~NRK~
The morning light of hell touched the edge of Obito's bed, the goat man's eyes creaking open as his gaze moved to his window.
Then the comfortable, voluptuous, weight on his chest caused him to smirk as a familiar owl woman moaned in delight, nuzzling his neck.
The night before… goddamn, it'd been AMAZING! And he honestly couldn't say otherwise.
Still, it was… 8 am and he needed to make breakfast.
He smirked as he sat up a bit and grabby hands massaged his chest, trying to keep him down.
He rolled his eyes playfully before holding a finger to his mouth and using a scouring flame to clean it out.
Smelling his breath, he nodded before pecking her on the forehead, the woman smiling in her sleep as he shifted out of her grip but left a ball of flaming warmth to keep her satisfied.
Then Obito felt some of those aching marks on his body. 'She's both a screamer and a scratcher,' he thought as he looked at his 'spoils' before chuckling at his naked form.
He put on some shorts, no time for underwear, before bathing his body in fire to cleanse himself of some scents and dried fluids.
Obito left the room moments later with a black robe around his shoulders tied loosely at his waist with his phone slipped into the pocket.
He gently closed the door and walked past the shocked, embarrassed, or downright lust-filled expressions of his fellow servants.
Obito simply couldn't find it in his power to care, rolling his shoulders for an audible crack to reach the ears of all those in the hall.
"Hmph, she's quite bitey," he said nonchalantly as he navigated into the kitchen.
He didn't pay a hint of attention as he focused on setting up the coffee maker, the teas, the toasts, and managing the fridge.
A familiar weight landed on his shoulder. "Hello, Billy."
The monkey-like imp blinked, sniffed, and shot him a look that he chuckled at.
"Yes, life got odd last night."
"I bet, bud," came a voice from behind him and Obito blinked before turning to see damn near everyone there. "Finally came off that afterglow high, huh?" Angel Dust said with a wicked smirk as they saw the scratches on his body. "Geez, she did grind her nails down on you," he snickered.
Charlie and Vaggie looked embarrassed to no end, the former more than the latter, as they didn't look him in the eye, Charlie going so far as to slam her head into the table.
"MMm smmmoorrmmmmy!" She said something muffled that he didn't catch.
"... Morning," Vaggie muttered.
"So, you handled the beast of the week last night," Blitzo said suggestively as Moxxie blushed brightly while Millie giggled like a schoolgirl. "And got awards and points."
Obito snorted but smirked all the same.
"I'm loving this energy, right now."
Loona, meanwhile, had a look of total calmness to her that Obito was surprised by as Fat Nuggetz trotted over.
He scooped up the pig before it got near Calvin the Carnivorous Plant.
"Don't do that," he said to him and the piglet's tail wagged. "I didn't think pigs and dogs were that similar. So, what happened to her?" Obito asked as he looked at Loona.
"Hmmm… the most powerful calming session known to man," Angel said with a smirk.
"I'll leave that be."
As he continued cooking, Fat Nuggetz getting some scraps of Black Sabbath Turkey bacon, a familiar owl girl came into the room.
She looked at Obito, blushed, and slunk over to the table in embarrassment. "I don't know how to respond," Octavia said as the goat man grinned nervously.
"However you feel is appropriate," he answered as he finished some grits.
As he served the group, the biggest contender to the mood entered the kitchen.
Stolas yawned as the group watched him and Obito interact.
"There's tea on the stove. And we'll be having some bacon, grits, and toast," the goat man said without a hint of worry as Stolas cupped his chin.
"Oh, wait, Calvin hasn't eaten yet, has he?" He asked as the plant wilted.
"No, I had to stop Nuggetz from being too curious, though."
"Do we have meat in the fridge?!" Stolas rushed over to it.
"Yes. If not, we still have tons of bacon."
"Oh, thank Satan."
The group balked at how casual the two were, both men acting like nothing had happened.
As Stolas fed his plant and Obito set the table with Billy, the man's robe lowered a bit and Stolas noticed something.
"Oh, she was that pent-up," he winced as Obito tilted his head.
"I mean, there are a lot of scratches," the ninja said as he felt some. "Still tender, too."
"No, no, no, not that. When Stella's… more frisky than usual, she'll mark you on the back with her nails," Stolas said as he took a picture and showed Obito. "See? It took me a couple of decades to realize that, yes, she's been studying magic."
Obito tilted his head at her work. "What does this do?"
He grinned shakily. "Well, it's one that helps her convert energy into stamina."
"... I'm noticing Stella-sama is very… hungry, a lot of the time."
"Like you wouldn't believe."
Octavia just sat there stunned with her coffee. "You're not upset?"
"Hmm?" Stolas sat down and was already eating. "... Hmph. Why would I be mad?" He said after swallowing.
"... Come on, don't say that," Blitzo said with a raised brow.
"... Ah, well, the thing is, if it was going to happen, it might as well be our most trusted vassal. I haven't been performing my husbandry duties so this works out for our marriage more than you know."
Charlie's head picked up in disbelief. "T-There's a lot I don't understand about the world," she whispered in awe and embarrassment.
"I do my best to make my employers happy, I won't fail in any regard," Obito said with a serious determination before his phone rang. "Huh?" He blinked as Stolas raised a brow.
Pulling it out, he blinked before chuckling.
"It's Tex," he said and Loona perked up. "Knowing him and Spyral, they likely just finished a job," Obito said as he answered. "Hello?"
-Bito? What's hanging, man? What happened? You're on the internet like fire on a flaming horse!- The Hellhound said as Obito rubbed the back of his head.
"It's an entire situation that I'd probably need to explain to you in person. Where are you?"
-We just got back to the Green Ring!- Came a female's voice that Obito chuckled at.
"Greed."
-Green, Red-Ringer. Where are you? Last we saw of you, you were here-
"Still at work. We've got a big meeting today," Obito reminded the others who scrambled, finishing their food quickly. "I can meet you two tomorrow. Where will you be?"
