Well look at that. Did not have to wait 3 months for this one. Progress. Hope you all will enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 13
"Silent Howl"
Moxxie knew he could not stay. Moxxie could never want to stay in this place. Although in his mind he felt guilty about leaving those two behind with someone like Lucifuge. He had to leave before any feeling could set in and drag him into another mistake. Moxxie focused on what was now in front of him. An angel so bright it made Moxxie's eyes hurt by just looking at this being, leading him towards an exit. Hopefully.
"You do not trust me." Azazel spoke with a radiant voice and some of it's eyes locked onto Moxxie's form, it was like it's tone cleansed the corruption of the foul silence of the Tower
"No." Azazel was not wrong and Moxxie knew better than conceal this truth from the Angel "Can I?"
"If you are afraid that my hunger for knowledge will consume me again then let me ease your mind." Azazel spoke as he kept on floating and it's eyes that were staring at Moxxie now were like knives slashing into his flesh "Between my satiation and inconvenience at the hand of that quarter wit I'd rather choose ignorance."
"I understand." Moxxie was honest as his thoughts went back to the broken imp, but this led him to a question "Why do you even stay here?"
"This is a place where great amount of knowledge of Hell is gathered and where much of it is born. It is only natural for me to make this my resting ground." Azazel spoke without much passion as his eyes wondered on the walls of the corridors they were going through "I simply give the Governor pieces of me to use as paper and in turn I am allowed to roam as I please in the depths of his work."
"Pieces of you? You- he writes on you!?" Moxxie felt his skin itch just by thinking about it "D-doesn't it hurt?"
"A pain this one feels constantly, but it is nothing compared to my duty, my goal. If it means fulfilling my mission, my ambition I will suffer through all that I need to in order to achieve my goals. In the end it is a miniscule price to pay." Azazel explained and his voice betrayed no discomfort over this process, it made Moxxie afraid and yet… allured.
You are going to suffer.
He could relate to this thought process. If it means to suffer on his road he is ready. That is the path he chose and he wont abandon. But thinking on it made Moxxie wish to change the subject.
"As for Lucifuge. He is still an angel too?" A Throne Angel nonetheless. Moxxie was wondering about this ever since he saw that form and "And a jester?"
"Almighty gave us all some part of Theirs. Governor was given the Light, Radiance. A thing so tied to what he is that it wouldn't be possible to extinguish. No matter how much they wish for it. Light of the Third Choir." The last words of Azazel almost sounded nostalgic "But a Jester is another thing entirely. It is what Governor chose. A reason being one of the unknowns I have yet to uncover."
This made Moxxie wonder too about the Governor. To choose the form of a Jester. A joke. Oddity upon oddity. But somehow this made him wonder how much does it tell about Stella herself.
"About the unknowns. Do you know me?" Moxxie wondered just how much this Angel truly knew
"I know of your name. Profession. Line of blood. Spouse's identity. All meaningless details of a meaningless Imp. Ones I do not think I need to share." Even without providing any example Moxxie could tell this Angel was serious "Although for the first time I hear of your association with Mephisto himself. Then again, that one is better than most at keeping their secrets. Maybe even from themselves."
Moxxie preferred not to even begin asking about it. He had enough headaches at this point when it comes to that being.
*cra*
Suddenly Moxxie heard a sound of a crow from his left side. Moxxie then started to look around for the first time. A corridor they were in was big. Easily able to fit someone of the size of King Bhaal or Lucifuge in it's halls. It's ceiling was concealed in deep darkness and the only sources of light were chandeliers that also acted as cages in which there were both dead and alive prisoners.
But what shook Moxxie the most were the walls. On walls there were Demons of all kinds, Hounds, Imps, Deep Ones, but most of all Sinners. All writhing in pain, unable to even notice his presence as blood was seeping from their backs, with big spikes from the walls stuck in their heads, limbs and torsos. Their mouths and eyes were sewed shut and stitches across their faces all created the symbol of 5 pointed star. Moxxie had no idea what they were moving passed and he felt ill thinking of that he did not even notice them. That it was not something terrible enough for him to notice. Where were they?
"What is it?" Azazel asked from the distance and then looked around "Ahh. Those are everywhere in this section of the tower. Some of them taking roles in the paintings in sections above."
Those were those paintings?! That's the fate of the prisoners in this tower?
"S-so all of those… were-"
"Not all. The tower itself gave birth to many of the paintingson it's own, Lord Governor simply adds to the workforce." Azazel did not sound even slightly disgusted by this practice "The farther up the tower goes the less of those prisoners you will see and more of the Tower's Children. All subjects to the Governor's will."
This was beyond anything Moxxie imagined in this tower. If there was ever a need for a motivation to abide by the Laws he had it right now before his very eyes. He could not let it happen to him. Nor his wife. Never.
*cra*
And again the sound of the crow could be heard and Moxxie turned to his left side and saw another corridor. On the left wall of that corridor was a large window, sturdy metal doors and…
"Mephisto..."
Azazel for the first time sounded shaken as he looked where Moxxie was looking. Lord Mephistopheles stood there with a delicate smile on his face and a crow on his shoulder, pointing at the left wall. Moxxie wanted to ignore this. Move forward, but he found himself unable. He felt compelled. This was no suggestion. This was a command. A command to follow this suggestion. A command to listen to one's curiosity. A command to consider a proposition.
*cra*
And as the crow took off so did the entire body of Mephistopheles dissolved into a flock of crows that set off somewhere away from here. Moxxie slowly looked at Azazel who looked back at him with a new look in his eyes. A look of worry. Both of them stood there, looking at the corridor until Azazel finally spoke.
"The choice is yours to make." Azazel said with a heavy tone "But if the imp asks for an advice of mine, I say ignore. Nothing good ever comes from dealing with it. Never."
There was clear resentment in Angel's tone and Moxxie could understand given their circumstances from not so long ago. Moxxie knew better now. Ignore. He had to ignore it. He was ready to leave, turn around and prepare himself to never deal with this being again, but just as he was about to nod his head, make the decision to be free-
"Keep moving!"
A voice could be heard from around the corner of that corridor and the first person to come out of there was a Hound. It looked like… Loona!?
"Wha-UGH!?"
Moxxie without even thinking grabbed the material that Azazel's body was made of and dragged him towards the wall so they could be hidden from the direct sight of this Hound and the Demons that dragged it there. Moxxie then carefully looked from behind the corner.
It wasn't clear from this distance, but the Hound from across the corridor looked almost exactly like Loona, but was adorned with dirty rags and big part of their face was covered by their gray hair. Moxxie had no idea what would she be doing here, but as he thought about her request his mind immediately assumed the worst and it did not get better as he saw who was next to the Hound and what state it was in. The Hound had a spiky collar around it's neck, blood dripping slowly on the floor which was already soaked quite heavily with blood that already dried up long ago, it's paws were in chains too. It's collar was connected to a long chain held by one of the knights walking next to them with an Owl mask on it's face.
There were two other beings next to them. One other knight in the same helmet, but that one was clearly a Hound much like the Hound in chains. It made Moxxie feel quite sick, but not as much as the being who appeared behind them. It was a Goetia, one that looked like a Vulture with a head of a snake. Unlike many other Goetia Moxxie saw this one was not wearing any clothes, only wore all kinds of gold jewelry across their body and only thing covering it's naked visage was it's wings as it was sitting on top of two sinners.
They were oddly familiar and Moxxie quickly recognized one as one of their clients. Loop Goop or something like that and next to him was their target from that day, but now they were both without their suits and were on their knees (or rather their client was as the other one had a giant ball instead of legs) carrying the Goetia on their backs. Their bodies were full of scars, their eyes were removed and the claws of the Goetia were piercing their skin as he was standing on top of them and around their necks were chains held by the Hound knight, leading them. But this Goetia… Moxxie felt immense dread as he looked upon this creature as all of them disappeared into the room.
"Astaroth." The Angel whispered as small part of it's body looked there with one eye "You would be wise not to engage this being Imp."
Astaroth. Moxxie heard this name before. One of the highest among the Ars Goetia who despite not being a Deity or a King still hold immense amount of authority and power. The most powerful among the Dukes and as Moxxie looked back at the Demons on Walls he now recognized that the Stitches on their faces were creating Astaroth's symbol.
