It seemed like no time until the weekend was over and Octavia was being brought back to her father's estate, although that was likely due to the fact that she and her mother stayed with Camazotz the entire time. Much like Octavia had expected, her uncle could have cared less if she and her mother were around or not, doing just enough to seem like he'd like to have them around while also stating that he was also handling a lot of things as well. Not that Octavia cared if he put even more of an effort to have her around, Camazotz had proven to be far more enjoyable to be around than her uncle could ever hope to be. For once in as long as she could remember her mother had actually done something that she actually enjoyed. Hell, her mother had been fun to be around, and that was saying something given the recent years.
One thing that had surprised her the most, other than seeing her mother using spells, was that Stella had taken up fencing. It was surprising to say the least, seeing her mother do things that wasn't stereotypically girly and feminine was a shock. What was a bigger surprise, was that she was encouraging when Camazotz had offered to let her try it as well...although it wasn't really something she was really interested in. There was some things that she and Camazotz were able to have some common interest in, one in particular being music. Despite her regal and formal demeanor, which she only kept so much, Camazotz surprisingly had a wide taste in music; which surprised Octavia. Not only that, but she was interested in oddities, among other things, as well.
Octavia couldn't help but hope that more weekends with her mother would be at Camazotz's. She was still somewhat uncomfortable that now both her parents had someone else before they were even fully divorced, let alone the whole situation as a whole. But at least her mother showed to be a bit more tactful about it by not letting it be revealed to her in a way similar to how it was found out her dad was sleeping with an imp. It was one of the big things that made Octavia a bit more open to the relationship her mother had gotten in, even if Stella had made her promise to keep it secret until the divorce had been finalized. She didn't really care for keeping things from her father, but given the whole unpleasantness of the her family crumbling apart and how her mother had not only gave an explanation but put in effort to be a mother and not hide a relationship, she was willing to do so for that alone.
As Octavia and her mother approached the entrance of the mansion Stolas opened the door. "Ah, my little owlet, welcome back!" He said with a smile before shifting his gaze to Stella with a more business like expression. "Stella."
Stella looked at Stolas, hiding her indignation for how he didn't let a servant open the door. Seriously, had he just decided to fire all the staff or just let them do as they pleased? "Stolas." she responded much like the last time, doing her best to not let her contempt overtake her. And while the urge to berate him for not having servants do what they were supposed to, she fought it off with all the strength she had to keep things civil enough. "I trust you will be ready for tomorrow?" Stella inquired.
"Yes, yes. I'll be prepared." Stolas replied with about as much enthusiasm as her brother would show when he had to attend something he was in no way enthusiastic about.
Stella nodded in formal confirmation. "Good, I'll see you then." She said before turning her attention to Octavia. "See you Friday my princess of the stars." Stella said with a slightly warm smile, a remnant of something Stolas had not seen for years, if not centuries.
Seeing the slight smile alone surprised Stolas ever so slightly, although it seemed to not really surprise Octavia. Then again, Octavia and her mother hadn't been on all that bad of terms. So her not being surprised by Stella's smile wasn't really odd. Still, seeing Octavia smile back made Stolas wonder if perhaps Stella had started actually trying to be more of a mother. In any case, whether Stella had started becoming more of a proper mother or not, it didn't change the fact that the divorce would be going through. Still. At least it gave him some hope that there might be enough civility afterward that things could go smoothly when it came to Octavia.
After Octavia said goodbye to her mother she and Stolas headed back into the estate as Stella headed off, opening a portal back to Andrealphus' palace and walking through. She was well prepared to go through the whole divorce proceedings and talks, though she held out hope that the assassin she had hired would hurry up and make his next, hopefully successful, attempt on Stolas' life. Sure she could manage to likely go through the divorce with her dignity in tact and reveal Stolas as the traitor to the standards of nobility that he was. Hell, maybe find ways to ensure Octavia didn't suffer for her father's blatant disregard for standards and the system. But she had to stick to what she was taught, plus she relished the idea to much to back down now. The insult and attack to her pride and dignity must be answered for in kind and her daughter must never be the offspring of a traitor, never have others think that she might take after his ways. Better to be the daughter of a proud prince that indulged in the occasional thrill just because that was all it was and then assassinated by some unknown party than to be the daughter of a traitor who didn't care to make a mockery of what the Ars Goetia stood for.
