"The NCR recognizes the free economic zone of New Vegas to be a foreign power. The man known as 'Courier Six' is not fit to be a leader, nor is he a man we can trust. That is why I urge the current president and senate to act accordingly before New Vegas becomes a major threat to the NCR and her people on par with the Legion or Enclave if it's not already." - Ex-president Aaron Kimball shortly after his removal from office.
Arcade once told Six about the stages of grief. The doctor then went on to say that the courier seemed to skip straight into anger then eventually move on to acceptance.
But right now Six didn't know what to call what he was feeling. After agreeing to stand down Primera, Sasha, and the knights led Six back to the cathedral. Once inside he was led into the 'basement'. Although it looked more like a dungeon. Six still had his weapons. He didn't know why they hadn't tried taking them. Maybe they knew what would happen if they tried? Six didn't care to think about it. Right now six was blankly staring at the stone wall.
Vegas was forever out of his reach. His city, his position, everything he fought for is gone from him. If Veronica were here she'd say it was just a scratch of what the courier deserved.
The only other occupants in the cathedral basement were Sasha and Primera. The archer looked at Six with annoyance similar to a mother that found out her child had broken a window. Sasha carried a look of sympathy for Six after hearing about his circumstances.
When a slums citizen came knocking on the orphanage's door crying for help Sasha did not expect an otherworldly traveler to be the cause of the panic. She had attempted to give Six a few reassurances that the chief god would watch over him, but received no response from the courier.
The trio had been waiting for the better part of two hours with several nuns coming and going informing the heroes of the situation. All the while Six stayed silent just replaying events in his head.
Eventually the door to the basement/dungeon opened and in walked high priest Faust. The priest, as per usual, had a cheerful smile as he entered. "Heroes Primera and Sasha thank you both for your work today. I'm sure you're eager to get some rest. You're both dismissed."
Sasha seemed concerned at the order. "High priest are you sure-"
"I appreciate the concern Sasha but I assure you we have things covered from here." Faust said with another sickeningly sweet smile.
Sasha and Primera shared a look between each other but nodded and made way to leave, but not before Primera shot one last glare at Faust and Six.
Faust watched the pair of heroes leave, and once the door had closed finally addressed Six. "Well you've certainly caused a stir." Faust said with a small chuckle.
Six remained silent showing no sign of acknowledgement.
Faust lightly coughed before continuing. "You'll be glad to know the men you assaulted will make full recoveries, granted with a few missing teeth."
Still more silence.
"That's three counts of assault, destruction of property, assaulting a knight of the holy order, and threatening two heroes of the Chief God." Faust listed. "Since this string of crimes includes members of the church it is now the jurisdiction of the clergy rather than the city justice system." The priest explained.
"As it stands the clergy is split. We have two votes to seize your assets and sentence you to life in prison or possible execution. The other two votes say that we be more forgiving, and in return you will assist in the war on the demon lord. As it stands now I am the deciding vote." Faust said.
"So what's yer hold up." Six finally spoke, looking the priest in the eyes.
"He speaks at last!" Faust happily said. "As to your question, I think you'd be a very welcomed asset. Even without your weaponry, a man that is resistant to demonic corruption is very promising, however I find myself worried about your loyalty." Faust admitted.
"Then make me an offer." Six said standing up. "You want my help? Then pay me like everyone else."
Faust's grin was ear to ear. "My thoughts exactly! My brothers don't wish to divert their resources so I volunteered to finance you Sir Six."
Six waved his hand. "Drop the 'sir' shit. Look I ain't going home anytime soon, I've accepted that. But I also ain't enlisting into another fuckin' army for pocket change." The courier said.
"I wouldn't expect you to. You'll be paid of course, but I believe I can offer something better." Faust said.
"And what's that?" Six asked.
"Archbishop Noscrim wasn't lying when he said travel between worlds is a magic long forgotten, however I personally know a mage and scholar whose life work is dedicated to re-discovering this magic." Faust revealed
Six's famous poker face nearly broke at the confession. "And ya didn't think ta mention this before?" Six questioned.
"Technically speaking the magic is heavily frowned upon, however I allow my friend to continue his research in peace away from disapproving eyes. Assist us and I will see to it that returning you home is his top priority." Faust offered.
Six knew this was sketchy. Everything about the man screamed untrustworthy to Six. The last time Six took someone for their word he ended up falling from the sky. But the courier was out of options more than ever.
"What would I be doin'?" Six asked.
"I wouldn't waste your talent by putting you with the knights acting as a grunt, I'd er-the church would have you work as a specialist so to speak." Faust explained. "As it stands Lescatie only has seven heroes blessed by the Chief God. Thus we can not afford to send out heroes on dangerous missions and risk losing one of the best defenses against monsters we have."
"Yet ya sent ears off by her lonesome." Six thought.
"You will be sent on missions that require a firm hand and a certain amount of discretion. You will not speak of these outings. These missions will require a strong stomach and a great amount of resolve. If you are asked to assist a hero you will do so with full cooperation. What do you say?" The priest asked.
Six silently mulled over the offer. Red flags were raised all over this. But what were his options? It wasn't like they'd let him leave if he told Faust to fuck off. So there really was only one option.
Negotiate.
"I'll want daily updates from yer friend about gettin' me home." Six began.
"Of course." Faust nodded with a smile.
"I'll also want a place to stay. Somewhere secluded. All to myself."
"I have just the building."
"Whatever ya were gonna pay me, double it."
