Something I feel like I need to elaborate on. Iruma's broadcast is purly audio. While Alastor saw it via the shadow on Iruma, the rest of hell only heard what Iruma and anyone around him has said.
For the guest reviewer that keeps leaving reviews of Boiling Gems on all my stories, I don't mind you posting reviews, but PLEASE keep anything relating to boiling gems in the boiling gems review section.
And... two more chapters until Charlie meets Iruma
Millie did her best to try and trace the radio. There wasn't anything concrete, just the sounds of her tot groaning in pain and screams in the distance. "Fuck you Radio demon and you're non-visual medium!" Millie cried out in her loudest shout whisper. They were lucky to avoid more swarms of angels throughout the last two hours, but roaming the streets was still a bitch to get through.
"We know Iruma's still alive, that's the best news we can have at the moment given the circumstances." Mox responded, keeping her head down. "All we can do now is move, hope we find him, and get out of here."
She grimanced. "Where the heck are you kiddo …" They couldn't search all of pride, too many cities. And there's not many people the boy would trust … "Why… Why did we fail him so much…. We were the only thing giving him a break from that Radio fucker and we still made his life wrose.."
"The circumstances were less than ideal even before that." Moxie sighed. "He wouldn't even let us around the boy unless we could make his life worse."
"Well we should have fought harder!" She shouted. "We should've-"
SHING
. "AHHHHHHHHHH!" The boy cried out … in pain.
"Oooh, another squirmer!"They cackled. "With red blood, must be a rare one!"
"No… no, no NO!" Millie called out, reaching for the radio speaker. "Iruma, get away, get away!"
"Millie, he can't hear you!"
"I can't just do nothing!" Millie called out. "Iruma…. Iruma please… I'm sorry…. I'm so fucking sorry…." She failed him.. As a friend, as a mother….. She failed him in every way possible…
Smack
"Agggg!"
"Odette, help the boy up, I'll take care of this perra alada sedienta de sangre!" An older voice yellow with a spanish accent.
"Mom-"
"Just go-"
"Oh you'll pay for that bitch!" The exorcist cackled as Millie tried running somewhere, anywhere. "How about a nice helping of holy blade!? You wretched and worthless demon-"
Shink
There was nothing but the thump of a body, and a long silence silence, as Millie feared the worst. "It's…it's dead." Iruma stated … he was alive …. "Angels… angels can die?"
"...What?" Moxxie spoke breathlessly. "That…. That has to be…. Some kind of translation error … or mistake in broadcast … right?" Her husband looked at her. "..An… angel died…?"
"…They're not supposed to…" Another young voice spoke.
"It's … they …"
"I … guess it's a good thing that people don't die in the afterlife." Her tot chuckled nervously. "Otherwise I would have killed an angel." … What?
"He.. he…" Millie wasn't sure if it was true… but the only thing that mattered right now was that her baby was still alive.
"Yes … a mortalsoul … killing an angel." The older voice spoke. "... Odette, do you still have that new gauntlet on hand?"
"Come on Mox, we got to book it!" Millie called out as she grabbed him by the hand and rushed through the city.
"Millie, we'd still need to figure out where he is!"
"I'm trusting my gut on this one!" Mille roared. "Whether Iruma killed an angel or not, point is that he survived an encounter with one of those fuckers, and I'm not risking the chance that he can do it again!"
They ran, out in the open and with cover, for what felt like half an hour. Just running and searching, running and searching, endlessly trying to survive and look around … before they finally saw something … a mop of blue hair moving into a building. "Cover… safe…. Have to find… find… Millie… Moxxie…. Ow…" He winced.
"IRUMA!" She called out to him, jumping right towards the tot. "IRUMA!"
"Millie…Millie!?" He called out back as she trampled him in a hug. "Ow, ow, still sore… happy to see you, but still really sore!"
Mox pulled her off, looking the boy over. "He has a gash on his back. Was this holy weapon or rubble?"
"The… angel spear thing…. Felt just like the bullet but ten times worse…" Iruma winced. "What… what are you guys doing here.."
"Iruma, I.." Millie winced. "...I know.. I'm not the best mama… or any kind of mama really…. I.. I shouldn't have forced that on you ... But I do care about you tot … we both do." She gently held his hands. "I.. I want to do everything I can to give you the love you deserve.. And you might never believe me, but… I…" She teared up…
And for the first time ever since they've met…. Her tot hugged her first… kindly…..passionately. "I'm sorry….. I'm sorry for yelling…. I… I'm just so used to feeling alone….and I'm so tired of it…." Her tot broke down in tears. "I'm tired of feeling so alone and empty and hopeless … it was easier to just … think it was a trap … that… that I was just something you guys could use.."
