Stolas groaned with satisfaction as the gag was taken out of his mouth. "You know me so well, Blitzy." The things an imp could do with a glass dagger and some old rope. It was as twisted as it was beautiful in its execution.
"Yeah yeah, eat it up." Blitzy scoffed as he lit up a cigarette. Not one of Stolas's favorite pastimes, but this was hell, who complained about vices here? "I mean when you call saying I need to come over and hand the fancy shmancy book over, I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"I may have undercalculated how soon I would've needed it back." Or he could've intentionally done that to get to have fun with Blitzy much more sooner, who's to say? "You know, after your little exchange with the radio demon, I feared that I would've foreseen more complications with the other goetia's, but it seems radio shows are rather sparse amongst my family."
"I guess it's lucky for us. We get to keep killing without anyone cracking down on us." Blitzy smirked. "Even the kid's not fighting us on that front so much anymore. Almost got his balls drained by a pycho bitch. Mille murdered the fuck out of her and he didn't even fight it."
"I heard." Stolas smiled. "I really do like that boy. I haven't seen Octavia this happy since she was the child."
"I'm guess the apple's not falling far from the tree for spontaneous attraction?" Blitz questioned.
"I wouldn't say spontaneous." He has always felt this way for Blitzy, it just took the right circumstances to fully flesh out how much he did. "She's just happy to have a friend. Isn't that what we all want in the end?"
"... Yeah, we do." The imp looked to the window. "... So, what do you need the book for anyway?"
"A harvest moon festival in wrath." Stolas explained. "It's so wonderful seeing their commoner smiles when I display the cosmic joys of a celestial body."
"Wrath eh?" Blitzy hummed a bit. "Two of my workers are from there, but I never went myself … eh, probably full of inbred chuckle fucks."
Wait … was Blitzy … was this an invitation!? Oooh, Stolas became even MORE excited. "You know, you could see it yourself? A little company trip? I could bring Octavia."
"I said it before, we're assassins, not bodyguards. That was a one time thing that we did badly." Blitz admitted.
"Oh relax. This is wrath. There's nothing threatning down there." Stolas waved off. "I've been there several times and I've always felt safe."
"Well, not like I got anything else to do with you dragging the book with you and the backlog of clients waiting to see their loved ones murdered." Blitz rolled his eyes.
"Ooh, I'm so sowwy you have to keep your clients waiting." He teased as Stolas pinched the imp's cheek.
"Oh fuck my clients." Blitz waved off with a smile. "Well, better get a move on before you start demanding a double helping."
"Oooh, not even a goodbye kiss?" He questioned. "My lips are ripe and pluck for a pecking."
"And mine need to be waxed if we're getting down and dirty in wrath." Blitz hopped out of the bed and slammed the door open.. where Stella was once more. "Oh hey there. I fucked your husband again."
"... YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" He hated hearing her voice, but he loved listening to her disappointment.
Millie hugged her little tot as they drove along. "Gonna meet the family, gonna meet the family, you're gonna meet the family." She squeezed the boy tightly. Since dealing with that rapping bitch, the tot had been more receptive to her affection. Maybe soon he'll actually call her mom!
"You really like them, don't you?" Iruma asked as he stared out the window.
"Course I do! They raised me and all twenty of my brothers and sis." Millie grinned. "They're the toughest roughest but most soft hearted imps in all of wrath. You'll love them just as much as they'll love you."
"I … wait, twenty brothers and sisters?" He blinked. "... I have seen ANIMALS with less family. How durable are your parents?"
"This is the wrath ring kid." Blitz spoke from the driver's seat. "Everyone in this place is supposed to be a surly son of a bitch due to how harsh the climate is here. Pretty everyone here breeds like rabbits." Not untrue.
"Oh right, burning sun, hellsnakes, and hellquakes."
"I assure you, there are no hellquakes.."
"Stop scaring the kid with your paranoia, Fatso." Loona called out from the shotgun seat.
"But there aren't …"
"Moxxie." Iruma spoke up. "Satan's daughter says there are. How else are you supposed to take that?"
"… I'll refrain from talking about it further."
"Like how your dick refrains from erecting everytime you want to rub it out.." Blitz snorted.
"Sir!"
"What, I'm doing you a favor!" Blitz called out. "If you can't survive me emasculating you, how can you expect you to survive Millie's sperm and egg factory?"
"Oh come now, I'm sure Millie's family will be lovely people." Mox smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Wait, you never met them?" Iruma asked.
"Me and Mox eloped… didn't have a lot of time to give out invitations." Millie shrugged. "But they have met once."
"And how did that go?" Loona asked.
"The past is the past, they've moved on."
"Oh, so it went horribly." Iruma nodded. "Disapproving parents that think you're to good for him?"
"…" Everyone started at the tot.
"It was the arc for chapter 279 of first love memories, the romance manga I used to edit for." Iruma explained. "The whole issue was solved because the guy sent the villain of the arc to jail, proving his devotion to do anything for the girl."
"Yeah, that ain't going to happen." Loona snickered. "As if anyone would believe fatty can nut up to save a life."
"I saved Millie last week!"
"Didn't hear it, don't believe it." The hellhound scoffed. "Though I did hear Millie shank that bitch."
"... Honestly might have been a bad move on her part." Blitz spoke up.
"I mean, I don't fully approve.. but.. I feel a little better with her.. you know.." Iruma nodded, making Millie squeeze him tighter.
"Oh no, the bitch absolutely deserved to die." Her boss clarified. "But now that chick's both immortal and in hell."
"….I'm going to start boarding up my room now."
"Oh please, she's ain't going to be a problem." Miliie waved off. "Once extermination starts, you won't ever have to think about her again."
"You guys keep bringing that up. What do you mean by extermination?" Iruma asked.
"You see." Mox started. "It's-"
"We're here!" Blitz stopped the van, jumping out as they arrived at a familiar little farm.
"We're home!" Millie giggled gleefully as she stuck her head out. "Are they..Ma, Pa!" She jumped out the window and into the arms of her parents.
"Millie, so nice to see you!" Ma smiled as she rubbed her head as usual. "Been a while since you left on your …" The woman hesitated. "'Freelance' job. Can't imagine you making money with doing everything for free and all."
"Ma, we've been over this a hundred times, freelance pays, and it pays fine." Millie rolled her eyes. "It's fine." One rough subject between her and parents was how ... small minded they could be due to sticking to farm life.
"True that." Her boss walked over, extending his hand to her pa. "I'm Blitz, the O is silent. I'm her boss, and I must say you have raised quite the lovely violent war machine."
"War does raise the best prospects." Pa chuckled as he shook his hand. "Firm shake. Much better than your last husband. What was the straw that made you decide to finally ditch the weasel of an imp?"
"Dad…" She rolled her eyes as Moxxie came out, unfortunately struggling to carry the luggage.
"You sure you don't want me to carry that Moxxie-" Iruma asked.
"It's fine, it's fine, I can carry one lousy suitcase!"
