Rolando Infests Stolas / Rolando's Revenge

 

 

 

Rolando hunts down I.M.P. and Stolas during Sinsmas and things sure do happen.

 

Warning: gore, vore, possession, graphic violence, harm to children and Rolando getting revenge. Read at your own risk.

 

0 0 0

The pool at the One Star Wonder Hotel was eventually drained, the electricity simmering down to sparks. Anyone who saw the bloated corpse of an aquatic demon lying on the floor below, ran for the halls. The creature groaned weakly, reaching a shaking hand into his pocket and tapping a hidden crystal. A diamond-shaped portal appeared, and he rolled through it with pained grunts, leaving behind a trail of black blood. By the time pool maintenance came by, the creature was gone. Only a broken vacuum device was left on the pool floor.

 

 

 

Rolando floated weakly through a black void. For how long, he didn’t know. Without any other negative emotions to feed on, he was soon left with the worst kind: his own.

 

Rolando wished he were back in Envy to swim freely through the dark oceans. He missed hunting for prey underwater and making weaker demons cry with his infestor gang of friends and intimate mates. He partially missed his parents: fairly well-off folk who taught him the basics of survival but left him to fend for himself once he came of age. He could still recall Helsa, Seviathan, Glitz and Glam taunting him about not having as many followers online. Even his parents were disappointed that he was not as rich as the von Eldritch family.

 

Rolando missed a lot of things.

 

But most of all, he missed the delectable taste of human flesh and misery…and the feeling of domination that came with it. He had been born with his supernatural powers, and feeding off negativity had been encouraged by his family, peers, and society. It was a part of him.

 

Watching others’ memories was entertaining, but of course, seeing his own glimpses of his past was insufferable.

 

‘This must be real Hell,’ he thought. ‘Trapped in your own head and slowly starving.’

 

Was the universe turning him into his own victim being preyed on? It was hectic enough trying to live up to the lucrative standards of his exclusive Ring. He found solace and control inside others’ minds.

 

Now he longed for the escape again…to watch his victims struggle in his grasp one more time…

 

Refusing to give in to his subconscious, Rolando rubbed his crystal again and promptly fell through a portal.

 

Rolando shivered as soft snow fell all around. He was cold, weak and incredibly hungry. His purple vest, black undershirt, dark pants and shoes were torn. Burn marks glared on his gray-skinned body and face. Worst of all, his red sharp sunglasses had been shattered, and his yellow glowing eyes were mostly melted, leaving deep black sockets and trails of black blood underneath. His clear white fins sticking from his back and his white transparent hair had also been ruined from the attack; he was now mostly bald. His black pencil-thin mustache and thick black unibrow had been singed off.

 

He slowly stood up.

 

Rolando didn’t know how he had been able to survive almost being electrocuted to death. But his feeling of relief was quickly replaced by an inner rage.

 

‘I was just following Queen Leviathan’s orders, sort of. Kill any human who knows about Hell. Torment their minds and bring more souls to Hell. I did just that…and messed with the innocent ones, too. Illegal? Yeah, so what? They were so much fun to feast on. But then Bethany Ghostsucker and his hick sidekick had to burst in and ruin my meals! If I ever see them again, I’ll make them relive their worst nightmares and tear them apart piece by…’

 

“AUGH!”

 

Rolando crashed into a tree, face-first, and fell into the snow. He rubbed his snout and stood up.

 

“Eel-man!” cried a nearby lady in fright, hurrying down the sidewalk.

 

Rolando turned around, but the woman was already gone.

 

He sniffed the air.

 

‘Why am I still on Earth? I need to find those imps and their so-called assassin business in Hell! Judging from their thoughts, I.M.P. must be in Pride.’

 

He stumbled forward, nearly blind. Despite this, he was still able to sense the thoughts of other humans around them, their memories flashing like movies in his mind. Families were inside their houses, talking, eating and laughing together. Children were opening stockings and unwrapping their presents. Strings of Christmas lights decorated the trees and roofs. Some of the trees had stars on top. A small smiling snow angel with a golden halo held a glowing star in her hands. A small snowman on the front lawn wore earmuffs and had stick arms, button eyes, a blue smile and a carrot nose.

 

‘All this mortal holiday cheer, revolting,’ he thought. ‘I need negativity and revenge right now!’

 

He strolled through the snow toward one of the houses. He paused as a scene from the past flashed in his head.

 

A scene with the lowborn imps coming to Earth again through the portal created by their Asmoedean crystal.

 

‘They were just here!’ he exclaimed to himself.

 

 

 

 

Blitzo arrived first, followed by Moxxie holding Millie’s hand.

 

Blitzo shivered. “Ahhh! It is cold as shit! What is this?!”

 

“Do humans have Sinsmas, too?” a shivering Millie asked as Loona stepped through the portal.

 

“I-I don’t think so,” Moxxie answered. “This seems to be something else.”

 

Loona bent down and picked up a Santa garden figure.

 

Millie glanced at the smiling angel and threw up.

 

“You okay, babe?” Moxxie asked.

 

“Oh yeah!” Millie coughed, holding out her hand. “Must just be the cold.”

 

Blitzo came over, putting comforting hands on her shoulders. “Okay, let’s just hurry up and kill this son of a bitch so we can get the fuck back home.”

 

Blitzo raced through the snow and rolled in a ball up to the window. He stood up and posed with an evil grin, a gray gun in his hand decorated with a sharp teeth design on the side.

 

Then he froze.

 

Inside the house, two little girls were laughing with their two dads. Dad One had brown hair, glasses and white skin. He wore dark pants and a red and green sweater. Dad Two had dark brown messy hair, darker skin and a brown beard, wearing a green sweater with a red collar and blue pants.

 

Girl One laughed as she put a red Santa hat on Dad One’s head. She was wearing a red and white dress with two matching pins in her hair. Girl Two had thick ginger colored hair and wore a green dress. She happily picked up a pink present.

 

The girls laughed as their dads gave each other a kiss.

 

Another scene appeared, showing Karen, the Sinner who hired I.M.P. to kill the man who cheated on her, sobbing as her husband gained custody of her kids. Dad One sighed in relief as he walked away from Karen. Karen, formerly a blonde selfish lady, tried to strangle him outside…

 

…before tumbling into a rosebush. She was left with thorns in her skin and a broken heart. She later grabbed a bottle and drank herself to death, becoming the pink-haired angry Karen lady.

 

It was all interesting, the drama and the trauma hidden by the frivolous festivities.

 

The scene shifted back.

 

“Sir?” Moxxie asked a shivering Blitzo. “This may be out of turn, but I feel like this one isn’t worth the money.”

 

“What?!” Millie asked.

 

“I don’t think I wanna be a part of this one, sir,” Moxxie continued. Loona came over and tossed the Santa figure aside.

 

“You okay, dad?” Loona asked.

 

Blitzo looked over with sad eyes.

 

“I can handle this one,” Loona mentioned. “You know, if you’re not up for it.”

 

“Really?”

 

Loona nodded.

 

Blitzo peered at the family again and imagined him, Octavia, Stolas and Loona hugging each other and opening presents. Blitzo grinned as he held a white and pink pony toy in his hands. Loona held a black mug with “Tis the season” in white on it and a candy cane inside. In the stockings by the fireplace were a bone for Loona, a pony toy for Blitzo, a star blanket for Octavia and another book for Stolas. They all hugged each other.

 

“Nah fuck this,” Blitzo said. He turned around and began to walk. “We’re going home.”

 

“What?” Millie asked, shivering. “Didn’t he cheat or s-s-something? Come on, this is fun! We’ve done this kind of t-t-thing before.”

 

“Just…not this one, Mils,” Blitzo answered somberly, turning to look at her. “Not today.” He rubbed the crystal on his wrist and stepped through the portal. Loona followed him.

 

“I can do this one!” Millie protested. “I can do this!”

 

Millie turned around. “Millie!” Blitzo warned.

 

Blitzo glared at her before walking back through the portal.

 

Moxxie put a hand on Millie’s shoulder. “We’ll do it next time! It’s just not worth it.”

 

“Don’t start, Moxxie!” Millie barked, pulling away. “Just because you aren’t demon enough to do this job doesn’t mean…”

 

She paused. “I’m sorry.”

 

“Sweetie,” Moxxie began, “I know it’s Sinsmas and it’s in the spirit of Wrath, but are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine, I don’t…” Millie answered, holding Moxxie’s hand. “…know what’s gotten into me today.”

 

“It’s okay,” Moxxie kissed her on the head. He hugged her. “I’m here for you.”

 

Millie smiled and walked with Moxxie through the portal. It closed behind them.

 

…

 

The vision ended. Rolando stood, perplexed. Then a raspy laugh escaped his throat.

 

‘They call themselves assassins, when they’re nothing more than impoverished wannabes! Blitzo’s little fantasy of family will crumble to dust! I can’t wait to see how they’ll break once I find them!’

 

He peered through the window. The only lights that were visible were the Christmas tree lights.

 

‘But first, I think I’ll have a little to-go snack…’

 

He rammed into the front door and growled, rubbing his head. He morphed into liquid shadow and slid under the door crack. Once inside, he rematerialized and hovered up the stairs. The lamps and ceiling lights flickered as he made his way up.

 

The door creaked open. The two dads slept peacefully together in their bed. The air turned cold and Dad One shivered. He turned around on his back and thought he saw a tall shadow. His eyes were half open…nothing was there.

 

Dad One felt something heavy pressing down on his chest. He groaned and opened his eyes. He tried to push Rolando off, but the demon was still too strong.

 

Rolando pressed a clawed hand to Dad One’s forehead and the man gasped in fear.

 

‘So you’re the one who cheated on your ex-wife, Karen,’ Rolando mused in his head. ‘Do you feel proud that you left that bitch alone without her kids?’

 

‘Who are you?’ the man asked telepathically.

 

‘The last being you’ll see on Earth,’ Rolando replied. ‘Now about your ex…’

 

‘She was a homophobic control-freak and it was a reasonable divorce,’ Dad One protested. ‘And how did you…?’

 

‘Doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t want your husband and kids to know about your affair, would we?’ Rolando grinned.

 

‘Don’t tell them, please! You can’t make me tell them!’

 

Rolando chuckled darkly. ‘Oh, neither of us will have to. Now normally I’d play around and mess with your head…but I’m incredibly hungry and I have some imps to kill.’

 

He licked his lips.

 

‘Speaking of which, did you know that a group of them tried to kill you and your family today?’

 

Dad One’s eyes widened. ‘What?!’

 

‘Pretty pathetic, right? They can’t even do their job correctly!’ He traced a sharp claw across Dad One’s neck, drawing a sliver of red blood.

 

Rolando grinned and lowered his sharp teeth toward his neck. ‘Fortunately, I might as well pick up the slack while I’m here. Oh, and say hello to that Karen bitch for me.’

 

A scream escaped Dad One’s mouth as Rolando tore into his neck. Rolando covered his mouth with a hand. Both of them rolled off the bed onto the floor with loud thuds. The sounds of growls, tearing and choking filled the room as the demon ravenously mauled the man.

 

Dad Two groaned and sat up. “W-what’s going on?”

 

The gruesome sounds had ceased. Dad Two stretched and stood up.