"Easy enough. Anything else?" Faust asked.
Six glanced down at his pipboy, thinking about how many bullets he had left on hand. "I'm gonna need metal, it don't matter if it's scrap, silverware, or whatever but I need some."
"I'll have some delivered to you quarters at once." Faust said.
Six thought over his demands thinking if there was anything else to add. "I don't want to deal with those chuckle fucks ya hang around. I only want to deal with you directly."
Faust smiled so wide Six wondered if the short man's face would split. "I believe that is a wonderful idea, I accept your terms." The priest extended his hand to the courier.
Six took the hand and shook it, knowing that despite the hand belonging to a priest he was making a deal with the devil.
"Just for the record if I find out yer yanking my noose I'll shoot ya dead." Six promised.
"Rest assured Six, I believe you'll find that I'm smart enough to know better than to cross you." Faust said.
Soon after the negotiations of his contract Six was escorted to his new living quarters by a knight. The man was silent the whole way, only giving Six the occasional glance. It wasn't clear if the glances were one of wariness or mirth but it didn't affect the courier either way.
The building Six was brought to was away from the main street of the city resting on the border of the slums. The knight handed Six an iron key and warned the outsider to 'remember no to cause trouble' and left.
The inside of the house wasn't anything to write home about. It had the basics a house needed. A bed, a fireplace, two chairs, and a table. On the table was a wooden box with a piece of paper nailed to the lid. Six tore the paper off and saw that it was the same unreadable language that he'd seen since being transported. Six crumpled the paper and tossed the note aside before opening the box. Inside the box were several steel ingots. It seems Faust kept his promise about supplying Six with metals. Hopefully this meant he'd keep his word about the other terms.
Six took each ingot and began using the Sierra Madre technology built into his pipboy to break down the metal to reshape it into ammunition.
A bullet factory all from the convenience of his arm. The upgraded pipboy just reminded Six of exactly who it was who sent him to this new land.
If Six did make his way back to the mojave he'd have to make the decision on whether or not to shut the think tank down. Permanently.
Were they worth the trouble? Before Six would have said yes with no hesitation. A loose hybrid deathclaw here and there was nothing compared to what they could build.
Maybe he'll just kill one of them, just to make sure they get the message. But which one?
Klein. Definitely Klein.
After making enough ammo to replenish the empty spots on his bandolier, Six scoured the house up and down for anything that looked suspicious. Six didn't know what he was expecting to find, it wasn't like these people had access to listening devices.
Once his search yielded no results Six checked his pipboy clock and saw that it was only the late afternoon. Faust said that tomorrow he'd send for Six for his first assignment. So until then Six had time to himself.
A gentle knock on the door caused Six's head to snap towards the home's entrance. Six stood still in the same spot earning another few knocks only harder the second time.
Six pulled out Lucky and slowly made way to the door. Six then stood to the side of the door and pressed the barrel of his gun against the wooden door.
"Who is it?" Six asked, pulling the hammer back.
"Sir Six? It's Sasha." The priestess answered.
"Who?" Six asked again.
"I'm the priestess you met earlier. I was in the alley with Primera." Sasha explained.
Oh right. The green haired dame that fired a bolt of light at him.
"What do ya want?" Six asked.
"Could you open the door? I only want to talk." The hero requested.
Six carefully took a look out the window and saw that the priestess was alone. The courier then opened the door enough to show his face, still keeping Lucky pressed against the door aimed directly at the woman.
"Here to finish the job?" Six asked.
Sasha gave the courier a gentle smile. Unlike Faust's never ending grins, her's seemed genuine.
"Nothing of the sort I assure you. I only wanted to check on you. I know the position you're in must be difficult to say the least." Sasha said.
"Talkin' awful kind to a guy ya were just threatenin'." Six said.
Sasha's smile faltered. "I can't say I condone your actions today. However the men you fought are known troublemakers and will make full recoveries, as well when asked to stand down you complied."
"Yer point?"
"I don't think you are a bad person, and that maybe you need a friendly hand." Sasha said, giving Six another warm smile.
Six gave the priestess a confused look. Six then holstered his gun and fully opened the door. Once the door was opened he now fully took in the priestess' appearance.
She was almost Six's height with long seafoam green hair that made it to her lower back.
"What's yer game?" Six asked.
The priestess shook her head. "I'm only trying to be kind."
"Why?" Six continued to question.
Sasha then gave the courier a look that was a mixture of confusion and sympathy. "Is someone being kind for no other reason that much of a foreign concept where you're from?" She asked.
"It's not." Six admitted. "But it's only 'cause when someone's talkin' all sweet-like their friends usually sneakin' up behind ya with a knife." As if to illustrate his point Six shot a glance over his shoulder.
Sasha brought a hand to her mouth at the explanation. "Then I am sorry you had to live in such a dishonest land."
Six leered at the hero. "I don't need yer sympathy darlin', and don't act like this place is all sunshine and rainbows." Six firmly "I may not be the brightest glowin' ghoul, but I know a rotten city when I see one."
Sasha's face then took a sullen look with a sad smile. The same look a mother would give when telling a child someone had passed away.
"I'm impressed with how perceptive you are, Sir Six." Sasha said. "You'll hear no argument from me about the problems Lescatie faces, it's something I know all too well."
It was then Sasha's face was overcome with a wave of emotions. Sadness, pity, sympathy, and guilt were written all over the hero's face.
"I apologize Sir Six. This meeting has not gone as I intended it to, I'll leave you be." Sasha gave the courier a bow and made way to leave.