As she walked back into Andrealphus' palace Stella made a note to check in with Andrealphus. "I'm back brother…" Stella said as she walked in on him in his study.
"Hmm? Oh, welcome back dear sister, hardly noticed you were away." The peacock demon replied. "I trust your stay at your friend's with Octavia went well?" Andrealphus inquired, though it was clear enough that he had enjoyed the fact they weren't around.
"It did." Stella replied. "I trust you've finished the terms of the divorce with no...funny business?" she inquired.
"Why dear sister you wound me." Andrealphus commented as he acted hurt. "But if you don't trust me-"
"I don't." Stella interrupted. "Given your prior attempts while writing it and what our parents taught us I'd be a fool to do so."
Andrealphus frowned, not expecting such backtalk from his younger sister. He didn't know what had gotten into her recently, but it was clear she wasn't going to be as easily manipulated or tricked as she once had been. "Fine." He said as he plopped the documents down on his desk. "Look over them if you must." There was a clear annoyance in his voice.
Stella moved over to his desk, grabbing the divorce terms and starting to scan over them. And it wasn't a brisk scan either, unlike prior drafts where she had been there to check as he wrote it, Stella was taking her time. It was clear she was picking apart every detail she could with a surprising efficient speed that Andrealphus didn't think she was capable of. She was no master of law and legality like himself or Mammon himself of course, but it was clear she wasn't going to let him slip anything by with ease. Had she been holding back her capabilities this whole time, or was this whole situation she found herself in giving her the motivation to not be made a fool of ever again? In either case, Andrealphus disliked it.
When she was finished and satisfied, Stella put the terms down. "This is sufficient." She commented, knowing it'd get under Andrealphus' skin.
"Sufficient?" Andrealphus commented with offense. "I'll have you know I put in some of my best work into these terms."
"I'm sure you did." Stella replied. "And if I wasn't careful you really would have." She added under her breath.
Andrealphus scowled slightly. "At any rate, I know you're following our parents teachings, but maybe you should call off your assassin."
Stella arched a brow at her brother. "Still trying to work that angle of yours?"
"All I'm saying is that we can likely get far more out of him alive than dead. We have him on being with a lower class demon and unfaithfulness to you so long as you get the evidence to show his treachery. If he dies, there's only so much you can get." Andrealphus explained.
Stella narrowed her eyes at her brother. "And like I said, I have enough as is. Yes it'll be nice to get a good chunk of Stolas' things, but I don't need ALL of it." She said with irritation. "Besides, you'll still be in prime position to take over his duties, so give it a rest."
"Fine, so long as you're sure that will happen."
"I am." Stella countered. "Now, If you'll excuse me, I need to prepare for tomorrow. Lucifer only knows how trying Stolas will attempt to make it." she muttered before heading off.
Andrealphus just motioned a goodbye to her, not really saying anything as she left. As Stella headed out of the room Andrealphus started formulating what he could do to try and make sure Stolas didn't die too quickly. Stella might be perfectly fine with her husband dying as soon as possible but Andrealphus didn't get where he was without hedging his bets. It was a simple matter of just ensuring that his servants to inform him of any calls to Stella and to run an identity spell to identify the caller. He'd also set in motion his contacts throughout the rings to keep an eye out for anyone that had a particular focus on Stolas while his soon to be ex-brother-in-law was about. One way or another, he was going to make sure Stolas was milked as long as possible.
As Tuesday morning came Blitzo woke with a yawn, stretching on the couch he called a bed. Rubbing the back of his head he got up and went to fix some coffee. The couch wasn't the comfiest thing to sleep on, but he'd be damned if he made Loona sleep anywhere else. Now if only she could just see and appreciate what he was trying to do for her. It didn't help either that she seemed to be infatuated with that red ass hat Carnavont. Blitzo didn't care if he SEEMED nice, the guy was still their business rival. That, and he just flat out didn't like the guy…or anyone that'd that'd have any interest in his little Loonie. The image of Loona wearing HOUND's uniform when he and Moxxie and Mills returned was seared into his brain like when he ran into that robotic version of Fizzarolli. He tried everything he could to get that fucking uniform and burn it, but Loona almost took his head off every time so he just had to grit his teeth and bear it.
When Blitz had finished making coffee for him and Loona he walked over to Loona's bedroom, knocking on the door. "Loona, coffee's ready. Get up so we can pick up M ."
It was a minute or two before Loona opened the door, looking at Blitz. "Morning...and don't you fucking dare try to sneak into my room to try and take that shirt." she muttered before going to get her coffee.
