Chapter 10: The V's

[A/N I recommend listening to the song "Wreak Havoc" by Skylar Grey, along with this chapter 😉 thank me later.]

My eyes flash as my power grows, my form growing, and my other tails showing themselves in vibrant colors behind me. I breathe out an icey breath, the air temperature dropping significantly, as I use my ice to freeze his hand on the gun, and the gun in a block of ice. "You should really know who you are challenging when you start waving that shit around, you never know when you might run into someone with far more skills than you." I taunt, kicking my leg out hard into his abdomen, causing him to step back, releasing his grip on my neck, and bringing up my arms to grab the gun with the closer one, hitting the middle of his arm with the other hard enough to hear a snap, twisting his arm as I point the gun away from me, melting the ice holding his hand in place. This causes the moth to loosen his grip, and the gun quickly changed owners, as I melted the rest of the ice, holding the gun against his chest.

He curses in spanish. "A violent streak, eh, chika?" He brings out a second set of arms, holding the broken one to his chest as he backs away.

I tilt my head. "You haven't seen violent yet. You're certainly fit to be my ideal prey though, so that will change."

He gets more pissed. "I'll bet you don't even know how to shoot that gun-"

I don't give him a chance to speak more though, pouncing forward, grabbing one of his antennae, dragging him down to my level, putting the gun to it and pull the trigger. "Any redneck worth their weight in bullets, should know how ta shoot any damn gun they come across." My accent leaking in as I back up and aim the gun back at his chest. "Ya really shouldn' let yer guard down if yer an Overlord. I was saving you V's for when I was bored and had more time... Pity."

A violent electric sound rang out, my fur standing on end as I dodge the attack, landing on all fours with my feet still planted on the ground, my tails spread out on display, and the adrenaline pumping in my veins boosting the chill in the air.

The electrical attack had come from the walking TV screen that called himself a demon, his face appearing on the billboards across the street. Buying time for the moth to collect himself, pulling out another gun.

"Well that wasn' very nice. You'd think someone yer age would have some manners." I say sarcastically, as I notice my shadows wiggling unnaturally out of the corner of my eye, it felt familiar, but it didn't feel like one of my souls.

I was stalling, and soon they would catch on.

I need Dex to hurry, so I can wrap this up fast. The last thing I needed was three Overlords on my ass, especially when I didn't want to use all my trump cards. If I could get away without exposing my fire magic, it would be ideal. I mentally tug lightly on the chain tying them to me, a signal they would know well, as I use it in the field regularly.

"Says the one wreaking havoc in an Overlord's territory." The walking television said, very full of himself.

I stand up straight, walking with the gun pointing at an over confident Valentino. Poor thing, he must think he has the upper hand now that the TV has intervened. "I'm not the one who started the disrespect, touching without consent. This moth of yours must be quite fond of flying too close to flames, because I can assure you, I am anything but helpless." I flash the screen a quick grin, as I fire one bullet at the gun in the other party's hand, sending it flying, and three more bullets into one of the moth's wings. Then firing again I take out all of the billboards save for one.

"FUCK!" The moth demon let's out a slew of spanish curses.

The billboard starts to spazz out, the TV demon's anger building, as another electrical attack shoots out at me.

I dodge again, only to have keep moving as the TV demon stands where I had been standing, his wires shooting out in a near endless attack. Freezing the wires to the ground as I go.

Seeing Dex on their balcony signing the word 'Done', my grin grew. "Well boys, as fun as this was, it's time for me to bid you goodbye." I give shadow a wink, and blow a kiss. "Keep up if you can, darlin'." I add to said shadow, quickly running towards the building next to Dex's apartment, wires, and electrical attacks following me as I rebound off of it, and using my ice magic to create small platforms for me to run up to the balcony. Grabbing Dex by the back of the shirt without stopping my momentum, and melding into the shadows myself, dragging Dex with me.

***

(Alastor's POV)

The little fox's interactions with the people of Cannibal town were unexpectedly delightful. The parents of the children trusting her so thoroughly, that there was no hesitation in letting the children run up her. Greeting her with wide smiles, as one tugged on her skirt.

The way her voice softened as she spoke with the child, using her magic to make a toy for the boy to share.

Their interaction hit me with a wave of fond memories with my mother.

I did not expect the sadness that clouded her expression, when I asked if she had children of her own. Her response, as if mourning a child that was never there to begin with.

Greeting dear Rosie, was a delight as always. Though the blasted fawn squeak that escaped my person, was an embarrassment.

The fox's giggles filled the morning air, and when threatened to silence, she had the nerve to respond with a teasing flirtatious remark instead of cowering in fear. Her eyes teasing and completely unafraid.

I was quite sure she would be staring in my next broadcast, when I caught her scent as she walked past me.

The scent of willow trees, and lilies. She smelled of home. Of mama's garden and the surrounding willow trees.

It was enough to cool my frustration. But it also made it impossible to leave her alone, following her into the kitchen, if only to continue to bask in that familiar scent.