"Wait." Six said, causing the priestess to halt and turn back.
Six ran a hand over his face before speaking. *sigh* "Ya wanna come in?"
Sasah gave a gentle nod with a smile and entered Six's temporary home.
Delilah entered her home with slumped shoulders and dragged footsteps. It had been a long day of coordinating relief efforts, weeding out insubordinations, and whatever else Druella asked of her.
The demon plopped herself onto her couch and leaned back as far as the cushions would allow her to. Suddenly a pair of hands took hold of her shoulders and began to massage the muscles.
Delilah opened her eyes and me the gaze of her husband. The rugged handsome face of Six smiled down at her. The courier leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on Delilah's lips as she leaned into the massage.
Six ended the kiss and spoke. "Rough day?"
Delilah groaned as she tried to focus on her husband's hands. "You wouldn't believe it, dear. Everyday it seems there are too many needs and not enough hands, I feel as though I'm going to start growing gray hairs any day now."
"Well yer home with me now ain't ya." Six said with a smile.
"the thought of coming home to you is what gets me through the day." Delilah lovingly said, leaning her head back to look her love in the eyes.
The couple stayed still for a few moments, just gazing at each other saying nothing.
"I should get dinner ready." Delilah said.
As the demon attempted to rise from her seat she was gently pushed back down. "You've already had a long day. I'll make dinner, you just rest." Six said.
"But Six-"
"No buts. Let me take care of ya for once." Six said with an earnest smile.
Delilah's eyes began to water. How was she this lucky? The demon quickly got up from her spot and looped around the couch to embrace her husband in a tight hug, pressing her breasts against his chest. Delilah felt Six's arms wrap around her and the demon only pulled back to steal another kiss from the courier.
Unlike the previous kiss this one was filled with want and desire. Their kiss intensified as Six's hands began exploring Delilah's body.
Delilah pulled back from the kiss and bit into Six's shoulder. Her pointy teeth caused a stir of pain and pleasure to flow through Six's body.
"Delilah." Six moaned
"Delilah!"
"Delilah!"
Delilah's eyes shot open. She was no longer in her luxury house in the demon realm with her loving husband, instead she was laying on her cot in her tent being awoken from a fantastical dream.
"Finally, you were out cold there." A familiar voice said.
With a twitching eye Delilah turned her head to see another demon. This demon had a slim figure and shot, curly, lilac hair.
"Hello Maven." Delilah said in a strained voice.
Maven and Delilah were two of the very few demons in Druella's service, thus it made sense for the two to form a fast friendship. Once Delilah had made it back to the outpost and given her report to Druella Maven had rushed to see her friend and fuss over her condition.
"Lady Druella is requesting a meeting and wants everyone there." Maven said.
Wordlessly and begrudgingly Delilah rose from her cot to her feet and went to exit the tent with her friend. Before walking through the tent flap, Delilah spared one last glance to the hat that rested on a nightstand next to her cot before leaving.
The pair of demons made way to the strategy tent passing by the camp's many mamono. Monster girls of all kinds were scattered throughout the camp. Succubi were the most common, along with werewolves, lamia, orcs, and lizardmen just to name a few.
Due to Druelle's 'all are welcome' views she had the most diverse legion compared to her sisters. However it was a double edged sword. The melting pot of different cultures and viewpoints made it difficult to make sure all were acting in accordance to Druella's vision. That's where Druella's most loyal, like Delilah, came in.
Delilah and Maven arrived at their destination and entered the tent. Druella was already present along with the rest of her inner circle.
There was Yukiko, a kunoichi, who was Druella's spymaster, Ophelia, a cyclops, who oversaw relief efforts, and finally General Caitlin, a dullahan, who led Druella's military force despite rarely ever being called upon.
Delilah was Druella's chief of operations, with maven as her second in command, meaning she coordinated all field operations as well as going on missions herself.
Druella gave Delilah a soft smile as the demon entered the tent.
"Alright, with everyone here let's begin." Druella cheerfully said. "Yukiko, I believe you wished to start?"
"Indeed Druella-sama." The kunoichi said with a low bow of her head. "My agent has reported the bandit camp forming towards the eastern provenance we have been tracking is still growing in numbers. So far no settlements have been attacked, however my spy reports that will soon change."
"Oh my that won't do at all." Druella said, bringing a hand to her mouth. "Surely there is a way we can assist, no?"
Caitlin slammed a fist on the wooden table they all sat at. "Of course there is! Allow me to handle this your highness. I can lead a detachment and subdue those bandits before they realize their pants are down!"
Druella brought a finger to her chin. "I don't think sending soldiers will send the message we're trying to make. Perhaps we can send someone to negotiate." The lilim said.
"Druella-sama, forgive me for speaking out of place, but from what my agent tells me negotiations seem very unlikely." Yukiko said.
"Well they just haven't met the charm of a loving mamono!" Druella optimistically said. "Delilah, send someone to open negotiations. See why these bandits feel as though they need to steal and see how we can come to an outcome that benefits evreyone."
This order caused a list of different reactions throughout the room. Yukiko winced, knowing that this would only extend the problem and likely double the work. Caitlin crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks, annoyed that she was once again denied to lead a battle. Ophelia rolled her one eye at her lady's optimistic plan.
And Delilah, devoted as ever, nodded at the command. "It will be done, your grace." The demon confirmed.
"Okay so what's next?" Druella asked.
Ophelia spoke up next. "We've received a request to help relocate the people of Vale."
