Year I - Act I - Laws of corruption - Chapter VII.
A gunshot, the last round in her weapon, did not ring true. Leonor's revolver was swatted aside with the knife that had cut holes in her clothes and skin before a quick swipe hit her right on the throat.
It was a swallow cut, but the pain, and the blood, came out like a fountain.
She wouldn't die from it, she couldn't lose her voice to it, but she found it unable to scream as she fell to the ground.
Leonor was done, and so was Zana.
It had been a fucking joke. Leonor wanted to rein her tears in, but this damn situation had drained even that anyway. There was no hope, there was no way out. All she had left was her battered body lying a short distance away from Zana's own defeated form, dark pools of blood growing under them only thanks to their nature. A mortal would've been dead a long time ago.
Two, just two of these fuckers she could kill, and only for a short time. Worse, from roughly twenty four bodies behind their ass the number had grown to add another twelve pieces of shit. Granted they all had just whatever melee weapons they could get. It was a superficial, almost worthless, comfort to know that none of these Sinners had powers, or, if they did have, they weren't worth a damn. In the end what mattered was the numbers, and being overpowered at least fifteen to one was too much for most people.
That, and neither of the two women being able to run too fast was enough of a handicap. Even if Leonor let go of Zana, and she had been tempted, her own body was far too bruised to outrun the mob. So, in the end, right at the entrance of Overlord Rosie's turf, they had been caught.
Had Leonor been less pressed for time, and had Zana not been jumped first, they would've noticed just how weird it was that there were only one or two of the Cannibal Colony's occupants close by. Even outsiders knew the people here were perhaps some of the most dangerous individually, even when it came to Sinners, and they rarely, if ever, were alone. A small group of them undergoing a feeding frenzy on an interloper, outsider, or after some internal squabble was what you could call a 'common occurrence'. Yet, in some twisted form of luck, the few that saw them coming didn't even say anything, instead fleeing as fast as they could long before the pair, and the group pursuing them, made it into the Colony's borders.
From there to this mess, with Leonor bleeding from so many wounds, and her neck, and Zana beaten to a pulp with irons and whatever else came her way, barely twenty minutes had passed. The two demonesses couldn't last any longer than that before they were surrounded and beaten up.
In a way the half conscious Zana and the still bleeding Leonor should have considered this a boon. Well, at any other point, to be honest. Mostly because, as trespassers, they would've been likely devoured by now.
But so would've been the case with the Sinners now surrounding them.
Ironically, the latter was the plan, and yet, as most plans seem to do, it didn't survive contact with the enemy. Leonor would've laughed at her damn luck, if she didn't have a chunk of blood filling her lungs and making it hard to breathe. Again, it wouldn't kill her, she knew, but the panic and pain made it hard to control her trashing body.
"Well, she is trassin' 'bout, but I reckon she'll be fine for sum' fun."
A massive combat boot nearly crushed her ribs as Leonor was forced in place on the pavement. A large stag beetle like Sinner was eyeing her with ill intent, a wide, cruel smirk on his face.
The large male wasn't alone. Another armored Sinner, this one apparently resembling a lobster, or at least something close to it, gave his fellow musclebound former human a brutal slap on the back that was barely felt.
"I would've lopped her head off to be honest. Quick and probably cleaner than what you have in mind." The lobster Sinner snorted as he looked down. His stalk eyes offered the choking demon no pity or clemency. "Just be quick with it. I am pretty sure there is a reason for the fucking cannibals to not be around, and I'd prefer not to catch us with our pants down, literally."
The beetle chortled as he sheathed his long knife, many more figures getting close to the downed women. "Yer just pissed 'cos' there are no guys to play with." Then he pointed at the struggling imp, Zana trying to move away from those around her to no avail. "Don't ya want to have a go at her? She has a dick, ya know?"
"She is not a man, so no." The lobster made a face, clearly disgusted at the idea. "Now stop fooling around, bust a quick one and make her a corpse, you idiot. And remember to bring the head so we can use it as proof."
Leonor could feel her throat's injury sealing, at least enough for her windpipe to slowly clear from fluid as she coughed it all out. Fat load of good it was going to do her in a moment, because she had at least sixteen Sinners about to go down on her. Men, women and things in between that she'd love to insult and demean if she was the one in power instead of on the ground, trying, but failing, to push the boot on her chest away.
Wll, this was it. She was done, and so was Zana. Pity. Leonor would gladly admit she hated the fucking imp, but she had done her a solid when Leonor herself had been about to give up. Yes, Leonor had shit on her, but really, what could she do when alone? Leonor was sure that Zana knew this much. No matter who she told, who she sold information to, it would be largely worthless.
Fuck… Was she growing a smidge of a conscience, or was Leonor just trying to ignore the hands grabbing at her clothes right now? Either way, if, IF, she survived, then she would have the decency to indeed repay the favor.
That is, if they survived and Zana didn't finish the job. Hell, maybe Leonor would let the imp do just that. This was not going to be a pleasant experience…
"Hey! What the fuck are you doing!?"
Oh? A reprieve? The hands retracted, but the boot on her chest pushed down harder. Leonor would welcome literally ANYTHING right now.
"What da fuck do ya want, ya slutty bat?"
And, apparently, it was indeed a bat, wings and all. A very tall, slim and white furred bat Sinner with purple dyed hair, a feminine body and velvet eyes with… very little to cover his body. Heck, even if she didn't want to see it, it was clear that there was nothing left to the imagination, and there was a lot to be seen. He was clearly one of the many whores living in Hell. Really, Leonor didn't give a shit, so long as the inevitable was stalled.
"Watch your mouth, bub, or you'll be in pieces soon."
Another bat, this one smaller, of black fur and fiery red hair was next to her scantily clad white counterpart. Her eyes, fiery orange, her physical appearance more muscular than the male, there were small spots with burns and odd colored patches of fur, with the final touch being a half missing right ear. Considering the heavy, and very much armored, clothes she sported, as well as various explosive artifacts hanging from her belt, it was clear the woman knew how to handle danger.
"Oh fuck off." The beetle grumbled. Leonor wished that the piece of shit could redirect his anger somewhere, because nearly crushing her chest, again, was getting old. "You two have done nothin' and will do nothin' to us now."
"Bitch, you pieces of shit used me to get everyone together." The male bat flipped the beetle Sinner off. "All you did when that asshole called us, in case the shark escaped, was sit around!"
In case the shark escaped?
Did… did that asshole make PLANS to off her just in case? How damn spiteful could that piece of crap be!? Stupid question, she knew.
If she ever got the chance Leonor swore she'd shove a shotgun right up that damn imp's ass before-!
CRACK!
Leonor bit back a scream as the beetle finally pushed too hard and cracked one of her already tender ribs. It wasn't too strong a push, it didn't pierce anything important. If she survived for a few minutes the bone would get back in place (though it would still be tender). She knew because that had happened before and she was sadly aware of how the pain went.
Luckily for her, the asshole pushed back, slightly.
"So what? I was gettin' everythin' *else* ready. All ye had to do was suck som' dick or eat som' pussy while my friend and I got everyone armed." The beetle grumbled, crossing his arms. "So why can't we have some fun NOW?"
