"What are you doing?" Vaggie said, glowering at the others who were standing next to the closed doors of Edwin's room. They were all clumped together, pressed so tightly against one another it was hard to tell whose limbs were whose.

"Snoopin'," Angel Dust stated. When Vaggie just stared at him he shrugged. "What? Were we supposed to lie? That's a sin. I thought this entire hotel was about redeeming ourselves. Seems like lying would be a bad thing to do."

"So is trying to listen in on Edwin's conversation," Vaggie said firmly.

Husk shrugged. "Ain't like there is anything good on TV right now and you told me I had to stop drinking when we had guests."

"Really?" Vaggie said, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to believe you are listening to me. I can see you drinking right now!" She gestured at Husk who had, in fact, begun to guzzle from a flask.

"I saw everyone gathered and decided to join in," Niffty said.

"I don't even know what is going on," Sir Pentinous complained. "I was trying to go down to get some supper when I got swept up in this."

"We just like being part of crowds!" one of the Egg Bois said.

"I'm worried about him!"

THAT made Vaggie lean back in shock before exclaiming, "CHARLIE?!" The crowd parted to reveal the blushing demon princess. "You are spying on him!?"

"Spying is such an… ugly word."

"But accurate," Husk commented.

"Well… yes," Charlie admitted. "But you have to admit it is weird that someone showed up looking for Edwin. He's been in the hotel since he appeared in hell… where did he meet that woman? Why does she look like a human?"

"Think she's holdin'?" Angel asked.

"I would also like to know that," one of the Egg Bois said.

Vaggie rolled her eye. "Okay, come on, all of you back up. Let's give them some privacy."

"But Vaggie," Charlie whined.

"Don't make me get the spray bottle," she warned her girlfriend. "Edwin will explain what is going on when he wants too… and only then."

"I quite agree," Alastor said, suddenly appearing behind Vaggie, making her jump a foot in the air before she twisted around and glared at him. "None of us would like it if Edwin spied on us in our rooms."

"I wouldn't mind!" an Egg Boi said.

"It actually helps me finish," a second one added.

Alastor was silent for a moment, still smiling but pupils reduced to pinpricks before he came out of his… shock? "Hahaha… never talk about that again." He placed a hand on Husk's shoulder. "Come along, Husker, we still have some tasks to complete."

"Meh, guess the strawberry shake there is right… can't hear shit anyway." Angel Dust shrugged and moved towards the elevator, the others slowly moving away from the door, leaving only Charlie and Vaggie.

"He'll be fine," Vaggie assured her girlfriend.

"He'd be more fine if I made sure he was okay-" Vaggie, with a sigh, just picked Charlie up and began to carry her away bridal style. "We'll talk at breakfast, Edwin! Or maybe during a midnight snack? In fact we never did have supper, maybe your friend…"

Vaggie just continued to the stairs as Charlie rambled on.

~MC~MC~MC~

"So, I guess that means things got easier for you," Husk said, glancing at Alastor.

"Oh?" the Radio Demon said. "What do you mean by that?"

"Just… you have a way to find out all about Edwin," Husk said. "Ain't no way you don't try and get your claws into that girl."

But Alastor laughed at that. "Oh come now Husker… that would be far too easy." He tilted his head and Husk swore the world begin to fill with static… right before everything snapped back to normal. "Besides, the mystery of Edwin Cerberus… or Edwin Chaos, whatever he wishes to be called… can wait for another day. We have a far more interesting case on our hands."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come now, there is no way you have grown that senile in your odd age!" Alastor laughed as he tapped Husk on top of his head (squishing down his hat, much to his annoyance) with his cane. "The death of those Rare Hunter figures in The Burrows."

"What does it matter?" Husk said. "Edwin probably killed them because he didn't want them to say a word about him."

"Except Edwin's whereabouts since he has arrived here have been well tracked by me." And Husk would swear if anyone asked him that he saw Alastor's shadow rise up behind him, smiling sharply. "He has never come close to The Burrows and he has not unleashed anyone to deal with them for him. The only person he appears to know, outside of the hotel, is this Aria girl and she has been on Earth… I can smell it on her."

"Maybe one of his clients. Make a deal with him to kill and they get the Millennium Eye?"

"That many murders? Oh, they would have needed to be terribly desperate to cut such a deal. And then there is the fact that the killings were done so quickly and without little fanfare. We only learned of them because we were searching for answers. Also… there is the matter of HOW they died."