"He's our business rival! You don't need to be wearing his company's shirt or even have it!" Blitz argued.
"Well I don't care!" Loona countered. "Carnavont's really nice and so are his employees. Besides, it's not like I'm wearing it at work!"
"You shouldn't be wearing it period!" Blitz argued.
"Fuck off!" Loona growled. "I already promised to just wear it if I didn't have anything else and never at work."
Blitz groaned. "Forget it, I'm really not in the mood to start arguing today."
The two went about finishing their coffee and getting breakfast before getting ready and heading out to pick up Moxxie and Millie. As Blitz and Loona got into his van they were unaware that off on the nearby rooftops they were being observed closely. And as they headed off to pick up Moxxie and Millie, whoever or whatever was observing them followed from a distance.
Stolas frowned as a document was slid over to him from across the table he sat at. He had arrived at Andrealphus' somewhat early, having preferred to get the divorce terms over with as quickly as possible so he wouldn't be away from Octavia for too long. He also had his duties to go about still as well, so the sooner this was over with so they could proceed with the divorce the better. It was hard enough as it was just being as civil as he could be around both Stella and her brother, even if Stella seemed to be more reasonable than she had been in the past few years.
His eyes carefully went over the terms, going over them with the same studious observance as he gave his studies of the stars and prophecies he was tasked with as he sipped yje tea he was provided. This was his element, going over documents as keenly as he went over the smallest note of a constellation, oh how he enjoyed paper work as much as he did the stars. As he went over the document more though his eyes went wide as he spat out some tea he sipped. "Are you fucking serious?!" he shouted. "You're practically taking me for all I'm worth! Let alone the fact you're asking me to pretty much prostrate myself publicly!" he exclaimed. Much to the amusement of Stella and Andrealphus who had wicked smirks on their faces.
"Yes, well, you did cheat on the poor thing." Andrealphus exclaimed as his demeanor quickly became more business like. "Surely you can understand that adequate compensation is required. After all, my darling sister isn't the one that caused this situation now is she?" Andrealphus pointed out with the same slimy assuredness that Stolas could swear only Mammon could match, if not surpass.
"Cheating would imply that I hurt her, she clearly doesn't look hurt." Stolas shot back.
"Why you-" Stella caught herself before went off on Stolas, not wanting to prove her brother right as she caught the ever so slight glance towards her he did. "Unlike you, I know how to handle situations with dignity. Unlike you, who bawls his eyes out at even a silly Hella novella."
"Oh please, we both know that's a lie. You handle inconvenience better than Beelzebub handles a diet." Stolas countered. "And Hella novellas are gripping cinema!"
"Up you-" Stella caught herself again as she felt Andrealphus' eye on her. The peacock already face palming at their banter. "Look, we can take the piss out of each other afterword. Right now I just need you to agree to the terms."
"Not bloody happening." Stolas said, standing his ground. "You're asking way too much from me."
Stella frowned. "I'm asking the reasonable amount after what you bloody did to me and our family."
"What I did? You're just as guilty." Stolas argued.
"Bull shit! I'm not the one who slept with some low class commoner cur in OUR home then shows no shame for it, practically flaunting it to everyone!" Stella argued back. "You know the laws of Hell, the systems and standards put in place, this is treason to all of Hell's nobility, to what has been established!"
"And you being a royal bitch was helping things?" Stolas countered.
"Fu…" Stella bit her lip, still weary of her brother who was starting to show annoyance. "Regardless of what either of us did or didn't do the fact remains that YOU are the one who slept with a commoner, YOU are the one putting us at risk of getting into trouble with the other nobles and those higher than us! You know it's not allowed, you know that it is strictly forbidden that a low class lesser demon be with those of the greater classification in order to keep Hell's strength high and increasing. It's a wonder you haven't bungled up and your affair with that low class cur is known Hell wide! If it wasn't for the fact what happened on your night out was seen just as you having a bit of a risque thrill we'd be in deep shit right now. So this is the LEAST you can do; your mess, your price for causing it."
Stolas scowled. "Well I refuse. This is still way too much to ask and I thought that you could be reasonable with the compensation requests, but apparently I was wrong. And don't quote the laws and regulations of Hell to me! I've studied them since I was a boy, which is something I highly doubt you did until recently."