 

“Honey? Everything okay?” he yawned. He walked over toward the other side of the bed.

 

He switched on the lamp…

 

…and reeled back with a yell at the sight of his husband’s corpse. Dad One’s head faced the left, green eyes frozen and lifeless. His neck was severed and red blood pooled slowly on the floor from gruesome scratches left on his chest and stomach. His black glasses lay shattered on the floor.

 

Dad Two gasped, eyes wide. “The girls!”

 

 

 

 

Girl One and Girl Two slept soundly in two separate twin beds. Their beds had pink glittery princess drapes swooping over their heads. Girl Two snuggled with a pink teddy bear.

 

Black goo slipped under the door and poured across the floor.

 

Deep growls rumbled from under the bed.

 

Girl One was startled awake.

 

“Sis?” she whispered.

 

“Huh?” Girl Two blinked.

 

“I heard something,” Girl One whispered.

 

“Where?”

 

She pointed under her bed. “U-under there…”

 

“A m-monster?” Girl Two asked.

 

“I don’t know…”

 

Girl Two sighed. “Get some sleep. We don’t want Santa to know we’re up!”

 

“Good point,” Girl One yawned, turning to the other side.

 

A few moments later, Girl Two shuddered as another growl was heard.

 

“Just my imagination…” she told herself, whimpering. “There are no monsters, no monsters…”

 

She yelped when she saw a flash of a shadowy hand on the wall.

 

“Sis!”

 

“What?” asked Girl One.

 

“I hear it, too!”

 

“Hear what?”

 

“The monster!”

 

Both girls looked around, but there was nothing there.

 

Girl One curled up into a ball. She could feel her dad’s supple beard and cheeks in her hands.

 

“Oh daddy, I’m so sacred,” she whispered, leaning in. She blinked tears. “Please keep the monster away and…”

 

The lights flickered on, making the girls flinch their eyes shut for a moment.

 

Girl One peered at her dad…

 

…and saw Dad One’s severed head in her hands.

 

“DAAAADDD?!” Girl One wailed as she scooted back.

 

The lights shut off again.

 

“Merrrrry Christmas!” sang an eerie distorted voice.

 

Both girls cried as Rolando’s laughter rang through the room.

 

Girl One dived under the covers. “Snakes!” she screamed as shadowy serpents slithered onto her sheets. “The snakes are coming to get me! HEEELLLP!”

 

“There are no snakes here!” Girl Two cried in the dark. “Get away!” Zombie-like hands curled from under her bed and reached forward to grab her.

 

“Let us take a bite of your tasty toes,” came the illusionary monster voices. “Or better yet, we’ll just swallow you whole…”

 

Girl Two clutched to her bed for dear life as the disembodied hands grabbed her legs and began to pull her down.

 

Girl One struggled as the shadow snakes hissed and wrapped themselves around her.

 

“Ssssweet little doll,” they hissed. “Your daddies aren’t coming to sssave you. You’re our sssavory sssnack!”

 

Girl One gasped for breath as one shadowy coil wrapped around her neck.

 

The lights switched on abruptly and the illusions vanished. Dad Two burst into the room, fists clenched.

 

“Whatever you are, stay away from my children!”

 

Rolando appeared in front of him with a sinister grin. Dad Two was magically lifted into the air and shoved against the wall. He cried out.

 

Dad Two turned to his daughters. “RUN!”

 

Faster than thought, Rolando snapped his fingers, and the bedroom door slammed shut. The girls raced toward it and frantically turned the handle.

 

The door wouldn’t budge. It was stuck shut with black goo.

 

“IT’S STUCK!” Girl One cried.

 

“WE’RE TRAPPED!” Girl Two wailed.

 

They both turned around. “DAD!” they both cried in horror. They shook and huddled together as their dad’s screams mixed with Rolando’s sinister snickering.

 

“Your husband is a cheater,” Rolando mused. “He divorced his ex-wife to be with you and didn’t bother to tell you. And now he’s dead in Hell. And soon, you will be, too.”

 

Dad Two’s face turned blue as he choked from Rolando’s telekinesis.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take verrrry good care of your little girls,” Rolando purred as the room grew darker.

 

Rolando lowered his hand and Dad Two fell lifeless to the floor with a sickening thud.

 

The two girls were held in place a few inches in the air. Rolando grinned.

 

“Watch what happens when someone tries to cross me.”

 

The girls sobbed as they were forced to watch Rolando devour Dad Two’s body. Red blood splattered onto the wall and a few drops flew onto the girls’ dresses.

 

If Rolando had his yellow glowing eyes, they’d be rolling back in sinister pleasure. Instead, he chuckled and moaned as he slurped up a messy strand of intestines into his eel-like mouth. His face and clothes were covered in red blood.

 

‘Oh yes…the fantastic flavor of human fear and flesh, exotic and savory! Oh, how I’ve missed this!’

 

He sighed with a low hum. He turned to the girls with a drooling grin and spoke in his distorted voice.

 

“Time for my desserts!”

 

The girls screamed and flailed in the air but were soon helpless as Rolando picked them up with his claws.

 

“Doll One,” he mused. He leaned his head back and opened his mouth. He lifted the screaming Girl One and caught her in his maw. Blood squirted outward as Rolando’s teeth sank into her. Her screams were muffled and replaced by Rolando chewing. He swallowed her remains with a big gulp.

 

Rolando licked his lips. “Doll Two.”

 

“NOOOOO!” Girl Two screamed. She flinched as Rolando tossed her into his mouth. A few chews and a swallowing gulp later, all was silent.

 

Rolando sighed in contentment and let out a small burp. “Now that’s what I call, ‘Murder Family.’”

 

He teleported outside and knocked over the snowman and the smiling snow angel.

 

He rubbed his crystal and hovered through the portal before it closed.

 

Rolando sensed his surroundings.

 

‘Pride! At last! I.M.P. is close.’

 

 

0 0 0

 

Loona kicked open the door to their apartment. “Whew! That was intense.” She stretched her arms. “I’m gonna see if my friends can still come tonight. I need some drinks after what happened today.”

 

“Yeah, sure! Whatever you want, Loony, mkay?” Blitzo smiled.

 

Stolas wordlessly took off his jacket and handed it to Blitzo. He stared into empty space and slouched over to the couch. Blitzo silently put his blanket over Stolas’ shoulders.

 

Stolas had just witnessed having his powers stripped away, being exiled from his home and worst of all, his daughter Octavia had rejected him after he tried to explain what had happened in the courtroom. Now his daughter was still stuck with her cruel mother and uncle. On the bright side, I.M.P. had won a fight against Andrealphus and his ice dragon hydra.

 

Blitzo flipped and fried four black eggs in a pan and tossed them into his mouth. His pupils briefly turned big before shrinking back to normal. He curled up next to Stolas on his lap, trying to comfort him.

 

“She hates me,” Stolas whispered, devastated. “My daughter hates me.”

 

Blitzo couldn’t think of anything to say. There was nothing they could currently do to get his daughter back.

 

They sat on the couch as Loona, Moxxie, Millie and Loona’s friends came over and put up the decorations. Soon the room was vibrant with hanging wreaths, ornaments and rainbow strings of lights. Moxxie and Millie snuck by, putting presents under the tree. Moxxie wore a green sweater with red bloody stripes and a skull and knife on it. Millie wore a black sweater decorated with red daggers that read “Sinsmas Is Killsmas.” Loona laughed with her Hellhound friends in front of the couch. The hound with darker fur, Russ was dressed like a hamburger with black bee antennae. The lighter hound Gigi was dressed like an ice cream cone…she had red cherry earrings and an ice cream hat. Loona wore a cream-colored shirt with a heart shaped cut on top.

 

 

A festive song played, sung by Verosika:

 

“Everyone at the Sinsmas party

Would like a piece of pie!

But everyone at the Sinsmas party

Is gonna fucking die!

 

‘Cause I’m making a list

I’m checking it twice

I’m gonna make sure that nobody’s nice!

By the time

The night is through

I’m gonna murder you! (Wo-oh-oh-ah!)

 

Everyone at the Sinsmas party

Is laughin’ all the time! Haha!

So laugh it up while you can

Because I’ll rip out your fucking spine (Rip out your fucking spine)

‘Cause I’m makin’ a list (Makin’ a list)

I’m checking it twice (I’m checking it twice)

I’m gonna make sure that nobody survives

By the time the night is through

I’m gonna murder you!”

 

 

Moxxie held out a plate of horse-shaped cookies to Stolas. There was a purple cookie resembling Stolas, a pink one for Millie, a green one for Moxxie and a red one for Blitzo.

 

“You wanna try some of my home-baked Sinsmas cookies, Your Highness? Eh? Eeh?” Moxxie asked, trying to cheer him up.

 

“I think I’ll pass, but thank you,” Stolas glumly replied. He turned away. “And you don’t need to address me like that.”

 

Moxxie and Stolas froze as Blitzo snapped up the Blitzo cookie with his long tongue and pulled it into his mouth. Moxxie glared at Blitzo.

 

“Hey, where’s Mils?” Blitzo asked.

 

 

 

In the bathroom, Millie ran her hands under a faucet. She threw a piece of paper away and clenched her fists. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked in the mirror and banged on the counter. “Shit!”

 

She slowly walked out of the bathroom, staring at her phone.

 

“Oh, hey sweetie!” Moxxie smiled. “We’re about to start board games!” He wiggled a box that read “Mammonopoli: Get Greed Or Get Out!”

 

“I’ll be right there, baby,” Millie replied. “Calling the fam for Sins first.”

 

Millie hurried into the hallway and called her sister Sallie Mae.

 

“Hay!” Sallie Mae drawled. She wore a red sweater with a bloody knife design on it.

 

“Hey Sal. You alone?” Millie asked.

 

Sallie Mae glanced to the side to see her family watching TV. Her dad, mom and brothers also wore holiday sweaters decorated with knives, a trident, and blood.

 

“UHHHHH…”

 

Sallie Mae scurried sideways out of the living room and went outside to the porch. “…yes.”

 

“Okay. Good,” Millie sighed.

 

She sobbed. “I just need someone to talk to about something.”

 

“What’s going on?” Sallie Mae asked.

 

Millie held up a positive pregnancy test in her hands. She slid down to the floor, tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what to do! I-I’m pregnant!”

 

“Everything will be okay, sis,” Sallie Mae responded. “I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

 

“If my parents and Mox finds out…” Millie wondered.

 

“Don’t worry too much about Ma and Pa. They’re mostly busy working on the farm. But I’m sure they’ll be happy to lend their hands if you need it.”

 

“Pa still doesn’t like Mox!”

 

“So what? You do, so that’s all that matters!” Sallie Mae encouraged.

 

“Do…do you think he’ll accept it? Be happy with me?”

 

“Oh Millie! Knowing Moxxie, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled! But I understand if you’re not ready to tell him yet.”

 

“My job…killing is what I’ve been doing my whole life, Sal!” Millie sobbed again. “I can’t lose both money and my job trying to care for a newborn imp!”

 

“You’re the toughest Wrathin in the family,” Sallie Mae added. “Knowing you and Moxxie, I’m sure you guys will find ways to help your child survive. And I bet you’ll still be able to kill demons on the side!”

