The Ruler of the Dark Realm always went out of his way to be lavish with his spending regarding Charlie's hotel. For all of her insistence on redemption, Lucifer didn't hesitate to ensure that she had the facilities to placate her dreams, even if he didn't believe in them. Now, if his Holy Father was paying attention, he would ironically repurpose them for his own designs. The King of Hell entered the building's fieldhouse, where some of the Hazbin's residents were shuffling aside all of its athletic and sports equipment. This was to make room for the promise he made with Azrael, to teach Artyom proper fighting techniques with his service weapon. It wouldn't be enough to slay a genuine archangel but perhaps instilling the basic disciplines into the Purgatory investigator would be enough to not treat it like a club.
When the last of the dust had been removed from the scene, the monarch turned his head to the right to find Artyom standing by his side drinking a plastic bottle of water. "Nervous?"
"Who wouldn't?" He remarked, glancing at the Fallen Archangel, "The Devil himself is teaching me on how to not get killed by his brother."
"Better that I teach you the basics. The more sweat you make here, the less you'll bleed."
"Hey, your majesty, is this enough?" Questioned the sinner on the far side of the room with his cat-like features displaying the man's disinterest. He seemed to be putting away the two metal stands connected by a black volleyball net onto the side of the wall, clearing the space across the room.
"Satisfactory," Lucifer commended as he gestured for Artyom to take his place on one side of the fieldhouse and he took position opposite from him. On his left, three sinners and an investigator were sitting atop a stack of blue folded mats. It was likely that they were here to receive a show for cleaning up and he would have to perform. Then he returned his attention to the relatively young man in modern military gear. "Present your weapon."
The Russian's right hand extended out from his side as if reaching until a Zweihander materialized out of thin air, only to be held by its master. It was an impressive sword with its decorative handle embuing the style of the original era its creator hailed from. "Now, what?"
"One of the things you need to do is if you want the proper flexibility, keep two hands on this weapon at all costs." The monarch raised his cane and pointed at the weapon's extended handle while stepping forward.
"What are the pointy bits on the blade?"
It was unsurprising that his knowledge about these ancient arms was lacking as most folk in Heaven and Hell would simply settle for a knife or a gun. Still, it felt like the young man held a genuine interest despite his appearances dictating his preference for modern firearms. "Those are parrying hooks. They protect that unsharpened part of the blade between it and the ricasso. Uh, the crossguard over your handle."
"If it's unsharpened, I could also use that as a handle." He analyzed the aspect of his weapon.
"Yes, it is to help pivot the blade just as much as possible." The teacher explained while noticing the nod of understanding from his student, "Remember that as it can also help you avoid losing your grip mid-fight."
One of the observers shouted from her side of the fieldhouse. Lucifer stole a glance to find the little gremlin cyclops disappointed about their lack of action. "Boo! When are you guys going to swing at each other."
"I'm afraid we must put on a show before we disappoint them any further."
"So, do you want me to attack you?" Artyom wondered but he sounded less sure than before.
He smiled as he raised his cane like a sword and pointed it at him. "Yes. You're going to need to practice those pivots but I also need to see what else could be done better. Imagine you have a box in front of you and the best way to attack someone is from the corners of that box."
The agent of Heaven performed a right-side swing, swiping towards the Fallen Archangel. Yet, he took a step back and his cane arm reached out to tap the tipping edge of the Russian's sword to the side. It was his first lesson to be acquainted with the technique.
"By attacking the tip of their blade, it is a parry. Now, strike me again."
Soon the investigator freed one hand from the handle and grabbed the dull part of the sword. Then swung from the left side, it was quick and short but Lucifer parried. Yet, he did not hesitate to escalate into the next phase of the lesson by taking two steps forward, bypassing the length of the immense Zweihander to press the tip of his sword cane against the man's chest. Artyom looked down and took the attack with grace. "Is this the killing blow?"
"Not necessarily," He began, eager to inform his student about this technique, "After you parry, an attack can be made against your opponent to harm. This is to exploit the advantage you made and close the distance."
"How will that work against Gabriel? Doesn't he have two swords?"
It was a good question for someone who had only one blade at their disposal; however, the experience of the War in Heaven gave practical advice against his own brother. "Even he must fight by the same principles. When he attacks with both swords, it is often in the same direction and motion."
"Can I practice more with those parries and ripostes?" The King of Hell felt elated by that request. For once, in his life, the old warrior was willing to teach and entertain the drive that helped him fight off his brothers when Lilith's life was on the line, "Maybe if I get down some kind of tempo I could get the hang of this."