"'Tis a job this Great Duke greatly enjoys." Azazel said and Moxxie's thoughts were flooded with vision of this Hound being made into this
Loona may as well be now be stitched into those walls. He has to do something! But before he could even move a muscle one part of Azazel's body appeared before him.
"What does an imp think it can do?" Azazel said as he looked over Moxxie's body
"Something! Anything at all!" Moxxie's self preservation at this point disappeared almost entirely now that possibly one of his co-workers could be in danger "And you are meant to help me!"
"I am meant to lead this imp to the exit." Azazel corrected him
"And if you don't you will be a plaything of that braindead imp and I will shout as loud as I can if I die to make sure they know you failed." Moxxie became more spiteful as this went on and slowly calmed down as he realized this "I just… I think I know this Hound." Moxxie could not be certain what he meant there. Was it uncertainty about the identity of the Hound or the character of Loona herself
"Is it a friend? Strange family member? Lover?" Azazel questioned clearly needing more knowledge
"I don't know. I really don't."
Moxxie never really thought of Loona as anything more than coworker, an annoying coworker who liked to insult him and sometimes even beat him, not an ounce in his being should ever even attempt to consider her a friend, but he could not just leave her. He could not by any means.
"AAAAHH!" Moxxie heard a scream coming from behind the corner snapping him out of his thought, someone was in torment there
"But I will NEVER leave them. Not in the place like this!" Moxxie said and pointed at the demons in the walls all around them "So please! Help me. Or at least don't try to stop me."
"..." Angel simply observed him, neither impressed or insulted "I will observe. I will help if I am forced to. But remember. Going there means accepting the offering." Moxxie remembered Mephisto himself pointing there "You will never be rid of it if you follow."
"I… I know." Moxxie hated that fact "And I will go."
"Very well. But I shall offer a piece of advice. Wait about 5 minutes for Duke to leave." Azazel said and then Moxxie looked back
He saw Duke Astaroth exit the chamber with a window. The fat sinner with ball for his legs hand no lower jaw now and big piece of his back was gone. Their previous client was left untouched, but his gaze was full of terrible fear. Goetia Duke himself seemed very satisfied as his beak was now covered in blood. Soon enough all of them disappeared, but Hound was not among them. They were left there. Moxxie waited a few minutes to make sure they are gone and slowly approached the glass. He did not dare to look passed it as he approached it and looked for help in the Angel following him. Azazel understood and part of his body extended itself and small part of it looked behind the glass with one eye.
"There is only one." Azazel said
Moxxie sighed in relief and gathered himself to look there. The inside of the chamber was covered in blood everywhere. Spikes on walls ready to devour anyone placed upon them like the other Demons in those halls. The room itself was covered in color of dark red, but one much more sickly and unpleasant to look at than in other places on Pride. It made Moxxie not want to even enter, but then he saw the Hound on the wall. It's limbs and torso were held tightly by the teeth, but it's head was free of spikes and stitches. There was still a chance.
Moxxie approached the doors of the chamber, but there was a problem as he tried to enter. There was no handle. Only fleshy cubes on the wall next to it covered in all kinds of runes Moxxie could not even begin to understand. Again Demon looked to Angel for guidance and it provided if with a tired look in it's eyes. Azazel pressed the cubes in a very long sequence, typing in a very elaborate code and doors swiftly opened themselves like a jaw.
Moxxie did not feel very compelled to go through them, but his worry for Loona beat his disgust and approached them and went passed them. Azazel did so as well and the doors closed themselves behind them. The stench in the room was terrible. Rotten flesh and blood. It was almost as bad as the papers of the Governor. He looked over to the window and noticed that it was a one sided window. They could not see what was outside through it.
"Azazel. I think-"
"Already thought of it." Azazel said and as Moxxie looked back at him saw one small part of his body go through space between floor and doors outside "Do what you must and let us take our leave."
Moxxie nodded and approached the hanging Hound who did not even acknowledged their presence, it must have been in too great pain to notice anything. But as Moxxie approached he realized something. This was not Loona. This Hound looked very similar, but it was most certainly a male. A very well build if terribly scarred older male. Moxxie did not know if what he felt was relief or disappointment, but now that he was here he could not leave this Hound like this.
"D-don't worry sir. I-"
Hound raised it's head and looked at Moxxie with a tired look full of frustration.
"Why are you here?" Hound said as he looked over at the Angel next to the doors and looked as if he was about to rip both of them to shreds "Grrr. What games are nobles playing now?"
"S-sir! Listen I am here to help. I promise!" Moxxie tried to calm him down "I swear I have no allegiance with-"
"Why?" Hound said to him with a very suspicious tone "Why me? Countless Demons are imprisoned in these walls and yet this random imp rushed to help me? Why?"
"I- I just… Well..." Moxxie now felt both scared and embarrassed "I-I thought you were someone I knew. I was mistaken, but either way I wont leave you he-"
"Someone you know? So now all Hellhounds look alike?" Hellhound's question was full of spite
"No! I- I mean you look. Oh!" Moxxie put his hand over his face as he felt more and more stupid "I'm sorry! But I promise I am here-"
"I heard the first time." Hound's voice was full of disdain, but was surprisingly well put together for someone pierced though in so many places "And you just may be able to imp."
"How?" Moxxie asked as he looked all around them
"Key to those bounds is not a physical one." Hound said cryptically as he looked at his bitten paws "It is a contract I signed. I will be free once I fulfill my end of the bargain."
"And that is?" Moxxie was already worried
"I am to tell the truth. Within those walls I am to look another into their eye and speak with my voice the truth of who set my mind free." Hound said as he looked at Moxxie who was getting more worried "Once I do so I will be free of my shackles and I will be sent to Ring of Gluttony where I am to fulfill 150 years of duty or gather enough merit in my work to be approved as a knight of Bhaal. Those are the terms."
This was a lot to take in. It seemed like a very simple contract, but there was one hole in it. Within the walls. Much like…
"Wait! It asks to say it within the walls so do I have to-"
"No." Hound and Azazel said in unison, it was the first time Azazel seemed intrigued with the Hound "But your thought is a correct. Or rather, it is expected." Hound said and Moxxie was only confused "If you wish I can explain. Telling you of what happened here should do the trick I think."
"I approve." Obviously Azazel was eager to hear
"Okay." Moxxie just hoped it wouldn't take too long
"Very well." Hound said
And begun his little story
*click*
Collar was finally removed from his neck. It was bleeding quite badly, but he could not care less. It would get better, it had to if they wanted him to agree to their terms.
"Well." Goetia standing on top of the two Sinners finally stepped down on the floor, it's jewelry on it's feathered chest was in symbol of 5 pointed star and it's red eyes upon it's snake head was pierced into Lucius "We can finally begin the sssigning."
Goetia looked upon the back of the fat Sinner writhing still in pain. Lucius looked there as well and saw many letters written on his back presumably with claw of the noble. Goetia nodded to the scum one barely could call a Hound anymore who without question started to carve the skin with the letters from Sinners back as it screamed. As it was done with cutting it grabbed the cut off parts tightly and with great strength-
*RRIIIIIIIPPP*
"AAAAHH!"
Ripped off the skin from the Sinners back. If it was anything else Lucius would feel even a small semblance of pity, but he had none for those fiends. They were sinners so unlike everyone else they deserved to be in this place. He had no empathy for them. No pity. Most definitely they were deserving of every bit of torment in this realm. The sinner who was kneeling on the left side only looked away from their fellow sinner's screams as it could not truly see him anymore.
"-ill me..." Sinner whispered
"Excussse me? What did you ssay?" Goetia said as he put his snake head closer to the Sinner
"KILL ME!" Sinner screamed out "Please… I want to die. Just kill me."
"Ohhh you poor, pooor thing. You forgot already?" Goetia caressed his head, before violently grabbing it and putting another hand on it's face "Here! Let me remind you."
*RIP*
"UUUNNGGH" This scream was far more subdued as sinner's lower jaw was ripped out by the Noble with barely any effort. Tears were flowing like waterfalls from the empty eye sockets of the sinner.
"You are already dead." Goetia said happily as he devoured the jaw of the sinner "There is no peace waiting for you. No god to protect you. No one to save you. Never forget. You are in Hell. Forevermore."
A grim reminder for this fat piece of shit. Lucius though felt nothing as he watched this brutality. Then the eyes of the noble turned to still quiet red skinned sinner with a long nose and unsightly moustache.
"And you. Are you not going to sssay anything asss your comrade, brother in armsss isss violated like thisss?"