 

“But I need to keep killing humans! I ain’t goin’ back to those freelance jobs!”

 

“And you won’t have to. When you feel ready, go talk to Moxxie and your boss about it. They’ll support you no matter what.”

 

“Y-you think so?”

 

“I know so!” Sallie Mae answered. “Oh! Gotta go! Don’t wanna miss my show with the fam! The next Pain Games will feature me as the new champion!”

 

Millie breathed hard. “Excuse me?! I haven’t been able to compete in ages!” A small smile appeared on her face. “I can’t lose to my sister, too, ya know!”

 

Sallie Mae grinned. “Then you’d better get your ass over to Wrath to visit sometime! We could always use extra ranch help, too!”

 

Millie chuckled and sobbed. “Thanks, Sal. Bye.”

 

“Bye, Millie.”

 

 

 

Millie hung up and came back into the room. She hugged Moxxie.

 

“Oh hey, sweetie, how’d the call go?” Moxxie asked.

 

“It was nice!” Millie glanced off to the side. “You know I love you?”

 

“Love you two!” Moxxie smiled, the imps leaning their faces close. Moxxie led Millie to the group.

 

Loona gossiped with her friends. “Okay, okay! So did you see fucking Vikki’s post the other day?” She showed them her phone. “Fucking Vikki?”

 

“I swear,” said Gigi, “if she posts one more humble brag about that ugly ass car, I’m gonna commit.”

 

“Cha, for real,” Russ added.

 

“Okay!” Loona called. “Time for the board games!”

 

She turned around…

 

“WITH DRINKS!”

 

She slammed down a golden beer crate with bottles inside. The label read: “Limited Sinsmas Edition – Glut-Honey, Carbonated Beelzejuice With Natural Flavors, Harder Than Ethanol.”

 

Loona laughed as she handed out the alcoholic beverages. “Ha, ha, ha! Merry fucking Sinsmas, am I right?”

 

Loona added, “Vikki’s such a bitch! No, I didn’t invite her! She brings the whole party down!”

 

Blitzo wore a red and white sweater. He watched a somber Stolas head outside to the fire escape.

 

“You know, you guys go on without me, ‘kay?” Blitzo told Loona and her friends as he headed toward the sliding door. “I’ll just-I’m…need a moment.”

 

Blitzo spotted Stolas smoking from a cigarette, staring at the red sky and the full moon.

 

“You mind if I steal?” Blitzo asked.

 

“Oh, when have you ever asked?” Stolas replied, leaning down and handing it to him. Blitzo exhaled a puff of smoke.

 

“Today was a lot, wasn’t it?” Blitzo asked. “I-I-I know you can’t see your kid.”

 

He paused. “And I know you did so fucking much just to save my life…”

 

“It’s okay,” Stolas replied. “Saving you was the right thing to do. And you have risked your life for mine in return.”

 

Stolas inhaled and blew out smoke. “You don’t need to feel any guilt for my situation. It was my choice.” He moved his hand to his face. “It was all my choice. I caused all of this.”

 

Blitzo put a hand on his arm. “Well, she’ll understand eventually. You just gotta give her time.”

 

“Blitz,” Stolas sniffed. “She’s gone. For one hundred years, she’s gone.” He buried his face in his arms. “And after all that time, she’ll never forgive me.”

 

He looked away. “I’ll be a stranger to her.”

 

Blitzo took a breath. “You know my twin sister…she hates me, too…for something that I did. And I miss her every day. We were so fucking close, you know we…”

 

He frowned. “It’s a shitty feeling. But…you just gotta keep trying.”

 

Stolas inhaled more smoke. “Yes. Of course.”

 

Blitzo stared at the sad Stolas for a moment.

 

“No ‘o’!” Russ called to Blitzo, peeking out the door. “Get your ass in here! We’re starting the games!”

 

Loona leaned on top of Russ’ head. “Yeah! I need you to show up Russ!”

 

“Hey, I’ll be back in just a sec, ‘kay?” Blitzo answered. He turned back to Stolas. “Sounds like, uh…they want me back in there.” He chuckled.

 

“Go enjoy your Sinsmas, Blitz,” Stolas sighed. “I’m fine. You don’t have to stay here with me.”

 

Blitzo sighed and stood up on the railing.

 

“What are you doing?” Stolas asked.

 

Blitzo held out his arms. “Well, I can’t fucking dance with you without…come here…getting inventive.”

 

He took the owl’s hands.

 

Stolas showed a small smile. Blitzo moved gracefully along the railing and Stolas followed his movements. Stolas blushed as Blitzo spun him around. For a while, all their troubles were forgotten. They turned around again, Blitzo smiling at Stolas.

 

Another festive song played.

 

“You pack a bag,

You say goodbye

You kiss me on the cheek

And look me in the eye

 

You tell a lie

That you will soon return to me

I loved you, then

I love you still

And now it won’t be long until

You’re here at last

 

And then I ask:

If your heart still burns for me?

 

I would travel every Ring of Hell

Just to see if you’ll be mine (Ah-ah-ah-ah)

Merry Sinsmas!

Know that you are on my mind! (Oh, on my mind)

Merry Sinsmas!

Truer love is hard to find. (Our true love is hard to find)

 

I would travel every Ring of Hell

Just to see if you’ll be mine! (Ah-ah-ah-ah)

Merry Sinsmas!

Know that you are on my mind

Merry Sinsmas!

Truer love is hard to find. (Our true love is hard to find.)”

 

 

“Hah. I imagine we look ridiculous right now,” Stolas mentioned as he moved his face toward Blitzo.

 

Blitzo pulled Stolas into his arms. “Yeah, like that’s anything new. I mean, look at me. I’m like four feet tall and you? You’re like the size of one of those really very tall, tall horses.”

 

Blitzo moved around the stairs and held out his hand. They held each other’s hands.

 

“Never really seemed to be an issue,” Stolas chuckled. “I guess you were just…creative.”

 

“Only creative as you were flexible,” Blitzo responded. He grinned and lowered Stolas down in a dance. Stolas blushed and laughed, kicking up one of his long owl legs before straightening himself up.

 

They paused to stare into each other’s eyes, both of them smiling. They both paused, their smiles fading.

 

“Everything will be okay,” Blitzo said in a soft voice. Stolas thought of the lullaby he used to sing to his daughter. Could things really be okay, even after all his mistakes? Being exiled and living in Imp City had certainly humbled the formerly pompous prince, but was it enough?

 

Blitzo then smiled softly and gave Stolas a hug. The imp’s body felt warm against his.

 

Stolas stared forlornly at the full moon in the crimson sky…but then closed his eyes and accepted Blitzo’s hug. He wondered if he loved Blitzo as much as Blitzo loved him…it was hard to tell, at times. He missed Octavia very much and felt regret for his actions…but with Blitzo and I.M.P. by his side, he hoped he would get through whatever lay ahead.

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

‘I found you, Blitzo!’

 

A shadowy Rolando grinned from underneath the balcony grate.

 

‘And your birdie boyfriend buffet!’

 

The hidden insecurities reeking off both of them almost made him pounce right then and there.

 

‘Patience, Rolando,’ he told himself. ‘You’ll get your sweet TASTE of revenge soon enough.’

 

…

 

 

Loona waved goodbye and her Hellhound friends left the apartment. “Thanks for hanging out!”

 

“See you, Loona!” they called.

 

Moxxie and Millie waved and headed back to their apartment.

 

“Merry Sinsmas!” Moxxie called to Blitzo and the gang as they headed out.

 

Loona yawned. “I’m heading for bed. Goodnight guys.”

 

She disappeared into her bedroom.

 

“You can sleep on the couch, Stols,” Blitzo mentioned.

 

“You sure, Blitzy?” Stolas asked.

 

“Yeah. I got several blankets I can use on the floor.”

 

“Goodnight, Blitz,” Stolas said. “I-I love you.”

 

A pause.

 

“I love you too,” Blitzo answered softly, giving him a small kiss on his forehead.

 

Blitzo tucked Stolas in with his blue horseshoe blanket and curled up to sleep on some other blankets by the TV.

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

All the Christmas lights, TVs, and electronics suddenly shut off. Several child imps cried out in fear. The rooms and halls turned pitch black and ice cold.

 

“Aw fuck, no internet!” grumbled one imp.

 

“Seriously?!” yelled another imp. “I can’t see anything!”

 

“Anyone have a flashlight?”

 

 

 

Gigi and Russ had reached the end of the hall.

 

“My phone’s dead,” Russ sighed. “But the flashlight on it still works.” He tapped his phone, and a white light appeared.

 

“A power outage on Sinsmas?” Gigi asked. She rolled her eyes and moved Russ’ phone up to her face with a playful spooky expression. “Maybe Krampus has come to curse us for being naughty.”

 

“Do you really believe that he’s real?” Russ asked, taking the phone back.

 

“Who knows? I heard he carries a flaming whip and wraps Sinners and Hellborns in chains,” she replied.

 

“I swear I’ve been only a little naughty all year!” Russ cried out to the darkness. “I’ll try again next year!”

 

Distorted laughter echoed around them. “There won’t be a next year for you, little mutts.”

 

“The fuck was that?” Gigi shivered. The hounds huddled close to each other.

 

Russ blinked as a tall shadowy figure hovered toward them, illuminated by one light overhead. “That’s not Krampus. What is that thing?!”

 

“Your worst nightmare.”

 

Both their cell phones flew from their hands and crashed against the wall. The phone flashlight went out, leaving the hall in pitch darkness.

 

Rolando placed his hands on Russ and Gigi’s foreheads.

 

“So you’re friends of Blitzo’s furry pet…” he mused in his distorted voice. He then chuckled. “I see in my head you have…a hamburger and an ice cream outfit? Oh-ho-ho, you’re making me hungry already!”

 

Rolando let out a hungry growl.

 

“Russ, RUN!”

 

“Where?!”

 

“Anywhere!”

 

“I can’t see a thing. Gigi, where are you? AAAHH! That thing’s got my leg!”

 

A thud was heard.

 

“Let’s find out how tasty this hamburger is!”

 

“Get off of me, you…!”

 

Russ howled and screamed as Rolando began to feast on him. Racing footsteps were heard.

 

“Very fat and very tender. Hellhound fear sure is…hey, bitch, you’re not going anywhere!”

 

Gigi fell with a thud and a yelp as Rolando tripped her.

 

“Stay away from me, freak, what are you…”

 

Gigi yelped. “EWW! IT’S LICKING MY FACE! STOP IT…!”

 

“What’s the matter, sweet pup? Don’t you want a kiss?”

 

Gigi’s whines were muffled as more flesh was torn.

 

“I guess looks aren’t deceiving, Gigi, you’re just as sweet as ice cream!”

 

The Hellhounds’ agonized cries faded to gasps, then silence.

 

‘Oh, it’s strangely quiet now. Had too much fun, tonight, hounds? Wait ‘til little Loony finds out you’ve…lost your heads! Hahahahaha!’

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

 

The lights briefly flickered. Stolas yawned and could see Blitzo sleeping soundly nearby.

 

All was dark and quiet.

 

“Sweet screams, Stolasss…”

 

 

Through half-closed eyes, Stolas could see rows of sharp pointed teeth inches from his face. Before he could react or scream, Rolando morphed into black goo and rushed into Stolas’ head.