"Relocate?" Caitlin asked.
"Thanks to Yukiko's informant we know that a detachment of order knights are leaving to 'cleanse' the town." The cyclops responded.
"Well then we should assist post haste!" Druella said. "Caitin, gather troops and wagons and send them to help the citizens at once!"
It was now the dullahan's fists clenched. "Lady Druella, instead of sending troops to vacate the town we should be fighting! It's not fair to force families to leave their homes!" Caitlin said.
Druella's face became serious. "My goal is to establish peace between mamono and humans Caitlin. I will NOT achieve this through conquest or battles."
"With all due respect ma'am, that is exactly how wars are won." The general said.
"Not this one." Druella said with ice in her voice, silencing the general.
"Is that all?" Druella asked.
"There is one more thing, Druella-sama." Yukiko said. "I regret to inform you that I have not been able to track down this 'courier six' you informed me of."
Delilah's eyes shot open at the name and her mouth went agape. "W-what?"
"Gah! Yukiko, that was supposed to be a secret mission!" Druella said.
Despite her mask everyone in the tent saw the look of shock, fear, and shame that washed over Yukiko's face. The kunoichi then fell to the floor in a bowing position. "Druella-sama please forgive me! I had no idea! I offer my life as compensation!"
Yukiko was probably one of the only mamano who could match Delilah in devotion to their shared leader. Anytime Yukiko would make a mistake, no matter how small, she would always overreact and give Druella the same offer as repentance.
The lilim pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yukiko I'm not going to do that, you know I won't."
"The hell's a 'courier six'? If you need a message sent my lady I can always call a harpy." Ophelia said.
With tears overflowing her eyes, Yukiko raised her head. "It's not just any courier, my lady tasked me with tracking the whereabouts of Delilah's husband and not only did I fail in finding him, I also revealed the secret!" The ninja wailed.
Suddenly all eyes were on the demon as the tent became silent.
"Th-they didn't know that part Yukiko." Druella informed.
Realizing her new mistake Yukiko doubled down on her apologizing and crying.
"When did you get a husband?" Ophelia asked.
"You didn't tell me?!" Maven asked.
"About time honestly." Caitlin commented
"H-he's not my husband yet." Delilah quietly and sadly said.
"I will send more agents out! I will double-NO triple my efforts! Forgive me Lady Druellaaaaa!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"How do you lose a husband? I keep both of mine on a short leash." Catlin offhandedly said.
"More like you can't stand being away from them too long." Ophelia teased, causing the dullahan's face to go red.
"Why didn't you tell me you found someone? You've been looking for a husband since we met." Maven asked in a hurt tone.
"I didn't want to say anything until we were back together." Delilah sadly said.
"Delilah I'm sorry I only wanted to help, I didn't mean for you to get uncomfortable." Druella apologized.
"You needn't apologize your highness." Delilah said. "I never said I wanted to keep it a secret, but yes the one I've fallen in love with is missing. And thanks to…circumstances he does not have a very high opinion of mamono at the moment."
"Let me guess, the order?" Catlin said, earning a nod from the demon, even though the order was only partially to blame.
"How about we call this meeting to an end. If any of you need me, come find me." Druella said, hoping to save her demon friend from any more embarrassment.
Delilah spared no time exiting the tent with Maven in tow.
Maven waited until she was sure the pair were out of earshot of the other mamano. "You found true love?!" Maven asked.
"And lost it." Delilah dejectedly said.
"Well you know how good Yukiko is with things like this! I'm sure you'll find him in no time." Maven reassured her friend.
"Even if she does it won't change the fact he hates me." Delilah said as the pair approached her tent.
"Is it really that bad?" Maven asked as the pair entered Deliliah's tent.
"Worse. When we met I attempted to use 'demon's whisper' on him." Delilah admitted.
Maven gasped at that revelation. "Delilah! You know-"
"That Lady Druella doesn't condone those ways, I know I already told her." Delilah said as she sat on her cot and buried her face in her hands.
Maven wanted to continue to berate her friend for her misuse of power. Delilah was in charge of stopping other mamono for doing this exact thing! But she could see the guilt and regret radiating off her friend.
"Okay, so why did you do it?" Maven asked.
"I don't know." Delilah dejectedly said. "I know that's hardly an excuse, hell it's not even that, but when I realized I loved him that he was the one all I could hear was my mother and her way of doing things. I guess her teachings just took over."
Maven went quiet. She had been friends with Delilah long enough to know the tension between Delilah and her family, her mother especially.
Delilah reached for Six's hat and gently ran her thumb across the brim. "It didn't work. The magic just caused him pain." Delilah let out a small and sad laugh. "I've waited so long to meet my true love, and all I do is try to manipulate and hurt him. I really am the worst."
Maven sat and pulled her friend into a hug. "Well there may still be hope! Remember what Lady Druella says, 'True love will always prevail'. Heck for all you know he might not even be angry anymore." The demon reasoned. "He might even have realized that he loves you by now!"
"Gotta say, I hate everything about this fuckin' place and everyone in it." Six said as soon as Sasha closed the door.
Six turned around to look at Sasha. "I'm sorry that was probably rude. I mean it's true, but ya know." Six said with a shrug.
Six grabbed the two chairs that came with the house and dragged them to the table. "I'd offer ya a drink but I don't think ya'll have faucets. Just another big 'fuck you' from this place." Six said taking a seat in the wooden chair.
Sasha took the other seat. "You are kind to offer, if you wish I can take you to the market district for necessities." The priestess offered.