-Well, the thing is, you know who my boss is. For now, we'll be bouncing between the Lust and Greed Rings-
-And we'll be bouncing all kinds of assholes!-
"Right. I'll see you in a day or two," Obito nodded, making to end the call before considering something. "Just checking, when's your next big party?"
-HELL YEAH! We're wearing him down!- Spyral declared with a grin as Obito snorted.
-It'll be in a month. If things go the way they're supposed to, we'll actually be in the Pride Ring due to my boss's work- Tex said with a chuckle.
"Alright, I'll be bringing a plus one. It'll be her first time actually going to an Almost-All-Hound party," Obito chuckled as Loona perked up, remembering that fact.
"Oh crap," she looked nervous as Blitzo grinned.
"Ya just gotta take it in stride, Loony," he said. "Go in dressed to kill and knock 'em dead!"
-Oh?-
"Don't try it, Tex."
-I will!- Spyral said. -Heheheh! Time for some Lovers Punch!-
Obito was glad he didn't put the thing on the Speaker. 'As always, they're quite the pair,' he chuckled. "I'll see you whenever."
-Later, man. It'll be cool to hang again-
-Laterz, 'Bito!-
He ended the call.
"Those were your Hellhound friends, right?" Moxxie asked as Octavia looked intrigued.
"I didn't know he had those," she said.
"I don't usually speak of my past here that often," Obito said. "For now. Good morning, Stella-sama."
Stella came in, looking far happier than usual as Stolas chuckled.
She came in, nodded, and walked to her seat.
Three pecks passed Obito, Stolas, and Octavia as she sat down, the three raising some brows.
"Okay… I can definitely get used to this," Octavia said in embarrassment.
~NRK~
Charlie finished checking her hair one last time as the group stood outside the Ars Goetia manor, dressed in their purchased attire.
Obito stood by the side of the group with the higher-status members, Billy on his shoulder, arms crossed before he perked up.
"Incoming," he announced as something appeared with a misty fog above.
The sound of a rolling cart and the sight of white lights greeted them as that 'form' in the distance came to a slow roll in front of them.
The white lights were actually spirits, it seemed. Beings with a random number of eyes, a similar various number of horns, and forms that looked almost like oni.
Obito's eyes blinked. "Hyakki Yagyou," he whispered and the creatures turned to him. "... Hmph, come along everyone," he said as a door on the side of the cart opened for them.
Helping the group in, he was the last one to enter along with Loona, and the two hummed at the actual size of the vehicle.
"Ah, a spacious distortion," Obito said with a nod as he sat with the Ars Goetia side while the others sat across from.
Once the door was closed, the cart began to move smoothly and gently, its outer appearance clearly just for the sake of fitting his theme.
"Your mother had a hand in this, didn't she?" Obito asked Charlie who giggled a bit.
"She's always eager for things she might not see often or people's styles," the princess of hell said with a smile. "I'm sure she'll love it."
"Hmm, so, uh, right. Ass-kissing to the max, right?" Blitzo said as Stella rolled her eyes.
"... Yes. Please, I doubt Charlie hasn't informed us a few dozen or so times but don't offend someone," the owl woman said. "I'm sure there are going to be others there. Lilith always was one for displays."
"W-Wait, what?!" Moxxie froze as his tail curled up in horror, Millie patting his shoulder. "O-Oh, I was only expecting the King and Queen of Hell," he said nervously.
"Eehh… I think we'll manage," Loona said but she was freaking out at the moment. 'Fuck! Really?!' Why hadn't that been said earlier?!
"Hmph, I have a feeling it'll be bigger than usual," Obito said as the group looked at him. "Do remember I, shockingly, have a new reputation and MVs."
"... Oh, right, that'll certainly be a part of it," Octavia said. "Many will want to meet you… I wonder who will show up?"
"... Oh no," Charlie froze as the others looked at her. "I really hope my mom didn't invite my ex."
"... Oh, that's precious!" Stolas said as Stella chuckled.
"Y-Yeah, well," Charlie grinned nervously as Vaggie's eyes narrowed.
"I'll handle it if it gets to that," she said and Charlie grinned.
"Vaggie, I love you, really I do, but I don't think any of us should be getting into a fight with Sevi. Honestly, we broke things off pretty well, all things considered, so let's not start a fight that doesn't need to happen, yes? Pretty please?" Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as they wobbled dangerously.
Vaggie's eyebrows lowered. "Fine, I won't start anything… but if he does, there's going to be a fight."
"Hm, hm, the fire is alive," Angel Dust said with a smirk as Vaggie groaned. "Oh, hush, you can spend your time layin' the claim. It's not like you have to fight the guy but let 'im know what's yours and what's yours."
Vaggie looked at him for a moment before considering it as Charlie chuckled nervously.
They stopped by Mimzy's place to pick her up… and found hell's most interesting man chatting up the singer outside her house.
"Why! You tell me all the time! But now you're going to a ball! I'd need to go!" They could hear him from their place in the air, coming down for a soft landing. "And there they are!"
"Hold on," Obito perked up as he opened the door to see a big grin-having, red, madman with a flare for the dramatic. "Alastor? What are you doing here?"
"Wait, who?!" Vaggie choked as the imps grinned nervously, Loona frowned, and the Ars Goetia looked intrigued. "No! Close the door! Don't let him in!"
"Why, Obito! My good friend! How's life been?" The man asked as he sized up the goat man's uniform. "Ahahahah. And when were you a ninja?! Why I remember the only sneaking that happened was with the Asians in that war! Hahahahahah! You must have quite the way with the Americans!"
"Alastor, you know my story, I barely have an idea of what an American is."
"Whyyyyy! We eat pizza, my boy!"
"Boy? We're both past our fifties."
"Ya don't say!"
"Obito? I didn't know you knew Alastor of all people," Mimzy said with a giggle. "And you look mysterious," she snickered.
Wearing a courtesan's red kimono with yellow designs, make-up, and hair bun, Mimzy looked like she belonged in a Red-Light District.
"Hmph, the others did good work. It looks good on you."
"Oh, you," she giggled a bit. "Still, how?" Mimzy asked, pointing at their resident Radio Demon.
