Original Posted On Nov. 25, 2023
Beta Read by: Crowfeast, Darlord331
Review Responses:
Bednarczykmiki: You… do not understand how bad it will get.
StrongGuy159: I might do that as a One-Shot.
Gamelover41592: Thank you. This might break you.
Jebest4781: I will.
MichaelTheFox: We see what happens with Stella.
Nathair1: This is probably the most depressing chapter I've written.
ShadowBloodedge9396: It is bad.
Dktv9: It isn't.
Gold Testament: If Keith comes back (I haven't thought about it) he'd be a bear sinner with a swollen dick and a GAPING asshole.
Calderoneric758: Oh, God no, FUCK COCAINE BEAR. For real. It is a Dumb Movie. These two bears are just normal bears.
Exia Zero: Fizz/Ozzie would adore Andromeda.
Nicholas: Nope, his ass is blown out with a crushed pelvis because he was fucked by a Male and Female… oh I see, you didn't notice… LOL!
Rick: No, it was my GF's idea one day, and I made it a One-Shot, then added it to this story.
Ice: Neat.
Reggad the Knife: Oh good God…
DaftMerc39: Well, yes, there are survivors. Remember, Flare and Vortex are descended from a Lycan. Loona is descended from a Lycan. Naruto and Jayjay are Lycan Turns. Andromeda is a Lycan. Stark was a Lycan. Lillynette (Who turned Stark) was a Lycan. So of course there are many hiding survivors.
Connor Ohlander: DEATH BY SNUSNU!
MEATBICYCLE: I understand. Stella's plan… is worse than you think.
Nobby: Basically.
Virexhellstorm: It wasn't for everyone.
Sniperbro1998: It is worse than you think.
Freedomringer: I know, thank my GF for that idea.
Tv's Frank: I know, right.
Rubble: Nice choice.
Talon: I fucking LOVE Boondocks. The Season 3 episode where Tom is in prison and is being chased by a rapist.
DireWolf1412: You aren't supposed to root for her.
Dark Claw: Yeah, Keith did.
Six: I know.
OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR HELLUVA BOSS!
"Hey" = Speaking
'Hey' = Thinking
'Hey' = Memory
"Hey" = To be Determined
Chapter 76: The Decision
Stolas's Mansion, Morning…
The sun had barely risen.
Stella's crust filled eyes cracked open.
'Fuck me…' She thought as she used her hand to tap her surrounding area, discerning where she was in the mansion.
Sitting up, the swan based avian looked around.
She was sitting at the kitchen table, which was loaded with empty bottles of alcohol.
'How much did I drink?' She thought, standing up, making her way to the counter.
Turning on the stove, she filled the kettle with water. After placing it on the burner, Stella prepared herself a cup, a coffee strainer, and coffee filer.
Waiting for her kettle to boil, Stella sat back down.
All formalities were gone.
She had her arms lazily at her side, legs spread open, and a distant, hungover glaze in her eyes.
Stella stared at the wall, intensely with no intention or thought process as her brain slowly but surely woke itself up.
The kettle started to whistle, a tentacle of magic from Stella's hand turning the stove off before grabbing the kettle to pour the water through the coffee strainer.
The brown liquid entered the cup, soaking the coffee from the ground beans.
Putting the kettle down, Stella used her magic to bring the black coffee to her, needing it to be strong enough to kill her hang over.
Blowing on it gently, she sipped her coffee.
She took a deep breath, eyes closed as the warmth of her beverage washed over her.
'Where did it all go wrong?' Stella thought, holding her cup in both hands, gingerly sipping the liquid.
Flashback…
Stella (Age 10) stood before her father and brother, Andrealphus.
"Stella, my dear Swan." Her father spoke, his hand caressing her face. "When you are sixteen, you are to wed Stolas."
He used magic to summon a photo of the avian in question.
"But why, father? He looks stupid." Stella bluntly stated.
"Because, we need an emergency heir, and this is the best way to do it." Her father stated, not seeing his son, Andrealphus snickering. "It is your family duty. You don't want to disappoint me, do you?"
The tiny swan felt guilt at the thought.
She shook her head.
"No, father. I don't."
Skip, later that day…
"~YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED, YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED~" Andrealphus teased, holding Stella's face to push her away as he held one of her stuffed animals away from her.
"Andy, give it back!" Stella demanded, desperately trying. "AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU! I AM AT LEAST HELPING FATHER!"
Stella felt her brother's grasp flex before she was pushed to the ground.
"At least I Am not marrying a pathetic loser!" he stated, shredding Stella's toy into fabric and stuffing.
Skip, Six Years Later…
Stella and Stolas (Age 16) stood before a legion of demons, walking away from their vows as a married couple.
'He is not want I want in a husband.' Stella thought as she and Stolas walked in stride. 'But…'
She thought of her father.
