The sun was nearing its mid-sky position. It was almost noon. During this time, most residents of Pentagram City were busy with their work. But for a trio of high-standing Demons, they were on their way to the Goetia Estate.
It'd been a decent amount of time since Stella, Alastor, and Rosie entered the Goetia's limousine and left the cafe. In that period, Rosie had regained her senses enough to compose herself and converse.
"..." Rosie was quiet for a moment before she spoke. She tried to think of the right way to voice her request. "...Would...it be alright...if one of you told me about the human?" She asked.
"Curiosity getting the better of you?" Alastor assumed.
"No, not necessarily," Rosie replied. "I've never interacted with a human that wasn't a Sinner. I've only seen what they look like in pictures and videos. So, knowing what I'm in for will help the interaction." She explained.
"That makes sense," Alastor said before looking at Stella. "Shall I? Or you?" He asked.
"I have no issues." Stella volunteered, turning her attention to Rosie. "So, to start with, Doomguy is a flawless specimen. His overall physique is immaculate. During one of his workouts earlier this week, I saw him without his shirt. If I wasn't so refined, I might've attempted to pin him down and have my way with him." She stated.
Hearing this caused two reactions. Rosie's eyes widened, and a light blush formed on her cheeks. Contrastly, Alastor, maintaining his smile, looked at the Goetia with eyes full of surprise and speechlessness.
"What?" Stella responded to their expressions. "I haven't had sex in SEVENTEEN years because Stolas is so pathetic. Upon seeing someone so impressive, human or otherwise, I won't deny that I felt a sudden heat wash over me. If Stolas can ruin our marriage by fucking an Imp, I can ogle and appreciate someone well aware of possible persons seeing him. It's not as if I went to a strip club or had an affair like my Husband." She told them in her defense.
"Wow," Alastor said, still processing that.
"...SEVENTEEN years?..." Rosie questioned, now fixated on that detail.
"Stolas made attempts; I'll give him credit," Stella admitted with a sigh. "But they were always wrong. I know our marriage was arranged, so we didn't have time to get to know each other. But still, as you emphasized, Rosie, it's been nearly twenty years, and that man still can't decipher my interests. He's SO focused on HIS problems and issues he NEVER cared to notice anything about me. It was either his way or nothing. Such a needy bitch." She complained. Unintentionally, the topic was rapidly moving away from Doomguy.
"Not taking sides..." Alastor started, wanting to make that ABUNDANTLY clear. "But did YOU ever attempt to understand him? It seems to me there was a lack of communication." He proposed.
"ALL I DID WAS COMMUNICATE!" Stella yelled, startling them. "...Sorry." She apologized, releasing another exhale. "I tried SO hard to be blunt with him! I DESPISE subtlety. I repeatedly told him WHAT was wrong, WHAT I wanted, and WHAT I'd like him to do. But what did Stolas do every time? He tried to make excuses. He backed away like a frightened dog with his tail feathers between his legs! I'm not asking him to drag in a bunch of Demons or Imps that he's murdered, for shit's sake! I just needed Stolas to have a bit of backbone! Behave like a Hellspawn for once in his goddamn life!" She exclaimed.
"I'll confess, I HAVE heard stories," Rosie responded. "Although I'm rather low on the overall pecking order in Pentagram City, I still get invited to big events and parties. The whispers from the crowd talk about every Overlord, Noble, and Royal. The Goetias come up frequently due to the size of their family. Whenever I caught anything of Stolas, it was never pleasant. But I didn't know how much was true and what was exaggerated hearsay." She stated.
"Some of it undoubtedly was rumors. That can't be avoided. But I'd be willing to wager most of it was true." Stella replied. "Even Gabriel noticed this. Stolas is an anomaly. It's almost as if he was born in the wrong realm. I worry that it's hurt Octavia's development. Ignoring the sex stuff. That's recent." She added.
"Far be it from me to play the role of marriage counselor." Alastor started. "But perhaps you should speak with Stolas about this? Have an ACTUAL conversation? Things are at the precipice of becoming uncontrollably chaotic. You won't have another opportunity to sort them." He suggested.
"Ugh. I don't even know if that IS possible now. The man's conceitedness is at an all-time high. Wah, I messed up, but it's not my fault. Boohoo, I gave away my family's most important possession for some anal, and it didn't work out. Please, pity me. I'm sensitive. Me! Me! Me!" Stella exclaimed, mocking her Husband.
"Well, it's still worth a shot. And if it doesn't work out, you can hold it over him later when he tries to claim you didn't put forward effort." Rosie pointed out.
"Hmm...that would be pleasant..." Stella hummed. "...Oh, fine. Alastor will handle your introduction to Doomguy when we get to the manor. I'll go find whatever hole my Husband's crawled into today and try to drag him out for a civil conversation." She agreed.