"Why, it was a day like you wouldn't believe!" Alastor narrated as Obito's eyebrow rose. "I was scoping the nighttime air!"
"It was early evening."
"Obito was but a man on a mission. He'd broken several hearts with merely a gaze."
"Those women were trying to 'eat' me one or another."
"And, yet, destiny brought two mad souls together to partake in interests!"
"We ate a non-cannibal location in the Cannibal Colony, God, Alastor," Obito rolled his eyes. "Is everything something to be narrated?"
"Oh ho ho, yes."
"There's my answer," Obito crossed his arms. "Well, we're actually going to an engagement with the King and Queen of Hell," the man looked intrigued. "... Alastor, no. It's the literal top of the top. You don't think you can sneak in like that."
"... Maybe," the man tilted his top hat. "But, it seems you all are booked up. I'll leave you for now."
"I'll find you one of these days. We can go and eat, not in the Colony," Obito said flatly as Alastor grinned before walking off with a twirl of his cane. "That man's trouble from the moment he walked into anyone's life."
"Oh, so you do get him," Mimzy smirked.
~NRK~
Up in the skies once more, Vaggie just stared at Obito like he was some new kind of animal.
"H-How can you just promise the Radio Demon a date?" She gaped as he shot her a look.
"Why 'date'? It's called a friendly outing, Vagatha. Not everyone's ready to hook up," Obito said flatly as Charlie giggled and Vagatha blushed.
"T-That's not it, I'm just saying… you might get around."
"How is that better?"
"You find yourself in powerful beds," Blitzo said as Stella snorted with a smirk. "Why, I'd be shocked if Luci didn't want a go at ya."
"Please don't jinx my life like that. I don't know what to expect from the Prince of Sinners, much less his sexual deviations."
"My dad's not… that bad," Charlie tried to say but Stolas's knowing smile got a blush out of her. "W-Well… him and mom are really about that monogamous life."
"Thank God," Obito said.
"But they've considered taking people to bed."
"... Charlie."
"J-Just letting you know what might happen!" She squeaked as Moxxie snickered a bit.
"Sheesh, I bet more than a few people would take shots at ya," Millie praised and Obito's expression was one of confused horror. "It's a good thing."
"Debatable."
"So, uh, that party… Do I need to bring anything?" Loona asked, remembering that fact was going to be a thing in a month or so. "L-Like, you know, dip, chip, nachos."
"No, whenever I go, I typically cook for whoever's coming. If anything, they're some of the healthiest house parties you'll ever go to minus all the beer and wine."
"Whoa, that sounds amazing," Loona was getting excited.
"Yes, Tex always keeps things clean. No drugs, no crazed individuals last inside when he's there and much less when I'm there. You can mingle to your heart's content without worrying about a bastard being around. Spyral might even help you by introducing you to some of the others," Obito added as Charlie grinned.
"That sounds like an amazing place!" She said with awe as Vagatha nodded.
"I mean… we'd been wondering how many demons could prove to be good people but this sounds like it existed within Hellhounds," she said with a smile.
"I mean, it's not exactly like Stolas-sama and Stella-sama are bad people, far less Octavia," he said as the Ars Goetia chuckled. "The fact remains, there are good people down here, they're just more likely to be those who actually live here and not the Sinners. You've just gotta approach things like that."
Their ride began to come down, the group capable of looking outside the door windows to see the Magne Estate.
And an estate it was.
"... Your house got bigger since we last saw it," Vaggie said as Charlie chuckled.
"Dad might have added another spire for a set of animals," she said with a grin.
The estate was a large, five-towered, castle that bordered on the edge of the Pride Ring in the far opposite direction of the Ars Goetia manor.
It was a powerful dark red, bricked, structure with a moat, a drawbridge, and a parking lot outside the premises?
"Your daddy seems like he's mixing a few too many drinks," Blitzo said as Charlie rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah, that's from very far back. Mom was not happy with how badly it mixed."
"I can see that, geez. That's just a bad decorative decision," Angel said as Nuggetz oinked. "That's correct, Nugz!"
"I wasn't aware Angel could talk to pigs," Mimzy said.
"No one's surprised, though," Vaggie said as Octavia and Loona smirked. "I bet your clientele's something else."
"... Not wrong, they're pigs in all but race."
As they landed, Obito noted several signatures inside.
"There aren't a lot of people here, thankfully, but it's a decent amount," he explained. "So, it's not so bad."
He opened the door and helped everyone out, Billy landing on his shoulder once more as Mimzy was the last out.
Obito's eyes narrowed as he looked at the ground, his shadow, and then her shadow.
'... Please, don't tell me,' he hoped they could play this off as being innocent if someone was in one of their shadows.
Obito quickly found himself at the front of the group as they approached the currently-down bridge.
Going on it, his eyes went to the moat below towards the ten-eyed sharks, giant one-eyed crocodiles, and amphibious skulls.
Yes, that was in fact a thing.
"Yowzers, I wouldn't want to fall in dere," Angel Dust said with a nervous grin as he stayed more on the middle of the wooden bridge. "Didn't know ya had pet sharks."
"Oh, well, my mom likes them. She likes a lot of water-based creatures so dad filled the moat with some he caught," Charlie said.
"Does your father get his hands dirty, often?" Obito asked.
"Lucifer is known as the most powerful but he's also the most practical," Stolas said. "Well, most of the time. He'll go and get something because, hell, he's Lucifer. If he can't get it, who could?"
"It's a mindset only a few demons could even have," Stella said. "Honestly, there aren't many demon families who could get away with that when they're not related to the Seven Princes."
"It's kind of weird to think otherwise," Octavia said as they passed the large foyer before coming to a stop by a short imp in front of them.
Wearing an outfit like Shakespeare, a top with puffy sleeves, puffy pants, leggings, and shoes, he looked at the group from beneath his feather cap.
He then saw Charlie and saluted. "Ma'am!" He said and Charlie chuckled.
"It's fine, Rani. I thought my parents would have told you I was coming," she said as the imp coughed into his fist.