The pressure of her duty weighing on her shoulders
'I will do my duty…' Stella thought, tightening her grip on Stolas's arm. 'I might not like it, but…
Skip, Two Years Later…
It became apparent to Stella that Stolas… was not into the romantic or sexual part of their… holy union.
Night after night for two years did she force herself onto Stolas, doing all the work while he laid there.
Stella (Age 18) held her egg as Stolas (Age 18) cried tears of happiness as the safe delivery of their child.
'I've done my duty, father.' Stella thought as she held her egg.
But it didn't seem like it was enough.
Instead, the pressure she felt intensified.
Each day, each week, month, and year… the pressure got stronger.
And with this increase, did Stella's disappointment and resentment.
It was clear to her and Stolas it wasn't working out, but for the sake of Octavia, they kept trying.
Until a certain red imp crashed her 'Not a Divorce' party.
"STOLAS!" Stella (age 35) screamed in anger as Blitz ran off with her husbands Grimoire. "WHAT IS THIS!"
"THIS!" Stolas shouted, grabbing the banner before ripping it. "IS A DIVORCE!"
Stella watched her husband laugh in joy, loving the fact he just stated he cheated on her.
Her hands gripped in anger.
'That Bastard!' Stella thought, feelings of betrayal swelling in her chest. 'He… he did this! Even if the marriage wasn't working, I trusted him!'
Months passed, with Stella now becoming vocal and physically abusive.
Then, it was time for the Gathering of Evil.
She expected her husband to help Octavia find a suitable acquaintance to attend with her.
Stella laid eyes on Naruto.
'A filthy hound?' Stella thought in the limo, not showing any disgust, acting appropriately for her status and age.
Then, Naruto killed Sir Loin, and injured Octavia.
Naruto… cut Octavia's arm.
Her daughter had been harmed.
Stella felt righteously pissed.
But did her husband and daughter share this sentiment?
No.
They excused it as an accident.
How?
Why did this happen?
Months passed, and Stolas proposed the Fountain of Youth Water.
"My father said it would…" She saw and heard him strain his voice JUST to speak. "It would help us in the bedroom…"
Stella agreed.
What did she have to lose?
Wrong question.
It should have been: What did she have to gain.
A month passes, and she once again, was holding an egg.
"Stolas… what should we name them?" Stella tiredly asked.
"Esther or Hunter."
"I like those names…"
"Octavia came up with them." Stolas informed his wife.
A few days passed… Esther Ars Goetia being born safely.
Esther was being held by Andrealphus.
"She is beautiful, a perfect blend of you and… your husband." He stated, looking from his youngest niece to his sister.
Stella nodded, pride swelling in her chest.
"Sister, you do know that this can work in our favor." Andrealphus said with a sly grin. "Especially, since there are two heirs…"
Once again, the familiar duty pressure weighed on Stella.
The last year of her life since giving birth, the decision was weighing on her.
Flashback End…
'And now, here we are…' Stella thought as she finished her coffee.
Her hangover mostly cleared; Stella stood up.
She entered the halls, which were brightening as the sun rose into the sky.
Stella had one location in mind.
She walked through the halls in silence and quietly opened one door.
Stella entered Esther's nursery.
"Hm? Mother?"
"Good morning, Octavia…" Stella said as she saw her oldest at the changing table.
"Sorry, I came in to grab Esther for breakfast, when I realized she needed a diaper change." Octavia said as she finished buttoning Esther's sleeping onesie.
Upon seeing her mother, Esther reached out.
Stella smiled, taking her baby from Octavia, but pulled her oldest close.
Octavia was surprised when her mother kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, my child." Stella stated, pride in voice, expression, and tone. "I am very happy Esther has a good big sister."
Octavia felt happy to hear such nice words.
"It's no problem." Octavia said, smiling slightly, but felt the need to guard herself.
"Come on, Via." Stella said as she held out her hand. "Let us go get some breakfast."
The trio of Mother and Daughters walked through the halls back toward the kitchen, servants walking through to get started on their daily work routines.
Food was cooked as the three sat down.
"Acko…"
Octavia and Stella went stiff.
They stared at Esther, who blinked innocently.
"Did she…"
"Acko!" Esther pointed at Octavia.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Octavia and Stella squealed, the servants smiling in happiness. "HER FIRST WORDS!"
"Oh, if dad was here he'd be praising you like no tomorrow!" Octavia stated, holding her hand out to Esther, who took her finger, smiling.
"Yes, he would." Stella said as she leaned forward to Esther, pointing to herself. "Mama?"
Esther stared, head tilted.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Maba…"
Another squeal erupted in the kitchen as breakfast was served for the mother and oldest daughter while Stella served her youngest a healthy serving of breastmilk.
Everything felt perfect.
Meanwhile…
"Well, our little trip was fun." Stolas chirped as he looked at Blitz.
