Chapter 16: Two Queens
Blitz had always been a light sleeper. Years of living in Hell had taught him that it paid to be alert, especially when you had a history as colorful as his. So when he felt the bed shift ever so slightly, his eyes fluttered open, and he noticed Verosika sneaking out of their room.
The night had been particularly sweet, with the two of them spending hours in each other's company, laughing, talking, and enjoying a rare moment of peace. Despite Verosika's bombshell exterior and bad-girl persona, Blitz had learned that she was a straight edge when it came to one thing: sex. She wasn't interested in going that far before marriage, something Blitz respected even if it was unusual by Hell's standards.
But now, as he watched her tiptoe across the room and silently slip out the door, Blitz's curiosity—and a little bit of concern—got the better of him. "What's she up to at this hour?" he muttered to himself, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Verosika was usually an open book with Blitz, but lately, she'd been acting a little more secretive. Blitz had noticed her sneaking out on a few other nights, but tonight, he was determined to find out where she was going. Throwing on his signature trench coat and hat, Blitz followed her out, doing his best to stay hidden in the shadows.
He trailed Verosika through the bustling streets of the Pride Ring, staying just far enough behind to avoid being spotted. Eventually, she made her way to a portal that led to the Gluttony Ring. Blitz hesitated for a moment. The Gluttony Ring wasn't exactly his favorite place—it was a chaotic mess of overindulgence, with demons gorging themselves on food and drink in a never-ending cycle of consumption. But if Verosika was going there, he had no choice but to follow.
The moment he stepped through the portal, Blitz was hit with the overwhelming smells of grease, sugar, and alcohol. He wrinkled his nose but kept his focus on Verosika, who was heading toward one of the more upscale buffets in the area. The place was decked out in gold and red, with massive tables overflowing with every kind of food imaginable. Blitz's stomach growled, but he ignored it, keeping his eyes on his target.
Verosika entered the buffet, and Blitz followed at a distance, ducking behind a large chocolate fountain to avoid being seen. It was then that he noticed who Verosika was meeting: Queen Bee, or Beelzebub as she was officially known. Blitz's eyes widened in surprise. The Queen of the Gluttony Ring was infamous for her wild parties and her insatiable appetite, but she was also known to be a pretty decent demon—by Hell's standards, anyway.
Bee's eyes lit up when she saw Verosika, and she practically flew over to her, pulling her into a tight hug. "Verosika! Girl, it's been forever! I can't believe you're still alive! And you're here, incognito as an assassin of all things! What the Hell, babe?" Bee's voice was as loud and boisterous as ever, drawing the attention of a few demons nearby.
Verosika returned the hug with a smile, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, well, life's funny like that," she replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. "I've been laying low, trying to keep things running smoothly for the Blue Loona Foundation and the Memorial Fund. It's... it's not what I imagined I'd be doing, but it's important work."
Blitz, hiding just a few feet away, had to stifle a gasp. He had no idea that Verosika was doing all of this to support those causes. It made sense now, why she'd kept it a secret—Verosika liked to play the tough girl, but deep down, she had a heart of gold. Still, Blitz couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Bee, ever the supportive friend, noticed the shift in Verosika's mood and leaned in closer. "Hey, V, you know I'm all for helping out with good causes, but I can tell something's bugging you. What's going on?" Bee's tone was gentle, a far cry from her usual party-girl persona.
Verosika sighed and looked down at the table, absentmindedly swirling her finger in a puddle of syrup. "I miss performing, Bee. I miss the spotlight, the stage, the fans... all of it. I know what I'm doing now is important, but I'm not a spy or an assassin. I'm a performer at heart. And pretending to be something I'm not... it's starting to take a toll on me." Her voice wavered slightly, and Blitz could see the pain in her eyes.
Bee nodded thoughtfully, reaching over to pat Verosika's hand. "I get it, hon. You're a star, and stars need to shine. It's in your blood. But hey, why don't we brainstorm some ideas for a comeback? You know I've got connections, and I'd love to see you back on stage where you belong." Bee's smile was infectious, and for the first time in a while, Verosika's face lit up with genuine excitement.
"You'd really help me with that?" Verosika asked, her voice filled with hope.