With that settled, the trio were silent for the remainder of the ride. Fortunately, it was only a few more minutes before the limousine pulled into the estate and up to the front of the property. Stepping out of the vehicle, Stella led the way into her home. However, upon entering, the trio discovered quite a commotion from the living space.
The sounds of tools working. Mechanical and metal noises. Everyone except the staff gathered around something. It was quite the scene. Also, there were two faces present that weren't there before.
"Ahem." Stella cleared her throat as they entered the room, getting the others' attention. "What's going on here?" She asked.
"Oh, Mom, welcome back." Octavia greeted with a smile. "We're watching Doomguy make a weapon." She informed her.
"Yeah! He's making me an explosive!" Cherri chimed in with an excited grin.
"And where did he get the parts?" Stella inquired.
"When we moved in, we brought all our weapons, equipment, doodads, Etc. We told DG he could use'em as resources." Millie explained.
"DG?" Stella questioned.
"Yeah! Figured it was a nice nickname." Millie replied.
Suddenly, the sounds coming from the center of the group ceased. When they did, Cherri let out a squeal of anticipation.
"Ooh! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" Cherri begged, complete with grabby hands.
In response, scribbling could be heard. Again, coming from the center of the group.
"...NO FUCKING WAY!" Cherri unexpectedly shouted after reading what was written. "GET OUT OF THE WAY! I'VE GOT TO TRY THIS OUT!" She yelled, abrasively pushing the others aside as she bolted for the front door.
When the mono-eyed punk departed, the mysterious figure in the middle of the group was revealed. Only mysterious to Rosie, of course.
"Oh...my..." Rosie said as the tall and built visage of Doomguy rose from the floor. He'd been seated during Cherri's weapon construction, hence how he was so easily hidden. Especially since the only ones with height, Angel Dust, Loona, Cherri, and Octavia, stood behind him while the Imps were at his sides.
"Told you," Stella whispered to the Overlord before focusing on the space marine. "Doomguy, if I could have you for a moment." She requested, getting his attention. "This here is Rosie. She is the Overload I went to speak with at brunch alongside Alastor. We've brought her here because she's confused and frazzled by what we shared. Would you be a dear and explain everything?" She requested.
To that, Doomguy nodded. He then extended his hand for Rosie to shake.
"Oh! Quite the firm grip." Rosie commented after accepting the gesture. "Although, unsurprising given the delectable slab of meat it's connected to..." She thought.
With things taken care of, Stella left things in Doomguy and Alastor's capable hands. She did still need to speak with her spouse, after all.
"Alright, Stolas. Make this easier for the both of us..." Stella thought as she headed up the stairs.
Sometime Later...
"Ugh...I swear...he's NOT making this easy..." Stella groaned.
For ten minutes, Stella had been wandering the manor. First, she checked their bedroom. Then, she thought to go to the garden since Stolas had a menagerie of plants he cared for. Now, Stella was on her way to the library. She hadn't thought to check there first because WHY would he be in there? Was Stolas doing something stupid with the Grimoire again?
"Okay, what should I say to him?" Stella pondered while walking. "Stolas, we need to talk. No bullshit, no shouting, just talk. I've insulted you; you slept with someone who wasn't your Wife WITHOUT telling her about it. Now that it's established let's discuss it." She rehearsed. "Hmm...not bad. But maybe I should play into his ego? Yes. That'll make the start far smoother. Play up his victim mentality." She decided.
Soon, the library doors would come into view. Yet, Stella was halted by a surprising event as she approached them. The sudden emergence of the very person she had been looking for.
"Oh. Stella." Stolas greeted with a...smile? "What're you doing here? Have you come to peruse our family's collection?" He inquired, referring to the books inside.
Something...was different. Practically everything. Stolas's posture, attitude, and speech were the exact opposite of earlier. He didn't seem upset or depressed. Instead, Stolas was exuding...confidence? A bit of cheekiness? What?
"Er, no," Stella said after recomposing herself. "I came to talk to you, Stolas. About us." She told him.
"Hm? Oh. Is this another of your usual lessons on how to be a proper Demon?" Stolas guessed, now folding his arms.
"No. On the advice of the Radio Demon and another, I'd like to discuss our marriage." Stella explained. "Specifically, I'd like to start with you. You've never told me in full detail how you've felt. You've given me vague strokes but nothing that painted the entire picture. Would you care to do that now?" She asked.
"Mmm..." Stolas hummed, tapping his beak with one finger. "...I'm afraid I'll have to take a rain check, dear. I've got something I'd like to do in the city." He said before abruptly walking away.