"Iruma, believe me when I say I know that feeling too." Moxxie whipped a tear as he patted the boy on the head. "To only feel validated if you're useful to somebody that has control over your life. Even demons have inner demons we struggle to fight against, but you're not alone. You'll never be alone again, that I…that we swear to Satan."
"I …" He sniffled. "I …"
Splat
A sinner's head rolled over to their feet. "Can we get rid of this sap fest?" An angel spoke, marching their way to them. "The thought of you demons pretending to care just makes me sick."
"It's not pretend you fuckers!" She grabbed onto the boy as they began running once more.
"Why are they like this!?" Iruma shouted.
"They've been doing this since near the creation of hell!" Moxie explained as he ducked under an ax. "It's their solution to overpopulation given that sinner's can't leave the pride ring!"
"We can discuss hell history when we're not in danger of dyin!" Millie screamed as they ran down an alley. "Just keep movin-"
"Right into a trap, bitches!" An angel cackled as they flew in and cornered them. "Aw, a disgusting group of rats acting like they're family…. Hilarious!" The one in front of them lifted their spear.
"Iruma, get behind me"! Millie shouted.
"But they'll-!"
"It's my job to protect you, damn it, and I'm going to do just that!" She pulled out a cleaver. "Now back the fuck off!"
One of them ran head first into the weapon … cracking her blade and grabbing Millie's throat. "Aww, little bitch wants to fight … adorable." And they began squeezing. "Say goodbye, you filthy little-"
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Her tot yelled as he raised his right hand … His hand that glowed white.
"What the-"
POW
… Her tot smacked the motherfucker in the face… cracking that creepy ass mask in half…"What the.." The bitch felt her face… which was leaking a golden liquid. "I'm… I'm bleeding!?"
"What… what the fuck!?" Another shouted. "Angels aren't supposed to get hurt!"
"That's… that's right! I can punch angels, just like I can kill them!" The kid shouted with a loud, but unconfident tone.
"What the FUCK!? He can't do that, can he?!"
"They're not even supposed to touch us, let alone make us bleed!"
"He's bluffing, it's gotta be a-"
"AAAAAHHHHH!" A voice screamed in the air.
"... Was that commander Lute?" One asked.
"Sounds like …" The tot glared. "They found the body."
"Iruma…" Mox looked at him.
"...Leave these ones alone for now until we figure this shit out." One of them growled. "If someone can hurt us, we need to tell Adam."
The fuckers looked to each other in disbelief, before flying off into the sky.
They looked over to the boy. "Iruma….you… you didn't kill an angel.. Did you.." Mox asked.
Iruma looked to her husband, looking like he wanted to say something, but then shook his head. "That's what everyone heard on the radio."
"... Tot, I'm-"
"I don't want to talk about it… please drop it." Iruma asked.
"...Alright." Millie nodded. She had no right to question anything Iruma's done, murder or otherwise. "Let's get you out of here."
"Best idea I heard all day." Iruma winced as he stretched out his back. "Any closer and that angel would've severed my spine- A purple fire covered the boy's chest… a fire in his heart… one that sparked like the stars. "Octavia's in trouble!"
"How do you know that!?" Moxie shouted
"I just do!" The boy shouted as he began running, nearly tripping on his face. "I… I..I gotta help her!"
"No you don't!" Millie grabbed him. "You barely survived the first hour of extermination extermination, and you're COVERED in bruises, scraps, and a new permanent injury across your back!"
"But-"
"I know.. I know I don't have the right to tell you what to do Iruma, but I want you safe… I want you alive!" Millie pleaded. "You already lost your soul to that chick, and you suffered enough with that wound on your back and that limp. There's still about …" She looked at a clock. "One and a half more hours of this hell, and I … I can't lose you to it."
Iruma looked at her.. And cried. "It hurts.. It hurts to… to care….. It hurts…" He clutched his chest. "In Spite of everything… I… I care….I'm… I'm happy… happy you're in my life!" And he hugged her again.
"Me too… aside from Moxxie, you're the best thing about my life tot.." Millie rubbed his head.
"...I'm happy… it's.. It's… it's why I have to go to her.."