Husk knew he shouldn't ask. That trying to play this game with Alastor would only lead to pain. That it would be better for him to keep his mouth shut. But Alastor merely grinned at him, already sensing that Husk was finding himself just as ensnared by the mystery.

"They didn't come back. That's death by an Angelic Weapon."

"So either Edwin is so good at killing that he was able to do so without alerting me…" And Husk could tell that Alastor did NOT want Husk to go with that choice, "…or he is so convincing that he got a trained assassin to do his murders for him and for a pittance…"

"Or the murders have nothing to do with him."

"Pure dumb luck!" Alastor proclaimed cheerfully. "Some say it's the worst kind of luck! Others the best! But me personally?" He threw his arms out wide. "The most entertaining! There is a violent killer out there, one that has the ability to kill and ensure that those they slay never come back! Who knows what sort of twists and turns this mystery will bring! Certainly not I… which is a rarity for me." He began to walk away. "Come Husker… the game is afoot!"

Husk, despite his better judgment… moved to follow.

~MC~MC~MC~

"…it blew up?" Edwin said softly, sitting down on his bed, eyes wide in shock.

"Yeah," Aria admitted. "I'm… not sure what happened. It just went boom. Maybe I should have stuck around but when I saw it collapsing all I could think was that now the only thing I cared about was down in Hell and… well… tada." She smiled and threw her arms out wide.

"You are acting far too casual about us being in Hell," Edwin pointed out.

Aria's eyes went wide. "Oh… oh! I am so sorry!" She hurried over and grabbed Edwin's hands, squeezing them in her own. "I haven't asked you how you are. This must have been so traumatizing for you! Suddenly finding yourself in here-"

"Like you."

"Dealing with the fact that you aren't in Heaven, which you totally deserve-"

"Like you."

"Twisted into a new form."

"Like… not you." That made Edwin's brow furrow. "Okay, seriously, what the Hell in Hell, Aria? Why are you not freaking out?"

"I am. This is horrible for you."

Edwin narrowed his eyes. "Aria? I want you to listen VERY closely to what I am saying, okay?" She nodded her head. "We are BOTH… BOTH… in… Hell."

"Right, and that is terrible for you."

He looked skyward. "Aria. Why are you okay with YOURSELF being in Hell? And why do you still look human?"

That made the young woman blink before she began to shift nervously. "Uh… promise not to be mad?"

"Of course," Edwin said in an instant.

"I…I'm not… actually human?" She winced. "I'm a hellhound."

"…what?"

"I'm a hellhound," Aria said.

Edwin stared at her for a long moment.

"I'm going to need the full story."

"Okay," Aria said. "So I was conceived in the Gluttony Ring after a wild party thrown by-"

"Shorten the story."

Aria nodded. "I am a hellhound and I went to Earth."

"…a bit in the middle."

Aria huffed. "You are making this hard, you know?"

"I am making this hard?" Edwin complained before taking a breath. "Okay… you are a hellhound. You went to Earth… why exactly?"

"Uh… I'd rather not talk about it." She began to shift nervously again. "Some… bad things happened after I aged out of the orphanage. I almost did something stupid. It… involved an Overlord-"

Edwin grit his teeth. "If they hurt you they die."

Aria's eyes went wide at that. "NO! Please no!" She began to panic. "You can't do that! They are so strong and powerful and they would tear you apart! Please Edwin, don't! I just got you back and-"

He leapt to his feet and wrapped the young woman in a hug, Aria at once grabbing onto him, clinging to his body as she trembled. After a few moments Edwin got back on his bed, shuffling towards the headrest with Aria curled up around him, sniffling as he gently ran his claws through her hair. It took several long minutes but finally she wasn't having a full blow panic attack and Edwin leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"I won't." He didn't say outloud 'at least until I'm strong enough'. He didn't think she'd like that. "So you went to Earth?"

Aria nodded at that, still pressing her head against his chest. "Y-yeah. Got a job at KaibaCorp, made friends… I can assume a human form so that's why I look like this. All Hellborn Demons can. Neat trick from the old days when we used to go up to earth all the time. Now it's a no-no. My friend Bianca had to do a ton of work for Ozzie just to get a gem so I could go. But yeah… born in Hell."

She paused.

"Want to see my hellhound form?"

"Probably be better if you were in it anyway," Edwin commented. "Draw less attention when we're out and about."

"Right I… wait, what?"

That had him chuckling. "You think I'm just going to let you wander off after this?" She looked at him and he lightly poked her nose. "No no no… you are the first friendly face in Hell that I know I can trust. You and I are sticking together."