"Oh … he's still here." The man grumbled with disappointment.
"Yep, the M'nM's are stuck together like glue, though not for lack of trying, am I right?" Blitz chuckled. "Some Days you wander what kind of grip he has to keep a catch like Millie, and then you wonder why he's not applying that to everything else!"
"Ain't that the truth." Ma laughed.
"Blitz, you're NOT helping!" Milllie shout whispered.
"I'm makin sweet talk with your family, how is that not helping our company's first impression!?" He shout whispered back.
"So who're the other two workers you snagged along?" Ma gestured to Loona and Iruma, as the rest of her family walked out of the house, rambunctiously.
"Well this is Loona, she's the company hellhound.."
"Fuck you too bitch." Loona flipped her off, looking like she was about to pounce, only for Iruma to rub her on the head.
"There there, the day's only getting started." He responded, as the girl completely melted in his touch. Just as long as they kept romance out of it … he was too young.
"And this adorable little ball of joy is Iruma, he's our new tot." She introduced, hugging him tightly. "We met him at one of our jobs. He managed to survive my wrath, so I adopted him."
"Really trying hard to forget that you almost killed me several times the first few times we met…" Iruma smiled with a shaky nod and grin."
The family stared at the boy for a moment. "... He looks scrawnier than the husband." Ma whispered to Pa.
"And his eyes are so pushovery."
Her sister walked by, giving him an up and down. "... Out of all the orphans, you got the ugly one?" Sally May asked.
"Ugly.." Iruma raised an eyebrow.
"Guys, enough." Millie glared. "They might not look like much on the surface, but everyone here is impressive in their own way-"
"Finally… got the… luggage out." And Moxxie absolutely did NOT prove her point by dragging the suitcase to them. "...Okay…. Did I miss something?"
"... Does that way include actually murdering things decently?" Sallie questioned rhetorically.
"Actually I'm against murder." … Everyone gave Iruma disappointed looks.
"This is going to be a long weekend." Pa groaned. "Luckily we got us a new farmhand that could make up for their lack of help. Striker, front and center!"
"Neeeeh!" In on a skeleton horse came a tall imp with orange skin, eyes that seemed like they belonged to somethin from the greed ring, and a cowboy hat coverin a patch of white hair.
"...I just got so hard right now." Blitz admitted without shame.
"If it isn't IMP and the radio boy." The man chuckled. "Most people in Wrath don't use up to date tech, but I must say, your exploits are truly somethin to follow …" He glanced at Mox. "Most of you anyway."
"Oh, we try." Blitz shrugged off. "When your good at something, you just capitalize, just common sense."
"Yeah, but most imps don't strike it out on their own like you do." Striker grinned. "And doing so while conning that blue blooded bird brain, you are quite the impressive specimen, Blitz."
"Oh… really?" Blitz actually blushed for a second. "Well, it's nothing to great, I mean what me and Stolas have-it's nothing at all, just a transactional fucking."
"..Is he flirting?" Iruma whispered.
"I think that's the closest yes we'll ever get." Mox nodded. "Lin, Joe, how nice to-" The group already turned their heads. "... See you."
"Well, guess that's a sign to get back to the barn." Striker grinned. "After all, gotta make sure everything is right when the pain games start."
"Games, I heard games, what are these games, don't care, cause I'm in!" Blitz ginned excitedly.
"The pain games are what the wrath ring plays every harvest moon festival." Millie explained. "I can't enter because my kill count's too high, but I think Iruma should absolutely prove his stuff." She smiled down at the tot.
"Yeah, sure, the ugly orphan with baby soft skin can handle all the pain." Sallie May rolled her eyes.
"…Ugly…" Her boy grumbled repeatedly. "Why the heck would she keep saying ugly.."
"Hey, don't sweat it. It's just another excuse to blame your original sperm and egg donors for your shitastic life." Blitz cackled
"Hey, I'll have you know my tot can handle the toughest of the tough any day of the week!" Millie defended!
"But I would rather not."
"Oh please, a kid like that would only last three seconds longer than your limp dick husband."
"She's got you there Mox." Blitz snorted.
"Hey! I'm a wrath imp too! I can handle something as simple as pain!"
"I thought you were a greed imp?" … Everyone turned to Iruma. "What? I learned to read horns."
"Ah, so not only is he spineless, he's a poser." Pa shook his head.
"Dad!"
"Ladies, I believe we can settle whose got what it takes right now." Striker got in the middle and pointed to a nearby hell hog. "Family needs dinner tonight, and nothing's tougher than taking down food with your bare hands."
"Child's play." Moxxie took out a gun.
"Nah uh uh." Striker used his tail to lower it. "Bullets don't penetrate the skin. Ya gotta strike in close and personal with one of these." He showed off a knife.
"Oh.. I mean, maybe if I switched to-"
CHOMP
Everyone switched their heads over to the hog … where Iruma had taken one huge bloody bite out of the critter's back. "Sorry. I saw a pig and got hungry. Were we supposed to wait for it to fatten up, or … was it someone's pet …"
"… Those are suppose to break teeth." Her sister said with a small gasp.
"Oh … good thing that's the one part of my body I actually built up." The boy chuckled nervously.
"Don't be so modest kid." Striker chuckled. "You just proved yourself more manly than the actual man in your family."
"... I'll just bring the bags to our room." Mox spoke with dejection.
"Don't you dare question my family again." Millie glared at her parents as she joined up with Moxxie. "Don't let them get to you Mox. It wasn't your brawn that drew me to you."
"I know.." Mox sighed. "It's just… this is where my mom grew up.. I want to do right by her by embracing my wrath heritage."
"Mox, your mom would have wanted you to be happy." She rubbed his face. "You don't need to be someone you're not."
"And what you are is our itty bitty little sniper." Blitz barged in with a large grin. "So that Striker guy, pretty hot huh? Think I laid it out too thick or was I not subtle enough?"
"I think you shouldn't be so chummy with the guy trying to humiliate my husband." She glared.
"Oh it's just teasing. We do that all the time." The man shrugged. "Look at him, he's grinning with your kid as your brothers and sisters hoist him in the air."
"HUNTER! HUNTER! HUNTER!" Her little siblings screamed out.
"Are we getting more food? Cause I could use something with more meat?"
"Well glad he's having fun." Millie grinned. "But I still don't trust that spiral eyed mother fucker."
"Don't worry Mill's, I'm keeping a firm eye on that fine ass." Blitz grinned.
"We both will." Mox said firmly. "Because I'm winning those pain games."
"Mox.." Millie sighed.
"I need to do this for myself Millie." Mox nodded firmly. "I am as rough and tough as any bastard in this ring, and I can prove it." Seriously, how was he this self conscious after how wet he made her last week?
Iruma turned on his portable fan, hammering away a couple of boards to the post. The imp farm still needed time to set up the props, so when asked to help, he, obviously, said yes. It luckily wasn't anything he wasn't unused to doing already.
"Really?" The guy imp dressed like a girl (it was questionable but it felt rude to pry) asked. "You're gonna sissy out with an electro fan?"