The female bat looked like her jaw just hit the floor. "Are you stupid? We are in Cannibal Colony territory! The fact we haven't yet been jumped is suspicious as fuck! For all we know damn Alastor may be on his way to bring us for 'dinner' to Rosie!"
"Pff, whateva." The beetle clearly didn't seem to give a shit. How stupid was he? How had he lived more than a day in Hell? "If they aren't here, then we have time. I know ye think me stupid. Well, think again! If them cannibals aren't around then they are doin' somethin' more important than feastin' on our entrails. We have time for some… recreation."
"Yeah, fuck that, na'ah." The smaller bat took an explosive from her belt. "You still owe us! I made all the damn bombs you assholes gave those idiots with cars so none of us here had to be directly involved in this shit. I told you and your cronies to bullshit that fucking imp and let the bitch go. How would he know if we all got our shit together on the lie?"
The beetle flipped both bats the bird. "Ye can fuck off if ya want. Don't wanna kill the bitch? Fine. But if you 'splat us, she dies too." The man let out a cackle, many of the Sinners laughing at the implied joke Leonor didn't know about. "Such a joke, ain't it? An explosive expert workin' fer her 'friends', liyin' to herself, knowing they were hurting people. Boo-hoo, I am a good person." The group's cruel laughter kept on going, now in full force. Leonor didn't give a shit, but it seems the stupid fun they found with this was enough to make the beetle relax more and more when it came to the pressure on Leonor's chest. "Come on girl. Stop bullshitin' yerself. Yer a piece of shit like all of us. Fek, at least yer brother doesn't hide it."
"You piece o-ah!"
A knife was thrown, Leonor did not see who did it, but someone was now without a weapon. Instead, the female bat had a sharp and jagged blade sticking from her right shoulder.
"You two shut up." The lobster grumbled. Leonor barely saw him, but it was clear he was the one to throw the knife. In fact he had a row of the things, all meant for pain far more than damage; jagged edges, serrated blades, no puncturing and piercing, just hurting before doing the victim in. "Don't want to join the fun? Then do as I do: Fuck off and let them be done with it. Maybe you two were okay with lying to that damn imp, but all of us know he'd find out and fuck us over again. Besides, do you have sympathy for these pieces of shit? Demons are all the same, and the fucking shark has fucked all of us over at least once. She is one of the many that comes to collect, I recognize the face."
Leonor would have done everything in her being to be able to spit on that asshole's face. He was lying! Yes, Leonor had messed up with a few Sinners in her visits to the Pride Ring, but she had never gone too far. If it wasn't their powers, then it was the fact that Pride had far too many of the former humans to bother with them. Yes, most Sinners didn't give a fuck about each other, but if you piss someone off, then there is a good chance that more will know about it. That is why most hellborn didn't try unless they already had a decent presence there.
And never for the money. This was a thing most hellborn learned and applied religiously, unless they were from Greed. There were many things you could do, but most demons learned a simple thing: Bend a Sinner's will, but do not make them hopeless. If you pushed too far, if you left them with no resources, then it meant no food, no drinks, drugs or other vices. Humans were vicious when angered, and immortal Sinners… well…
Suffice to say that this piece of shit was lying, because Leonor wasn't the brightest bulb, but she wasn't an idiot.
Oh…
Perhaps he wasn't lying.
"Look, not like I give a shit, bro, but yer wrong. The other bitch had darker hair, mite different too. Less tits also." The beetle grunted, by now fiddling with his belt.
Leonor couldn't do much but gulp. These crazies were going to do it here, in the open, in the middle of the streets of the Cannibal Colony. She was already going to get used and then killed, she didn't want her body eaten by the fucking scavengers of all things. The demoness had hoped that, maybe, they'd grow a brain and try to carry her away.
Besides, that would've given her and Zana a chance.
She probably would've also preferred it if she had gotten through this mess without learning of her sister doing far more than she should. Fucking Hell, everything had gone tits up.
"I don't CARE." The lobster grunted, clearly done with this. "Just fuck them up and get it done. I want out. At least the assholes that got killed won't have to risk their asses being digested for some poon. Coming back from a flaming wreck is going to be a walk in the park compared to what will happen to us if You. Don't. MOVE."
"Fine, fine." His clearly far less intelligent friend replied, finally undoing his pants. At this point Leonor was seeing far more from the Sinners around her that she ever wanted to. "Come on. This'll be fun, gu-ARK!"
Now, the arrow sticking from the beetle's chest? Now that was a welcome sight.
It came from nowhere. A sharp, quick 'zzzzip' and the strike echoing of wet flesh and blood being ripped apart as the arrowhead met its mark, tearing through chitin, muscle and everything else it could. It didn't penetrate too deep, but a small torrent of black blood meant damage had been done.
"The fuck!?" The beetle screamed, every Sinner around him pulling their clothes back on as they tried to find where the arrow came from. "Up there! That fucking bitch shot me!"
Leonor could barely move her neck enough to look. At least the pressure on her chest was gone, even those surrounding Zana had left her alone, the impette managing a glance towards the building the beetle Sinner was pointing at.
Up there, overseeing the street, not that much of a distance away, was a woman. A human woman. Clearly Asian of some kind, with a long bow on her hands, another arrow notched and a dim, white glow on the edge of the metal.
This revelation made the Sinner act hastily, but not without reason. He yanked the arrow from the wound.
Now, a living human being shouldn't do this. Demons could do something similar to the Sinner, but it was still not recommended. Pulling an arrow like that, even a normal one, could make things worse, same with a knife or any other intrusive object that pierced the skin and then flesh. You had a good chance of making things worse, permanent, or lethal in some cases.
The beetle was right to act so rashly though. Leonor's eye, tired and wishing to go to sleep, became fully awake and energized seeing what had pierced the Sinner's hide.
A blessed tipped arrow. It wasn't Exterminator level, more like a minor blessing, but Holy weapons were still Holy weapons. Any of them was strong enough to kill demons and Sinners alike if they were felled by the weapon's direct damage or what the Holy energies could do to a demonic body. Granted, Leonor was weak, but she wasn't still out of it. She knew that the arrow scoring a kill wasn't exactly likely considering the punishment some of the Sinners could take, but an arrow to the head was equally deadly to most things.
Leonor heard one of the Sinners begin to say something, she couldn't make out what but the sound quickly died in their throat. Figures began to enter the scene, walking from the side streets next to the building the bowman was on, creating a small group on the same level as the Sinners about to abuse the two demonic women.
A dozen or so humans, give or take a few bodies, all of them armed with sinning weapons. Leonor wasn't in the best position to see it, but she could see many figures, a good deal of them didn't exactly look ready to fight, but it was clear they came here with a purpose. Fuck, even if they were incompetent that didn't matter. All of them had blessed weapon to a degree, it was as if a mini extermination had arrived early, and the difference in numbers did not lessen the fact that any Sinner, or demon, heavily wounded by those weapons would *DIE* for real, no way to come back.
One of the figures, a slightly rotund young man with a long switchblade, took a step forward. He sounded slightly wobbly and insecure, but his words did ring true and with emphasis. This was a botched first time if Leonor ever saw one, but the declaration was clear enough.
