark glow it's got to be something serious." Nala told him.

"Alright alright I will. I'll even do it now." He dialed up Stolas.

"Thanks. I'd kick your ass if you said you'd be fine."

"Id join her too. With a bat!" Keenie said.

"Keen you've been spending too much time with Nala," Jack said as he went to give Stolas a call.


End.

Next chapter, Break in.