"Of course! We'll figure something out. Maybe you can do a secret show, build up some buzz. Or maybe you can go full-on comeback tour—I bet the fans would go wild if they knew you were still around!" Bee's eyes sparkled with ideas, and she quickly began rattling off possibilities, from underground gigs in the Lust Ring to a full-blown return to the Pride Ring's biggest venues.
As the two friends continued to talk, Blitz's heart swelled with pride and affection for Verosika. She was so much more than just a pretty face or a former pop star. She was passionate, driven, and compassionate—everything he admired in a person. But there was also a pang of guilt in his chest. Blitz had always seen Verosika as a fun, sometimes reckless partner-in-crime, but he hadn't realized just how much she was sacrificing for her causes.
He was also struck by how much she missed performing. Verosika had always loved the stage, and it was clear that she was yearning to get back to it. Blitz realized that if he truly cared about her, he had to support her dreams, even if it meant risking their cover or facing the wrath of Hell's entertainment industry.
But as Blitz continued to eavesdrop—doing a terrible job of staying hidden—he felt a sneeze coming on. He tried to hold it back, but it was no use. With a loud "ACHOO!" Blitz accidentally knocked over the chocolate fountain he'd been hiding behind, sending a cascade of melted chocolate splashing across the floor and drawing the attention of every demon in the room.
Verosika and Bee turned in unison, their eyes widening in surprise as they saw Blitz, covered in chocolate and looking more sheepish than ever. "Blitzo? What the Hell are you doing here?" Verosika demanded, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
Blitz chuckled nervously, wiping chocolate off his face. "Uh, hey, babe! Just... uh, checking on you! Making sure you're not getting into any trouble, you know?" He tried to play it cool, but the sight of Bee raising an eyebrow and Verosika crossing her arms told him he wasn't fooling anyone.
Bee couldn't help but laugh, a loud, booming sound that filled the buffet. "Looks like someone's been spying on you, V! This little guy's got it bad for you, huh?"
Verosika shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Blitzo, you really need to work on your stealth skills. But since you're here, why don't you sit down and join us? We were just talking about my potential comeback." Her voice softened as she gestured for him to sit next to her.
Blitz, still feeling a bit embarrassed, took the seat beside Verosika. "Comeback, huh? I always knew you were too good for the whole assassin thing. You belong on stage, babe." He smiled, genuinely excited at the idea of seeing Verosika perform again.
Verosika blushed slightly, giving Blitz a playful nudge. "Yeah, well, it's not going to be easy, but with Bee's help, I think we can make it happen. What do you think, Blitzo? You up for helping me out?"
Blitz grinned, his earlier embarrassment forgotten. "Hell yeah, I'm in! Let's make you the biggest star in Hell all over again. We'll show those losers what real talent looks like!"
Bee clapped her hands, her excitement palpable. "Now that's what I like to hear! We'll get started on this right away. And don't worry, V, we'll make sure this comeback is legendary!"
As the three of them began to brainstorm ideas, the mood shifted from serious to downright silly, with Bee suggesting increasingly outrageous plans—everything from a concert on top of the Gluttony Ring's largest buffet to a live performance in the middle of a Hellquake. Blitz even threw in a few of his own ridiculous ideas, like a musical number involving Hellhounds as backup dancers or a duet with Alastor (—an idea that Verosika immediately shot down with a laugh, reminding Blitz that she'd never perform with that "creepy Radio Demon" again). The brainstorming session became a wild mix of creative genius and absurdity, the three of them bouncing off each other in a way that felt both nostalgic and exhilarating.
"You know," Blitz said between laughs, "we could totally rig the Gluttony Ring's annual eating contest to end with a surprise concert. Imagine the look on everyone's faces when they realize the entertainment is Verosika Mayday herself!"
Verosika chuckled, her eyes lighting up at the idea. "It would definitely be a shocker! But I'm not sure I want to make my grand comeback in a room full of gluttons stuffing their faces. I want something a little more... glamorous."
Bee snapped her fingers, her wings fluttering with excitement. "How about we start with something exclusive, a secret show that only a select few get to attend? We could turn it into a VIP event, make everyone in Hell desperate to get an invite. Then, after we've built up some hype, you can go big with a massive performance in the Pride Ring!"