"I need something to compensate for desert heat so I don't pass out from heatstroke. Something tells me water isn't exactly a commodity here." The volcanoes and mention of fire tornados was a good indicator of that.
"Course not. The toughest sons of bitches endure the heat and out sweat the sun."
"And dry up like a raisin?"
"That's beside the point."
"... Well I'm still going to use it. I feel like I'll need the stamina since I'm going to be dragged into the pain games." Something he also wasn't interested in, thanks for that Millie. The woman was sweet and all, but she really pushed things with her trying to be his mom… something he was still feeling weird about.
Emily was the same way for him, and it took him a while just to admit to himself she was someone that actually cared about Iruma in the slightest. With Millie… part of him wanted to accept her.. another couldn't just forget that IMP just a few months ago were trying to kill him. Because this was hell and no one could be tru-
A bottle was placed down next to him. "Hydrokites." Striker spoke up. "Three times more efficient than water. Hell has its perks if you know where to look."
"... Is it safe for humans to drink?" Iruma got a shrug in return.
"You tell me. You're the one that's been slowly adjusting to cannibalism." The cowboy snickered. "Or do you need it in sandwich form?"
"Fair point." Wasn't like he was picky about what he put into his body anyways. "You know, if you listened to the radio, then you know people don't usually give me anything unless they want something out of it." Iruma sighed as he accepted the drink.
"That's how it is for all of hell. It's a world of take and more take." He smirked. "You ever hear of the expression penny for your thoughts?" The cowboy asked as he got to work on his own post.
"Once from Husk, and another time when I was working at a coin depository and I was almost crushed by a giant bag of Pennies." Ironically one of his more safer jobs that paid the least out of all of them. "So you want my opinion on something?"
"Yeah … would you really not kill anyone?" He questioned.
"No." He stated plainly.
"But you killed that pig without a second thought." The man smirked.
"It's an animal. They live by different rules." Iruma said. "Eat or be eaten. You can't reason with them, or talk them down. You can't offer goods to the or try peace. You can do that with people." He tried when he was young, almost got bitten … and in one case, eaten. "People can be horrible, but I'm not going to just get angry and kill someone because I can."
"Oh really?" The tall imp grinned."Not even that Alastor fella?"
Iruma flinched at that. Alastor…dead. He nearly felt his heart skip a beat at the idea… oh dear god what was hell doing to him? "Don't even joke like that. Even if by some miracle he got hurt, he's just come back; like a bad tumor."
The man simply smirked. "Oh come on, just talkin about him ain't gonna do anything too bad. Otherwise he would have ripped the head off that imp girl always hangin around you."
"True.." Although that was probably giving Alastor ideas on how to torture him … then again Alastor wanted IMP around because their attempts to help him only made his life chaotic and messy and miserable… "… The jerk isn't like anyone I've ever met … there is no reasoning with him once he got his mind on something … he just laughs and smiles and makes everyone worse…" Iruma growled. "He's the only demon I say for sure belongs in hell … and my life would be better if he didn't exist."
"Hmm …" The man nodded. "Met a few people like that around. Blue blood pricks who flaunt their wealth and fame, doin whatever they damn well please, no matter who it hurts … makes me sick."
"... I'm sorry to hear." Iruma said honestly.
"You know, most imps are in the same position as you. Were born to be the Slaves and playthings of higher demons." The man with rattle snake eyes cackled. "You know why your boss Blitz out there is so special? He's one out of a million that can say isn't on some demon's chain. Not a bodyguard to a sinner, not a janitor to an overlord, and not a butler to a blue blooded hellborn royal."
".. Every imp is like that?" Iruma asked.
"Not every imp. Just most of them … content with scraps and servitude." He looked up. "Up here in wrath? Every imp has to give out a portion of their hard earned harvest to the rest of hell, no matter how much they struggle or survive, or how much of their family dies … simply because the higher class demands it."
"That.. that sounds awful.." Constantly giving up what you needed because someone else demanded it…and familiar.
"This whole festival is just a lightshow." He went on. "A way to make it fun and seem like it's worth it … but you and me? We can both tell it's not."
"… Why are you telling me this?"
"Because kid, I've heard your show." Striker grinned. "I've heard the shit you've been through. I know the shit the Radio demon's putting you through, that little Satan girl, Missi Zillow… you've seen them wrap their chains around the system for their own benefit. They take what they want without a second thought, without thinking who suffers for it."
"It's … rough." He admitted.
"Only difference is that most can pretend they have a shred of dignity left, but you ... yours was all but ripped away as your forced to dance to that dear fuckers whims." The man ruffled his hair, before walking away. "And for the record, don't think those overlords are so high and mighty … there's a way for everyone to die in hell."
There … there was … what was he- "Iruma!" He blinked, turning to …
"Octavia?" He titled his head at the girl, who was waving with a smile as she walked with her dad. "What are you doing here?"
"Dad said we were taking a 'family trip'." The tall owl girl walked up to him as she rubbed his face. "Normally I don't show up to Dad's job events, but he said you'd be here, figured things would be less boring with a friend."
"Right …" She was a friend … right? "I'm just setting up the pain games … that I'll be taking a part of …"
Octavia tilted her head. "I could have sworn those weren't your thing."
"I was volunteered." He grimaced. "And Millie's family is stubborn, so I just have to survive it long enough to not die."
"Ah…" Octavia nodded with an understanding expression… she had really pretty eyes. "Well … I'll be sure to wish you luck, and cheer you on."
"Thank you … that means a lot." Iruma responded honestly. She was a friend, he couldn't-could trust her.
"Ah, the pain games, they are a delightful little distraction." Octavia's dad smiled as he looked to the sky. "I wonder if they'll break out the land sharks this year."
".. You mean loan sharks, right?" Iruma flinched.
"No, land sharks. They live right here in the desert off the sand like Normal sharks do with water." The taller bird demon nodded.
"Grrrr"
… He turned to see a shark halfway in the sand … ridden by a rabid weasel. "... Oh you've got to be-"
"GRAAAA!"
Loona grumbled. Wrath always had a short reception, barely any of her content was loading. At this rate it would be hours before she could binge watch her shows. Watching the fatty fail to be a man was funny and all, but there was only so many times you could watch a loser get pile drived by land sharks.
"Why are there so many land sharks!?" The limp dick imp screamed.
"I blame the weasel!" Iruma cried out as he tried outrunning one with minimal success. "Just leave me be and find other prey!"
"I believe in you tot, go for the nose!" The bitch cried out from the stands. "Just try and wiggle Mox!"
"Their teeth are sinking into my spine!"
"This is barbaric.." The goetia brat winced as a row of teeth and blood flung through the air. "Iruma, there's a fire pit coming up on your-now an acid pit-now a bush full of spikes-!"
Shink
They quickly got killed off by a smirking Striker. "Thought you could use the assist." He looked over to Mox. "If you want, you could always throw in the towel, little imp!"