Sinner did not speak. Only shook their head in fear.
"I sssee." Noble then looked to his knights "When we are done take it and remove it's every nail. Then put needlesss with acccid into them and fill ever orificce of this fiend with burning metal rodsss."
"Wh-WHAT!? WHY!? WHAT DID I-"
"When I ask you to speak you speak. When I ask not, you are quiet." Goetia barely contained his contempt for those sinners and then again looked over to his knights "And find better material for my transssportation. Materials lesss… pathetic than those thingss. Sssomething more befitting of my ssstatus."
Lucius had to disagree. They fit him just well enough, but he kept quiet for now. This display made the message very clear as to when he should speak.
"Ah right. Our deal." Damn noble finally remembered what they were here for "Here."
Goetia showed Lucius the contract. Lucius begun to read it, but tried not to move his eyes too much. He had to sell that he still couldn't read. Sometimes he looked at the noble holding the paper who seemed to greatly enjoy his 'struggle'.
"Ohohoh. I am very sorry, I sometimes forget the limited learning capacity of one such as you." He was not sorry at all
"Grrr." Lucius growled at him to appear angry
"Now now. Do not get so upset. It will be read for you. Most important for you parts at the very least." Noble said in a condescending tone while Lucius gave him a worried look "No need to worry. I will not lie as to what contents it has. I cannot." He reassured him, but Lucius knew better "If you still feel not convinced I will let one of them read it for you."
Astaroth gave the piece of skin to the Hound Knight who took the contract and started to read.
"With Archduke Astaroth and Hell itself as witnesses by the will of Lord Bhaal, the Hellhound singing this contract is to be given 150 years of work in the mines of Gluttony with allowance for break every 10 days. They are also to be given the chance in their work to prove one's self as a worthy candidate to the Order of Bhaal's Faihtfull and early release. Those carrying the blood of the Hound shall not be prosecuted and pursued for the crimes of the one signing the contract and will be treated no differently to how they were before. For the contract to come to power the Hound is to sign it and then speak the truth required by the forces of Order within the walls of Great Governor's Tower. Once they fulfill their obligation the contract's benefits will be given."
"I hope it iss sssatisfactory contract." Noble said, but no response was given "You ma y ssspeak now."
"That part about my blood. Is it too much to ask for them to be treated better?" Lucius asked and noble seemed amused
"Hihi. Very percceptive. We can oblige that requessst. None of thossse are really of any value to our sssociety. We can give them a few benefitsss asss well and if they had crimesss committed they shall be pardoned, but onesss committed after will be up to them. Doesss that sssound better?" Almost too good
"Yes." Lucius knew what they were doing
"Fantassstic."
*Ssss*
"UUUUGHH!" Sinner started to try to scream again as the contract burned a little and then it settled down and so did the sinner's
"Anything elssse?" Noble asked
"No."
"Excceelent. Now sssign with your blood." Noble said and showed him the contract again and Lucius's suspicions were confirmed beyond question, but he could not show it
He simply bit into his right paw and let blood get into his claw. Carefully he started to write upon piece of flesh with his blood and it started to burn again and sinner started to write as well. Soon enough his name was carved into it.
*BITE*
And then from behind the teeth on the walls bit into his body pulled to the wall, but his head was spared for now. Lucius tried to conceal his pain and asked.
"It says to speak the truth within these walls." Lucius said "Can I speak it now for instance?"
"No. Not yet. There isss other busssiness for us to attend to firsst. But confession shall be held. Do not worry." And it was not specified who would do it "Be patient."
"Within these walls. Should I take a guess as to what that means?" Lucius said as he watched him get back onto the Sinner Slaves
"It should be clear enough even for a tool such asss you." Neither denied or confirmed, slimy bastard "We will meet sssoon. I promissse."
That was it
"My contract." Hound said, not once in his story really saying his name "Do you understand now."
But Moxxie was too shaken by the brutality of Astaroth to take it in all at once. But soon enough he started to understand and question certain parts.
"That part about speaking to them and looking in the eye. You never mentioned it." Moxxie was wondering about that
"Correct. But it was there. It just wasn't important enough to mention." Hound said with contempt "A trap."
"Impressive for one of your status to be able to read. Much less show enough intelligence to feign ignorance in this matter." Azazel seemed rather impressed
"Listen freak. I have been a slave of one of the biggest liars in all of Hell for big part of my life. I know my way around such contracts and words of Nobles." Hound said it with some pride "As for reading. Well… My previous master wanted to brag to himself and often repeated the contents of his contracts, as I listened and got a glimpse at them I managed to make out certain words until I knew enough on which was which."
"And that part about walls?" Moxxie tried to make out where was the trap there
"It is not the part with deeper meaning." Azazel explained
"Correct. That pompous fiend wanted me to believe it had some, but it was the parts he left out that were important." Hound explained
Moxxie then remembered how those shadows communicated with him. They could not speak and given what some of them are…
"You would not be able to speak or look at them with your eyes." Moxxie realized the terrible trap there
"Yes." There was great bitterness in his voice "That is why they were so eager to please me with changing it slightly. I would not be able to speak for who knows how long. Maybe another 150 years or even more. All the while they do what they want with what I know AND my remaining family all the while I would be stuck here."
Cruel. This was beyond cruel. Moxxie felt better now that he got here. But this truth made Moxxie uneasy. This would most definitely paint a target on his back, even greater than the one he has now if anyone would know what he would get to know, but then looked back at Azazel.
"Listen. Can't you tell this to him?" Moxxie pointed at Azazel "He seems more fitting to tell this to."
"I am to look in the eyes of the one I speak to. While it was not said in the contract I have high suspicion I need to see all of the eyes of the one who listens." Hound said and looked at Azazel "And I can barely even look at this at all."
"So it must be me." Moxxie did not feel good about this, but he had to free him either way
"Yes. Are you ready?" Hound asked and Moxxie simply looked him in the eye, his hard, pained gaze meeting the determined look of Moxxie "Well then. Let me tell you of the truth and how I came to be here."
My master's name is Furfur. A terrible liar. Noble despised by almost everyone else. Brethren to Mephistopheles.
I was taken by him, taken away from a slave pit where part of me was left behind. I learned great pain in his service, but I endured as I believed myself to be simply a tool. I accepted all that came with this in my mind. I was a tool.
I met my mate as I served as his guard, many pups I came to have. Valuable to the master. All of them taken and sold. To be slaves. Tools like me. My mate passed on to great Unknown after my master came back one day in rage and hit her head. She died as I sat next to her, unable to do anything.
Now one of his cleaning servants was gone. She was to be replaced. I was chosen. All of this happened and I still endured as a Tool.
But one day as I cleaned I came upon strange device as I did. Accident happened and it turned on. I was enthralled. Quickly I experimented and then one time I found that channel. A channel no noble would ever watch. One of the few Sinners can view.
I heard words:
"Work for me. We are all now equal here. We are all part of this new world and we can face it together. On earth we were bound by different cultures, races, religions and statuses, but as it is seen here, it is all irrelevant. Work for me as we accept all for no one is worse in here. With me it is a reality you can be a part of. A utopia humanity strives for."
I heard those words. They echoed in my mind. They were not just for Sinners. No. I heard them in my heart. The truth and I knew this sinner meant for them to be heard by Hellborn and Sinner alike. He showed me the truth as I listened whenever I could and with that came my despair. My pain, my sin. I let everything be taken from me. And I needed to kill the one who did this to me!
And I almost did. Almost slashed his neck as he slept. One chance I had and I took it.
Then I tried to fight. To run. And now I am here.
The one who showed me who I am. Who still now echoes across the entire realm, on all rings no matter how high or low.
Overlord Vox.
*CLANK*
*slam*
Hound was released from his bounds and fell onto the floor onto his paws. He did not seemed to be moved much at all. But Moxxie felt otherwise as he felt uncomfortable about everything he said. Such a sad life and that name. Vox. One of the Overlords. This could cause great chaos to arise between Hellborn and Sinners. But most importantly, he had to-
"I thank you." Hound's words made Moxxie wake up from his thoughts "Truly."
"I… I'm sorry for what happened to you." Moxxie was honest. No one deserved this
"It is me who failed everyone around me." Hound said as he stretched out as his wounds slowly healed, most likely by the power of his contract "And I will make sure to rectify my mistakes."
