Pentagram City Outskirts: Forgotten Manor
"Boss…. are you sure….?" The two of them were standing on the outside of a rusted gate, grown over with thorny vines and other signs of age and growth. On either side, stone pillars rose above, the top of each adorned with a stone raven. Alastor was just looking up at the manor in the distance. The place was dark, no light coming from anywhere. In his hand was a pocket watch and the seconds were ticking by, the minute hand moving from one number to the next. "Whether I am or not is irrelevant. We have an appointment to keep, unless we want to end up just like these poor souls" he gestured to the two cages hanging outside the gate. Ravens were landing on them and flying away, picking at the masses of flesh and bones inside that had once been sinners. They were dead for a few days by the look of the corpses. They would regenerate soon and have to endure the torture all over again. Clearly, they'd committed some offense against their overlord. Caine wasn't one to suffer fools and even the most miniscule of offenses was met with swift vengeance. "This guy would kill us for being late?" Husker knew the answer but asked all the same. Alastor's smile strained "He'd kill us for less, this is torture. Torture of the most heinous sort. They must have offended him grievously."
Whatever more Husker wanted to say died in his throat as the two stone ravens moved their heads, gazes directed straight at them. "He knows we're here." He watched with a glance at his watch as the seconds ticked down until finally the minute hand reached 12, the hour hand on 1. Like clockwork the vines on the gate began to disperse and the gates swung open. "And now, he's ready for us" The path was straightforward, leading to the front steps. Everywhere else was overgrown with more thorns and bramble, the only other signs of life being dark tree trunks rising out of the brush, almost skeletal in appearance. At first glance the leaves appeared to be rustling in the breeze. Husker's eyes dilated when he noticed there were no leaves at all, but hundreds more ravens all watching and following his every move "I don't like this…" He was shaking with every step, Alastor his usual self "Calm yourself dear Husker, there will be no leaving till our business is concluded." Almost to emphasize this point the gates slammed shut and the vines grew back over them, a barricade against the outside world.
"Whatever you got out of this deal…. I hope it was worth it" Alastor said nothing, raising his cane and rapping on the door to announce their arrival. The door immediately opened with a loud creak and standing in the doorway was what one could only describe as a shadow. He had the appearance of a sinner, a butler based on some of the features able to be seen in the darkness that was its body. It almost looked like a butler. It didn't speak, only moved away from the door to go stand further in the room, turning to look at them, waiting for them to follow which they did "What is it?" Husker finally spoke as they came to stand near the thing and it left them, again, opening a set of drawing room doors and stepped into the room beyond. "That Husker is what's left of a soul after thousands of years of service. A shadow of its former self, nothing left but a husk" a slight giggle accompanied by static could be heard, only making Husker scowl deeper.
Entering the drawing room, they could hardly see a thing. Even with Husker's feline eyes. When the shadow snapped its fingers, a fire roared to life in the hearth and illuminated the room to such an extent that Husker could see the table set out with tea and different finger sandwiches, as well as a bottle of wine that looked quite expensive and old. The light illuminated almost every corner of the room save for anything immediately to the left of the fireplace, seemingly hitting some kind of invisible wall. Among the tea things and refreshments was a very old and expensive looking bottle of wine. Husker saw this and immediately went for it "Well now we're talking. This guy knows how to put on the spread." He read the bottle and vintage, letting out a whistle "Very nice, don't mind if I do" Alastor rolled his eyes as he stood still, waiting for their host to appear before pouring a cup. He wouldn't have to wait long as the silence was shredded by a deep and monstrous voice "Please, help yourselves by all means"
Alastor was unaffected by such sounds, but Husker grasped at his ears, dropping to his knees. All he could hear was the rush of sound, the echoing of that dark and sinister voice. The reverberation and rumbling almost split his head open. While he was rocking back and forth, Alastor merely turned to face the source of such a commotion. The part of the room that refused any light was where it came from and upon greater inspection, Alastor could now make out the details of a man sitting in a chair by the fireplace. The tips of his boots were slightly visible as well as the wide brim of a hat, but the rest of him was shrouded, not even the light of the fire could reach. "Alastor, you're looking well" when the figure spoke again, his voice was down to a normal speaking volume." What…the ... F…" Husker almost cursed, but was cut off.
"You'll have to excuse me; I don't speak often. I forget what my voice may sound like to outsiders." While all this was going on, now that their host was present, Alastor merely snapped his fingers and a teacup and saucer did all the work for him while he looked to the approximate location where a pair of eyes should be "Caine, once again you invite me to your home. I thank you for the gracious invitation" The brim of the hat dipped as if in acknowledgment "Alastor, you're looking well. It's been too long has it not?" Now that the conversation was flowing, Alastor felt much more in his element "Mmm, 70 years give or take. But what's a few decades to us immortals hmm?" he walked over and took up a chair directly opposite, an ottoman between them clearly meant for Husker to sit on. He took the whole bottle of wine and lowered onto the stool, grumbling while he did so.
For a long while all that could be heard was the sipping of tea, or the shift of wine as Husker tipped back the bottle. "Well that's the pleasantries out of the way, I know you were never one for small talk old friend" Alastor let his cup and saucer float in the air beside him as he rested his hands on his cane "Seems like only yesterday I was in this very room, enjoying a refreshing cup of tea….and idle threats if memory serves" That ever present smile only widened, Husker watching him as if he'd just lobbed a shot across the bow. He could not see Caine and therefore could not see how he was responding to Alastor's taunts.