Verosika tilted her head, considering the idea. "A secret show... I like the sound of that. It's mysterious, it's exclusive, and it would definitely get people talking."
Blitz leaned in, adding his two cents. "And if we really want to blow their minds, we could stage the show in one of the more unexpected Rings. Like Wrath or Envy. Somewhere no one would expect to find the queen of pop performing."
Bee grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I've got connections in Wrath, and I know just the place. A remote, abandoned arena that's still got its stage intact. We could clean it up, make it look amazing, and throw the most unexpected concert Hell's ever seen."
Verosika nodded, her excitement building. "Alright, I'm sold. Let's do it. A secret show in Wrath, and then, once we've got the buzz going, we'll plan the big comeback tour. This is going to be epic!"
As they continued to hash out the details, Blitz couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. He'd always known Verosika was destined for greatness, and being a part of her comeback was something he hadn't realized he needed until now. For the first time in a long time, Blitz felt like he was doing something that really mattered—something that went beyond the usual chaos and carnage of his daily life.
But amid all the excitement, Blitz noticed the way Verosika's expression would occasionally falter, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. He knew that despite her enthusiasm, she was nervous about returning to the spotlight after being away for so long. Blitz, sensing this, gently took her hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Hey," he said softly, catching her eye. "You're gonna kill it out there, V. You're still the best damn performer Hell's ever seen. And whatever happens, I'm right here with you, okay?"
Verosika looked at him, her expression softening as she squeezed his hand back. "Thanks, Blitz. That means a lot to me. I just... I want this to be perfect, you know? I don't want to disappoint anyone, especially not you."
Blitz smirked, his tone teasing. "Babe, you could never disappoint me. Even if you fall on your face, I'll still be your biggest fan. But let's be real—you're gonna knock 'em dead."
Bee, not one to be left out of a heartfelt moment, chimed in with a dramatic flourish. "And if anyone tries to rain on your parade, they'll have to answer to me! We'll make sure your comeback is nothing short of legendary, V. Now, let's raise a toast to the start of something truly spectacular!"
With a snap of her fingers, Bee conjured up three crystal goblets filled with the finest nectar from the Gluttony Ring's vaults. The trio raised their glasses, clinking them together in a gesture of camaraderie and determination.
"To Verosika Mayday, the queen of pop and the soon-to-be biggest star in Hell all over again!" Blitz declared, his voice full of affection and pride.
"To the comeback of a lifetime!" Bee added, her wings fluttering with excitement.
Verosika smiled, feeling a surge of confidence and warmth. "To the future—one where I'm back on stage where I belong."
They downed their drinks, the sweet, intoxicating nectar warming them from the inside out. As they set their empty glasses down, the energy in the room shifted from lighthearted to determined, each of them knowing that they were about to embark on something that could change the course of Hell's entertainment history.
Blitz and Bee continued to throw out ideas, discussing everything from setlists to stage design, while Verosika's mind began to race with possibilities. She could see it now: the lights, the music, the roar of the crowd as she took the stage once more. It was a dream she thought she'd left behind, but now, it felt closer than ever.
As the night wore on, the three of them made a pact to keep their plans under wraps. This comeback would be Verosika's big surprise, a return that would remind everyone why she'd once been the biggest name in Hell's entertainment industry. And with Blitz and Bee by her side, she knew she could pull it off.
Eventually, they called it a night, with Bee heading back to her palace and Verosika and Blitz returning to the Pride Ring. As they walked through the darkened streets, hand in hand, Verosika couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment she hadn't experienced in years.
Blitz, ever the supportive partner, glanced over at her with a smirk. "So, you ready to be a star again, babe?"
Verosika chuckled, leaning into him as they walked. "I think I am, Blitz. And I'm glad you're going to be there with me. Let's show Hell what we're made of."
As they disappeared into the night, the Gluttony Ring behind them, the plans for Verosika's comeback were already in motion. What started as a quiet night of curiosity had turned into the beginning of something monumental, and both Blitz and Verosika knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they'd face them together.
And maybe, just maybe, Verosika's return to the stage would be the catalyst for even greater things—both in their relationship and in the chaotic, unpredictable world of Hell.
To be continued……