"I never really got your name sir." Moxxie pointed out "My name is Moxxie sir."
"Azazel." Azazel also introduced himself
"My name is Lucius. For now it is all I have left and I wont give it away." Lucius said with great determination
Lucius… it could not be.
"Your name." Moxxie was worried about even asking in case it would end up being embarrassing again, but he had to "The way you look, your name. I must ask if you know someone."
"Again with this?" Lucius did not seemed pleased "Does every Hellhound need to be connected somehow in your mind?"
"I just wanted to know if you know her and-" Moxxie just grabbed the back of his head and looked down "Ah. You are right. It is not-"
"Her?" Hound repeated and his voice for a moment sounded like a small whimper, Moxxie looked up at him and in his eyes there was now shock and… fear "Who do you mean?"
Moxxie could not believe it. He wanted to say something, but then he realized what he could do. He quickly pulled out his phone and looked through the images send to him by Blitzo. He hoped he did not delete all of them. And there it was. One where Loona gleefully painted imaginative markings all over his face while he was sleeping and Blitzo took the photo, in hindsight it's a miracle he did not delete it. Loona was also in the picture proudly smiling into the camera. Moxxie showed it to the Hound.
…
There was no sound. No word. No movement. Moxxie was worried as the Hound stared blankly at the picture, but after a moment the hound fell on his knees and tears started to pour from his eyes.
"Loo-" it sounded like he started to choke
"Who is she to-"
"My...little sister." Hound said as a smile found it's way unto his face for the first time
It was true. He was to meet her crush and… ended up saving her brother. It was all kinds of ridiculous. But as he watched the pure joy on the otherwise hard as a rock Hound all his care for logic disappeared.
"Is she… she-"
"She is okay." Moxxie reassured him "My boss he… he adopted her as he says. He gave her home and cares for her. Deeply."
If there was one thing he was sure of when it comes to Blitzo it was his care for Loona.
"I- I don't..." Hound seemed to be overwhelmed by emotions, but then he turned to Moxxie "This device. Phone… Can you maybe… Please..."
As he tried to put together a sentence Moxxie realized what he meant. He was worried if it would be wise to even call anyone here and looked to Azazel for advice.
"Go ahead." He seemed mostly disinterested, but there was something more in his voice now, but his words made Moxxie try
He typed the number in his phone and pressed the button. He had no idea what would happen now, but he had to see it. There was signal. There was some kind of punk rock coming from the speaker of the phone and then…
*click*
"What is it fatty?" Loona was as pleasant as ever "Have you found him!? Put him on the phone RIGHT NOW or I tear your face next time I see y- HEY!"
"Give me that! MOXXIE IF IT IS HIM YOU ARE FIRED!" Blitzo threatened him "*punch* OW. Loonie I'm sorry I-"
"Shove it! Just give him to me!" This was all kinds of uncomfortable
"It's not him Loona, but..." Moxxie looked over to the Hound who seemed like a lost puppy now "It's someone you need to speak with."
"Okay?" Loona did not follow "He better be handsome shortie."
Moxxie tried to give the phone to Hound, but he seemed hesitant to even grab it. Moxxie decided to hold it over one of his ears.
"H-hey. If you are handsome then I am Loona and I can be a girlfriend of your dreams." Loona sounded very creepy, but also meek
…
But there was no answer from Lucius.
"Hello?" Loona asked "This better not be a prank shortie!"
Moxxie was worried and looked at Lucius's face. It was full of pain. It looked like he tried to howl, but the result was quiet. Any word he tried to utter were drowned out by grief distorting his face. He was in torment and Moxxie started to regret ever doing this.
"Okay! You are dead fatty!" Moxxie felt like dying now "I am definitely-"
"Loomya." Was it supposed to be her name?
"..."
There was no answer from other side now. Did she recognized him?
"Who is it?" Loona said from other side and Moxxie's heart begun to sink "Fatty who the fu- HEY!"
"Whoever you are LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE OR I WILL BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT!" Blitzo threatened him "I can already tell from other side you are some weirdo full of fleas and-"
*click*
Moxxie ended the call as he looked at the Hound. For Moxxie it felt like he just shot him several times. He could never imagine this hound forgiving him for doing this.
"I'm sorry Lucius sir. I really am." Moxxie's apologize was as sincere as it could get
"No. It's my fault." It was really not "Too much time has passed. Too many mistakes. All begun from this when we were separated and I accepted it." Lucius looked down at the floor "How could I ever face her again?"
"I-I'm sure she would recognize you if she saw you. I truly believe in it!" Moxxie tried to cheer him up, but it did not work
"If so… then what?" Lucius asked him "I meet her and what? I tell her of how I allowed my children to be sold. How I did not try to escape to look for her? What could I possibly do? No. Before I could do any of it I need to do something so I can be worth remembering."
"Sir with all due respect, but-" Moxxie found it hard to continue, but he pushed through "But I am sure she would be happy to see you no matter what. I know she would be happy."
"It is a nice thought, one that is beyond me." Lucius said and looked at Moxxie "Can you do me one more favor?"
"What?" Moxxie was worried
"Do not tell her about me. Do not try to remind her." Lucius sounded defeated
"But sir. I really feel like-"
"AS I SAID if I am to meet her I need to be worthy of her remembering me." there was deep self loathing carried in those words "I need to do something and I will."
"What if whatever you want to do doesn't work? Or you die?" Moxxie desperately wanted him to reconsider
"Then she can go on with no burdens and if I fail I was not worth remembering in the first place." Lucius said with great confidence "So I ask you. DO NOT tell her of me. I beg of you."
"I-" Moxxie did not know whether or not to listen to it "I will try not to say anything."
Moxxie had to say it like this. He still felt conflicted and it would most definitely lead to him saying it one way or another, but he will try, at least he believes himself to do so.
"I see." Lucius seemed to understand all too well "If you do so I will probably kill you next time I see you. But I will try not to do so as well."
Moxxie only nodded. He understood his sentiment.
"Also… Loomya?" Moxxie tried to change the subject "Is that her-"
"Heh. No. It is Loona. I just like to call her that about… every time." Lucius seemed to become more cheery as he spoke of this "We were in Slave pits ever since she was a cub. Parents passed on. I had her in my hands as we were captured. Never let go of her so they had put us in the same cage." Lucius looked in the distance with small smile on his snout "I like to call her Loomya. She hated it of course and constantly tried to correct me. One day she even took on the role of a 'teacher' to teach me finally how to correctly speak her name. Outside of that we were unable to read or write it was quite an educational time as she tried to come up with her own letters. And one day she did me an exam."
"How it went." Moxxie said as he sat down next to the Hound
"I was never a very bright student. She failed me and told me I would never make anything of myself. Then stepped lightly on my tail." Lucius seemed happy remember those moments
"Sounds like every school I went to. Maybe slightly easier." Moxxie jokingly said which made Lucius laugh a little "How old were you anyway? Or how old are you now?"
"I was about 13 back when I was taken. At least from my memory I remember one day seeing a calendar with what I think was a year and I know she was 6 years younger than me so 7. Considering what year we have now I think I am 28. To see her all grown up. Never thought I would ever see it."
He was younger than him. So much bitterness. So much intelligence and experience and this Hound was still younger than him. He looked ancient and yet they may have as well grew up together. And that means Loona was alone for 9 years. They lost each other for 15 years. Moxxie had no choice now. He had to do something for them.
"I think you should be going now." Lucius said as his smile disappeared "Those pieces of shit are bound to come back at some point. I can tell they will not be happy to see their contract already fulfilled."
"Right." Moxxie had to leave as well, he must return to Lady Stella "What will you do now?"
"I go to the mines and I will need to somehow prove my worth to higher echelons of this world." Hound sounded like it was a trivial task "That one will be easy. What comes after… that can be a problem."
"What do you have in mind?" Moxxie was curious as to what he planned
"No need to burden yourself. It is my path to take. No one else's." Hound said as he stood up on his legs "One more reason for you to not tell Loona."
Moxxie nodded and Hound offered his hand. Moxxie took it and got up as well. He looked over to Azazel who still seemed calm as part of his body was still looking outside.
"Good luck Lucius." Moxxie said and offered his hand to shake it
"Thanks Moxxie." Lucius said and shook his hand, it was a tight strong grip "Also can you show me that picture again?"