 

0 0 0

 

 

Stolas gasped as he found himself bound by rusted chains to a seat. He looked around and saw movie theater seats around him covered with coral and seaweed.

 

An overhead projector turned on and a light revealed parting curtains and a green-tinted movie screen.

 

Stolas closed his eyes and concentrated…nothing happened.

 

“No more magic for you, Prince Stolas…” sang a dark voice.

 

“B-Blitzy?” Stolas looked around.

 

“Your little imp plaything can’t save you now…not when you’re all mine.”

 

Stolas flinched as Rolando ran a claw upward along his neck.

 

“Hey, what’s wrong, Your Majesty? I thought you enjoyed being held captive…”

 

His features briefly shifted into Blitzo’s face. “…by a being of lesser status?”

 

“What’s the meaning of this?!” Stolas demanded.

 

Rolando shrugged. “It’s nothing personal, asshole. Your little lover boy traveled up to Earth and nearly fried me during my hunting time. Being so hungry, I obviously have to make him suffer. Oh, but when I sensed your grief, low self-worth, your depression…”

 

He licked his lips and chuckled. “I can’t help myself…you’re a walking buffet! The vast traumas you hold inside will satiate my hunger for weeks!”

 

“You can’t do this!” Stolas cried.

 

“Oh, but I can. Now hush. Your show’s about to start.”

 

3…2…1…

 

 

0 0 0

 

Stolas saw himself as an ugly-looking owl baby with large purple eyes and wrinkly orange skin. He was in a bare crib with nothing but a stuffed red imp toy off to the side.

 

King Paimon waved a hand to the various butlers in the throne room. “So my son, Stolas, was it…has been born. Another one. Seems powerful enough. He’ll hopefully help carry on tradition with astronomy and astrology.”

 

“Aren’t you going to care for him, Your Highness?” asked a white-haired imp butler.

 

“Hell no! I have duties to attend to and my wife Astaria is gravely ill. See to it that he does whatever he needs to do as he grows up.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the imp butler bowed.

 

For much of his infancy, Stolas was fed, changed and checked on decently enough. But forget about snuggling and desperately needed love…his father didn’t care, his mother was never around, and the butlers trotted on to other areas to keep up with their busy schedules.

 

Needless to say, Stolas had been lonely from the beginning.

 

 

 

 

King Paimon manifested in the throne room before a child Stolas in flashes of many-headed shadows and monstrous shapes. He stood regal as a tall owl wearing a large gold crown and red robes.

 

“Ahh! There is my little…ahh…”

 

Paimon turned to the butler and whispered. “Which son is that one? There are so fucking many.”

 

“Stolas, Your Highness,” the butler answered.

 

“Stolas! Yes, heh, right. Right, heh, heh…that’s the one, the owl boy.”

 

He leaned down toward Stolas’ face. “Well, my little one, it is finally your day of becoming a true part of the Goetia family. How good for you. Are you ready to know what you’ll be meant to do to serve Hell?”

 

“Yes, Father!” Stolas replied excitedly.

 

Paimon conjured magic that showed shooting stars and outer space. Pink and blue meteors zoomed from the portal.

 

“You’ll be entrusted with the study of the Earth skies. The stars. The prophecies they hold. All that stuff. Isn’t that fuuunn? You will begin studies of your Grimoire, which will grant you access to the mortal realm. To study and observe, and you will grow to be a mighty Prince of Hell with your own legions to lead and pass on your knowledge to.”

 

Stolas eagerly took the book after it floated into his hands. “I will do my best, Father!”

 

“Wonderful!” Paimon exclaimed. “Also, son, you were destined to sire a precautionary addition to the Goetia family. So you are now engaged!”

 

He showed Stolas a picture of his future wife. “Congratulations! Isn’t she charming?”

 

The pictured showed a young angry princess Stella choking the life out of a black queef dog and stomping on another.

 

Stolas whimpered and began to cry.

 

“Oh! That’s an ugly noise, son…” Paimon began. He patted him hard on the head. “Here, how about you cease this bitch crying?”

 

Stolas wailed louder.

 

“Huh, that usually works…would you like it if I took you to the circus in town? Children enjoy the circus! Right?” Paimon patted Stolas’ head again. “Would that distract you enough from your non-negotiable future marriage?”

 

0 0 0

 

 

“Do you, Prince Stolas, take Stella to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

 

Stolas and Stella glared at each other, shooting nervous glances at the audience.

 

“I do,” Stolas deadpanned.

 

“And do you, Stella, take Prince Stolas to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

 

“I do,” she mumbled.

 

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

 

Their kiss felt hollow.

 

“Hmmm…” Rolando interrupted. “It’s quite a shame that you cheated on a lowly imp and ruined your marriage. Otherwise, Stella wouldn’t have decided to cheat on you later with her two owl friends.”

 

“SHE WHAT?!” Stolas gasped.

 

But the next scene already flashed into frame.

 

0 0 0

 

“Sooo…” Blitzo began nervously, playing with a bobblehead Moxxie on his desk. “…what can I do you for this time, Stolas?”

 

Stolas lounged in his room, phone in hand. “There’s a political candidate causing trouble up on Earth for a few of my associates. He’s trying to convince people global warming exists.”

 

“Doesn’t it?”

 

“Well…yes, but more people die if nothing is done about it. And it gets lonely here.”

 

“Okay, well now that makes sense.”

 

“Do you know what happens when I’m lonely, Blitzy?”

 

Blitzo flinched away. “Oh, god fucking dammit…”

 

Stolas grinned, his eyes glowing red as he spoke with a sadistic expression.

 

 

“When I’m lonely, I become hungry, and when I become hungry, I want to choke on that big red dick of yours, toss your salad and lick all of your shit before taking out your teeth and filling it with more teeth until you’re screaming ‘pee-pee-poo-poo’ like a fucking baby!”

 

 

Blitzo hung up and proceeded to destroy his phone with a blank shocked expression.

 

Rolando burst into laughter, nearly choking on his popcorn. “HAHAHAHAHA! So that’s what you said?!”

 

“Did I really say that?” Stolas froze in confusion.

 

Rolando caught his breath. “You like teeth and shit, huh?! Would expect nothing less from a pompous piece of SHIT like you!”

 

He sank his teeth deep into Stolas’ neck, causing the owl to cry out in surprise and pain. Rolando lapped up his black blood.

 

Rolando’s words were saturated by laughs. “Are you enjoying this, Stolas? Because I sure am!”

 

“NO!”

 

 Rolando turned to Stolas. “You can’t really blame Blitzo for lashing out at you. From the very start, he suspected you were just using him for sexual pleasure…just an inferior toy you could order around. What happened?”

 

“I…I fell in love.”

 

Rolando scoffed. “Love? Your relationship was never about love! It was all a jumbled up mess between a desperate imp trying to get by and a bird-brained prince blinded by lust with poor communication skills! You certainly didn’t save Blitzo on his mission…you just lounged in your bubble bath, imagining the two of you in bed! You must feel so proud!”

 

0 0 0

 

Octavia groaned as she sat up in bed. She searched through her playlist of Blink 182, My Chemical Romance, Nirvana, and other punk alternative music. She played “My Life Is Burning Down Around Me” and wore headphones as she walked to the kitchen where Stolas and Stella were fighting.

 

Stella screamed at the top of her lungs. “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU SLEPT WITH AN IMP IN OUR FUCKING BED!”

 

“It was unexpected!” Stolas replied. “I didn’t have time to go to a motel!”

 

Stella seethed in disgust. “A motel?! Like a fucking plebian?!”

 

Stella screamed in rage.

 

“You want to fuck this one too?!”

 

In a fury, Stella grabbed a small white dressed imp butler and violently tossed him at her husband.

 

Stolas flinched, holding up his hands. “No! Of course not!”

 

Stella pointed a condescending finger at him. “You are a god damn embarrassment! I’m not spending another moment looking at your pathetic, imp-sucking face!”

 

Stella stormed out of the room, tossing and breaking more of Stolas’ beloved potted plants as she yelled.

 

0 0 0

 

Stolas found Octavia crying inside an apple-shaped ride at Loo-Loo Land.

 

“Octavia…” Stolas began, walking over to her, his apple hat making a sad face as it fell to the ground.

 

He sat next to her. “I take it you are…not having fun?”

 

“I didn’t even want to come here!” Octavia protested.

 

“I’m sorry, sweetie…I…I thought…you loved it here,” Stolas stared at her, sadly.

 

Octavia sniffed. “When I was a kid, my parents didn’t hate each other. My dad didn’t flirt with some weird red dick-head the entire time.”

 

“I’m sorry, Via. I’m sorry for…everything happening right now. I know it’s a lot…I should have listened.”

 

Octavia’s voice cracked. “I just wanna go home. But home doesn’t even feel like home anymore. You ruined it.”

 

Stolas nervously scratched his neck and stuttered. “You need to understand…your mother and I…it’s just…I felt…she’s always been…I’ve haven’t been happy…we weren’t in love…I’m sorry, I don’t have the words…” He buried his face in his hands.

 

Octavia whimpered. “Are you gonna run off with him? And leave me behind? Go away where…I can’t find you?”

 

“What?” He pulled her close. “No! No, never.” He hugged her. “I’d never do that. Never…”

 

 

 

“You didn’t even keep a simple promise to your own daughter,” Rolando scoffed. “You did run off with Blitzo…you were even willing to sacrifice your life to save his…without giving poor Via a second thought!”

 

“No, you’re wrong! I love Blitzo and Octavia will all my heart!” Stolas protested. “You know nothing!”

 

“On the contrary…”

 

Rolando sinisterly whispered, “I know everything. You’ve called Blitzo an impish little plaything…going so far as to openly taunt him in public several times! And all this time, you left your ex-wife angry enough to send a Wrathian assassin to kill you! And your daughter barely even knows you anymore! I’d say being exiled, powerless, and losing contact with her was exactly what you deserved!”

 

Stolas screamed in anger and struggled fruitlessly against the chains.

 

Rolando purred. “Yes, yes, keep struggling, keep crying…it’s been a long time since I enjoyed such delicious despair! I can’t wait to tear you apart bit by bit!”

 

 

0 0 0

 

“Stolas, is that you?” Asmodeus sang at Ozzie’s. Stolas looked around in sheer embarrassment.

 

Are you sleeping with an imp?!” Wally Wackford cried with a smirk.

 

“Wooo! My dark lord, how the mighty do fall!” Asmodeus added in song as Fizzarolli leered at Blitzo on the ground.

 

Asmodeus sat Stolas in a heart-shaped chair. Appearing on either side of Stolas from blue flames were illusions of Stella and Octavia, eye glowing, faces stern.

 

“You used to have a smoking wife, a kid, you had it all,” Asmodeus mused.

 

The illusions disappeared in front of him, only leaving a humiliated Blitzo that Fizzarolli placed onto the chair.

 

“I hope you didn’t give it up, so you and him could get it on!”

 

Blitzo and Stolas looked away from each other in shame. Stolas hid his face behind a menu.

 

Asmodeus was tickled pink at Stolas’ mistake. “You sold your life for a thrust!

Now that’s the spirit of lu-u-u-ust!”

 

On and on, the horrific memories played.