"Iru-
"I have too! she's my friend… even if she owns my soul… even if I'm nothing but a toy to her… I care…." Iruma cried again. "Every single voice in my head is telling me how dumb it is to care… I know I shouldn't but I care! I care so much… I care so freaking much…" He trembled in place. "Please …"
Moxxie and Millie looked at each other…. This was what being a parent was about… protecting… and supporting their tot, through thick and thin. "Fine.. but we're coming too,…" Moxie nodded
"You can't.."
"We can and will… cause we care so freaking much about you, Iruma, demons or not." Millie reaffirmed. "And you're not getting anywhere fast if you're limping along the way. Please, let us help you for once."
"... Alright …" He sniffed with a light smile. "Alright …"
Octavia was still in somewhat of a daze as she helped push a cart full of gears. "Almost there. We're almost there." The sinner, Clara from what she got, kept muttering to herself. "Almost safe and sound with the rest of the family."
"Yes…" The family that crafted holy weapons… the family that sold holy weapons to fuckin imps of all demons…. Imps that crippled Iruma permanently. Words would be had when they got there … if they got there.
So many angels flying around … killing everyone … what if … what if they reached Iruma … no, no no no, he would be safe. He was a survivor, he'd live. He could survive anything… and… and she would apologize … and hopefully… he would forgive… if she lived long enough to get to that point. "So, things kind of awkward between you and the raido boy, huh?" Clara asked in the middle of her internal monologue.
"That's … one way to put it." Octavia muttered.
"I was kind of rooting for you. Your Irumavia interactions were so cute …"
"Irumavia?" She questioned.
"Iruma and Octavia? You know, ship name?" They asked.
"Is that something you made up or it that actually a thing?"
"Actually a thing. Although rarely with real people. But given this is hell …" Clara gave a so-so motion. "Other contenders were Louma and Verosiruma."
"...Wait, wait, wait, there's people out that that ship him with the hellhound and a succubus popstar?" What the fuck was that about!?
"You know the latter stole his first kiss right?"
"..." Octavia blinked. "...Damn it…"
"And the former is mainly due to the fact that she was his first friend in hell, there's actually a rather well thought out forum made by a succubus fanbase that goes into details about the pro's and con's of all three potential relationship routes… and a smaller one dedicated to just making porn out of it."
"Great, my social life is an internet popularity contest." Just what she needed to hear.
"Could be worse. There's a small small community that ships him with that Husk guy."
"... Tell me, I'm begging you, tell me that was a joke."
"What can I say, it's hell."
"... I … why … how …" So many thoughts and confused feelings were running through her head. "Get anything else in my head right now, anything else!"
"Okay ... how did it feel to punch Valentino?" Clara leaned in with a curious and happy expression.
"Dirty, satisfying, and guilty." He may have been a creep, but he was a gross one, and Octavia wasn't much of a fighter. "How much further are we?"
"Not much, three more blocks and-" She froze. "Shit, angel!" Clara pulled out a flashbang, pulling the pin and tossing it.
BOOM
"Move it!" Clara shouted as she ducked under cover.
"Can't really!" Octavia pointed upwards, where more angels were showing. "They're starting to swarm us again! I thought these fuckers spread out to kill!"
"Can't find enough sinners! All of the fuckers are hiding like pussies!" One shouted.
"Why can't they just do the only thing they're good for and die already!?"
"Come on, we're expecting common curtesy and logic from fucking demons."
"Do they always talk like privileged arseholes?" They could give mom and her uncle competition for unearned ego.
"Unfortunately yes." Clara nodded. "And if you're not a fighter, then this is about to get tricky." The sinner grumbled. "Don't have much in terms of firepower…."
"Ha, firepower." One of the angels marched up to them. "Nothing can hurt us! We're immortal badasses who get what we want and do as we please!" They aimed a spear at Octavia. "And I'm about to score me a bird kill! So many points!" Of course it was all a game to these psychos. Why wouldn't it be a game to them? Her life has been a mockery at her expense so far, why not now?! "Say bye bye, little tweetie!"
Okay, now this was probably where it ended….. She already got out most of her emotional breakdown earlier …. maybe she could be at peace … knowing Iruma could still be out there.. Alive- "Millie, throw me!" Wait, wasn't that
SNAP
…Octavia should probably stop thinking, because now Iruma was with her, surrounded by multiple angels as he grabbed the spear aimed at her… with … with a glowing … white hand, metal forming on it into a gauntlet of sorts. "Leave … now."