Six waved a hand. "Maybe later, I just wanna rest after this shit show of a day."
Sasha nodded. "I can imagine this has all been a lot to process." The priestess sympathetically said.
"That's puttin' it lightly." Six said. "I go from havin' it all to the fuckin' dark ages. I also can't get past the monsters that are fuckin' tens walking around."
"What do you mean by 'tens'?" Sasha asked.
Six grunted at the question. He's going to have to lighten up on the slang while he's here. "It means attractive. I've seen some pretty faces in my time but these 'monsters' ya'll got are a royal flush to a pair of deuces." Six said.
Six saw the confusion plastered on the priestess' face and let out a sigh. "They're attractive is my point."
"They are." Sasha agreed. "But heed caution. Their looks are part of how they lure the pure away."
"Yeah a blue one me and ears ran into tried some weird shit on me. Gave me a nasty headache." Six said.
"Manipulation magic failed on you? That's almost unheard of." Sasha said.
"Yeah, ears said somethin' similar. What do they want anyway? Ta eat us? Slaves? The whole 'wipe out the lesser species' bullshit?"
"Most commonly they want a husband." Sasha said.
"...what?"
"Monsters, or 'mamono' as they are also called, use manipulation, seduction, and many other tactics to find husbands." Sasha explained. "Though other monsters are more interested in the act of sex than forced marriage. Some even force themselves on men to satiate their….'needs'."
Six blinked a few times just trying to make sense of what he was being told. If Sasha didn't look deathly serious he'd assume this was some elaborate joke.
"Okay I hear ya, I don't get it but I hear ya, but why not just knock boots with their own kind? Why go after humans?" Six asked.
"Monsters are an all female species. When the current demon lord, a succubus named Lilith, took the throne from her predecessor she used her newfound magic to transform every monster in the realms into 'monster girls'. Each imbued with the essence of a succubus, which is why the monsters we know are focused on finding a mate to….procreate with." Sasha blushed at the implications she was making.
"What kind of madhouse is this?! Rapist monsters and knights, what a fuckin' shit show!" Six yelled. "This world can bite my ass! Is there anything else I need ta know?"
Sasha nodded. "You should know that to keep their prey complacent mamono use demonic energy to corrupt and pacify humans to change their perception. Eventually the humans in their possession begin to truly love and even worship their captors."
"Jesus, talk about stockholm syndrome." Six muttered.
Sasha bit her lower lip. She looked as though there were much more she wanted to say.
"Anythin' else ta add?" Six asked
Sasha looked as she was about to say more but paused. "No….that's it."
Six leaned back in his chair. "Well I appreciate the advice sister."
"I only wish to keep all citizens safe." Sasha said.
"Oh ya ain't gotta worry 'bout me darlin'. I've yet ta meet something that couldn't be put in the ground for good." Six said with a small laugh.
"I will take your word for it." Sasha said as she stood up. "I'm afraid I need to return to the children, if you require any help you can find me at the orphanage in the slums." Sasha said.
"Ya take care of orphans?" Six asked.
Sasha nodded in confirmation. "Yes I inherited the position from my parents. I also lead sermons at the chapel in the slums if you ever wish to learn more about the Chief God."
Six let out a laugh. "Ya feed orphans and preach at church. Gotta say sister ya seem too nice, makes me feel like your hidin' somethin'." Six said.
"I appreciate the compliment, but I am just a servant in the Chief God's service." Sasha said as she moved out the door.
Before she closed the door Sasha looked back at the courier. "Truly Six, if there is anything I can assist with let me know." And with that the priestess closed the door and left.
Six took a chair and faced it at the door. The courier took a seat and brought out Lucky and his 'guns and ammo' magazine, another sleepless night ahead of him.
As the morning came Six found himself walking to the cathedral with two muscular men guiding him.
The pair of men had knocked on Six's door informing him that Faust had sent the pair to retrieve the courier.
When the high priest said he would send someone, Six expected another of the tin can knights he had seen so far. However instead of the holy knight he was expecting it was a pair of identical muscle heads in leathers. They pair looked less like 'holy crusade' and more 'hired thug'.
Six asked if they were knights. The left one said they were Faust's 'personal guards'. Why did a religious man in charge of an army of knights needed personal bodyguards? Six didn't know or care that much. But it did mean that there was much more to this than Six liked.
Yet despite all the uneasy thoughts and shaky trust Six continued to follow the pair to the cathedral all the way into the same meeting room as he was in yesterday. Inside the room was Faust sitting in the center seat alone with clasped hands and a smile.
"Good morning Six. Did you rest well last night?" The priest asked.
Six waved his hand. "Let's just get ta work. I ain't much fer small talk."
Faust let out a laugh. "I admire the professionalism!"
Six rolled his eyes. Faust acted entirely too cheerful. It made the courier wonder what kind of sick secrets were buried underneath the sunny disposition.
"Onto the mission then. Baron Krushaw, a member of the Lescatie senate, has been losing workers in his crop fields north of the city. Normally this isn't something to warrant the order's concern however one of the field hands reports the disappearances are due to harpies, nasty creatures. We are sending two knights in training to investigate and confirm if there is monster involvement." Faust explained.
Six scratched his neck. "Not fer nothin' padre, but I ain't no babysitter."
Faust raised a placating hand. "I understand, and for the record I agree wholeheartedly. However the other High Priests think it a good idea to have you assist on lower priority missions to gauge your skill set."