"Threats are idle Alastor ... promises are not. As my memory serves me, and it always does, it was an afternoon of tea, followed by a long conversation about the value of your life and how to keep it intact" Husker had never met anyone that could verbally spar with Alastor, as quick witted as he was. Things just got really interesting. "And trust me radio demon, those promises are still very much in play." Husker could hear those sounds when Alastor smiled. He was getting riled up and straining to keep himself in his usual check. "Down to the nitty gritty then, are we? Then I'm correct in assuming we're here to discuss the deal we made 70 years ago?" What passed for some kind of dark chuckle reverberated throughout the room "Very good. Yes, the deal in which you owed me a favor and I let you leave this place with your life. A good trade all around wouldn't you say? Your end of the bargain has been playing out rather nicely these last seven decades, for better or ill considering how much you love getting yourself into scrapes." Husker could swear in the darkness he saw a smile as wide as Alastor's with teeth just as sharp. The blow had been dealt and landed successfully. Were it anyone else, Husker had no doubt Alastor would be in his full demon form by now. The restraint he was showing was nothing short of herculean.
"Yes, the time has come. I wish to ask a favor of you Alastor. Then your slate will be clear, and you can get on with your life" The crackle of the fire filled the silence as he let Alastor mull it over before continuing "I understand you work for Lucifer's daughter" Husker's fur bristled at the mention of Charlie. It never failed, she was always involved somehow, and it constantly made things worse for them. "Forgive me ancient one but I must correct you." The affectation had only a hint of snark to it "The princess and I have entered into a business arrangement together. I partner with her, and her little passion project receives my financial backing as well as protection from other overlords. It has been a source of endless entertainment for myself. Watching sinners fail as they try to better themselves. What a ridiculous notion" his laugh track played as he laughed along with it.
"The success of the princess' pipe dream is exactly why you're here Alastor" in the dark, fingers tented and Caine's one good eye narrowed at the overlord "Your word carries weight with that misguided youth, her fallen angel and her empty headed, pathetic father" As he spoke the room began to creak and moan as if it had come to life, his voice beginning to take on an edge and rise to the level it was before. He caught himself and took a steadying breath "I am Lucifer's equal in many ways except the one that matters most. He is the king of Hell, and I am not. His word is law and he'd hardly allow me within a mile of that hovel without some kind of endorsement. Which is where you come in…"
Husker spit out his mouthful of wine, Alastor's eyes somewhat shocked even if the rest of his face didn't show it "You want to enter the hotel ... .as a guest?" He was sure he'd heard correctly, even if the words didn't quite make sense to him "Do not play coy with me Alastor, it doesn't suit you. Even my eyes as far stretched as they are, can see how close you and Lucifer have become. You think the king of hell and hell's most infamous cannibal can just occupy the same residence without anyone noticing. I've had eyes on you from day one. He'd bend over backwards for you and that brat of his."
Husker choked on his next mouthful of wine and Alastor's composure slipped enough that his eyes turned to dials for a moment, his horns only slightly growing before he gathered himself. "Let me put this into terms you can understand. One overlord to another" Again the room began to creak and moan as his temper increased "You will allow me entry to your establishment or so help me I will raise that gaudy eye sore to the ground brick by brick until all that's left of it are piles of corpses for my ravens to feed on!"
At his full rage, the fireplace blasted flame and illuminated the entire room. Only then was Caine visible to his two guests. He was every bit the fearsome visage that the legends spoke of. Half of him was a man, fair, olive skinned, shoulder length hair, face kept neat and clean. But his other half was marred by scarring that stretched out from his eye and spread across his face and jaw, dipping down his neck and beneath his clothing. The eye itself was completely white, long gone blind. As he calmed so too did the fire and once again, he was no longer visible. All that could be heard was the sound of him tantrically breathing to calm himself "As you can see Alastor, it's something I'm rather passionate about"
Silence ensued once more. Alastor had no course of action but to put on his best showman performance to get them out of there alive. "Well of course! Our hotel is a place for any and all sinners to come seeking their chance at a halo and a set of wings! Consider it a deal my friend, I'll have Lucifer welcoming you with open arms in no time!" Seeing Alastor stand, Husker was quick to follow and move behind him. Hopefully they would be leaving very soon. "See that you do, Alastor. Lest you find your own screams being broadcast throughout hell as you're torn apart by my pets."
Before he could speak again, Alastor found himself and husk being surrounded by a gale that came out of nowhere. The darkness of the room began to move around them like wisps of cloud, surrounding where they stood, Caine unphased and unmoving "You have three days Alastor….if you do not convince your little king to allow me entry, I will be at your doorstep with an army and I won't stop till there's nothing left" As he spoke his voice raised in volume to be heard above the roar of the winds, Alastor and Husker being swallowed by darkness "Three days" was the last thing they heard as everything turned black. When Husker opened his eyes again, he was staring at the front gate, standing on the sidewalk.
"Boss…. what the actual fuck!?" Alastor said nothing, merely turning on his heel and beginning to walk down the street "Come along Husker. It appears that the most dangerous overlord in all of hell wants to come to our hotel. We're going to make it happen" Husker was frozen in place until the caw of a raven had him rushing after Alastor, clutching his hat. "You can't be fucking serious. Lucifer will tear you to shreds over this! Not to mention Vaggie when she gets a hold of what's left of you" This just caused Alastor to laugh as he twirled his cane "The angel is of no concern. Leave his royal highness to me. I can be rather persuasive with him"