"Of course. Just do not confuse tempo with rhythm. Remember you're not making a beat for show but to fight off my brother with all the effort you can muster."
The once so cozy living room that Charlie enjoyed had become the epicenter of the Department of Purgatory's latest operations. Standing from the sidelines, Vaggie and Alastor approached Tony sitting on the couch by placing stacks of books containing phone numbers and contact lists of the various notable people of Hell atop the coffee table. While Vaggie seemed exhausted by the dozen thick pages she had to lug around as Alastor's expression revealed his annoyance that he had to use his powers to summon black tendrils to carry parchments on the investigator's behalf. The wooden furniture creaked and further additions would have broken the good oak it was made from.
Soon the saved leaned forward and flipped through the first few pages of each book. Each glance seemed to reveal a focus and perhaps a rush through the list of names, phone numbers, and addresses that all labeled each person throughout their existence in Pentagram City. However, the Princess of Hell was embarrassed when he flipped through a page and found a few names on the list who were crossed out. His words began to raise a question, "Why are these crossed out?"
"Those sinners are the ones who got killed during the Extermination Days or the gang wars afterward." Vaggie reluctantly answered.
"Shit. It's a shame that your hotel doesn't have a database to filter this out. Some of these books are outdated with a lot of these names I've come across."
"We're sorry that this is the best that we can do," She replied while crossing her arms and shaking her head, "Not every one of us will have the time to run this stuff over."
"Since all three of you are here, I'll have to do a bit of my magic." Tony freed one hand from looking through the books and reached out for the air beside him. In the blink of an eye, a series of manila folders appeared and were snatched by him in an instant.
Charlie was impressed by the performance before looking over to see Alastor raise his eyebrows by the powers he witnessed. Then he spoke, "What exactly do you have in your hands?"
"A list of targets of Pentagram's most prominent sinners. As Azrael's secretary, I'm granted special powers to my office like summoning a bunch of paperwork if I want to work overtime," It seemed like he was joking about the casual reality of the job but his stone-cold demeanor revealed his intentions as he sorted through each file. Then he began to hand it out to the two sinners and the heiress of the Dark Realm. "I'm going to need three of you to cross-reference the names on those files and look for them in these books. These are all the people who I think are useful to help us leave Hell and help us into Heaven."
"This is quite beneath me. I don't see why I have to participate in your search." Alastor complained while tapping his microphone.
"Don't you have an oath to the princess?"
She looked down at the top file in her hand and saw a familiar face. The manila folder had a photograph attached by a mere paperclip, revealing a snake-like sinner with a top hat, and was surrounded by a pack of little sentient eggs. "I know this guy?"
"Who is it?" Vaggie asked as she walked over and peered to see the picture of the small-time overlord, "You think Pentious is useful? Hell, Alastor kicked the shit out of him."
The Radio Demon chuckled. "Ah, a shame I didn't think his soul was worth consuming."
"And it's a good thing you didn't. The sinner may not have any power worth a damn but he does run with an airship and that might be our right." Tony replied, informing the trio of his plans.
"That is a good point," Charlie placed the group of files on the table and wondered how they would have to find him, "Though, he could be anywhere by now and all of us are safe at the hotel for now."
He raised his head and raised a single finger. "There is one investigator not with us. He could probably run that errand for me since he's coming over."
"I don't know how we'll be able to convince him since he might not be willing to cooperate."
"We have to try," Tony reached into his pocket and brandished his phone, "Alright, Pavel, do your magic."
I.M.P. and its associates were brought into the halls of the royal palace. The invitation by Lucifer's wife had left Blitzo speechless as only the highest of society's elite would be allowed into the ruler's court. Yet, here he was, walking past the red-tinted knight-like guards of the Dark Realm. Its beauty and spectacle were beyond him and not even his childhood memories of Stolas' home were comparable to the luxurious backdrops that date back to when the Queen of the Succubi took the hand of the Fallen Archangel.
Millie and Moxxie spoke over every little weapon display they passed through as any Wrath couple would. His darling Hellhound daughter, Loona, had her phone out and took selfies of herself in the heart of power. On occasion, Octavia would join her in some pictures while indifferent to some shots with the camera. Yet, Stolas was showing signs of hesitation and nervousness. The company owner wanted to speak on his behalf, using his confidence to get Lilith's attention, but his mind was unsure if he would make their situation worse.