Six suppressed a groan. Sticking him with a bunch of rookies wouldn't've been his first choice of potential jobs. "So long as I'm still gettin' paid." Six said with a sigh.
"That's the spirit!" Faust said as he signaled one of his guards to bring in the trainees.
Six heard a sharp gasp as two new bodies entered the room. Six turned to see the newcomers.
"Oh ya gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me." Six said as he saw who he was being paired up with.
Standing in the door frame was Elt, the same red headed knight six had 'met' yesterday.
"W-what are you doing here?!" Elt asked. Surely the man who had caused such a frenzy the day before would be in jail right?!
"Oh it seems you two already know each other." Faust said.
"High Priest Faust I believe you should be made aware that this man assaulted several individuals yesterday and threatened two Lescatie Heroes!" Elt said, standing stiff at attention.
"Snitch." Six muttered.
"I am well aware of yesterday's transgressions Squire Elt. However Six is truly remorseful for his action-Six scoffed-and is ready to make up for it in service to the Chief God." Faust said
"But-"
For the first time since meeting him, Six saw the smile on Faust's face falter. "Squire Elt, I am sure you are wise enough to know better than to question a High Priest of the Chief God, yes?" Faust said.
"O-oh of course. Please forgive me sir." Elt said, bowing his head at the priest.
"Forgiveness goes to those who are worthy of it Elt." A condescending voice spoke.
Six then noticed the man wearing the same armor as Elt. He stood taller than the redhead with ink black hair slicked and had his nose high in the air.
"And I don't think anyone like you is worthy of anything other than the honor of polishing my boots." The posh asshole said with a smug grin.
Not since Ted Gunderson hasSix wanted to punch someone so badly.
"All who serve the Chief God are worthy in their own right, Squire Sebastian." Faust said.
Sebastian subtly rolled his eyes. "As you say, high priest."
Faust's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but continued nonetheless. "Six, you will be assisting these two on the mission today. The land I am sending you to is half a day north on horseback. Go there, investigate whether or not there is involvement, and report back."
"Wouldn't ya rather me jus' kill whatever I find?" Six asked.
Sebastian let out an obnoxiously loud scoff.
"If you are able to slay any monsters that would be favorable. However, reporting back their presence is imperative. So rarely do monsters operate individually, much like rats if you encounter one vermin many more are surely not far behind. Once we know what we are dealing with we can act accordingly."
So just a scouting mission? Simple enough.
"Why send a couple of new boots then? I can scout jus' fine on my own." Six said.
"Archbishop Noscrim believed this would be an ideal opportunity to give some of our more promising knights in training practical experience. You see these two are under the tutelage of Merse Dascaros, one of the heroes of Lescatie. She hand picks those to teach that show exceptional potential." Faust explained.
"And yet she still chose to teach Elt." Sebastian snarked.
"Hey! I work just as hard as everyone else Sebastian." Elt said.
"Gentlemen, please try to remember that we are all on the same side." Faust asked before turning back to Six. "Hero Primera mentioned you did not have experience riding horses so I arranged for a wagon for your transport."
"The vagabond can't even ride a horse? It seems I'm being paired with the bottom of the barrel for this. And my first real mission too, how disappointing." Sebastian said, letting out an exaggerated sigh.
It was then Six took a step towards the condescending squire. "I don't think I got yer name partner."
Sebastian let out a dry laugh. "I fully believe you don't think. For your information I am Sir Sebastian Percivel Von Marcus Hildem the third."
"Well Sir 'I got too fucking long of a name', I ain't cotton about bein' paired with a couple a tin soldiers that are still wet behind the ears, but I recommend you keep yer comments to yourself before my self control breaks." Six warned.
"I'll have you know you're speaking to a future knight of the order. You are just some dirty outsider that has brought your filth within this city." Sebastian shot back.
Despite the 'somebody punch me' attitude the guy had Six had to admit he had a spine.
Before Six could respond Elt inserted himself between the two. "Guys! High Priest Faust just told us we're on the same side, let's try to get along." The red headed squire pleaded.
Six took a step back while giving the smiling Sebastian the stink eye. Faust gave the trio parting details. The name of the crop manager they need to meet, a man named Crowley, and to be careful of potential bandits.
Six thought it odd how unconcerned Faust seemed to be about bandits so close to the city but had to remind himself about how the Fiends used to be a stone's throw away from Vegas years ago.
The courier and squires made their way to the city's main gate to depart. The walk to the stables was filled with the back and forth of Sebastian and Elt. It wasn't hard to piece together the tension. From what Six picked up Sebastian came from a silver spoon household and Elt came up from the slums.
Six didn't particularly like either one of them, but the courier could respect someone rising through the ranks through their own strengths.
Soon enough the three set off in the horse drawn wagon with Six and Elt sitting in the back and Sebastian steering.
Six passed the time by looking over his weapons making sure his guns were loaded and checking how soon they'd need cleaning.
"Ya got somethin' on yer chest junior?" Six asked. He'd noticed Elt's gaze on him since they left the city.
"W-what?" Elt sputtered out.
"Ya got somethin' ta say then say it." Six said meeting the squire's gaze.
Elt's face hardened. "I don't fully trust you."
"Good for you." Six said.
"What I mean is after yesterday I don't know what your intentions are. However if High Priest Faust says you'll assist the order then I'll treat you as a comrade in arms like any other." Elt then paused as he tried to muster up the courage of the next part of his speech. "But I won't stand you speaking disrespectfully of Hero Primera."