She was extremely efficient with her knife skills as she handled the vegetables, the seasonings balanced, and her familiarity with the kitchen was refreshing.

Her words ringing true in my head after our conversation in the kitchen.

The meal was wonderful. I haven't had a meal that satisfying in decades.

When the meal was over, she rushed to clean up the dishes, and pack away leftovers. Running up the stairs to pack her things.

Shouldn't she be getting some rest? Annabella had mentioned a lack of sleep, and the little fox, had not denied the claim.

I quickly make my excuses to Rosie, saying my goodbye, and taking my leave.

A few streets away I tuck into an alley, and merge into the shadows. Going back into the townhouse, and up the stairs to attach myself to the little fox's shadow as she packed everything into boxes made of ice.

She hummed to herself as she moved around the room, the tunes changing and repeating as she went, until she seemed to settled on one, singing softly to herself.

"Live in a prison

But nobody knows

I keep it hidden

Too afraid to let it show

And I'm painting pictures on the walls

Barred with gold

Scheming with my demons

As they guide me back to home

Pick a version off the shelf

When I don't want to be myself

I, I'd sell my soul

To have control"

"I'm a bad bitch

In my alternate reality.

Built myself a throne

So that I can feel like royalty.

If im not enough, I can live inside my make believe.

Make believe"

"I flip to freak out mode

Blue fires inside my brain

I try to speak but out comes smoke

So tears fall like the rain

My mind's a downward spiral

Like a violent hurricane

And I can't escape

It's like a poison in my veins

Pick a version off the shelf

When I don't want to be myself

I, I'd sell my soul

To have control

I'm a bad bitch

In my alternate reality

Built myself a throne

So that I can feel like royalty

If im not enough, I can live inside my make believe

Make believe"

"I tried, I tried

To see myself now

In this funhouse

Eyes tell lies

Now I see"

"And I know

When the walls

Start crumbling down

Crumbling down

I'll find my out

Find my way out"

"I'm a bad bitch

In my alternate reality.

Built myself a throne

So that I can feel like royalty.

If im not enough, I can live inside my make believe.

Make believe

I'm a bad bitch

In my alternate reality.

Built myself a throne

So that I can feel like royalty.

If im not enough, I can live inside my make believe.

Make believe"

"Take me home

Before I grow too old

I'm losing hope

In this maze of worlds unknown"

Her voice was soft, and strong, carried the song in a way that reminded me of jazz singers, despite the song obviously being much newer.

Once she had all of her things in the boxes, she went downstairs to say her goodbyes, before bounding out of the door, and walking off towards the Entertainment district.

She had mentioned checking in on the souls she owned.

She pulled out one of those infuriating phones, fiddling with it as she walked. Then with a snap of her fingers, her outfit changed, as she muttered to herself that she better not rip the clothes she had gotten from, my dear Rosie. Her new clothes more modern, but still much more modest than most in hell.

Where was she going that she needed more durable clothing? What was she going to do this close to extermination day? There were so many questions to be answered.

When she arrived at her destination, a brightly colored tech demon was waiting for her, their greetings showing they were familiar with each other, before a pink spider bumped into the fox, flaring the little fox's temper at the unwanted touch, and disrespect.

Valentino exited the vehicle, before the spider entered it, giving off a feeling of intent that had the fox immediately on edge, her eyes narrowing and form changing, as she made hand gestures to the tech demon.

Good girl, stay cautious.

She moves to place her between the two demons, standing protectively in front of the tech demon.

Why?

At the moth's foul offer, the little fox growls out a biting refusal, mocking the V's along with the moth.

The cat eared demon is quick to retreat, as the fox is picked up by the neck and slammed against the building, making my eye twitch in dissatisfaction, and my skin crawl for some unknown reason.

The little fox didn't back down, throwing insults at the moth even after he pulled out one of his guns, holding it against her head.

I was getting restless. Did she somehow know I was here? Was that what was giving her the courage to take on the moth? Was she expecting me to save her, and not simply reveal in the carnage? Or did she have more up her sleeve than I anticipated?

The questions just kept piling up.

The fox threatened the moth, a grin stretched across her face that could rival my own as her sharp fangs glinting in the night, her form changing more, additional ghostly tails flared out behind her in different colors, and her form grew larger.

Fascinating.

The temperature around her grew colder, and that icey blue glow of her magic grew stronger.

The little fox's next actions were glorious as she violently freed herself and gained control of the gun, turning it back on Valentino, who in his dissatisfaction talked himself into receiving a bullet.

I almost lost control when Vox, that blasted walking picture box, attacked the fox, and showed himself.

I don't understand why I'm feeling so protective of the fox, I haven't felt this protective since mother. Is it simply because of her calming scent? Or something more?

The way she mocked Vox was certainly a sight to see, and her handling of the firearm was a marvel itself. Quickly, precisely, and accurately firing shot after shot. Then dodging Vox's attacks, as she made her escape. Though not before looking directly into the shadows where I was hidden, as she challenged me to follow.

Well now isn't that interesting.