Heavenly Boss: Season Two

by KathyPrior42

2p Helluva Boss/parody. What happens when one elf starts a lifesaving/resurrection business? Follow Docile (the 'e' is silent) as he attempts to run a healing company in a competitive market along with healer Timmid, downer Tirred and the receptionist cat, Sunna.

6. Unholy Spirits

Sunna the Heaven-cat happily hummed as she walked down the sidewalk toward E.L.F. headquarters. She went up an elevator and carried a tray with drinks. The drinks were various coffees and shakes labeled "Docile," "Tirred," and "Timmid." Docile had ordered hot coffee, Tirred had ordered black bitter coffee and Timmid had a simple vanilla shake. Sunna's drink was also on the tray: a catnip mint shake with sprinkles and a hint of Cloud Nine Wine.

Sunna looked down the hall. There was no sign of Kiva Perdera's cherubs. Kiva had once tried to take over E.L.F. headquarters, boasting that only cherubs deserved the praise and appreciation for influencing humans on Earth. She had also been connected to the cherub group that went up to Earth to spread the Good News, the one that Holly Wata associated with.

Sunna opened the door labeled "E.L.F. Headquarters."

"Another day in paradise!" Sunna sang.

Then she spotted a grouchy Tirred sulking on the couch.

"Oh, it's you." Tirred scoffed.

Sunna rolled her eyes and handed him his drink. "Morning to you, too. What's got your halo in a knot?"

"I'll tell you what. Our paranoid boss made me pass out flyers advertising our business to every Halo all night long. I ain't no bucking telegram!"

"Why?"

"He thinks his goody-two-shoes sister is out to get him for his mistakes on the missions."

"Oh dear," Sunna looked around. "Do you think I should go talk to him?"

"Good luck with that. He's been sulking in his office. This is why I should be the leader of this company."

Sunna folded her arms. "So, you could preach to other people how to live their lives?"

"To kill every bastard demon out there!"

"What is it with you and Holly hating demons so much?"

Tirred shrugged, taking a sip of his bitter drink. "It's what we were taught, yes?"

"Sunna's right, Tir," Timmid yawned as she came out of her space. "You can't fight violence with violence. We're a company that saves humans, not one that kills demons. Would you like it if there were another company that kills angels?"

"Uh, there's I.M.P. and D.I.A.B.L.O. Those demonic groups will kill anyone!" Tirred scoffed. "And don't get me started on D.H.O.R.K.S and C.H.A.R.M.E.R.S. the Dhorks apparently are trying to invade Hell and the Charmers…I guess they want to rule all three worlds, I don't know."

"Technically, I.M.P. only kills Sinner humans…" Timmid began.

"It's still murder!" Tirred spat, crossing his arms. "They've caused us enough trouble by eliminating soul numbers for the Heavens. Too many people don't get second chances."

"Says the one who loves to kill demons," Timmid sighed. "And the one who cares the least for humans out of the four of us!"

"Well…I care somewhat for them…if they behave…"

"They're beings with souls, not random children," Timmid reminded him.

"Well with all these groups around, I think we should help Docile prove that our group is the best," Sunna said, smiling.

"But Docile is in a depressive funk," Timmid countered. She took her drink and took several sips on the couch. "And get this…the other day, one of the cherubs from Chasity came in and did an inspection of our place. I saw her shaking her head and writing on a clipboard. It was like our place wasn't meeting their bizarre expectations."

Sunna breathed in a tense breath. "It's no wonder he's been so nervous."

Timmid looked worried. "You don't think our…company will get shut down?"

"Shhh!" Tirred snapped. "Docile might hear you! If that happens, it'll be the end of our lives…well, end of his life at least. I'll just try again into signing up for the Exorcists…"

"You know, I'm honestly surprised Docile has kept you this long," Timmid shook her head. "You seem to jump from group to group seeking power, not even caring about how devastating betraying him would make him feel!"

Tirred shrugged. "I do what's best for me. It's called 'survival of the fittest.'"

"Well, in terms of being the fittest, nobody wants to appreciate some grumpy short fat ass like you!"

"Shut your mouth, Timmy!" Tirred spat. "You'd still be a lonely wimp if it wasn't for me in your life."

The couple snarled at each other.

"Hey lovebirds," Sunna hissed, paws on her hips. "What did we say about arguing?"

Tirred and Timmid muttered. "Leave your problems outside of work."

"Good," Sunna said. "If we want this company to survive and thrive, we at least have to try and get along." She clapped her paws. "Now who wants to go in and talk to the boss?"

Nobody said a word.

"Angel, Human, Demon?" Sunna asked, making a furry fist.

"Is that like 'Rock, Paper, Scissors?'" asked Tirred, eyebrow raised.

"Yes. 'Angel' beats 'Demon', 'Demon' possesses 'Human' and 'Human' prays to 'Angel.'"

"Best two out of three?" Timmid asked.

"Yes," said Sunna.

"Who invented that stupid game?" Tirred asked.

"One, two, three," Sunna called.

They all called, "Angel, Human, Demon, Amen!"

Sunna got 'Angel,' Tirred got 'Demon,' and Timmid got 'Human.'

"Three-way tie," Sunna said. "Let's go again."

The second time, Sunna got 'Human,' and both Tirred and Timmid got 'Demon.'

"Ha! The game host lost!" Tirred remarked, before glaring at Timmid.

Sunna giggled as Tirred and Timmid yelled and got the same one several times.

"You guys are more in sync than you think!" she called.

"Shut up!" Tirred and Timmid barked at the same time before continuing.

At last, Tirred got 'Demon' and Timmid got 'Human.'

"How ironic!" Sunna said. "Tirred wins with the species he hates the most!"

Tirred scoffed. "I won, though! Ha!"

Sunna grinned. "Yes, you did. That means you get to talk to Docile!"

"WHAT?! NO WAY!"

"You're the last one left, so it's obvious."

"I'm the winner, so both of you have to talk to him!"

"I introduced the game, so I make the rules!"

"No fair, pussycat! You're just a sore loser!"

"I'm trying to keep our company in order. If you don't even have the guts to comfort our boss, then maybe you should fire yourself!"

"This company is called E.L.F. not C.A.T.!" Tirred yelled. "We don't even need you here, you're just high all the time!"

"If only to counteract your horrific low vibrations!"

"Oh, getting all hippie, are we?"

"Oh, I'm all about the New Age you selfish entitled…"

Sunna then paused, looking around. "Hey, where did Timmid go?"

0 0 0

Timmid sighed and quietly knocked on Docile's office door.

"Dos," she called. "May I come in?"

She slowly turned the handle and crept inside. Docile was huddled on a pile of pillows, watching a documentary on a flat-screen TV. He ate from a carton of ice cream: "Amen and Fairie's: Golden Nectar Flavor!" The carton had a golden cross on it and a fairy happily eating from a rainbow ice cream river.

A black-haired woman appeared on screen, dressed in a silky white dress and a necklace with a golden swirl design in the center. A starry sky glowed in the background.

"Welcome back to 'Speakers of Spirit.' I'm your host, Natalie Etheria. There are some who say that human spirits can only go to Heaven or Hell. Well prepare for that myth to get busted. The hard reality is: spirits are everywhere. Whether they turn into demonic Sinners in Hell, became angelic Winners in Heaven, or become the less common ones stuck on Earth, you can be assured that souls occupy every space in the universe. Most often, those who sin go to Hell and those deemed worthy go to Heaven. But not all souls remain in those worlds. Aside from the various afterlives told by different cultures from around the world, there are many lost souls who don't quite fit in either realm. They come down to Earth to try and reconnect with their loved ones, or they get stuck and don't feel worthy enough to go to Heaven. Just like humans, spirits come from all walks of life, some are beneficial, others more malevolent. Some go through their own Purgatory process, reviewing their lives before being pulled to their destined realm."

"The journey of death is just as unique as the journey of birth. That's why our Spirit Speakers organization on Earth are trying to bridge the gaps between worlds. Developing state-of-the-art technology such as more advanced spirit boxes and smoke technology to allow spirit faces to be visible to the naked eye, we are committed to our endless goal to bring your ancestors and loved ones back to you…so your reunions are only a thought away…"

Docile cried tears in his eyes. "Oh, so many humans need that closure! A world with no more separation between man and spirit would be true paradise!"

"…spirit communication will no longer be only accessible to occult initiates and psychics. It is predicted that in the next 30 years by the mid 21st century, there will be a greater increase in reports of psychic abilities, spirit guide contacts, past lives, and a lessening fear of death for the collective around the world…"

"Docile?" Timmid asked, getting in front of the TV.

"Timmid, you're blocking my view! I'm watching history getting made!"

Timmid walked over and handed Docile his drink. "Sir, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess," he replied glumly.

Timmid turned off the TV. "You've been stuck here watching this Earth show for a while. Isn't it time for you to actually go back to work?"

"Why should I go back?" Docile explained. "I've made major mistakes during my missions, and everyone knows it."

"So what? Surely, they're not that bad…"

"Timmid…" Docile sat up. "I allowed two people on Earth to be killed…"

"They were just accidents," she said. "One of them accidentally got hit with Holly's staff…"

"Maybe we shouldn't bring the staffs anymore…"

"And the second one you couldn't prevent," said Timmid. "It's hard to hear, but you can't save everyone, Dos. Some souls are destined to go to Hell."

"But too many innocent ones are in Hell, too," Docile said. "I refuse to believe that all demons are evil. I don't know why…i-i-it's just there's always been something off about the teachings in both Heavens…it's very exclusive, you know?"