"You're… you're going to give me a home?" Aria asked.

Edwin had meant he'd hire her but seeing the hope in her eyes, and remembering what she'd mentioned about the orphanage he merely smiled and nodded.

He at once found himself once more being clung to by a crying hellhound.

"Thank you!" she squealed. "Thank you thank you thank you!" But then Aria suddenly pulled back. "I am not calling you daddy."

"Thank God," Edwin muttered, not noticing Aria wince at that. "Brother and sister work." He forced himself not to think of Tea, the last 'sister' he had adopted… and how he'd never see her again. "So… hellhound?"

"Yeah!" Aria said. "Its not that intimidating. I was always the runt. Going to look worse too with you so tall."

"Huh?" Edwin said, confused. He looked down and realized that Aria did look a touch shorter than he remembered…

"Oh, you didn't realize? I'd wager you're over 6 and a half feet tall now. Not quite 7 but… anyway, I'm a tiny thing in my true form."

And with that she focused, a purple flash of light coming from her form.

Her hellhound form resembled a german shepherd, though she had black hair on top of her head that came down like a mane to her shoulders. The bangs were still dyed purple though, making it clear she was still Aria. One ear was torn on the top but otherwise she looked rather healthy. A good life on Earth had ensured that.

She was also 10 feet tall.

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed as she stared at her massive body. "Why am… did I go through my last growth spurt while I was on Earth? Damn it, I could have avoided all those Fun Size jokes!" She suddenly blinked. "Edwin?"

"MMMM!" the demon said, waving his arms and legs as he was crushed under her bulk.

~MC~MC~MC~

Tea started into a mirror and didn't see her reflection.

And that pleased her to no end.

The Tea she had been before had been weak. Even with Aiden Order forcing knowledge of Duel Monsters into her brain she still had been the weakest of her group. Unable to fight. Unable to defend herself. Always feeling like the guys were doing what they could to protect her.

But that Tea was dead. Killed when her brother had been slaughtered by Ishizu Ishtar.

Now a silver haired goddess gazed back at her with glowing eyes and a vicious smile on her lips as she stepped out of the waterfall that served as her shower, the water dripping off her naked body as she moved about her room.

After the meeting with the Egyptian Pantheon's representatives Selene had decided that it would be best for them to retreat for a while, allowing Tea to come into her power in full. While she was already going in leaps and bounds it didn't hurt to give her a bit more time to become used to her new godly status. Thus they had arrived at Selene's palace, a great temple on the moon itself, maintained by creatures of moonrock and evening light that quietly saw to their needs. Selene had set to work tracking Ishizu while Tea had tested out her new powers.

She also couldn't help but think she was forgetting something…

~MC~MC~MC~

"Anyone come to claim the bodies?" the policeman asked, gesturing at the corpses of Yuri and Renard.

"Just some guy named Bonz but we kicked him out."

"Meh, we'll keep'em in storage."

~MC~MC~MC~

It was probably nothing.

Holding out her hand, Tea called forth first her towel with her right hand and her clothing with her left. Apparently Selene could simply make the water droplets completely disappear with a thought but she had said that Tea wasn't quite ready to learn that… which the younger woman thought was ridiculous! She had managed to already master so much of her powers!

~MC~MC~MC~

Selene smiled as she stabbed a strawberry with one of her fingernails, looking at the tasty morsel before popping it into her mouth. The dining hall of her temple wasn't that much of a 'hall' at the moment, as it reacted to its Lady's needs and thus had shrunken down from a space that could hold hundreds to a more comfortable breakfast nook. Fine fruits had been gathered for her, as well as meats that had been properly cooked to make their flavors explode across her still waking tongue. A crisp breakfast wine was already poured in her glass with servants ready to come to her the moment she demanded more.

She paused as she was preparing to select some sausage as Tea came in… a towel tightly wrapped around her body in an awkward fashion and her clothing a wet mess held in one hand.

"Not one word," Tea growled.

Selene merely flashed her an indulgence smile before waving her hand and Tea found herself wearing a long silver dress, the twin of Selene's own. "Why would I complain about you wearing the proper garb?" she teased. It had been a point of contention between the two godly sisters: Tea's wardrobe. Selene, even with her Mai memories, preferred Greek dresses. Tea liked her edgier modern clothes. Thus Tea wasn't surprised by Selene's choice… and Selene was already preparing for Tea to somehow destroy the Olympian garb so she could go and change into something else.

