Hello there!

I'm anxious to post a chapter almost immediately after finishing it, tho I was already doing that at the start of this fic. Hopefully it's still good tho.

No real warning for this chapter, unless you count Blitz's self-depreciation. I think it can't hurt to remind readers that almost the whole fic is written by an unreliable narrator.

Enjoy!

Chapter 25 – New plan

Blitz was pissed, but he hadn't given up on Stolas, far from it.

He knew he had missed something on Saturday. He fucking knew it. He still didn't know what happened, for even after they left Stolas' palace, Loona still refused to tell him, and Stolas has just appeared… Withdrawn after Loona started to talk, and it got Blitz worried. It felt as if Stolas was reliving what happened on that day, but when the imp tried to comfort him like before, the owl had flinched away, hugging himself and shaking his head with the most defeated expression Blitz had ever seen on his face.

"Please, just… Leave me alone."

Blitz had exchanged a look with Loona, who shook her head, and they both left. The hellhound tried to find the laundry room again, only for both demons to be portaled out just before they could enter, and it was their clue to leave. Stolas wouldn't let Blitz question one of his staff nor stay standing watch again, and he received a text later asking him not to try to spy again.

Blitz didn't like it, but he wasn't even pissed at Stolas, nor at Loona, but at himself. He wanted to earn Stolas' trust, and he just fucked up, like usual. For fuck's sake, Loona had done a better job at it than he had, and she wasn't even close to the owl.

Things were spiraling out of control, and they were out of solutions. They couldn't just find three random hellhounds without knowing where to look for, and Via said she haven't been to that many Goetia's palaces outside of her close family. When the owlet asked Loona why she was asking, the hellhound had hesitated to finally bring Stolas' daughter fully in, but she really wasn't sure it was a good idea yet, for both Stolas and Via. From what she gathered, the owl would never open up to Octavia of all people, he was too dead set on sheltering her. Therefore, telling Via too much would only worry her, and stress out Stolas even more. The thing was, Loona wasn't sure what would happen if they pushed the prince past his limit, but she wasn't sure the result would be good, so she decided against it.

It let only one possible quick way out of this shit that Blitz could think of, and he really hoped it would work, because spying the palace was now out of question – tho he still sent M&M to stand watch today, because there was no way he was going to give up that easily even if it would probably be fruitless – while he tried to put his own plan into place.

The first step was very simple: Blitz searched into his contacts and hesitated between two names, before he finally pressed on the one he truly wanted to talk to.

He honestly expected to be met with the voicemail, but to his surprise, his call was answered barely a few rings in.

"Hello, Blitz, is that it? Did you try to call Froggie and he wasn't answering?"

"No, I wanted to talk to you Big Man. I have a favor to ask, we can work on what it entails later, but if you're free right now, I really need your help with something."

There was silence, and Fizz's voice in the background, before Asmodeus answered with surprise in his voice.

"Is it really this urgent? We can both clean our schedule quite easily and meet in the afternoon if you need…"

"No, now, please. Like, join me at IMP as soon as you can, I'll explain once you're here, but it's really serious, I promise I'm not wasting your time, and if you feel like I am, I'll just pay the consequences later. Just, please, I really need your help, I can't think of anything or anyone else."

"Alright, we're on our way."

The Sin was definitely caught off guard, and Fizz would probably bombard him with questions as soon as the call was disconnected, but Blitz didn't feel like explaining on the phone.

He wasn't sure about his best friend's presence, but if he had to be honest, he was kinda relieved he was coming too without even needing to ask. This shit was a lot and he could use the support the jester provided. Besides, if he didn't already tell Asmodeus what Blitz had told him about the fishy things going on with Stolas from their last face to face talk, he could tell or remind him on their way… Or not, he didn't even say it was about Stolas.

Shit.

Well, there was so much shit to explain, might as well start from the beginning anyway.

It didn't really help his nerves tho. He kinda expected them to portal inside the office. He even checked he already sent Fizz the address. They could find in online anyway, but no, seems like they were coming by car or some shit.

Okay, it wasn't that urgent that he needed them here in the minute, or he would have called last night, maybe even portaled there directly himself, but still. He was pacing in IMP's lobby, Loona in charge of welcoming clients and take their information and explain they wouldn't be able to do the kill before next week, and he was still wondering if it was the right choice.