"I was surprised twas all, madam. Ahem! I will announce your entrance!" He declared before she beckoned him over.
"Actually, you need to present us as the Ars Goetia group if you will."
"Understandable," the imp nodded before looking at the entourage curiously. "Quite the number of colorful characters. Good afternoon, Sir Stolas, Madam Stella, and Young Miss Octavia."
"Hm, hm, good afternoon, Rani," Stolas said as Stella, Octavia, Obito, and he bowed. "I'm assuming everyone is here?"
"Yes, all guests on the list are here… though, madam," Rani whispered to Charlie who nodded. "Your, ahem, ex is here with his mother," he said and she winced as Obito crossed his arms with a hum.
"Is Seviathan von Eldritch an aggressive young man?" He asked the imp who see-sawed his hand.
"He, like many demons, can have a temper, sir, but he is 'chill' as they say."
"Very well."
"Ahem!" Rani marched into the room with the group right behind him. "ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF THE STOLAS ARS GOETIA GROUP ALONG WITH OUR PRINCESS!"
All eyes turned on the group with interest, Obito leading them.
The chatter happened almost immediately as the group walked down a long carpet towards a set of stairs where a man and woman began to walk down.
The man was like Charlie in that he had pure white skin, black eyes against yellow sclera, and rosy red dots on his cheeks. His hair was a light blonde and neatly combed back with two fringes on the side of his head.
Wearing a long white blazer, white slacks, and a red pinstripe dress shirt, a black bow sat at his collar while a cane twirled in his left hand as his large white top dipped with his nod.
The woman, meanwhile, was a beauty among beauties in a way that could only be called sinful. An actual human-looking demon like Charlie and the man next to her, she was tall, sharp-eyed, and had long legs that descended down the steps with a grace that her black heels couldn't hope to compare to.
Her skin was pure white as well while her eyes were white with salmon-colored sclera and slit pupils like the man at her side. Wielding purple eyeliner, thick black lashes, and voluminous blonde hair that fell down to her shins, atop the woman's head were a pair of thick horns.
Wearing a sleek-looking strapless black dress, a brown transparent top beneath, long black gloves, and her black heels as noted earlier, the woman's eyes looked between them all, pleased.
The two demons of the notable home, father and mother to one Charlie Magne.
Lucifer and Lilith Magne, the King and Queen of Hell, respectively.
Charlie smiled brightly as she hurried forward. "Mom! Dad! Long time no see!" She grinned as the two observed her from all angles. "O-Oh, no, I'm fine! Not a scratch on me," Charlie let them know, reassuring them.
"I see… I see," Lilith smiled at her and she placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders before looking at the others. "You've taken good care of our daughter, Stolas, Stella, we're grateful."
"Yes, quite," Lucifer said with a grin as he came up to Obito, eyes locking onto the goat man's through his veil. "Yes, you're as interesting as I thought," the man said as he held out his hand.
Obito reciprocated, the two of them clasping one another's appendage.
The air seemed to grow silent as they did, the two men locking eyes for a moment that seemed to exist for years but only lasted a mere couple of seconds.
They shook on it and let go.
"You're pretty impressive," Obito said with crossed arms. "That's some presence, oh King of Hell."
"I can't say I'm much less so. You, a Sinner, have amassed a strength that I didn't think was possible for your kind," Lucifer chuckled curiously. "A man of your stature not greedy for more is odd to me."
"I don't push beyond my station because I'm happy as is. It's a fact I didn't think was possible in hell of all places but it's certainly not something I'd give up so easily."
"Hahaha, fascinating," the fallen angel said before turning to the others. "Welcome, welcome to you all. What an interesting lot, Stolas."
"You know how life is, Lucifer, things always find a way to become interesting."
As more greetings were given, Loona stood next to Obito with a hand rubbing the back of her head.
"So, uh, I'm gonna be sticking with you for a bit. I feel more like meat than I'd like," the Hellhound said as Obito nodded.
"Understood."
"Hm, hm, hm! The energy in this room could have used some sprucing up, so welcome! Come, mingle, enjoy yourselves!" Lucifer declared as the group nodded before he took Stolas and Stella to the side.
The imp crew went one way with Billy and Rani, who'd walked over, while Octavia came over to Obito and Loona with Angel Dust as Vaggie and Mimzy went up to Lilith, the two chatting with Charlie in the middle.
"Let's see, I guess the first thing to do would be to get something to drink," the spider demon said with a grin as the four moved. "So, how do you like these kinds of shindigs?" Angel asked Octavia.
"Not much of a fan. I can see some people I know on Hellbook but there's so much posturing and dick contests, it'd blind a saint," the owl teen laughed as Loona smirked. "It's also one of the only times I can drink alcohol outside of family time. So, obviously, getting smashed is a good idea."
"What 'bout ya, my goat friend? You like this stuff?" Angel Dust said as he tucked Fat Nuggets into his fluff cleavage. "Oooh! Expensive liquor!" He squealed as Obito snorted.
"I'm typically not the center of much attention, though I've turned down more women at these things than I ever expected," Obito said as Loona blinked.
"No foolin'?"
"I wish but it's hell, with horny teenagers far too young to be trying some of the shit they have, it was bound to happen, unfortunately."
They clinked their glasses together before tasting the alcohol, Obito's eyes closing as tilted his head back.
"... Hmm, not bad, not bad," he chuckled. "That's some impressive wine. Mangoes, I can get behind that."
"Whoa, so this is what the rich people drink," Loona balked at her cup. "That's some of the smoothest stuff I've ever had, holy hell."
"It's very nice," Octavia giggled a bit. "It's likely special in some way. I've only ever tasted wine this good from my mother's vintage collection."
"Booze! Sweet, kickass, booze!" Angel drank his whole thing in one go. "Haaaaaaa. I haven't had booze in so long," he shivered at the burn in his throat. "Liquid magic!" He squealed with sparkles around his eyes.
The others chuckled a bit before Obito hummed curiously as he turned his head to find a woman there, grinning at him.
