Chapter 11:
Guest- Nope he wouldn't. In fact, they'll be singing a different tune when they figure out who he is.
Reviews are asked, but unnecessary.
Hell
Ring of Wrath
"I can't believe Mildred is getting married to that scrawny hick." Said a muscular Imp as he watched a car coming to his ranch, his yellow eyes glaring in disapproval at who was at the wheel. "There were plenty of other guys out in Hell and she choose him. For fuck sake, we helped her by setting up so many dates with strong, muscular, guys and she choose that scrawny little bitch." The female Imp next to him, a plump woman with black hair and horns named Lin, just sighed before speaking.
"I don't like it as much as you, Joe." Said Lin as she also glared at the driver of the car, disapproving of him and his safe driving. "In fact, if I had the chance, I would strangle that shit stain, disembowel the body before placing the remains in a shredder and watch as all that blood and body parts fly all over the place. Even if all that is going to be small as fuck given the size of that scrawny Imp. *Sighs* What in Satan's name does she see in that bastard anyway? Not only does he look like his bones can break easily without much effort, but his fucking mannerisms just drive me up the fucking wall? Like, doesn't that idiot understand what an Imp from Wrath wants and respects? For fuck sake, we gave him a chance to prove himself and he blundered in such a way that it makes me wonder who the fuck raised that Imp because they sure as hell did a shit job at it." Sighing again, Lin looked at Joe and then back at the car. As much as she disapproved of her daughter's choice of a husband, she had to accept it.
Millie, her daughter, was stubborn, likely getting it from both of her parents, and refused to break up with Moxxie, the man she chose as her husband. Even after they demanded she breaks up with him, she refused, standing her ground, and ultimately, they yielded to Millie's choice of husband and reluctantly gave him their blessing. Yet, despite all that stubbornness from their daughter, both she and Joe disapprove of Moxxie.
To them, he wasn't good enough for their daughter. He wasn't the right one for her and she's going to suffer tremendously with him as a husband. Both financially and socially. Hell is not a place for the weak. The weak get trampled on, taken advantage of, or killed. Well, all that and the fact that he was a scrawny and weak Imp that relied on guns to kill and not his actual physical strength. What kind of Imp from Wrath can't even kill a pig? A weakling that's what. The fact that he was raised by a Sinner too also lowered their opinion of Moxxie when he revealed to them that it was a Sinner that raised him and not an Imp. Like most Hellborn demons, both of Millie's parents thought lowly of Sinners, demons that were initially human and went to Hell when they died. Damn bastards were what caused the Exterminations to happen in the first place. They lost a lot of good friends to those Exterminations and the Sinners just keep coming and coming, causing more Exterminations to happen. Needless to say, both of Millie's parents didn't like Sinners and that dislike transferred to Moxxie as well since he was raised by one.
Soon, the car stopped near their ranch house, and out came both Millie and Moxxie, both in their wedding attire.
"Mama! Daddy!" Yelled Millie as she ran up to them, careful not to dirty her dress, before launching herself at her dad, who caught her with ease.
"Oh, sweetie! Mama is so proud of you." Said Lin as she smiled at her daughter. Even if she was getting married to someone that she disapproved of, she was still getting married, and thus it was a special day for her. Joe and Lin didn't want to ruin a special day for their little killing machine just because of their dislike towards her chosen mate. "You're finally getting yourself married and starting a family of your own. Oh, I'm so proud of you, Mils! Even if it's with that scrawny Imp you picked for a husband." Although a part of Millie was displeased with what her mother called Moxxie, she still flashed a big smile and hugged her dad. This happy reunion between a daughter and her parents was then interrupted by Moxxie, who nervously went towards his future in-laws with a weak smile on his face.
"Hi, Lin and Joe." Said Moxxie, catching the attention of Joe and Lin. Upon seeing their future son-in-law, Millie's parents frowned at Moxxie, glaring at him with disapproval. Seeing this, Moxxie smiled nervously at them, though a part of him still felt hurt that they were so disapproving to him dating their daughter and now marrying her.
This had been a thing that he had to endure with ever since he started dating Millie. Both Joe and Lin didn't approve of him from the moment they saw him. In fact, their opinion of him actually got lower as time went on, even more so when they learned that he was not only a Wrath Imp but also raised by a Sinner.