In the van, Verosika, Loona, Naruto, Millie, and Moxxie were waiting to get home.
"Yeah, it was." Blitz said, a cocky smile as he looked at the bear skeleton in the back. "Next time you wanna fuck, you know where to find me."
Stolas chuckled, holding his bear skin rug tightly as he stepped away, allowing the van to drive off, leaving the Prince alone.
He walked, basically skipped to the front door.
Entering his home, Stolas noticed the bustle toward in the kitchen.
His curiosity peaked, Stolas walked toward the kitchen, entering it to see his wife and children enjoying a meal.
Stella turned her head to see her husband.
The happy, playful smile on her face slowly faded as she became serious.
"Octavia," She said calmly. "Please take Esther and prepare to visit Riser. Your father and I need to talk."
Octavia frowned, rolling her eyes.
'Great, another argument.' Octavia thought as she took her baby sister from her mother, leaving the kitchen after giving Stolas a hug.
The father kissed his daughter's heads before they left, leaving the heads of the house alone.
Stolas walked over to the table, sitting down opposite of Stella.
"So, you going to yell at me again?" Stolas asked sarcastically as he pushed his bear skin rug to the side.
Stella took a deep breath, holding her hand up.
A small application of magic allowed her to summon a portfolio.
She placed it on the table, leaning forward to push it toward her husband.
Stolas, curious, took the file, opening it.
Stella watched Stolas's eyes move slowly.
A frown.
An inquisitive.
Then shock.
"Stella… this…"
"Yes, Stolas," Stella stated, folding her hands on the table, her chest feeling tight. "I want a divorce."
Stolas felt a whirlpool of emotions in his chest.
"But… what… why?" He asked, trying to keep his calm.
"I'll give you three reasons." Stella stated, holding up a finger. "We only got married to have an emergency heir."
She held up a second finger, her face scowling.
"You opening cheated on me with a filthy IMP!"
She held up a third finger.
"We now have two children, so our marriage does not need to continue now that both families have heirs."
Stolas stumbled.
He didn't disagree with Stella.
"But this right here." He said, tapping the portfolio. "You don't want anything… but Esther."
Stella nodded.
"I am going to raise Esther with my family, while Octavia will stay with you, Stolas." Stella stated. "I don't want anything else. Consider it my last gift to you, Me not fighting you for any of your belongings."
"But… but I want to raise Esther…" Stolas stated, feeling like he was choking up.
"I am not a monster, Stolas. I will bring her over a few times a year. I agree, Esther does need her father."
"By separating her from me to be raised by your twisted family?" Stolas snapped, standing up.
Stella scowled.
"Be happy Esther is ALL I want, I could have hired an assassin to take your life!" Stella snapped back, her hands shaking. "We both knew this marriage was a sham, and now we have a way out of it. I thought you'd be happy you wouldn't be married to 'a cunt like me'."
"Not at the price of hurting our children!"
"It is the price we shall pay!"
Stella stood up, grabbing the file.
"It has already been agreed upon by our fathers."
Stolas's eyes widened.
'Father approved?' he thought as Stella started to walk away.
"Stolas… I am going to my parent's home to prepare the living space for myself and Esther… I will leave you to break the news." Stella said in a calmer, softer voice.
She left Stolas in the kitchen, the father registering what happened in silence.
He didn't know what to feel.
Elated his 'marriage' was going to end.
Or…
Disappointed that he won't be able to help raise his youngest.
Stella walked through the halls, each step shaking her emotionally.
'Am I doing the correct thing?' She thought as she walked to Octavia's room. 'No… no I am. It is my duty. I have my duty to my family.'
Having re-affirmed her beliefs, Stella entered Octavia's room.
"Dear, I'll take Esther…"
Pride Ring, Paw Print Paradise…
Andromeda smiled and laughed as Flare held her.
"She is so cute." He said, smiling brightly at the baby.
He looked over at Jayjay and Vortex, who were waiting for Naruto to pick Andromeda up, with the bag and crib they borrowed.
"When are you two going to make ME a grandpa?" he asked bluntly.
Vortex's eye widened, spitting out his drink, coughing and pounding his chest, making Andromeda chuckle and point at him.
Jayjay blushed as she handed Vortex some water.
"Flare, do you think Tex and I would make good parents?"
Flare scoffed, putting his hand on his hip while holding Andy in one arm.
"Bitch, I KNOW you'd be good parents. I raised Tex well enough, and You…"
Flare bit his tongue.
He caught himself.
"I what?" Jayjay asked, having an idea WHAT Flare was going to say.
"You have… experience raising children." Flare said cautiously, not wanting to cross a bad line.
Jayjay sighed, shaking her head.
Flare was not wrong.
Jayjay had raised her autistic brother.
But this was different.
The door to the restaurant opened.