It was a tall woman, almost as tall as Lilith, with dark gray skin black eyes that shifted over their yellow sclera. Her hair was stark-white and came down to just above her knees in smooth tresses that covered her forehead, framing her black eyeliner.
Wearing a black dress that covered her body save for her arms and shoulders, black pumps, a white sash around her waist, and a pair of black gloves, the woman smiled at him, a wine glass in her hands.
"Ah, good afternoon," Obito said to her as she chuckled.
"Yes, good afternoon, oh so interesting Sinner," the woman said with a grin as the others faced her. "Bethesda von Eldritch, charmed."
"Obito Uchiha, same," he bowed to her, much to the woman's amusement. "How can I help you, Bethesda-sama?"
"Ah, yes, Asian-decent," she chuckled. "I was simply curious about the man my daughter's been obsessing over for the past two days."
"Huh?" Loona blinked. "... Oh, right, internet."
"Yes, it's cute," the mother of two said with a chuckle. "I'm sure, if she knew, she'd have rushed over here in zero seconds flat."
Obito rubbed the back of his head as Octavia snickered along with Angel Dust.
"The Helga von Eldritch has the hots for you," Loona said flatly.
"Loona, I've met more people, in the past couple of days, who've had the hots for me that were all considered 'high status'," Obito countered as Bethesda looked intrigued. "It's been a weird couple of days."
"So, I'm learning."
"Exactly."
"Hmm, it's as incredible as it sounds. Obito is from a world not like our own and its residents are likely capable of waging war on the world and taking it over if they felt the inclination," Stolas explained as Lucifer hummed.
"Obito's sin, as well, is not normal, by the way," Stella added as Lucifer perked up. "Hmm, most of his world is full of trained killers, sir. But Obito was a war monster," she grinned as her husband chuckled and Lucifer grew more intrigued.
She explained Obito's tale from what he'd revealed about his existence and past life. The fallen angel looked more shocked the more he heard.
"How did such a man end up here?" Lucifer was amazed in so many ways.
"Obito and we believe it's due to his weighty sin. His powers are also based in the time-space realm of skills. It might very well have been a perfect storm of sorts. With how based our society and hell is on sins, it'd make sense that it'd gravitate him towards our world," Stolas said.
Lucifer could see that. 'Still, such a person would have been on God's interest list. He'd likely have given him a trial for heaven or some such so how has he gone unmolested for so long?' He had a feeling that Obito was in for some shake-ups in his future. "I see. It'll be interesting getting to know this young man."
"It's been a pleasure of ours. I'm sure you'll find some form of interest in him as well," Stella said.
Lucifer smirked.
"Not… well, I don't know if you wouldn't find 'interest' in him that way."
"Well, I've learned so much from the demons around me," Charlie said as she, her mother, Vaggie, and Mimzy chatted at a table with some wine. "I'd never thought about it but I guess you can say Obito was the beginning of different ideas and the others helped me get a clearer picture."
"Hm, hmm, it seems this man has been aiding you despite everything else," Lilith said with a smile. "I was… shocked to see what was going on in the city even from here. I suppose, though, that the light we saw was Obito's work?"
"It was, Your Highness," Vagatha said with a smile and a hum. "Obito was already pretty strong, we'd learned, before all of this but when he unleashes his true form, that's when he's unstoppable, he says. I can believe it if only because of the time limit."
"Time limit?"
"Obito can't do that forever," Mimzy explained as she sipped on her glass. "He said, at full strength, that's ten minutes of impossible power to use."
"Hmm, I can only imagine. His power is too great for his container if you will. He can't manage all that power in such a condensed form," Lilith considered. "Still, to wipe out the entire sky of angels and burn away a soul… that's power that can't be understated."
"It's not. It's hella hot, too," Mimzy said as Charlie blushed and Lilith raised a very intrigued brow, Vaggie's nonchalance noted. "Like, wow."
"Oh?"
Blitzo sighed in relief as he watched Moxxie and Millie dance in the middle of the floor, some music playing in the background.
"Let me tell you something, Bill, that right there," Blitzo pointed at the happy couple with a drink in his hand. "That'll sap the energy right out of you."
Billy sipped on some juice, his mask down. "Mm!" He tilted his head before shrugging.
"Eh, you'll get it."
The two finished before coming over with Rani coming up from the side, clapping.
"Impressive. Do you two dance often?" He asked and both nodded with grins.
"We'd do all the time when we dated," Moxxie said.
"It's just a damn good way to deepen a relationship!" Millie agreed with a grin.
"It seems so, you two are some of the most open demons I know about your relationship," the 'royal' imp declared. "And, I'm curious. What of Sir Billy? He seems to not… speak."
"Mm!" The monkey-like imp nodded before crossing his long fingers in front of his mouth. "Mm!"
"... I don't suppose he's trying to entice me, no?"
"Nah, he's just got his hands full," Moxxie said. "From what we learned, Billy isn't good at speaking. He understands everything, mind you, but speaking isn't his forte."
"Ah, a strong silent type. I get it," Rani said as Millie giggled a bit. "Speaking of, who is that man who Sir Lucifer found… intriguing?"
"That's Obito Uchiha, he's a Sinner, as ya know," Millie explained as Billy nodded. "He's also the head servant of Stolas's family."
"Yep, that guy probably is a Sinner with more power, and looks, than you'd expect," Blitzo said as he sipped on his wine. "He's just a guy who powerful people love… wanna see his Hellogram?"
"Ooh."
Things seemed to have been going well, Obito surmised.
So, when Mimzy's voice rang out, he knew they'd enjoyed this kindness for long enough.
"A-Alaster?!"
"There it is," he said as he threw back his wine, put the cup down, and turned around. "... Dammit, Alastor."
The Overlord was grinning like an idiot as he spoke to a boy who was speaking to Charlie.
"Uh, who are you?" The young man asked curiously.
Bearing skin just like Bethesda but with sharp yellow eyes on red sclera, his hair was black and slicked back while his teeth were sharp like many demons.