Timmid sat next to him. "I get it. I feel the same way. Are you laying low because of that inspection earlier?"

"Yeah…and my sister."

"What about her?"

Docile showed her a text from Holly Wata. "I figured out the Bible you gave me was fake. The Archangels have allowed you to continue your business, but after the deaths of two humans, we cannot allow you to risk more deaths. Because I'm your sister, I'll give you one last chance. Join the cherubs and Good News spreaders with us…let us work together to properly educate the human race and eliminate any demonic threats…"

"Evangelical converting tactics," Docile scoffed. "They only care about creating a new world order full of obedient beings in Heaven and Earth."

"…by order of the Archangels, the Eagle Exorcists of Kindness, Michael's Military, the cherubs of Chasity and Archangel Camael, if we find you have killed another human on Earth or you fraternize with any demons, your company will henceforth undergo its cessation. (See attached document). Please make the right choice, Docile."

"Cessation?" asked Timmid. "Doesn't that mean…?"

"Shut down? Demolished? Terminated? Yes." Docile hung his head. "That's why I can't afford to make any more mistakes. No more missions. I'll lay low for a while, make this a regular office building, and maybe after a year or so, Holly and the elites will leave us alone…"

"It sounds like you're saying you're giving up," Timmid gasped. "That's definitely not the Docile I know. The old you would never back down from a challenge. Plus, I think Holly may be bluffing somewhat."

"Then I'll do another brief job for a while until…"

"No," said Timmid. "We'll just need to be extra careful next time."

"What's the point?" Docile said dejectedly. "The majority of both Heavens believe that humans and demons are imperfect. On top of that, my sister and my father never listen to me…"

"So, you don't have to listen to them either! Even though you grew up with them, you know you have a new kind of family right here. No need for all this moping," said Timmid.

"Timmid, I got a human sent to Hell who was close to changing her path! I allowed so many humans to be killed during that battle at the Atlantis Resort. For every human we save, many more will die and be lost to Hell…"

"Which is why we have to keep going," Timmid said. She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Saving a few humans is better than saving none at all. Do you really want all these angelic beings to tell everyone what to do or what to think?"

"If it was God's plan from the beginning…"

"God wants harmony in all the realms! That's it!" Timmid explained. "Do you really think it's God's fault that the world is chaotic as it is? That the Heavens hide things from its own people? Of course not! God wants us to figure things out ourselves. I think that's why He or She is not intervening."

"Is God really a woman named Goode with an evil sister Roo?" Docile sniffed, curious.

"I don't know," admitted Timmid, "but the point is, you can't give up. There are lives on the line here, and if you don't stand up for what's right…then, maybe I should give up too."

Docile looked at her. "You? Give up? No way! You have so much to offer…"

"Then guide us again like you always do!"

Docile pondered, reaching for the remote. "Maybe after I finish this episode…"

Just then the office phone rang.

Timmid cheered. "Now you have no choice, sir! You're back in business!"

Docile groaned.

Timmid pushed the button. "Yes?"

"We have a client," said Sunna from the other room.

"We'll be right there," said Timmid. She grabbed Docile's hand and led him out of the office.

An apparition of a black-haired woman floated in the space, wearing jeans and a purple shirt. She appeared to be crying.

"M-my name is Jenny," she said, wiping her eyes. Sunna comforted her.

"Where did you come from?" Sunna asked.

"I just arrived here yesterday. I'm actually supposed to be in the other Heaven…you know, the main one, but I got so upset over what happened that I wasn't ready to go…"

"So, you're not a Sinner?" Tirred asked.

"No," said Jenny. "The worst thing I ever did was squash a bug...okay, a lot of bugs."

"So who killed you?" Tirred asked.

"It wasn't about who killed me!" Jenny sobbed. "I died in my sleep from a broken heart. It was my grandpa. He was disemboweled by a ghost at a spooky hotel we stayed at."

"Yikes!" Docile flinched. "Spirits killing humans? That's not very common. What did he look like?"

Jenny held up a photo of an elderly man with glasses. His body was cut in half, red blood was on the walls and his organs lay sprawled in the background. She held up another photo of the head of Rita, the former psychic lady.

Timmid tried not to gag. "What kind of monstrous spirit would do something like that?"

"Here's the thing…" began Docile. "Spirits rarely harm humans directly. Sure, they can gradually deplete people of their energy and motivation, but it takes a more powerful entity to make such impacts on the physical world."

"Yeah," said Sunna, "Entities who can manifest in the physical world like angels, gods, sometimes aliens…"

"…and demons?" Tirred finished darkly.

"Huh?" asked Docile.

"An attack like that looks like a more demonic job to me," Tirred scowled, peering at the photo.

"I think you're right, Tirred," said Timmid. "What was the location?"

"Some old place called the 'One Star Wonder,'" said Jenny.

"Thanks, Jenny," said Docile, "We'll check it out and try and find your grandfather. Once you're ready, you can go back and stay at Hazbin's Heaven."

Jenny smiled in thanks.

Docile retrieved the Bible and chanted a psalm. A portal opened. "Tirred, can you stay and watch Sunna?"

"Excuse me?" Tirred asked. "I'm not watching that pussy of a cat!"

Sunna hissed.

"Sunna needs your help in holding down the fort," said Docile. "If we get more clients, or worse more office inspections, we need to be prepared."

"Whatever happened to all of us saving people on Earth together?" Tirred asked. "You sit around moping and now I have to stay and babysit?"

"It's not babysitting per se, it's more of a collaboration assignment."

"Aaaand a lot of paperwork," Timmid winked and smirked.

Tirred groaned out loud.

Docile folded his arms. "Who's moping now, Tir? You wanna slouch in the corner watching TV with no pay raise from me? Or are you going to do your bucking job and help keep my company in stable condition on this side?"

Tirred fell silent. Then after a pause and a sigh…

"Yes sir."

"That's more like it!" Docile beamed. "We'll be back as soon as we can."

Docile and Timmid strolled through the portal, and it closed behind them.

They soon arrived at an old building surrounded by gravestones and dead trees. They went inside. The place was covered with cobwebs and several people were speaking in hushed tones. Groups of doctors and crime scene specialists came out of the rooms, carrying bodies wrapped in sheets. One of them was labeled "Rita, former psychic, beheaded in a hotel room."

There was a large sign that said, "Hotel Temporarily Closed for Investigations."

No one seemed to notice the angels as they wandered the halls. They spotted a vent with an open cover...and leftover black goo.

"Gross," Timmid made a face. "The murderous ghost left some black goo around…how are we supposed to face a ghost made of black goo?"

"I think we theorized earlier that it was a demon," Docile reminded her. "Stay alert, they could still be around."

Not long after, a flash of light blinked from the vent.

"What was that?" asked Timmid.

She climbed into the hole and Docile followed. Inside the dark space, Timmid gasped as she spotted an apparition of an elderly man with no lower half.

"Is that…a ghost?" she asked.

"It is," breathed Docile.

"Sir?" asked Timmid.

"Yes?" asked Docile.

"I was talking to the ghost."

Docile narrowed his eyes.

The ghost glanced over. "Leave," he rasped.

"It's okay, we won't hurt you," said Timmid. "Are you Jenny's grandfather?"

The ghost paused. "Jenny? My girl? Is okay?"

"She's in Heaven now," said Docile. "We came here to talk to you."

"Fish monster. In building. Warned red-faced lady."

"Lady? What lady?" asked Timmid.

"Lady with horns, crawled through here. Ending in black goo."

Timmid and Docile glanced at each other. "I can't understand his cryptic speech," she said.

"Fish monster killed me. Will kill you, too."

"We'll handle the monster," said Timmid. "Just come with us and you'll see your granddaughter again."

"Watch over building. Warn others," he rasped.

"Your soul has finished its work on Earth," said Docile. "It's time for you to evolve and…"

"Losing grip in this world…" he strained. "Can't remain…longer…"

The man's eyes bulged, and his transparent hands grabbed onto the vent wall.

"Don't take me, don't take me!" he wailed.

An invisible force was pulling on the ghost, thinning him out. Docile spotted a hole in reality…and a glimpse of a red sky. In a flash, the man screamed and vanished into the hole. The hole closed and all was silent again.

Docile and Timmid shivered. "What…what the buck just happened?" asked Timmid, breathless.

Docile just sat on his knees with more tears dripping down his cheeks. "So many souls lost…so many taken…for what reasons?"

Timmid comforted him before crawling through the vent again. "Let's go, Docile."

Docile gulped and followed her. Timmid led the way out of the vent and into a pool room. The pool was taped off with yellow crime scene tape.

Docile climbed out and looked around. People in hazmat suits were draining the pool water.

"Look at this," one of them said, holding a broken device in his hands. Timmid and Docile peered to get a closer look.

"What is it?" asked another man in a hazmat suit.

"It appears to be some kind of toy with a vacuum attached to it. It fell into the water and electrocuted the pool. Good thing no one was in it."

The workers muttered some more as the pool continued to drain.

"This old, haunted dump should've been demolished years ago," mentioned another man. "That Rolando manager guy certainly didn't know how to properly upkeep this place."

The men turned to the angels. "Hey, what are you cosplayers doing here? This is a crime scene!"

Docile was about to explain when the men near the pool reared back with panicked screams.

"HOLY FUCK, WHAT IS THAT THING?!"

Timmid and Docile peered to get a closer look...then wished they hadn't.

