Chapter 03

Parting Words

Alastor stood before the hanging painting of Sir Pentious. For the first time in many a year he was feeling remorseful for what had happened, for failing to do what he should have done. Alastor's job had been to take on and deal with Adam once and for all, as without Lucifer getting involved he was really the only one who could do it. At least till Charlie had gotten angry enough to forgo her moral code and attack the The First Man.

Alastor knew where his own faults lay. While he might have acted a little cocky about it, that was more to put Adam off his game. Unfortunately, Alastor had pushed the man to far, and not taken the openings there had been for more than cheap shots. He might not have been sloppy by neither had he been decisive as he had once been. A downside of his time in hell, where death did not always mean the end of ones life.

To be fair to Alastor, he had not really known just how powerful Adam was. As most of the time, he had commanded his army rather than fought alongside them. Yet now Alastor had faced the man, he realized Adam likely could have taken on some of the weaker angels and won. A scary thought. Yet, Alastor's plan had been a sound one, anger Adam into making brash and wild attacks. Then once he had gotten a good feel, kill him in one quick shot.

Which of course failed when Alastor's taunting had brought out Adam's angelic blasts. The first of which had causes Alastor's cane to be damaged when he had blocked Adam's attack. Even if he did not need the cane to cast spells or use his powers. He still often used it as his primary focus for them, and its destruction had distracted him long enough for Adam to get that sweeping cut in. It was only a lucky reflect that saved Alastor from being split in two by the next blow. Handicapped, and his body damaged. Alastor knew he had to retreat; he could not win the fight. And further fighting on his part, would end up with him dying because Adam would no doubt go after Alastor out of sheer annoyance.

As such Sir Pentious, and Charlie had been forced to take up the slack. It both did and did not surprise him that Pentious had died. Sir Pentious for all his faults, was a soldier that would happily give his life for his friends and love. Yet to be blown out of the sky with barely a second thought by Adam was really not a way Alastor had pictured him going. To be fair, to the Snake demon, that ship was one of the few weapons they had that could truly counter Adam's power.

"You, okay?" Charlie asked, coming up behind Alastor drawing him out of his thoughts.

"Yes my dear," Alastor said, giving her a small smile which she returned.

"Feels odd. Getting this great hotel, hoping to redeem people. Yet the first person who came here, is killed fighting to see that dream remain a reality," Charlie said as she gazed at the painting.

"Yes, yet I don't think we have seen the last of him," Alastor said his grin growing, "Adam's attacks might be powerful, but they did not hold touch power that his Angelic Weapons did. We might see Sir Pentious reform himself before too long. Or maybe he even made it to the pearly gates of Heaven."

Charlie glanced at Alastor who gave her a small wink, getting a grin for Charlie. True, Alastor was not fully convinced by his own statement. Yet he knew what he had felt from Adam's attacks. The man had not used an Angelic weapon. Nor were Adam's powers really any different from Alastor's own. Alastor had made sure the Overlords he killed stayed gone because of the Angelic Metal in the tip of his cane. But Adam did not seem to keep such a weapon on him.

"I can hope," Charlie said turning to look at the painting once more.

"That is all we can do," Alastor said, before turning away.

"Alastor… can I ask you something?" Charlie said catching Alastor.

"Sure thing," Alastor said, and turned to face her.

"Why did you ask for a favor, not just the control over my soul," Charlie asked.

Alastor chuckled, a little bit, his laugh clearly unnerving Charlie, "Because I am not stupid enough to ask for that. Even if did not care for you and the others."

"Huh?"

"I don't claim to be all powerful. Just that I will do almost anything to get what I want. A safe place for my family, should they end up here. If I must fight your father and Angels to do that, then I will. However, where as that is a maybe. Claiming your soul would assure a fight would one day happen between your father and myself. And I doubt I have the power needed to subjugate him, even with your soul's strength backing me up. The demon cares about you, even if he is not always the best about showing it. And I am not crazy enough to pick a fight with him unless I must," Alastor explained with an amused grin.

"So, you decided a favor," Charlie said slowly.

"My dear, you had just picked a fight with heaven. If I was going to fight and risk my life, I wanted to know that I could count on you later. Do not get me wrong, I am sure you would have done anything I asked. But I have lived down here too long to just trust someone, even as good natured as yourself," Alastor said, his grin fading a little bit, "After being tossed out of heaven. I trust very few things anymore, even myself."

Charlie gave him a small nod of understand, nor could she blame him. It still hurt to a degree his lack of trust in her, but not quite like Vaggie's own lack of trust had hurt.

"At least we are safe now. After that battle, I don't think the exorcist with be trying to attack Hell for a while," Charlie said, looking hopeful.

"Maybe," Alastor answered with a bit of a shrug, "How is your girlfriend?"

"Decent. Still does not trust you, but at least she seems willing to give you a chance. Once she found out you nearly died," Charlie answered.

"She should have seen Nifty. When my little darling first saw me, she had a near panic attack," Alastor said shaking his head remembering the scene, "She was the demon I saved with I killed my first exorcist. And well, she had clung to me since then."

Charlie nodded, "I understand. Thanks for the help."

Alastor nodded, "You are most welcome."

Charlie slowly walked away and Alastor once more gazed at the painting. Hell had not really changed much yet since Adam's defeat. Yet Alastor knew change was coming. Lilith would return, Alastor could feel it. Whether she helped Charlie, or something else he was not sure. That was the thing about why he had asked for a favor. Alastor had not realized the dangers of bonds early on, and made a deal with the wrong Demon. Lilith, Charlie's mother.

The favor he had gained from Charlie, was his ace up his own sleeve. He could use it to break his own contract with Lilith, or he could use it to have Charlie help free himself. Or if worse came to worse, he could have her kill him, to stop what Lilith might use him for. Hopefully he never needed to cash it in, but Alastor knew better than most what beings in Hell were like. It was why he did not even trust himself. Bravery, and Strength. As Harry, Alastor had always claimed and used them as badges of honor. Now, he hoped he had enough to stand in the coming storm.

Alastor sighed, his smile fading slightly, as he turned to go. Only for it to return when he spotted Nifty walking towards him. He picked her up, and held the sweet girl close for a few moments. She buried herself into his chest acting more like a cat than what she was. He knew he had scared her, and the battle had left her a little more unhinged than normal. But she would soon recover.

"Nifty, why don't we go for a walk in the town," Alastor said, "A day off would suit us both. Say a visit to Rosie?"

Nifty smiled and nodded. Alastor's smile turned and the pair vanished in his own shadow, out into the city below.

(Hi Espo here.

Well that is the official end to this story for now. Whether i pick this back up again for season 2 or not, no clue. But for what it is, i had fun. And i hope you did as well. As always putting a fun spin on things.

Anyway, leave a review below and see you next week, possibly. Bye )