Stella summoned all the strength she could to not go all out on Stolas. "And yet you STILL put not just yourself, but Octavia also, at risk by your infatuation with this nobody!" She countered.
"Don't bring Via into this!" Stolas said defensively.
"And why not? Your actions affect her as well, or are you just going to ignore what they might do to her?" Stella argued before letting out a sigh. "But perhaps you have a point, maybe it is a bit too much."
"Stolas, Stella, please. I understand that this is a trying and difficult process, but surely we can come up with an amicable solution that leaves both parties satisfied yes?" Andrealphus said, keeping up the appearance as a somewhat neutral party. "My sister does bring up a point, you've done something that could jeopardize your family and Octavia. Let us not also forget your blatant and unbecoming display where you giddily declared your cheating in front of my sister's friends. With a display like that I'm amazed you were fine with a private divorce." he pointed out. "So I am with Stella on thinking these are reasonable. BUT, I am willing to confer about more...agreeable demands." he finished with a sly grin.
Stolas held back an exasperated sigh. Dealing with both Stella and her brother was far from a picnic, and headache inducing. He knew full well they would continue to push for what they could get, starting off with such strict demands to make still bad ones look reasonable. Hell, he was sure that they were also plotting to try and get him replaced...likely by Andrealphus himself.
But that would have to be something he'd have to deal with and be on guard for at a later point. Right now, he had to just suffer through this initial divorce terms discussion and stand firm on not being completely screwed over just because he decided to fall for an imp due to the fact he and Stella fell out of whatever love they managed to have. For all her spitefulness Stolas had to admit Stella wasn't wrong. He could have waited, get divorced when Octavia was out of the palace, or even work on their marriage…but he didn't. At least she was being civil enough still, Lucifer only knew how much strength that was taking. As he sat there, he wondered how Blitz's day was going.
Blitz cursed as he sat in traffic, it was already a long enough drive to get to Moxxie and Millie's apartment to pick them up. Sure they could just portal to pick up the eminems, but it was made pretty clear that the grimoire was strictly for their business only, not their personal convenient transportation method. Not that Blitz minded anyway, he enjoyed driving, the feel of the open road. Besides, they weren't exactly known for starting on time every day anyway. It felt like an eternity before they finally were able to make any progress, Blitz didn't even want to look at what time it was when they finally reached Moxxie and Millie's apartment. As they pulled up to the couples apartment, Moxxie and Millie were already outside waiting for them.
"Morning M !" Blitz greeted the couple as he rolled down the window.
"Morning Blitz!" Millie said with a cheery smile.
"Good morning sir." Moxxie replied.
"You two ready for another day of killing?" Blitz asked.
"Sure ar-" Before Millie could finish her sentence shots rang out, the group took cover as the bullets hit along the van.
"Oh what the hell?!" Blitz shouted. "Who's asshole am I going to have to plug full of holes?!" As he asked that, a gang of imps, who seemed to be possibly from Wrath, and some hellhounds showed up armed for combat. "Well fuck me."
"Get em!" shouted the imp that seemed to be in charge.
As the gang of would be assassins open fired again Blitz and Loona dove to the back of the van, Moxxie and Millie Dashing behind the van as bullets came their way. "Shit shit shit." Blitz said as he pulled out his gun and started firing back.
"Who'd you piss off this time sir?!" Moxxie asked as he and Millie opened the back of the van and dove in.
"No fucking clue. But if these jack asses want to die then I'm happy to oblige!" Blitz shouted back as he returned fire.
"Well please tell me you got weapons back here." Moxxie commented.
"Sorry, I don't plan on being fucking shot at while carpooling to work!" Blitz replied.
"Well we can't just sit in the van!" Loona pointed out.
"Shit, you're right." Blitz admitted. "OK, shit...uh….fuck…."
"Split up and try to get them separated so we can try to pick them off and take their guns?" Moxxie suggested.
Yeah, that!" Blitz replied.
The four immediately evacuated the van, Moxxie and Millie heading off in one direction as Loona and Blitz headed off in another, ducking fire as they did so. "Get after them!" the head imp said as he and his group split off to chase them down.
Moxxie and Millie frantically ducked and dodged as a portion of the group trying to kill them gave chase, scurrying wherever they could to keep their assailants from having a steady aim on them for too long. "Think you can keep em busy Mox while I double back to our apartment and get something we can use?" Millie asked as they dashed into a side alley.