Wearing a pair of green slacks, a yellow dress shirt beneath a green blazer, formal dancing shoes, and a yellow ascot, the boy's top hat was green as well with several yellow eyes on it and a sharp set of teeth on the edges.
Currently, he was looking at Alastor curiously as Charlie, Vaggie, and Mimzy facepalmed in unison as Lilith sipped her wine with nary a change in expression. If anything, the queen of hell seemed amused more than anything.
"Why, young sir, I am Alastor. A pleasure. Charmed, I'm sure," Alastor said as Seviathan von Eldritch sweatdropped.
"... Oh, wait, you must be one of those powerful Sinners, correct?" The boy asked as Obito powerwalked over. "Like him," Seviathan said as he gestured to oncoming Obito.
"Indeed," Alastor said kindly as Obito's flat expression locked onto his happy one. "Why, we're acquainted! You should see the man! Turning down women left and right!"
"Please, ignore him, he's a troublemaker," Obito said even as the Eldritch grinned.
"I kind of like trouble."
"Great."
"Hmm? Isn't this Mimzy's friend?" Octavia asked as Alastor grinned.
"I and Mimzycome from a similar time! Why, you could even call us, kindred spirits."
"To hell, yeah," Mimzy snorted as she crossed her arms and shot him a raised brow. "Hiding in my shadow isn't fly, Asty."
"Apologies but a ball? Why, how could I miss that?" Alastor grinned as Obito sighed.
"Don't cause trouble, that's all we ask," he said as the other male Sinner hummed. "... I don't want to ask this question but… what do you want to do?"
"Why, you're a mind-reader!" Alastor declared as Loona crossed her arms with a raised brow.
"What's this guy on about?" She asked Obito who sighed.
"Well, my wolfy compatriot, I'd like a little game," Alastor said as Vaggie got between them.
"Do not accept a deal with him!" She told them as Obito cupped his chin.
"It's not a deal, just a game, correct?" He asked Alastor who grinned widely.
"Tis just a game," the Overlord promised, a hand on his chest as the others came over. "How about a mythical game of Users Chess?" The man said before snapping his fingers.
The area beneath their feet shifted before a giant chess board formed.
"Well, well, well, this is interesting," Lucifer said as the red Overlord grinned. "I'd like to partake in games."
"Then join in, your majesty! More the merrier!" Alastor declared as Vagatha choked. "Now, the name of the game! Choose your pieces!" He said as numerous chess pieces floated above, the items shifting in and out of existence. "The value of those you choose will be evaluated by the pieces you have. Depending on their value, you'll get the max or some number of pieces you need."
Lucifer hummed with a smirk as Obito cupped his chin before nodding, looking at the pieces.
"... Then I'll go first if you will, Your Majesty," he said as Lucifer grinned, Lilith chuckling behind him.
"Go right ahead."
"... Let's see, in this case… Rook," Obito spoke as the piece arrived in front of him. "... Loona."
The wolf teen blinked before shivering as an astral image of herself shifted into the piece before it shifted.
Two Loona-shaped pieces appeared on Obito's side of the field, shocking her. "Whoa!" She jumped, looking at the samurai-like pieces. "... I'm pretty hot," she nodded, taking out her phone and snapping a few photos of the sword-handling figures of herself.
"Your turn, King."
"Hmm," Lucifer grinned. "Rather ironic," Lilith chuckled as she stood. "Lilith will be my Queen."
The piece shot down in front of him before her essence filtered into it.
The piece landed on his side of the field, the queen in witch-like attire for a piece.
"I'd have assumed the Bishop would be the wizard," he noted.
"Games have a way of finding their own interpretations," Alastor said.
Obito hummed. "... Bishop… Charlie," the goat man smirked, taking the King's daughter from him.
Charlie giggled a bit as two Bishop pieces with her form appeared.
They had her in her transformed state, each bearing a stylized kimono and mask on their bodies and atop their heads, respectively.
"Ooh," she looked at them with interest.
"Then I shall do the same as you," Lucifer said. "Stolas as my Bishops."
"Oh-ho!" Stolas chuckled as his essence shifted into those Bishop pieces.
They formed a pair of Stolases in his most royal attire, the man holding a wand and grimoire in his hands.
"Ah, I haven't used that wand in ages," the owl man said with a chuckle.
"Hmm, then Pawns… Moxxie."
Moxxie perked up as his essence shifted into the piece.
Two Moxxie pieces, in his IMP uniform, appeared, the duo holding their favored pistols.
"Whoa," he said as Millie giggled.
"Ah, then, my Liege," Stolas whispered into Lucifer's ear.
"Oh? Then, pawns, Blitzo," Lucifer said.
The tall imp frowned as his essence shifted into a piece before four of him appeared in their uniforms, holding a shotgun. "Huh, well, I know I'm worth a lot," he said with a smirk as Millie chuckled.
"Pawn, Millie," Obito said and she grinned as she ended up in similar states to her boss and husband but hers counted three in total with wicked battle axes over their shoulders.
"Nice!" She grinned as Moxxie chuckled, the two of them hi-5ing. "Time to work that field!"
"Hm, hm, Pawn, Rani," Lucifer said as the regal imp saluted him, essence slipping away to form FOUR pawns of him as he was but with lances in their hands. "Hm, hm, not surprised."
'Three more pawns, Knights, and a Queen,' Obito cupped his chin. "... Knight to Vagatha."
Vaggie blinked before blushing as her essence slipped into the two pieces.
The pieces held her in a sort of battle dress, spears in their hands.
"W-Well… thanks," she said, embarrassed as Obito smirked.
"Hmm… Knights, Seviathan," Lucifer said as the boy chuckled while his mother smirked.
When his pieces formed, Obito noted how he wore a set of knight-like armor, clearly corrupted into something more fitting for hell's tastes, and a pair of crossbows on his forearms.
"... Pawn… Billy," Obito said.
The monkey-like imp landed atop his shoulder as his form arrived as the last three pawns on the field. Dressed in his current attire with a small sword on his back.
