A Cold Wind In Hell
Chapter Five: A Simple Request
In the streets of Pentagram City, there was a lone figure dashing through the city with stealth, passing through streets and alleyways faster than the eye can see, easily evading obstacles and other demons darted through, eventually coming to a stop atop the roof of a building, his eyes set on the Hazbin Hotel…
"Okay, Angel Dust, Sam; we have a lot planned for today!"
Charlie stood before a blackboard with Angel Dust and Sam sitting in folding chairs across from her, the jaguar sinner sitting with one leg propped on the other, watching attentively, while Angel Dust sat with one set of his arms crossed and another clasped over his knee.
"Charlie, are you sure this is a good idea?" Vaggie called from the threshold. "These two obviously have different issues."
"Yeah, I'm with One-Eye here." Angel Dust said. "I don't think I've done THAT much killing as this guy."
"I figured it'd be a good idea to do this as a collective." Charlie declared. "It always helps to have a large circle of people help sort your problems out!"
"I can see you and Vaggie doing some good," Sam spoke up before pointing at Angel Dust. "But how does a degenerate equate to 'good help'?"
"Hey, the fuck you callin' a degenerate?!" Angel Dust growled.
"The drug snorting prostitute sitting beside me," Sam replied. "Who can't seem to differentiate between his brain and his needle dick."
Angel Dust opened his mouth to retort, only to pause for a moment before relenting, "Okay, you got me there."
"So, let's start, shall we?" Charlie declared. "So, Sam, from what you've told me, you spent a larger portion of your life wandering the Earth, pretty much taking up mercenary work, right?"
"Right you are, Charlie." Sam said with a grin. "Wandering the Earth, dispensing justice, but only to those who deserve it. Such as outlaws, desperados…"
"So fighting was all you ever had?" Vaggie questioned.
"Fighting was all I ever knew, chica." Sam sighed. "Ever since my father was killed and I claimed revenge, I only felt empty, hollow. All I had left was the Murasama, and how I fight, rather than why."
"So that talk about 'dispensing justice' was just an excuse, eh?" Angel Dust snorted.
"Perhaps, but it was better than nothing." Sam shrugged. "But after my defeat at the hands of Armstrong, I had nothing."
Charlie went into deep thought; how do you help someone who once killed for one purpose before switching to another?
She then snapped her fingers, as a thought came to mind.
"Sam, I think I understand now!"
Sam raised a brow, "Oh?"
Charlie picked up a chalk stick and started drawing on the chalk board, "What you're missing is a solid purpose to work towards, something to focus your mind on rather than just fighting. Most mercenaries struggle to find a solid place in life, but I think a path for self-betterment among other things would do you great help."
"Makes sense." Sam nodded. "And what of these 'other things' you speak of?"
"Things to work towards, other than fighting." Charlie declared. "If you can focus your mind on simply things, they can even be simple hobbies, I'm certain that you can find yourself more at peace."
Thinking for a moment, Sam nodded, "I suppose that makes sense, yes. It would make for a nice change in pace from the usual running and cutting."
"Great, then let's get started!" Charlie said with an eager smile. "I have so many ideas of hobbies and other things you can work towards!"
Charlie flipped the blackboard over and started writing down several things on it, while the three sinners waited patiently.
"I've only seen Charlie this fired up when someone's actually willing to give redemption a chance." Vaggie said as she walked over. "And that's pretty rare."
"Hey, I'm tryin'!" Angel Dust protested.
Sam only chuckled, but suddenly tensed when he felt an unfamiliar presence; one that had malicious intent. Squinting his eyes, he shifted his gaze around the room, looking for anything that may have stood out, before seeing a distortion at the threshold to the room, along with what looked like a pair of glowing red eyes…along with what appeared to be a katana!
"Sam, is everything okay?" Charlie asked, taking notice of the serious expression on his face.
"Why so serious, Sam?" Angel asked, before chuckling at what he said.
"Something up?" Vaggie asked with a narrowed eye.
Sam watched the invisible form stand there a bit longer before the figure dashed forward, aiming to swing their sword towards him, only for Sam to duck down, but not before he pushed Charlie and Vaggie down, as well as leg sweeping Angel Dust right out of his seat, the invisible attack missing them, but slicing the blackboard in have.