"By order of Overlord Rosie: Surrender now, leave the two demons, and leave… or we will make sure you take part in tonight's celebration." The young man spoke, his words gaining strength by the time he added. "There is a party in the making and my Lady has asked us to bring some fresh meat. As per orders, all 'guests' are to be… welcome, uninvited ones more so."
Yes, the young man began with a voice quivering and indecisive, clearly fearing saying anything in case he fucked up. But Leonor did not miss the change that quickly took place before the second part of his warning came about.
There was anger, disgust dripping from the man's voice. Whether it was due to the implications or because he saw how some of the Sinners were still pulling up their pants, Leonor didn't know. What she DID see was just how tight the young man became, and how quickly an uneasy stance became a full ready, and very aggressive posture as a few of the others walked to his side, with an elderly man, rifle in hand, triangle bayonet affixed to it, taking a step ahead of him.
Why were humans in Hell? Why HERE of all places? Leonor had a million questions going through her mind before she saw that someone had noticed her moving more than she should. Apparently she had been allowed too much of a respite.
A quick kick to the face and Leonor's world began to dim. All she could do was wonder how this would pan out for her, and how in Hell had this happened.
Oh, and the desire of waking up to learn the fucker that kicked her had suffered before dying again.
*** Minutes Earlier ***
Rosie felt like a new woman all of sudden. Deals always left the one benefiting from them feeling something akin to 'giddiness', for lack of a better word. It was a way to bind two parties together in most cases, with one gaining the upper hand more often than not. Rarely were they ever on equal terms and, quite simply, a demon's nature was to take advantage when given the chance.
Right now Rosie felt like she had done that and then some. Better yet: Her new bond had wanted her to. All to protect someone and harm someone else. Exquisite in its own way.
The anger she felt behind her only made this situation sweeter.
But of course Rosie would not show it. Not now, not yet. Contrary with what most mortals and myths would tell you, deals with humans were rare. Oh yes, very much so. It was easier to make deals between demons, or Sinners, than anything else. Heaven's little desire to have 'no interference' made it very hard to do things like in the old days. Another reason why Hell had gone with the times, adapting to humanity more and more.
Rosie let out a sigh, ignoring that little downer. "Well." She instead offered her characteristical smile as she looked at Carlos. "Having any regrets yet, my dear?"
Carlos was looking at his own hand, clearly wondering what he should be feeling. Rosie knew that was generally the most strange thing of it all.
Nothing was wrong.
Yes, there were many dramatics involved in the deal. It was a show of force in most cases, at least with demons with powers like those Rosie possessed. It was not necessarily an act required, in fact a simple glint on the hand, an aura of some kind, was all the effort anyone in Hell really needed; part of their magic, of their essence, touching the other side of the deal. There was no big change to come.
In a way.
Obedience became compulsory in a way. Disobedience was painful. There were always changes, but none big.
And Rosie was no monster, at least not by Hell's standards. Yes, the humans would likely feel disgust with her practices, but that hardly mattered. They would grow used to them, even if they didn't partake. The one that mattered most was her contract bound little thing right now.
If he fought back, then this was for naught.
But Rosie knew he wouldn't.
"No regrets, my Lady. I feel fine." Carlos spoke, flexing his fingers for a moment. His words only made Rosie's smile widen. "Anything I should be worried about?"
Rosie was about to speak when Pilar's voice cut her line of thinking. "How about your soul?!"
Rosie felt the woman push past her. Not enough to be truly an affront, but the matriarch clearly did not respect, nor would she ever respect, Rosie's claim to this place, to their lives, or to her power.
Refreshing, in a sense. A challenge, once the woman cleared her head. But one she feared would come to bite her in the ass. Yet, what was she to do? Rosie was unwilling to kill the elderly woman for many reasons. Practicality was first on her mind, as breaking the deal that way would destroy her and instead give much of her strength to Carlos. A demon breaking a contract, unlike many human media showed, was far, far more serious than the human doing the same. A deal, or pact, was far better than a written one, and less severe, but you still didn't want to go back on your word.
Losing your soul, or whatever you offered, was usually a fatal drawback. Losing EVERYTHING, to the point of no longer existing in any sense, was much more gruesome if you knew what happened after.
So no, she would not let Pilar know how such disrespect could hurt her. Yet.
After all, it looked like Pilar's own grandchild could kill her with a glare if she said the wrong thing. That was far more entertaining.
"Do you know what you did?" Pilar began, the berating she had in store for him was fully justified in her mind.
Rosie knew the woman to be a zealot, probably with no input from the Mark of Sin, although the Overlord knew for sure that it had made things worse. People like her were made into weapons, and not without reason.
Rosie would of course side with Hell in the eternal conflict, for many reasons she thought were justified enough, even if mortals thought otherwise. But when one looked at what either side did, the difference was minimal. It always amused her how most mortals forgot that Heaven and Hell weren't all that different.
And this wasn't the usual 'We are not so different, you and I' spiel, no. Heaven and Hell had few differences if one looked closely. Reward and punishment, that was the biggest thing. And sometimes mortals received either of them unjustly, for nothing was perfect.
"Many of those in The Order have had dalliances with demons in one way or another. Darkest marks in our community you cannot find, Carlos." The woman was stern, determined, and probably ignoring the mounting fury Rosie was ready to stop if Carlos snapped. Whether she liked it or not (and she didn't), her deal had to do with protecting his family. Even Pilar. "Ours was one of the handful never to have done such a thing! Now, thanks to you-."
"Thanks to me we have a chance of keeping everyone safe!" Carlos, much to Rosie's surprise, didn't raise his hand. Believe Rosie when she said she would've understood. Such disrespect, young or old, would have consequences if it had been her on the receiving end. "It is MY soul. MY life. I am willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING for my family, as most of us clearly are!"
He pointed at the side of the family that had sided with Rosie, all of them nodding, much to Rosie's surprise. She had to wonder if she could enact more deals, but Carlos wasn't done and Rosie knew her focus shouldn't wander from the conversation.
"A few days ago, even today, I was feeling miserable, hating myself for ever hurting you, for lying to you. I almost crippled myself forever because I was an idiot, grandma." Now that was interesting, and the way the young man rubbed his arm told Rosie she had at least one potential conversation opener for a later date. "This doesn't change that. Despite how pissed off I am, I am still sorry. I care, I am ANGRY, at how you apparently wanted to use me, us, for that 'Order' of yours. Damn it, it sounds so cliche." Carlos chuckled. "'Nobody expects the SPANISH INQUISITION!'" He laughed, with a few of his cousins close in age doing the same. Clearly the family had a sense of humor, Rosie would give them that. "Now it turns out that was far too close to the truth, and our family was part of it."
Carlos took a deep breath. "You lied to all of us. You lied to us, used all of us, and manipulated the family to suit whatever you wanted to do. I want to believe you were trying to do the best thing you could, that you wanted to take care of us all… but it is not easy." Rosie's smile faltered. It almost looked like the young man was about to break down. Had this finally been enough for his clearly tested mind? Somehow he reined it in. He held strong, or as close to it as he could. "I have made a sacrifice for us all. The least you can do, grandma, is appreciate it. That is all there is to it."