Both Joe and Lin hated Sinners because they were the reason that the Exterminations occurred and they lost a great many family members and friends to them according to Millie. Thus, because he was raised by one, they hated Moxxie as well. To make matters worse for Moxxie, they also despised him because they saw him as a worthless Wrath Imp. This was because they believed a Wrath Imp should be someone that was muscular, brave, and can kill with his bare hands with ease. Moxxie…wasn't that type of Wrath Imp. Thus, they saw him as an embarrassment to their Home Ring and an even more embarrassment for dating and eventually marrying their little girl. Despite Millie assuring him that they'll turn around eventually and accept him, Moxxie knew that nothing can truly make Joe and Lin approve of him beyond him becoming a completely different person that met their tastes. Well, actually, there was one thing that could make them approve of who Moxxie was and that was his dad.
He sincerely doubted that Joe and Lin will keep their disapproval of Moxxie when they learn who his dad was and how powerful he is, even if he was a Sinner. Much as it seemed enticing to just sic his dad on them to make them accept him, he didn't want that. He wanted to earn their approval the old fashion way. To make them accept who he was as a person and not accept him because of his dad and his power. He knew that it was a harder task but it was also the right path to take in Moxxie's mind. Good things come for those that work hard, right? Plus, he was pretty sure his father wouldn't approve of him being used to forcing Millie's parents to accept Moxxie as it would be not only a waste of time but also be seen as Moxxie just using his dad's prestige and power to get what he wanted rather than by his own merits and that was something his dad didn't like at all. People use the power and accomplishments of others to get what they want. So, here they were.
"Hello, runt." Said Joe with a scowl as he put down Millie and glared down at Moxxie while crossing his arms with Lin doing the same. "See you're still alive and in one piece. And that Mildred didn't dump your ass."
"Dad!" Yelled Millie with a glare, giving him a warning to behave and not stir shit up on her wedding day, a day that was supposed to be a happy day for her, her family, and Moxxie. "Can you let up on Moxxie today!? This is supposed to be our special day!" Joe, upon hearing that, exhaled rudely before looking at Lin, who thought about it for a while before nodding.
"Alright, Mildred, we'll stop." Said Joe as he looked at Moxxie. "But don't mistake this as us accepting you, got it? We still think that Mildred could have chosen someone better than you. Someone a lot more reliable and stronger than you ever could be." Though a part of Moxxie was hurt by their words, Moxxie nonetheless nodded at the truth of their words. He was really lucky that Millie choose him and he wasn't going to let her go no matter what.
That must have been all that Joe had to say as both he and Lin were escorting Millie and Moxxie to where the wedding was going to take place, which was the backyard of their home.
Unlike those big weddings shown on T.V., Millie's family always opted to have a small and quiet wedding to which only family and very close friends were invited. This was a combination of the insular nature of Millie's family and cost issues. While they weren't exactly poor, they weren't rich either. Thus the necessity of having a small wedding. Not that Millie minded. So long as her parents were here and her soon-to-be husband was around, she wouldn't mind the size and scale of her wedding.
Walking to the reception, Millie gasped in happiness at seeing all of her brothers and sister present along with their families. Squealing in happiness, she let go of Moxxie's hand and proceeded to meet up with her siblings, to catch up with them.
Sighing as Millie interacted with her siblings, Moxxie looked at Joe and Lin, who just gave him a glare in disapproval before leaving to check on the final touches of the wedding. With him alone, Moxxie gave a sigh and gave a look around the small reception.
Everyone present was a part of or, at least, knew Millie's family to some extent and was here for them. None of them were here for Moxxie. Heck, Moxxie was willing to bet that all they knew about him was that Millie's family disapproved of him and that he was nothing but a scrawny and weak Imp from Wrath. The ring is known for producing the physically strong Imps of the entire race and preferring killing with their bare hands over firearms. Those two facts alone would have them scratching their heads, even laughing, at Millie for choosing him. A Wrathian Imp was not only scrawny as hell for being a Wrath Imp but also preferred firearms over killing with his bare hands.