The last of the pool water drained away. There sprawled on the pool floor was a bloated body of a monstrous aquatic creature. Its yellow eyes gazed blankly into space and his mouth of sharp teeth was open in a permanent scream. It had transparent white fin-like hair and wore a dark suit that had been torn and charred by electricity. The pool floor was stained with black blood and black goo. The dead Rolando.

The thing was hoisted up and put in a crate to be incinerated.

"I-I've never seen a monster like that before," shuddered another man.

"Could it be an alien?"

"Or a mutated anglerfish?"

"Are you loco? Anglerfish don't wear suits!"

"Maybe it was some poor cosplaying sop trying to pull pranks."

"What does it matter? Just get rid of it!"

"Yep," Timmid stated, darkly. "That was a demon, alright. I bet it was the one who attacked those people."

"An infestor demon," Docile deduced. "The Envy Ring in Hazbin Hell has a lot of those things. They are sent to the human world to frighten humans and make them believe in evil spirits. The trauma they experience leads more souls into Hell."

"How diabolical!" Timmid gasped. "First the black plague demons, then the imps causing world wars, then the succubi spreading STDs and now this?! When will these demonic invasions stop?!"

Docile sighed. "Those monsters won't stop until nearly every soul on Earth goes to Hell and are under control of the Seven Sins. So far, only the Exorcist Eagles can counter the illusions and effects of infestor demons."

"So does that mean the Dhorks are right? That demons want to invade Earth so that's why they should invade Hell?"

"Like you said before, violence upon violence is not a good solution…most of the time…"

Docile then cleared his throat. "One thing for sure, we need to protect humans from both D.H.O.R.K.S. and the demons and whatever other sinister groups are out there."

"While also being mindful of the superiors in Heaven," Timmid mentioned.

"Don't remind me. Now let's get out of here before we're taken away, too."

Docile and Timmid raced out of the pool room, creating another portal. They made it back to Heaven.

Tirred was stuck with completing paperwork. "Back already?"

Docile showed Tirred a picture of the dead Rolando on his phone.

"Gross!" he cried. Then he stood up. "At least I was right. Okay, Docile, do you want to tell Jenny the…"

"…news?" he asked.

Docile and Tirred watched to find Timmid sadly telling Jenny what happened. She burst into tears.

"N-no, no, no! Grandpa!"

"There was nothing we could do…" Timmid began.

"Why?" She cried. "Why was he sucked into Hell?! He didn't do anything wrong! Now I'll never see him again!"

"So…I'm guessing you don't want to go to Heaven?" asked Sunna, nervously.

"I DON'T WANT TO EXIST ANYMORE!" Jenny cried. "It's not fair that so many families are torn apart after they die!" She glared at Timmid and Docile. "Why didn't you save him?"

"We couldn't…" Docile began.

"You have magic powers! You've helped souls get into Heaven. Why didn't you use them to save him?"

"Not even angels are in control of who goes to which realm…" Docile explained.

"T-then you guys are worthless!" a hurt Jenny fumed. "I might as well go to Hazbin Hell myself if I could!"

"Wait, please!" Docile begged. "I'll give you full reimbursement…"

"Forget it! I'm telling everyone that your company is incompetent and worthless! Then I'm headed back to Earth!"

She disappeared through the door.

Tirred was about to stomp after her, but Docile pulled him to the side. "Let her go."

"You're just gonna stand there and let her taint your company?!"

"We can't please everyone. How would we look if other people saw we attacked our own client?"

Tirred sighed. "Good point. Though we can't really attack a ghost."

"See, Timmid. I mess everything up! I keep failing! Soon word will get to my sister…"

"Don't go back into giving up," Timmid stared at him in the face. "Maybe the next client will appreciate you."

But only a few clients showed up…and one of them said, "The cherubs have better resources."

"Bring back C.H.E.R.U.B.!"

"They're still on Earth helping dark agents," Docile growled. "You really prefer Kiva Perdera who almost raised all of the dead on Earth?"

"Well, she's collaborating with Holly Wata in Chasity now, so I think those two will make better progress than your business will." The client had a swan head.

"Your building needs some upgrades, too," said another client. "Are your sure your methods are Archangel-approved?"

"Are you here to insult my business or do you want some humans rescued?" Docile snapped.

"Both," they said.

"My son is being attacked by sharks in California," said an angelfish angel.

"My mom is sick, and I'm worried she'll go to Hell if she doesn't repent," said a bull angel.

"I'll hire you for ten spirits."

"Ten spirits?" Docile seethed. "After you guys are being so rude? I usually charge twenty spirits or more."

"You said in your cheap ad that saving kids would be free," said the angelfish, nose in the air.

"And why can't you guys bring people from Hell to Heaven?" asked the winged bull.

"Do we look like gods to you?" Docile glared.

An awkward pause. Sunna hissed.

"Come on, guys," huffed the swan. "Holly was right in that these guys clearly lack the professional attitudes to be real angelic saviors."

"Stay calm, sir," Timmid began, holding a fuming Docile's hand as the clients left, leaving bad reviews.

"I can't believe my sister wants to overthrow my company. All because of our differing beliefs! I didn't do anything to her."

"Maybe she feels you left the family and wants…"

"I left my family and my old boss for a good reason, and I don't want to see them ever again," Docile snapped.

"Can't you reconcile…"

"I said no, Timmid! Because of her pestering, I'm starting to get bad reviews!"

"It's not like you haven't gotten an occasional complaint," Timmid mentioned.

"Not a whole bunch like this!"

"We all have bad days, sir. Maybe you can convince Holly to help with your company?"

"It's not gonna work. Now let me be."

"Again, if you negotiate with her and talk to your father…"

Docile whirled around, fanged barred. "I SAID SHUT UP!"

Timmid flinched back. She hated to see her usually calm boss lash out like this. Docile paused in regret as tears formed in Timmid's eyes. "I-I didn't mean it like…" He sighed and made his way back toward his office space.

Docile almost made it back to the door, when Sunna called, "one last client just came in."

"Tell them to buck off!" Docile snapped.

"The real Docile never refuses a client!" Timmid snapped. She blocked Docile's path and shoved him toward the last client.

"Oh look, someone whose job it is to listen to you!" Timmid declared.

Docile glared. "What do you want?"

The client was dressed like a Vatican priest, with a golden hat, long white robes with red crosses on them and a golden shepherd's crook.

"Angels, you have to help us," he said. "I was working at the Vatican, doing my usual business for tour groups. I must've said too much, because I heard chanting in the basement and next thing I know, I saw these demonic red eyes and I was gone."

"Great," Docile groaned. "Vatican cult secrets now. I really wish these conspiracies had gotten exposed hundreds of years before."

"They are really good at keeping things secret," said the priest spirit. "Satanic cults are real. They have brainwashed humanity for hundreds of years. There are many different orders, and many collaborate with elite powerful demons for wealth, pleasure, and recognition. The amount of horrific rites to Lucifer and Satan are unbelievable. To the Hazbin ones, too. You probably also heard of dark Reptilian aliens doing the same thing…that's where the Illuminati comes from…I think. The groups all may be connected. There is more than one cult around the Vatican."

"Yeah, yeah," Tirred said. "Skip to the part of who killed you."

"I already told you I was killed in the Vatican basement. It was a dark spirit who attacked me and now here I am."

"Shouldn't you be at the other Heaven?" asked Sunna.

The priest shrugged. "I don't make the rules. I'm just glad I wasn't sacrificed to any demon in particular."

The priest leaned in. "Pay attention now. There's one lesser-known cult that hosts parties at the Millar Mansion near where Alister Crowley used to live. But be warned…these members use trickery and can track all its members. Plus…I should warn you…they harm babies, kids, dogs and cats…"

Docile almost threw up. Sunna whimpered out loud.

"There have been too many innocent people in this cult who have been sent to Hell…mainly Hazbin Hell due to them being sacrificed to demons in particular. They must be stopped."

"I think we all better go together on this one," said Docile.

"Sounds like an important mission if that's the case," said Timmid.

"Let's kick some Satanic ass!" Tirred declared.

"Remember," said Docile, "Redeem the cult members if possible, save any victims. If they cannot be redeemed, help put them in jail or let them face the consequences of going to Hell after their deaths. Attack in self-defense only. It is our duty for both our sakes and for the sake of our company to not kill anyone. Understand?"

The E.L.F. members nodded.

"Please be careful," said the priest. "Sending prayers of safety and blessings to you."

Docile nodded. He took a breath and used his Bible to open a portal. The elves followed him, and it closed.

0

An ocean breeze silently swayed the palm trees under the night sky. A few seagulls cawed as they swooped over the ocean searching for fish. The streets were dark and eerily quiet. Docile came out of the open portal, followed by Timmid, Sunna, and Tirred. The portal closed. As a couple of women walked by them wearing revealing emerald green dresses and matching masks around their eyes, Docile called, "Disguise time!"

The elves waved their staffs and soon manifested their human looks and fancy outfits. Docile soon had sleek black short hair with a black suit and red tie. A blond, curly-haired Timmid shivered in her silver sequined dress and heels. She also had a moon-shaped crown on her head. Tirred was dressed in a black suit with a red trident on the upper right. Sunna's dress was red, low-cut and red lipstick was on her lips. Her nails were gold, long and sharp.

Then they manifested decorative masks to put over their faces. Sunna's mask was of a ruby red cat with sequins. Tirred's mask was a dark bull with a green dollar sign on the forehead. Timmid's mask was a white bunny. Docile put on his jackal mask.