Six had to think of exactly what he said about Ears the previous day, but he had honestly forgotten whatever it was he said.
"Look Red, I'm gettin' paid ta help ya put monsters six feet under. But bein' nice to yer girlfriend ain't part of the job description."
Elt's face then took on a shade of red similar to his hair. "P-primea isn't my- That'd be- we're not-" The rambling was then cut off by a haughty laugh.
"A hero giving Elt the time of day is fantasy enough. But the very idea of one courting him?! Maybe in his wildest dreams." Sebastian laughed
"M-my point is the heroes of Lescatie work harder than anyone to protect the city and its people so please show them the respect they deserve!" Elt said.
"Sure junior, whatever you say." Six said as he turned back to his weapons.
Elt's shoulders slumped. Despite the courier's words it didn't look to Elt like his words got through. Hopefully this would be the peak of any potential friction between Elt and Six.
Maven had landed on a dirt road miles away from the nearest town.
Delilah had entrusted Maven with the mission of negotiating with the bandit camp. So after hours of flying she had arrived at the spot where she would meet with Yukiko's spy.
The road was like any other in the area, a strip of land parting the lush forest into two sides.
Maven took the time to take in the gentle sound of the leaves bustling with the wind.
"Are you Maven?"
The demon nearly jumped out of her skin. Maven then quickly spun around and was met with the sight of a kunoichi.
"By the Demon Lord's grace! You nearly scared me to death!" Maven yelled.
The kunoichi was unfazed by the demon's screams. "I apologize. Now please answer my question. Are you Maven?"
"This girl's all business." Maven thought.
"Yes I am Maven. Are you Yukiko's agent?" The demon asked.
The kunoichi nodded and gave a bow of her head. "You may call me Chie. Lady Yukiko informed me that I am to lead you to the bandit camp, correct?"
Maven nodded in confirmation. "I've been sent to negotiate with the bandits to avoid any potential bloodshed."
Chie raised her head. "I will take you, but as I told Lady Yukiko, negotiations seem unlikely."
Maven winced. "I was informed of that but these are orders directly from Lady Druella."
Chie's brows furrowed. "I can't help but think our lady's optimism is misplaced."
"Be that as it may we must still try a peaceful solution." Maven said.
The pair of monsters began making their way to the bandit camp following Chie's directions.
"So what do you know about these bandits?" Maven asked.
"I know that they've only recently turned to a life of crime. From what I gathered this camp is entirely made up of people who were uprooted from their homes by the Order due to accusations of 'unholy practices'." Chie explained.
"Were they actually guilty?"
"I've been in their camp. I haven't witnessed practices, worship, or anything other than contempt towards mamono. That along with the fact their land was immediately seized by a neighboring baron leads me to believe that their eviction was nothing more than a ploy for the baron to gain more land."
Maven mulled over the information. "We'll have to investigate this further. If this was a conspiracy we may be able to-" The demon's words were cut short as Chie halted her walking.
The kunoichi began scanning the area looking for something that should be there.
"What's wrong?" Maven asked.
"We should have passed lookouts by now." Chie answered.
"Maybe they're on break?" Maven suggested.
Chie shook her head. "No, they've been meticulously careful about hiding their camp. If the scouts aren't here then they've either moved camp or…" The kunoichi trailed off.
"Or what?" Maven asked.
"Or something has gone wrong." Chie said.
Both mamono doubled their speed to the bandit camp. After traversing through the deeper parts of the forest the pair eventually came across a clearing of trees where the bandit camp was. Or rather what was left of it.
Tents had been slashed, campfires and torches left burning and unattended, and bodies littered the ground all over the camp.
Maven brought a hand to her mouth as the demon saw the state of the corpses. Limbs were scattered all around, heads were separated from their bodies, and one man's chest looked as though it had been ripped open.
All the bandits' weapons were stained with blood and no bodies other than the bandits were seen.
"W-what happened?" Maven asked.
Chie's eyes were wide as plates as she looked upon the carnage. "I have no idea. I just saw them three days ago and everyone was still alive."
With caution Chie and Maven began walking through the camp looking for anything that could explain the massacre. All the duo found was more bodies in mutilated states.
"Do you think this was the order?" Maven asked.
"I don't think so. If it was, they would have burned the camp to 'purify' the land." Chie said.
Before the pair of mamono could theorize and further they heard a soft 'thump' come from a wooden chest. The chest was surrounded by clothes strewed around it.
Chie took point as she slowly approached the chest unsheathing her dagger. Maven silently prepared a spell as translucent circles spun around her hand.
Once both monsters were ready Chie opened the chest ready to strike.
"WAIT! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" A voice screamed.
Inside the chest was a scrawny young man with unkempt brown hair. His arms were coated in slashes and cuts. His left hand was missing two fingers with cloth tightly wrapped around the wound to keep it from bleeding.
"Who are you!?" Chie shouted at the frightened young man.
Once the man realized that it was monsters that had found him his fear increased tenfold.
The man scurried out of the chest and began backing away from the mamono. "No no no nonononono! Please-please don't take my soul!"
Maven stepped between Chie and the man. "Please calm yourself. No one is going to take your soul." The demon assured.
"No, you're lying! The church say-gah." While backing up the man tripped on one of the bandit's bodies and fell on his back.
Maven slowly walked to the man with her hands held up in a placating manor. "Please I promise you I don't mean you any harm." Maven summoned an inky black portal of swirling darkness. She reached into the portal and retrieved a canteen of water and offered it to the man.