 

0 0 0

 

Stella was talking on her feathery pink rotary phone. An imp held the phone stand.

 

“I know we’re together, but it seems like I’m married to a fucking board. Stolas just lazes around and pouts. Everyone else gets better-mannered spouses. I know still being married isn’t a big enough occasion, but to be fair, it’s no picnic being married to a boring stiff like Stolas.” She glared at him before turning back. Stolas opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a finger and turned away.

 

Stolas poured his coffee into a blue mug with yellow stars on it. He sat at a table and took a sip of his coffee, using his magic to flip open a newspaper. A headline read “NOT DIVORCED ANNIVERSARY PARTY! Couples Only.”

 

“Stella, what in hell is this?” Stolas asked in disgust.

 

“Urgh Stolas, you know I like throwing parties. Plus, it’s true so, you can come if you want.” She flipped back her long white feathery hair and walked away, beak-nose in the air.

 

Stolas dropped his newspaper and groaned in disgust. He figured he’d get it over with. He sipped his coffee…

 

…and several hours later, he sipped wine from a glass at the party. Verosika’s sultry music theme from Spring Broken played in the background. Bird-like demons wearing royal garb chatted together in groups around the chamber-like room. A gray quail and a smaller blue parrot-like being danced together, both wearing fancy suits with long trims at the ends. The parrot held his partner under him in a dance. There were silver curtains hanging by the glass windows and spiral silver plants were displayed in pots. A female imp was serving a drink to a lady wearing a yellow dress, while another imp held two wine glasses on a platter. Another lady wore a magenta dress, fancy golden gloves and pink tips in her white feathery hair. She was with a gentleman bird who wore a matching magenta coat.

 

Near the crystal spiral chandelier, Stella and two white birds dressed in formal attire were laughing and holding wine glasses in their hands. They loved gossiping and dressing up. Stella wore her usual white dress with a pink top and her gold crown on her head. The yellow-eyed woman owl wore a pink dress and a pearl necklace, while the male white bird wore a tuxedo and had yellow eyes.

 

Stella laughed loudly as she gossiped. “No! Stolas is terrible in bed! I swear to fuck he just lays there staring at the wall, and I have to do everything! It’s embarrassing!” She sighed. “I’m glad one egg fell out of me so I could stop pretending to want to fuck his scrawny twig ass.”

 

Stella gulped down her drink and tossed her wine glass at the window, causing it to shatter. All three royals laughed loudly, while a grumpy Stolas stood stiffly under a blue banner reading “Not Divorced!”

 

The three white birds walked off, Stella in the middle. Stella turned back and sneered at Stolas. “What a pathetic fucking man! Ha!”

 

Stolas seethed and made hawk-like bird noises.

 

Stella talked with her friends some more. “Poor people! Ugh! I’m so glad they’re not allowed in this thing! I don’t want them anywhere near me. Can you imagine if you didn’t have money?” She laughed derogatively.

 

0 0 0

 

“The fuck are you doing?!” barked Stella to Stolas on the palace balcony.

 

“Reflecting.”

 

“Well, stop! It’s annoying to hear you screeching your silly woes all the time!”

 

“Why are you still here?” Stolas asked. “You leave with Via on weekends, but then you stay around the house despite everything.”

 

Stella smirked. “I like tormenting you! I want to keep reminding you of what you did.”

 

Stolas roared. “I know what I did! I would feel bad if I hurt you. But we both know I didn’t do that. You and I were arranged for one reason. To birth a precautionary heir to the Goetia family. Nothing more! I tried for so many years to make it comfortable for us, to have this family. But it was never enough. The only reason I endured your constant insults and cruelty was for that girl to live a normal life! I cannot do this anymore! I want you out. Now!”

 

Stella glared. “What do you mean…out?”

 

“I mean OUT! Out of this palace! Out of my life! We are getting the DIVORCE!”

 

Stella fumed and marched toward him. “HOW DARE YOU! What do you think the rest of the Goetia family will think? And Andrealphus…”

 

She raised her arm to strike him, but Stolas grabbed her wrist.

 

“I don’t care what your arrogant brother thinks! And the only thing the Goetia wanted from our marriage is already 17. So it’s over! I’m done!”

 

Stella scoffed. “Fine. I have no desire to stay in the place of a traitorous embarrassment. You have fallen from what little grace you had…”

 

Stella smirked evilly. “…and I know you’ll pay for it.” She strolled away.

 

0 0 0

 

 

Stolas held out his hand. “I need it back. Permanently.”

 

Blitzo pulled the grimoire back. “N-n-now hold on, Stolas. Come on. Is this because I’ve taken up skipping a few rounds with you in bed because I’m busy? That ain’t fair. Alright, I-I can still hold up my end of the bargain! Alright? L-Let me show you a good time tonight.” He spoke seductively. “You know I caaan…”

 

Stolas shuddered and pulled away. “Please don’t…say it like that, Blitzo. I…”

 

Blitzo used his hands to push open Stolas’ legs. “Come onnn, bitch. You know I don’t disappoint…”

 

Stolas briefly blushed, then shook his head. “No, no, no. There’s no need. I’ve made up my mind.” He stood up and walked away, grimoire in his arms.

 

Blitzo desperately followed him. “Stolas, please! I-I need this book, please! I need this book, Stolas. I will do anything.”

 

Stolas’ grimoire hovered next to him. Stolas did a small smile and showed Blitzo a small black box with a blue sigil of Asmodeus on top. He opened it, revealing an orange-yellow crystal on a teal cushion.

 

“This is an Asmodean crystal. It’s registered in your name.”

 

Blitzo looked confused. “Uh, what?”

 

Stolas flipped open the book with his magic, showing an icon of Blitzo using the crystal to travel from the Hell pentagram planet to a city on Earth, where he smashed it with his feet.

 

“Asmodeus has his demons legally travel to Earth for work all the time. I made the case for you to own one. You will be technically under his jurisdiction, but you will be able to go anywhere you want in the human realm without fear of consequence.”

 

Stolas put his grimoire back on the shelf. “Without breaking demon law. You no longer need my grimoire.”

 

“What?” Blitzo asked sheepishly.

 

Stolas breathed, looking downcast. “You…no longer have any obligation to see me, to touch me, to bed me, you are…you are free of me.”

 

Blitzo examined the crystal. “I…don’t understand. Why are you giving me this? Am I not, like, fucking you good enough? Because I-I can always-I can always do better…”

 

“Blitz,” Stolas began, looking him in the eyes and putting a hand on his shoulder. “I’m giving you this because I care…very deeply for you. And I have for some time.” He attached the yellow crystal to Blitzo’s glove, embedding itself into his hand. The sigil of Asmodeus briefly flashed in gold. “But this transactional thing we have, it’s not right anymore. It hasn’t been. It never was. And now all I can see is how wrong it is to be so tethered to someone in such an unfair way…and not know how they feel. But I want you to continue to be who you are, your business.”

 

Stolas removed his hat.

 

“You don’t have to stay with here with me. But…I want you to. I want you to stay here with me because you want to. Only if you want to.”

 

Blitzo then smirked after a pause. “Oookay, alright, you’re fucking with me.” Stolas appeared shocked that Blitzo was dismissing him. “This is an interesting roleplay. Never done this one, but I can get into it. Alright, how’s this, okay…’Oh Stolas, I’ll stay with you. I love you soooo much, I…’”

 

Stolas held up a hand for Blitzo to stop. He put his hat back on.

 

“Thank you Blitz, for…awakening me…for making me so happy. Even if only for a little while.” He paused, trembling with the pain of saying goodbye. “I wish you the best with your business.”

 

Blitzo was stunned. “Wait, what? You were serious? Oh, hold on now, Stols. What the fuck?”

 

Stolas somberly walked down the hallway, all the mirrors and photos covered by sparkly cloths. Stolas figured it was time to move on and put his past behind him. The pictures of Octavia peered behind the curtains.

 

“I have my answer, Blitz. You needn’t say anything. I have wanted you for so long, that your first instinct is that it’s always…about sex.” He paused. “That’s enough to know what this is.”

 

Blitzo fumed, kicking open the double doors. “What?! FUCK you, Stolas! You spring this feelings bullshit on me, are you FUCKING KIDDING?! Can I get a FUCKING minute to think after everything you put me through, you pompous rich ASSHOLE?!”

 

His voice echoed in the spacious room, bloodred light shining through the stained-glass windows.

 

Stolas and Blitzo froze, and a somber silence settled. The crystal wavy chandelier from Stolas and Blitzo’s childhood was also covered.

 

 Blitzo continued. “Treat me like one of your little butler imps?! You can’t just dismiss me like that!” Tears formed in his eyes. “I mean, you royal fucks think you can do this EVERY TIME, like you can just play with our feelings because we’re smaller and not as IMPORTANT! Well, I’m not letting you, BITCH! LET’S GO!”

 

His voice echoed again. Tears flowed in Stolas’ eyes. He gulped silently and his mouth trembled.

 

 “Blitz, I think so very highly of you…” His voice broke, “I didn’t realize you think so lowly of me…”

 

After a pause, he briefly gave him a glance.

 

“Goodbye, Blitz.”

 

Blitzo gasped and reached out.  “Stolas, wait! I’m s…”

 

Before he could apologize, Blitzo found himself teleported outside Stolas’ mansion.

 

 “What…the….FUUUUUUUCK?!” Blitzo screamed in disbelief and fury as a bunch of hellish crows cawed and flocked toward the red full moon in the crimson sky.

 

 

 

0 0 0

 

A smooth stream of water flowed into a large pool illuminated by white orbs and pink and blue light. Near the stream at the top were a group of dark orange Venus Fly Trap plants with orange eyes surrounded by black sclera. All around the garden were palm trees and leafy plants that gave it a tropical peaceful atmosphere, despite being in Hell. Stolas was lounging on a purple and blue lounge chair with gold trim. Next to him was a glass of red wine on a gold side table. Stolas was currently reading a romance novel called “Pride and Brimstone.” He wore a white housecoat robe decorated with dark leaves.

 

A figure climbed up the garden wall, which had spiky vines snaking up the sides.

 

“Heeellloo, hello, hello, Stolas.”

 

Stolas briefly peered up, then glared and covered his face with his book.

 

“You have…AH!”

 

Blitzo fell into the bushes before standing up and posing on a Venus Fly Trap plant.

 

“You haven’t been answering my texts and I sent you a bunch of funny shit. So what gives?”

 

Stolas deadpanned, still looking at his book. “I was hoping my lack of ‘ha ha’s’ in response to the photos you sent would be an indicator I didn’t want to talk right now.”

 

“Oh, come on, Stolas, we just had a rough night.” Blitzo gave him a suggestive look, lowering his book with a hand. “’Sides, you always want to hear from me.”

 

Stolas sighed and closed the book, fatigue in his eyes. “Blitz. What is it you want?”

 

“I wanna feel like I’m earning my way to Earth. Kay? So get your tight feathered ass out of that lawn chair and get into the bedroom so I can…” He leaned in close, “fuck it!”

 

“Wow. Poetry.” Stolas said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes and stood up. “I’m sure such a statement would have had me swooning by now.”