"Ah.. wha… huh. .wha…" Her brain was breaking again.
"Boo, lucky ass catch. Demon kid think's he's top of the world just cause he can catch."
Iruma raised out his hand … as an angelic sword formed inside of it. "Wait, is that the gauntlet I gave to mom?" Clara asked….wait what?!
Iruma growled as he aimed the sword at them. "Leave now, or you'll get decapitated like that other angel."
"...Huh?" Both her and Clara tilted their heads in confusion and bafflement.
… The exorcists stared at the kid … before they started laughing. "Ooooh that's a riot. Kid's living fantasies."
"And you're about to be living in pain!" The voice of that wimpy imp shouted as if a grenade was thrown at their faces. "Enjoy the hellburn in your eyes!"
BOOM
Her hand was grabbed. "Octavia, we need to run." Iruma spoke with desperation … he came for her … he saved her …
BADUMP… BADUMP
"Iruma …" She felt his hands… those soft… gentle hands she thought she would never hold again. "You.."
"We can get everything off our chests later, right now we're stalling for time, and I am very bad at fighting." Iruma winced. "Back pain …" He had a gash … and the limp …
Octavia picked the boy up, running to the other imps as they and Clara began booking it as fast as they could. "Stay close, I got you." She nodded, holding him tightly.
"..Alright…." His face blushed as his head leaned against her feathers… he looked so adorable like this.
"You're lucky we're in too much danger for me to question your intentions!" The female imp shouted.
"Just focus on running for our lives sweetie, I'm running low on ammo as it is!" The wimpy male one called out.
So much going on … focus on Iruma … focus on keeping him alive … focus on fixing your mistake. Keep him close no matter what.
Lute couldn't believe it … literally. For the past ten minutes she'd done nothing but stare at the body, waiting for the mirage to fade, waiting for the nightmare to end, waiting for the angel to pop back up and state it was a prank.
Lute waited and waited … for any confirmation that her sister was alive. "This has to be a joke… this has to be a fucking joke…" An angel … an exorcist … dead. More than that ... beheaded… their body laying on the ground ... bleeding golden blood … Blood Lute didn't even know angels had because how the fuck could anything hurt an angel!?
There was the traitor who's eye she plucked out ... but that was an angel fighting an angel ... an angel crippling a fallen. Was it Vaggie? Was she fighting back because they cast her down here? Was this her sick and twisted idea of revenge? Would she go for her head next!?
What happened to an angel after they died… would they go back to heaven the same as demons respawning in hell …. But angels weren't supposed to get hurt … would they ended up in hell … or ... simply cease to be just like the vile sinners … dead and forever drifiting into the abyss..
"Hey, danger tits, snap out of it." Adam snapped his fingers in front of her. "I need you in top form if we're going to figure this shit out." Blunt as ever.. but nonetheless correct.
"... I think it was Vaggie." She stated. "Lucifer doesn't do anything unless we move to other rings or go after highly secure hellborn on purpose. I can't think of anything else in hell that could have the power to do this."
"Well there's Lilith, but that's not an issue, due to you know." Adam looked at her knowing look. Lute was one of the few that Adam divulged that secret to. Just goes to show how strong their bond was … how much she would follow this man. "And there's her brat, but the little bitch is a pacifist last I checked. If it's her or Lucifer, then there's nothing we can do to retaliate since that 'breaks' the deal we made.
"So it has to have been Vaggie." She nodded. "I'll go hunt the bitch down." Make her pay for daring to harm one of her own.
"Sir, commander Lute!" A group of angels flew up.. one of them with a cracked mask… and a bleeding head wound.
"What happened!" Lute flew in, looking over her fellow sister. "Did you see what happened, how'd you get hurt."
"It was some demon kid!"
"...What?" She and Adam questioned.
"He had this glowing arm and punched me!" The damaged exorcist shouted. "He said he killed an angel, but we know that's a lie, nothing can-" They stopped … turning to the body. "... No …"
"A fucking kid!? A little shit maker did this!?" Adam yelled in disbelief. "Were they a sinner or a hellborn!?"
"If they were hellborn I never saw what type they were." Another shook their head, weight in their voice. "They had red blood, a dopey looking expression, kind of wide but squinty eyes, and blue hair with a dumb looking cowlick.."
Blue hair.. red blood… squinty wide eyes… a dark thought came to Lute's face. "… Adam… remember that kid Emily kept bitching about.."