"Oh? Sure." Moxxie did not know the reason, but he did
"Hehe. Polite as always." Moxxie was confused, but then he took his phone and show the image to him and pointed at the weird string of letters "I believe it says at least if I remember correctly. 'Sorry little guy'." She… apologize to him? "Maybe she remembered that game all those years later."
"She apologized?" Moxxie was confused
"She did the same for me day after she stepped on my tail. She is not one to not apologize, but she will do it in her own way. I guess now she prefers for no one to know. Either way... it is good it's still there. And means she may like you more than you think." Lucius said and gave Moxxie back his phone "Now go."
Moxxie only nodded as he still looked at the photo before putting the phone back in his pocket. Azazel opened the doors and no one was thankfully on the other side. Moxxie one last time looked back at the Hound who raised his hand and his expression was that of unbreakable resolve. Moxxie somehow felt he could do anything as he saw him like that. Moxxie waved back at him and a smile appeared on Hound's face before the doors were closed and Moxxie was on the other side.
"We can move along. I propose going the way I was leading. To not stumble upon Astaroth and his ilk." Azazel made a good point and they moved on
Moxxie looked one more time to the side as they passed the window and saw Lucius have his back against the wall, waiting. He looked up and it was like he saw him and then went back to waiting. Moxxie hoped he did the right thing and moved after Azazel.
They moved on through another set of corridors. It was almost like the road was endless at this point. They moved passed many tormented souls. Sometimes Moxxie could even hear the sound of torture in the background which he tried to ignore and failed time and time again. Moxxie could only hope they were close to the exit.
*cra*
Oh no. Not again. Moxxie did not want to even look, but something deep inside him faced the sound of a crow anyway, but… there was no Mephisto now. Only a crow feeding on a body at the wall. As Moxxie got close the crow flew away. As Moxxie looked at what it was eating he recognized that it was a woman of exceptional beauty. Her skin was almost like glass, her dress was in beautiful colors of white and gold, her hair was white like most delicate snow, her eyes or rather one eye left was golden. She was a beautiful person that was stained by stitches all across her face, some of which were already removed by the crow alongside one of her eyes. She was too beautiful to hail from here.
"Aliana." Azazel spoke as he appeared next to Moxxie and looked at the woman
"You know her?" Moxxie felt like he knew where it was going
"Yes. From Heaven. A guardian angel. One of the gentlest ones. Seeking me out. Broke the pact and ended up here." Azazel spoke as if it was nothing
"WHAT!? You did not save her?" Moxxie could not believe what he just heard
"She chose to follow me here. I had no way of saving her from this fate. It was a cage of her own choosing." Azazel sounded like he both loved and despised her "But it is wrong. She should be alive."
"What?" Moxxie was now greatly confused
"She was locked as a painting in one of the highest points of the tower and yet somehow she is dead." Azazel looked closer at her "She came back to her shell somehow and shock caused by pain must have drained her strength and killed her. Guardian angels are closer to humanity more than any other Choir and share their weakness to pain and death."
Moxxie started to worry as he looked back at the body of the Angel. Her eyes. Tears on her face were long dried up and her face through the stitches made a smile.
"She is free now." Azazel sounded almost relieved "She died happy and free."
As Moxxie looked again at the body of the Angel. Her back had no wings, they were cut off long ago and her dress. It could not be her.
"Wh-which level was she left on?" Moxxie felt like he was about to puke
"I believe one right before the top. The only prisoner to be placed there. As close to Heaven as she could be. Mockery of her nature." Azazel spoke, but Moxxie did not listen as he looked at her body, he felt repulsed from it
"Can we please go?" Moxxie wanted to beg him
"Yes." Azazel turned away from the body and moved forward without looking back
Moxxie tried to follow, but he found it hard. There was no mistaking it. That Angel was someone he 'freed'. He let her free. He… killed her. He had Angel's blood on his hands.
"(No. She is at peace now. How Azazel said! She is happy now. She is at peace. I did not do anything wrong. I did not-)"
Moxxie could not move and felt his horns itching. All he wanted to do now was tear them from his head. He fell back against the wall and sat down under it. He killed her. He killed an angel that did nothing wrong. Killed such a beautiful being. It was his fault. Again. All his fault.
"(WHY!?)" Moxxie screamed in his mind as once again he was dragged back into pure self hatred "(JUST ONE TIME I want to do something right! I don't want to hurt anyone! So why-)"
"Why are you stopping." There was very little empathy in Azazel's voice who stood over him "Do not weep over the dead. In this realm it is all you will find." Azazel said and looked back with all of his eyes "Her death is a tragedy, but in this existence there was only place for a tragedy. She is at peace now. Wherever she is, it is better than this. Somewhere not here."
Moxxie heard his words and wanted to believe them. He wanted to believe them so hard. Moxxie tried and stood up on his hooves. He tried not to dwell on it and looked where Azazel was leading them.
"Understood. It is not far now." Azazel wasn't lying
It didn't took them long to reach the great doors in front of them that slowly opened and revealed a hall full of wonderful moving arts in style of paintings of cavemen from ancient times of humanity. They moved the mechanisms and the elevator was approaching them. He was about to be free, but he felt like part of him forever will be a part of this place. Trapped like many other souls in it's walls.
As they went up Moxxie could not focus on the paintings around him anymore. Such a wonderful place, but one full of misery and sadness. It was not the most painful day he had to endure in this journey, but it was one that came the closest to breaking something within him. In fact, it may have done so already. This was the center of everything he needed to understand so he can help Lady Stella better. All for Lady Stella's sake. He hoped to never walk those halls ever again. Never again will his hooves take him into this Broken Tower.
Finally they arrived once again at the floor it started at. At the very first floor. All around them paintings were working and dancing. Moxxie wondered how many of them were the prisoners from lower levels. He wanted to be away from here, but Lady Stella was nowhere to be found here.
"Where is Lady Stella?" Moxxie asked himself
"Most likely still attending her business at the higher levels." Azazel said who's presence was almost forgotten by Moxxie "One of the shadows on the walls will relay the message that you found your way to this place."
"Can't you take me to where she is?" Moxxie asked Azazel
"No." Azazel sounded pleased when he said that word "This one did as it was asked to. Imp has been lead to the exit. Now it is up to you what to do with it." Azazel said as he started to sink into the floor "Farewell Moxxie. Good luck on your journeys."
And just like that he was gone. He went down into the floor and Moxxie watched him disappear into the painting below him. He was alone again. He quickly stepped out of the elevator to not be accidentally taken anywhere else. In a few moments the elevator started to rise which most likely meant he would soon see Stella again. He could not wait, if only to be away from this place.
But then Moxxie remembered something. THE SKULL! He had to take it to the carriage. Moxxie quickly tried to take it out, but… it was gone. WHERE WAS IT!? Moxxie now was panicking horribly, but then he heard the familiar noise.
*tic**tic**tic**tic**tic**tic*
Slowly the platform descended upon the floor and on it was the regal figure of Lady Stella and… Lord Derangi at her side still holding his hammer with a spike on it's other end. This time without his wife for once. It made Moxxie feel better to not have to endure that woman as well, but it was still odd to see them together here. Moxxie tried to compose himself to not make it known he just lost something.
"Where hast thou been Bard?" Stella asked him in a more noble tone
"..." Lord Derangi silently observed him
"I… I was lost. Through mere chance I found myself lost in the depths of the tower my Lady. I found my way back with the help of Angel Azazel." Moxxie spoke the truth, incomplete one, but it was the truth "I apologize for my carelessness and I promise to never make such mistake again Lady Stella."
Moxxie bowed his head seemingly out of respect, but he also did so to avoid the eyesight of Lord Derangi.
"Raise thy head Bard." Lady Stella commanded and Moxxie obliged her request "We shalt discuss this mistake at a later date."
"And now we shalt discuss our business." Lord Derangi spoke now to Lady Stella
"Yes my Lord." Stella bowed her headaches
"Then I shalt keep it simple." Lord Derangi raised his hand holding his hammer "Thou shalt bringeth me the Spear of Cassandra."
Cassandra?
"As you wish Lord Derangi." Lady Stella accepted without question
"A spear? What spear? Why a spear? I-"
"A spear of one of my previous commanders. One of the blood relatives of Lady Stella." Derangi pointed his hammer at her "Her name was Cassandra, one of the finest knights in the history of Hell. One who managed to fall from grace even in this realm."
Just hearing the name Cassandra stirred something in Moxxie's body. It felt wrong to hear him even utter that word. Why?