"Why you-!" The fatso began running after the snake like imp, only for blitz to shove him in the mud.
"Sorry Mox, but I play to win, no hard feelings you're totally doing great and not looking like more of a pussy!" Her boss shouted as he ran ahead. "And I need all the advantage I can get with that squirrely fucker in the lead!"
"AAAAHHHH!" Iruma screamed as he climbed a rock wall to escape a land shark. "Stop trying to eat me or I will get mad!"
"Grrrrr!" The shark growled as it jumped higher and opened its jaw up.
"Alright, buster, you've asked for it!" Iruma jumped at the land fish.
"Iruma, don't be insane, get out of there!" Octavia shouted.
CHOMP
Before he ripped off a fin from the creature, glaring at it. The thing whimpered as it sunk back into the ground, the crowd watching in silence as the kid pulled the thing away from his mouth. "... Much tastier than loan sharks." And that sent the wrath imps into a frenzy.
"Yeah, I don't think you need to worry." Loona told the bird girl. "I've seen him struggle with worse." And it was admittedly ... cool seeing the little guy succeed a little.
"Ah.." The bird girl blushed a little at the sight, before shaking her head. "That's beside the point. His body's already practically wrecked to shit from everything, he shouldn't even be playing in this inane competition."
"One, there's never anything inane about showing the true grit of one's character." Millie called out.
"Like how your little bitch of a husband is proving just how much of a spineless wuss he is?" Loona pointed out."
"Wow folks." The announcer shouted. "An adult imp doing worse than an infantile human. The sheer level of underdevelopment HAS to be somewhat genetic."
"Probably why they adopted. Man's just impotent on another level."
"Just because I'm not playing doesn't mean I'm not above putting a bastard in a grave!" Millie shouted from the booth. "Seriously, why does everyone feel the need to ride my husband's coattails."
"Maybe if he went to the gym like I suggested in those faxes I sent him." Loona noted. "So, who do you thinks gonna win?" She asked Octavia. "Iruma, the guy fucking your dad, or the guy my dad wants to fuck?"
"I was hopping, delusionally, I wouldn't think about that walking red dildo at all." The bird girl pulled down her cap over her eyes. "Why did I expect today to be any different?"
"Cause you got your birdie eyes on the only guy in hell that isn't an asshole." Loona threw out.
"Yeah-what do you mean by that?" Octavia glared.
"I'm an adult, it's not that hard to read signs." She rolled her eyes. "You're either too insecure to ask him out, or too new at this to understand what you're feeling." With how emotional and sappy the two got when they were alone, it was beyond obvious.
"Oh yeah, the hellhound that never leaves the office is talking to people about insecurity." The imp bitch rolled her eyes. "It's not like I can count the number of friends you have on one hand-oh wait, I can."
"And you don't have any friends that don't make fun of your husband." Loona shot back without even looking.
"Almost to the finish line -ahhhh! Why do these sharks feel the need for sneak attacks!" The little bitch squealed.
"That's it, I'm making shark fin soup out of all of you!" Iruma gave up his lead, jumping into a hole in the sand. The sharks looked around with confusion, before one of them was dragged under like it was right out of a horror movie, driving fear into the hearts of the rest.
"… Did he just drown a shark?" Octavia tilted her head with that blush.
"Yes, yes he did!" Millie clapped incessantly as the crowd cheered. "That's my little shark killing tot out there everyone, and don't you forget it!"
Loona looked on as Iruma one by one started dragging the sharks down… there was so much ferocity underneath that kind and calm face of his. "He's pretty good at this." Loona mentioned with a small smirk.
"He is …" The bird girl nodded … as a bell was rung, by the Striker guy and Blitz at the same time.
Iruma popped out of a hole, swallowing something as he flopped into a bench. "Tired .."
"There there my sweet baby. Mama's here, the hard parts over now." Millie grinned as she squeezed the boy. "I am so proud of you, showing those sharks what for."
"Right …" He groaned, turning to the fatty. "Sorry Moxxie. I know this meant more to you than it did me."
"It's … alright." The limp dick sighed. "I don't need to get caught up in my lack of physical strength. I have other talents … like music!" He pulled out a guitar.
The lizard imp took the mike. "I'd like to sing a song I wrote just now. No real effort, just popped into my head." The guy also pulled out his own guitar.
"Oh what the FUCK-"
"Sweet victory … I smell the smell, From up in stinkin' Heaven, To the rugged rocks of Hell." The guy narcissitically went off as the crowd roared.
"Iruma, you're alright." Octavia went to the boy and hugged him. "Well ... alright as you can be ... Yeesh that weasel left a nasty number on you." The girl rubbed the boy's face face affectionately.
"Why is it so obsessed with me?" The kid whined out. "I just want to live in peace.."
"Sssh. It's okay. It's all over now." Octavia rested her head on his. Once again, super obvious.
"Soft feathers…. So soft…"
"... So, gonna be an overprotective bitch again?" Loona asked Millie, who was looking back and forth between the kid and the fatty.
"Instincts dividing me into two sides ... hate ... love ... comfort ... mutilate…"
"Sweet victory … With everything I do, With every talent, I'm so much more talented than you." He kicked a girl off the stage, who screamed in ecstasy.
"Man, that guy's one tough bastard isn't he?" Bltiz smirked as he leaned back, eating some kind of cheese on a stick covered in ketchup. Weird. "And his horse is super hot too."
"... Well yeah." Iruma spoke up from the girl's hold. "It's on fire."
"Blitz, you cannot be seriously all up in this guy's ass." Millie glared.
"He's probably trying to get the taste of feathered butt out of his mouth." Loona snickered.
"Semi true." He nodded shamelessly. "And you guys should learn to get along. We're gonna be working together from now on."
"... We're what?" The fatty asked.
"Gave the guy a questionnaire, turns out he's good with guns. Between that and his knife skills, he'd be a good guy in the field." Blitz nodded.
"Every time I try, I push it and succeed. Every first attempt of Every single deed,
Me! I'm totally the best! The super cool me, handsome guy." Seriously, that guy had a major ego problem.
"You just…. Hired him like that?" Fatty asked with a slight whimper.
"Yeah. After that impressive display during the games, how could I not?" Blitz grinned. "Like, wow, he's the best guy here, no questions asked. He made every imp on that field look like ass."
The limp dick imp opened his mouth … until Striker coughed loud, getting everyone's attention."Moxxie, go fuck yourself!" He spoke in a semi muffled tone, as the fatty got teary eyed before running off. "Did you hear something? It was just the wind…"
"Blitz!" Millie glared.
"What are you looking at me like that for? Ain't nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism." Blitz shrugged. "If Mox is going to cry about it, that's his fucking problem." The woman grumbled, stomping off after the man. "... Seriously, people insult me all the time and I don't get offended by it."
"Because you don't care about anybody." Octavia rolled her eyes. "You're a fucking narcissest that does what he want's cause he has no idea how to actually deal with people."
"Now that's not true at all." Blitz hugged her. "I care about my little Loonie Toonie, isn't that right sweetie?"