Sighing again, Moxxie went to a nearby chair and sat on it, waiting for the wedding to start. As he waited, he thought of his dad and how much he wanted him here along with Morgana. The former because he was his father and had raised him since he was a baby. The latter because she was the closest thing he had to a friend and perhaps the only friend he made and by that an actual friend. He learned pretty early on that Hell isn't a place to make friends or at least friends that fitted his description of what friends should be like. In fact, Hell wasn't something he thought it would be like at all.
When he first started out in Hell, he had been excited. Not only was he far away from his dad's influence, allowing him to see how different societies can operate without him, but he was getting a chance to see the world that his mother was born and lived. The place that his kind called home. He initially thought it would be a fun and informative time in Hell, where he'll get to experience so many new things than what he can get from Mitna Rachnun. Well, he certainly get the experience and informative part, but the fun part was something he never got at all until he meet Millie.
Life in Hell, as it turned out, was, quite frankly, a piece of shit. Oppression and discrimination were all over Hell with the demons of all types and races discriminating and abusing one another for a variety of, but often petty and stupid, reasons. Corruption was rampant as well with things like murder and rape not only ignored but actively encouraged by whatever law enforcement Hell had, which was so stupidly corrupt that they may as well be called gangs than officers of the law, with them frequently getting in on it as well. And then there was the constant backstabbing, betrayal, and bullying that occurred in all classes of Hell.
Moxxie couldn't count how many times he thought he made a true friend in Hell, only for them to betray his trust once he realized they were only using him for their own ends. It hurt him that people were using him for a wide variety of reasons. Whether that be to get better grades in school, of which all were of questionable quality as Moxxie learned in his twenties, without trying or because they wanted him to advance their own position in Hell's society, the betrayals always hurt him and left him questioning why Lucifer, the leader of Hell, was allowing all this. He was supposedly all-powerful yet he allows all this corruption and suffering to fester and grow in his kingdom. He allows the upper class to abuse those less fortunate than them whenever they wanted and, to top it all off, he allows another afterlife to annually send its soldiers to kill off his people. Just like that, he doesn't send out his own soldiers to protect his people or even try anything at all to make this stop. He just allows it and only protects those he cares about supposedly and it pissed Moxxie off. It made him mad and it made him realize that his father was right. About everything at least when it came to Hell.
If his dad was in charge, none of Hell's problems would even be a thing. The Extermination, as it was called, would have never occurred and he would fight against those that were trying to kill his people. Corruption would be kept to a minimum and education would be better under his father's rule. He was sure of it. And, to top it all off, he would allow the lower class to actually advance in society, no matter what their race or societal place originally was, unlike Lucifer and his subject, who don't allow Imps to advance beyond being just working-class slaves or servants for the upper class. Between his faith in his father and his disgust with what Hell is like, Moxxie decided that he was with his father one hundred percent. Mordekaiser had brought him to Hell fifteen years ago so he can decide if he wanted to help his father in taking over Hell or not. Well, Moxxie made his decision finally. He was going to help his dad out however he can.
As he thought about how to contact his father to tell him the good news, Millie suddenly went to her soon-to-be husband with a smile.
"Honey, the wedding is about to start soon." Said Millie as she looked at Moxxie with love and devotion. "Are ya ready?" Upon hearing that, Moxxie looked at his soon-to-be wife with a smile before nodding.
"Yeah, I can't wait for us to be finally married." Said Moxxie as he got up and held Millie's hands. The two were about to leave for the alter when Joe came over to them, yelling for Moxxie.
"Moxxie, for fucks sake! Why the fuck didn't you tell us you got someone coming over!?" Yelled Joe as he walked over to them, an angry expression on his face. Upon hearing that, Moxxie looked at Joe in confusion.
"But I didn't invite anyone here." Said Moxxie in confusion. All the people that he knew were Sinners and Sinners weren't allowed in any Ring of Hell beyond Pride. So, he couldn't invite any of them even if he wanted to.
"Then why the fuck do we got an Imp that's saying he knows you and wants to meet you!?" Yelled Joe, fury clear in his face. Upon hearing that, Moxxie blinked at this. At first, he thought it was one of the Imps back at high school. The ones that constantly tried to use him for a bunch of reasons. He was about to tell Joe that he didn't know any Imp that he would invite here when Joe spoke something that stunned him. "That fucking Imp claims he's working for your dad too! That good-for-nothing father of yours!"