But really, what else could he try? Even if Asmodeus ended up telling him that, for whatever reason, he couldn't do anything – which Blitz doubted – he was Fizz's boyfriend, so Blitz shouldn't be into too much trouble for asking him to come on short notice. He knew he couldn't really use the times he protected Fizz in his favor either, he was paid the second time, and Fizz had told him the first, with Crimson, was what made Asmodeus change his mind about giving the crystal to Stolas.

He didn't have near enough money to pay a fucking Deadly Sin, and as much as he trusted his sex abilities, he doubted they were worth anything to the fucking Embodiment of Lust, but surely he could find something, like body-guarding Fizz for free or something. It didn't matter, he had to convince him.

"You really don't have any idea as to why your friend would need to talk to me specifically?" Asmodeus asked, expression curious as the car drove toward IMP. "I first thought it was about the crystal, but it doesn't feel like it."

Fizz was pondering exactly that, frowning as he scrolled through his texts with Blitz.

"I guess it must be about Stolas… No, not to ask for dating advice, don't worry, I'm his adviser for that! But last time we met, he said he was hurt and he didn't know why. They kinda made up, he was glad about it, but then a few days ago he texted saying he may have a lead on why he was hurt, but we didn't speak much since then, and knowing him he wouldn't say too much about that on the phone. He sounded pretty busy too."

The Sin now looked concerned.

"Stolas? What could the issue be? He's a Goetia, not many things can actually hurt him."

Fizz shrugged, though there was concern in his eyes too.

"I'm not sure, all I know is that Blitz was worried, and found out something last week. We'll know soon enough I guess."

The subject wasn't enough to keep them from falling into more romantic gestures, tho they weren't to the point of fucking on the way. Not that the trip wasn't long enough, they were experts in the art of quickies, but they were both worried enough about the situation that it stayed in a part of their mind even with the playful banter and kissing.

At first Asmodeus didn't really think much of it. Luckily for Blitz, his day wasn't too packed, since he wanted to spend time with his partner, but the imp had sounded earnest enough that the Sin gave in, especially since it was a friend of his Fizzie and the jester would have spent the day worrying if they didn't go to hear him out. The rooster suddenly got more serious as they stepped out of the car and he noticed a few shadowy figures on the roofs around, thanks to his habit to check out their surroundings when he was with Fizz, until he realized they weren't pointing toward them, but the building they were heading to.

It was already enough to be concerning. They made their way to IMP's headquarters. Blitz quickly welcomed them, his tail betraying his nervousness, as he lead them to the meeting room, leaving the lobby in a hellhound's care, who… Seemed to be his daughter? Fizz couldn't help but tease the two before Blitz closed the door. Asmodeus wasn't listening tho, his gaze immediately going to the wide windows. There were these shadows on the roofs again, and he was sure he could see the tip of weapons pointing here, in this very room.

The Sin quickly looked away so his stare wouldn't get noticed, even with his lack of pupils, and instead took a sit as Blitz was offering them, still bantering with Fizz, but he sounded more annoyed than truly into it. He knew what these two teasing each other looked like, and it wasn't it, be it because Fizz was talking about his daughter or because what was weighing on the assassin was too heavy to stop thinking about. Still, Blitz offered to bring refreshments before they started talking about the issue, and he quickly left the room.

The jester cast a quick glance to his partner, his smile faltering as concern replaced it.

"Fuck, I don't know what it's going to be about, but this is serious."

"Looks like it. Let's listen to him before we start fearing for the worse", he wisely suggested to quell his lover's worries, but as Fizz nodded and sat on his lap, probably for comfort, Asmodeus kept looking around.

Was that… It was slight, and he couldn't get up to truly check, but he was almost sure there was magic on the windows, and he was pretty sure if he was to investigate, it would turn out to be Stolas', from the feeling alone even from where he was. He frowned, not liking the picture it was all starting to build in his mind.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before Blitz came back in with paper cups filled with water, grimacing as he put them down in front of his guests.

"Sorry, this is an office, so we don't actually have much to offer people…"

"Hey buddy, it's okay, we're not customers, we're friends alright?" Fizz smiled.

Blitz just raised a brow, looking at the Sin who snorted good-heartedly.

"Water is good, don't worry. Why don't you cut to the chase? It sounded important and urgent, whatever the issue is?"