"Let go of me now before I bite your hand off." Too much affection in too public a space.
"Sounds like someone's hungry. I'll be back with a wittle snack for my pup." Blitz talked to her in that stupid 'dad' baby voice before walking off.
"Ugggh…." Loona growled.
"Imagine how I feel." Octavai grumbled. "The man ruins my entire family and he gives no two fucks about it."
"… I still don't see the problem." Iruma spoke up. "Blitz and Stolas rank pretty high in my book as dads."
"That's not a very high bar." Loona rolled her eyes.
"I love my dad and all, but…. He does NOT have his head on straight when it comes to that walking red prick." Octavia grumbled. "You saw what he did during Loo Loo land. That's how he is ALL the time whenever he doesn't invite the little bastard to fuck him, and then I got to deal with Mom's screams and screeching, and then I'm back to not existing."
"And as for Blitz…. You know how Millie's always pushing the mom thing on you?" Loona looked at him. "That's how it's for me and him… for the last six years
"...Starting to see the picture now …" The kid muttered as he looked over to Striker. "That rattlesnake guy… he puts me on edge."
"You mean besides the fact he's giving Blitz the fuck me eyes?" Loona questioned.
"Yeah … he's been glaring at Octavia's dad every time no one else is looking." He mentioned.
"Wouldn't be the first time. Probably wants a job or something. My dad employs a lot of imp servants, lotta them think he's their ticket at the big bucks for some reason."
"That or he really likes his ass." Loona shrugged as iruma got a weird look on his face.
"Can you not bring up my dad in lewd situations?" Bird girl glared
"I would, but he's been drooling from thirst all day." She pointed to the tall owl man in the stands staring down Blitzo like a bird of prey. "Even if it wasn't for the radio broadcast, he is NOT subtle in the least."
"He's lucky barely any goetia listens in." Octavia rolled her eyes. "Heck, they're listening right now with Iruma …" She turned to the empty spot the kid was in. "... Where did he go?"
"Probably to find Blitz and the food. He's a bit of a gluten like that." Loona shrugged, going back to trying to get a signal on her phone. "So, you going to ask him out or what?"
"Seriously?" The girl glared.
"Just saying, the kid's been through a lot of crap, and you're one out of a handful of people I can tell he trusts." Loona answered. "Heck, the dude literally started tearing up the moment I called him a friend."
"...I don't know.." The owl girl sighed. "The scale of what he understands and doesn't is always uneven. I'm not sure he'll even fully comprehend it."
"True, but he outright denied two succubus asking him to have sex, so I think he understands enough." She pointed out. "Anyway, I could care less. Just trying to help a friend." Something that was STILL out of her comfort zone for the most part. She just… liked seeing Iruma happy… gah, why was she so sappy when it came to that boy?
Moxxie tried his best to ignore his own thoughts as he walked to the house. Showed up by Iruma, by Striker, by … everyone. No one in Millie's family liked him, his boss didn't respect him, his … son… so to speak … didn't trust him … the only person who he could say liked him with certainty is Millie … and she may as well have been out of his league. Scratch that, she WAS out of his league. He's known that for a long time…. He just thought that didn't matter.
It SHOULDN'T matter. He and Millie loved each other, that should be the end of it. But with Blitz's constant ribbing and insults and constantly trying to but into their personal lives, with people like Jo, Lin, Loona, and half of every demon that met calling him out for being… not enough… it kept hitting Moxxie deep inside and he felt like falling apart on most days.
Everything always felt like they were on the edge of collapsing most days. They worked for a company that had no qualms about killing and torturing families … hell, they had a child that was shoved with them because it made another torturer happy … BECAUSE they were so inept at looking after another life, at looking after a decent and good natured child that was barely holding on to any tolerance for the sake of his own sanity. Moxxie … Moxxie wanted to be a better provider than Crimson… and he was failing miserably.
He was just going to go to his room, sleep, and try to deal with the rest of the week being one problem after the other-... one of the rooms was glowing. "... That's unsettling." He deadpanned. And while he was one for respecting privacy, this looked genuinely concerning to the imp. He slowly opened up the door, noticing the cowboy theme of the room … and a … on the bed … there was … a … a … "A… A genuine Carmine-Crafted blessing tip rifle…" The deadliest of deadly weapons, the rarest and most convert of any of it's kind.
Moxxie had multiple thoughts running through his mind. The first, was confirmation that Striker was indeed his superior in terms of long range, short range, muscle, music, and tactical might. That just stung to the fucking core. The second was "... How the fuck did he manage to get his hands on one of these?"
"You could always ask."
… The third that there was only a few, FEW reasons to own this gun, as the bullets were very expensive … and the potential of an imp with a weapon that was guaranteed to kill ANY demon in hell … from sinner ... To royalty …permanently.
"... I must say, it's quite the incredible weapon you have. Between this and the show, you're definitely going to get the spot Blitz is offering." Play to his ego, then get the fuck out, and get help.
"Oh yeah, work for the only respectable imp in this godforsaken realm who only got where he is because he sucked a giant bird's dick." Striker chuckled as he closed the door with his tail. "He's no better than the bird I'm gonna off. Would probably be doin him a favor getting rid of the blue blooded trash … and the limp dick weight hangin on his leg."
Moxxie pulled out a pistol, only for it to be knocked out of his hand as he was socked in the face, hard, enough to send teeth out of his mouth. He tried to get up, only for the imp to step on his hands, crunching it hard enough to crunch bones and make it bleed. "AAAA"
"No more sling shooting for you for the rest of the day." The bastard chuckled. "You can't win here… you never could."
"You're you're not…"
"What, you're gonna say I ain't gonna get away with? That I'm going to get caught with my hands on my dick and slip up… idiot, I've been killing overlords for months and no one's even seen my face doing it." Striker grinned as he placed his hands on his throat. "I'm far above working for this inbred hick family, and I'm way beyond dealing with little maggots like you, so be grateful I'm ending your life in the least painful easy possible."
This pompous idiot liked to talk just as much as Blitz, so overconfident that he didn't notice anything around him… like the vase on the counter next to his head. "Ugh…" He groaned as he let out a small grunt, kicking the table leg and smacking Striker in the head.
"Gah-" Wasting no time, Moxie kicked him right in the face and headed to the door. This wasn't the time to prove himself against an opponent. Alone in a straight one on one fight, Moxxie would lose, no matter what. He needed to-
Shink
"Gaaa-" Moxxie tried to cry out in pain as his other hand was stabbed clean through, only door a tail to choke him, slamming the imp into a wall.
"Lost your right for a quick death, midget." Striker grinned as he covered his mouth to prevent his screams from getting out. "I'm going to make this nice and slow…heheheheehehe, trust me, this ain't as fun as I make it look, no real challenge suffocating a little rat like you."
He tried to pull … but it did him no good. Because he was weak and worthless and everyone around him would suffer for it..
"GAAAAAAARRRR!"