The elderly woman frowned, but she wasn't deterred. "It is the job of a parent to guide their children through the right path. And seeing how no children in this family seem able to see the forest for the trees…"
Okay, even Rosie knew this was far too big a stupid thing to say.
But really, she had expected it.
Even those that had sided with Pilar began to voice their opinion. The matriarch had all but told them they were stupid and incapable of rearing their children right. Perhaps not in so many words, no, but the implications were laid bare.
Clearly undeterred, the elderly woman continued. "I told you this before: You may see me as cruel, but I have done all I could do for this family. I have manipulated, hidden things and, in my youth, I have killed the cursed and the damned. This is OUR duty, Carlos." But the look of hurt was unmistakingly trying to etch itself on her face. "And you have thrown it all away. All because of revenge on some fool that tried to hurt us."
Now, that was a mistake Rosie wasn't going to shield the old woman from.
Yes, Carlos' mother would be unable to hurt Rosie, perhaps no more than a smack to the face if she tried to separate the two. For a demon of her station, or any demon, really, Rosie was very nice and friendly, open too. But most would not take that kind of action kindly.
Then again, the rage in the woman's eyes as Sofia stood ramrod straight, even her husband lifting his hands in surrender for a second before eyeing his mother as if he didn't know who that woman was, was enough to tell Rosie what she thought of her last words. Even in Hell you wouldn't be so callous unless you knew you could get away with it.
And oftentimes, despite how uncaring many hellborn are, you would find most didn't take to things such as these without some form of violence involved.
"How dare you."
It wasn't a question, statement or anything other than sheeting hate made into words. Sofia wasn't that far from Pilar, and she was far, FAR from an intimidating figure, but a mother whose child was hurt could be a monster greater than any demon. Rosie had seen her fair share.
"My parents cannot stand their families, nor can their families even bring themselves to look at them." Sofia began as she took a step, everyone in the room, from Rosie to the children, clearly afraid of what the clearly mentally unstable woman could do. "Your own damn family considered you a pariah, Pilar. They left and, to my knowledge, haven't had the damn DIGNITY to even check on any of you for YEARS. Let's ignore the fact they did not stand us, I don't care; you should know their dislike for you was not normal." And as she spoke Sofia nearly came nose to nose with the matriarch in front of her. "And let us not forget: This. Killed. My. CHILD!"
The woman's hands nearly made contact with the elder, Pilar's eyes widening in surprise as it was none other than Rosie who managed to stop Sofia with a hand to her shoulder. A debt, and an insult, something Rosie couldn't exactly enjoy right now.
At least Sofia didn't react badly. But the anger was still there.
"This has hurt ALL of us." The clear anger and disgust was still clear in her voice however. "And you think that my child, wishing for revenge upon that monster, sacrificing his own soul to keep us safe, made a mistake? You have the gall to say he is wrong when he is trying to keep us all from fending for ourselves and likely dying in the process?! Where the FUCK do you find the courage to be this much of a bitch!?"
Rosie had to admit, the woman was strong. Yes, she was clearly far past her prime, but the bloodlust was there. Emotional humans could sometimes let go of some basic measures their bodies took to defend from harm.
Like the basic limiter that pushed them away from using their full force.
A thing Rosie really, really wanted the woman to remember she had. The Overlord had to choose between defending Pilar from harm or hurting Sofia at this point, and a deal was very finicky with the details and Rosie did not want to test if her own deal could screw her over less than an hour after making it.
"Because I am right." Apparently Pilar was determined to make it hard for Rosie in that regard.
Wait.
The elder woman was giving her a look she recognized.
Pilar WANTED to get hurt.
The fucking cheek on that woman.
What surprised Rosie was how Sofia stopped dead in her tracks. This didn't mean she had calmed down. Oh no, nothing like that. In fact Rosie could feel Sofia's muscles tensing to the point where she truly thought Carlos' mother was about to get really hurt.
"If you don't explain why I shouldn't kill you in the next five seconds-."
"Again, because I am right." Rosie's face began to turn into one of worry. Her gain couldn't turn into a loss like this! But the more this kept going the closer Sofia was to suffering some kind of backlash. "As cruel as the perpetrator of this is, we all should have ended in Heaven. It doesn't matter if it was me, you or everyone else. It may sound horrid, but if that had happened you could even have had the chance to finally meet your child. The unborn and those too young are pure by nature, they are all sent to Heaven, Sofia. Our families would all be together, serving the Lord and doing His bidding, as we should."
Those words made Sofia pause, her anger stopped, but not subsided. It even made Rosie think that, for once, as much of a cunt as she thought Pilar was (Not that Rosie would voice such untoward feelings without it ever being needed, even if she wanted to), what she said was not a lie.
"I wished not to intervene again, but it seems I must."
Or Rosie thought Pilar was right. Apparently Nathaniel had something else to say.
The intervention from the singular Holy being in the house made his presence and displeasure known with a bright light. All previous grumbles and murmurs, something that had been going around the room with the clear conflict about to escalate, some of which encouraged it, stopped as soon as everyone got momentarily blinded. Luckily for Rosie no one dared speak again, beyond a few complaints here and there.
"I am trying to grant counsel and little else, but I will not allow you to play things this way, lady Pilar." And by the sounds of it Nathaniel was growing restless, if not angry. "Pushing your daughter in law is beyond untoward, and showing this cruelty towards her and everyone else is nowhere near what someone of your position should ever demonstrate."
Pilar, now clearly called out on her plan, didn't mince words the second she faced the angel. "Your counsel has driven our family to ally with a DEMON of all things, Nathaniel. I never thought a servant of the Lord would do such a thing."
"I serve as intended: I contact mortals, I give counsel, and I tell the TRUTH, something far rarer than it should be in the Holy Kingdom." Nathaniel's frown only deepened. Rosie could sense someone was far from happy with Heaven's actions. "I understand your frustration, but the truth is hardly ever kind. This includes your… erroneous statement from before."
The frown Pilar sported remained, but confusion was now clear in her eyes. "We both know I am not lying with what I say, Nathaniel."
"You aren't, no. But you seem intent on forgetting how harsh the Laws are." Nathaniel nodded towards Sofia. "Her unborn child passed away thanks to a curse, but the mother survived. Not only that: This curse has been in your family for a long time, Pilar, you seem intent on ignoring that simple fact. It was never the poor, unfortunate child's fault, but her soul was marked and corrupted by this magic. Heaven would not take her."
Perhaps this was the only time Rosie had seen the woman's faith take a hit. It was minimal, not enough to do much, but it also granted Sofia cruel pleasure to see her mother in law flinch as she did. Personal feelings aside, Rosie felt the tension on the woman lessen.
She just hoped Nathaniel wouldn't make things worse somehow.
"Souls may be reborn, Pilar, but new ones can also be made. Had it been an old soul, then things would've been different, but we both know you allowed this marriage because you knew better." Nathaniel shared a glance with Carlos and his sister, Marcela clearly more worried for her mother than the conversation itself. "Carlos would be a new soul, strong in the blood of The Order. Your son and his union was one of love, but also one you pushed forward out of duty."
