Author note: welcome back readers! More hijinks this way comes! Stakes are going to start getting higher soon, so I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter. Enjoy the read, readers, reviewers, favorites, and followers alike!
Chapter 22: Word gets around.
Alastor took his seat next to Rosie, who nodded politely at him before taking notice of the stray Egg Boi that had wandered in with him and Zestial. She gave a sharp-toothed smile at the egg, causing it to yelp in fear and hide. The Radio Demon nodded warmly at Rosie as he heard the clinking footsteps of Carmilla Carmine striding to the front of the room with her two daughters at her side. Everyone turned their attention to the imposing ballerina Overlord as she spoke formally.
"Welcome, Hell's sovereign overlords. I've invited you all here because you represent the controlling powers of our city." She extended a hand forward with fingers spread. "Together, you own millions of souls, souls at risk. Not only with the new extermination schedule, but another emerging threat." She slammed a hand on the table dramatically. "We need to discuss what can be done to minimize the impact to our interests."
At that moment Zestial took his seat and summoned a teacup and saucer. Carmilla interrupted her speech to greet him politely.
"Zestial. So good to see you, my friend."
The ancient demon nodded back warmly as he prepared to take a drink.
"Enchanted as always, Carmilla."
Only then did Carmilla take notice of Alastor seated at the table with a look of surprise.
"Alastor?"
The Radio Demon waved off the surprise as he responded leadingly.
"Yes, I know, I've been absent for some time. I'm sure you've aalll been wondering."
Carmilla just shrugged as she responded flatly.
"Not really. But welcome back in any case."
Alastor's eyes widened in shock then narrowed angrily, offended at the disinterest. Carmilla snapped her fingers as she was handed a clipboard.
"Before we discuss the aftermath of the last Extermination, there is another issue that merits delving into." The projector powered up as images of different demons and text message screenshots appear behind the overlord. "As many of you have noticed, souls under your subordinate's control have begun disappearing. At first, we believed they were being killed off by leftover angelic weapons from the last Extermination, but we have reason to believe their contracts have been forcibly broken and those souls are freely roaming the city."
Alastor's eyes grew wide in surprise at the news as he observed the group murmuring in acknowledgment. He narrowed his eyes as he considered the possibility. He had been so busy with his broadcasts and maintaining the hotel that he hadn't checked in on his other contracts around the city. Why would he? No one would dare cross him, lest they become the next star of his radio broadcast.
The door slammed open abruptly as Velvette chattered away on her phone with one of the other Vees.
"Yes, I've got it handled, Vox. Are you doubting me? Really? Me? That's what I thought." She laughed as she looked back at the group waiting on her to finish. "Yes, I know. They're all a joke. Thank you, V. See you soon." She made kissing motions to the phone. "Kisses, darling." She landed into a chair and began texting animatedly.
Carmilla greeted the doll Overlord curtly.
"Nice of you to join us, Velvette. Will your colleagues be joining us?"
"No! They have better shit to do than to listen to an old windbag who thinks she's tough shit. I'm here to represent." She said rudely as she took a picture of Carmilla and started adding poop emojis to it.
Carmilla didn't react to the insults as she got back to the meeting.
"Charming. As I was saying, this rash of broken contracts has resulted in the loss of the power gained through soul contracts. The same power that all of us depend on to maintain our status as Hell's overlords."
"Who cares if we lose a few souls here and there? Compared to how many souls arrive each day, it's a drop in the bucket. Just have those idiots make new deals and recoup their strength, problem solved!" Velvette rudely questioned.
Without missing a beat, Carmilla continued.
"Let me finish. Our intelligence has discovered that this contract annulling is the result of an unknown Sinner demon. We now know that not only do they forcibly break contracts, but they take the power from the deal for themselves. Effectively siphoning off strength from other dealmakers."
Alastor's interest was piqued at the revelation. A demon who could dissolve deals could be useful. 'Interesting' he thought.
"Again, why do we care? So some hotshot is rising in the ranks. What, are some of us afraid of some competition?" Velvette looked around the room smugly.