"Huh?" Moxxie looked confused as Blitzo grinned wickedly. "Ugh. Not now, sir."
"I've trained Billy in a variety of ways outside of housework, Moxxie," Obito explained as the imps looked surprised.
"Hmm, so Rook is what's left for my side…" Lucifer considered his choices. "... Stella then."
The woman bowed to their king as her essence flittered onto the field.
Wearing a rather generous skin-tight bodysuit underneath pieces of armor for her chest, thighs, and biceps, she wielded a sniper rifle in hand for her weapon.
"Hmm, I guess snipers are fun to use," she noted as Octavia chuckled.
Obito snorted. "So, a Queen… then help me out, Octavia-ojou," he said to her as she blushed before grinning.
"Sure!"
"Queen, Octavia."
The transfer went well and there, on his side of the board was Octavia in interesting attire and wielding a just as interesting weapon.
Wearing a long kimono over a pair of tights and a long-sleeved top, she had on her forearm a roll of chains while the other sported a stake.
"Huh, chain work is certainly versatile," Lucifer joked as Obito snorted and Octavia blushed. "My word."
"Hm, hm, hm, then the game pieces are set," Alastor declared as Angel smirked.
"Seems like my time to shine ain't here yet, Nugz," he said to his pet. "But now I don't get to see my face getting slashed up. It's kind of a win-win."
"Then the board is set!" Alastor announced as an aura came over the two men participating. "The rules of chess apply here but there are several catches. For one, the Kings hold a special skill of being able to declare rules for specific pieces once per turn. It doesn't matter if that piece is moved or deleted. They can make rules that are mostly absolute during that turn."
"Wait, so, no matter whose turn, yes?" Lucifer asked.
"Correct."
"But, I'm assuming, there's a strict rule limit," Obito said. "For example. 'This piece can leap across the field' is outright ridiculous," the goat man sweatdropped as the snap and fake kiss of the teeth from the King of Sinners. "Dammit, Lucifer-sama."
"Hey, ya gotta try everything."
"That's correct. Not every rule is absolute and if you give such a rule, you'll be unable to rescind it and lose your chance to make a rule that turn," Alastor chuckled. "That said, there are long-lasting rule skills you both have. If you declare a rule for a piece, you can specify how many turns it can last. This does mean that that piece can't have a new rule on it any other turns. Not just that but that same rule can't be used on another piece nor can the previous rule be interrupted. It plays and stays until it's out."
"I see," Obito said. "What are the rest?"
"Piece's value is obvious but, say, if you had a group of six pawns versus a rook, that rook would lose," Alastor said as he snapped his fingers.
On each piece, and above the board in the air, were the rules and points.
Kings: 10
Queens: 8
Bishops: 6
Knights: 5
Rooks: 5
Pawns: 1
"Those same points are how many spaces they move with them all having their normal move paths. If the points match, that defending piece can be defeated. If they're less, the attacking piece is destroyed."
"Fascinating. This is better than normal chess," Lucifer chuckled. 'So, I'm assuming that leaving a group of pieces together can protect a piece.'
'If I want to lure him into a trap, I'd need pieces to be in control,' Obito thought. "What's the distance on the groupings?"
"They have to be one space next to the piece in question in any direction."
"Hmm."
"It sounds super complicated," Loona said with a squint. "That's a lot of rules for normal chess."
"Yes but it's interesting," Obito said as Stella chuckled.
"And three final rules," Alastor said as 3 more appeared above. "The game ends when, by the end of the 20th turn, if one side has less collective points than the other, they lose. The next rule is that each piece has a skill based on the piece but the usage comes from the piece's personality from the referenced people."
"Ho? Curious," Lucifer grinned ferociously. "And what's the last one?"
"Hm, hm, hm, my Liege, the last is that Queen pieces have one special skill. They can pull a piece from any part of the board over to them," Obito and Lucifer's eyes shined at the possibility. "Any piece."
"Understood," both men said as the area around them shifted upward into stands. "To a good game," both said to one another.
Alastor moved up onto a raised pillar as the board glowed. "Thennnn, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!"
Obito offered Hell's King the first go and the man grinned.
"Hmm… My Queen can't be defeated for 20 turns," he grinned as Obito smirked.
"For the next three turns, my Rooks aren't able to be destroyed," he shot back as Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "At least, that'll be my next call," Obito grinned.
'A box-in strategy?' Well, let's see. "Knight, move forward."
One of the Seviathans, did. Shifting in front of a Blitzo piece who was ahead of a Stolas Bishop.
The Stolas piece looked excited while the imp grumbled.
"Uh, my most notable snarl, eh?" Blitzo noted.
But then the Pawn glowed red as he, the two Pawns on his side, the Knight, the King, and Bishop formed a group of glowing pieces.
"Those pieces have increased their battle power," Alastor narrated. "What will Obito's opposing side commit?!"
"Hmm," so that's how it worked. "The Queen can't be destroyed for three turns."
Octavia's piece grinned.
Lucifer held his peace but his eyebrows shot into his hairline.
"The right Knight moves ahead of right third Pawn," Obito declared as that Vaggie stood in front of the first Millie, that piece resonating with the three Pawns behind her. "Turn 1 over."
A large counter appeared between them and went down from 20 to 19.
"Luci fortified his position," Lilith said as Moxxie and Millie snickered. "While Obito seems to have begun preparing for an attack."
"Obito's way of doing things is slip around defenses," Stolas said as Stella grinned pervertedly. "He was a ninja in his previous life."
"Yes, he has."
"Well, someone's happy," Angel snickered. "Besides, ya can't win a game without attackin'. That's just common sense."
"Yea but you have to think ahead," Mimzy said. "You can't win by only attacking. It's like landing a date. There's give and take."
"Oh, that sounds like I know what it is."
"Of course, it does."
Lucifer considered his next move.
"This turn, the power of the left most Pawn increases he can move diagonally. I move that one in front of his copy, opening way for my Rook!"
That Blitzo landed in front of himself, the two hi-5ing as red energy passed between them.