"What, the one that she claims wasn't a sinner even though he was claimed by hell due to a-" Adam stopped mid sentence. "No… no fucking way.." Adam rubbed his head. "Lute, you're not saying.."
"A human child killed an angel."
There was a long … LONG silence for a few moments … before Adam turned to the others. "Continue with the mission, leave us." The exorcists saluted, flying away.
"Sir, we can't take this lying down, we need to gut that little bastard before he takes another one of-!"
Adam looked down at the situation, at the body of her sister … that the little bastard ended. "... Proceed as normal." He stated calmly.
"But sir-"
"We don't give the demons a reason to think we're panicking." He said bluntly. "We're heaven, we keep ourselves calm and collected. I'll speak to Sera, get us a six month advance, then when all of hell think's it's prepared … we don't cull." Adam turned to her with a strange mix of cold fury, yet fiery glee. "We exterminate. No survivors. We raze hell to the fucking ground for daring to try something like this."
A full purge…. That sounded glorious. "I'll make sure the troops are ready to plunge this realm into ash."
He nodded, looking over to the angel. "... I'll take the body back myself. Head bitch is gonna need proof. We'll organize a fuckin funeral or whatever when this shit is done." He grumbled. "Try to find the head if you can, but don't make it top priority, the less noise we make, the more off guard they'll be."
"Understand sir."
"I do have one harder task for you." Adam stated. "I'm going to be talking to Sera about more death's she's gonna be reluctant about, and Lucifer that I'm changing up the rates of murder. That means I'm giving you the hardest conversation of all."
"What can be harder than talking to the head Seraphim?" Lute couldn't help but question.
"You're gonna tell Em that her god child's a holy slayer." … Welp, looks like there were going to be TWO dead angels by the end of the day.
Stolas had been looking for hours, flying across the city, moving at unfathomable speeds, trying his best to locate Octavia. She was out here, alone, unguarded, listening and watching this untold chaos and mayhem plaguing the city. He never wanted his little girl to experience this misery. She was above the plights of sinners, and the ongoing feud between heaven and hell. Stolas job was to watch the stars, and he would give everything he had to rewrite fate itself if it kept his little precious Starfire alive.
He flew through the air, going from shadow to shadow to check every crook and cranny this city had to offer. He wasn't much of a fighter, but he was still powerful, more powerful than the average demon and overlord. The speed of angels was outmatched by his own, so he had nothing to fear there.
"Please be alright." He pleaded. "Satan, please be alright, my little starlight." He needed to find her and keep her safe, please, please, please if there is any justice in the universe, let him find his daughter. "Don't perish.. please.." He would end this wretched realm himself if his Starfire was no longer in it.
"We need another flashbang!" A slightly familiar voice came up, the voice of one of Blitzy's little workers.
"The last one's jammed, we'll have to make do!" A girl shouted.
"We've been runnin non stop for four hours straight! We can't keep it up against these freaks!" Another one of Blitzy's workers. He would help… but Blitzy wasn't his main concern right now… if they perished ... Stolas would take the blame and let Blitz have his way … and for once that wasn't an innuendo.
"I'm sorry Iruma!" … That was … "If we're going to die, I need to let you know!"
"Octavia.. wait.. I shouldn't have run away! I.. I should've trusted you.."
"You already had trust issues, I shouldn't have pressed it so hard-!"
"It's fine.. I care about you.. even if you want to control me… you're one of the few people in hell that just can make me happy for once in my life."
"It was an accident! I don't want to control you! I don't want to be another chain! I care about you, I care for you … I LOVE YOU!" Via …
He flew into the air … seeing the imps running … slowing down … as angels were ready to slice and dice- Stolas slammed in between them, raising a barrier to the sky, covering them all, assuming his true form and glaring at the exorcists. "YOU SHALL NOT HARM MY DAUGHTER!" He screamed with rage.
"... Octavia?"
"Yes Iruma?"
"Your dad is terrifying."
"Yes." His daughter nodded, holding the boy closer. "Dad.."
"We will discuss you running off into the extermination later, Via. For now, everyone, get behind me and stay down!" Stolas ordered as he began pushing the angels away.
"Oooh lookie here!" One of the exorcists cackled, even as the barrier kept them away. "You must be the fat little birdy giving away their tools to an imp."
"You've been making a LOT of ruckus upstairs." Another grinned. "Heaven wants those little imps dead as a doornail."
"I wonder, should we kill the man in front of his daughter, or the girl in front of her dad?"