He spoke in a deep voice. "I, Docile, am your leader. Call me Banusi."

"You look like Anubis," Timmid mentioned to Docile.

"And you, like Artemis. You are called Ismerta."

Docile glanced at Sunna. "You are like a powerful feline goddess Bast or Freya or perhaps Inanna. How about Nannai."

"Works for me," said Sunna.

Finally, he stared at Tirred. "You remind me of Moloch."

"A demon? No way! Don't compare me to one!"

"Mammon…Nonnam, close enough…"

"Are you comparing me to Mammon?"

"Well, you are greedy, Tirred. Seems fitting to me," said Timmid.

"Come along, Nonnam," Docile smirked at Tirred, who cursed under his breath.

They soon arrived at the Millar Mansion. Signs read, "Welcome Order 666!" Expensive cars were parked along the sidewalk. The hedges were well-trimmed and thick, and a stone fountain trickled with white foamy water, lit up by lights. The mansion had white Greek pillars along the front side, a wrought-iron black fence and strings of red lights looping around the building as well as inside. Everyone was dressed in ballroom style clothes: sparkly dresses, high heels, black suits, ties, and a few were dressed like knights. They also wore sparkly masks around their eyes, some wore animal masks and others wore hats decorated with bright feathers of red, black, green, gold, purple and blue. The smell of alcohol, sex, and food wafted out toward the elves, beckoning them closer. Dark techno music pulsed from inside.

"The test of temptation begins," Docile announced to the group. "Don't get distracted by anything or anyone. Grab any victims and lead them to safety. Destroy any trackers put on you. If things get bad, get out as fast as you can."

They slowly walked toward the gate and up the stairs.

A thick-set man stood by the door wearing a dark blue suit, combat boots, and a brown bear mask.

"Ego sum deus meus," said a couple in front of them. Docile did his best to imitate the password.

"Do you know what it means?" the man asked him suspiciously.

Docile froze until Timmid peered into the man's mind. "Of course," Timmid said. "I am my own god."

Pleased, the guard let them in.

They headed into the foyer, where other doors led to a kitchen, a hallway, and a spa room. The space was wide and circular, with a polished black floor. A crystal chandelier hung above them, glinting in the red light. There were stuffed heads of deer, bears, dogs, cats, and lions on a wall.

A whole crowd of humans were talking, gossiping, and letting it loose. Many of them were talking about their expensive cars, trips on the ocean with their yachts, music record deals, and a bunch of superficial topics that made Docile sick.

"I really hope we don't stay long," Docile muttered to his group. "I can already feel a great evil here."

"We have to find the victims and save them before they get sent to Hell," Timmid urged.

"It may already be too late at this point."

Timmid went into a corner and summoned her staff. She gasped and spoke in a whisper as her staff hummed. "There is a strong force field of magic that's over the basement. I bet that's where the cult is keeping their victims." She concentrated, but nothing happened.

"This force field is too strong even for angels. It's made of powerful dark magic."

"What can we do, if we can't teleport down there?" asked Docile.

Timmid gulped. "We'll just have to follow the crowd."

"Search the area," said Docile. "Timmid you go with Sunna, Tirred with me."

The elves did their best to fit in with the elite crowds. Several rich guys eyed Sunna as she posed in her red dress and red cat mask.

"My, my, my," one of them said, transfixed. He wore a pig mask. "And who are you supposed to be?"

He shook her hand and strangely rubbed his thumb in the area between her thumb and pointer finger.

Sunna pulled back and took a graceful sip of wine as she sat on a stool. Her disguised black hand gripped the glass, showing off her long golden nails.

"Didn't you know?" she purred. "I'm known as Nannai, famous actress from Italy."

"What films?"

"'The Cat's Meow,' and 'Eyes of the Tigress,' to name a few," she fibbed. "One of my co-workers once had lunch with Brennon Ragers and he was stunned that he had never seem my films before."

Sunna recited a random quote in Italian.

"Whoa," said the impressed guys.

"I've never heard of those films before," said a suspicious guy, eyebrow raised.

Sunna scoffed. "Oh please, like you'd know what they are! They were first released in Italy, only accessible to VIP members for review. The films will come out in the US next year."

"Oh," the man groaned. "That explains it."

Sunna did a fake yawn. "My goodness! Flying all the way from Italy to California has made me tired. Do you know of any place I can...rest my claws?"

One of the men smirked and rolled his eyes. "Don't you know? There's no resting until the initiation process."

Sunna stared blankly.

"The Seven Delightful Adventures at midnight?"

Sunna forced a laugh. "Oh of course, of course! I was just messing with you there. No basements, perhaps?"

"The basement is off limits," one of them men said sternly. "At least until the time is right."

Sunna did not like the sound of that.

"You wanna dance?" asked one of the men, hair graying on top of his head.

That was the last thing Sunna wanted to do, but she took his hand, and they swayed slowly on the dance floor. Red lights from a disco ball spun through the space. Sunna could hear dark Latin chants in the music. Sunna glanced at Timmid, who say shyly on a stool.

"Initiation at midnight," Sunna hissed. "Looks like seven steps or trials."

"Oh no," she breathed. "How are we supposed to get through them without…"

"Just keep up the ruse."

Timmid glanced nervously at several men and women looking at her like she was a tasty treat.

"What a cute little bunny!"

"Wanna have some fun with us?"

Sweat beaded Timmid's forehead. "C-c-catch me if you can, gotta hop!"

Timmid stepped down and hurried away as several lustful women gave chase.

Meanwhile, Tirred was pacing grumpily back and forth on a green grassy courtyard. Lights illuminated the green grass. Tirred spotted several men dressed in royal hunting clothes whooping as they rode horses across the lawn.

"Howdy there!" greeted a bearded man wearing a purple mask over his eyes. He wore a black hat with feathers and was dressed in a fancy sporting suit, dark pants and boots. "You come for the hunt as well?"

Tirred grinned. "Oh sure," he said. "Though it's been a while since my last round."

"What's your name?" asked the man.

"Manon," Tirred decided. "From a German royal family. We moved to California to…extend our lifestyle to our distant relatives and friends."

"Interesting name. I'm Eli Elderon the Third, head of the club. Where's your horse?"

Tirred froze and looked around. "I left her back in my trailer."

"Well, go get her!"

"She has a hurt leg," Tirred lied.

"Oh. Well, that's okay, we can take turns."

If it hadn't been for Tirred's ability to calm the minds of animals with his angelic powers, he would've been bucked off the horse at the start. Tirred steered the horse and took shaking breaths as he sat and followed Eli.

"Oh, what a beautiful night," sighed Eli with content. "The perfect moment for keeping up with our tradition."

"Isn't it hard to see?" asked Tirred.

"Oh, that's what makes it more fun," Eli chuckled.

Just then, they heard a hunting howl in the distance.

"Oh, the calvary has found their target," Eli chuckled with excitement. He ran a hand over his bow and arrow.

Tirred sighed. He figured that going after some wildlife would help take his mind off of things.

Eli galloped forward and Tirred followed.

"Steady now!" Eli called as they raced into the dark woods, maneuvering around some trees.

"Watch and learn," said Eli, slowing down his horse. They both peered into the darkness, listening carefully. An owl hooted in the branches.

"So, what are we hunting for?" Tirred whispered. "Deer? Bear? Or some birds?"

"You'll see," Eli replied in a singsong voice.

After several minutes, they heard a rustling in the bushes.

"Can't get away from me," Eli hollered. He aimed his bow and fired it toward the bush. Running movements followed as he fired more arrows.

"Must be one fast deer," Tirred mentioned.

Finally, Tirred heard a yelp and a thud.

"Got the animal!" Eli called. "Come on, Manon!" Eli's friends galloped on their horses close behind. They hopped down and swung their ropes and several other men waved their flashlights.

Tirred peered down from his horse.

What he heard and saw next would haunt him forever in his nightmares.

The men mockingly pulled at a screaming nude woman, struggling against the ropes. Her hair was black, matted and covered with twigs. Her skin had cuts and dirt in many places. Worst of all, an arrow was stuck in her left thigh, red blood trailing down onto the forest floor.

One of the men gripped her breasts hard.

"Let go of me!" she shouted.

"What are you doing?!" Tirred cried out in horror.

Eli chuckled in bewilderment. "What we always do, Manon. We let commoner slaves try to escape us but then we get to go on a thrilling chase. The ones who catch the prey get to decide what to do with them next."

Tirred tried not to throw up. He had never been more sickened by humanity than in that moment. Fire pulsed through his head and hands. Just staring at the men's smug smirks made him almost summon his staff.

He remembered Docile's words in his mind, "Don't kill anyone."

One of the men began to rub himself against the woman's butt and Tirred flinched away.

"Come on, Manon," said one of the men. "I thought I heard another one run this way."

"Well, then let's go, guys," called Eli. "Maybe it'll be a little one this time!" He pulled back another arrow and it struck the woman in her neck. She choked and collapsed dead.

"Aw," complained the man who was behind her. He then looked up at Eli. "Can I still play with her?"

"Go ahead," said Eli. "But come back to meet up with us."

Tirred shook. He breathed heavily. Without another word, he steered his horse through the woods and raced full gallop back to the mansion.

"Where are you going, Manon?!" called the men.

Just as Tirred was about to reach the double glass doors, he spotted a man and a woman playing catch as they rode on their horses. They glanced over at him.

"Hey, new guy," the woman called. "Catch!"

