Chapter 34: An Overlordy Rivalry

We escaped The Cognitive World Of Hell after leaving Vox's Palace and returned back to the original world. Selene felt a little dizzy.

"My… I haven't felt this way in a long time…" She said, "Still can't believe I was blinded by that blockhead to believe that he's a good person…"

"Can't trust Overlords like Vox nowadays." Lars said,

"Hey, speaking of Vox, maybe he didn't see us this time." Boris said,

The TVs in the electronic store then started to static.

"Ok, he did." Boris said as he sighed,

The TVs then showed Vox again.

"More quickie news for you all!" He said, "These young demons were near Vox Videos and disappeared again! Only this time, there's 6 of them! How did that happen?! July 9th! Save the date!"

The TVs then stopped airing Vox. Lars shook his head.

"Yup… He's onto us." He said, "Literally."

"He sure as hell knows that we're the Phantom Thieves." Willow said,

Selene sighed.

"Can someone take me home?" She said, "I'm gonna faint if I see that asshat Vox again…"

"Here, I gotcha." Cattleya said as she got Selene up, "You guys go ahead and leave. When we come back, we gotta think of something to steal Vox's heart."

"Alright." Lars said, "You heard Cattleya, let's get out of here."

Fast forwarding to many months later. Bernie was still interrogating me.

"Now this artist from Sloth has joined your team?" He said, shocked, "I'm surprised that a demon from Sloth is able to have the willpower to join a team of skilled Phantom Thieves. And that demon is also an artist, again."

I was silent.

"In what way, would someone like that bat demon be able to join a team of athletic and active Phantom Thieves?!" Bernie said as he slammed his hands on the table, "And how in Lucifer can she be able to use a spear?!"

Lucifer…

Bernie took a deep breath.

"Apologies…" He said, "I really need to control myself. It's a good thing I'm not from Wrath."

I was still silent.

"Continue with the story." Bernie said to me, "If you must."

June 25th. I was having a chat with Alastor.

"So, kid, you wanna know my history with Vox huh?" He asked me with a grin,

"I do." I replied, "How did you two ever become enemies?"

"It all started when I was Overlord after his arrival down here. I died in 1933 while he died in the 1950s."

"Huh, so you're older than him?"

"I wouldn't say that… Maybe somewhere in the same age group as him, but in different timelines."

"That's a little confusing, but continue."

"When I became an Overlord, he was jealous of my style, so he decided to become CEO of a tech giant."

"Vox Videos."

"Correct, young one! I'm not into that sorta technology since I broadcast on the radio while he does his broadcasts through screens!"

Charlie meanwhile entered as she was a little furious.

"That Vox guy is still poking fun at me over my hotel!" She shouted, "Al, can you do something?"

"Oh, Charlotte, I wish I could, but that would count as manslaughter." Alastor replied, "You wouldn't want little old me to go to jail now, do you?"

"...No…"

"Just take a breather and chat with Vagatha."

"Yeah… Vaggie…"

Charlie walked away as if she was calmed.

"Huh… You calmed her down when you mentioned Vaggie." I said,

"Those two probably like each other." Alastor said,

"Maybe…"

"Now, back to my story! Vox was rather… Sinister. Not as sinister as Valentino who's now in jail, but on Velvette's level. …who's also in jail."

"And how did you two have a hating for one another?"

"Oh, it's more of a rivalry between overlords. He just didn't like my guts. I really don't have a problem with his guts. I just don't like what he does when it comes to technology."

"That must have ticked him off."

"Precisely."

June 26th. I left the Hazbin Hotel after a shift and saw Selene outside.

"My, what an abstract hotel…" She said as she got a better picture of it with her hands, "So much is happening, from a ship to a radio station, oh this is amazing!"

Selene then looked at me.

"Oh! Didn't see you there!" They said, "Tell me, how's it going with Vox?"

"Alastor told me about his rivalry with him." I replied,

"What?! An Overlord is in the hotel right now?!"

"He's helping out."

"Huh… I don't trust that Overlord… His smile is so scary… But, it's giving me ideas on what to draw next."

"Like a smile?"

"No, a radio with a smile, in an abstract-like background! Yes! I found the perfect next painting! I just need to not be lazy!"

I chuckled a bit.

"Anyways, we got work to do." Selene said, "Would you mind helping me out before we take on Vox?"

"Sure." I replied,

"Fantastic! Let's get started!"

I have volunteered with Selene.

Fast forwarding to many months later. Bernie was still interrogating me.

"Multiple calling cards have been sent out in the exact same design, front and back." He said to me, "I don't know how these cards were used, but someone close to you has to have an experience in an art or two."

I was silent.

"Well? Give me a name." Bernie continued,

Back to the present moment. A voice spoke to me.

"I am thou... Thou art I…

Thou hast acquired a new vow…

It shall become the wings of rebellion

That breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Star Persona

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

shall lead to freedom and new power…"

I have formed a bond with Selene. She's got a future ahead of her as long as I'm there for her.