I'm fully convinced Carmilla didn't cope well with killing the Exorcist.

Enjoy~

Zestial straightened in his chair as he felt the familiar tug from one of his spiders.

Unlike the rest of Hell, who used Voxtech security, Zestial preferred the simpler method of his own powers. His arachnids were far more inconspicuous. Not to mention they, unlike the mounted cameras, were mobile. Which gave him access to more places with greater ease.

This specific spider crafted its web on the yellow neon bar sign that hung from an establishment of one of the many, many souls he owned. Using four of the spider's eyes, he watched as the executioner swung its angelic spear. Boris, his most favored teamaker (and one of his top informants), unfortunately wasn't fast enough to dodge the swing. In fact, instead of avoiding it, the three eyed man basically threw himself straight in the spear's path. Zestial let out a small, mildly annoyed hiss as the sinner's head rolled off his shoulders and onto the sidewalk.

Releasing himself from the view, he made a mental note to appoint a replacement in the morning. While Boris may not have survived, Zestial refused to let the teahouse fall into another Overlord's hands. Its location far too valuable to not retain its control.

Not to mention, it carried the only batch of tea leaves Carmilla truly enjoyed.

He couldn't stop the soft smile that spread across his face as his focus shifted to the Weapons Overlord. Even after the centuries spent together, the thought of her alone still quickened the beating of his long dead heart.

Finding someone that one could truly trust in the Pride Ring was a feat all in itself. Sinners littered the streets; more and more crossing over every day. Power was the only true way to ensure one's safety. He witnessed firsthand the falsehoods that sinners spoke just to get a fraction of that strength. And even then, sometimes, it wasn't enough. To most, lies and deceit were just another opportunity to grasp the power they sought.

Thankfully, he was lucky enough to find something different. A love that avoided him even before he found himself in Hell.

Unlike the other sinners he'd witnessed in his time, the love he shared with Carmilla was different. They didn't require the same labels that others needed. He trusted her with everything he was, just as she did for him. They worked together . A trait that most could stand to learn.

Another mental tug pulled him from his musings. He felt the smile fall from his face as the spider's gaze centered onto two figures.

Two familiar figures.

The Spider Demon knew all too well that his beloved traversed the hellish landscape during (and after), a cleansing. Explaining once that it was the best time to retrieve the angelic steel, she delt in.

For the girls to be on their own though, something must have gone awry.

Using the shadows, he appeared at the edge of his property. The Carmine daughters looked to him, both wide eyed and out of breath. Without hesitation he reached out, encircling them in his cloak.

Once safely inside his study, he uncovered the girls. Ushering them to sit on the black sofa, he knelt in front of them.

"What occurred?"

"We got cornered." Odette breathed heavily, still trying to catch her breath.

"And what of Carmilla?"

"She stayed behind to distract them." Zestial could hear the fear in the youngest's voice. Tears were starting to gather in her eyes as she clung to her sister. Long ago, the matriarch told them that, should anything happen to her, the girls needed to cross over into Zestial's territory.

That he would protect them.

Zestial nodded solemnly. Part of him wanted to leave, to find the white-haired woman. But he knew that Carmilla would never forgive him if he left her girls alone. Especially if something happened to them in his absence. "Thine would'st do well to recall that thine mother 'tis an Overlord. Her strength should'st not be underestimated."

"But..." Odette sniffled. "There were five of them."

Zestial kept his face neutral. Escaping one exorcist was nearly impossible, let alone five. "Carmilla's speed 'tis not to be trifled with. Thine mother adores thee. Keep faith. She shall return."

"Will you sit with us until she does?"

The Spider Demon couldn't refuse the pleading look in Clara's eyes. With a single nod, he sat on the couch next to them. "Thou need'st only inquire."

Zestial wasn't sure as to how much time had passed since the girls' arrival. The eldest Overlord's attention shifted between the two girls and trying to find any trace of his beloved. He'd sent a nearby spider to the area Carmilla had last been seen, but there was nothing.

Suddenly, mental warnings from his spiders started to fill his mind. Something advanced along his territory. It was clear that the individual was making a beeline for his home. However, none of the spiders were able to get a clear visual.

Zestial stood as the intruder made its way over his gate. Both girls looked up to him, unsure looks in their eyes. He needed to intercept whoever it was before they got to the den. "I shall return in but a moment."

Manifesting on the other side of the door, Zestial readied himself.

He couldn't see who the intruder was. But the blur of grey didn't bode well. Executioners didn't usually enter homes. The deal struck between Lucifer and Heaven forbid it. He didn't hold Heaven's word in high regard though, and wanted to see to it, himself, that no harm came to the Carmine daughters.

Relief flooded through him as the familiar sound of angelic steel shoes tapped along the hardwood of his floor. Zestial released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Carmilla walked into his view. She wore an outfit similar to her daughters. From his first glance, she seemed relatively unharmed.