The party was brought in front of a set of two large doors, fully opened wide. Flanking the entrance were two Crimson Guardsmen wielding angelic halberds, their identities locked behind the hound visors. Their heads raised high, acknowledging the royal entering the throne room. The far side contained two wooden chairs raised high on a series of pedestals with one chair a step higher, both representing the power they represented. Soon, everyone's rescuer watched as she took her seat in the second-highest chair in the room, slinking her wrists over the armrests.
"Court is not in session, so we can avoid being too formal in this room." She announced, smiling at the group's surprise at her candor.
Stolas stepped forward and fell to one knee, bowing his head in respect to her authority. "Your majesty, we are quite honored that you have invited us into your home."
"For a son of Paimon, I expected a different picture thanks to your father," Lilith replied while the leading imp noticed her words striking a nerve in his boyfriend's expression. He was about to speak but then the conversation took another turn, "I'm glad to be proven wrong."
"Back in the office, you said you had need of us?"
Her head nodded in acknowledgment. "It's a personal matter but one of great importance. I had sought for your whereabouts but then word from my whisperers revealed that you were caught in what seemed to be the usual skullduggery amongst the nobility. Then came your lover and his fellow imps to the rescue. For a troublesome lot, you must have good relations for them to save you from the in-laws."
"Uh, madam, what do you mean by troublesome?" Moxxie hesitantly questioned from behind while the succubus chuckled.
"That three imps and a Hellhound decided to form an entire business hunting and killing mortals on behalf of sinners sent here. Did you really think any of us wouldn't notice the advertisements?"
"Oh, that," He admitted as scared laughter took over to cope with being caught by the proper authorities, "I guess we're fiddlesticks."
"Perhaps but perhaps we can look the other way. Your benefactor has served my husband on a certain matter involving an agent of the Archangel of Death. Now? I intend to make use of all of you." She stated with complete confidence while leaning back in her chair.
Blitzo took his first steps and began to approach her. His lover heard his steps and was about to stop him from getting any closer; however, Lilith's hand signaled to him not to intervene. "Okay, what the fuck are we going to do that has you invite us over?"
"Have any of you paid attention to the events surrounding the Hazbin Hotel?"
"Yeah, it got attacked by a bunch of exterminators." He even spoke to the undercover guy that once worked for him. There were a bunch of red flags that existed back then but then again, he wasn't horny enough to try and get his attention. "What of it?"
The Queen of Hell crossed her legs. "Charlie, my daughter, is going to be escorted to Heaven by some of the Grim Reaper's servants. While all is well and good, I am going to make room for all of you to act as her additional bodyguards."
"Eh, run that by me again?" The imp was stupified by the statement alone.
"There is a chance that my daughter's kidnappers will try again and they will most likely succeed. I have no intention of granting them another chance." Soon her words began to command the Hellborn inside the court. Her regal posture announced the intention of her plans before everyone, "You all are to accompany the princess as her bodyguards as she is to be brought to Heaven and testify before the Council of Archangels. There are many flaws with this and if somebody desires to act against her, the Goetia is to use her arcane gifts to open a rift and bring her back to the palace while the others protect her."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing as his eyes widened with shock. The idea of going to Heaven was considered a laughable idea. Sinners would love to get out of being in the same vicinity of a war crime center but it was no place for a Hellborn. His kind were viewed as servants down here but the people up there might not be so welcoming. They probably wanted a bit of payback after what he did to those cherubs. Then there was the man he believed to be a damned soul. Blitzo wasn't keen on having to deal with those folk face-to-face. "Nuh-uh! Nope, I'm not doing this."
"Blitzy, what are you doing?!" A horrified Stolas shouted as the imp turned around to face him.
"Saying no," He answered, "It's almost as if she wants to get all of us killed. It's bad enough I've made trouble for myself but it's not worth risking my neck out like this."
"This is Lilith we're talking about! You're going to make things worse for all of us."
The queen began to laugh, amused by the conversation as all within the room paid her their attention. "You presume that you have a say in the matter. No, this is not a request but an order. You will serve as Charlie's bodyguards from Hell while she is away until she is safely returned."
"Fuck." The imp swore as his hands began to clench into fists.
"Your majesty, I apologize on his behalf," The Goetia began. Blitzo didn't know what to think about this since he once more felt powerless in life and his fate dictated by those beyond him. "He won't do it again-"
"It's fine. Most people in the Dark Realm aren't used to taking orders and this sort of behavior is just the average Hellborn coping that I have this power over them." She dismissed his concern outright with a simple wave of her hand.
"If we are to go ahead and perform this request, I would like to ask of you to do something on my behalf."