"We shall bring it to you my Lord as soon as we will end our visit at my parent's manor." Lady Stella's tone became more normal now that Lord Derangi dropped his noble tone "I will take it from there and bring it to you."
"That is expected of you Stella." Lord Derangi said as Stella walked towards Moxxie "Do not betray my trust in you."
"I would never dream of it Lord Derangi." Stella said respectfully as the paintings prepared themselves to raise the platform
"One more thing." Lord Derangi pointed his hammer at the wall which stopped their movement "I do hope my wife's request is known to you as well."
"It is. I shall honor our deal with both of you." Stella assured him and he nodded, but then Lord Derangi turned to Moxxie before the platform started to rise
"As for you Imp." Lord Derangi's voice was as cold as the gun in Moxxie's suit "Never walk in these halls again."
*tic**tic**tic**tic**tic**tic*
The platform itself started to rise again, but even as Lord Derangi ascended above them the way he looked at them did not change at all. From beginning to end it always felt like he looked down on them. Once his figure disappeared into the painting above Lady Stella's shoulders loosened and she let out barely eligible sigh of relief.
"My Lady I can-"
"Not here." Lady Stella stopped him and looked at the walls
Moxxie understood. This was no place to discuss such matters. They approached the doors from which they entered. As they opened the red skies of Pride were now darker, the night was slowly approaching. Moxxie never felt so happy to see the landscape of this place like he did now. He had enough of this tower for his entire life. Both of them stepped out of the tower and slowly the gates closed behind them. Before them were few vehicles, around few of them there were nobles speaking to one another. Some trying to get their attention, but Lady Stella did not humor them. Among those was Dragon noble Moxxie had not very good experience with, but now she paid him no heed. Thank all the rings.
They simply approached their carriage and with a heavy heart Moxxie expected berating after seeing the skull gone, but weirdly enough, both horses had their skulls in place while William, George and Sophie were sleeping. George was sleeping with the halters of the skeletal horses in his hands and William and Sophie slept on top of the carriage. Next to them was single crow. Of course.
*cra*
It quickly made a noise and flew away.
"WHA- I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT- Wha- oh." William quickly pulled himself together as he saw both Moxxie and Lady Stella
"*grumble*" George grumbled as he wiped his eye as he woke
"Sophie will clean in 5 sleeps." While Sophie was still sleeping
"What are you all doing?" Stella asked them
"Oh! We just- We are VERY sorry my Lady. You were gone so long and we just-"
"Stop it." lady Stella stopped his explanation "You will take us back to the palace and then you will clean the carriage, stables AND work at the gardens tomorrow."
"I… Understood." William did not even try to fight back, it was a lost cause from the start
He simply opened the doors and both Stella and Moxxie entered the carriage. They both sat down and the doors closed behind them. Soon enough the carriage started to move.
"What happened Bard?" Lady Stella was very angry
"I swear my Lady, I did not want to leave like this, it was just-"
"I mean the paintings!" Lady Stella screamed at him "You almost costed us EVERYTHING there."
"I just did what you asked me to!" Moxxie countered "I was to listen to the paintings and I-"
"NOT RELEASE THEM!" Lady Stella was clearly horribly frustrated "If it wasn't for me you would be dead right now! Next time learn some restraint in your recklessness Imp!"
"I-I know. And I'm sorry." Moxxie still had the face of that angel in front of him as he thought of what he did "It was irrational act and I regret it. Deeply."
"..." Stella did not speak at first "Good. Take it as a new lesson." Lady Stella said as she looked to the side and then looked back at him "But where were you after that?"
"I..." Moxxie hesitated to tell her about what happened
"Bard. Do not dare to leave something out or I swear-"
"I met someone dangerous. Very dangerous." Moxxie relented under pressure and finally let out all of his fears "I was scared. I was lost. I was dragged to the depths of the tower against my will." Moxxie wrapped his hands around his body as he remembered that experience "And I wish I never stepped into that tower in the first place!"
"I see." Lady Stella's voice was more calm now "May I ask who was it? Who dragged you there?"
"M-Mephistopheles my Lady." Moxxie was honest
"Meph- Of course." She did not even sound surprised "I hope you made no deals with him." Stella said, but Moxxie just looked away and Stella put a hand over her eyes "Bard. You- No. I can't say I blame you. Not when it involves that thing."
"Thank you my Lady." Moxxie was grateful for her sympathies
"Do not thank me." Lady Stella snapped back "Whatever deals you made with him, you will not be rid of him anytime soon. This can be a great problem for all of us."
"I know." Moxxie felt terrible to even think of that, now he had two horrid tricksters on his background
"Do I even want to ask what you did while you were in the depths of the tower?" Lady Stella asked
"No." Moxxie answered, he had no strength to recall anything from there "But we can discuss the next day if you wish. And… what happened at the Judgement."
"That could be our topic of the day yes?" Lady Stella guessed correctly "If you wish to hear of it I can speak, but today I prefer to have a clear mind after everything."
"I understand." Moxxie also felt like he could not handle anything else anymore "So maybe tomorrow we can take 2 topics."
"That would be satisfactory given the nature of the next day." Stella nodded
"What do you mean?" Moxxie felt anticipation build inside him as he heard that
"Tomorrow we shall spend the day at the Castle itself. I will be teaching my daughter proper ways of a noble again and you will accompany me." Lady Stella proclaimed "I can tell You and Octavia share some kind of bond already which may prove useful in tomorrow's training."
"I- That sounds perfect my Lady." Moxxie's humor immediately became better as he heard that news "I will be as early as I can be."
"I am glad to hear it Bard." Stella sounded genuinely grateful
This news lifted Moxxie's spirit high enough to match the Governor's tower. For a moment it made the mental anguish of this day all the more bearable. He felt more at ease and actually anticipated the next day. This could be a breakthrough he was looking for. He felt in his heart it would be a very important day for both him and Lady Stella. His heart was racing just at the thought and… he realized how much it beat. How much he wanted to spend time with them. Now he felt confused, but decided to put those thoughts away to not bring himself down again.
The rest of their journey was spend in silence as they watched the landscape of Hell shift behind the windows. It was a horror they both had to live in, but Moxxie felt they had a chance together. He felt stronger now. More ready for what was to come. Finally they arrived at the castle and Lady Stella got out of the Carriage. She simply looked back at Moxxie and Moxxie back at her who waved at her as farewell. She did not answer verbally, but offered him a nod before turning back and going into her palace.
"Okay shrimp. You gotta get out." William said to him "We will have lots of work so… you know."
"I get it." Moxxie did not even bother
"But I must say, getting that skull without us noticing. Very swift." William said as he bumped his shoulder "And the bitch actually stays on. You have to tell what you did one day. We may need it."
"I doubt I would be of much help." Moxxie quickly dismissed this idea and it only made him shiver as he thought of who put it in there
"Hmph, if you say so." William shrugged
"*grumble*" George grumbled and waved
"Hehe. Chicken." And Sophie mumbled in her sleeping
Moxxie waved back at them and turned towards the gate which slowly opened for him. He walked forward into the streets. He hoped dearly he wouldn't be mugged, but as he walked on it seemed to be mostly peaceful. This could at least be a pleasant walk ho-
"Hey there Mox." a familiar voice then spoke in front of him and ruined that pleasant prospect
Blitz was there leaning against his van with a cheeky smile on his face. Moxxie for once preferred if he had no transport.
"Need a ride?" Blitzo said and slapped the doors of his van a few times
In the next few moments Blitzo was driving and Moxxie was sitting next to him. Moxxie honestly could not tell what compelled him to do so.
"Sooo… How was your day Nobleman." Blitzo mocked him openly "Had any fun in the tower?"
"No. It was awful." Moxxie did not hide is contempt for that place
"Yup. Just what I thought." Blitzo said as if he knew the inside of the tower already "How about standing up for once against that harpy. I know you can do it. Or just refuse to follow her bitchiness like some puppy looking for a snack."
"I cannot do either of those." Moxxie did not find those suggestions helpful nor amusing
"Damn you must really want some of tha-"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH ALREADY!" Moxxie did not want to hear any other word of that sentence
"Wow. Okay. Who stepped on your tail?" Blitzo relented and for a moment was silent, it was probably the best experience Moxxie had with him "You know I can fire you right?"