"Yeah, so", the assassin sighed as he sit down, not even bothering to tease Fizz for being on his boyfriend's lap. "Er, I don't know if Fizz told you that I found Stolas hurt like two weeks ago?"

"Yes he did, on our way here. He said that at the time, you didn't know where it came from, but found a lead recently?"

"Not exactly… That's why I need your help, actually. I know for a fact Stolas is letting some assholes torture him. Loona smelt three hellhounds, but we think a Goetia is behind all that, hence why Stolas isn't defending himself, and won't let us help him. The thing is, I tried to talk to him directly about it, even to spy on his palace to see the fuckers myself, but they asked him to portal away, and he… He won't accept my help, and I don't know why. He says he can't, and I tried to explain that…"

He shook his head, suddenly realizing telling a Sin they had a blessed weapon to take care of a Goetia may not be the best way to go about this. He focused his gaze back on the huge demon, determined.

"Look, I know it will sound silly, but you're the fucking King of Lust. You're above Stolas in power, in all this hierarchical shit. So can't you just… Show up at his place and, like, order him to tell you about what's happening? He can't say no, right?"

Fizz was just stunned, Blitz's words and their implications slowly sinking in. He wasn't close to the prince himself, far from it, he never actually spoke to him, but he knew he was important to his childhood friend, and even if he wasn't, he'd still feel bad at the idea of someone willingly letting others torture him, but most of all, he was so curious as to how and why, and of course who.

Asmodeus, on his side, just frowned.

"It is sadly not that simple. Just because I am a Sin doesn't give me some superior power that would actually force him to answer. If he is in a situation where someone is blackmailing him to make him comply, I doubt even me showing up would help, probably the opposite in fact."

Blitz's eyes widened as Fizz voiced his realization.

"They'd think he talked and might take it out on him, especially if they're already being violent."

"Exactly."

Before anyone could add anything, Blitz's phone rang, making him jump.

"Fucking timing…" He growled as he took his phone out to look at the text he just received, only to freeze. "Oh fuck no…"

"What?" Fizz asked.

Blitz sighed, putting his head in his hand.

"He… He portaled away again. Stolas, I mean. M&M… My employees are watching him right now, and… Fuck, yesterday it was so late when they called him, and yet today it's not even noon!"

"Are you sure it's about that? Can't he just have a meeting or something?" Fizz added tentatively.

The assassin looked back up at his friend.

"They said in their text that he portaled after a phone call while he was tending to his plants, and he looked at them both through their binoculars before going away. Which is creepy because they're supposed to be on opposite sides of the palace."

Asmodeus winced.

"That does sound a bit ominous", he agreed.

"Yeah, to me too. Fuck, why is this shit so fucking hot today again!" Blitz grumbled as he took back his phone to answer.

At that, the Sin immediately straightened up.

"May I have a look? There's often too many apps running in the background and taking up resources, I can clear those up if you want."

"Oh yeah, you can trust Ozz on that, my phones last so much longer since he's doing the maintenance!"

"Until you crush them during your training", Asmodeus gently reminded him, and the jester simply stuck his tongue out to him.

"I guess you can have a look, but don't peak at my private shit, alright?" Blitz threatened as he handed his phone over.

He had just asked M&M to stay at the palace and inform him as soon as Stolas was back, but there wasn't much more they could do. Even his desperate solution didn't sound too optimistic, but at least the Sin seemed to care, at least a bit, about Stolas' predicament, so maybe he would be willing to stay a bit more to try and find another solution.

The assassin, at least, was pondering hard on what he knew of Stolas, and he again was struck with how little that was, on so many subjects. Was he the kind to submit to his superiors, or the rebel kind? For some reason, Blitz bet more on the first one. Sure, Stolas could be sassy at times, but it was often when he was annoyed, and he almost wasn't sassy at all at the beginning of their… Situationship. Still, Asmodeus was right, it didn't certify he would answer a Sin's question just because he was a Sin, especially when he refused to answer Blitz's question when he was fucking begging for him to play bodyguard before.

On his side, Asmodeus did a quick wipe of the useless apps on the phone, and only once he was sure all the ones running in the background were gone or deactivated did he start investigating to confirm his hunch. He hoped he was wrong, but…

Well, fuck. He was right.