"Given these dire times, I will permit it." She gestured for him to continue. "Begin."
"My daughter and I were fortunate to escape members from my wife's family. Could you spare some protection on her behalf? I cannot protect the heir if my mind is focused on her safety." She nodded her head in approval.
"That can be arranged. I want all of you to rest before you head off to link with my daughter at the Hazbin Hotel."
Blitzo had thought that he would never meet with the fake sinner again but it seemed like that was bound to change. What was he to do against the fact that his voice didn't really matter as he anticipated the upcoming hardships from making his usual payout with clients into dealing with high-class assassins?
It was unlike Sir Pentious to take the train but recent events had changed the attitude on his personal preference. News of the Exterminators taking to the skies of Pentagram City killed any enthusiasm to fly his airship around. While his on-board weapons would certainly give a local some pause, the angelic soldiers were too numerous and agile for the serpent and his minions to fight them. As much as he adored his egg boys, there was nothing they could do against the ruthless killers who performed their yearly charges.
He sat quietly in his part of the car while a dozen of his servants occupied his bench and the one across from him. The little ones were always learning about the world, their eyes looking back and fro to the other passengers on board. Getting them to behave or preventing their annoying behaviors from getting out of hand was more of a challenge than actually designing and inventing gizmos for the usual gang warfare that dominated the lives of most sinners.
A fat hippo sinner appeared from the corner of his eye. His head turned to the left as the size of her body either pushed people away or forced the train riders to step aside. The metal carriage clanged against the weight of her steps, but the true question was how such a beast would be able to pass through the doors from the platform. Nonetheless, the gentleman inventor did his best to avoid making a scene as his mind dwelled on other matters, so long as he wouldn't receive the sinner's attention.
She finally came around to his side before stopping to turn her back towards the egg minions across from him. Then she took her first steps backward and began to take a seat. Her intention horrified Pentious as he raised his hand, about to signal for her to stop, but it was too late. The servants released a languishing cry as the weight of the woman crushed them. Eggshells cracked and yellow yolk splattered across the leather arrangements. To add further insult, her mighty behind rubbed and smushed their remains even further as the stranger settled down.
Then the protective side of the snake sinner made him stand up while the rest of his followers huddled from behind. "Excuse me, madam, but you sat on my egg boys!"
"I have a boyfriend." She replied but the hippo seemed to lack any self-awareness about what she did to her victims.
"Are you deaf?" He pointed out at the mess she made on the seat with her butt, "You sat on them!"
"You're just being fatphobic."
Sir Pentious stood up and approached her without hesitation. Rather, he was driven by rage as he pressed his finger against her chest. "You big dumb slattern, are you a bloody slop that you don't realize that your arse is wet!"
"What the fuck are you talking about?" She stood up towering over him. Had it been in any other situation, he would have been afraid but the lives of his egg boys were too precious for him to disregard his own safety. Then the hippo looked over her shoulder and saw the yellow yolk staining the tight blue jeans trying to prevent her fat from spilling out, "Shit. I did sit on someone. Too bad it's not my problem."
"That's it." He reached into his pocket and brandished a miniaturized hand-held death ray and pointed it at the woman.
The inventor sinner yelped in surprise when both of her grubby hands latched onto his shoulder and lifted him to the train ceiling. Soon, he felt his head smashed against the metal while disoriented from the blunt trauma. Then she tossed him aside as his weapon was knocked out of his hands. As he tried to regain his senses, the grey mass of fat and muscle took her first steps towards him.
What caught the hippo woman by surprise was a senior egg by the name of Frank leading the charge with the rest of his henchmen. They jumped upon her back with bats and knives in hand, hacking and smacking away at the woman with all their might. If it wasn't enough to slay her, it was certainly enough to annoy the fat creature attempting to latch onto the nimble protein shells.
Someone's foot stepped by the sinner before he turned his head to find a robotic man in a trench coat, looking down. "Are you Sir Pentious?"
"Uh, yes, that is me." The serpent answered with great reluctance, unsure about this stranger's arrival. Then he looked at the scene of the fighting to find the woman snatching one of his henchmen and crushing him in between the grip of her hands, "I apologize but I have to deal with her."
"Let me spare you the trouble." Soon the Slavic sinner stepped forward and reached into his coat before brandishing a strange pistol. A twang echoed throughout the train as a pair of barbed darts flew into the hippo connected by a copper wire.