"Were it that simple. This Sinner demon has begun targeting mid-tier dealmakers both within and out of our networks, siphoning more strength with each successful attack." She paused for effect. "The most concerning discovery is that when a dealmaker is targeted and their souls freed, that dealmaker is not only depowered, but now unable to gain strength from any subsequent deals. They are now no better than a new arrival."
The overlords started to talk amongst themselves with shock and concern. Alastor kept their trademark grin up, but even he was perturbed at the idea of the strength and infamy he worked so hard to build be taken away. He'd have to tread carefully for his plan to work.
"You see the gravity of the threat now. This menace needs to be disposed of before they bolster their strength and start coming after us. We need to pool our resources to prevent this Dealbreaker Demon, as they are being called, from smashing the status quo we have fought so hard to establish here. Agreed?"
There was a wave of consensus as the group were solemn. Even Velvette held her tongue.
"Excellent. I will distribute all the intelligence we've gathered thus far, and my associates will contact yours to quickly eliminate this threat." The ballerina Overlord nodded at one of her daughters as the projector switched to some graphs and an image of an Exorcist.
"Moving on. This year's Extermination was brutal, far more than years past. We have assessed that about 16% of the population was lost. With the angelic legions now returning twice as quickly, I think it prudent we discuss- "
Velvette obnoxiously waved her hand about, interrupting Carmilla again. She acknowledged her tersely. "Yes?"
"On the subject of discussion…" Velvette smiled as she took out the head of an Exorcist and threw it onto the table. The other overlords looked aghast and utter amongst themselves worriedly. Alastor commented at the tastiness of the head. Carmilla narrowed her eyes anxiously as she spoke.
"Where did you get this?"
"We found it during Extermination day. If these Holy Rollers can be killed, the game has changed." Velvette jumped on the table. "We can take the fight to them. The boys and I have come up with a full assault plan- "
The doll Overlord was interrupted as she and the others look at Zestial sipping his tea loudly to drown her out. He put down the teacup as he spoke condescendingly.
"If it be true thee and thy colleagues desire to war with such meagre proof, thou art far more…foolish that I bethought."
Velvette scoffed.
"Meager proof? It's a dead fucking Exorcist! I'd say that's pretty fucking definitive. You going blind, old man?"
"We know not how this perished. Mayhaps t'was not by a demon's hand at all. If we rush to war without knowing, mightn't they purge all of Hell for daring an uprising?" He said reasonably.
The other overlords agree amongst themselves. Velvette pouted at the obstinate group but noticed Carmilla's worried expression. Smiling evilly, she spoke mockingly as she moved toward Zestial.
"Oh, I get it. So Grandpa is too pussy to fight, so I guess there's no point, right?" She stood right in his face. "Oh, what's the matter, Fossil? Too senile to make a real power grab for- "
Carmilla interjected as she lambasted Velvette for speaking with so little respect for Zestial and why she thought they all would sit and take her brashness. Velvette laughed at the idea, stating that she does as she pleased and that she's the backbone of the Vees. She criticized the Overlords for being afraid to fight and that they have lost their credibility and relevance. Zestial commented that it would be foolish to act without more information, to which Velvette scoffed again before stating that everyone was a joke.
Carmilla warned Velvette to listen to her betters, to which Velvette noted that they couldn't help but notice that Carmilla seemed the most uncomfortable at the sight of the Exorcist head. She wondered why if she sold guns, she would avoid war. She sidled up to Carmilla as she started to suspect that Carmilla knew why the angel was dead. Carmilla declared the meeting over as they glared at each other angrily.
The ensuing silence was broken by Alastor stating that the meeting had been quite productive. Velvette stepped back and disparaged the other overlords before leaving. The others all got up to leave as well, with Zeezi complaining that they literally just arrived. Alastor noted that Zestial, Carmilla, and her daughters walked into another room, piquing his interest. He instructed the Egg Boi to follow the group as he headed to the lifts to wait outside.
"C'mon Fuoco, be happy! You wanted to be tied up, so here's your chance!" Angel said as they held Taylor by the shoulder, looking proud of himself.