"Here, are you thirsty?" The demon asked.
The man looked back and forth between the demon and the canteen unsure of what to do.
"I promise it's only water. See!" Maven then poured some water out of the canteen to show the clear liquid. "I know you don't trust demons, but I give you my word that I'm not here to hurt you." Maven said with a gentle smile.
With the mixture of fear and desperation for something to drink the man shakily reached for the canteen. He took a cautious sip and after not tasting anything different began to greedily drink the water.
"There isn't that better?" Maven asked with a small laugh.
Chie kept eyeing the man and looking around at the state of the camp and its inhabitants. "Are you one of these bandits?"
After the man was done drinking from the canteen he answered. "I-I was yeah." He looked around at the bodies. "I wager I'm the last one though."
"What happened here?" Maven gently asked, taking the now empty canteen back.
"It was madness! One minute we were all eating, drinking, laughing like every night then blood was everywhere. I'm only a stable hand, I've never seen anything like it."
"Who attacked you?" Chie coldly asked, earning a disapproving look from Maven.
"We did?" The man answered.
"You did? What do you mean?" Maven asked.
"Before I answer, tell me why a couple of monsters care?" The man said.
Maven tried to speak as gently as possible. "Despite what the church of the chief god teaches, not all mamono are hostile to humans. In fact the army me and my friend are part of seeks to help humans and build a peaceful relationship between mamono and humans."
The man was silent as he was processing all of this.
"My name is Maven and my friend is Chie." The demon said.
After more silence the man let out a sigh. "My name is Thomas."
"Alright Thomas, what did you mean when you said your camp attacked itself?" Maven asked
Thomas spared another glance at the bodies before shaking his head. "It'd be easier if I started from the beginning. Our leader, Mordecai, was angry after the order kicked us out of our homes. He said 'If they can take what they want, why can't we?', so we decided to become bandits. But he wanted to make sure we had numbers before we did our first job. As it turned out a lotta guys were in the same position as us, down on our luck after the order took what we had and wanting to punch back." Thomas explained.
"That's awful." Maven quietly said.
Thomas gave a sad laugh. "I didn't realize how common this was before we started recruiting. But that's what caused all this. A few days ago Mordecai found this guy out on the roads, he had weird clothes and just a strange presence about him. For whatever reason Mordecai took to him like a fish takes to water. He said his name was Daniel, and apparently he used to be part of a big time bandit group where he was from. So Mordecai started taking 'lessons' from him about how to be better bandits."
Thomas shuddered before he continued. "The things he said were vile and just….evil. I wasn't comfortable with what he was telling us to do, a few of us weren't. But Mordecai ate it all up. Last night though…..last night was when it happened."
"What happened?" Chie asked.
"Last night Daniel said he had something that would make us feel invincible. It was some kind of needle, he had enough for the whole camp. Everyone was sticking themselves with it and for a while it was like watching someone be possessed by demons-" Thomas paused before looking to Maven. "Err no offense."
"None taken. You didn't try it?" Maven asked.
Thomas shook his head. "I didn't trust Daniel. I wanted nothing to do with what he was offering. And it's a good thing I didn't. Once everyone had the stuff injected into them they began acting erratic, they were all twitchy and yelling about how they were ready to fight. I even saw a couple of them foam at the mouth."
Thomas took a deep breath as he continued. "Then it all went downhill when someone bumped into Mordecai, that's all it took, just bumping into him. Mordecai grabbed his mace and smashed the guy's face in and then just kept smashing his body over and over."
Maven gasped. "He just killed his own men for that?!"
"That's not even the worst part of it. The guy that bumped into Mordecai was his own brother!"
Both Maven and Chie paled at the reveal and looked as if they were about to be sick.
"After that the whole camp began killing each other. They grabbed their weapons and began killing anyone they saw! Some of them didn't even bother with weapons, they just used their teeth and hands." Thomas' voice began to break.
Maven cautiously put a hand on Thomas' shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "I panicked and tried to hide, but before I could someone tackled me to the ground and started cutting me with a dagger. I knocked away but they just grabbed my hand and bit two of my fingers off." He said holding his bloodied and wrapped hand up.
"Before he could finish the job someone shot an arrow through their eye, I don't even think it was to save me it was just to kill someone they saw. I laid still underneath the body until the coast was clear. I found a chest, emptied it out and hid until all the screams stopped. I was still too scared to climb out though."
"And then we found you." Maven finished.
Thomas just nodded.
Chie raised an eyebrow. "And what of this Daniel? Where is he?"
Thomas looked around for a minute before pointing to a lone corpse. "That's him over there."
Maven gestured for Chie to investigate as she used the same black smoky portal to retrieve a healing potion for Thomas' cuts.
Chie walked over to the body and sure enough Daniel was as dead as the rest of the camp. His eyes had been gouged out leaving two empty holes in his head.
Chie noted the strange helmet he wore was decorated with a stag skull. The kunoichi took the helmet from the body.
"Do you have any idea of what the potion Daniel gave your friends was?" Maven asked as she treated Thomas' wounds.
"He called it 'psycho' I think." Thomas answered.
"Is there anything else you can remember about him?" Maven pressed.
Thomas thought for a minute before answering. "I think he said he was from some place called the 'Mo-hav-ee."
(A/N: Sorry it took so long for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! Btw a little fun fact Daniel is an actual named fiend from the game.)
Sasha S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
S. 5
P. 4
E. 6
C. 7
I. 8
A. 4
L. 6