 

Blitzo followed him, nervously, brushing his own neck. “Uhh, I, sh-yeah, sure that wa-, okay, that was a shitty way for me to say it, but you usually like it when I talk all dirty and fucky and shit…”

 

Stolas walked toward a small red tent decorated with strings of round lights inside. The tent had a gold mobile at the top with a round moon and extending from it were figures of stars, a sun and a crescent moon.

 

Stolas turned around with a glare.

 

“Come on,” said Blitzo, “we don’t do words, we do sex.”

 

“As shocking as this might seem, Blitz, I don’t think I’m in the mood to do ‘sex’ with you. In fact, I don’t think I’m even in the mood to do words with you!” He waved a hand. “So how about you respect that.”

 

“Oh, come on, Stolas, you can’t mean that,” Blitzo pleaded, following him. “You always love seeing this.” He grinned and posed by the tent curtains.

 

“Seeing you right now is hard!” Stolas proclaimed. “I don’t want to feel worse than I already do.”

 

Stolas placed his book on a table.

 

“It’s bad enough I got an invite to this anti-Blitzo party,” Stolas said, opening up the invitation, “’an honorary invite for being your freshest ex.’”

 

Blitzo’s eyes went wide with shock and fury. “ANTI-BLITZO PARTY?! WHO THE FUCK’S BEHIND THIS?!” He reached for it, but Stolas held it back.

 

“Oh, it’s entirely immature,” Stolas remarked, waving a hand. “I’d never indulge in this nonsense, it’s silly.” He held out the invitation to Blitzo, who ripped it out of his hands.

 

“Real silly. Real fucking classy.”

 

Stolas then smirked. “Kind of them to invite me, though. It might be rude not to make an appearance.”

 

Blitzo opened it up.

 

On the front of the invitation was “YOU’RE INVITED!!” in pink cursive letters with hearts as the exclamation point dots. Down below was a drawing of a dead Blitzo with a large knife in his chest, lying in black blood. On the back was a pink broken heart. Inside the card were more pink words: “Stolas, congrats! Blitzo has officially broken your fucking heart. It would be my pleasure to extend this honorary invite for being his freshest ex, to our Halloween party in the human world (located at 666 South Maple Avenue) for closure and to indulge in our shared hatred for that miserable fuckboy. Hope to see you there. Verosika Mayday.” She signed her name with more hearts.

 

“VEROSIKA?!” Blitzo fumed. “Of course, that fucking bitch!”

 

“I will say,” Stolas began, “It’s rather concerning you have an entire party devoted to hating you though, Blitz.”

 

Blitzo placed the invitation back into Stolas’ hands. “Oh please, everyone hates me for shitty reasons.” He sat down in a chair. “In the end, everyone’s just bitter they couldn’t tie this ass down.” He propped his legs onto the table. “I’m too much imp to simp.”

 

Stolas folded his arms. “You really think that’s the reason?”

 

“Yes sir, they couldn’t handle that I moved on.”

 

“Oh! So you’re used to being the one crushing others’ feelings, hm?” Stolas asked, glaring.

 

“If by…” Blitzo impersonated Stolas’ royal voice, “‘crushing others’ feelings,’ you mean ends shit before it gets serious, then bingo!”

 

“If you’re so scared of getting serious and getting too close in relationships, what are you doing here then, Blitz?” Stolas asked.

 

Blitzo looked unsure. “Waiting for you to admit that you get off to getting plowed by people you look down on.”

 

“I don’t look down on you!” Stolas cried. “How many times do I have to say it? When have I ever?!”

 

Blitzo rolled his eyes and explained sarcastically, “Oh, I don’t know…how about when you first started using me for sex every full moon? Or when you wanted me to kill some guy for spreading info about global warming? And all that dirty talk you did on the phone…you claim I’m scared of intimacy, but you can’t even communicate properly! I’m just giving you what you want, right?!”

 

Stolas sat in a chair. “You sound just like that horrific cowboy Striker!”

 

“Oh, don’t compare me to that scumbag!” Blitzo snapped back. “I saved you the first time!”

 

“The first time?” Stolas asked.

 

Blitzo paused. “Yeah, you know, at the Harvest Moon Festival?”

 

“And yet, you didn’t look for me after he almost killed me in the Wrath mine!”

 

“I got there…eventually…”

 

“I called you for help!”

 

“Well, you sure sounded horny as fuck on the phone, though! Besides I had to take care of Loona.”

 

“Oh right, that pet of yours.”

 

“She’s my daughter, you prick!”

 

Stolas sighed and stood up, holding his “Pride and Brimstone” romantic novel in his long black arms. Blitzo followed him down the path.

 

“Anyway, how was I supposed to know you could get hurt?” Blitzo asked. “You’re immortal and shit! You’re a fucking prince! If me and my team could kick that guy’s ass so easily, then I’m sure you’d have no problem.”

 

Stolas turned around and did a mock bow. “I suppose you are right, silly me. It’s not an imp’s place to protect a Goetia is it?”

 

Bypassing Stolas’ sarcasm, Blitzo held out a hand. “Aaand there it is! Took ya long enough!”

 

Stolas put his hands on his hips. “That’s all you were waiting for, wasn’t it? For me to play into this idea you have of me that I’m this prince who thinks he’s so much better than you.” His arms lowered. “Well, I don’t! Why would I allow everyone to see how much I like you? And even if I didn’t like you, why would I waste my time mistreating you? Our relationship was supposed to be sacred! I’ve tried so fucking hard to spend time with you, to support you. You can’t just ignore all that!”

 

Blitzo fired back, “THAT’S THE GAYEST SHIT I’VE HEARD ALL DAY!”

 

Stolas glared down. “Do you ever feel any kind of remorse for what you do? Have you apologized properly to anyone once in your life?”

 

Blitzo’s tail swished back and forth. “Why would I need to apologize to anyone? They all just hurt me and then they’re gone. I have no time to do something sissy like that.”

 

“Is that what your father taught you?”

 

“Like that’s any of your business. Perhaps you should go back to your own prissy papa and let him help you find imp fucktoys to…”

 

“Get out!” Stolas barked. “Right now! I don’t want to hear any more from a person who can’t apologize…”

 

Blitzo sniffed, his voice cracking. “You think I can’t apologize?! Oh sorry, this entire time I assumed the worst because I was convinced a prince could never love someone like me and I’ve let my self-hatred stop me from apologizing to anyone I could ever care about!”

 

Stolas turned around, slightly surprised. “Well yes. That.”

 

After a brief silence, Blitzo fumed, pointing a finger. “Weeellll fuck you! I can sorry the fuck outta people! Just you watch!”

 

Stolas turned around and angrily stomped up the stairs toward the double glass doors.

 

Blitzo continued. “I sorried Fizz so hard, he cried! And I can sorry more people, everyone but you! ‘Cause I don’t owe you dick!”

 

Without another word, Stolas opened the door and slammed it shut, disappearing inside.

 

 0 0 0

 

Flames shot up in front of Blitzo in the infernal courtroom. Satan leaned in and breathed menacingly, towering over Stolas and Blitzo.

 

“When you break my rules…”

 

He conjured chains that violently bound Stolas by his arms and neck. He now had a black collar with the Sin symbols on his neck. Mammon and Andrealphus grinned in triumph.

 

Satan finished in a long booming voice. “You…pay…the…priiiicccceee!”

 

Satan then sat on his throne, pointing at the imps and Hellhound. “Release the pawn!”

 

The chain unlatched around Blitzo’s neck.

 

“Stolas of the Ars Goetia,” Satan growled. “YOU ARE A DISGRACE!”

                                                                                    

 

0 0 0

 

“Uhh…what’re you doin’?” Satan asked.

 

“Um…” Stolas began, standing up. “I mean…aren’t you going to…you know…” He made a motion of sliding his finger across his neck, “…execute me?”

 

“Hah! Aw of course not! You are a Goetia.”

 

“But I committed a heinous crime.”

 

“Yeah, you did. But, you are demon royalty sooo…your life has actual worth.”

 

“So…” Stolas added, “Uh…” He pointed to the door. “Can I…can I go then?”

 

Satan burst into laughter, holding onto his knees.

 

“NO! Ooh, ooh. No. no. You still definitely fucked up, we just need to figure out a fitting punishment for you.” He moved his fingers together.

 

“Might I suggest something, Your Majesty?” Andrealphus grinned and slid over to Stolas on his ice slide. He lowered a finger and burnt away the chains binding Stolas’ arms. The reapers vanished.

 

“I think you should banish this shameful excuse for a prince and allow someone else to take over his legions. Considering the heir isn’t yet of age, I’d be happy to volunteer. After all, I’m everything he is, but NOT a deviant piece of shit!”

 

Andrealphus sneered next to Stolas.

 

“Yeah, that works,” Satan replied, standing up.

 

 “STOLAS!” Satan, announced with authority. “I HEREBY STRIP YOU OF YOUR STATUS, YOUR POWER, AND YOUR TITLE…”

 

Andrealphus hovered around Stolas, grinning triumphantly. “YESSS! YESSS!”

 

He let out a final “YESSSSS!” tearing off his coat and posing on his knees.

 

 “…FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS!” Satan finished.

 

 “WAIT, WHAT?!” Andrealphus asked in shock. One hundred years was only a few minutes in the long Goetia lifespan.

 

Satan conjured five magical giant golden rings, with the Seven Sin Sigils glowing on them in pink.

 

The rings lifted up Stolas, black electricity zapping around him. Stolas’ eyes turned black, and he writhed in pain. He could feel his power and energy being zapped away, all the magic sapped from his veins. The rings soon dropped him to the ground in a heap and hovered back into place, lowering out of sight. His royal hat and crown toppled away. His red cape was torn.

 

Stolas moaned weakly, his red eyes now having white pupils.

 

Satan added, “You will have to live amongst the citizens of Hell and revel in your own failings!”

 

 “But what about my daughter?” Stolas weakly asked.

 

Andrealphus bore a look of haughtiness.

 

 “She’ll be safe and sound…with her mother. The wholesome parent!”

 

 “I guess that settles it!” Satan called. He cleared his throat and clapped his hands. “Court’s adjourned, time for lunch!”

 

Mammon cheered. “Yeah! It’s fucking lunch time!” He leaned down and stuffed his face full of green chicken legs and green meat in vats. Green liquid spilled onto the benches. Asmodeus and Beelzebub looked disgusted.

 

Andrealphus moved his face upside-down, taunting Stolas one last time.

 

“Buh-bye Stolas! Enjoy horny jail!”

 

Meanwhile, Blitzo was still pounding on the doors.

 

“YOU! UH-UGH, YOU OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT-AHH!”

 

Blitzo was shoved away as the doors opened. Two reapers carried the limp Stolas and tossed him roughly to the ground. The doors slammed shut. The light from the setting sun peered through the windows and banners with the Sin symbols lined the hall.

 

“Stolas?” Blitzo asked, concerned, trying to help him up. “What happened in there?”

 

Stolas sat up. “I…have been banish-ed…”

 

A cup of coffee hit Stolas on the head. An imp janitor had thrown it and was flipping Stolas off near his cleaning supplies.

 

“You suck, Stolas!”

 

Blitzo flipped him back. “Hey! Fuck off, fuck-o!”

 

Stolas shrugged, standing up. “No, it’s fine, Blitz. I’m okay.”