Taylor and the others were gathered in a BDSM sex dungeon. They could hear slapping noises, creaking of leather, and the clinking of chains. Charlie stood around with a look of shock as Vaggie turned to Taylor angrily.
"You wanted to come here? What the actual fuck!"
Taylor shook their head in horror as they replied desperately.
"I never said that! Angel threatened to tie me to my bed 'cause I fell out of it this morning! I had no part in this!" Vaggie stared at them suspiciously before glaring over at Angel.
Angel let go of Taylor and explained suggestively as he pointed to the wall.
"No activity requires more trust than BDSM, baby. No bond stronger than those formed through bondage! That's their motto!" Taylor looked to where he was pointing and sure enough, there was a poster that had that motto on it.
Charlie looked uncomfortable but tried to find something positive to say as she spoke.
"Angel, love the enthusiasm. But, umm, uh, hmm."
Vaggie cut in, annoyed.
"What makes you think anyone would be into this?"
They heard purring nearby and saw Husk relaxed on the ground getting a massage.
"You know, I, I don't hate this." He chuckled contentedly.
Niffty appeared near them, fully decked out in a dominatrix outfit. She gazed around before stopping at Taylor with a crazed look in her eye before giggling.
"I'm ready to punish some bad boys!"
Taylor stepped back, disturbed. A wolf demon in a leather mask approached Taylor from the side with an entreating look. While they were used to Angel's harmless flirtations, the forwardness of the mask-clad demon made them so twitchy that when their demon lightly brushed their hands along Taylor's arms, they shivered anxiously, and the demon's hand caught on fire in an instant. They cried out and ran away, with Taylor apologizing weakly. 'I change my mind; I'll take the skits over this!' they thought frantically.
"Never mind, I'm out!" Husk uttered as he clambered up off the ground.
Some demons start aggregating around Charlie, massaging, and rubbing themselves over her, making her uncomfortable.
"Okay, hello there. Hi. Um. Hm. Hm."
Vaggie got irritated as she moved to disperse the crowd.
"Ugh! I can't fucking believe I let you drag us here, Angel. This is disgusting."
"It's no big deal, Vaggie. Maybe I can just help, uh- "
"No. I told you you could trust me, and I'm not going to let you down." Vaggie moved to the side as she pondered. "I just need to teach them, the way I was taught…"
The hotel crew were ushered to a rooftop with an active turf war waging around them. In the background were screams, explosions, and guns rattling off in the distance. Taylor glanced over the edge and saw a few demons running around and others enjoying the mayhem around them. 'Not ideal, but better than the BDSM dungeon.' they thought warily.
Charlie shouted to be heard over the screaming below.
"THIS IS HOW YOU LEARNED TO TRUST PEOPLE?"
Vaggie returned to drill sergeant mode as they marched along the rooftop.
"There is nothing stronger than the trust between comrades in arms. Buckle up, buttercups, because today you boys become men!"
An explosion sent shockwaves that swayed Vaggie's hair, making her satisfied smile unnerving. She marched toward Pentious and picked him up.
"You." Pentious scrambled to escape and pleaded that they couldn't fight without their minions, but Vaggie effortlessly strode toward the edge. "Are gonna survive together!" She threw Pentious off the edge before reversing onto Angel. "And you." Angel warned her to back off, but Vaggie snatched him up and held him aloft over the edge. "Are gonna make this hotel work!" Angel screamed as they were tossed down below. To Taylor's dread, the moth demon turned on them and stormed over as Taylor looked at Charlie for help. "And you." They tried to escape but they couldn't get free of Vaggie's vise grip as they were carried over to the edge.
"No! Wait! What did I do?" they said frantically.
"Are going to stop making us worry!" Vaggie yelled as Taylor was suddenly free falling. They struggled to right themselves as they turned to aim their hands to the ground. They summoned a stream of fire, slowing their descent until they landed lightly among some bombed out debris. A moment later, Niffty landed on their back and giggled gleefully before taking out a knife and disappearing into the fray.
