!!! *** WARNING! THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATERIALS THAT SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING! SUCH AS VIOLENCE, GORE, AND MURDER! READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED! *** !!!
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"The... new Devil?" one of them muttered.
"That's riiiiiight," I drawled out, amused.
"Pft," another huffed.
"Remus, you don't believe this, do you?" the angry one asked.
Remus didn't take his eyes off of me or acknowledge his lackey at all.
"Will this affect this world?" he asked.
"Oh, honey," I replied with a fake pout. "It's going to affect every world."
At least, I'm pretty sure it will.
Every single realm has a balance of some sort. The realms that the Gods reside in are a little bit different. Those realms are more like an extension of whatever God or Gods live there.
Other realms though, they have to have balance. It's a must, otherwise, bad things happen. At least, that's what the Gods say, but no one knows what actually happens. Something about the Fates coming in to play.
Apparently, the Fates are who look over all souls. Even the Gods. They're the ones that seem to be able to dabble in people's lives more than any God ever could. Like how the Moon Goddess will decide when you get pregnant. That is only allowed because the Fates allow it. They can interfere in any matter. They're also the only beings in existence that are able to give Gods mates.
Obviously, Demi-Gods like me are an exception, because I know Auntie Selene has my back!
Still, every realm has a balance. Light and Dark. Good and Evil. Right and Wrong. Innocent and Corrupt. Balance is important.
That being said, each of those sides all lead back to one place each. One place full of light, good, right, and innocence. And one place full of dark, evil, wrong, and corruption. Two places that every creature across every realm in every universe knows. Ruled by two Gods that every creature across every realm knows.
Heave and Hell.
Which would mean that when the change happens, everyone will feel it. Pops knows what's coming, even if he won't admit that he knows it. He's low-key proud, but his ego will never let him say that. Kee is just scared of what her family is going to say. Especially after everything and the council.
"There really is no preparing," Remus muttered.
"I say we kill them now and get out of here," the angry one said. "Who knows if they're even telling the truth?"
"How do you know all of this?" Another one who's been quiet this whole time asked.
My eyes flickered to him.
"Well, because we're helping her, of course." I replied with a giggle.
"I'm bored of this," Nix mumbled.
And that statement said it all.
Nix snapped her fingers that were tied behind her back. The rope that was around her dropped like it had been sliced down the middle. The exposed parts of her flesh were burned badly from the wolfsbane, but she was already healing.
As Nix stood up, brushed the rest of the rope off, I leaned back in my chair and whistled a cheery tune. The six of them looked at Nix in confusion. Then they finally jumped into action.
Of course, my bestie was faster, stronger, and better in every way. Two of them charged her at once and Nix quickly dodged every blow they tried to land. It was pathetic how easily she snapped their necks.
Three more charged Nix. She pulled the throat out of the angry one before he even laid a hand on her. I laughed like a psychopath when his blood splattered across me. One of them managed to land a punch to Nix's face, but he paid for it. She ripped his heart right out of his chest.
The last one tried to bolt, but Nix grabbed him by the back of the neck. She threw him behind her, and he hit the wall with a loud and sickenly splat. Literally. Like he had fallen from a skyscraper.
Did I mention that Nix is also stupidly strong?
Then there was just Remus. He stared at Nix, his eyes flickering to me for just a moment. Nix took a step towards him, but he stayed rooted in his spot.
"They're in the basement," he said gently.
"We already knew," Nix replied casually, like she wasn't about to take his life.
"There's something else you should know," he said.
Millie perked up at that.
"About Kee?" I asked.
No, something else, Millie mumbled softly.
"No," Remus replied.
"What is it?" Nix said, stopping only a step away from him.
"There is someone else in the basement," he told us. "Someone who has been with the Hunters a long time. After... After the incident with Akeehla was broadcast and Gregory was killed... she has been at this location."
She?
"And she is?" Nix asked.
Remus shrugged.
"Whoever she is, she's been around since before Gregory's father," he said. "She is very protective of the children we bring here. She can never stop the Hunters from taking them though. They weaken her somehow."
"And you're telling us all of this because...?" I asked.
"Because there has always been one name she's screamed for since I've known her," he replied. "One name that she uses to threaten everyone, but... it didn't make sense to me. I thought she was crazy. Now, I just..." Remus trailed off as his eyes glossed over. "The guilt is catching up to me. How 'bout that?"
Of course, he's guilty now that he's about to die.
"What name?" Nix asked him.
Remus looked between the two of us before settling on Nix.
"Lucifer," he said.
Pops? Why is some rando using Pops' name to threaten people? I mean, who even would?
Nix turned her head to look at me. I knew what she was communicating. Something about this is off.
Kee, I called out, thanking my lucky stars that I'm powerful enough to reach out from this far away.
What? Kee replied a second later.
Nix looked back at Remus. She took the last step to stand in front of him. He didn't try to stop her, or fight back. Nix stared into his eyes while she shoved her hand through his chest and grabbed his heart. Then she ripped it from his body and Remus fell to the floor.
I need you to teleport to me. I told Kee. Right now.
A moment later, Nix was freeing me from the poisonous ropes. Kee popped in just as I stood up. She looked around, her eyes lingering on the bodies littered across the warehouse.
"You called me here for this?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"Tia can help you with the kids in the basement," she said, crossing her arms.
"Kee," I said seriously.
Kee frowned. She knows that I'm never ever serious. I hate it. In fact, I might be allergic to being serious. I already feel itchy. This must be what they mean when they say "desperate times call for desperate measures".
"He told us that there was a woman in the basement too," Nix said. "Said that she's been around for a while. Before Gregory and his dad."
"That's... a long time," Kee mumbled, still confused but now intrigued.
"He said that she's been threatening everyone with Pops' name," I said.
Kee frowned harder. Then, suddenly, her eyes widened, and her face fell into an expression of pure shock. Which made Nix and I share a look. I mean, Kee is never surprised. She's Kee. She knows and sees and hears everything.
"Oh my Gods..." she breathed out before spinning on her heel.
Nix and I rushed after her, trying to keep up. Kee stopped in front of a door with a key-pad lock on it. She stepped back, lifted her right foot, and kicked. The door went flying down into darkness.
Kee didn't hesitate at all and started down the steps. We followed right after her, seeing the basement was a makeshift fu.cking prison. No windows, no ventilation, and about 20-30 cells. Each one with at least three kids in it.
Kee stormed down the cells like she was looking for something specific. I lingered, hesitating. The children look so scared. I want to help them, but I know that we should figure this out before contacting Tia. I can't get the kids out without her. Looking at some of them right now, I'll probably need Epperly too.
Reluctantly, I pulled my eyes away and rushed to the end of the hall where Kee and Nix had just stopped. Kee crouched down, but Nix was standing behind her with a surprised look on her face. I stood next to her and peered into the cell.
And then I realized why Nix looked so shocked.
I recognize that woman. Not because I've met her, but because I've seen a portrait of her. Actually, I've seen it so many times that I'd recognize her anywhere. She was too beautiful to not pick out of a crowd anyway.
I'd expect nothing less from the Queen of Hell.
Aksara