 

“You need a ride home,” Blitzo noted.

 

Stolas stared at the floor, trying not to cry. “I…have no home now. Everything I have is gone.” Everyone looked up at him sadly.

 

Loona flicked on the lights in Blitzo’s apartment, also holding Blitzo’s golden horse key.

 

Blitzo led Stolas in and closed the door.

 

Loona placed the keys on the table and turned to Blitzo.

 

 “Hey, um. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

 

They shared a warm hug.

 

 “I love you, dad.” Loona smiled.

 

Stolas stood with a somber look, reminded of his lost daughter…the love they’d never get to share again.

 

0 0 0

 

Loona, Moxxie and Millie flinched as the hydra towered over them. Blitzo defended Stolas, aiming the black sword in the air.

 

The dragon aimed its jaws at the duo…

 

But a burst of black and purple magic formed a magical shield around them.

 

Octavia!

 

“Stand down, girl!” Andrealphus demanded. “This doesn’t concern you.”

 

“ENOUGH! STOP IT!” Octavia strained as she lifted her hands, pulsing with her magic. “You will not. Hurt. My. Dad!”

 

With a mighty blast, Octavia’s magic disintegrated the hydra. It broke the icicles and sent Andrealphus backwards.

 

Andrealphus stalked forward. “You’re in no position to make demands of me!” He smirked. “Imagine what your mother would say.”

 

“Uh huh. Exactly,” Blitzo fired back. “Imagine what her mother would say when she finds out you got your ass handed to you by a gaggle of imps and a Hellhound. I think that’s what folks call a BAD LOOK!”

 

“A very bad look,” Octavia folded her arms.

 

Andrealphus blustered, then waved his hand. “You aren’t worth my time anyway! But you WILL regret this.”

 

Andrealphus glared as he retreated back into the mansion.

 

“Via!” Stolas raced over to her as she walked back to the mansion and gave her a hug. “My brave, powerful girl! I am so proud of you!”

 

A crack formed in the ice that reflected Stolas and Octavia hugging.

 

Octavia pushed him away.

 

“You lied to me.”

 

“What?”

 

“You lied to me! You said you would never leave me! You promised!”

 

Stolas stepped back. “Via, I-I didn’t leave you I-I-I would never, it wasn’t my choice.”

 

“It was your choice! You chose HIM!” Octavia angrily pointed at Blitzo.

 

“Via, no! I didn’t I just-I had to. You don’t understand.”

 

Octavia spread out her hand, clenching a burst of magic. “I do understand! I understand that we were never enough for you! You never loved mother, and you don’t love me, you love him. And you needed THESE!” She held up the happy pills. “Was this my fault that you needed these?”

 

“No! No, never, Via!” He grabbed her hand. “Sweetie, please. You have always been the only good thing in my life!”

 

“So does that mean you just stayed miserable because of me?” She teared up. “Was I some fucking obligation? Is that why you didn’t even hesitate when you got a chance to leave?”

 

She shoved him away.

 

“I love you, Via. So, so much. Please, sweetie, let me explain.”

 

“I can’t. You lied to me once, and you’ll do it again.” Tears streamed down her face. “Have a good fucking life with him, Dad.”

 

“No, Via please! Please!”

 

Octavia blocked his way with ice. Stolas stared at his own reflection, crumbled to his knees and sobbed in loud anguish. Blitzo covered his shoulders with his jacket. Stolas sobbed as he clutched his happy pill bottle.

 

0 0 0

 

“Perhaps you think your daughter is just misguided,” Rolando mentioned to Stolas. “Maybe she is. But you left her behind when she needed you the most. You had months to talk to her, but you wasted your precious time going after your little imp. Now she hates both her parents…and now YOU’RE OUT OF TIME!”

 

By the time smoke obscured the screen and dark water splashed against the seats, Stolas was too mentally drained to resist Rolando’s influence.

 

“That’s right, Stolas…give in to your despair…you don’t even deserve your own willpower! HAHAHAHAHA!”

 

 

 

 

 

0 0 0

 

Stolas’ hand tenderly brushed one of Blitzo’s horns.

 

“You awake, Blitzy?” came Stolas’ voice.

 

Blitzo turned his head. “Stols?”

 

“You remember me?”

 

Blitzo sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I…?”

 

Blitzo’s eyes froze, and he scooted back. “S-Stolas?”

 

Stolas was leaning unnaturally toward the imp. His feathers around his face were messy, and his smile was strangely wide. His four eyes were blank and black.

 

A surge of panic raced through Blitzo. ‘Fuck, no. It couldn’t be…’

 

Rolando slammed Blitzo’s head hard against the floor before he could react.

 

The imp cried out. “Y-you’re that asshole infestor demon?! I killed you!”

 

“Fortunately, you made a big mistake. Just know that lowborn hick and your owl can’t save you now.”

 

‘But I know who can!’ Blitzo thought.

 

“LOONA!” Blitzo called before Rolando punched Blitzo hard in the face.

 

“You may have blinded and wounded me, ‘Bethany,’” Rolando seethed. “But all of Stolas’ insecurities have restored me.”

 

Stolas’ long black fingers wrapped around Blitzo’s throat.

 

“I never really loved you, Blitzy,” Rolando mused in Stolas’ voice. “I merely wanted passionate pleasure from you all along.”  Blitzo flinched and struggled in vain to escape his grip.

 

“Don’t hurt him!” Stolas cried, back in his mind.

 

Rolando grinned at Stolas. “Oh, I’m not hurting him…YOU are! Again! See, those are your hands around his throat.”

 

Stolas looked in horror at the green screen.

 

“Let me go!”

 

Rolando cackled. “Let my birdie buffet slip away? Not a chance. All your mistakes have finally caught up with you, Your Highness. He’s a useless plaything now, so you might as well discard him like the low-class scum he is!”

 

“NOOO!” Stolas protested, tears streaming down his face.

 

“You don’t deserve your daughter, either…perhaps I’ll pay her a visit after I taste all you guys…”

 

“STAY AWAY FROM…”

 

Stolas whimpered as Rolando sunk his teeth into Stolas’ gray feathery neck. Rolando whispered. “Don’t you want to have some fun with Blitzy one more time? It IS the full moon after all.”

 

Possessed Stolas licked Blitzo’s neck with his long yellow tongue. Blitzo flinched back. Rolando’s voice turned dark and seductive. “Now, how do you feel about murder kinks?”

 

Loona burst into the room. “DAD? Are you okay?”

 

She froze at the sight of Stolas attacking Blitzo. ‘Stolas’ slowly stood up…and turned his head all the way around to face Loona with an eerie grin. Black goo poured from the dark eye sockets.

 

“WHAT THE FUCK?!” Loona reeled back.

 

“An infestor demon’s inside him!” Blitzo warned.

 

Loona barred her teeth. “GET OUT OF STOLAS RIGHT NOW!”

 

Possessed Stolas let out an eerie laugh. “As you wish…”

 

He turned to Blitzo and cooed in a bone-chilling tone: “Farewell, my darling little imp.”

 

Rolando turned back to the trapped Stolas. “I was going to use you to kill your precious little imp…”

 

He aimed his sharp claws toward Stolas’ back.

 

“…but I believe you’ve served your purpose well…the fallen prince…”

 

He jabbed his claws into Stolas, black blood pouring out…

 

“…the lustful lover…”

 

Stolas squawked in agony as Rolando stabbed again…

 

“…the unfaithful shitty father…”

 

He dug his claws in deeper…

 

“and now…MY FLAVORITE MEAL!”

 

 

Possessed Stolas’ head arched back with a sickening crack. Black blood poured from his eyes and more black blood seemed to flow from long scratch marks appearing on his chest.

 

“The fuck’s happening?” Blitzo shuddered as he moved beside Loona.

 

Thick black blood spilled from the wounds as Stolas’ cries mixed with Rolando’s laughs.

 

More scratches and bite marks appeared on Stolas…both on his body and on the real trapped Stolas. 

 

Then, in a gruesome gush, Stolas’ chest was ripped open, black blood splattering the floor, walls, and the faces of the stunned imp and Hellhound. Stolas’ body collapsed to the floor, his long neck bent at an angle, his red eyes and white pupils frozen in death.

 

Loona covered her mouth in shock. Blitzo’s body shook.

 

“STOLAS!” Blitzo wailed.

 

Some of the black blood pooling on the ground thickened and slowly rose up into a hunched humanoid shape. Rolando grinned in his black gooey form.

 

“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!”

 

A heartbroken and enraged Blitzo fired several shots at Rolando from his small gun. The bullets passed right through him, making holes in the wall. Blitzo and Loona rushed at him, but the infestor demon swerved to the side, leaving thick dark puddles of blood and goo. He arched upward in a flip, spilling the liquid onto their heads. A few more hurried steps caused Blitzo to stumble and slip. Shortly after he fell to the floor, Rolando knocked the gun out of Blitzo’s hand and grabbed one of Blitzo’s large black and white stripped horns with both hands.

 

Blitzo cried out as Rolando ripped off his horn with a sickening crack.

 

Loona pounced toward Rolando, her sharp teeth barred. Rolando morphed into shadow, easily evading the Hellhound. After Loona had landed on all fours, Rolando whirled behind her and kicked her back hard with his foot. Loona was shoved forward, her head almost hitting the wall. Faster than Loona could react, Rolando flipped her over onto her back, pinning her down as he pressed his knees into her chest and gripping her wrists.

 

“Time to put you down, mutt,” Rolando mused in a demonic voice. “But first, why don’t you say goodbye to your friends?”

 

“What do you…?”

 

Out of thin air, Rolando manifested the severed heads of Russ and Gigi in his hands. He dropped them to the floor, the horrific thudding and rolling sounds confirming to the terrified Loona that it was no illusion.

 

Loona was about to shake him off…

 

…but Rolando’s illusion of a large syringe over her head kept her paralyzed in fear.

 

“Loona! Fight him! Snap out of it!”

 

Blitzo’s words were soon muffled like they were underwater. Loona couldn’t make herself move.

 

The needle inched closer to her neck, black liquid gushing inside.

 

Rolando’s mouth opened in triumph as the needle lowered and stabbed Loona in the neck. She lifted her head back and let out an agonized howl that chilled Blitzo to his core. The infestor demon clamped his jaws around Loona’s neck and with several sickening snaps, Loona choked wetly before falling still.

 

The searing pain of his missing horn was nothing in comparison to seeing his adopted daughter’s lifeless body under Rolando. The dark room became blurry under a new stream of tears. He barely registered Rolando kicking the side of his face.

 

Rolando leered over the devastated imp, holding him in place by his wrists.

 

“Still think I’m ghostfucked, ‘Bethany’? Are you too busy boasting with fake bravado to consider others around you? I’m not surprised. Your father thought you were worthless from the beginning. Your sister blamed you for the loss of your mother and her circus career. Fizzarolli nearly died because of you. Verosika remains hurt by your reckless actions…”

 

“SHUT UP!”

 

“…and now, you couldn’t even save your so-called daughter and lover!”

 

Blitzo sobbed heavily.

 

 “You never should have entered my hotel,” Rolando continued, licking his lips. “And when little cretins like you disturb my feeding time…”

 

Green flames danced in Rolando’s dark sockets.