"Yeah, sure….just not sure how long I can keep em occupied." Moxxie said as he spied two empty bottles and grabbed them.
"Don't worry, I'll be back in a flash!" Millie said as she started leaping up the side of the building, parkouring off it and the building across from it till she reached up to the fire escape of the first and scurried up to the top.
Moxxie quickly turned around as the thugs that went after him and Millie rounded the corner, quickly using his marksman skills to nail a hellhound dead center. "Come on you sacks of shit! It's going to take all of you to catch me!" he shouted as he flipped them off before running off, hoping that he could buy Millie enough time.
"Where's the other one?" Another hellhound asked.
"Dunno, just get the asshole first! We'll use him as bait and kill em both!" An imp said.
With that they gave chase, keeping on Moxxie as he lead them in as much of a roundabout chase as he could without making it obvious. He had briefly thought about breaking the bottles and giving them to Millie, or even breaking them and throwing them. But they were outnumbered and literally outgunned, the smart play was to get their minds solely on him and let Millie come back with something to even the odds and hopefully get the drop on a few of them. It was the best plan they could follow, with a few hellhounds being part of the group chasing them, trying to do hand to hand without any weapons would be suicidal at best.
Moxxie continued to lead his pursuers on as they gave chase, the only ones that he worried the most about catching up to him were the hellhounds since their more animal like form allowed for similar speed advantages to their Earthly counterparts. To that end he'd make as quickly random of turns as possible so they'd not have the chance to keep building momentum, even going so far as to cross a street or two while making sure it wasn't obvious he was making his way to slowly double back. As he ran, Moxxie could only hope that Blitz and Loona were fairing better. Sure Blitz might annoy him like hell with how he rarely seemed to know what he was doing, and Loona could be massively insufferable with her attitude and bullying, but they were still his boss and coworker and he wasn't about to be a bad employee or coworker.
"Fuck fuck fuck…" Blitz said as he and Loona made their way through an alleyway, Blitz returning fire as he and Loona ducked behind a corner. "I don't know who the hell I pissed off this bad, if anyone. But when I find out who sent these fuckers I'm going to shove his head up his own ass!"
"Yeah, well, we could take care of these guys faster if I had a fucking gun!" Loona commented as she peered out only to duck back as a bullet flew by. "Maybe I can get Carna-"
"Don't you fucking DARE suggest we call that guy for help." Blitz shouted as he fired his gun, hitting one of the pursuers.
"Or what?!" Loona shot back at Blitzo.
"Or I'll...take away your phone privileges at work, block him on it, and...get rid of that shirt!" Blitz shot back.
"Fuck you!" Loona angrily shouted. "Then what do you suggest we do? We're fucking outnumbered here and unlike humans they're not exactly easy kills!" she scolded scolded.
"I'm thinking!" Blitz replied as they started to move.
"Well you're not thinking fast enough! You know what, fuck it!" Loona said in frustration before breaking off from Blitz and turning back to get in enough eye sight of their pursuers to be seen, looking directly at two hellhounds. "Hey assholes! Some alpha dogs you are needing friends to kill me! More like little dickless bitches who can't take a girl on bare handed!" she said before running off in another direction.
"That bitch!" One of the hellhounds said before starting to run after her with the other Loona had insulted along with two others, leaving only the imps and one other hellhound. "We got the girl, you guys can handle the imp."
"Loona!" Blitz shouted before just barely dodging a bullet. "Fuck!" Not having a choice he fired at the rest of the hitmen to keep their attention on him and chase after him as he ran in the opposite direction. Hoping to Satan that Loona would be alright.
Loona led the hellhounds chasing her as far as she could before turning around to face them, growling as she slid a little from the momentum, getting down in a typical aggressive hellhound stance. "So dickheads, who thinks they have the balls to take me fairly? Or do you not have those as well?"
One of the hellhounds sneered. "Fucking bitch, I'll show you who has balls. She's mine." he stated as he charged at her.
Loona watched carefully as the assailant approached her, waiting a moment for him to get close enough to have not much time to react before lunging at him with teeth bared. While she knew there was likely a difference in skill and strength between her and the hellhounds she was facing, part of which being the natural strength difference between male and female hellhounds, she was well prepared to fight them from her years in the hellhole that was the orphanage. Not just because she had experience in being ganged up on, but she was VERY willing to fight as dirty as she needed to. As she tackled the hellhound she dug her claws as deep as she could, using the momentum not to try and get him to fall on his back, but to push off of him just enough while she was dug in to come swinging back down and deliver a clawed kick to his gut.