Tea looked at the spread of food laid out for them and frowned. "What is this?"

"Our breakfast," Selene said casually. "Surely you've noticed you need to eat more and ambrosia and nectar are so hard to come by these days. So we'll have to do the mortal meals and make it rather large. I'd say this should be rather like a standard breakfast before-"

"Not that," Tea said, cutting Selene off. "I mean why is this here? Why are we wasting time on breakfast? Ishizu is still out there… why are we not hunting her down like the dog she is? Why are we not unleashing every horror we can find and making sure that by the time we raise the moon all she can do is gasp because she's screamed her throat bloody and raw!"

Selene considered Tea for a long moment.

"Ares would like you, sister. He would like you a lot. Your viciousness would appeal to him. Same with Poseidon and Mighty Zeus. Your lust for vengeance would win you their favor."

Selene slowly rose up, eyes narrowed.

"But they are gods. Gods are foolish and short sighted. We are goddesses. We… are far more clever."

Tea didn't say a word.

"Edwin is out there. The Egyptians confirmed that. He is in an afterlife… and I will not allow him to remain trapped there for long." She stabbed another strawberry. "We had a plan… to use the power of the God Cards to grant him eternal life. To make him a god so that the two of us could be together forever."

"We can still do that?"

Selene smirked. "The dead have been brought back. There are ways."

"Then… why aren't we going after him?"

"Because death changes a person… as does the afterlife. Do you think Edwin will appreciate what we plan to do? Or will he attempt to talk us out of it?"

Tea looked away; she knew the answer to that. She struggled herself with her desires for death and destruction, to make the world pay for stealing her brother from her after she had lost so much else. It was why she had avoided reaching out to Yugi… she knew he would never approve. And he would attempt to talk her out of the current path she was on. To be honest… she had a feeling if he tried she would side with him. That he would pull her back.

And that was the very last thing she wanted.

"But… time in the afterlife may very well alter his views on things. Make him more grateful to us when we free him. More willing to… embrace what we have become. What he will be. A new Trinity. And we will seal it with Ishizu's death." Selene's smile grew wider, more fierce and savage. "We will tenderize her before we place the knife in Edwin's hands. She will be bathed in fear and terror. We are going to rip away all she cares for, all she covets, and when we are done she will look upon him with tears in her eyes… and thank him as he slowly plunges the knife into her heart."

Selene slowly sat back down.

"That… is what I am doing." She gestured at the door. "But if you would prefer to act like the gods? Go ahead. I won't stop you. But if you are ready to be a goddess? Sit and join me."

Tea… sat down.

~MC~MC~MC~

"So they are seriously making Duel Monsters down here?" Aria asked as Edwin and her made their way down the stairs to the lobby of Hazbin. Edwin had decided to give Aria the tour, with his future gallery and his current workshop the last two areas he planned to showcase. It would also give him a chance to introduce her to the Thieves and Jackie; there was little doubt that he was going to let her in on that secret. Yes, she had lied about being a hellhound but otherwise she and him? Well… even without their time at Kaibacorp she was the only real piece of his human life he had left and he didn't want to risk tossing her away because of a lie that festered between them.

Though… he was still debating how much he was going to tell her about his little information gathering scheme.

'What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence?'

'Time to get a new fence.'

Everyone knew that riddle.

And a riddle that everyone knew the answer too… was worthless.

The same was true when it came to secrets.

"Apparently," Edwin said with a sigh as they came to the lobby. Vaggie was loitering there thanks to Alastor abducting Husk once again, flipping through a magazine and looking utterly bored. She did raise an eyebrow at seeing Aria in her true form. "Pegasus' wife is down here… long story… and when I told her about Duel Monsters she decided that she was going to make it. Which, okay, is her right as his wife and inspiration but… damn it all I was really hoping I didn't have to deal with this garbage."

"Mmmhmmm."

"I mean… don't get me wrong, Hell is well… Hell. But the fact that I finally didn't have to worry about taking a step and being challenged to a duel was wonderful! No more of all of life being dominated by that game!"

"Mmmmhmmm."

"I would be able settle things other ways. Yeah, sure that usually means violence and destruction but hey we got that with Duel Monsters too. Yugi and the Pharaoh mind crushed how many people?" He paused. "Oh, did I ever explain the deal with Yugi?"

"Mmmmhmmm."

"Good. Anyway, its her right and I'm not going to stop her-" And he could. So very easily. The Angelic steel strapped to his leg spoke of that. "-but its still annoying as all get out!"