SHINK SHINK SHINK SHINK
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Striker shouted as Millie was seen, jumping on the bastard's back and repeatedly stabbing him in the side over and over in a fit of that lovely animalistic rage he's come to love and adore so much.
"LEAVE MY HUSBAND ALONE, ASSHOLE!" She shouted, hitting him again and again, before Striker slammed her into a wall, getting her off his back as he punched her over and over.
Mox tried to reach for his other gun, squeezing as he pulled it out to aim … but his hands were too mangled, he couldn't keep a grip … just one … one shot-
Bang
… It barely grazed his head. "One shot to save your stinkin lives, and you can't even do that that right." Striker grinned as he pulled on their horns, dragging him and Millie across the room. "I'd kill you now, but I got more important birds to fry, and I don't feel like wasting any more ammo.
He dragged them to the cellar, tossing them down the shoot. No … no- "Goodnight fuckers." Striker laughed as he closed it up, barricading the door.
"No … no!" He punched the door, doing nothing but mangling his hand further. "Fuck, fuck, FUCK!"
"Mox…" Millie groaned as she tried to get up… only to fall down… due to the beartrap she landed on. "Gaah… stop mangling your hands….you'll only make it worse for yourself later…"
"… Fuck." Moxxie moved over, trying to help unbolt the screws. "Millie, I'm so sorry. If I didn't miss that shot, if I found out sooner." If he was quicker on the draw, if he was better at lying. He fucked it up. He fucked it all up and now that killer was on the loose.
"Mox, if I wasn't… so drained at the moment… I'd slap sense right back into that fuzzy head of yours." Millie chuckled. "Ya did what you could, heck, I could've slit the bastard's throat and been done with it already, but I saw you in danger, and I got so red eye and tunnel vision settled in… this is why I haven't been brought into the pain games. When a bastard hurts my family, I just… lose it."
"… Millie." He fell to the ground, too exhausted to move, too incapable of doing anything. "… Can I ask you a real question?"
"Aside from what you're asking right now?" She grinned.
He chuckled for a bit at that. "… Are we ready for a kid?"
"Of course we are, we have Iru-"
"Yes … but we haven't been good to him." Moxxie emphasized.
"..What do you mean.."
"Millie, even if he wasn't human, this would still be a very messed up situation for ANY child to be in." Moxie sighed. "We push him into a job he doesn't like…"
"..He hasn't killed anyone yet.."
"And he doesn't want to, but we keep exposing him to the worst that humanity has to offer, already presenting him with the worst outlook on life that only justifies his cynicism."
"He's not that cynical.."
"He's grateful for just the bare minimum of a roof over his head and three meals a day…not even good meals and roofs, just any." Moxie pointed out. "His only friends are a drunk sinner, a cycotic cyclops, LOONA of all people, and a goetia princess who he only befriended because they both have terrible parental units."
"The farm life gave me worse …"
"He always accepts that the next day is going to end up more painful than the last in a repeated manner, and doesn't feel despair about it because 'it's pointless' in his own words." Moxxie pointed out.
"He… he has a lot of grit…" Millie began to waver.
"And the scars from every beating, fight, torture, bashing, scars that we're at the very least half responsible for." Moxie kept going. "He doesn't heal like a demon, they just form worse and worse…. "
"... He'll.. He'll get stronger…"
"The only reason Alastor, the man who owns his soul, let's us keep Iruma around is because we torture him just as well as he does." Moxxie finished his point. "Heck… we've still never properly apologized for what we did to him BEFORE he got chained to hell. He has no reason to trust us with his safety, his security, or his happiness… because we give him no reason to own such a responsibility."
"…" She said nothing.
".. If you need me to stop, just-"
"We're not ready Mox … are we?" She asked in a voice that made it clear she was holding back her tears. "We…. we messed up the tot's life…. we're horrible parents…." Millie cried as she held onto him. "...We're no better than the bastards that sold his soul to that radio fucker."
He rubbed her head. "We can be better … but we need to accept the fact … we made mistakes."
"Too many mistakes.." Mille sniffed as she stood up, still limping from the trap. "..I'm not going to make that tot pay for any more mistakes." She walked up the stairs.
"Millie, hold on…"
"I'm getting us out of here!" Millie growled as she punched on the door repeatedly. "And…we're going to twist that bastard's neck into a tumbleweed!"
Smash
A small hole was made with her last punch. "He … will pay!"
Striker grimaced as he wrapped up his back. That was definitely gonna bruise by the end of the week … but every scar was just par for the corse when completing a contract.
He spent all week hiding out with these hicks. Building trust and security, makin sure which houses would be empty. All the best secure locations … and now he was ready to finally get his pay, and end the life of a blue blood prick.
So much effort gone into this … but once it was done, oooh … he was gonna live off the kill. All those little imps distracted by a 'pretty moon', leavin the man open, for one, clean, rotten hit through the skull-
"I have something of a six sense for danger." … He slowly turned his head, noticing that radio boy hangin by the door. Why the fuck didn't he lock that door after the shrimp came in? "By product of always having my life on the line. I can always feel it in some weird way … you've been giving off this low simmering vibe like a snake in waiting .. but that gun … that gun is …"
Striker chuckled. "Blessed weapon kid. Can kill anything in hell … one shot, and you got no double afterlife." He grinned.
"..Vox said something similar when he had me on that gameshow." The kid glared at the weapon more intently. "...So if you pointed that at a demon…"
"Then they're gone forever. No regeneration, no healing, poof, like they never existed." Striker laughed.
"… And you're aiming it at Stolas."
He shrugged. No need to keep up the charade. "Got paid. Someone wants the fucker really dead." Bitch was annoying to listen to on the phone.
"So all that talk you said earlier.."
"Oh, that I firmly believe." Striker smirked. "I look at my kind, and I can't stand the sight of them. Dogs on leashes, parrots in cages squawking for their masters… I'm an exception to the rule. I'm faster, stronger, taller, and I have the GUTS to take on what everyone in Imp kind's to chicken to take advantage of." He walked around the kid. "One shot can end the oldest and strongest of demons…. Including overlords…"
"… So Alastor really can die …" He could see the kid's shadow smirk. Slimey prick.
"Tell you what … you walk way, ignore what's about to happen … And I'll end your contract for free." He smiled. "It's the best chance you'll ever get. If I can kill a Goetia, the radio demon's nothin."
"...You'll…" The kid looked like he wanted to say yes.
"Come on now, I'm clearly doin this for my own motive. That's the most trust you can get down in this hellhole, right?"
The kid had a thoughtful look on his face… before it became one full of determination…and disgust. "...You're going to kill Octavia's dad."
"Oh, oh, oh hahahaahaha.." Striker laughed. "I heard about this on the raido, but I didn't actually… haahaahaahaahaha!" This was too good to be true. "You think that bitch cares about you as anything other than a pet!?" He smirked. "She's gonna fuck you over, just like giant chicken here fucks over your rodeo clown of a bos, just like every other demon you know kid." He got in close, eye to eye. "Cause royalty, can't ever, see us as anything more than objects."