Tirred braced himself as a ball flew in his direction. He caught it.

"Throw it back here!" called the man, waving.

Tirred looked down at the ball.

But it wasn't a ball. In his hands was a severed head of a baby.

Tirred yelped and dropped it. He stumbled off the horse, landing face-first in the grass. He pushed himself up and raced inside. He shoved several people to the side, searching the foyer for Docile.

Docile was peering around the room, lecturing some people about death magic, when Tirred rammed into him head-first.

"Sir, sir!" Tirred cried. He hugged Docile tight like a frightened child.

"Tirred?" Docile asked under his breath. This was definitely not typical Tirred behavior.

Docile's hooded audience waited. Docile stood up and pulled on Tirred.

He chuckled nervously. "Oh, excuse my little friend here, he just had several bottles of liquor. Let me take care of this."

Docile led Tirred into a dark corner. "What is it? What happened?"

Tirred lifted up his mask, tears in his eyes. "T-the hunters…they killed…their prey…they were humans…"

"I know the hunters are humans, Tir…"

"But they hunt humans! Human women! And babies and children and…"

"Okay, calm down," said Docile. "You didn't…"

"N-no, I didn't reveal myself."

"Good," said Docile.

"We have to go back and save them…" Tirred began.

Docile pulled him back. "As much as I want to, we can't. We have to get to the source behind this dark operation, first. The leader priest and his demons. Once he's gone, the others can be freed."

"Like get the leader to confess? Arrest him?"

Docile sighed. "He's rich, whoever he is. He would only get a slap on the wrist and just re-start the cult again once he was freed from jail. We have to find some way…"

"Well, we certainly can't take him to Heaven! No mortals are allowed in either Heaven or Hell!"

"You're absolutely correct, Tirred," Docile said. "Which makes things all the more complicated."

Tirred eventually calmed down.

Tirred turned a corner, and his jaw dropped. "Holy mother…"

"What?" Docile asked.

Tirred pointed with a shaking finger toward the kitchen.

Timmid posed in her bunny mask and dress. She stood on top of a lady who was curled up on the floor in the kitchen.

"Have you learned your lesson yet?" Timmid asked. She held a spatula in her hand.

The woman looked up, her face blushing. "Always mess with the bunny?"

"Wrong answer!"

Timmid smacked the woman's behind with the spatula, and she cried out, "Not another one!"

"No one touches me or messes me without my permission," Timmid bellowed. Nearby, several other ladies were filming the session, laughing and ooohhing under their breaths.

"Where did she get her super strength?" one woman asked.

"Anyone else want some of this?" Timmid mentioned.

"Hey, Ismerta!" Docile emphasized. "Get over here!"

"Ismerta" glared at the crowd with an "I'm watching you," look with two fingers out and a wiggle of her fake rabbit tail. The audience clapped and cheered as she raced off.

"Snap out of it, Tir," Timmid barked. Tirred shook his head. "I'm stuck in a nightmare."

Tirred was about to tell Timmid what he had seen, when Sunna swayed into the space, almost running into Docile.

"I can't take any more dancing," Sunna wheezed, shaking her head. "I'm so dizzy, so tired."

She looked at the frazzled Tirred, Timmid with her spatula and Docile with a dark grimoire. "What happened to you guys?"

Before anyone could answer, ominous gongs rang from an old grandfather clock in the living room.

"Alright, folks," said a voice speaking into a microphone. "The moment we've all been waiting for. Take your positions, adepts, initiates, and the like!"

Like clockwork, most of the partygoers stopped what they were doing and got into two single-file lines that led into the hallways. Flanking the lines were people dressed in golden masks, red robes and feathers on their heads.

"What's going on?" asked Sunna as they got in line.

"Something not good," Docile worried.

Sunna peered over. "I can't see anything!"

The line slowly moved up and up. They heard talking and chanting up ahead.

Timmid's stomach fluttered, and she almost passed out.

"Let's get out of here," she whimpered.

"There's no going back," Docile said, somberly.

Docile sensed a commotion of darkness above them. He chanted in Enochian under his breath…and was horrified by what he saw. Apparitions of worms, black sludge and dozens of dark magician spirits were sucking up bits of the white auras of the people below. Nobody else noticed them. Docile was surprised that the people didn't drop dead then and there.

Sunna then shivered as she turned around to Docile. "They're reciting an oath and spilling their blood!"

The people in line stopped at a table in front of masked individuals holding daggers and scrolls in their hands.

"I give up my sovereignty, my false ego to the one true dark Lord, the black flaming self, within!"

They recited the phrase and slit their fingers with the athame. Docile saw parts of their soul essences trail into a jar of blood. One of the masked men drank more blood from a golden goblet.

"These cults are stealing people's life force right under their noses," Timmid seethed in a low voice.

Tirred gulped. "If we spill our blood, they'll know who we are!"

"But we're disguised humans!" Timmid added.

"But our blood will always be golden," Docile breathed. "Think of something, quick, or they'll rat us out!"

Sunna spotted a woman in front of them, her hand hanging by her side. Sunna stared at her long sharp nails.

"I'm sorry."

In a flash, she summoned her staff and waved it at the woman's head. She froze rigidly on the spot.

"Sunna?" hissed Docile. "What in Heaven's name…"

Sunna dug her claws into the woman's hand, scooping out fresh red blood.

The woman stared at her bleeding hand, confused.

Sunna's command rang into her head. "Your hand is bleeding! Go call the police!"

The woman robotically stepped out of the line and wandered off.

"Did you just make her call the…" Docile began to ask.

Sunna didn't answer. She smeared the red blood over the fingers of her colleagues.

Just as Sunna finished, she found she was the next one up. She muttered a protection spell in Enochian before reciting the phrase and dropping the blood into the jar. Docile, Timmid, and Tirred did the same. The men in the masks peered intently at Docile before continuing on.

The red-robed figures guided the groups into ornate rooms.

"I really don't think this is a good idea," muttered Sunna.

"What choice do we have?" Docile mentioned. "There has to be an entrance to the basement somewhere."

The robed figures closed the doors. The lights snapped on.

"Let your Seven Delightful Adventures Begin!" called a pleasant female voice through some speakers.

E.L.F. looked around. The room had bright red walls and a chandelier hanging overhead. A banner hung from a mantle that read, "SHOW OFF YOUR TALENTS! MAY THE BEST WIN!" Circus music played overhead.

The room was a frenzy as the partygoers bragged about their special skills. A couple did a stunning dance in the middle of the room, the man tossing the woman in the air and her landing gracefully back into his arms.

"Can you guys do this?" asked another man, juggling a set of balls in his hands.

"Not as good as this," bragged another woman, who showed off her social media profile to everyone around her. "You're all such losers!"

"I make 20,000K a year, I bet you don't!" called another person.

A selfish guy looked at himself in a round mirror, admiring the gold jewelry around his neck. "No talent can ever beat this," he said with a grin.

Several more people began to throw apples and insults at each other.

"What kind of circus is this?" asked Timmid with a blank face.

"More like some demented theater from Hell," Tirred remarked.

Docile looked nervously up at a dark camera in the corner. He and the gang pretended to dance and brag.

"This must be the First Room of Pride," Docile deduced. "They must be influencing mortals to be obedient through Hell's Seven Sins!"

Timmid began to panic. "Then they can easily brainwash us too! We have to get out…"

"Just play along," Tirred snapped. "The crowd will hopefully lead us to their leaders."

After another thirty minutes of prideful boasting, the clock chimed again. The crowd shuffled into the next room as a pair of wooden double doors opened.

This room was rounder and larger than the last room. There were expensive painted portraits on the walls, a car on display made of gold, a diamond chandelier overhead and a closet full of shoes and fancy clothes. The rugs, floor, curtains, and wallpaper were all green.

A slot from the ceiling opened and hundreds of green dollar bills and coins rained down onto the crowd. The people cheered and shrieked as they shoved each other and grabbed handfuls of money as fast as they could. They shoved the bills into their bags and scanned jackpot codes with their phones on a screen. Two women and a kid were fighting over a cell phone decorated with diamonds on the cover.

"Let me guess…Greed?" Sunna asked, rolling her eyes.

Docile snapped at Tirred who had rushed into the crowd and snatched a golden crown from a stand.

"Tirred, shame on you!"

"What?" Tirred shrugged. "This will look good on me back at the office!"

"We can't get distracted," Docile warned.

"How can these humans be so stupid?" Timmid wondered. "Going after such petty things?"

"That's the power of mass manipulation," said Docile. "Though excessive sin, people lose their very souls and identities."

It wasn't long before the clock chimed again. Docile and the gang followed the crowd into the next room.

This room was dark purple in color. There were fish tanks on display and a gold trident against a wall. "What do you wish you had?" a voice whispered throughout the room. Fancy houses, cars, and locations appeared on flat screens around the room. "Let Order 666 Help You Achieve Your Dreams!"

Docile, Timmid, Tirred and Sunna watched as the people argued with each other.

"My boyfriend is a much better role model than yours," said one lady.

"You're just jealous that I made more money at my better job than you."

"At least I have parents and a girlfriend unlike you."

"These people should be thankful they can even walk," Tirred scoffed. "I bet they hardly appreciate the roof over their heads!"

"Calm down," Tirred," said Timmid. "We'll get through this madness."

"This reminds me of Pride, except it's…" Timmid began.

"Envy," Tirred finished.

Docile sat in a corner and thought.

"Are you okay, sir?" asked Tirred.