"Mmmmhmmm."

"…Aria?"

"So I could make my Red Eyes Black Dragon deck again and not have people accuse me of ripping of Rex or Joey."

Edwin just stared at her.

"What? Just because you freak out about this card game doesn't mean I can't freak out… but in a good way!"

"So… you got big," Vaggie stated, finally putting the magazine down.

Aria shuffled a bit at that. "Uh… yeah. Apparently I went to Earth before my final growth spurt."

"Well, so long as you watch where you are going and don't break anything it won't be that big of a deal." She glanced over at Edwin. "I assume she's staying."

"Family," Edwin said and Aria's tail wagged at that. "Long story but yeah, she's staying."

"Well, we've had worse-"

BOOM!

The three watched as an Egg Boi flew through the air, passing right between them. Oddly enough he had feathers glued on him and was dyed a dark maize color.

All three winced when he slammed into a wall and shattered.

"Oooooh," another Egg Boi said, leaning in from the kitchen. "I warned him that would happen if he blue himself."

"-so Aria, what are you going to be doing for Edwin?" Vaggie asked.

"I'm not quite for sure. He told me he's running a jewelry store?" She looked at him for confirmation and he nodded. "Huh. Still trying to believe that. Anyway, I figured I could probably greet people but now?" She flexed her arm, muscles dancing as she did so. "Body guard?"

"Will be weird, me trying to protect you as you protect me," Edwin said with a smirk.

Vaggie nodded at that before suddenly asking, "So what is Duel Monsters?"

"Oh, it's a great game! You collect cards and build a deck and have your monsters battle!"

"Huh," Vaggie said, considering that. "Sounds pretty neat."

"FUCK!" Edwin shouted, realizing that Aria was going to corrupt all of the Hotel staff into playing Duel Monsters.

"… so I use a Red-Eyes Deck," Aria said before suddenly grinned, bouncing up and down on her paws. "Oh! I bet Cecelia will need a place to sell her cards! And this hotel is already going to have your gallery, Edwin-"

"no no no!" Edwin whined.

"-so we should see if she wants to run a card shop here!"

Edwin slowly turned towards Vaggie. "It's a card game. Evil evil card game. Filled with evil monsters like… uh… Yubel!"

"Yubel?" Vaggie asked.

"Yes! Crazy demon lady! Kinda into kids, okay one kid, but its super creepy. Walks around naked-"

"Are you talking about Aunt Yubel?" Charlie asked, walking up to them.

"…I think we are discussing two different things. My Yubel is this weird duel monster spirit thing that is part dragon-"

"Yeah, Aunt Yubel," Charlie said. "She makes the best cookies!"

"No… she was a human, I think, who underwent a ritual to gain great power and then kinda died but also kinda because a Duel Spirit and she also might be a hermaphrodite-"

"Yes. Aunt Yubel." Charlie said the words slowly, carefully, making sure Edwin understood them. "I think she's up on Earth. She said her new friend is going to take her on a trip to Outer Space!"

"…oh for fuck's sake," Edwin muttered.

"And I like it!" Charlie said. "A card shop. Filled with full little dolls and comic books where good triumphs over evil and kids can learn how to play new card games! It will draw people in and also be a place where demons can learn to take their rage and aggression out on others with peaceful card games."

Edwin narrowed his eyes. "It was Duel Monsters that led to Ishizu Ishtar killing me."

Charlie though waved him off. "Oh, I'm sure that's just a technicality!"

"…no, its not. You aren't even using that word right!"

Vaggie looked around the lobby. "Should we put it across from Edwin's gallery or next to it?"

"Is anyone even listening to me?" he complained.

"Both would be good spots. Also need to give them plenty of room if they wanted to do tournaments." Charlie looked at Aria. "So… oh, you are a lot bigger!" She reached up and itched Aria under her chin, causing the hellhound's foot to thump against the ground. "Anyway, tell me more about Duel Monsters."

"Well, there are six attributes: Light, Dark, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind. They all have good monsters and bad monsters."

"So dark can have nice and kind monsters?" Charlie asked.

"Sure. Yugi Muto uses the Dark Magician and he is super heroic."

"No one… no one can hear me?" Edwin complained. "I once wrote a story where Jon Snow became a dragon and fucked his sisters until they turned into wolf women."

Charlie clapped her hands. "That is wonderful! I wonder what type of deck I will run!"