"Then, in response, I'll hand my right Rook the power to switch places with my Queen," Obito declared as Lucifer's eyes widened. "Switch."
The two swapped in a blur of red light, leaving Lucifer's left flank horribly open.
"That's rather scary of you," he said with a chuckle. "But these rules are more lenient than I expected."
"Your move."
Lucifer smirked before raising his hand. "The left Rook moves two spaces forward, just to the left of my previously moved Pawn."
The Stella piece moved to stand by Blitzo before loading her sniper rifle.
Her points doubled above her head. "A power-up?" Obito realized in shock before his eyes narrowed in thought. 'So, that's the power of the Rook,' that was 1 of six types. "No rules?"
"Not for this round."
"Hmph," Obito considered it. 'Right now, he's got a solid front line,' each of those Pawns was an issue to break through…?! "Wait, Alastor?!"
The red demon grinned widely. "Yes. The mix-ups between pieces does count towards your final score."
"You son of a bitch."
"I try," Lucifer said with a wicked grin.
"I didn't think about that," Moxxie said with shock. "If Lucifer can lock in his front line while advancing forward, he could force Obito into a rough spot. He can't attack like this."
Octavia tilted her head with squinted eyes. "... He can't?" She asked him and the imp looked confused. "The Queen can jump other pieces and my piece is still invincible for over two more turns."
Stella hummed. "He can attack by sending her in and out, like a piece that can assassinate… but the issue comes with these so-called Piece Skills," she noted. "The Rook can double its points at any time per turn, it seems."
"Ah, an adjustment," Alastor said from above, snapping his fingers.
Rule: Piece abilities can't be activated consecutively.
Piece Skills:
Rook - Can double its points
"Oh, that helps," Stolas noted. "But the question also comes, their copies of our personalities. Would you have done that there, Stella?"
"... Yes," Stella realized. "If I was making sure to lay down power, I'd activate my skill to prevent his next move. That said, I'd rather have been by more powerful pieces to make that surge worthwhile. Right now, that copy of myself has 12 points."
"Not wrong," Charlie said as Obito continued his next move. "What do you think he's going to do-"
"My Queen will place herself right in front of your Rook," Obito said with a smirk that shocked her.
"W-Wait, what?!"
"... He's tempting him," Vaggie realized. "Think about it. Obito's Queen will lose its invulnerability in two turns. What happens if he leaves her there while setting up to pick-off Lucifer's other pieces?"
"And the rule for my last move!" Obito grinned as Lucifer did the same. "Pawns can't connect for 2 turns."
Lucifer's eyes widened as his Pawns… didn't disconnect.
"Ah."
"So, rules like that don't work," Obito said with a nod as Lucifer's eyes squinted. "You know, don't you? Just figuring out the game."
His Queen then did something… horrifying, in Lucifer's opinion.
That Octavia piece grinned before spinning her chain and then tossing it at the Blitzo by Lucifer's Stella and dragged it to the middle of the field.
Alastor chuckled as he snapped his fingers.
Queen - Can move a single enemy piece on the board nearby to the middle of the board.
"... That's trifling," Lucifer said with a nervous smirk. 'So, putting the Queen on the line is important,' well, it did work out for him as his was unbeatable. '... I'm curious.'
The counter went down to 18.
"Hmm," with his Rook's new position of power over with, he'd have to be careful with her. "I bring my left Knight around to the side of your Queen," Lucifer declared as Obito nodded.
His Seviathan rested by Obito's Octavia piece. Then the Knight grinned before stabbing at the unmoving, unfazed, Queen with his weapon.
Her points still dropped to half. 'So, the Knight's like her. It can change the score of the points but only when near an opponent,' Obito thought.
Knight - When near an opponent, can cut their points in half.
"The more we learn, the more it seems like forming our little 'empires' into groups was the best answer," Lilith noted. "Still, the pieces are mostly impossible to predict. Though, for Young Seviathan, it's clear he has a revenge streak," she smirked as the young man in question smirked.
"Who doesn't?" He asked and the entire group coughed. "Exactly."
The 'fight' went on for another round, Obito moving one of his Loona Rooks behind his Queen Octavia. Meanwhile, Lucifer had moved his Queen over to the space where his Rook's original starting position was.
On the fourth turn, the first piece was lost as Obito had his Octavia piece destroy the Seviathan one.
The blow had been vicious and swift, the Queen girl spinning her weapon before wrapping it around the demon boy's neck.
It snapped with a crack of stone ringing out, Octavia's eyes shining at the idea as the demon leaned back for a bit.
"Yeah, uh, we're NOT re-enacting that."
"Aww."
"Don't you 'aww' me!"
Obito snorted before declaring his move. "The Queen can move back 1 space," he declared and his piece did. "Oh, so there's some leniency post-move?"
"Sirs, I'm a narrator but also an entertainer," Alastor grinned. "Making some fun is a part of the game."
"Oh?" Lucifer smirked as the fifth turn started. "Then I'll let this game turn up. My Queen, I'm sure you know the current situation."
The Queen piece grinned and Obito's eyes widened before Lucifer's Queen piece waved her hands around before an orb of light formed over his Queen. "No!"
Octavia's piece appeared far away, next to the first moved Blitzo Pawn piece.
"Now, be a dear and attack his Rook!"
The piece's eyes glowed before she crossed her arms.
Loona rubbed her neck as her look-alike piece was beheaded. "Y-Yesh," she shivered at the idea.
Still, that left Lucifer's impossibly strong Queen on Obito's side of the field, the goat man humming at the move.
"Your move."
The former Akatsuki member smirked.
"Very well, Lucifer."
Let's see if he couldn't take a win from the King of Sinners, yes?
~NRK~
That's a WRAP.
Gonna be honest, I was still close to making them play a children's card game… VERY close.
But I turned it up to chess because that felt appropriate and because making cards for everyone, while fun, wouldn't end well. This was easier to put down.
I'll talk to you guys in the next chapter of Void Breathing, which is over halfway done with over 10k words and following that will be A Grimm Light.
Ciao.
Words:
~NRK Out~