"You think.. hahahah.. you think you can actually touch her… arrogant little swine… you couldn't come close if you tired." He sent arms about to grab multiple angels by the necks, slamming them into each other, through walls, and through the pavement. "Hehehehehahahaahahahaah! This is the best heaven can do!? Sending their flying rats with wings to do their dirty work! What sweet sorrow for the supposed kingdom of tomorrow!"
"... You know." The female imp started. "Everyone keeps talkin about how I'm out of your league … but when you look at him and Blitz …"
"Oh no question there." The small male one nodded. "Now I see why Blitz doesn't brag about it."
One of the exorcists crawled from the rubble, looking no worse for wear. "Oh that tears it you pompous prick! I will rip every sorry feather from-"
Bong …
Every soul stopped, turning to the massive clock.
Bong …
A golden portal opened up in the sky … signaling the end.
Bong …
"Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me!" One of them shouted. "We were just getting to the good part!"
"Every exorcist gets clammed jammed once." Another said, before looking to Stolas with a chuckle. "Wonder how much trouble you'll be in when we report all of you up top." With that, the angels flew away.
"… That's not ominous at all." Octavia muttered.
"Eh, given the thing with the cherubs on the broadcast, I am severely doubting just how thorough heaven's bureaucracy is." The sinner demon with pale skin and black horns nodded.
"Dad..." His daughter looked up to him. ".. Thank you… I .. I was scared and.. thank you."
"I will always protect you, little starlight." He hugged the girl. "Always and forever."
"... I love you dad."
"I love you too … although if you ever run off without telling me into a dangerous situation again, I will ground you for thirty years." Boundaries had to be set somewhere.
"Why are all the happy and loving families in hell all of a sudden." The boy noted as he observed the streets. "So …" Iruma looked around at the bodies. "They don't come back when angels do it?"
"Holy weapons, like the bullet that was in your leg." Stolas explained. "Along with, if I'm reading this right, the slash mark on your back."
"Yeah.. " The boy sighed, looking back at Octavia. "Octavia.. I'm sorry for running off .. and.. and I understand if you were just ... scared ... you don't have to love me.. l still care about you.."
"Iruma.." She pressed her head against his face. "I….I.. I do love you.. and nothing will change that.. ever. " And proceeded to kiss him once more as before.
"DIRTY HOAR!" The female imp shouted as she was held back by her husband.
Stolas … Stolas simply smiled, happy that his daughter was happy. Finally … genuinely … happy.
Octavia pulled away after a minute. "Sorry.. I .. just really like doing that.. I hope that wasn't too much-"
"You taste like lavender and dreams…" The boy said breathlessly and immediately with a wide smile and dopey eyes.
"Heheheheh.. you cheesy dork." She rubbed her head on his, nuzzling close as she held him tightly. "... Will you go out with me … on a date?" She asked him. "As my … boyfriend?"
"HE'S TOO YOUNG TO DATE!"
"MILLIE, WE SURVIVED EXTERMINATION, LET HIM HAVE THIS!"
"Say yes say yes say yes.." The sinner took out her phone. "I need the otp to be confirmed."
"… I… " Iruma took in a deep breath. "I.. I would love to, Octavia."
She gave him a chaste kiss. "I promise … I will make you happy, Iruma. You can count on it." She held him close as a small purple fire bloomed from their chests, sparkling stars surrounding them. "I'll.. I'll break the contract as soon as possible.."
"Hold on, hold on, it might not be as bad as you think." Stolas mentioned, kneeling down to the kid's eye level. "Via, your contract was formed when the two of you first kissed. Though you engaged first, it formed from mutual agreement. Contracts cannot be formed unless both sides are at an understanding."
"… What?" The boy blinked, clearly not understanding what he was saying. "But.. Satina.. And Missi Zillow.."
"That isn't to say you can't be tricked or slighted. But someone always gives something back within a contract." Stolas nodded. "In miss Satina's case, all she wanted was a friend, which you also wanted. In Missi Zillow's case, she wanted your little picture books in exchange for not getting beat up. Both cases you agreed to in some shape or form."
"And.. With you.." Iruma turned to Octavia.
"I… I wanted to hold onto you… make you happy… and love you." His daughter shyly nodded.
"Love…." Iruma's eyes widened with tears. "I… agreed to accept.. your love.." He leaned into Via's feathers. "You.. let me feel love.. and I almost rejected it… I'm sorry.."