"Just thinking…about my company…and my sister…"

"You envious of anyone?" asked Timmid.

Docile sighed. "I'll admit. I am a bit envious of Holly."

"But why, though?" Timmid asked. "You have a great company and great friends."

Docile grumbled. "But my father always loved her since the beginning. He didn't really care about me as much, I don't think. And look at her now. She's living it up with Camael and doesn't have to worry about losing everything."

"That's been bugging you?" Timmid asked. She sat down next to him.

"Yeah, that's part of it," said Docile. "I guess I didn't really realize that until now."

"Please don't be upset," said Timmid. "She may have more popularity and an easier time in Heaven. But at least you're standing up for what's right."

"But don't you think I should join her and see what she has to offer?"

"She offers nothing but distractions from your true purpose," Timmid continued. "You can't let jealousy eat you away like that."

Docile buried his head in his hands. "It's like we're not even appreciated for what we do. We work hard on Earth, yet other beings in Heaven get the credit. It's been going on for so long…I-I don't know if I'm even making a difference."

Timmid put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Believe me when I say, you're making all the difference in the world. Both Heaven and Earth appreciate your dedication to help mankind."

She looked into his eyes. "And I do as well. We're nothing without you."

A small smile appeared on Docile's face. "Thank you…Timmid."

After a while, the clock rang out again. Docile followed the others into the next room.

The elves then stood with their eyes wide as saucers.

This room was round with bright orange walls and a hearty fire blazing in a fireplace. There was also gold trim and highlights of yellow throughout the dining room. On long wooden tables before them were piles of food and drink on golden plates. Gold and silver chalices held beer, wine, liquor, water and an endless variety of fancy alcoholic drinks. On golden plates were every kind of entre, finger foods and desserts one could imagine. Caviar, shrimp and lobster in sauces, duck, sizzling meats, pastas, a colorful array of vegetables, cakes topped with fruit and drizzlings of frosting poured over ice cream.

"Gluttony," E.L.F. all said. All their stomachs were grumbling in anticipation.

Sunna, Tirred, and Docile raced forward and gobbled up some cheese, grapes and steak on some plates in front of them.

"Careful guys," Timmid cried. "It could be poisonous!"

"Doesn't seem that way," Docile said. "No one's dropping dead or choking."

Docile enjoyed his grapes, not even looking at the other people.

"Gross!" Timmid exclaimed as she spotted the people shoving food into their mouths, creating splattering messes down their fancy clothing and onto the orange and yellow floor. "They're eating like starving children! Do they not have manners?!"

Docile, Sunna, and Timmid finally looked up and saw that Timmid was right. They were all chowing down carelessly, gulping down their drinks and swaying as they slowly lost their sobriety. Some people cackled out loud as they engaged in food fights, tossing tomatoes, fruit, and heaps of jiggly jello at their companions.

"What a waste of food!" exclaimed Docile as another person threw up in the background. "So many homeless people die because of such atrocious behavior!"

All too soon, the clock chimed again. The people stumbled, staggered, belched and burped into the next room.

E.L.F. were soon met with an assaulting array of pink.

Sexual seductive music poured through the room. There were candles in holders on the walls and luxurious couches shaped like seashells and hearts. Several king and queen-size beds were concealed behind satin curtains. More pink sparkly drapes looped around the room. There were pictures of naked people in erotic positions on the wall. There were strip poles in the middle of the room for dancing and a small spa tub in a corner glowed pink in a neon heart shape. Hanging circular lights from the ceiling glowed magenta. There were bouquets of flowers and red roses on a table. The floor was soft and pink.

"Lust," Docile groaned.

Following their deranged scripts, the people tore off their clothes, moaned out loud and pounced on the closest ones. Some did French kissing with their tongues, while others giggled in the beds. Several women showed off their moves as they spun nude around the poles or danced in BDSM lacy outfits. The smell of sex, semen and sweat permeated the space.

Docile folded his arms. "I would not be surprised if the succubi and incubi from Hell showed up here."

Tirred held Timmid close. "This is just for show, but…wanna have some fun while were here?"

Timmid sighed. "Hugging? Kissing? Fake moaning? Okay. But whatever you do, don't take off our clothes!"

Timmid and Tirred did a surprisingly good show of their acts, all while keeping a watchful eye on the cameras in the corners. Docile and Sunna settled for a slow dance together on the floor. Sunna purred on his chest and Docile felt comforted.

Once the clock rang again, they entered a room completely black. There were no beds, no furniture, no regular features.

There was an eerie silence.

"Is it finally over?" whispered Timmid.

A few minutes later, there came a horrible scream.

"Whoa, look out!" cried Tirred. He shoved Timmid out of the way from a shirtless charging man waving a spiked club. The club rammed into the wall, and he growled.

"What kind of room is this?!" called Timmid. Tirred landed a hard uppercut to the man's chin, and he collapsed.

"Oh shit, it's Wrath," Tirred deduced. He then spotted an array of weapons on the black walls: swords, guns, spears, arrows, axes, bars, throwing stars and more. Only a few windows let in some light. More people charged at the elves.

"Every man for himself!" Docile called. "Don't kill and don't use your staffs!"

"They're killing each other!" cried Sunna as she punched several men charging at her with knives. She easily avoided their punches, flipping over them and kicking them into the wall.

"Those bastards are watching us," Tirred seethed, glaring at more cameras.

Timmid avoided some swearing bloodthirsty women. "Stop with your despicable acts!" she yelled. She nearly fell to the hard black floor due to slippery red blood underneath her feet.

Docile jumped over two men waving bladed weapons. He grabbed a weapon with chains and used the chain to wrap up the two men. He ducked just in time as an arrow spun through the air and skewered the men's heads.

"This is ridiculous!" Sunna hollered. "They've turned their followers into monsters!"

Docile was backed into a corner by a pre-teen boy waving a pistol.

"Do you even know how to use that thing?" Docile asked.

The boy aimed. "Wanna find out?"

The boy was then sliced in half by another woman lowering her sword. Blood splattered on a flinching Docile. Soon it was so hot and so chaotic that the E.L.F. members had to remove their masks. They had no choice but to leap over bodies and avoid the attacks as long as they could.

"Where's I.M.P. when you need them?" panted Sunna. "These guys are too much!" She cried out as another human slashed at her dress with a knife.

Docile found himself cornered by two grinning men with thick sabers in their hands. The walls were coated in red blood.

"Docile!" cried Sunna. She raced toward him but tripped over a corpse. Timmid and Tirred were trying to cover their cuts that were spilling golden blood. They hummed chants and the cuts healed.

Docile was prepared to meet his fate…

…but was saved by the final tolls of the clock.

The two men dropped their swords and turned away from Docile. Two doors opened into the final room. Only about a dozen other people followed them into the room. Docile and the gang were so tired that they collapsed on some convenient midnight blue cushions in the center of the room. Several signs glowed "Sweet Dreams" in purple light.

"I…can't take this anymore," Timmid groaned. "Sir, let's go back to Heaven, now!"

Sunna was already almost asleep.

All around them, people were dozing and sleeping on beds, couches, lounge chairs and even the carpeted floor. The purple curtains were obscuring the room and glow-in the dark stars dotted the ceiling. Lullaby piano music played from the speakers and lavender scented perfume wafted around them.

"Oh no…it's Sloth!" Docile yawned.

"I don't see any sloths," Timmid said in a daze.

"No, it's the Sloth Room! The last room," Docile said, struggling to sit up. "The basement must be…"

He glanced around the dimmed room, before spotting an opening with stone stairs leading downward in a spiral.

"…there!"

Docile stood up. "Hurry, gang, before…"

Docile barely finished his sentence when a dozen cloaked figures sped from the basement like shadowy ninjas. They muttered demonic chants under their breaths, touching the people's foreheads and putting cloths over their mouths.

"Ave Satanus! Ave to the chosen ones of the luminous light!"

"Of course the cult would lead us into a trap!" Docile facepalmed, realizing too late. "They're drugging the remaining humans!"

Several robed figures whispered to each other, before turning to E.L.F.

Docile whirled around.

"SUNNA WAKE UP…!"

Sunna was yanked out of her spot by two men with a knife to her neck.

The hooded leader came up the stairs.

'Don't worry, Sunna. Mortal weapons can't kill us.' Docile spoke into her mind.

'But what about angelic ones?' replied the leader.

Docile gasped as he peered closer at the knife. Sure enough, there was an angelic glow from the designs on the knife handle. Angelic weapons could harm angels, humans, Sinners, and demons alike.

"Did he just…?" Docile began.

"Read your thoughts? Yes I did. My spirit servants told me you were not from Earth. Think you can foil our plan, angels?"

Timmid and Tirred knocked more men back with their staffs but were quickly outnumbered.

"Oh, and one of my cameras saw your cat girl use her magic on one of our initiates," said the leader. "Even if the police come, they won't find us, and it'll be too late for you."

"You let those humans go!" Docile demanded. "There's still a chance to redeem your souls!"

"Our souls will be more than just redeemed," mused the leader. "With enough people immersed into our media and enough soul essences sent to us, we will rise up with the other secret Orders and manifest whatever we desire thanks to the blessings of our dark Lords!"

"I don't think Lucifer or Satan would be happy with your choices," Timmid mentioned, struggling against the magicians.

"I beg to differ," remarked the priest leader.

"You use spirituality to cheat at life, horde wealth and disempower other people!" Docile seethed. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I say…well fucking done!"