The hellhound stumbled, snarling as he glared at her. "Fucking bitch!" He shouted as he went to deliver a punch, hitting Loona in the gut, only for Loona to take it as she reeled back and headbutted him, making his head fly back a bit,
Before her opponent could recover she went for his neck while it was wide open, sinking her teeth as far into it as she could and ripping out a good chunk, kicking off of him and landing on her feet before spitting out what she bit off. "Who's next?" she asked as the hellhound she fought grabbed at his neck, falling back while he bled to death.
"Get her!" One of the other hellhounds shouted, the remaining three charging at her.
"Fuck." Loona swore as she dodged a fist to her head, quickly retaliating with a kick to the groin as hard as she could before being hit herself in the side of her head and gut. This wasn't going to be as easy as she thought, not that she was thinking it'd be that easy to begin with.
The fight was long and more brutal than Loona had anticipated, sure she thought that maybe she could play into their pride and egos to try and pick them off one by one, but apparently they were a bit smarter than she gave them credit for. It was hard enough to counterattack after she managed to dodge one of them, having to resort to fleeing a little before reengaging. Loona used her species canine speed and reflexes to round a corner to a closed off alley, charging full speed to the wall and using her momentum to leap at and push off it. Turning around, she did and delivering a kick to the side of the head of one of the hellhound goons and pushing off him to deliver a kick with her other foot to another.
As the two she hit stumbled against the wall to the right and left, the third hellhound that was pursuing Loona quickly grabbed her by the leg and threw her into the end of the ally with all his might, causing her to bounce off it as she hit with a yelp. As much as that hurt though she couldn't let up or slow down, doing so would likely mean death. Loona pushed through whatever pain she felt and charge headlong, ducking low as the hellhound that threw her readied to defend himself, going for his left leg close to the ankle and sinking her claws into it with a viscous swipe which made the hellhound yelp and stumble back a fair bit.
"Come on fuckers, is that all you got?!" Loona snarled as the hellhound she gashed snarled in anger, struggling to stay up on both feet. As she started to charge at the one she injured to press the advantage, one of the ones she kicked recovered in time to charge shoulder first into her side and send her into the side of one of the concrete buildings that made up the alley. Loona yelped as she felt her left arm press full on hard into the building.
Loona didn't dare pause for a moment, instead swiping at the eye of the one who charged her before he could back off enough, nearly gouging it and quickly pouncing on him and ripping his throat out before he could recover. Two down, two to go, she could only hope Blitz was fairing better than she was, fighting these hellhounds claw to claw was borderline insane as proven when the other two ganged up on her, one distracting her as the other slammed her head into the alleyway wall, the other delivering a punch to her nose. Yeah, she was going to hurt like hell afterword, if not be recovering for a few weeks.
Blitz continued to curse as he kept a distance between him and the gang of hitmen that were trying to end him, firing back when he could. This day was utter shit, and he was definitely going to tear the dick off whoever sent these guys after them. And whoever sent them knew exactly what they were doing too as these weren't exactly pushovers. Hell, the fact most of them were imps from Wrath showed that. While imps from there were mostly inbred chucklefucks in his opinion, he also knew that the vast majority of the Wrathian imps were skilled enough to pose a challenge. Hell, it's why they were trained and selected to serve in the majority of Hell's armies more than the imps of other rings, they were just tougher and stronger. Well, for the most part, they still had imps that were just...well, Moxxie like in even numbers.
"Fuck!" Blitz exclaimed as a bullet passed cleanly through his leg as he turned a corner. Pushing past the pain he quickly fired back, managing to kill two of the assailants. He really didn't have time for this, nor could he let the pain get to him. Satan only knew what kind of trouble Loona was in and what the situation with Moxxie and Millie was. All Blitz could do is let the adrenaline keep him going like he was fine until everything was done, at least he had thinned their numbers down to just three plus the hellhound.
Of course, this running and firing strategy wasn't going to make things go any faster, Blitz knew those two kills he just had was luck for the most part. So he had to think of something to end this and end it fast. Spying some trash cans he got an idea, of course it wasn't a great idea and was risky, but it was the best he had. With what little time he had he knocked them over to make it appear he was still running and getting sloppy, quickly getting in one that was facing away from where he had come and let it roll across towards the alley adjacent, praying to Satan that it would work which hopefully it did as he was pretty sure none of the hellhounds had gotten his scent.