Upon hearing that piece of information, Moxxie was stunned and so was Millie. His dad sent someone to see Moxxie's big day. Really? Stunned at this as he didn't think his dad would do such a thing at all, Moxxie ignored the words that Joe had to send about his dad and went straight for the house that Millie's family-owned. Ignoring Joe's yelling at this, Moxxie found himself running into the house, sweeping it up and down for the Imp that supposedly came because of his father. Sure enough, he found the Imp waiting outside the house. Upon seeing the Imp, Moxxie gasped at the green glowing eyes coming out of the dark trench coat and hat that covered all but the Imp's eyes and tail. Stunned at the image, Moxxie was struggling to find words when the Imp went up to him and spoke.
"Moxxie." Said the Imp in, to Moxxie's shock, the voice of his father. At first, Moxxie thought that his father was possessing the Imp or something, but one glance at the Imp's eyes showed him the truth. This was the revenant he called a father. This was Mordekaiser. Just adopting the form of an Imp so he can be here without much issue. "It's so good to see you again, my son." Stunned at hearing the voice of his dad coming from the Imp, Moxxie didn't do anything as the Imp grabbed him by the shoulder and lead him down the porch so they can sit down. Once they did, the Imp brought out a hand. The hand glowed a bright green a bit before waving around them, creating a sort of shield before it dissipated. "There. I've cast a spell around us to prevent people from hearing what I'm about to say. Don't worry, I won't take long from your special day." Moxxie took a moment to find his voice before speaking up.
"How are you here?" Asked Moxxie as he pointed at his dad. "With that disguise?"
"*Chuckles* Lucifer has many rules, but few to actually enforce them." Said Mordekaiser, laughing internally at how easy it was for him to disguise himself as an Imp and go through the elevators that led from Pride Ring to the Wrath Ring. It had been almost too easy that Mordekaiser questioned why Lucifer was ruling Hell for long as his agents told him. What was the point of having rules and restrictions in place if you don't have people to enforce them or punish those that break them? The Iron Revenant's opinion of the ruler of Hell was lowering with each passing day. "A simple transformation spell and I managed to get by what security was at those so-called elevators, son. Truly it was pathetic how easy it was in passing them. Now, before I get angered with Lucifer, tell me Moxxie. Who is the fortunate woman that has the honor of marrying my son? I heard about her from my spies, but I want to hear about her from your lips." Upon hearing that, Moxxie found the strength to speak before replying.
"She's an Imp called Millie, dad." Said Moxxie as he looked at the Imp that had the voice of his father. "We met a year ago while I was out practicing songs I made. She's a wonderful Imp. She's just amazing, dad. Not only does she have the most stunning voice, but she's the most wondrous and caring Imp that I've ever met. The only caring Imp now that I think about it. I think you would love her dad. I told her a bit about you and she loves all of it. I even gave her the gifts you sent me regarding finding someone to marry and she loved them."
"I see." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at his son. "Well, I'm pleased to find that you found a good female to marry. Especially after all those others that only used you for your body or intellect." Upon hearing that, Moxxie looked at the Imp in shock.
"What?!" Yelled Moxxie in shock as he never told his dad anything about his life in Hell. Mainly because he had no way to do so. "How did you figure that out?!"
"I have many eyes and ears in Hell, Moxxie. Remember?" Said Mordekaiser as he looked at his son, who looked down in embarrassment as he forgot how many agents and spies his dad has in Hell now. In fact, he suspected he had his life saved by them more times than he actually thinks because of how many people he pissed off during his school years. Whether that be breaking up with Imps that used him or him reporting their illegal activities to local authorities. The latter which he forwent on doing anymore when he realized just how easy it was to bribe law enforcement there was with sex and money. "Several of them have seen how some of the Imps that interacted with you used you for their own selfish goals. While they didn't inform you of their intentions sooner, they did inform me and I was less than pleased with those fools. Especially those who only used you for your body or intellect."