There were dirty looks directed at Pilar from all sides. Nathaniel ignored them and went on. "But you are somewhat right. Sofia's youngest child, innocent despite everything, should have gone to Heaven. The Laws did not allow it to happen, they would've thrown the poor young soul to Hell." At this he pointed at Sofia's belly. "Luckily for the poor child, not everyone upstairs is a stickler for the rules. Unfortunately, the only way to keep her safe was to contain her soul within her mother's until further notice. A form of 'Limbo' without going to purgatory, a fate equally unbefitting of a pure soul."
Sofia couldn't help but look at herself, with her children and husband once more trying to show support despite the confusion. What could Nathaniel mean? Not even Rosie was sure about it, but she wasn't about to ask.
Perhaps Pilar had an inkling, but the elderly woman had been shut up for the time being, thank the Devil.
"And do not make it look like I am turning my back on Heaven, Pilar." Nathaniel was clearly angry this time, offended and betrayed even. "I am quite sure it is clear I did not wish for any real deal to take place. An agreement? Yes. My desire is for you all to survive, not… this." He waved a hand at Rosie, with the Overlord content enough to have displeased both him and Pilar.
Not that Nathaniel seemed as hurt as the matriarch.
Even if he was, he still had more to say. "But it is the young man's choice and he is in his right to do so, whether it pleases me or not. Besides, this grants you protection, protection you all need. It will take time, but the ones that put this plan in motion WILL notice that they were cheated of their power. Destroying this construct, killing all of you, consuming the power and what they can take from your souls, is all they will think of. This has taken almost everything they have worked for these past three hundred years and made it moot… unless they take it back."
Manuel had managed to close in on the conversation and the little circle without alerting Rosie. It is not that she was focused on the angel, but that Manuel clearly hadn't been there a moment ago. Rosie knew that shouldn't have happened. Either he was a crafty old man, or the elderly man either knew something he shouldn't, or had done it without noticing.
The retired veteran was making it clear that Rosie would need to have a talk with the patriarch at some point. Carlos wasn't the only one to keep an eye on.
In fact, as she looked at the others, Rosie noticed 'things'. They weren't as clear as what she saw with Marcela, but she knew they were there. A true goldmine of opportunities others would have squandered by murdering the family.
Perhaps she should take some time aside for those that had aligned with her. Interviews, as it were. But she would bide her time on that.
"What does that mean, Nathaniel?" The old man was quick to ask. Manuel was clearly intrigued in more ways than one. "And not the fact that some puffed up sorcerer may want to finish the job. What about my grandchild's soul were you talking about?"
"Simply put?" Nathaniel's mood seemed renewed. Perhaps not positive, but this was better than the other topic apparently. "Your daughter still has her own child within, in a way. Were she to regain her fertility, now that the curse is gone, she would still be able to bring her daughter to the world, as it was intended."
Rosie heard a sob. Either happy, hopeful or something else, but it wasn't sadness what came from Sofia. She had her family beside her and her father gave Rosie a look of certainty similar to those that accept their fate, grim and dark as it could be.
"Are there ways for that to happen, Lady Rosie?"
At this point Manuel would've ignored Pilar's words if the woman had tried to say anything. Rosie saw the matriarch clearly displeased, but it was just as obvious she had nothing she could say without it ending in such a bad position that not even Rosie could be faulted for whatever happened to her.
So why lie to the man? Rosie had been served another win without doing a thing. "Yes, depending on the means you want to employ."
Manuel scrunched his face in disdain for a second. For a second. It was clear he'd do the most horrid things imaginable if he could help his baby. A good father, and a good soldier. Rosie had to admit the man could grow on her if he kept this up.
"That is enough. More than enough for me if I hadn't accepted your proposal." Manuel grumbled under his breath. "Well, some of us may not like it." He sent a glance to the group that had sided with Pilar. "But I think it is high time, considering what you will do for us, so." Manuel cleared his throat. "I formally invite you and those under your employ to our… 'home' (so long as they intend us no harm), Lady Rosie."
That brought a chuckle out of Rosie. "How thoughtful, and careful, of you, my good sir. I'll let my people know to help all of you." And that brought up a point Rosie wished to expand upon. "And I shall do that shortly. This house may be large, but I am surprised so many people haven't tried to do something rash by now. You all need proper accommodations."
Enomoto decided to chime in. "Some of us do have homes, my lady. Mine is far larger and has guest rooms if they are needed."
"Same with mine." Hector added. "On the other hand… the place may be flooded, considering all the ice there. Though the large mountain my house is sitting on may be of interest for you, Rosie."
Rosie hummed at the idea. "Any particular reason?"
"Lots of minerals shining and shimmering, that is what." Hector cleared as he thought back on his short trip outside his house. "Some veins were right next to my house, a few on the ground, and a couple I saw next to the stairs too. It may not be much, but it is something. You know, 'payment' for help and such… uh… and hopefully some valuable enough to not be out there murdering in your name and stuff."
The Overlord did nod at that. A magical construct like this should have things of interest. And Carlos may not know it, but what he mentioned about living off the land? It was likely that animals native to Hell would sooner or later appear here, same with plants.
In a sense this place could be profitable, even if she hadn't found the humans and what they had to offer her.
"Well, that is indeed something." Rosie opted to act as if this was unimportant. After all, it was. Not to the point of being of no worth to her, but enough to iron out the details 'later', when more important matters were done with. "Those of you unwilling to do more… hands on jobs for me will have other duties if that is true. Resources from Hell, unlike those on Earth, do 'grow back' as it were, provided we give them time. The rarer and more powerful, the longer Hell Energy must pool to recreate them, but they will come back." She chuckled at the surprised look on some of the humans' faces. "Hell must cater to all, for eternity, my dears. Running out of anything was never in the design. Be it animal, plant or mineral, you cannot deprive Hell of resources, only force it to wait for replenishment. Handy, considering many things get destroyed or are eternally spent during conflicts."
Relief washed down many of those present. Rosie could see it. She could see many of those unwilling to do her bidding open up, if only because they now had an 'out' from the more gory aspects. It was not enough for some, but others clearly relaxed their defenses enough to, perhaps, agree to let her reign as she should.
One, however, had one last thing to share. And Nathaniel made it known with a single, gentle clap of his hands.
"Good. Albeit I disagree with the pact formed between Carlos and lady Rosie, this is already far better than I had expected. It is beyond common to find people that would have… ahem, 'asked more' from all of you." The angel clearly had something far more brutal to say, but, much like he had done until now, he was careful with his words. Rosie knew this had a purpose, and Nathaniel did not make her way. "That said, I'd like to finally bring up the reason I have shepherded this conversation in specific ways. I hope you bear no ill will towards me, or this family, for it, Lady Rosie."
Rosie waved it off. Angel or not it was clear the man had wanted something from the beginning. She could hardly complain though. This had already paid off in a way Rosie hadn't expected. Hell, she had plans already, and a few friends she knew she could count on to make them work.
"I guessed as much my dear. It doesn't matter how 'saintly' you are, my good Nathaniel, wishing for this family's safety came with a price tag for both you and me." As such Rosie donned her best smile, expecting something she could manage to accomplish without much trouble. After all, that had been how things had been going. "So do tell me; what is that you ask of me? Considering your hand on this I may even-."