The fat slop noticed his intervention but he was quicker on the trigger, injecting electric currents into her body. His egg minions jumped off the woman as she fell and landed on her back. Her body spasmed with each second as any sign of consciousness disappeared, leaving a humanoid hippo drooling across the floor. Part of the serpent's mind appreciated the sight and felt inspired to produce an electric weapon but that would be some time until he returned to his workshop.
"Now that we're done with that, I can talk to you about a proposition." He turned to Pentious and extended his hand out. It wasn't like him to accept assistance from others but this was on behalf of his henchmen. The inventor reciprocated and reached out before being pulled up from the floor and his upper body towering over the woman who killed his eggs. "Would you like to hear it?"
His eyes glanced at the fat sinner and turned toward the bronze robot man with absolute gratitude. "Of course, the wench killed my boys and you helped put her down! I'm willing to listen."
"Go take a seat."
The Victorian sinner returned to the seat from where he formerly enjoyed his peace before the large disturbance interfered with his mood. Meanwhile, his protein followers quickly rushed to his side and sat beside him from both flanks. He looked down to find themselves proud of the effort of taking down their herculean foe as the serpent took a chance to whip the woman in the face with his tail.
It was the stranger who stood out from the mess as he walked to the empty seat across from them but remained standing. "I have a benefactor, who wants to hire you for your services. It requires your airship but the reward is plenty."
"Who is so eager to receive my attention?" Sir Pentious questioned, if there is one rule in Hell, it is that no one is ever unknown to another. He also had to make this transaction quick and decisive as his reputation and territory were being eyed by his neighbors. It was an obligation that any serious power in Pentagram City had to face first before everything else, "I don't exactly run a charity."
"I know but that is where the reward falls in. For this one job, you're going to be needed at the Hazbin Hotel?"
"Pardon? Did I hear that right?" The name of the place brought back embarrassing memories when he tried to showcase his power after Extermination Day. The Radio Demon totaled his airship and henchmen in a damaging way that he had to hold off on territorial expansion lest he risk fighting other local street lords worth naming.
He nodded his head, acknowledging revealing a job he didn't expect for it to come from. "Yes, you did. You're a smart man and the Hazbin Hotel recognizes that. Your little encounter with its own left an impression, not a good one, but they're willing to look past your transgression in hopes of your services."
"What would the Princess of Hell want with me?"
"Not here, now," The robot raised his finger as if warning him. Then the stranger looked elsewhere to the rest of the train and its passengers, "We'll have to talk about this somewhere quiet and not public."
Sir Pentious realized the importance of this job if he was receiving help from a stranger like this. The heir to the Dark Kingdom wanted him and the idea of using his inventions to help her raised his imagination for power not many in the city could get. If this was Charlie Magne Morningstar's way of offering a job, he would be inclined to take it. "Then I agree to learn more in private. May I have a name so I can properly thank you?"
"Pavel Morozov, I can't go into any more detail than that. When does this ride go to?"
"Close to the hotel." One of the egg boys answered.
The machine of a man revealed a smile. "Good, we have much to discuss."
The sudden attack of the Exterminators had taken the Vees by complete surprise. With their schedule in shambles, all that was left to do was to come together in a meeting and discuss their next course of plan for further control. Neighboring gangs would be poised to exploit the chaos and expand their territories but for the Vees, it wouldn't affect them terribly. Rather, being a major media conglomerate with three overlords committing their power involving electronics, porn, and fashion.
Vox looked at the virtual map at the meeting table looking at the influence the petty powers controlled. His eyes focused on the peripheral territories that neighbored those with considerable power. Yet, he had to act calm and collected when it came to using his power and his forces.
"Don't bend over like that, it hurts your back." He heard Valentino comment on his body hunching by the table's edge just so his eyes could get a closer look. Nonetheless, he ignored the moth's response as he flanked the sentient television on the right side. "I mean, unless you're into that sort of thing."
He let out a deep breath as he knew his partner wouldn't take his silence lying down. "Can't you see that I'm trying to think about what to do now that the Exterminators are gone?"
"Darling, I know about this song and dance we've always been doing."
"I'm back!" Two doors to his left had been kicked open wide as the duo found their third member arriving at the meeting room with a cupholder keeping three drinks.
"Velvet, honey, you are fashionably late!"
"I just got done meeting with Carmilla and the others. It went as well as either of you would expect from me. On the way back, I decided to get some coffee. My treat." The woman explained as she walked over and distorted the virtual visuals of the city by putting the cupholder atop the table. She immediately handed one cup to Valentino but then the fashionista turned her attention to him, "So, what's the plan now that we got an unannounced Extermination?"