"Yeah." Said Moxxie as he looked at the ground, remembering those Imps that used him back in school. It was painful and made him realize what Hell really was and how much his dad was right. "They hurt me, dad. Hurt me in ways that I don't think the Exterminations ever could. And to make matters worse, I kept falling for it. Even in my twenties, I kept falling for it. I just kept thinking that this one will be different from the others. But…"
"I see." Said Mordekaiser as he looked away. Unbeknownst to Moxxie, Mordekaiser knew all about those that used his son for their own ends. Hearing that his son was used for pathetic reasons such as his body or just because they could, Mordekaiser sent some of his agents to punish them after he was certain that they would not be forgotten. Fortunately, there just happens to be a day in Hell where he can kill and punish those fools without any issues. The one benefit of an inefficient regime. That and how easy it is to turn public support for him. He just had to pull the right strings.
But going back to his son, Mordekaiser placed a hand on Moxxie's shoulder, causing Moxxie to look at him in shock. His father never did anything like this before.
"Then I'm glad to hear that you found someone actually worthy of you." Said Mordekaiser in as much of a caring voice as he possibly can. Something he never thought he do, but upon seeing the pained look on his son's face as he reminisced, he decided to do so. A feeling deep within telling him to do so. "You'd best pray for her sake and her family that she isn't trying to use you. Otherwise, they will feel my wrath when my ascension comes." Moxxie just smiled at his dad showing how he cared about Moxxie in his own way before speaking in defense of Millie and her family.
"No need to worry about that, dad." Said Moxxie feeling better because of his dad's words. "I promise you. Millie is different from the others. I swear on my life. In fact, Millie ripped in half the last two that used me when she saw them. Brutally too."
"With her bare hands?" Asked Mordekaiser as he looked at his son. When he nodded, Mordekaiser hummed in approval. "Interesting. So long as she serves her purpose in making you happy, then anything else is a mere way to improve her standings to me." Moxxie smiled at that, happy that his father was giving his blessing to Millie. He just wished that she could meet him now and see just how great his dad was. Mordekaiser must have sensed this and explained why he can't see Millie now.
"You know I cannot show myself here." Said Mordekaiser as he looked away from his son to look at the dirt road and fields of food around them. "Lucifer's foolish rules prevent me from being here legally. Revealing myself here will only complicate my plans to usurp Lucifer in ruling Hell. And I will not compromise those plans, even for you, Moxxie."
"I know." Said Moxxie, a bit disappointed. "I understand that. Even more so than before."
"Really?" Asked Mordekaiser, turning back to his son, pleased to hear what he was saying. "Then you support my designs for Hell?"
"Yes." Said Moxxie with a nod before frowning. "After seeing and experiencing what Hell has, you have my support dad. Lucifer. He's a fucking piece of shit. He keeps letting the Exterminations occur. He lets Overlords and the demon royalty here to fuck everyone here for their own entertainment. And the fucking corruption here is beyond fucking ridiculous." Refraining from ruining his hairdo, Moxxie took a deep breath before looking his dad in the eyes. "Everything here is so bad that I think Morgana would one hundred percent support you in taking over. In fact, I think everything here would anger her so much that she'll go on a one-woman rampage in Hell when she learns about what life in Hell is like."
"Interesting." Said Mordekaiser, very pleased at all that he was hearing. It seems that taking over Hell was going to be easier than he originally thought. Between what Moxxie was claiming about Hell and what he received from his other agents, Mordekaiser would be appalled and disgusted with the state of Hell if it didn't make things easier for him. If he could convince the people that he was a better ruler than Lucifer, then his takeover can be done swiftly and without much bloodshed. The warrior part of him would be disappointed at the lack of bloodshed, but the intellect and pragmatic part of him was thrilled at such an opportunity being a good option for taking over Hell.
Still, despite the option of taking over Hell without much bloodshed and violence being revealed to be more and more viable, Mordekaiser will still plan ahead for the worst. Only a fool invades other people with only one plan and confidence in it. One must have redundancy and all the information he can muster to ensure a swift and decisive victory as possible. To fail in having either when they had the time shows a lack of intellect and an abundance of stupidity and arrogance. And Mordekaiser was neither of those two. He will plan for every contingency and possibility. And he will conquer Hell and use it as a stepping stone to conquer everything else in existence. That he is destiny and he won't let anyone stop it.