"I already called Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" Aria said happily.

"It was really hot, actually," Edwin admitted.

"I hope there is something with a lot of cute little animals," Charlie said. "Ones that like to play together but can also kick serious butt!" She did some… well, maybe they were karate moves, it was hard to tell.

"Well, there were a few on Earth like that but Cecelia might make brand new ones for Hell. Maybe if you offer her a discounted rate on her lease agreement she might consider making you a custom archtype?"

Edwin rolled his head upward, groaning. "Seriously, does anyone care I am here?"

"EDWIN!"

The four of them turned to find the doors of the hotel thrown open, a fuming Stella of the Ars Goetia standing within the entryway, arms held out wide, eyes narrowed, and body trembling with rage.

"Oh good… someone does see me," Edwin looked at Stella and smiled, gesturing towards the stairs. "Would you like to discuss things in my office?"

"I will discuss things right here, you miserable-"

"Now now, dear sister," Andrealphus said as he moved to walk around his fuming sister. "We wouldn't want to make a scene. Edwin… Cerberus, is it?"

Edwin shrugged. "A stage name. But it's catchy and memorable."

"Quite. Anyway, you offered to let us discuss things in your office. My sister and I would be most pleased to do just that. There are some concerns we have when it comes to the contract the two of you signed off on that we must iron out."

"Of course. Happy to help." Aria at once turned and moved to walk with Edwin. "You don't need to stick around."

"You think I'm letting you be around those two alone?" she asked. "Not on your life."

Stella, rallying from her chastising by her brother, hurried after them, nearly shoving Aria aside. "By all means, have your pet come with us. Your kind need your emotional support dogs, don't you?"

But she only reached the first step before Charlie's voice rang out. "While I have no problem with you holding your meeting here might I remind you that this is MY hotel… and my rules will be followed." She gave a determined little nod, her face screwed up in determination. It reminded Edwin of the seriousness… of a child assuring everyone "Yes, I DO want a chocolate ice cream cone and NOT vanilla!"

"Of course, Princess," Andrealphus said smoothly as he moved past Edwin, though at a more controlled and dignified pace than his sister.

"You sure you don't need us to come for backup?" Vaggie asked.

"Or neutral parties who will ensure there is no death and destruction?" Charlie said nervously.

"We're good," Edwin assured her. "You know how royals can be… get all upset over something but once you explain what is going on they calm down. Worst case is they get lawyers involved… you know its weird, I haven't seen a lot of lawyers down here. I guess the jokes are wrong." He shrugged and continued on down the stairs.

"Edwin… those are Ars Goetias," Aria hissed.

"I'm aware," he assured her.

"No, Edwin… they are powerful. As in even the most powerful of Overlords worry about them. They have powers that… it would be like a normal human trying to fight Superman."

"First off thank you for not using Duel Monsters to make that reference. Second off you are forgetting one thing."

"And that is?"

He smirked. "Lex Luthor was just a human."

And with that he threw open the door to his office, not really surprised to see that Andrealphus had decided to steal his chair and he and Stella were now sitting on his side of the desk. But such tiny powerplays meant nothing to him and he merely walked around, moving to standing at the side of the desk and forcing the two to turn and face him, Aria shifting to stand beside him.

"Now then… what seems to be the problem? I am almost done with your Millennium Eye-"

"I don't care about your ruddy Millennium Eye!" Stella snapped, glowering at him. "You broke our contract and I am going to claim everything you have! When I am done you will be lucky if I make you clean my toilet bowl with your tongue!"

"Well… that is ominouse," Edwin said casually. "I assume you have proof of these charges."

Stella opened her mouth but Andrealphus spoke up. "While I have not read the contract, since my sweet sister-" he didn't look at Stella but only a blind fool wouldn't have been able to detect the anger radiating off of him, "-failed to ask you for a copy. However she has told me the basics: you agreed to postpone the creation of Prince Stolas' Millennium Eye until Stella collected hers."

"And I did," Edwin stated with a casual smile.

"I also assume that you included nothing that prevented you from making anything else for him."

"Of course. It would be foolish of me not to have areas of revenue available to me. I understand your sister is upset… it didn't occur to her that I might do that." He paused. "The Millennium Eye you orders will be done tomorrow. If you'd only waited-"

"I don't want your fucking Eye," Stella declared. "Choke on it for all I care."

Edwin tilted his head. "Are you breaking our contract then?"

"I must certainly am!" Stella said.

"Very well. That is your right."