"The Hell?!" Vaggie yelled, quickly getting up and pulling out her spear.
"The Hell was that about?!" Angel Dust shouted, pulling out a pair of tommy guns.
"Who is that?!" Charlie shouted in shock.
Sam watched the unseen attacker jump, sword raised overhead, the jaguar rolling out of the way, the sword crashing into the floorboards, before dashing towards Sam. Angel Dust fired away with his tommy guns, but the attacker swung his blade to easily block and deflect the bullets before closing in and knocking the guns out of the spider demon's hands before kicking him in the chest, knocking him to the floor.
Vaggie charged in, aiming to thrust her spear into the chest of the intruder, only for the intruder to swat the attack aside before elbowing her in the face then kicking her in the head, then twisting the weapon out of her grip and tossing it to the side before kicking her in the gut, knocking her to the floor.
Nothing else in their way, the intruder turned their attention to Sam, but Charlie stood in the way, her eyes beginning to glow.
"You want to get at my patients?" She said before horns emerged from her head and her eyes glowing red. "Y̯͓̘̺ǫ̩u͈͝ ҉̼̬̤W̬̺̰̤̙̺i͉̪ͅl̜̻l̡̰̙͉͖̫̦ ̛̬̺͕̰̖H̸̯̤ą̝̖͓̱v̠̼̣̕e ̯̞̦̱̻͖T͖͕̘͞o͇͎ ͓͕G̖̫̱͝e̖̖ṯ̴̻̼ ̭͖͈̥T͙͈̰͈̗̮͚hr̮̞̝͡o̸͈͔̻̩͙͔̞u̷̺̜̰g̛h͚̬̤̟ ͕̺̜̳̜̘M͔E̡̹̟̩!̛̜͖̤!͎̱̟̬"
Undeterred, the intruder dashed forward and swung downward, but Sam jumped in front of Charlie, catching the blade in between his hands, before then pushing it back then kicking the intruder in the chest, pushing them back.
"And you are?" Sam asked casually.
The intruder only looked back in silence before standing up, sheathing their sword before their form shifted and becoming more visible; the intruder was obviously male, tall and skinny yet muscular, wearing what appeared to be a gray and yellow bodysuit with a gray helmet that had a kitsune fox mask.
"Damn, what a stud.~" Angel purred at the sight.
"I am called Gray Fox." The intruder declared, his voice slightly changed by the mask. "I work for the I.M.P. assassination business."
"Immediate Murder Professionals." Vaggie snarled. "And what the fuck made you come here?!"
"To kill me perhaps?" Sam said with a smirk.
"Only to see if you're the real deal." Gray Fox said with a shake of his head. "I heard how you were spotted at this place, and I wanted to confirm it for myself."
"And why is that?" Sam asked with a raised brow.
"I was seeking you out for training an assistant of mine." Gray Fox explained. "While she's good at the job, she lacks the motivation to work."
"Sam is currently in rehabilitation!" Vaggie snapped. "There's no way he's helping anyone to kill!"
"I'm not asking him to kill anyone." Gray Fox said. "I simply wish to motivate her to put more effort in her work, not as an assassin, but as an employee in general."
Sam thought this over, "So I'm just helping this assistant of yours to be more motivated in working?"
"Essentially, yes." Gray Fox nodded. "I'll even pay you for your time."
After some thought, Sam gave his answer, "I think I can think of something to help motivate her, sure."
"That would be greatly appreciated." Gray Fox nodded. "I shall leave you to your…rehabilitation, and I'll send for you when we're ready."
And with that, the assassin turned and left, but not before leaving a sizable stack of money on a nearby table.
"Well, that happened." Angel remarked.
"At least he left money for damages." Vaggie remarked, walking over to the large stack of money. "Still, talk about insane."
"Sam, are you sure that was a good idea?" Charlie asked with a frown.
"You don't need to worry about me relapsing, Charlie." Sam said, placing a reassuring hand on the hybrid's shoulder. "I'm taking this program seriously; I'm just gonna see if I can help get this assistant of his get the motivation to work."