Thinking that he took up too much of his son's time, Mordekaiser told Moxxie that he was leaving soon.
"I'll still be watching your wedding from the shadows." Said Mordekaiser as he got up and brought out something for Moxxie. A piece of paper. "Consider this as my gift for your wedding." Taking the piece of paper from his dad, Moxxie looked into it and raised an eyebrow.
"An assassination business, dad?" Asked Moxxie as he looked at his father in confusion. "I mean, I'm good with a gun and Millie loves killing, but assassination businesses aren't exactly friendly to rookies. Unless they have a shit ton of money or have connections to demon royalty."
"True." Said Mordekaiser, having already known this information beforehand. "However, this one is unique in that it has free access to the living world. According to my followers, this organization kills the living for those that were wronged or desire revenge against someone amongst the living. Quite unique according to them." Surprised to hear that, Moxxie looked further into the piece of paper and realized that his dad was telling the truth.
"Wow." Said Moxxie as he looked at the job flier. "Sounds quite tempting actually. I'm sure Millie will love it. I'm not sure if it's financially stable, though. Plus, how can this Blitzo do this? I thought Imps weren't allowed to go to the living world?"
"Oh, it is. I assure you." Said Mordekaiser as he got up. "If there is one thing I learned from this Hell and in Runeterra, it's that there are countless people that have been wronged during their time amongst the living and desire revenge for it. I assure you, it's a profitable business. Your new boss just has to refrain from being a fool and your new job will be successful. As for the second question, that plays into why I want you to take this job. You see, this Blitzo has access to a grimoire from the Goetia family." Upon hearing that, Moxxie widened his eyes in shock.
"From the Goetia family!?" Yelled Moxxie in shock. "But that's one of the most respected and powerful families in Hell! How does an Imp have a grimoire from them?"
"That, I don't have." Said Mordekaiser. "Though considering the nature of Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he obtained it from a corrupt member of the Goetia family. Regardless, this presents an opportunity, Moxxie. Not only does this enable you to acquire a grimoire of power from a royal family of Hell, but it enables you to get close to them as well. Close enough for you to learn their secrets and kill them when the time is right." Stunned at that, Moxxie looked at his father in disbelief.
"B…b…but how can I kill a Goetia?" Asked Moxxie at what his father just said. "How can I kill a Goetia?"
"Not now, of course." Said Mordekaiser, assuring his son. "But when the time is right, you'll have the tools necessary to kill the Goetia family if I desire it. Of course, you may not need to kill them. Simply gaining their secrets and knowledge may suffice enough for them to bend their knee to me. So, you may not need to kill them. Merely spying on them is sufficient enough." Moxxie sighed in relief at that, relief that he may not have to kill a Goetia family member. He'll do it if he has to and his dad assures him that he can do it reliably without getting killed, but he rather avoids pissing off demon royalty. Especially the ones that can kill him in a wide variety of ways. Many of them, if not all of them, are painful and slow.
"Okay." Said Moxxie as he folded the flier and placed it in his tux's chest pocket. "I'll do it. I'm sure Millie will be fine with this. In fact, she'll probably be ecstatic at us killing the living." Mordekaiser chuckled at that.
"Excellent." Said Mordekaiser, pleased to hear that his son accepted the job. Everything was going according to his designs. At least in Hell. Oh yes. "Now, I believe you have a wedding to attend." Upon hearing that, Moxxie widened his eyes in shock before taking off for the reception. Once his son was gone, Mordekaiser took off so he can observe the wedding from a safe and hidden location. As he was walking, he thought of his son's soon-to-be mother-in-law and father-in-law. He heard what they thought of his son and himself. And while he would like to teach them a hard lesson right now, he'll have to refrain unfortunately. It wouldn't do for them to suddenly show up dead after the wedding of his son. Too many complications. Besides, it may bring him amusement when they start to change their attitude when he becomes ruler of Hell. Chuckling darkly as his plans start to develop nicely, Mordekaiser found a nice spot to watch the wedding without being seen.
"Soon, Hell will be mine. Everything will be mine." Thought Mordekaiser as he watched the wedding commence. "No one will stop me. No one."