Blitzo stayed as quiet and still as he could as he let the trashcan roll, keeping a good ear out as he heard the hitmen approaching. He held his breath, listening closely. They paused for a moment, the longest agonizing moment of his life before turning down to the alley he had rolled away from in the trashcan. Exhaling, he waited a second before popping out and firing, hitting the three imps. "Ha! Dumbasses!" he mocked as he went to shoot the hellhound, only for the hound to charge at him, managing to swipe across Blitzo's torso along the left side before Blitz managed to put a bullet in the heelhound's head while he fell back from the attack.
"Fuck…" Blitz commented as he breathed heavily. He was hurt, and doubted he could do such a fight again, but quickly got up and used the adrenaline rush he was still having to try and get back to Loona, hoping she was still OK.
Loona snarled as she was kicked in the gut, stumbling back some as she just barely had time to dodge a swing to her head. She backed off a bit as she panted, wiping some blood away as she glared the two other hellhounds down. She had taken a beating, there were bruises here and there about her body but Loona refused to let that hinder her. Taking a few measured steps back she kept her eyes on the two hellhounds, watching them closely and waiting for an opportunity no matter how small.
It wasn't long until Loona got what she was looking for, the two other hellhounds went for an attack. And even though she knew she'd likely get hurt in the process, Loona went on the offensive. Dodging the attack of one as she rushed up to him and dug her claws as deep into his neck as possible as she swiped at him, sending him falling back but getting swiped along her side in return. But now it was a far more manageable fight with just the one remaining.
No words were exchanged as Loona and the remaining hellhound stared each other down as they growled, both on all fours and keeping low. Neither was going to give an inch and neither was going to be intimidated by the other. Loona especially wasn't going to let the last hellhound have any relief or sway as she flipped him off, the male hellhound barking in anger before rushing at her only for Loona to charge back at him.
What followed was a mess of colliding forms as they clashed into each other, a flurry of teeth and claws being exchanged as the two hellhounds twisted and contorted on the ground in their struggle. Each connecting blows before kicking off each other and once more circling the other as they growled, looking for an opportunity. What felt like hours was but moments before they charged each other again, tumbling intertwined as they collided, scratching and biting before breaking off once more. Not wanting to continue the exchange longer than needed, as they went at each other again Loona shifted just to the side of the hellhound as he lunged, going for and biting deep into the side of his neck, keeping a firm hold onto it until he stopped struggling.
Loona panted as she stood up, clutching her side as she steadied herself. "Fuck...going to feel that in the morning." she muttered before going to find Blitz. Thankfully she had his scent memorized so it was easy enough to pick up his scent when she got close to where they had split off.
It wasn't long till Blitz spotted Loona, having doubled back to the same area knowing she'd likely try to track him. As he spotted Loona he ran up to Loona, hugging her. "Oh my sweet little Loonie you;re alright! Thank Satan!"
"Yeah, well, I'm not helpless you know?" Loona muttered. "You look like shit by the way." she noted, looking at the injuries he sustained. "Smell like it too." Loona added as she held her nose. Pushing Blitz off of her with a shove.
"Had to hide in a trash can." Blitz commented out. "Now come on, let's go find Mox and Mills before they headed to find Moxxie and Millie.
Moxxie continued to lead the pursuing goons on a chase, slowly making his way around to head back to where he and Millie had split up. As he ran he dodged shot after shot, his learned knowledge of firearms helping him know their typical trajectory and typical accuracy in the hands of most wielders. He could only hope that he bought Millie enough time to find something as he continued to lead them on, still trying to buy Millie enough time just in case.
When he finally made his way back he didn't see any sign of Millie yet, quickly darting down the adjacent alley without thought with the imps and hellhounds hot on his trail. Although much to his dismay he quickly realized it was a dead end, turning around to see the pursuers closing in on him.
"Heh, nowhere to run now, looks like you fucked up." said one of the imps as he closed in, dodging the last remaining bottle Moxxie had as he threw it. "Restrain him, when his little girlie shows up we'll use him as leverage before killin both of em."
Moxxie glared as he looked about frantically for anything he could use, anywhere he might could possibly scale. But the fact that they were going to use him to get an easy kill on Millie made his blood boil. He was about to lunge at them, force them to have to kill him so Millie could not hold back and kill them all when Millie came from above, impaling a hellhound dead center in the head with a knife.