"And the reason for that would be?" Of course it could not last forever
"Getting some creep on that phone!" Blitzo now suddenly became more serious as his words came through his closed teeth "Do that again and you are out! PERIOD!"
"I do not plan to." Moxxie still could not forget about Lucius though and could not tell what to do with what he knew now
"Good. Glad we understand one another." Blitzo said as he regained focus on the road ahead of him and then turned back to Moxxie "You made Loonie upset you know?"
"I did?" Moxxie at some point would feel good about it, but right now he did start to worry
"Yeah! She is VERY upset now. Your berserk wife stays with her at the office now." Blitzo said as he pointed in the general direction where I.M.P. would be "Don't tell her I called her that."
"Sure?" Moxxie wondered if she was the reason he was not fired already "Is everything okay at the office?"
"Oh just great! Clients are coming. Your wife does her job and there is no you to moralize us. It's great!" It was hard to tell if Blitzo intentionally wanted to insult him "But she can't shoot for shit so it would be nice if you helped out every once in a while you know?"
"I'll be back once my current job is done." If he got to live long enough to see it finished
"Would it really hurt if you skipped ONE day at least?" Blitzo asked him genuinely
"Yes." And Moxxie did not hesitate with his answer and looked out the window "And I think it is our stop."
"Wha- Ah shit you're right." Blitzo quickly stopped at the crossroad next to their block
"Eh. Thanks for the ride Boss." Moxxie said as he got out of the car "See you."
Moxxie closed the doors behind him and started walking towards the block until he realized he was followed. As he turned around Blitzo was right behind him.
"What are you doing?" Moxxie felt quite threatened now
"Oh come on! Your wife is out. Loonie has a nanny for today. We can have some proper party!" Blitzo proposed to him with a mischievous smile and started counting on his fingers "We can have some beers. Watch some movies. Invite some bitches and fuck buddies or-"
"No." Moxxie quickly put a stop to those ridiculous fantasies "Sir. With all due respect. I still deeply resent you for how you treat me and what you were saying to me." Moxxie had no more patience for this imp "In fact, I don't want you anywhere close to my home."
"Fuck man. You know what! That place is honestly screwing with your brain!" Blitzo pointed at him "You are being brainwashed by that place! Ever since you started that you were getting worse and worse! Whatever the fuck you are now is NOT you!" Blitzo poked him in the chest making Moxxie feel a little bit more angry "I want to do something for you now! I am your friend you-"
"SINCE WHEN!?" Moxxie screamed at him and smacked his hand away "Since when were you EVER treating me like a friend!? What asinine idea of friendship do you have in your head sir if you think what we have is any kind of friendship!?"
"Hmph. You wouldn't know what friendship is if it hit you in the face! I am your friend! Plain and simple!" Blitzo did not relent "Remember that Truth Gas!? I know many things about you! And I know you want-"
"I REGRET THOSE THINGS EVER BEING THE TRUTH!" Moxxie burst out at him and pushed him back again and this time it seemed to keep Blitzo back "I regret those thoughts ever being the truth! But if there is one thing I'm certain of now is that I do not feel that way anymore! You are not my friend! Never were!"
"Oh." Blitzo seemed to finally get it "Sheesh. What got into you?"
"The fact that you need to ask that is enough of a reason." Moxxie did not feel anything, but resentment for him now "Now leave."
"I- FINE! Wallow in that misery alone." Blitzo said as he turned away "And let me warn you. It is not fun."
Blitzo was walking away to the car and for a moment a shadow of regret came over Moxxie's heart. He tried to quell it, silence it, kill it, but despite his best efforts-
"Wait." it came right out "Fuh- Maybe one day. Another day. We can have a party. Something of the sort. I just-"
"What?" Blitzo asked as he put his hand on the doors of his van
"I need to be focused. Or I will fail. Or die." Moxxie looked Blitzo in the eye "Or both."
"Hey. We were through life or death scenarios quite a few times. Is this one really that bad?" Blitzo asked, ignorant to the truth
"Much worse." Moxxie was tired as he said it
"Huh." Blitzo said nothing and looked around "Care to share anything? Maybe I can-"
"You cannot." Moxxie already knew that well enough "I don't think anyone can help me now except for myself."
"I can cheer you know?" Blitzo proposed "Or shoot some bitch in the face."
"I honestly doubt it would work." It was beyond doubt really
"Fine. Okay. I wont bother you with that." Blitzo raised his hands "Just don't get yourself killed, if you are gone your wife will be too and I am NOT looking for new workers."
"Sure. But can you promise NOT to creep on me and Millie anymore?" Moxxie asked and Blitzo said and did nothing. Moxxie just sighed "Just… leave."
Blitzo did so, but not before making finger guns and winking at him. Moxxie waved him goodbye as he drove off. He was alone again. He wondered for how long.
*CRA*
Not. Long. Enough!
"F-f-!" Moxxie honestly had enough and picked up one rock from the ground and quickly turned around towards the crow sitting on a crossroad sign with street names on it "LEAVE ME ALO-"
But as he was about to throw a rock at the crow it was gone as soon as Moxxie was about to throw it.
"What are you looking at?" Familiar whirlwind of voices spoke from behind him
"Ghh!" Moxxie quickly turned around and threw the rock at the ever changing deity
*grab*
Mephistopheles simply caught it with his hand and looked over it.
"Resorting to stoning?" Mephisto asked as he threw the rock in the air and *boom* destroyed it with his finger "What have I done to deserve such old fashioned punishment?"
"Why are YOU here?" Moxxie could not be free "What can't you all just LEAVE ME ALONE!?"
"I am afraid I cannot do that." Mephisto said as he connected the tips of his fingers from both hands "You took my offer and used what I gave you. So now you are indebted to me."
"I agreed to NOTHING!" Moxxie tried to get away from this situation
"Oh no. Deep in your heart you know you did. When I pointed at the cell you knew in your heart what it truly was. Proposition. A Deal." Mephisto said as he raised his hands slightly "Your actions from this day will send waves of change across the entire world of Hell. That is the truth. Such gift demands a price."
"What kind of Change?" Moxxie was already afraid of what he meant
"Simply change. Change cannot be good or evil. It simply is. Bringing forth both forces wherever it goes." Mephisto explained to him as his entire body shifted in colors from red, to yellow and even pure white and black
"Grr… You know what? FINE!" Moxxie had enough and spread his hands out "Take what you want! My heart, soul, WHATEVER! Take your price and leave me already!"
"Hehehe As enticing as this proposition is I need to wait with taking my due." Mephisto's words made me Moxxie feel trapped "Ohh. Not to worry my dear Beauty Seeker. This price will not hinder the progress of your quest." Mephisto walked closer to him, towering over Moxxie with his gentle and threatening smile "It shall be a simple request. But not one for today. Feel free to enjoy the wonders of the New Day that awaits you."
"And will you leave me alone after that request?" Moxxie wished for nothing more
"Ahh. But our cooperation has worked so WELL thus far. It is not wise to just… stop." That was a definitive no and suddenly Mephisto started to walk around him
"But I cannot say I do not understand."
"So many thorns right now coil around your heart."
"So much pain. So many troubles and burdens."
"And you? Alone."
"Helpless."
Suffering. Moxxie still remembered. Suffering awaits him. But from whom? And in what way? Lady Stella, Prince Gaap, Stolas or Me-
"Oh nonononono." Moxxie almost forgot about the nasty habit of this being to read minds "The pain you will go through will be most excruciating. The kind of pain that can cause no one else..."
Suddenly in front of Moxxie was another him. In a blink of an eye another form of Moxxie was now in front of him, but with his eyes being of reverse color than his, yellow pupils in dark void. His horns were also reversed and black veins were visible all across the skin that was not covered by his suit. It smiled at him.
"But yourself."
*SLAM*
Moxxie took this opportunity to punch him in the stomach. He had enough of this thing's games and wanted to take his frustration out already. Surprisingly there seemed to be a reaction as this other him seemed to recoil from pain. But then he saw a maw open on it's stomach where his fist was now.
*BITE*
Moxxie just in nick of time took his hand away before it was bitten off.
"Ahhh… Hahahahahahahaha." Other him started to laugh as they petted the maw on their stomach and then spoke in his voice again "Did not think the like of you would resort to such petty act of vengeance." Then other Moxxie stood up straight up as if nothing happened "I begin to like you more and more."
*BLAGH*
Suddenly the stomach maw spit out something on the pavement. It was an eye. A golden eye. Just like… the angels. Moxxie was stunned as another him picked up the eye.