Striker and the kid stared at each other, neither one of them blinking. "...I've never cared about how people see me… just what I think is right… and right now…. I would tell you to go to hell… but we're already here."
"… Guess some people are just dumbasses to the core." He rolled his eyes. "Tell you what kid, I feel sorry for you, so I'm gonna fight ya without my gun." He holstered it away. "A handicap you clearly need."
"Oh yeah." The boy glared, messing with his clothes. "Well I'll fight you without my shirt."
"… I don't think you understand how a handicap work-" Striker didn't finish, as the boy jumped on him, fangs out like a rabid animal.
But unfortunately for the boy, Striker didn't get as far as he did in life just by having a rockin bod. He saw them in the pain games. All instinct and teeth. No experience in hand to hand combat other than how to avoid blows. "You said you knew how the rules of the wild worked, runt?" Striker grinned as he kicked him across the face. "Eat or be eaten. That's hell in a nutshell. Every demon out there is out for themselves." He grabbed the boy by the hair, and slammed it into a nearby desk, smashing it to splinters. "And those of us smart enough… know to always be the first one to BITE!"
He grabbed the brat's leg, slamming him into the floor as he got a hold, punching them in the face. They tried to bite back, but Striker kept a good enough distance from the teeth to retaliate. "And those of us strong enough have claws to go WITH our fangs!"
"Gaaaggg…." The boy spat out blood.
"You ain't got a killer bone in your body kid… you're no different from that pig you brutalized earlier…. Just an animal blindly going about your life. No will of their own, just mosing on down the trail with no plan or destination."
He wrapped his tail around the boy's neck, choking him out. "I'm doin you a favor. Ending you will be the quickest way for you to get used to pain." He pulled out the gun, ready to get back to his mission.
"I'm…. I'm used… to pain…" The kid gasped as his face got as blue as his hair. "I… I also… learn alot about hell… to get used to living in it.." The kid placed his hands on his tail, like it would do anything. "And… I know…. Imps.. love having… big horns…. And long tails…"
CHOMP
Something snapped in Striker's brain. "FUCK!" He aimed and fired.
BANG
"AAAAHHH!" The boy screamed. "You shot my leg!"
"You bit my tail!"
"YOU SHOT MY LEG!"
"YOU BIT OFF MY FUCKING TAIL!"
"YEAH, WELL I still didn't use my shirt! I win!"
Striker felt something else snap, aiming at the brat's head. "Let this be your FINAL goodnight, bra-"
Click
The sound of a flintlock hammer pulling stopped him from going any further. "… Blitz, I thought you were still at the festival."
"If you think I want an excuse to be around the bird fucker, then you never knew me at all." He growled. "Now put the gun down, unless you think 'Striker the hot ass imp' can survive point blank to the skull."
"Come on, don't be like this…" Striker cackled. "You have the bird's book, you don't have a reason to keep him around. You don't have to suck up to that blue blooded dick."
"Maybe not, but I don't appreciate others assaulting my employees either. Light ribbing is fine, but bullet holes are where a line has to be drawn." Blitz argued. "Now put the gun down, or we see who's really the quick draw around here."
"Wow, and to think I expected more out of a sad clown like you-" The kid kicked Striker right in the knees, rolling out of the pistol's way as Blitz took a shot.
Bang bang bang
Striker moved, aiming as he fired off his own round. "Fuckin hell! Kid, find Loonie, or the M and Ms, I'm not picky!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" The brat began running to the door-
SMASH
Only for that bitch of a farm hick to burst through it. "WHERE ARE YOU, YOU LONG NOSED FUCKER!?"
"Millie!?"
"Tot!"
"Mills!?
"Blitz!?
"Why are we shouting!" The little limp dick yelled out. Looks like this was his cue to hightail it out of here.
Using the confusion, Striker moved to the window. "See you around, professionals." He spoke sarcastically, jumping out as he ran through the crowd, covering his tracks.
Today may have been a bust, but there was always tomorrow … and he would murder those little fuckers that got in his way…espically the brat that took his tail….that…. That he will never forgive… or forget.
Octavia blinked as she rushed through the crowds. "Get out of the way, get out of the way!" She forced herself through the crowds of imps to get where she needed to. "I said to get out of my fucking way!" Between the noises of shooting and crowd, Octavia was really, really worried something went wrong.
"Octavia, I'm sure it was just a nice little imp family displaying fireworks, nothing to get too worked up over." Her dad was largely unconcerned… given how powerful he was, that wasn't a surprise.
"Maybe; but something went off, and Iruma isn't around.. I've listened to the radio long enough to know that means he's usually at the center of trouble." There was practically nothing she didn't know about him. His love of food and that 'manga' thing, how much his voice lit up whenever he was thanked, the strange and obscure amount of skill and knowledge he acquired to survive, the cute way his head tilted whenever he was confused .. how genuine and pure his eyes were when he expressed kindness and sincerity..
Oh dear Satan, why did she feel like a mess when it came to this? Was she really this attached to him? Sure, he was her first friend, and the only souls she's come across that could relate to her issues and… aggggh! Why was socializing so hard!?
They arrived to a small house … where the imps were carrying Iruma … an injured and bleeding Iruma. "It's gonna be alright tot, it's gonna be alright." The imp women constantly reassured the boy. "Just keep with us."
"I know … ow …"
"Iruma!" Octavia pushed past the imps, getting close to him, seeing bruises, especially around his neck. Oh it looked horrible. "What happened!?"
"Easy, easy, easy, don't crowd him so quickly!" The smaller wimpier imp said as they gently lowered the boy down. "There was a bit of a struggle. Striker was aiming to assassinate you, your majesty." He pointed to her dad.
"Really?" Dad asked, not in shock or fear, but in curiosity … and amusement. "Hmm … I'll have to get the details later. Move, now." He pulled out his book.
"..Is that all you hace to say about that!?" Octavia shouted
"Get used to it, kid." The tall red dildo rolled his eyes. "You daddy thinks he's invincible, and you'll be the same once you're bigger." That was a waking nightmare to imagine.
"Octavia, move, please." He said with a bit more command. "I'd rather the boy not suffer any longer than he is."
"Wait, what are you going on about?" Iruma asked
Her dad leaned down, landing on a page as he placed a hand onto the boy's head. "Utere industria mea, sana hanc animam." Multiple reddish black swirls came out of his body, trailing down his arm and around Iruma.
"Ooohh … that feels nice …" The boy muttered.
"Medicine may not be my specialty, but I can heal a few wounds in an emergency." He nodded. "Least I can do for you all for protecting me … though … there's so much more we can do afterwards, Blitzy-"
"This is NOT the time and place to sate your thirsty ass, Stolas." For once, Octavia found herself agreeing with the asshole that fucked her dad.
Some more imps walked up to the boy as her dad healed him. "Gotta say little champ, you may have tapped out of the pain games, but you definitely can hold your own." The old man spoke. "Your welcome on this farm any time."