"NOBODY'S TOUCHING MY MAN!" she hissed in demonic in demonic fury before spring boarding off the hellhound and landing next to moxxie. "Sorry that took so long Mox, unfortunately I couldn't find any spare weapons of mine so having to use the good utensils." she commented. "Buuut, I did get you this. I was going to save it for Sinsmas, but I think you can have your present early." Millie added as she handed Moxxie a pair of handguns.
Moxxie blinked as he looked at them, they looked similar to the ones he already had, even down to the musical note on the side. But on the other side of each was their initials in a heart with "Together Forever". Moxxie could hardly contain the bubbling emotions of love and surprised unworthiness. "Millie…"
"They're loaded too, you can thank me after we kill these sonuva bitches." Millie smiled.
Moxxie smiled back before both he and Millie put their full attention on the group in front of them, wicked murderous grins forming on their faces. "Let's get em Millie." Moxxie said with loving glee.
"Shoot them!" Cried one of them imps as their assailants opened fire.
Moxxie and Millie surged forward, dodging gun fire as they got up close, Moxxie quickly felling two imps as Millie stabbed a third to death. The remaining handful of imps decided to fall back a bit as the last three of their accompanying hellhounds provided back up by two of them discarding their weapons and each going for one of the imps. As they lunged at Moxxie and Millie, both of them scurried up the larger hellhounds, Moxxie shooting his point blank as Millie stabbed hers. The two then jumped off of each hellhound before they fell and landing on the remaining one, finishing him off together before leaping off him and landing right in the center of the remaining goons.
They wasted no time in killing them, Moxxie killing two with his guns as Millie stabbed the third and fourth. The last two looked at each other before trying to flee, only to be gunned down by Moxxie, with Millie assisting with the final imp, nailing him in the back of the head with the knife. With the last two down, the two looked at each other, starting to make out before pulling back a moment later.
"We should check on Blitz and Loona…" Millie commented.
"Yeah, yeah…" Moxxie agreed.
Millie picked up the knife as they started to run back to where they had initially split up from Blitz and Loona, the group eventually meeting up back at Blitz's van. "Oh thank Satan, you're both alright. Well, sort of." Millie said as she looked at Blitz and Loona.
"I'll be fine...once we kill the fucker who sent those guys after us….OWE!" Blitz said, flinching as he grabbed his side.
"I don't think either of you are in any shape to do anything…" Moxxie commented as he noted their injuries.
"I said I'm fine Mox, just need some alcohol and a target." Blitz insisted.
As the two argued Loona's ears twitch as she thought she heard something, looking up only to see a shining glare from up on a building across the street…and a dot….on Blitz. "Shit!" she exclaimed as a shot rang out, knocking Blitz out of the way only to be struck by the bullet and collapsing.
"Loona!" Blitz exclaimed as he started firing at where he heard the shot come from, Millie rushing to Loona's side to check on her along with Moxxie.
"Sir, she's still breathing, but she's going to need a hospital. The bullet thankfully missed her vital areas based off the entry wound, but if you want her to recover quickly we need to move now!" Moxxie shouted.
"Fuck!" Blitz exclaimed as he sneered, turning his attention to helping Moxxie and Millie getting Loona in the van before speeding off.
Meanwhile, the assailant that had tried to shoot Blitzo, a winged Lust ring imp, pulled out a phone and dialed a number. "Hey, unfortunately we couldn't get them. But I don't think they'll be causing any problems for you during this attempt, their boss is too injured to fight and I hit their hellhound."
"Hmm...not ideal, but Blitz and his hellhound were my bigger concerns." replied a voice over the phone. It was light yet gravely with a slight country accent. "I can work just as good with them preoccupied as I could them being dead."
"So, the job's done then?" The imp asked.
"Yeah, it's done." The voice replied.
"Pleasure doing business with you." The imp said. "Though...why not do this yourself, if you don't mind me asking."
"Because…" The voice started. "I've got a target of my own I'm about to deal with."
"Got it." The imp said. "Thanks again for the upfront payment."
"No problem." The voice remarked.
"Would you like any assistance with your job in case the other two show? I'm sure I can round up some more men." the imp offered.
"No, they're no real threat to me." The voice replied. "If the other two do show up, I'll be able to handle them easily. After all...I beat them once already, they just got lucky last time." It added, a rattle like snake hiss following after before the call was ended.