"Just so you are aware," Andrealphus said, the words oozing off his tongue, "that while you have won your little victory we can make life quite difficult for you." He paused. "And please do not prove yourself to be utterly naïve by claiming that you are protected by Stolas. His star is waning and while he has power now that is not going to last."

"Oh, don't worry," Edwin replied, "I wasn't going to suggest that. I can protect myself."

That made Andrealphus lightly chortle. "Such a brass and bold on you are. That is how it is with your kind, isn't it? But you all learn that for as much power as you claim to have… you actually have very little. Oh you play your games her in Lucifer's ring but you are but insects fighting over the crumbs that we dribble. Your business is now over. I will destroy it. Any attempt to start again will not succeed. This hotel? I will have Lucifer close it down… he sees it as a disgrace and will be happy for any excuse to remove Charlotte and have her back with him and no longer dishonoring his station and royal blood. All those connections you have made? They are about to wither and die like plants in the harsh Wrath sun… not that you know what that is like. So congrats to you, Edwin Cerberus… you have gotten a victory. And in exchange we will ensure you are remembered for all time. A lesson of why one does not cross our family."

Stella, being cruel but also weak, turning her sights not on Edwin but Aria. "You have your pet… I think we'll be claiming her." Aria growled at that. "Don't worry though, I don't plan to keep her. There is no need in my home for a mutt like her. I am sure there is a vet that can put her down-"

And that's when Edwin squeezed his fist and the blue flames formed around Stella. But rather than forming shackles around her wrists the golden hands appeared someplace else.

Her neck.

Andrealphus stood up only for Edwin's eyes to glow, Aria slowly backing away as he rose up, body swelling. His face twisted, his features turning vaguely canine. His hair swirled into blowing blue flames as he took a step forward, the muscle mass he had already gained ballooning out even more as he held up a clawed hand, sneering as he reached 10 feet tall… then 11… then 12. Edwin didn't even seem to notice that his Full Demon form had changed, becoming far more bestial after his month or so in Hell… and all the souls he had collected. Jackie rose from his spot on Edwin's shoulders and let out a snicker and for a moment it appeared as if Edwin and the jackal were merged together.

"We were willing to let you walk out of here," Edwin said in multiple voices. "But then you threatened Aria. She… is… ours." He took a step forward and Andrealphus moved to raise his hand… only to freeze when the thieves of Kul Elna burst from Edwin's body, their forms also altered. Now the gold that made up parts of their body had become armor and the blue flames roared around them and under the plating. Qeb suddenly had Edwin's Angelic Steel Knife in his hand, pressing it against the Ars Goetia's throat even as Stella gasped, clawing at the gold hands that were squeezing her neck. "And I protect what is mine," he warned.

"You… will not get away with this!" Andrealphus declared.

But Edwin chuckled. "You are nearly as stupid as your sister. Do you not know what that blade is?" Qeb pressed the metal a bit harder to his throat. "From my research I learned your sister hired the assassin Striker to kill her husband Stolas. He was able to do much to him thanks to having Angelic Steel. Well, I never like feeling left out so I decided to get some steel of my own."

That made Andrealphus grow quiet.

"And even without it well… you'd be surprised what you can live through." He gestured towards Stella and squeezed his hand into a fist, the gold metallic hands tightening around her throat, making her eyes bug out and her movements grow more frantic.

Aria watched on, unable to look away as the Ars Goetia was slowly strangled to death, her fingers becoming clumsy and movements slowing as her eyes grew more glassy.

And then Edwin opened his hand and Stella gasped, falling to the ground.

"She signed the contract without ever bothering to read it." He held out his hand and Kayla brought over the document, Edwin adjusting his glasses. "As you clearly figured out there was nothing in here saying I couldn't sell Stolas something else. I just had to delay the Millennium Eye and not tell him why. Your sister so did want her petty little revenge on her ex-husband and… fair enough." He looked at Stella who glared at him with hateful eyes. "He cheated on you. That was wrong. If he was unhappy he should have come to you, told you he was unhappy, and either worked it out or asked for a divorce. Allowed you both to leave the marriage with your dignity intact. Instead he carried on a torrid affair. You have every right to be angry."

Stella… stared at him in surprise. She was still enraged, especially because the metal hands were still wrapped around her throat but that was tempered by her surprise.

No one had ever told her that.

Others had said it was wrong what Stolas did. But more that he should have hidden it. Never that it was simply wrong to treat her like that.