Blitz's phone was burning because there has been a spy program in it, active when he received the text. It seemed like its main purpose was to be able to locate Blitz at any time, but as he kept looking for hints, he realized it could do a lot more, including spying on the phone's text, contacts, and more worryingly listen to what people could say around it. This option was active when Blitz took out his phone, hence why it was burning since it was one of the most energy intensive.

"Is there a problem?"

Asmodeus looked up to see both imps stare at him, curious at the faces he was making and his long silence.

"Oh, sorry, I took a bit longer than usual. There is quite a lot of dangerous apps on your phone, you should be more careful! I'd track where they come from, but I fear it would be an invasion of your privacy, given how people usually get these… I'm almost done, give me another minute."

The tall demon, who had to shrink to fit in the imp sized building (it was a good thing it was also made to accommodate Sinners), barely noticed Blitz nod from the corner of his eyes as he focused on his task. He wanted to check where that spying app came from, and where it was sending its data to. Doing so when it wasn't sending anything was a bit tricky, but even if he was more into robotics, he was good enough at this to find the information he wanted and…

Well, shit, that didn't look good.

Asmodeus plastered a smile as he gave Blitz his phone back.

"Here, all good!"

"You know, you can just tell me it was filled with weird crap, I won't complain, can't even say I'm surprised actually."

"Me neither", Fizz smirked.

"Oh shut up! Coming back to Stolas, do you really think you can't at least, I don't know, try to convince him? Like, going there in disguise to not tip anyone watching off. I mean, again, you're a Sin, you'd probably do a better job at reassuring him you can protect him of whoever is threatening him, unlike our little imp company."

Both guests frowned at the tone used, sensing the self-depreciation here, but before Fizz could call his friend out on it, the Sin nodded.

"I was going to suggest it. I don't have as much influence in the affairs of the Goetias as you might think, but I should still be able to pull off something, especially since I doubt it's anything official but probably more the doing of one or two isolated individuals. Don't you worry about payment, Stolas also helped me out when you two were kidnapped, so I guess I owed him one anyway."

Blitz knew it didn't mean they would success, but he couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped him as he relaxed a bit too much into his chair.

"Fuck, thank you! I hope that'll work…"

He stopped here to not voice his guilt of not stepping in sooner, of everything he could, should have done differently. But it was too late, yet he could do something now and he was doing it, so… Surely everything wasn't lost yet, right?

Fizz frowned at his friend's attitude, and wanted to talk, but was cut by his boyfriend.

"Any idea of when Stolas will return?"

"Not really… I mean, last time I'm pretty sure he was back within an hour, and I had a hunch it wouldn't last too long, and not just because they started late. But now, I… I just don't know."

"Well, we can still slowly but surely head there, don't you think? Maybe grab something on the way. Any idea what Stolas likes to drink? Other than tea of course. Meanwhile you can tell us more about what you gleaned, it could always help convince Stolas to let us help."

Blitz jumped from his seat, suddenly all energized.

"Sure! Tho there's something he's hiding that Loona knows but she won't tell me, maybe we can try and ask her again before we leave…"

"Actually, why don't she come with us? Especially if Stolas confided her something he didn't tell you", Asmodeus smiled warmly.

At that, both imps raised a brow at him.

"I don't think he told her willingly, more like she came across it randomly", Blitz answered. "But yeah, I guess we'll have more chances of convincing her to spill the beans if she accompany us. We're kinda on a forced vacation until this is solved anyway!"

"Perfect, let's move then!" The Sin smiled while clapping his hands.

The boss got out first, letting his guests follow. As soon as he was out of the door, the jester climbed his boyfriend to end face to face with him, eyeing him skeptically.

"What are you playing at babe?"

"You'll see. Don't worry, I'm only trying to help, but I don't feel like repeating myself to each person involved. Better gather everyone and just explain it once and for all, don't you think? But don't worry, I think I have a good hunch of what's happening and how we might help", the rooster assured with a softer smile, the one that was for Fizz's eyes only.

Fizz kept staring for a few more seconds until Blitz's voice came from the lobby.

"Alright, Loona is okay to accompany us! You coming or what?"

"Not in your meeting room, I wouldn't dare!" Fizz answered with a sneer as he jumped from his boyfriend's arms to join the other demons in the lobby. "All ready? Let's go then!"

07/08/2024

Like last week, take care and see you soon, but don't necessarily expect an update next week, we'll see how fast I write!