"Don't apologize.. don't ever apologize, Iruma.. you'll never have to apologize to me." Via smiled. "… Now, let's get this sinner back to her mother … I have words."
"… Why do I not like how you said that?" The pale demon asked.
Carmilla Carmine was used to many pains over the years. The pain of losing family, the pain of making mistakes, the pain of failing a deadline, the pain of your insecurities betraying you, the pain of her legs constantly being exposed to holy steel on a twenty four seven basis because her flesh had been seared into the metal and what in god's name made her think it was a good idea to make them high heels?
But none of that came close to the pain she would feel if she ever lost one of her daughters again … Carmilla knew what it was like, she didn't want to experience it permanently. "Thank Lucifer it's over.." Carmilla groaned, looking at Odette. "Are you alright? They didn't manage to nick you anywhere?"
"No angelic injuries mom. I'm fine." She smiled.
"Good … then you're grounded for the next month." She said sternly. "And if your sister didn't get injured, she's getting worse."
".. That's fair."
"I mean in all the idiotia, cerebro coja, imbecil moves you two could have pulled, this by far outshines anything anybody has ever done in hell!" Carmilla shouted. "And yes, I'm including anything the V's have done in that statement!"
She hoped that if god had any mercy for these Lothesome sinners, it would be that her daughter survived the foolish-! "Mom!" Clara's voice called out.
They turned, seeing her walk with a group … and she was safe. "Clara!" Carmilla ran to her boneheaded daughter. "You're safe, you're safe you dumb girl… you're safe."
"Yes.. yes.. not without a little help." She waved to the group, consisting of two imps, two goetia's, and-l
"Oh.. it's you." The radio boy, Iruma Suzuki looked up to her. "Heh, isn't that ironic."
"Ca-ca-Carmilla Carmine!" The male imp stuttered. "I .. I'm a huge fan, you're rifles are legendary..can I have an autograph!?" Well.. first time she's ever had to deal with a fanboy.
"Oh, you know her?" The child asked.
"You do!?" The imp shouted.
"Yeah … I-"
"He saved my daughter's life … both of them it seems." She chuckled.
"Oh, thanks, but heh, I think Octavia's more responsible for this one." The boy looked to the smaller goetia. "She was with her first."
"Thank you for your help, it's an honor to meet a Goetia." Carmine spoke honestly, extending her hand…
Crunch
Which was instantly fractured and bleeding within the girl's grip. "Yes … an honor to meet the woman who built a gun that nearly killed my dad and crippled my boyfriend …" Ahh…that was understandable
"Via!"
"Hey, let go of her!" Odette took out a spear.
"Hold back Odette, I can handle this." This pain wasn't anything she hadn't gone through before, and given the situation, this was the least she could let the Goetia have. "I don't control the actions of my clients, but for what it's worth, I do apologize for my role."
"Oh like that means shit-!"
"Octavia, don't.. don't get mad." The boy held the girl's arm and pulled it back. "It's not her fault."
"Like fuck it isn't! She made the bloody thing, it's ALL her fault-!"
"She just made a fancy gun. She's just doing a job like anybody else would've." The boy said calmly. "You don't blame a car for crashing into a crowd, it's always the person driving."
"… I'll be watching you." The girl growled, letting go.
Carmine ignored the pain. "I thank you for your assistance as well Stolas. I assumed you played a role."
"I was simply looking out for my child. A belief that we both share apparently, Miss Carmine." The goetia princess nodded with a small bow.
"That we do." She agreed with a small nod. "My gratitude for you all is immense.. especially you, young Suzuki." Without this boy ... hell might've already be gunning for a full scale war.. a war she was certain they would loose everything.
"Just … wanted to help …" He chuckled nervously. The boy was scared, but.. emphatic. Armed with a heart that met much abuse.. but also capable of so much love.
"You are a strange child, Suzuki." She spoke with a rare smile that only came out whenever she was with family. "Though our contract is made, I will not forget what you've done for my family…. if you ever need help, I am but a summons away."
"Um … thank you." He responded, albeit in a confused tone.
"Wait, you made another contract!?" The female imp shouted.
"Yeah.. she.. " The boy shook his head. "She wanted to thank me for helping.. so she gave me this." He pointed to his glowing white hand. "So … yeah."
"Oh come on! He shouldn't need a contract for that! Mox, back me up!"
"You have a Carmine crafted weapon!" The male imp shouted with sparkles in his eyes.
"You surround yourself with uncanny company." Carmilla noted.