"I'm calling Lord Samael to inflict divine punishment on you," Docile warned. "This is your last…"

The leader strolled over and jabbed Docile hard in the center of his forehead. Flashes of traumatic memories appeared like a fast movie within Docile's mind. He yelped as his soul convulsed and tried to fight off the dark magic. He glanced over and saw three men holding jars of blood…golden angel blood, red human blood and black demonic blood.

"We won't let you take control of Earth…let alone the other worlds," Docile glared.

"If you love the unchosen lambs so much…" the leader growled. "Why not join them!"

Sunna, Timmid, and Tirred were led downstairs. Docile moaned weakly, "Jesus, God, Goode, anyone save me, please…"

Docile felt a hard jab to the back of his neck.

Everything soon went black.

0 0 0

Docile slowly opened his eyes. He was in a dark vast chamber with the only light coming from dozens of black candles. He tried to move his limbs, but they were bound by chains. Glowing white angelic chains that could somehow keep him in place. He glanced to the left and right and heard his employees moaning and waking up. They were also chained up next to Docile, hovering a few feet off the stone floor. All their arms were spread out, held up by chains and their legs were tied together. Docile felt like they were crucified to invisible crosses. Worse still, their human disguises had worn off.

The elves feel into a fearful silence when the leader priest came into the chamber, followed by his cult members. Some were men and some were women, but they all had masks covering their faces. The leader had on a red mask resembling the devil and a red "V" pattern on his suit underneath his robes.

Docile mentally decided to call the mysterious leader "V".

He also noticed that V's fingers were adorned with many rings. One was used to bind demons and two were used to bind angels. A few rings of gold were used to tempt humans. Docile was reminded of a more power-hungry King Solomon.

"Rejoice my loyal adepts! Today we have taken the next step toward our immortal sovereignty! No longer will we be bound by the constraining laws of fate, death, and time…for we will master them all and show the world what we are truly capable of."

V laughed darkly. "And even better, my friends…we now have an extra power source that will increase our astral capabilities!"

He glanced over to E.L.F. "These little angel servants!"

The cult members chanted and praised Satan.

"Just think…mixing the blood of angels, humans, and demons together…we shall drink of it and gain the abilities and knowledge of all three! We could travel to Hell and Heaven and all around the Earth, deciphering how all the systems work. And use it to our advantage."

"All in the name of our Lords," a cult member added.

"Are the other sacrifices ready?" V asked.

"Yes, Great One," said a woman cult member with a bow. She pointed up at several sobbing human families hanging in cages. Several kittens and puppies were in smaller crates on the floor. Docile hyperventilated, trying not to make too much noise. This villain was just as malicious as the Bahamas antagonist if not worse.

One of the black cages was lowered. V directed several hooded members to unlock it. They opened the door and yanked a young brown-haired girl from the arms of her mother.

"Mommy!" cried the girl in terror, struggling in vain against her captors. Her mother wailed as she was held back. "Lily!"

V stepped up to her with a hidden sneer. "We need a virgin sacrifice to appease our gods." He held a knife in his hands. "Either you can kill her, or you can watch as we do."

The mother only replied with curses and wails. V waved a dismissive hand. "Very well."

The girl's dress was torn off and she cried as she was held down on a slab of black rock. Four members each held her arms and legs as V stood over her. V spoke in Latin and among the chanting he said something along the lines of, "Mighty Moloch, bull god of child sacrifice, please accept this offering so that we may retain our youth and energy through the coming years…"

He raised his deadly knife in the air, the blade glinting in the candlelight, posed to slice her in half.

Shrilling screams and slashes were heard and Docile flinched away with a shudder. The next thing he saw were the cult members passing around a silver goblet with Lily's blood in it and taking turns drinking. Lily's mother curled into a ball and wailed in the cage.

"That asshole's enjoying his power over others," seethed Tirred in a low voice.

"Language," Docile chided.

"Do I look like I care?"

The next ritual was just as bad if not worse. The cult members carried the crates full of squirming puppies and kittens over to another spot in the chamber.

"Oh shit, I can't watch," Docile whimpered. Sunna was too traumatized to speak. The members carried the crates up a ladder and posed over a small tank of water. The doors to the crates were unlocked. Three puppies and three kittens shivered, huddling as far back as they could move. The crates were lowered further toward the water.

'Please don't let them drown,' Timmid thought.

But what was about to happen was a lot worse. Popping out from the surface of the water were half a dozen piranha fish, their hungry mouths open with sharp teeth.

Sunna convulsed in her chains.

"Stop it, you bastards!" Tirred yelled.

Sunna's eyes grew wide in horror as she witnessed the ominous chants, the snapping of teeth and the soul-shattering shrieks and whines of the animals. When the blood-red water was still and the piranhas circled some more, she gasped and passed out.

Docile shuddered and sobbed as he looked down at the floor.

'Being in Hell would be better than this. Hell, I wish I were double dead right now!'

'Stop thinking such thoughts, sir!' Timmid cried into his head. For the first time as Docile looked at the limp Sunna and then at V, his eyes briefly changed to black. And for the first time, Docile felt a primal, agonizing and unrelenting rage boiling inside him, his eyes flaring with a murderous intent.

Docile growled and strained against his bonds. The angelic chains glowed white and sizzled as he tried to escape. His skin was hot with pain, but he didn't care.

"Sir, stop!" begged Tirred.

"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DEMENTED PIECE OF SHIT!" Docile bellowed.

V strolled over to Docile, briefly choking him through telekinesis. The two angel rings glowed on his finger.

"Is that any way to speak to the future world leader?" V taunted. "Struggle all you want, angel, I'll just send more people to Hell, more soul life force into our orders and keep attaining whatever I want."

V chuckled as he watched Docile's straining face.

"I'll command and capture every Archangel, every demonic king, every opposing occultist if I have to. Running the universe will be so worth it."

He released Docile and he gasped for breath.

"Since you've been the most obnoxious, I'll decide if you'll be first…or last in our final offerings for tonight."

Docile's blood ran cold. He summoned every prayer and magic chant in his head, but the oppressive dark magic in the air suffocated his very willpower.

The cult members strolled toward the unconscious Sunna.

"NO, NO STOP! TAKE ME INSTEAD!" Docile begged. "DON'T TOUCH HER!"

V turned to Docile. "Oh my. The little elf wants to give his life for his kitty girlfriend!"

"SHE'S MY FUCKING DAUGHTER!"

V tilted his head. "Well maybe we can see what she's got left in her if she wakes up!"

Docile swore again. Timmid and Tirred looked at each other, both very concerned.

"He's officially lost it," Tirred muttered.

They unchained Sunna and laid her down on a slab of rock. Docile didn't care if the enchanted chains burned into his heart…he figured he might as well die, do something to not have to watch would happen next.

"Sir…" Tirred whimpered. "Timmid and I want to say it has been an honor…"

"Shut up!" Docile cried. "I don't need any fucking farewell speeches right now!"

Timmid and Tirred strained to reach toward each other, to at least be able to hold hands. The remaining families in the cages sobbed and pleaded for freedom.

"Once all of you are sacrificed, world domination phase one shall begin," V mused. He stood over the unconscious Sunna as the other members held her legs and arms.

"NOOO!" Docile screamed, hand outstretched as V raised his knife.

A flash of light appeared in the corner of the room and a hole appeared in reality.

A cannon blast from a weapon fired through the hole and hit the chains binding Docile. Docile cried out and he collapsed to the ground. The chains broke off where the cannon hit them and Docile. A bunch of screams echoed in the chamber as several figures tumbled through the portal and fell to the ground. A metal cannon fell through the hole and landed with a splash in the piranha tank, sending the water gushing out and the piranhas spilling on the ground among broken glass.

The shadow figures coughed as they slowly stood up. One figure on the ground started to rise, but a slash of a knife to the neck made him slump back down dead. Three horned figures came into the candlelight and a taller one stood by the body of a human. Three pairs of glowing yellow eyes and a pair of red ones.

Docile slowly removed himself from the chains and was about to pass out when he saw his worst nightmare before him.

"I.M.P.?" he wheezed.

The horned leader spoke.

"Man, those humans were rough! Where in the world are we now?"

There in the flesh stood Blitzo himself, posing near a dead human body with Moxxie, Millie, and Loona.

One of the cult members turned to V. "Did you make sure that no demons could teleport into our space?"

V shrugged. "Why would I do that? We worship them, don't we?"

"Sir, is this the right place?" Moxxie asked.

"I believe it is," Blitzo replied. "Our client did mention he was an ex member of Order 666 who wanted revenge against his former group. Being killed by your own order doesn't sound fun."

"Who is that imp talking about?" V inquired.

A hooded woman spoke. "Remember that little newbie traitor last year? He almost turned us into the police because he wanted this mansion and the wealth all to himself. The only wealth he got in the end was a one way trip to Hell."

"Oh yeah…that guy…"

"The game's up, Satanic freaks!" Blitzo declared, looking around the room. "It's time to have religious nuts and angelic losers for breakfast!"

"Hey!" protested Tirred from above them.

As quick as lightning, the cult closed in on the imps and Hellhound. They engaged in war chants and the imps slashed at them with their weapons.

"We just got back from a fight with humans, now we're at it again?!" Moxxie complained. Moxxie was able to deliver a fatal shot to the head of a hooded figure. Millie flipped through the air and landed powerful kicks to two other individuals. Loona growled and leaped at more members, ripping off their masks and tearing into their flesh.