"I want a way to send them back to Earth." Nathaniel, for once in the conversation, decided to show a rude side of his that Rosie did not appreciate. That is, until he explained further. "I know there are spells to erase magical traces. To protect those that invade the living world despite the rules set in place. Grimoires and other such magical tools work for the hellborn, allowing them free reign where they should not. But something stronger is required for Demonologists* considering how easy it would be to find human souls marked by direct contact with Hell. And I know this is likely asking for too much, but this must be done in less than a year."
Demonologist: Term used in universe for humans affiliated with Hell, or even BORN in Hell. Not to be confused with 'Demonology'. The term 'Demonologist' within this canon has grown into a blanket term that encompasses study, use, contact with demons and more.
Rosie's good mood began to simmer, soon dying despite a hollow smile still in place for all to see. This all because Nathaniel, while helping in driving almost everyone in the family to now severely outnumber the ones completely unwilling to work for her, was also proving that Rosie's own word was going to be worth nothing the moment the next Extermination came around.
"I am beyond sure that your powers would be enough to confront the sorcerer's family and their minions if they ever tried to get to your new charges. It would matter little if the confrontation would take place in the living world or, if they truly dared, in Hell." Nathaniel explained further, giving Rosie, much to her surprise, a show of how confident the angel was in her word. Whether this was him trying to butter her up or a sincere show of appreciation she couldn't know. Not that it mattered as he kept talking. "But it is the matters of Heaven that worry me. I wish it wouldn't happen, and the commotion in the Holy Kingdom may ensure it doesn't come to pass, but I have my doubts."
Perhaps it had been too long since the old woman said something. Perhaps it was the mention of Heaven in a way that the angel clearly shouldn't have worded. Whatever it was, Rosie found it unsurprising that Pilar butted in.
"What 'matters of Heaven' are we talking about?" The matriarch narrowed her eyes.
It was as if Nathaniel had become 'lesser' in her eyes. Unsurprising to Rosie, and, at any other point, entertaining. Considering that Rosie had a certain level of suspicion growing within her, an idea of what Nathaniel was going to say, mirth at the situation was the last thing on her mind.
And so it was when Nathaniel spoke that everyone grew silent. They either understood the word or, more likely, found the angel's fearful intonation to be enough reason to listen. "Apostasy."
The word, to Rosie, held no real weight. She was a believer alright, a believer in Hell. That faith would never be shaken.
To a mortal this hardly mattered, depending on their religion and the area of the world. Some were persecuted, some were killed, others were ignored. Ironic, considering all faiths came from the same origin and, in truth, only specific people were meant to be hunted if they ever abandoned the Lord.
The members of The Order; Inquisitors, Priests, Paladins and all families within The Order's hierarchy. Renouncement of one's duty, once taken, was grounds for execution.
Affiliation to the demonic realm, even if rejected by The Order, was also considered Apostasy. It held the same punishment.
Heaven's wrath… Rosie knew she would be next to worthless if it came to that. And she knew. Oh she knew.
Nathaniel made it clear.
It would happen.
"The bloodline whose members became apostates are the ones meant to execute the traitors." The angel marched on. Gone was most of the life in his voice, clear worry and confusion marking his intonation. "Many things have changed for mortals, but The Order defies any command to change unless it comes from Heaven. And speaking of Heaven… They do not relent on this front."
It clearly bothered him. Rosie could understand, or better say that Rosie found it more useful if Heaven became more lax. It wouldn't happen, but to Hell it would be a boon.
Problems were only presented to her this time, however. This oversight on her part had made things more complicated. She hadn't expected apostasy to become her undoing of all things, but depending on the magnitude of this problem, it could very well be.
"Apostasy became almost nonexistent in the last century. There are still cases, but none of them ever became too big, too important." Nathaniel's eyes, now scanning the group, made it clear what he was going to say before he said it. "Until this happened."
Rosie rubbed her eyes in frustration. Of course this'd be a special case. Her own greed for power and pride on her achievement had made her far too hasty.
"Not only are you all corrupted souls in the eyes of Heaven." And his words made it clear that, unlike Hell's dangers, this was not up for debate, negotiation or anything of the sort. "Those more involved with the day by day ruling of Heaven had to explain to your ancestors and the newcomers far more than they were planning to, simply because you all 'failed to die' as it was expected. Most of the older generations understood. Many of the new… did not."
Ah, a schism formed within a now lost bloodline. Rosie understood the serious ramifications it could generate. She also understood how serious Heaven would be in eradicating it.
In a way this pleased the woman. In another it was a danger she now knew to avoid, no matter what.
Nathaniel ignored her clear discomfort, instead speaking further. "There has been a divide, and it further grew as many of your, until recently living, relatives looked back on current events and the reason they came to pass. Resentment is clear, and older generations, thanks to formalities and old rules still in motion, cannot intervene themselves. All of this means that only 'close' members of your bloodline may try to purge the apostates."
"You can't be serious."
Javier was perhaps the only one that most in his family had expected to remain silent and collected on this front. But only if they ignored how seriously he took protecting his family, more than virtually everyone else. Rosie did not know this, but he saw just how common the distressing level of rage displayed by Carlos, and his mother, was in this family.
It also showed just how close certain things would bring some of the members of this family to the pit of despair. Because Javier was clearly fighting between anger, sadness and an unbelievable desire to drop to his knees and heave.
"Our family would not do that. They CAN'T!" Always serious, collected and almost monotone he was, despite how much a family man everyone knew him to be. But, as Rosie saw, it hardly mattered how tough you are if one finds a hole in your armor. "Nathaniel, please, tell me what you said is a lie of some kind."
Nathaniel looked at the young man, ready to speak, but he just as quickly closed his mouth. It took him a few seconds to tell everyone the harsh, brutal truth.
And Rosie couldn't help but wonder. While a Demon wasn't that different from an Angel, was Heaven just as similar?
Because the angel sure made it sound like Paradise was anything but.
"I do not know the depth of this particular Law. But I knew enough. Many of us do. Not that many of us thought of acting on this knowledge. As you may have guessed, I am one of the few willing to risk it. We voted, and I was elected. My task was to come here, plead with whoever had power to protect you if I had to, and then ask a favor of them. This favor is the one I have already mentioned to Lady Rosie." Nathaniel clearly didn't want to go on, but he forced himself to. These news were likely going to crush some of them. Rosie could see it in the angel's eyes.
Perhaps the news wouldn't be as devastating as they should be. Not now. Rosie was aware of just how much harder this would hit the moment it HAPPENED. Being TOLD held a powerful effect, but the deed would be far worse.
"I already know of at least two of your family members that took the mantle of Exorcists, angels of Extermination."
Yes. As Rosie had suspected. A word rarely used, and to many silly, but with serious connotations: Familicide.
Heaven did not advocate for such, not usually. But matters such as these held far more weight than morality could sustain.
"I know not which ones did." Nathaniel continued. "They swore to begin their training the moment their souls are strong enough once more. They will also be the only ones allowed to touch you… unless you survive their attack. Considering this will happen only if you survive long enough or, more likely, manage to kill them, it is likely that more of your relatives will decide to join the Exterminators next year." He took a second to let the situation sink in. "I am sorry to say, but very few angels such as me, and fewer of those born in Heaven, have tried to make a case in your favor before this mess started. I highly doubt more will come, or that all of us will remain staunch in your defense after this deal with Lady Rosie. In fact I fear I won't be the only one punished for my actions here."