"Carmilla?" Zestial called out softly. Concerns started to grow as she ignored him. As she approached, he could see the dazed look in her red eyes.

Had she sustained a head injury whilst trying to escape?

Slowly, he closed the remaining distance between them. Reaching out, he gently took her face between his hands. From this distance, he was able to see a thin cut that spanned across her cheek. With a slow swipe of his thumb, he removed the small golden line of blood that trailed from her injury. "My soul? I implore; what ails thee?"

Green eyes watched as her eyebrows furrowed. "Zestial?"

Her words sounded far too distant for his liking. As if she had only just recognized his presence. "My girls?"

"Inside."

Shifting to her side, he opened the door. He'd just barely managed to shut the door before both girls threw themselves at their mother. Clara attached herself to Carmilla's right side, Odette to her left. Zestial watched with a certain fondness as Carmilla pulled her girls in, hugging them tight. The trio found their way to the floor. Carmilla rested her back against the door as her children clung tight.

Soon, the soft cries of the girls slow to a stop.

Carmilla's head rested against the door. Now that things had settled, he was able to truly look her over. Just as he'd thought, it seemed like she'd only received a couple cuts and possible bruises.

A true miracle.

Not wanting to break the silence and risk waking the pair that slumbered, he met her eyes. His gaze flickered to the golden blood that was splattered along her legs. Silently questioning if it was something to be concerned about.

Carmilla tiredly shook her head, telling him it wasn't hers. It raised questions as to who the blood actually belonged to. But for the time being, he'd keep quiet. After all, with the night they'd been through, the trio deserved to rest.

Hell was in chaos. Angels swarmed down from the heavens, slaughtering anything in their path. The screams of the sinners echoed around. Smoke filled the air as all the buildings around her burned.

She needed to find her daughters. Once she did, they could retreat to Zestial's. They could weather this massacre, together.

"Clara? Odette? Where are you?" Carmilla called out, looking around frantically as she ran through the fray. A familiar head of white curly hair caught her attention. Running to her youngest, she landed on her knees beside her. With shaking hands, she rolled Clara onto her back.

"Mom?" Clara's voice cracked as she tried to focus on Carmilla.

"I'm here mija." It took everything to remain calm. A large angelic knife stuck out of her daughter's abdomen. Carmilla knew if she removed it, Clara would bleed out before she could get anywhere near a hospital or safehouse. "I need you to stay with me."

"It's too late for me, mom." Her voice, resolved. Weakly, she placed a hand over her mother's larger one. "They took Odie to the warehouse. You have to save her."

"I love you." Carmilla couldn't stop the tears as she watched Clara's light fade. Placing one final kiss on her head, she laid her daughter back down. She'd return to her, after she saved her sister.

Sprinting as fast as she could, she rounded the corner of what once was her warehouse.

Sliding to a stop, she couldn't stop the panic at the site before her. Adam, along with ten executioners stood before her. The face of his mask twisted into a smirk. "It's about time."

"Where is she?" Carmilla demanded, trying to spot any trace of her remaining child.

"Right here, babe." Adam snapped his fingers. From behind him, an angel brought forwards a struggling Odette. Blood poured from a wound on the blonde's head.

"Release my daughter." Carmilla growled.

"No can do." Adam laughed darkly. "You see, you've caused quite a bit of trouble for us. You caused this uprising."

"You willingly sided with Lucifer. You used our own angelic steel against us." Lute sneered, pressing the tip of her sword against Odette's chest.

"And now, you gotta pay for it."

"Take my life." Carmilla begged. It was her who deserved the wrath of Heaven, not her children. They'd done nothing wrong.

"Where's the fun in that?" Adam sneered. "Do it, Dangertits."

Carmilla watched in horror as the exorcist's sword tore through her eldest's chest. Lute let out a piercing laugh as she threw Odette's body below, as if it were nothing. As if she hadn't just ripped Carmilla's whole world from her.

Tears blinded her vision as she fell beside Odette's still form. Red blood seeped out, staining the ground beneath her.

"You never should have left Heaven, bitch."

Carmilla shot up from her bed. Freeing herself from the blanket, she raced to her personal bathroom.

After emptying the small amount of food in her stomach, Carmilla leaned back, taking a moment to calm herself. She welcomed the cool feeling of the wall tiles against her warm skin.

Certain that she was finished, she clambered to her feet. Coming to a stop in front of the sink, she turned on the water. Removing her toothbrush from the cabinet, she brushed her teeth, wishing to rid herself of the sour taste.

Her mind replayed the horrible scenes as she continued to brush her teeth. This was far from the first nightmare. In fact, as of late, they plagued her every night. Since slaying the angel over a week ago, she'd be lucky to get a single hour of sleep.

Returning her toothbrush to the cabinet, she glanced at her rough appearance. She could see the dark bags under her eyes. Even her skin was paler than usual. Combing her fingers through her hair, she opted for a simple bun instead of the preferred method.

It didn't matter, though.

Even if it cost her life, she would protect them.