"Blitzy, I love you. I really do... but what the fuck?!" Said Stolas, massaging his temple in exasperation.
The anthropomorphic owl demon stood tall and imposing, his slender frame accentuated by his regal attire. His heart-shaped facial disk and piercing red eyes conveyed a blend of elegance and irritation.
"It's not even my fault!" Blitzo protested, arms crossed defensively. He jabbed a finger toward Millie, who was kneeling next to a luxurious sofa, gently stroking Eli's hair. "She insisted on keeping him!"
Millie didn't even glance up, her focus entirely on Eli. "Is my baby going to be okay, Stolas?" She asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Moxxie, standing beside her, rubbed her back soothingly. "Your Highness, please." He said, attempting to keep his tone polite. "Could you just check on him?"
Stolas sighed dramatically, stepping forward. "You've already told me what happened. The boy is likely just exhausted." He muttered. Yet, something nagged at him. Humans shouldn't have been capable of the magic described in their story—not unless they had demonic ties or royal lineage.
Kneeling, he placed a hand on Eli's head. A pulse of energy confirmed it: the boy was not connected to royalty or demons. Still, something was unusual.
"The young one is fine." Stolas finally declared with a small smile. "He's merely drained."
Millie let out a sigh of relief, her worry melting into a soft smile as she stroked Eli's hair. Moxxie exhaled deeply, clearly relieved as well.
"Great!" Blitzo exclaimed, clapping his hands. "That means we can leave now!"
As Millie prepared to scoop up Eli, Stolas raised a hand to stop her. "I'm sorry, little imp, but you can't keep him."
Millie froze, her eyes wide. "What?! Why not?" She demanded, pulling Eli protectively into her arms.
"Well, for one, he's alive." Blitzo interjected matter-of-factly, earning a sharp glare from Millie.
"Yes, that's exactly right, Blitzy! Very astute of you." Stolas cooed, causing Blitzo to recoil in disgust.
"Millie." Moxxie began cautiously, "I know you want—"
"No!" Millie interrupted, her voice rising. "Mister Stolas, please reconsider! There has to be a way to keep my baby here!"
Moxxie blinked at her outburst but placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Your Highness?" He asked, looking to Stolas for a final decision.
Stolas sighed, his feathered shoulders slumping. The female imp's attachment was startling, but he had to admit he was curious about Eli. Placing his hand on the boy's head once more, he frowned as something tugged at his senses.
"Interesting." Stolas murmured, his eyes narrowing. The boy's magical potential was off the charts—far beyond anything he'd seen in a human.
"Uh, Stolas?" Blitzo asked, waving a hand in front of his face. "You okay there?"
Stolas straightened, his expression carefully neutral. "Fine." He said smoothly. "Miss Millie, you may keep him."
"What?!" Moxxie and Blitzo exclaimed in unison. They were also suprised that Stolas actually called Millie by her name, other than Blitzo he never really bothered to learn or use the names of others.
"Really?!" Millie's face lit up with pure joy as she hugged Eli even tighter.
"But." Stolas continued, raising a finger, "There are two conditions."
"Anything!" Millie exclaimed, nodding so quickly that Moxxie feared her head might pop off.
"First." Stolas said, "He must visit me here every Friday."
"Why?" Millie asked, her happiness dimming slightly.
"Well." Stolas began, his tone nonchalant, "The boy fainted while saving all your lives. It's clear he has untapped magical potential. I'll teach him to control it so we won't have to worry about a repeat of today. Hmm?"
Millie nodded, seeing the logic, while Moxxie and Blitzo exchanged skeptical glances.
"And the second condition?" Moxxie asked.
Stolas grinned. "Blitzy, and the two of you little imps must accompany me and my daughter to Loo Loo Land as bodyguards."
Millie's eyes sparkled. "Loo Loo Land? Oh, Moxxie! We can take Eli to my favorite theme park!"
Moxxie forced a nervous laugh, offering a shaky thumbs-up.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Blitzo interrupted. "I run an assassination company, not a babysitting service!"
"I'll pay you," Stolas said simply.
"SOLD!" Blitzo's protest evaporated instantly.
Stolas chuckled in amusement. "Excellent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to examine the boy a bit further. Why don't you all wait outside?"
Millie hesitated but planted a kiss on Eli's forehead before reluctantly leaving with Moxxie. Blitzo followed, grumbling under his breath.
As the door clicked shut, Stolas leaned forward. "You're awake, aren't you?"
Eli opened one eye, his voice dry. "What gave it away?"
"How long?" Stolas ignored his first question.
"Since we arrived at your mansion." Eli answered honestly.
Stolas raised an eyebrow. "And why pretend?"
Eli shrugged, sitting up. "Didn't feel like talking."
The owl demon studied him for a moment, then asked, "Have you experienced anything unusual lately? It might explain your… unsettling magical potential."
Eli's expression darkened. "I didn't tell Millie everything about the camping trip." He admitted. "One of my sisters likes to roughhouse. She thought it'd be funny to shove me into a river. The current was strong. I was swept away… I thought I was going to die."
He paused, his voice growing quieter. "But then, someone pulled me out. A blonde woman in a Victorian red dress. All I remember before blacking out was her saying, 'Soon.'"
Stolas frowned, his mind racing. "Did you see her face?"
Eli shook his head. "No."
The owl scratched his chin, the description stirring a faint memory. "Interesting. Well, no matter. I'll see you next Friday, hmm?"
Eli nodded, rising to his feet and heading for the door.
Stolas watched him leave, his thoughts clouded. "Where have I heard that before…" He murmured before shrugging it off. "If I can't remember, it must not be important."
From the window, Stolas observed Millie envelop Eli in a bone-crushing hug, her joy evident.
Unbeknownst to him, the mirror in the room glinted ominously, as if watching.
A/N: I drop LORE! I hope it's interesting.
I noticed someone asking whether or not my OC is gonna meet characters from Hazbin Hotel. Well, I'm sorry to dissapoint but he won't because if I did. I'm gonna changed the story a lot more than I already did, while it still follows the plot. I already changed a few things, a little spoiler alert it involve Stella and if I add character from Hazbin Hotel than things will get a lot more complicated than it already is. But I will mention them though.
To the reader that said you like how my OC save IMP thanks because it took a while to think on how. Because in the original, that's where my OC actually kills. Also thanks for the concern, there's a reason why I keep my chapters around 1K words.
I read 'Hunted by my demons' it was, interesting, but not really my style.