Vox shook his head at his current indecision. "I'm still thinking."
"You're always thinking! Thinking about the other overlords! Thinking about what to do after the Exterminations! Thinking about the next best product!"
"All three of us know that we can't just sit around like this. If people think we can't find any success after Heaven's usual tantrum, someone's going to challenge us. It's all about presentation." He needed to remind them about their situation. All of Hell relied upon power anything that took away from that basic goal would interfere with the luxurious lives they enjoyed.
"There you go again with the usual conversation," Velvet replied as if she was seemingly annoyed by his response. She placed a hand on her hips and expressed her disappointment. "There are times I just can't get any good fun with you."
Valentino chimed in on the conversation as he revealed his intentions. "Well, if either of you are done, I'm thinking about a Hell of a gamble."
"What do you got?"
"Most of the exterminators went after the Hazbin Hotel. I'm thinking of paying them a little visit for a brief moment and I'll be back before they know it." He answered but Vox stared at him with the realization of what he intended to do.
The television overlord straightened his back and felt the need to course-correct him. If this was still about the porn star issue, he needed to nip that ambition in the bud. "I know what you're thinking about and I'm going to say no to that idea."
"You didn't even hear me out?"
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Every overlord knew the limits of their pride. Sure, they may have powers to lord over other sinners but those whose heads didn't keep themselves grounded would find themselves in the royal court of the Dark Realm, "Making a pass at the Hazbin Hotel is a bad idea."
Velvet seemed to agree. "Val, don't do this. You remember what happened when you got Angel back. Those three fuckers showed up and threatened us."
"Maybe they're dead? Vox, you of all people should pay attention to the news. The hotel took the full brunt of the Extermination. I can get a crew inside and snatch Angel Dust before the princess gets her daddy for help, even if any of those fuckers are still alive." He countered amid the argument as he walked over to the great glass window behind him and pointed at the heiress's home off in the distance.
"We can't risk that. The moment we lay a finger on anyone one of their people, Lucifer isn't going to fuck us over in ways we can't imagine."
The moth overlord scowled and shook his head at their disagreement. Then he brushed past the only two that could ever be referred to as his equals, making his way towards the door with his coffee cup. "Fine, it's clear you two aren't going to join me."
"He's still hung up over losing control of Angel Dust. Can't say that I'd blame him." She then handed the television overlord his coffee and contemplated their situation to the wider world that was Pride, "After all, that damned spider knew how to rake in some cash."
"It's much more than that." The pornstar's relationship with Valentino was personal. It was a relationship dynamic between a master and a slave. Most overlords tended to remind their posse who owned them but there were those who enjoyed the ability to control and dictate the will of others. Vox was no different but exploited that relationship through technology. He then washed those thoughts out as the scalding hot coffee ran down his throat.
"You don't have to tell me. Do you have any idea how many times he's ordered special dresses he commissioned before tearing it apart to get himself hard trying to fuck Angel?"
He didn't need to ponder about that imagery before his eyes fell upon Pentagram City and it's local rulers. The Vee's encounter with those three strangers entering their studio had left an impression on him. Lucifer always had agents throughout Hell and anybody who didn't respect that Fallen Angel's power usually found themselves with their head on a pike. Yet, there was always a particular theme about their ability to kill an overlord. They are hardly merciful; yet, these men were.
Being suspicious of their sort had always been the norm but his mind pondered about the possibility that they could have been juked. Having all of these drones and cameras around at his service, helped with his surveillance over rivals and old-time overlords who knew better. He needed more evidence to showcase whether or not Angel Dust's protectors were pretenders in a ruthless game for power.
A pair of footsteps ran to the open doorway as the two Vees turned to see a disheveled sinner in a purple suit and a dice for a head. "Boss, I know it's not my place to say anything but I think you two deserve to know what is going on."
"This better be worth my time," Vox stated, annoyed by the usual affairs of this life, "I've got shit to worry about."
"Uh, Valentino formed a crew and they're driving off somewhere. He said that they're heading to the Hazbin Hotel."
He dropped his coffee cup after being stupified by the fact that his partner had gone ahead anyway with his plans. While his blue suit was stained by a brown mark, he was more concerned by the fallout. "Fuck! Velvet, get the helicopter!"
Author's Note: I originally wanted to update this chapter at least a week ago but a bit of procrastination and coming down with a fever threw a wrench in those plans.
Milo S Darek: Yep, I love that comic series. It's a major inspiration for my depiction of Azrael.