"Can't let it go to waste right?" The other him said and put it in his mouth and started to chew on it.
Every sound made by this thing made Moxxie's maw itch. He wanted to rip out his own tongue as he thought he tasted what it tasted.
*GULP*
The other him looked him in the eye with a proud smile.
"The worst suffering always comes from your own self" Other him pointed at real Moxxie who recoiled from him "Only you know your own deepest desires, your worst fears, most terrible secrets, most vulnerable parts of your being." Then Other Moxxie pulled out Purple Ice gun from his suit and pointed it at his head. "There is no more perfect torturer than your very being."
*BHRAAACK*
The sound this gun made was alien to him. Like a cannon made of glass shoot out a metal cannon ball without shattering. Like a mountain made of ice suddenly cracked itself in a single moment. The black blood of Other Him poured from the other side of his head. Slowly the veins of the Other Him lost their color and his eyes slowly regained their natural look as the blood came out entirely from the opening wound on his head and slowly it started to turn in the air into the body of Mephistopheles, now with another set of horns on his head, looking more similar to Moxxie's.
"Do you understand now?" Mephisto asked as he regained his body
Slowly he waled towards the still standing body of his Other Self and caught into his arms as it was about to fall on the ground. He raised it like a husband holding his wife. Like Moxxie when he held Millie at their wedding day. The Other's skin slowly melted away leaving only the skeleton that also crumbled to dust. All of it except for the skull that was now held in Mephisto's right palm. He looked at it with satisfaction.
"I look forward to it." Mephisto said as he looked at Moxxie
*CRUSH*
And crushed the Other's skull. The cloud of dust came out of it's remains surrounding the body of the Trickster.
"To our next meeting… Beauty Seeker."
As the smoke cleared Mephistopheles was no longer there. Moxxie was now truly alone. He looked towards his block and wished for nothing more than to be safe in it's embrace. He wanted this day to be over.
Moxxie did not even know when he arrived at his house again. The next thing he remembers is opening the door and seeing pure darkness. No one there to welcome him. No one to speak to him. He was alone. But maybe that is what he needed. He found his way into his bedroom. He wondered when Millie would come back. He thought of sleeping, but as tired as he was, he was hesitant to lay himself on the bed. He looked over at the desk where he was writing his song, his mind twisted by the events of today was of no good for this task.
He looked forward again to see a figure in a white dress. He looked up and his eyes met with a single eyed angel Aliana from the depths of the tower. Looking at him with a smile and dried tears on her face. On his left was the mangled body of a swan he failed. On the right the skin of a noble he wore today. In silence all of them looked at him. Said nothing, did nothing. Simply looked.
He wished for no more. He wished to be alone.
It was not to be.
Few hours earlier at the I.M.P. emotions were high. Moxxie just called and Millie wanted to be with him on the phone, but it was not to her he called. It was to Loona. Something was wrong. Surely. If it was for Loona then something important and specific to her must have happened for Moxxie to call to her like this.
"Have you found him!?" Loona was excited to answer the call "Put him on the phone RIGHT NOW or I tear your face next time I see y- HEY!"
But suddenly Blitz took away her phone
"Umm, Blitz." Millie tried to say something
"Give me that! MOXXIE IF IT IS HIM YOU ARE FIRED!" Blitz threatened Moxxie and Millie immediately was about get up to him, but Loona beat her to it and punched him in the jaw "*punch* OW. Loonie I'm sorry I-"
"Shove it! Just give him to me!" She stopped his apology by holding her hand up to him.
She must have REALLY wanted to hear what was on the other side. Millie can't remember the last time she hit Blitz. If ever.
"Okay?" Loona seemed confused "He better be handsome shortie."
"Ar' ya okay Blitz?" Millie asked Blitz who swatted her away and listened to what was said on the phone "Ya could be a lil more polite."
"H-hey. If you are handsome then I am Loona and I can be a girlfriend of your dreams." Shiet. She really needs to teach Loona how to talk to guys
A few minutes have passed and Loona seemed to get more annoyed by the minute. Millie can't blame the guy on the other side. That opening line was quite-
"Hello?" Loona said to the phone "This better not be a prank shortie!"
Millie honestly felt bad for her. She should spend more time with her. Maybe today they could hang out.
"Heh. Good on you Mox!" Blitz seemed to like where this was going
"Okay! You are dead fatty!" Millie though did not like that line "I am definitely-"
But then her voice cut off and it looked like she was listening to something now. Something was off as she was standing there for a good minute with no movement. At least at first sight because Millie noticed something. A small twitch across her body. Some of her fur for a split second rustling. What was-
"Who is it?!" Loona's tone became more frantic for some reason, she was angry, but something was strange
"Okay I am DONE with this." Blitzo said and approached Loona
"Fatty who the fu- HEY!" And quickly took her phone away and screamed to it
"Whoever you are LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE OR I WILL BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT!" Blitzo threatened the person on the phone "I can already tell from other side you are some weirdo full of fleas and your mother is some low grade whore you stupid- he hand up." Blitzo said as he watched the phone for a moment before giving it back to Loona "Showed him!"
"Ye, ya did boss." Millie was not sure if this was his doing though
"Alright! So that's that. Your shit for brains husband is fired!" Wait what? "Send him my congratulations and tell him to never-"
*SHEATH*
Millie pointed the Skulltaker at Blitz's neck. Loona next to him was more focused on the phone.
"Tell him wha?" Millie's tone was threatening and she meant for it to be
"Teeeelll him thaaat I am HAPPY that he did the RIGHT thing and is SURELY not fired!" Blitzo said carefully as he gently pushed the axe away from his neck with his finger "Yes."
"Alright." Millie's tone became more calm and took the axe away from Blitz "So how about ya tell 'im yourself? By givin 'im a ride? Can ya do that?"
"Oh OF COURSE! I will do it RIGHT AWAY!" Blitzo said as he nervously went to the exit "Can you please take care of Loonie while I'm gone because-"
"GO!" Millie hurried him up
"Yes! Of course. Stupid question." Blitzo put his hand on his forehead and went out the door "Thank you in advance Mills!"
She could hear Blitz go down the stairs and in a few moments his car being started way below their office. He went away. Now her focus went onto Loona who was still looking at her phone.
"Ey Loon." Millie approached her and waved at her to grab her attention "Are ya good?"
"No!" Loona's expression from confused became very angry "NOT when your Dumbass husband CAN'T DO ONE THING RIGHT!"
Loona stormed off away from her to her desk where she started to mess things up. Usually Millie would not like her insulting Moxxie, but something was different now.
"Loon. What's goin' on?" Millie walked to Loona who was scratching the surface of her desk
"What is SUPPOSED to be going?!" Loona barked at her "Your husband WASTED MY CHANCE!" *SLAM* Loona suddenly punched the wall as well "HE FUCKED ME OVER! HE- HE-..."
She was trembling. Shaking. Her hands lost tension. Her fists loosened and quiet whimpers could be heard from her as she was looking away from Millie.
"Loona?" Millie got closer, carefully and put her axe on the ground away from her "What is-"
Then she turned around. She was crying. Streaks of water ran across her fur as her mouth was trembling as if she tried to let out a howl, but there was only silence that came out of her snout. In the next moment Loona with incredible speed lunged at Millie and embraced her. She was still trembling. Weeping in her arms. Millie unsure of what was going on caressed her gray hair.
"Shh. It's okay." She comforted her as she usually does when Moxxie has his episodes "Why ar ya cryin."
"I- I don't… GHKH!" Loona could barely speak a word "I don't know! I really don't… Ghhh…. Ahhh!"
They stayed like this for a few minutes. Loona weeping like a child in her arms and with Millie wondering who was it that spoke through that phone. She had to know. She had to. For Loona's sake.
To be continued
Thank lord this one was earlier than other one. And yes, next day will be more centered around our main cast after this tour de force through the world of Hell in this version of HB. And what a day it was. it was definitely hard for me to write certain parts on it, but overall I feel pretty happy with the result. Hope you all enjoyed venturing into the tower's depths and I welcome you to a exploration of the Palace of Sun and Moon and beings inhabiting it starting next chapter. Thank you all for reading. Hope to hear your thoughts and I hope you all enjoy this strange journey thus far. And yes, Loona, Blitzo and others are not forgotten. Don't you all worry, I have some plans. See ya.