"Anybody that can rip off an Imp tail with their bare teeth is always welcome in our home." An old lady imp held up the dismembered tail of that Striker creep.
"Thanks … just ... Doing what I needed to survive, that's all." Iruma chuckled bashfully.
"I was wrong kid." The girl imp with a masculine voice nodded. "Even if you're ugly, you can tussle with the best of them."
"….Im not ugly…" Iruma cutely pouted.
"Of course you're not, my little shark slayer." The imp female she was slightly familiar with grinned as she kissed the boy on the forehead. "Wish we could've done more."
"Maybe ya could've if you managed that temper of yours long enough." The old lady imp rolled her eyes. "We taught you better than that-"
"Are you actually questioning you daughter, who did more against that fucker than any of you here.." The wimpy Imp glared at the large family of imps. "About her integrity?"
"And are you trying to talk back to my wife right now?" The buff old imp glared down.
"Yes, yes I am." The wimpy one glared back without flinching. "You're the one that hired that 'manly' and 'strong' farmhelp, who's been planning on an assassination attempt in your OWN house for months and you didn't even notice? And now you're trying to give your daughter grief about the mother fucker YOU hired ….. Sir, Shame on you. Mock me however you want, but demean my wife like that again, and I will blow your brains out before you can even blink."
The buff imp looked like he was considering strangling the little one down on the spot, before simply nodding curtly and turning away. "...Mox, keep up this backbone talk and you might just regain your employee of the month award yet!" The red dick smirked as he slapped the little imp on the back.
"... Are we not going to acknowledge the killer out there!?" Octavia shouted in disbelief.
"It's fine …" Iruma gave a soft chuckle. "Not the first man to try and kill me-EEEEE!" He screamed out as dad reached the leg, a white spark coming from the boy's body. "AHH, what's happening!?" He fell to the ground. "Ah…. it's like my whole body's on fire!"
Dad instantly stopped the healing process, letting the boy take a few deep breaths. "That was … you." He turned to the boy's head. "Were you shot there?"
"Yeah … he was going to use the bullet on you …" The boy wimpered.
"... We're going to have to pull the bullet out manually … and that's a bit out of my wheelhouse." Dad winced. "I can't believe Stella actually managed to find an assassin with heavenly weaponry. She's never been this mad before."
"... MOM DID THIS!?" Octavia shouted in disbelief and anger.
"Yes, ever since she caught me with Blitzy, she's sent an assassin after me almost weekly." Dad nodded like it was no big deal. "Something I'll have to ask her about at dinner."
"...ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!?"
"Hold on, hold on, hold a fucking minute… did you say heaven weaponry?!" Millie shouted.
"I saw it in his room." Moxxie spoke up. "A carmine crafted rifle. He was going to use it to kill Stolas, but …" He grimanced. "Get me some tweezers, a hot rag, some disinfectant, and something for Iruma to bite down on."
"I get that heaven weaponry can kill sinners… but… it only shot me in the leg.." Iruma said as a piece of cloth entered his mouth.
"Iruma, heavenly weaponry cancels out demonic energy. It didn't just shoot you in the leg, it shot your soul." Millie spoke with teary eyes.
"Myslwwh?"
"Yeah.." The red dick winced. "...You're…. You're gonna be walking with a permanent limp from now own kid… the wound's never going to heal."
"Nevahhe-AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!-!" Iruma screached as Moxxie used the tweezers on the wound.
Octavia's eyes widened, turning to dad. "And there's NOTHING you can do!?" She shouted.
"A heavenly bullet is too much for the ars goetia, Via …" He gained a pondering look. "Maybe Belphagor could … but to get her involved would bring it's own problems onto the child."
"It's not like a sin's ACTUALLY going to take interest in one kid either way." The red dick grumbled.
"GAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH-!" Iruma screamed in pain as the shining piece of metal was pulled out.
"There…. We should be grateful that it didn't splinter upon impact." Moxie sighed. "We might've had to amputate your leg if that was the case.
"Mmmm …" Iruma mumbled into the gag, looking exhausted and in pain as they cleaned the wound. "Ahh …. sad part.. Is that Alastor's just going to laugh and send me on another impossible request in spite of this … might as well get use to the suffering now.."
He just… accepted his fate like that…. Accept all the suffering and misery and shit thrown his way…. He didn't deserve that…..HELL didn't deserve that kind of selflessness….Ocatavia didn't deserve it. "I am so, so, so sorry." Octavia hugged the boy, cradling him with her feathers. "You shouldn't be involved with my parents BS."
"It's fine … like I said, there's worse families." He smiled. "And your dad still cares about you… so it's important that he's alive to keep you happy."
Badump badump
That warmness was back in her chest. A warmness that only existed when Iruma was around.. and she was so close to losing that forever… she couldn't lose that ... she would never lose that.. She wanted to hold him close … she wanted to keep him close … Octavia wanted Iruma to be hers and hers alone.
"Please close your eyes." She asked gently. She… she was going to do this…. The one thing she never expected to feel…. The one thing that she ALWAYS wanted to feel…. Love… she wanted to love this boy until the universe imploded upon itself and all life everywhere died and perished.
"Oh… okay." He nodded slowly, closing them. "Is there something you ..." He stopped talking… given that her beak was now on his lips…. It was so much warmer than she expected… and she wanted more. She needed more
"HEY!" The female imp screamed in rage.
"Oh my." Dad spoke with moderate surprise.
"Called it." The dick smirked.
"Oh my crumbs, I didn't expect-millie, put away the axe, put away the axe!" The small wimpy imp shouted.
She continued the kiss, only breaking between small breaths and getting a glimpse at that adorable face. Iruma's expression was one of confusion, bafflement… and relief. "Oc-Ocativa… what… what are you…"
"Sshh… don't fight it….don't question it…" She whispered lowly, kissing him more deeply "I just … want to be with you … always …" Forever and ever … making each other happy … more than anyone else could hope to. She would make this feeling last forever….no matter what.
"Octavia…." Iruma once again spoke in between breaths. "I… I…I… I think I…I want…" Yes… yes, please feel the same….please for the love of all things holy. "I…I want-"
FAWOOSH
A purple fire bloomed out of their chests … a small chain connecting them. "What …" What just …
Iruma looked at the small embers of flames on his lips and chest. "Did … did you just claim my soul?" Iruma asked with fear … and betrayal.
"What, no, that's not what I… Oh fuck.. I.. I didn't mean.." She felt herself get weaker in the legs. "I.. I can't-fuck!"
"Get the fuck away from him!" The girl imp shouted in rage, held back by the other one.
She fucked up she fucked up she fucked up! She… she ruined it… she ruined everything. "I'm sorry!" Octavia ran off. She messed it up, she messed it all up. She broke his trust …and now he had another chain around his neck…
"Via, wait!" She ignored her dad … he wouldn't understand … he never understood anything. There was only one person in this fucking universe that understood anything about her…. And now he hated her..forever.
Six more chapters until Iruma finally meets Charlie