"But," Edwin said darkly, "you then decided to use your own child as a weapon. And that was never going to fly with me." He flicked his fingers up and Stella found herself forced to rise, lest her head be ripped from her shoulders. "What Stolas did was wrong but if that is how you treat people you are supposed to care for then I understand why he decided he wanted to stick his cock in something other than the arctic blender you call a pussy."

And she was back to hating him.

"That's why I put a special little rider in the contract. One you didn't even bother to read. It stated exactly what would happen if you decided to break our contract. What would activate. Because I knew… I just fucking knew… you wouldn't be able to resist. See, I read you like a fucking book… no." He paused, smirking. "That implies you have depth. I read you like the kids menu at McDonalds. I knew you would try and weasel your way out of our deal. Avoid paying me, try and punish me for no good reason other than 'All demons are beneath me'."

Edwin slammed his hand down and Stella crashed to the floor.

"Now," he said, pressing his foot against her head, "who is beneath who?"

"You… won't get away with this," Andrealphus declared, trying to sound brave but that was hard with steel pressed to your throat.

"Jackie has sealed the room. No one will hear you scream." He paused. "That said… I don't want to kill you. That is a waste of assets. And I HATE being wasteful." He looked down at Stella. "I wasn't for sure if I could purchase your soul, what with you being different from Sinner Demons. But I could have you sign away your life." He held up the contract and adjusted his glasses. "Should Ars Goetia, Stella, from this point known as 'The Signee', choose to break said contract she will agree to be subject of the supplemental penalties, as detailed in Form Charlie-Delta-Foxtrot. NOTE: It is upon the signee to request Form Charlie-Delta-Foxtrot." Kayla brought over the second form, this one typed up and featuring the symbol of two blue hands holding a golden circle. "Per this form, Charlie-Delta-Foxtrot, the penalty is the signee surrendering all possessions and rights, including but not limited to their own autonomy and existence, to one Edwin Cerberus."

He paused.

"In layman's terms… I own you, Stella. All of you. Not just your wealth. Not just your power. Not just every possession you have. I own YOU. Your autonomy. That means… you will do what I say. When I say. Without question. And if you refuse-"

The hands tightened again.

"Edwin…" Aria said softly.

But he didn't answer. "And while I can kill you… like I said… I hate waste. And you would be surprised… what you can live through." He knelt down, forcing the Ars Goetia's head up. "Now… thank me."

"You-"

More hands suddenly appeared on Stella. Around her wrists. Her ankles. At her elbow and knee joints. Wrapped around her head, fingers digging at her eyelids and forcing them open. Yanking her beak open. She let out a scream as more appeared, clinging to her, refusing to let go.

And then they were gone, save for the two wrapped around her throat.

"Thank… me."

"…thank… you," Stella hissed.

Edwin slowly turned towards Andrelaphus. "What happens next… is on you."

"I will not sign my life away." And that caused Stella to look up in shock. "Kill her… take her away. She is of no use to me."

"That is true," Edwin said even as Qeb lightly scratched Andrealphus' neck with the dagger. "But… you still are in danger. And while you aren't willing to sign your life away… what about your silence?"

"…I'm listening."

"You will sign a contract stating that you will not attempt, through your own hand or any you interact with, even at the most distant, to harm me or any in my protection. You will also agree to not speak a word of this, of what happened since Stella came to me for the Millennium Eye to the moment you leave this hotel, to anyone. In exchange, so long as you make no attempt to seek me out… I will not come for you. And the secret of your sister's new position in Hell will remain with the four of us. You, me, Aria as witness, and my little bitch slave." Edwin leaned in. "And I would say… that… is a good deal."

Andrealphus was silent for a long moment.

"I will read the contract over."

"Of course," Edwin said, Kayla bringing over the paperwork. Edwin checked it over before handing it to Andrealphus. He did his best to look dignified as he looked it over, flipping it front and back, holding it up to the light, making sure nothing was hidden… but it was hard with a knife at his throat.

Finally though the Ars Goetia signed.

"Pleasure doing business with you," he said. "Stella… I will expect any contracts and deals you've made with Sinner Demons and the like to be brought to me by one of your servants in 3 days times. That will give you a bit to determine how to spin this to anyone if they ask."

Stella opened her mouth but Andrealphus grabbed her arm. "Stay… quiet." He looked at Edwin one last time before hurrying out of the room.

"…what the fuck?" Aria whispered in horror.

"Yeah," Edwin said casually, "so not quite sure how to check but… I think I might be an Overlord."