A perfect storm began to form. Rosie had seen just how well these people handled betrayal ranging from serious to heinous, but the kind that came from family seemed to bring not only rage but a sea of sorrow many were clearly ready to drown into.
This wouldn't do.
Before she heard of the Exterminators Rosie considered this melodrama to be helpful. And it was. It also held some interest to her, kind of like a soap opera, the good kind. There were no secret or forbidden romances or anything like that, but it had a lot of clear power dynamics, lies and fountains of drama that she could play in her favor.
But she made a deal.
She made a deal she wouldn't be able to uphold.
Worse, the angel that all but served her a whole family of mortals had asked something of her. And it was likely that he was going to react badly, perhaps with violence, the moment she told the truth.
And, much as she'd prefer to lie and save herself the trouble, coming clean was a must. Rosie was, for a demon, a woman of her word. Besides, messing up the deal would be far worse than coming clean with something she, sadly, had no power over.
"I am sorry to break this string of revelations. But these are new matters that should've been discussed much earlier." Rosie hadn't noticed how close everything had been to finally igniting into a ball of anger and who knew what else. All she knew was that every eye was now on her. " I am afraid that, in light of such knowledge, I will have to call this deal off in the end, much to my displeasure."
She expected Manuel to speak, perhaps Pilar's gloating, but the question came from the one she had expected to be the most relieved. Carlos.
True she expected him to be angry at her for going back on her word, but Rosie knew that he wasn't happy with a deal that made his soul the property of a demon, no matter the boon. Few humans with half a brain were ever happy with that.
"Why?" The question was one of confusion and clear doubt. "Can you unmake a deal just like that? Is this about the Extermination?"
"I can't 'unmake' a deal 'just like that', young man." And this was the uncomfortable truth. She didn't owe Carlos a thing, but Rosie had her morals, warped as they may be for a human being. She could screw him over somewhat and still get out of this mess, but that would make her lesser in everyone's eyes and, more importantly, also her own. "It will come at a cost, one you'll benefit from. But I cannot uphold my side of the bargain if Heaven becomes involved like this. If I were to fail the consequences would be dire indeed, but only for me. I hope you understand I would very much prefer to sacrifice a bit of my power instead of my life, or worse, if I break this deal by failing to adhere to my part."
Probably no one expected what Carlos said next. "So?"
Such a simple and stupid question.
"So?" Rosie looked at the young man in a way she had admittedly thought she never would. Until now he had been (mostly) respectful and somewhat smart. Now he sounded like a complete moron. "I cannot protect your family from this, boy. And in the end not only would all of you perish, but my own essence would be taken as the price of my own hubris. I shan't allow it."
"Nor do I want you dying for us, Rosie. Which is something the deal clearly mentioned already." Rosie was sure she had missed something. Why was Carlos giving her that smirk? "We made a deal in which you would protect us from 'all you could'. If our family's betrayal is true, and if you cannot help us there, then that means the deal is still on. You may not be able to do anything for us in that regard, but first we need to survive until this 'Extermination' for it to matter. And when that comes…" Carlos gave his switchblade a serious look. "We'll do what we can. Our family in Heaven is OUR business, and not one that was ever mentioned in the deal."
Rosie's lips made a thin line. This was… new.
"Anyone in your position would do their utmost to break this deal if it meant they gained power, influence or simply money. I doubt you'd been that simple minded, but I must be honest." Rosie was eerily calm, looking at the young man with inquisitive eyes. "Your grandmother here would approve of ANY of those options, and I am sure none in your family would see it as anything but a boon too." She looked at the still determined face of the young man. Perhaps she hadn't been clear enough. "I cannot do what Nathaniel asks of me. Whether I wanted to or not, my powers are far more limited than our dear angel seems to suspect. I do not have the means to undertake his 'request' successfully."
Nathaniel didn't seem to mind. "I guessed as much." And the fact that he seemed so collected, far too much for Rosie's taste, didn't sit well with the Overlord. "It was a request, and if you cannot fulfill it, then I'll have to content myself with their safety… for as long as it lasts."
"And I know I am an idiot." Carlos chuckled, quickly flipping one of his cousins the bird, but Rosie didn't look back at the group before Carlos went on. "But I refuse to break the deal. I know my soul is yours for the duration, probably in a literal sense, but I was sincere. You give a crap about us, whether as workers, tools or whatever else, but you gave us a CHOICE. I made mine. I have a lot of bad qualities, true, but a deal is a promise, and I don't intend on breaking mine."
Rosie frowned. This… wasn't what she had expected. It was far from bad, the farthest it could be in fact. She, the DEMON, was being given an 'out' on her own deal. Granted she had been wrong on her own, the mention of Exterminators being more than a forgivable excuse for her own lapse of reason.
But this wasn't meant to happen.
The mortal was meant to try and escape from this deal. He was meant to take all he could at her expense because she made a mistake. That was the natural order.
And speaking of 'order', a member of The Order, if only by blood, should've done far worse.
Rosie was at an impasse. This would not stand.
"I hardly am this candid, young man, but I feel I must." She looked at Carlos with a face full of doubt. "You are… ignorant, moralistic perhaps. Far too nice for Hell. If you work for me, then I will make that change." Rosie felt everyone standing still, as if time had ceased to be, with only Nathaniel clearly reacting to the conversation's turn. "I plan on making you kill for me in ways that will ensure the Carlos of today will turn into something else. But I still give you a way out. You must understand this rarely, if ever, happens."
Rosie had very little patience to explain, but she would not do Carlos the injustice of just going for the grab this time. He had shown her that he'd stick for his words, perhaps even for her in time, and not out of obligation. That kind of quality, beyond rare in Hell, could not be maintained just through lies or fear alone.
This was not something demons would do without reason.
"I am willing to break the deal. I will give power to you. Consider it my way of showing respect in a place it hardly ever is seen. All because you are far from the scum I am used to seeing and dealing with." Rosie narrowed her eyes, glaring at the young man in a way that made Carlos flinch for a second. "I highly recommend you take my word and the power I offer you, Carlos. I will *not* let you go otherwise, not unless you fulfill your part of the bargain, if you ever want to be let go by then. You will not be the same man you are now."
There, she said it, and soon the young man focused on something.
Ah, he was thinking about it. That was more like it. That was what Rosie expected of him. It was the right thing to do. He needed power now. Carlos required all he could to protect his family. Hell, Rosie had never said she would NOT help his family either. The Overlord knew Carlos noticed that much.
The angel said that it was fine. Rosie didn't believe Nathaniel, no matter how 'nice' an angel he was. This was a way to clear herself from his 'hit list', if he had one. As good an entity as he was, Rosie couldn't trust someone from beyond the Pearly Gates, and doing her part in upholding the deal's consequences if dissolved meant that, if Nathaniel did something, all Hell would break loose, literally, on Heaven.
This was a loss, yes, but it was Rosie's own fault. She had jumped the gun, and a creature of her power should know better.
"It is a very generous offer, but again: I refuse."
So why did this young man keep up his defiance on things Rosie knew to be certain!?