 

“…it’s only a matter of time before I find them and cook them…”

 

Blitzo looked around and gasped in terror as green flames burned through the floor and quickly surrounded him. He coughed and curled himself into a ball, inching himself as far away from them as he could.

 

Whether the flames were conjured by magic or illusions didn’t matter…as Blitzo’s fear spiked, so did the brutal heat. Blitzo was taken back to the worst time in his life: the Loo-Loo Land fire. The catastrophe that killed his mother, almost killed his best friend Fizzarolli, and further tore him from his father and his sister. Blitzo’s skin turned red, then an ugly black as it gradually peeled away. His horns cracked and were reduced to molten stubs as he screamed.

 

Through the agony, Blitzo could see Rolando’s menacing shadow and glowing yellow grin as the tall emerald-colored flames swayed on either side of him like fiery spirits.

 

“And that’s how you get roasted…say hello to dear Tilla for me.”

 

The crackling of the flames and Rolando’s cackles consumed Blitzo’s senses. He collapsed to the floor, his eyes closing for the last time.

 

 

0 0 0

 

 

Moxxie and Millie slept soundly together in their bed at their apartment…

 

…well, mostly Moxxie.

 

Millie’s eyes were open, and worries filled her head.

 

Being pregnant was devastating news for her. The laborious ordeal of childbirth was daunting enough. With a child on the way, that meant another mouth to feed. Being one of the lowest classes in Hell, many imps had to fight tooth and nail to get by. There would be struggles to get enough food, diapers, clothing and proper education for their child.

 

But Millie’s worst fear was rooted in I.M.P. itself. Born and raised in the Wrath Ring, working freelance jobs to survive made her an everyday warrior. Killing people was her passion and her purpose. Trying to protect her baby would change everything. The thrill of skulls smashing and blood splattering would be replaced with baby cries, familial complaints, and emotional pain. Losing her job would be akin to a double death in her eyes.

 

‘Having a baby can be such a burden…especially when you feel like a burden yourself…’

 

She thought she heard Moxxie’s voice in her mind.

 

‘How does it feel to switch roles from assassin to housewife? How will you comprehend the fact that you’re just a serving character on the sidelines…’

 

‘Not fair!’ She thought. ‘An assassin isn’t cut out for childcare! I may accidentally hurt them! And…I’m not a side-character, Mox! I’m my own person.’

 

‘A person lost in the dramas and dreams of those around her. Being a mother is a daunting responsibility. Will you keep your baby or get rid of it?’

 

‘Mox, I don’t know! Why are you asking…?’

 

 She turned around and saw Moxxie sleeping.

 

‘If you keep it, you’ll be replaced at I.M.P. But if you abort it…I bet your husband would be devastated at the loss. Does your new role make you feel…’

 

A chill in the air…a swish of a shadow…

 

‘…WEAK?!’

 

Startled, she sat straight up and was met with a gruesome demon grinning close to her face.

 

“So we meet again, little hick,” Rolando drawled in a demonic tone.

 

“Combover!” She gasped, reaching for her black axe hanging on the wall. “You’re…”

 

Rolando snatched her with his clawed hands and pulled her back onto the bed. Moxxie groaned and shifted in the bed.

 

“Dead?” He sneered. “No. I’m still alive…with some blindness and scars thanks to you and your boss.”

 

“How the fuck did you find us?!” Millie demanded.

 

“I don’t need my eyes to sense your fears.”

 

Millie yelled and kicked in protest, startling Moxxie awake.

 

“Honey? What’s going on?” Moxxie muttered.

 

Rolando hovered his hands ominously over Millie’s pregnant belly, sharp claws aiming downward. Millie shuddered and shook her head.

 

“Allow me to take your burden away…and enjoy my little snack!”

 

Moxxie, startled awake, glanced over…and screamed as Rolando dug his claws into Millie’s belly.

 

“NOT MY BABY! PLEASE!” Millie shrieked, tears flowing from her eyes.

 

“GET AWAY FROM HER!” Moxxie yelled. He jumped onto Rolando’s back and tried to bite into his neck. Rolando leaned backwards and slammed Moxxie down against the floor. Moxxie grunted as he hit the floor on his back. He strained to his feet, trying to get in between Rolando and Millie. Millie cried out as Rolando tore into her belly with his sharp teeth.

 

Rolando easily caught Moxxie’s fists as he tried to punch him.

 

“Not so good at close combat, are you, Moxxie?” Rolando taunted. He took Moxxie’s arms and bent them painfully backward.

 

“AUURRH!” Moxxie screamed as he heard joints cracking.

 

“A tasty little weakling,” Rolando mused, leaning his face close. “You should’ve stayed in the mafia being your father’s faithful goon. Now you both will die as nobodies…just like your mafia mother…”

 

Moxxie whimpered.

 

“…and just like your boss.”

 

Moxxie gasped. “NO!”

 

Before Moxxie could react, Rolando gripped him hard by the neck and tossed him across the room like a ragdoll. His back hit the adjacent wall, and he slid down to the floor. He groaned weakly.

 

“Mox,” Millie choked. Rolando chuckled as he caught Millie’s fist with his hand.

 

“Nice try, little lowborn. You think you’re confident and completely trauma free, but thanks to the turn of events…”

 

He sank his teeth in deeper, lapping up black blood.

 

“…I now know your greatest insecurities. You were a formidable killer before, but now you get to experience the other end of the blade.”

 

Moxxie weakly aimed one of his rifles at Rolando. He teleported next to the imp and knocked it out of his hands.

 

“If you’ll excuse us for a moment…” Rolando smirked, trapping Moxxie in a chokehold, “…your husband needs to know his place.”

 

“Millie!” Moxxie gasped, extending out a hand as Rolando dragged him toward the bathroom.

 

Millie winced, trying to get up, but falling back onto the pillow.

 

Rolando ran his hand along the side of the tile wall and waved it. Black liquid goo rapidly poured from the faucet, gushing into the bathtub. Moxxie stared in horror and disgust.

 

“STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

 

Rolando drawled in a perfect impression of Crimson’s voice, “Showing you what happens to those who dare cross me…”

 

Rolando whispered in his ear, “…just like your dear mother.”

 

Heartbreaking realization hit Moxxie like a ton of brimstones. He remembered when Crimson made him drown his victims in the litter-filled dark lake. When one of Rosa’s high-heeled shoes bobbed up to the surface.

 

‘My asshole dad killed her?!’

 

Rolando laughed at Moxxie’s shock and picked him up. The imp squirmed and struggled uselessly against his grip.

 

“MILLIE!”

 

Moxxie soon found himself under the goo, being held down by Rolando’s strong grip.

 

Millie tumbled off the bed, crawling on the floor in agony to try and save Moxxie. A trail of black blood flowing from her belly left stains behind her, but she didn’t care. She managed to reach the door…

 

But with a wave of Rolando’s hand, the door slammed shut.

 

Tears streamed down Millie’s cheek. “NOOOO! MOX!” She clawed and banged frantically at the door as fast as she could. A few minutes later, Rolando opened it.

 

“You could’ve just knocked,” he smirked. There on the floor in a black gooey heap by Rolando’s feet was her husband, now lifeless.

 

Millie wailed as she hurled herself onto Moxxie’s body. Her previous anxieties about raising a child and losing her job were nothing compared to how she felt now. In the span of a few minutes, she had lost both her husband and her baby to the malevolent monster before her. If there ever was a double Hell, she had to have been in it.

 

“Speaking of double Hell,” Rolando mused, reading her thoughts, “I think it’s about time you go pay a visit.”

 

Millie stood up and rushed forward to attack with the remaining strength she had.

 

“YOU ROTTEN ENVIAN COCK-SUCKING ASSHOLE!”

 

Even with a wounded belly, Millie could still pack powerful punches…but her triumph was short-lived. Rolando blocked her punches and merely laughed louder the angrier she became.

 

“I can sense your anger and grief and insecurities…a triple tasty treat!” Rolando exclaimed. “It’s like you’re begging for your defeat. And I’m more than happy to help end your worthless little life.”

 

Rolando grabbed Millie’s arm and tossed her sideways to the floor. A hard kick to her chest made her fall again when she tried to stand. She felt her body succumbing to exhaustion.

 

Rolando morphed into liquid shadow and held Millie’s throat in a tight grip. She screamed and struggled, but it was no use. Her yellow and crimson eyes bulged, and black liquid poured from her eyes like tears. Millie, formerly the mightiest assassin at I.M.P., lowered her head, letting out a final exhale. Her body slumped to the floor.

 

Rolando snapped his fingers, and he appeared back in Blitzo’s apartment. The lifeless remains of Stolas, Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, Loona and the two hounds appeared by his feet.

 

For Rolando, it was a buffet of a lifetime.

 

Rolando let out an evil cackle.

 

“Nothing tastes better than revenge…and revenge is a dish best served…with despair!”

 

He happily feasted on them all, leaving no traces behind.

 

 

 

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the One Star Wonder front desk, human Rolando smiled at five new crime scene photos in his hands. They showed the gruesome remains of Stolas and I.M.P. He opened a side drawer and placed the photos inside, out of sight with other photos of his many human victims. He shut the drawer and showed off his eerie wide grin to human guests checking in.

 

Rolando wore his familiar red vest with a gray undershirt, black pants, and black shoes. His thick brown and gold sunglasses covered his empty eyes. Even his thin mustache, unibrow, and signature dirty blonde combover hair style had started to grow back. A small black toothpick was in his mouth.

 

There was much to do…check guests in, keep up the charade of a gracious hotel manager, and make sure no human got any ideas to potentially invade Hell. Things did take longer now that he was blind, and he didn’t think Queen Leviathan would approve of him slaughtering the more oblivious humans without her awareness…

 

…but surviving death and tormenting his enemies had made it all worthwhile.

 

Many demons were sent to Earth by the Deadly Sins to spread war, diseases, lust, and a variety of sins…more souls in Hell meant an easier potential Earth takeover.

 

But behind the deadly aftereffects of all the sins was the greatest curse of all: fear…the emotion behind every human flaw and judgmental belief. It was the basic component to lead humanity to its downfall…

 

…and spreading fear was Rolando’s specialty. He could still sense fears and insecurities just as well as before.

 

And when it came to humans, the infestor demon couldn’t get enough of their flavor.

 

After the lobby was empty, Rolando counted on his fingers. “Let’s see, I ate three Hellhounds, one owl, three imps, and four humans. Hmm…not counting a few succubi and incubi along the way.”

 

He pondered in thought.  “I think I have enough room for one more human, today.”

 

He turned his head, and a sinister smirk curled upward. Despite his sunglasses and empty eyes, his gaze pierced the soul.

 

“Welcome to the One Star Wonder, where it’s a wonder we still have that star! How may I…eat you today?”

 

In a swift motion, he hovered over the desk and his features shifted to his demonic form: gray skin, fin ears, sharp red sunglasses with yellow trim, and transparent white hair and fins. He rolled his yellow tongue off to the side before opening his mouth wide. His teeth inched closer and closer, the hotel scenery replaced by the damp darkness of Rolando’s maul.

 

Rolando swallowed and everything went dark.

 

“I knew you’d taste good, mortal morsel. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

 

 

END