"Yeah.." The boy nodded. "…It's a strange little family.. but it is my family."
Alastor was in a bit of a mixed mood. On one hand, he lost the recipe for those delicious finger sandwiches, his actions are a bit more limited (although working around that would be a fun little challenge of his own), and the program was undoubtedly going to be a tad more sappy.
So much gripping drama and angst, only to get wrapped up with 'the power of love' conquering all and what not. The idea of the boy even understanding something like that was a bafflement in of itself.
But … he saw quite the interesting sight … one he was bound to play with now. "My oh my, welcome back, little Suzuki!" He greeted the injured child as they trenched into his current abode. "I must say, you are quite the mess. So rugged and damaged." He cackled. "Quite the unforeseen weather we've been experiencing! Quite unforeseen. It's such a shame no one told you about the heaven's yearly exterminations, why, one could say it was on purpose!"
"… How many times was it you, and how many times was it a legitimate accident?" Suzuki asked with a glare.
"I give it, twenty percent my doing, and eighty percent being legitimate bad timing for you. Seems reality wants you to play into your starting role of survival!"
"How wonderful." The child grumbled.
"Don't be so glum, chum, your parents told me you could survive anything, and you delivered and then some! You survived both angels and heartbreak all at once, quite impressive! Though personally I could've done without the romantic subplot, not nearly as fun as all hope of love vanishing from your mind."
"Speaking as someone who doesn't have love." The boy rolled his eyes
"Who needs it? A person's own self is the best company they have." He chuckled. "Quite a feisty mood you have going on."
"I ran for four hours straight on a limp, I got a permanent scar on my back that was only recently treated, and I had way too much emotional baggage to unpack in a short timespan. Everything between now, a shower, food, and bed, not necessarily in that order, is just annoying and vague.
"Quite mouthy too. Husker is a bad influence on you." Alastor grinned as he looked to his clawed hands. "I do suppose you deserve some reprieve. After all, it's not everyday we bare witness to an angel slayer! Why, it's so amazing that it's down right unbelievable." He leaned in closely to the boy. "Could you tell the world how that angel died, pretty please?" He could see it in the boy's eyes, the realization that his one good deed was being undone, and that no action he ever made could ever truly-
"No." … The boy answered, looking surprised, then confused.
"What did you just say to me?" He contorted the world around them, increasing the pressure to force the compliance.
"… I … said … no." They repeated, actually testing the word as if it was foreign on their tongue.
"I see.." Maybe the adrenaline was pumping too much for the triggers to take effect, or the boy's trauma was so great now it was breaking whatever effect it had on his head. Either way.. this was a new development.. one that he did not like.. "Then maybe you'll feel more chatty when I rip that weapon out of your soul-"
Zap
… A contract chain blocked him … silence … never repeat … gift … ooooh Carmine you crafty little swan. Quite the workaround. "It was on your broadcast Alastor… I killed the angel.. unless you have something to say about it."
With a grip of the hand, the gauntlet, and the sword, both materialized. The boy glared as he pointed the blade at him. "Somone's feeling dangerously cocky."
"No… I'm just not.. I'm not afraid of you." The boy shook, but kept his glare as he held up the weapon. "I won't be afraid of you, not after the extermination…. You're not the scariest thing out there."
This boy was growing to have some real bite to his bark… this changed the rules of the game… very well. "While I will respect the fact you're on another's leash, and that you have the right to your privacy …" He moved as fast as the shadows, standing behind the child and grabbing his arm. "Don't delude yourself into believing that a single weapon will make THAT much of a difference." And backed away with a laugh. "Just a warning, heed or ignore it, I'll be amused either way!" He laughed. "There's a meal for you in the kitchen, call it the spoils of victory."
".. And it's.. just food.."
"Dear boy, I take delight in cooking." He waved off. "Do remember to thank Rosie in the near future however. She'll understand what it means if you bring it up."
"Sure.." Iruma looked at him suspiciously, before turning his head and walking into the kitchen.
"… Trying to get one up on me… Oh Carmine, you'll regret this eventually." This was an unforeseen element he didn't anticipate… from the boy of all things… Alastor had no doubt he'd use this information regardless of the conditions around it..
But there was no need to spoil it to all of hell just yet … now he had BLACKMAIL material on Carmine, the goodies he could get. Save it for a rainy day, and wait until he needed someone who needed to kill angels … of course, who would be stupid enough to try and fight against heaven?