"As long as it doesn't involve any more killing." Charlie said. "I'll at least allow killing in self-defense."
"Fine by me." Sam nodded. "Now, about those activities…"
Smiling, Charlie pulled the sliced blackboard and taped it up, showing the activities they would try out.
Meanwhile…
Alastor walked through the streets of Pentagram City, nobody sure of where he was going but none dared to ask, as he soon came upon a large crowd surrounding what looked like a campaign wagon, and standing atop that wagon was a hulking red demon, wearing a vertical lined striped suit with a yellow tie and a pair of glasses and had dark hair.
Alastor got as close as he could as he listened to what appeared to be a speech.
"This city is falling apart because of such weak leaders!" The hulk of a demon bellowed, raising a fist. "This city needs a leader with the strength to ensure such weakness won't be tolerated!"
Alastor only chuckled as the speech went on, the various demons around him cheering as the speech finally concluded, the Radio Demon making his way around the wagon to see the large demon approach a limo.
"Been quite a while since we last spoke, Mr. Armstrong." He declared.
The large demon turned and grinned at the sight of Alastor.
"Well, if it isn't Alastor the Radio Demon," Armstrong declared, before checking his watch. "Just a tad late; as usual."
"Another one of your speeches for your run for mayor?" Alastor inquired.
"But of course." Armstrong declared with a confident smirk. "This city won't reach its full potential with such weaklings in charge!"
"Don't let ole' Lucy hear you say that." Alastor said with a chuckle. "He might take offense and rip you apart."
Armstrong only huffed as he pushed up his glasses, "Let him try. I've got big plans for this city."
"Speaking of plans, I must ask," Alastor went on. "You are aware of Minuano's presence in the city, yes?"
"For the past three years, of course." Armstrong nodded. "I had a feeling he'd end up down here, same as me."
"And I assume you'd want to recruit him again?" Alastor said. "He's actually staying at the Hazbin Hotel, if you're interested in a reunion."
"No." Armstrong stated bluntly. "While it would certainly help, I have no need of him anymore."
"Oh?" Alastor raised a brow. "And what makes you say that?"
"That's a need-to-know basis, Al," Armstrong said as the limo driving imp opened the car door. "And you don't get to know."
And with that, Armstrong got in the car and the imp drove off, leaving Alastor to watch on.
"How interesting." He mused before leaving the scene.
Armstrong looked out the back passenger window, looking over the cityscape.
"Soon enough, this city will rise to the top." He said as he looked forward. "And with your help, we'll make sure the people will support me; right, Terumi?"
Sitting in front of him, was a cloaked figure wearing dark clothing, scaled hands clasped over two sheathed katana's, his goldens eyes locked on the handles of the twin blades, the hood covering black and green hair.
"As long as my gang gets the territory we desire," Terumi spoke, his piercing golden eyes now raised at the mayor candidate. "I assure you; you will have the support of the Jaded Vipers, soon-to-be Mayor Armstrong."
"I knew I could count on you." Armstrong smirked. "And such loyalty deserves a reward."
"We make more than enough money through drug and human trafficking." Terumi pointed out.
"Even better." Armstrong declared. "Does the name Samuel Rodrigues ring any bells?"
Terumi eyes widened at this, his expression turning stern and his grip on his swords tightening.
"Thought that might be of interest to you." The large demon's smirk never faded. "He's staying at the Hazbin Hotel if you're interested in a reunion."
The car soon came to a stop just outside a large building that looked like a military base, the car door opening.
"Do with it as you will." Armstrong said as Terumi got out. "At any rate, we'll be in touch!"
The limo soon drove off, Terumi looking off into the distance, a look of anger on his face.
"Samuel Rodrigues…" He whispered before entering the building, ignoring the calls of his gang grunts, seeking the solitude of his office.
And there's the next chapter! We see Gray Fox, Armstrong, and we see Terimu, who seems more than familiar with the cool Brazilian wind. I hope things aren't going too fast, as I do want to showcase some of the recreational activities Sam will partake in before the big reunion with 'Terumi'. Still, I hope you guys are looking forward to more!
At any rate, see you guys' next time! Reviews are greatly appreciated!