V and his adept guards raised their fingers. One of V's demonic rings glowed. Millie who had jumped at him for the attack was swatted away by an invisible force. She yelped as she hit a distant wall.

"Millie!" Moxxie cried. He aimed his gun and fired several shots, but V blocked them with his telekinesis. He sent the bullets back, landing several hits to Millie's leg and to Timmid's thigh.

"You think that hurts?" V smirked under his mask. "Try my angelic blades!" He held a menacing knife with glowing white designs and the imps shuddered. Millie leaped out of the way, wincing. "Don't let them touch you!" Moxxie fired more bullets that the shadow figures avoided.

Loona tossed another hooded lackey toward the broken tank. He cried out as he was bitten by the jumping piranhas. Loona turned around, swiping at more enemies. She looked in front of her and gasped at the sight of the unconscious Sunna.

"What the…?"

Tirred gasped. "The Hellhound's going after Sunna!"

Blitzo leaped silently into the air, posing for a deadly kick. V grinned as he turned around. His demon ring glowed as he froze Blitzo in midair.

"Nice try, Hell spawn."

He tossed Blitzo into Millie and they both fell backwards.

V mentioned toward one of his followers. "Kill the cat!"

"Sunny!" Docile wheezed.

Loona found herself growling as the shadowy figure rushed toward Sunna. With a swipe of her paw the figure was knocked to the side. After Loona had managed to sever the figure's head, she was knocked into the wall with a whimper from V's powers.

"Loony!" Blitzo exclaimed.

"We've got you surrounded!" the hooded figures announced to the imps.

"Darn it," Blitzo seethed. He, Millie and Moxxie were lifted up into the air against their will as V's ring glowed. Loona growled as one of the hooded figures slashed at her paw with a knife. Thankfully, it was a regular one used by humans. The figure tossed the knife to V who caught it.

"Excellent! With demon, angel, and human blood now at my disposal, I shall finally obtain GODHOOD!"

He and the remaining cult members chanted in a demonic language. Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie screamed as red bands constrained them in the air.

V laughed evilly. "You three shall be perfect offerings for Satan!"

"Uh, I don't think so," Blitzo wheezed.

"Oh then, how about the goddess Roo?"

That caused all three imps to panic.

Timmid and Tirred screamed in their magical binds.

Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie protested at the mercy of V and his gang.

Loona cried out as she found herself exhausted and cornered by more magicians.

And a weakened Docile decided to knock over the nearby candles with a small swipe of his hand.

The effect was literal wildfire. Flames spread in a circle, lighting up the chamber and catching on the robes of several people. They screamed and rolled on the ground. Another person tripped onto the ground, landing face first into flames.

"What?!" V bellowed. His distraction caused him to drop the imps. They plummeted to the ground. Loona barked and swiped the other cult people aside.

Moxxie looked up and spotted Tirred and Timmid choking from the smoke. He aimed his pistol…

"Oh no…" cried Timmid.

…and the chains holding them broke with loud snaps. Timmid and Tirred yelled as they plummeted to the ground.

The dark magic surrounding them began to fade as more magicians succumbed to the smoke, fire, and the imps. Tirred managed to break free of the chains, helping Timmid do the same. With great strength, Tirred carried Timmid over to Sunna.

"Docile!" Tirred called through the chaos. "We need the portal! Now!"

Docile reached toward the Bible with a shaking hand on the ground. A hooded figure stood over Docile, about to attack…

…but a punch from Tirred sent him off to the side. Tirred grabbed the Bible and chanted the psalm. The portal opened. Tirred rushed off and carried Sunna through the smoky darkness.

Tirred glared at Loona before tossing the unconscious Sunna through the portal. Timmid looked at Loona in thanks before moving back with Tirred.

Timmid gasped as Millie leaped into the air and broke the cages containing the human families.

"Get out of here!" Millie yelled. Moxxie fired a bullet that smashed a wooden door off to the side. "This way!" he called to them. The coughing families raced toward the underground secret exit. But several hooded members chased after them, evading the imps and escaping.

"You all are nothing but playthings to the gods!" V hissed. "I'm sending you scumbags back to the anals of the abyss where you belong!"

He almost moved Moxxie into the flames when V felt a stab to his back.

Blitzo seethed as he held the knife that was lodged in V's back.

"Take this, you monster."

V waved his hand and Blitzo fell backwards to the ground.

"Docile, we have to leave, now!" Tirred called to him.

Docile glanced from his employees and the portal to Hell back to V. Blitzo stood up, ready to fight V once again.

"I'll kill every child, every human, every animal and every spirit until victory is mine!" V declared.

It was at this moment that Docile knew that no one in Order 666 could ever have the chance to become redeemed. Having been responsible for rapes, murders, and mass brainwashing, their corrupted souls were too far gone.

There was only one place left for them.

And one thing left for Docile to do.

"Docile?" Timmid whimpered. "What are you doing?"

Docile stared blankly as he walked slowly through the smoke.

"Docile…"

Blitzo was being pinned down by the wounded V.

V raised a trembling angelic knife over Blitzo's head, the tip almost touching his forehead. Blitzo flinched away as best as he could, but the tip got closer and closer…

Rage flared in Docile's eyes…

"DOCILE, STOP!" cried Timmid.

Blitzo closed his eyes, grimacing in preparation.

Time seemed to slow as Docile raised his staff at the madman.

With a sickening splat, Docile smashed down his staff right into V's head. His red blood, skull bits and brains splattered through the smoky air. Docile was soon covered in red all down his front and on his face.

Timmid screamed in the distance. Moxxie and Millie looked on.

Blitzo stared up at Docile, not believing what he had just seen.

Before Docile could make a move, Blitzo rushed off back toward his group.

"Mission accomplished, folks," he said. "One cruel cult leader off our list. I think we'll get a good pay from this client."

He rubbed his wrist and the crystal glowed. Loona led the way back to I.M.P. headquarters, followed by Moxxie and Millie, who supported each other's tired wounded bodies. Blitzo took one last bewildered look at Docile before vanishing through the portal.

Docile collapsed to the ground. He barely noticed Tirred and Timmid dragging him back toward the portal.

Docile thought the worst was over.

But through the smoke and exhaustion, he spotted another open portal further up.

And staring down at him with a horrified, shocked, and betrayed expression was his sister.

0 0 0

Back up on the surface, the firefighters and police had arrived at the remains of Millar Manor. They had managed to arrest several partygoers and a few hooded members. Unfortunately, several others had escaped. The rest of the fire was put out but not without damage to the valuable artifacts.

"Don't worry my dear friends," Eli Elderton called as he was escorted into the back of a police cruiser. "I'll be released on bail in less than a year and then I'll continue our work in another undisclosed location!"

One of the policeman shrugged. "He's probably right."

The policeman thanked the woman who had been influenced by Sunna to call them, but she glanced around, saying, "What am I doing here?"

The escaped victims were taken to hospitals, healed and thankful to be alive. But the horrors they had seen in the cult traumatized them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, the elves had forgotten to head back to erase their memories.

The imps and elves were soon back in their respective worlds. Sunna lay in a nearby hospital where Raphael's workers slowly healed her from the trauma. The rest of E.L.F. were also treated and healed of their physical wounds…but the mental scarring had already been done.

Docile washed up in the shower but could not get the scent of blood off of him.

He stared at himself vacantly in the mirror, hardly recognizing who he was. The world seemed to fade in and out.

Docile had killed a human for the first time. No angels other than Archangels were allowed to harm humans directly. Docile…an angel…had done the same thing that I.M.P. did every day. He had committed Heaven's greatest sin…and gone against the very morals he founded his company on.

Docile didn't say a word as he entered the office. Holly Wata stared at Docile with a blank expression.

"What happened, brother? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

Timmid sighed. "Tirred and I saw her about to rush to alert Camael and the others. I had to erase her memories of what we did. It'll only last for a couple of hours, though."

Docile looked downcast. He had lost his mother, lost his sanity, his sense of security and now he was about to lose his sister and his company.

"We'd better pack our things before Holly Wata regains herself," Tirred warned.

"Can I help?" she asked.

"Just relax here, sis, it'll be okay," Docile said, a few tears streaming down his face.

Holly Wata sat on the couch and watched a show she would never normally watch: "The Dark Side of Angels and Christianity, What Are They Hiding?"

"Sunny?" Docile wondered.

"She'll be okay," Timmid assured. "She'll be healed fully by tomorrow."

"Docile," Tirred said with a glum expression. "I'm afraid this is the end…for all of us…"

Docile wandered around the office, taking note of the rooms, areas, and memories associated with the place. Docile took down some pictures from the wall and put them in boxes. He looked at the one of all four of them together celebrating the opening of E.L.F. Another one showed him and Veronica hugging at the beach. One of the oldest ones was one of Docile and Holly Wata smiling together wearing white choir robes.

His heart sank as he picked up the last one: one of him, Holly, and their mother Atilla. He still remembered her kind eyes, warm hug and nurturing songs. Docile knew if she were here, everything would be okay. Now he had never felt more alone and unsure.

"I killed a human. I'm about to let my employees down. I've distanced myself from father and Holly. Please forgive me, I don't know what to do."

He sighed sadly. How was he going to make a difference now?

Docile, Tirred, and Timmid soon managed to load their most precious belongings into the E.L.F. van. Docile posted a sign on the door. "Temporarily closed. Call this number and you'll call another number to get a clue for our location. We're sorry."

The elves were about to enter their van, when they heard the soul-crushing "DOCIILLLLLEEE!" scream of rage from Holly Wata.