Once more, Stella was caught off guard. She stood in stunned silence for a moment, giving Stolas the time he needed to escape her.
"...That...son of a bitch..." Stella muttered in disbelief, quickly balling her hands into fists. "I FINALLY give him the spotlight he's always desperately wanted, and THIS is what happens?! Oh, FUCK YOU, Stolas! You proper bastard!" She cursed before storming off herself. She wasn't about to provide the satisfaction of her giving chase.
Meanwhile, In The Ivory Tower...
Countless autonomous drones and machines carried out their tasks. Even now, they still expanded the tower's height. It could never end in its ascension. The more space to work with, the better.
After laying Azrael, Lilith, and Michal onto beds to recover, Samur and Gabriel ventured to one of the tower's many research rooms. Here, the Archangel gazed upon inventions that left him in wonder. Apparatuses that seemed only plausible in imagination, yet here they were.
"Impressed?" Samur inquired, noticing his Son's reaction.
"And then some..." Gabriel replied, closely examining everything.
"I'm glad," Samur said, another smile coming to his face. "Perhaps when we've eventually returned to peace, I can give you a proper tour." He suggested.
"I'd love that. Even in youth, you never allowed us to enter these spaces. Of course, now, I understand why." Gabriel responded.
"Yes, that was hard for me. I wished to share everything with you, and I mean EVERYTHING. But I didn't want to burden my children with the existence of monsters and the fall of my home. I don't think it'd make for a proper bedtime story." Samur told him.
"Again, I understand. Some of us always worried that we hadn't proven ourselves to you. That your secrecy and reclusive nature were you waiting for the right time. But now, it all makes sense." Gabriel assured.
"Are you sure?" Samur challenged, unconvinced of that statement.
"Allow me to clarify." Gabriel requested. "When I say make sense, I mean your motivations aren't without merit. They weren't actions taken by a Father who didn't trust his children. It was a soul weighed down by too much. Even now, you've tried your best to carry it alone and spare us. No words can convey how much I respect and admire that. You are the person I've always seen you as, Father." He stated.
Hearing that left Samur speechless. As any parent would, he worried his Son would hate him for this. Then again, Gabriel WAS the most rational of his family.
"Your words do me good, Gabriel," Samur said with a grateful smile. "I hope the others will have a similar reaction. Especially Lucifer. I suspect he'll be quite cross." He told him.
"If he is, I'll punch him." Gabriel firmly responded. "No one could've done better than what you were able to. You even cared for other realities beyond this one as Doom grew. Then came us, followed by our Heaven, Hell, and Earth. You've done far more than what should be asked or expected of anyone." He stressed.
"I don't know about that. Urdak is still in stasis. Forever protected by my Mother, who slumbers in a comatose state. Then, there's Doomguy. I'm also concerned that when he learns about this, he might try to shoot me with his guns." Samur replied.
"I don't think so. Doom was not the result of your people's actions. As you said, it was the void manifested. An infinite nothingness with an insatiable hunger." Gabriel argued. "If anything, he might empathize with you." He added.
"Hopefully. We have enough to worry about with Doom. There's no time for pointless infighting." Samur responded. "On that subject, though. I believe it'd be best to gather everyone and bring them here. Regardless of how Lilith, Michael, and Azrael feel, they'll want to share this with them. We can't stop them, nor would I want to. However, I can't go about fetching the others. Could you do it, Gabriel?" He requested.
"Of course." Gabriel accepted with a bow. "Oh. But before I do, may I ask a question?" He inquired.
"Speak." Samur invited.
"I discovered something peculiar during my brief time in Doom. Buried within a floating island, there was a cave. It possessed what appeared to be a workshop. However, the machines and contraptions inside were entirely foreign to me. They resembled nothing from our reality, and they bore no similarity to anything in Samuel's. Do you know what it could've been?" Gabriel asked.
"It could be a number of things..." Samur began, giving it some thought. "The island could be a broken piece of a world long since absorbed by Doom. However, I doubt that is the answer. I presume you were directed to the cave by Doomguy?" He guessed.
"Yes. Without his guidance, I would've continued to fly upward to escape our pursuers." Gabriel confirmed.
"Hmm...so...Doomguy knew about it...but the technology was unfamiliar...alien, even..." Samur hummed. "...I...will try to look into this during your absence. I doubt I'll be able to learn anything. The only one who could shed light on this mystery is Doomguy. However, I don't think he'll be quick to share his past." He said.
"Unfortunately, no," Gabriel confirmed again. "Still, I appreciate your aid, Father. I hope you find success while I am gone." He told him before leaving.
"Likewise, Gabriel. May you run into no complications." Samur bid farewell as he watched his Son depart.