"Angel! Pentious! You there?" They yelled into the bedlam around them. 'They couldn't have gotten far; I fell right after them.' they reminded themselves as they treaded carefully in search of their friends. Taylor ducked and hid behind bombed out buildings, peeking around cautiously. It was so loud they couldn't make out any recognizable voices, and they were starting to worry.
They heard a flap of wings right before they felt an impact hit their side hard. They were thrown into a wall, knocking the air out of them as they crumpled to the floor gasping for breath. Clutching their aching ribs, they felt their throat being grabbed as they were pulled up to their feet. Peeking an eye open, they saw a disheveled-looking black bat demon with bloodshot red eyes and a drooling maw of yellow and green teeth sneering down at them.
"Well, lookie here! Some poor sap whose gotten in over his head!" a shrill high-pitched voice with a lisp cackled at them. Thinking quickly, they ignited their hands and slapped them over the bat's eyes, forcing the bat to let them go as the blinded demon staggered back screaming. Taylor leaned back against the wall, catching their breath as they surveyed the area. They seemed to be alone, with sounds of the turf war pandemonium still raging around them.
A loud explosion nearby drowned out the no doubt explicative-laden threats the blinded bat demon was throwing at them, but for some reason the clinking of chains sounded clear in their ears. They focused and saw a gray glow emanate from both wrists. Surprised at the novelty, Taylor gasped slightly, only for the bat demon to tense and take flight.
"I may not be able to see you, but I can hear your noisy ass! I'm gonna beat you until an inch of your life, then we can get down to you making it up to me. Hmm, I think your soul will be ample payment." They cackled from the air.
Taylor chuckled wryly. They steeled themselves as they summoned a long fire whip with a crack.
"Heh, all right then."
Taylor swept their arm to the side quickly as they flicked their wrist up, throwing the flaming cord at the bat demon with a resounding whoosh. The bat tensed and moved aside to dodge, but was grazed on one wing, earning a hiss in pain.
'Missed. Need to practice more.' they noted. They lobbed a flaming projectile at the wall beside the bat demon to distract them as they wound up another sidearm and flick of the wrist. Distracted by the flame ball and an opportune explosion, the bat demon missed hearing the incoming whoosh of the whip as it wrapped around its shoulder and right wing twice. The bat demon yelled as the whip burned them and Taylor cheered internally. With a yank, Taylor brought the flying demon down with a crash.
Running over to the disabled demon, they summoned flaming arches and staked both hands to the ground and stood on the other wing to keep them still. The bat demon hollered when they burned themselves struggling.
"If you stay still, this'll go by faster." They said as they started to gather the chains from the first wrist in one hand. 'Need to work fast. Who knows when someone will show.' they impelled.
"What'll go faster? Get off me, you asshole! Gah!" He seethed as he burned his hands as Taylor raised the chains up.
Taylor finished gathering the other set of gray chains into their other hand, so they were standing up with their arms outstretched like an arrow. They winced slightly as their side began complaining, but they pressed on. They barely had to focus before the silver flames came to life. They squeezed and started to draw back the chains forcefully. The bat demon wailed as they tried to keep their hands from hitting the burning arches, but Taylor could feel they were close. After a dizzying flurry of images passed their field of view, they heaved a final yank as the chains splintered. They gasped in relief and clutched their side as they welcomed the resounding clatter of chain links. The blinded bat demon was silent as they seemed to have passed out.
Taylor waited impatiently for the gray miasma to finish coalescing when they heard shuffling nearby. They anxiously scanned the area but couldn't pinpoint the source. They gazed back and the orb wasn't finished yet. The skittering sounded closer still, but as soon as they thought they found it, the scuttling echoed elsewhere. Their eyes darted back as the swirling orb was finally ready. They dove down to seize the sphere and felt a flood of energy hit them as their heart began to race, their eyes dilated, and all tension and pain left them.
Stumbling back in their euphoria, they began laughing freely as they felt on top of the world. Still giggling, they glanced down and Niffty was standing before them with a wide grin on her face. Taylor's exuberance was cut short as they blanched.
'How much did she see?'