"Welcome…" Flare said, spinning on his heels.
He was wearing a flowing evening gown, his hair dyed blonde in pigtails.
"Sorry, we are late." Naruto said as he and Loona entered the restaurant. "Traffic was bad… Andy!"
Naruto approached Flare, taking his daughter from the man, holding his baby to his face, kissing her cheek.
"Were you a good girl?" Naruto asked as Andromeda grabbed his face.
"Yes, she was." Jayjay said as she hugged Loona, turning to face Naruto. "She had trouble sleeping the first night, probably didn't like not sleeping near you two and Verosika, but after that, she was a good girl."
"That's good." Naruto said, holding his beloved daughter in his arms, feeling her grip his clothing tightly.
Naruto turned to Flare.
They haven't seen each other in over two months since the Stark Incident.
His decision to leave and HOW he conducted it weighed on Naruto's mind.
"Flare…"
The hound put a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"After taking care of her…" Flare said as he looked at the babe. "I understand why you left. We are good."
Naruto felt decompressed as he felt the weight on his shoulders be lifted.
"Thank you, Flare."
Flare shook his head.
"I'd have done the same in your position…"
Stolas's Mansion…
Octavia had various clothing on her bed, trying to choose a good one so she could visit her fiancé…
'Ugh…' Octavia's face scrunched in irritation.
She didn't know what to wear.
'AAAAAAAAH, why is this SO FUCKING HARD!' She thought, wanting to rip her hair out.
A soft knock at the door pulled Octavia's attention.
Shaking herself of her irritation, Octavia opened the door.
"Dad…"
"Octavia," Stolas said, his eyes watery with tear stains on his cheeks, his voice scratchy and choked. "I need to talk to you…"
"Can it wait until after I have my visit with Riser?" Octavia asked, wanting to focus on one major thing.
"No…" Stolas choked out, shuddering, his lips trembling as tears started to stream down his face. "I… it can't…"
"Dad? What… what is wrong?" Octavia asked, feeling scared of the answer from her father's body language and actions.
"Your mother…" He snorted, wiping his face. "We are divorcing…"
Stolas just blurted it out, knowing it would be better than just dicking around.
Octavia felt a frizzy, cold chill run through her body.
She stood still as she stared at her dad, expecting him to change attitude and say he was joking.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"What happened…"
Stolas entered his oldest daughter's room, sitting on the bed.
"I am… I am sorry, I know it's a lot… with your future marriage… now this…I know it's a lot…" Stolas stammered, unable to focus on his words. "Please understand… Your mother and I… I felt… she's always been… I haven't been ha… We weren't in lo…"
Octavia watched as Stolas tried to form words, hands making gripping motions before they were planted on his wet face.
"I don't… I don't… have the words…" He choked out. "On top… top of that…" He wiped his face. "Stella is…"
Octavia watched her dad break further.
"Stella is taking Esther to be raised with her family, leaving you and me here…"
A pin drop's sound was loud enough to shatter glass.
Octavia started to cry.
Her body shuddered violently, making her hunch over and hug herself in a partial fetal position.
'Esther is being taken away…' She thought.
That fact scared her.
It terrified her.
Esther may have only been alive for just over a year, but she was her baby sister.
Octavia would kill for Esther.
She would DIE for Esther.
She would take up arms and lead legions of the undead and unholy abominations and plant-life against Heaven's forces for the sake of her baby sister if it meant Esther would have a better life.
But the fact Esther was going to be raised by Stella's side of the family put the fear of God and Lucifer into her, tenfold.
"When are mother and Esther leaving…"
"In a week, her family is preparing them space now…" Stolas choked out.
Octavia sat next to her father, feeling like her legs were going to give out.
Stolas put his arms around Octavia's shoulders.
She did not reject this.
She accepted it, needing a pillar of support.
She needed someone… who understood…
'I need to call Naruto…' Octavia thought as she pulled out her phone, selecting his number.
Father and daughter held each other, hearing the phone ring as Stella and Esther entered a car, intending to visit Stella's family.
*RING, RING*
*CLICK*
"Hello?"
"N-Naruto…" Octavia choked out. "We need you… and the red dickhead."
Chapter 76, DONE!
How is THAT for a twist. I bet NONE of you saw this coming. Bet you all expected Striker to be hired.
BUT NO, divorce, child/parent separation, and anxiety.
I know I am evil for separating Stolas from either of his children, but I hope Stella's reasons make sense. It was always my intention to show her as someone who is slighted and makes actions based on those slights. Because Vivzie making her a bitch from childhood rubs me the wrong way. Which is why I gave Stella the back story of her being Duty Bound to Family. I hope that makes sense.
It DOES NOT excuse her actions, but is a reason. Better than NO reason.
Anyway, if you liked this chapter, please leave a review, even if you hated it, because it helps me become a better author.