"Power now is not going to help any of us, my lady." Carlos spoke in a far more serious manner. "Let's be sincere; we both are using each other. We have a deal that makes us useful for something. I know you are going to gain far more than I, but I meant what I said, Lady Rosie." And the seriousness became anger, much like Rosie had seen in the young man before.
There was pure hatred behind Carlos' reasoning. Something visceral and unyielding. Rosie had seen few people despise something, or someone, to the point where one would give away everything to get even.
"I want revenge, Rosie. I will survive. My family will survive. I don't care how much you gain from us, how skewed the deal is. You promise to help us find the one that hurt us, that is enough. Besides." And just as it came, it went. The anger was still there, on the surface, but Carlos clearly knew how to hide it. "There is much you can do for us, and I am willing to do whatever it takes… Although, if you are willing to give me a way out, you can always allow me some freedom with whatever you ask me. A small change in the deal. We can call it even."
Rosie pursed her lips.
This kid. Either smooth, stupid, or far too determined to give up. Perhaps a good mix and sake of it all together, probably mostly the stupid part.
Whatever, no one else was talking. The decision came down to her. Rosie had to admit she was torn with how things had turned. On one hand she had a batch of new followers, on another her desire to avoid unnecessary loss on her own side, loss that could be invited by this deal alone.
With all cards on the table it was hard to decide. Would it be worth it? Would it kick her from her little throne? Or would it make her claims sink deeper and hold firmer into Hell's cursed grounds?
Decisions, decisions.
*KNOCK! KNOCK!*
"My lady! My lady!"
Oh, what now!? Didn't the cosmos know how to take a hint?
Well, apparently it couldn't. And her aide's powerful voice clearly did not care for walls, considering every soul could hear her yells in the silence left by the surprise of this all and the wait for Rosie's decision.
"A large group of Sinners is approaching the Colony! The people we left as scouts say they are pursuing two wounded demons, one of which is a known member of the Greed Ring's mafia! I am sorry for coming, but what do we do?! Some are considering this a ploy, an excuse for the Greed Ring to wage a turf war on us!"
Problems. Always problems! And a possible trap from one of the Greed's many bastards. Rosie was this close to losing her temper and-!
No… Carlos wanted to be useful and uphold his word, didn't he? Well, if he wanted to keep his servitude going, Rosie would test it out. If they survive, then they'd be useful. If they didn't? Well, they would still have their uses.
"You say you still want our deal to go through. Even if I offer to still protect your family until Extermination Day, with or without you serving as my personal hunter here and in the mortal world?" The fact that Rosie got a quick nod, one without doubts, both made her wish to smile and frown. What once felt like a perfect win only made her doubt now.
That wouldn't do. She would act as she should. Rosie was a woman made for planning. She had clawed her way to power and she was going to ensure it remained that way.
He wanted to serve? Then let him serve.
"Then let me propose something, something that may change your mind at last: Help me deal with this little incursion. You and those that follow you." Carlos's attention was quickly diverted to the simple truth. Rosie was asking him to kill. Now. "It is a… delicate situation, but Hell is well acquainted with brutality solving those as well. If you truly want our deal to remain, you shouldn't have a problem with this little test. What do you say?"
Rosie saw Carlos looking at his grandfather, then at the others that had sided with Rosie during her offer, and finally the one man, Enomoto, that told her he could make weapons and armor.
"First? I say let the poor woman in." Carlos pointed at one of his cousins. What came next was far less decisive. It was clear that imminent conflict, now that Carlos knew it was coming, was chipping away at his courage. But what he said made Rosie's eyes widen. "And second? Well, we have weapons we brought with us, all of them special, like mine. I think no one here will be opposed to the idea of helping you with your new problem, if you allow us to try and talk things out first."
It was an act.
Rosie could see it was an act. The young man was scared out of his mind, everyone that had sided with Rosie was clearly still angry and feeling the rush of it, but most were obviously dreading what was to come if they went ahead with this.
But they did not say no. They seemed happy with Carlos' proposal of a talk, but it was clearly a hopeless attempt. Humans they may be, but none of them were stupid enough to lie to themselves.
No one disputed Carlos' words though, or tried to fight him to go back on his deal either. Perhaps the group that sided with Pilar, but at this point none of them spoke to argue the point, clearly seeing how Heaven itself would likely try to smite them in a year's time.
Even Carlos' father walked to him, landing a heavy hand on his shoulders, before giving Rosie a nod. It was clear who had won their support, and the demoness did feel satisfaction now that she had managed to stick it up to those in Heaven.
If nothing else the Overlord had to appreciate either their stupidity or their loyalty to her simply for a promise of help and some compassion where there was hardly any. Rosie wasn't uncouth enough to consider them just mere idiots. But a lifetime in Hell does show that such bullheadedness, and naivete, hardly gets you far.
And yes, Rosie was nice. Nicer than most demons in Hell, even if with… 'caveats' when it came to how nice she could be. Some'd call her stupid, but few knew that being 'nice' and being 'stupid' were far more different than a first glance could reveal.
Still, much like them, Rosie was a woman of her word. They seemed determined to get exactly what she promised and, in turn, deliver what was due on their end. She was sure not all of them would fight, or hunt, for her. In fact she expected at best twelve or thirteen of those on her side to go for the Sinners the moment she asked for some fresh meat. But those willing to go any lengths to keep everyone alive and happy? They WOULD do it. Perhaps, in time, they would revel in the idea.
They wanted their family protected and they were willing to go along with the accord. For those of The Order's blood, violence towards demons and Sinners came naturally. For the regular mortals, family was clearly more important than keeping their hands clean. It would take time, yes, but they would come around to Rosie's way of doing things.
Simply put: She knew they did not want to do this. Posturing and initial reaction aside, Rosie knew they weren't up for it. But they would do it. Even when given Rosie offered them what practically no other Overlord would.
This was unprecedented. Beyond unexpected. Rosie was prepared for many things, including them all trying to make excuses or let others do the dirty work. It was no grand plan she had engineered, even if she had ensured these people would appreciate her more than they'd do the clear zealotry of Pilar. Not exactly hard to make more sense than a religious nutcase screaming at you to convert after all.
In the end, and without much effort, in fact she had tried to do the opposite and let them go, Rosie had kept her gains in this house. Hell, she had probably acquired even more. Was this why her dear radio enthusiastic friend appreciated chaos and the randomness and chaos in life so much?
And no, she hadn't missed how silent Pilar had been since Nathaniel brought up what was to come. The woman was planning something, but Rosie would not, COULD not, act on what could be. Not yet. But she could take everything else with open arms. Because, despite everything, she had WON. Whatever the humans got, they'd deliver far more to her, one way or another. This was a victory and she'd savor it.
In fact there was only one thing to do when such a win graced you.
Rosie's smile came back.
"Well then." Rosie purred, her mood restored. "Let our little intruder in and start picking implements of destruction." She hummed, carnage was indeed a thing to enjoy. And speaking of enjoyment, she knew she was going to love what came out of this, one way or another. "I can't wait to see how well you all pass this little initiation. I'll even do one better: I offer a little party if all of you come back intact."
In fact, yes, Rosie felt like it. This moment was one of note, so why not?
A nice 'feast' was in order.
And her new 'friends' had volunteered to be the ones bringing the 'food'.