Another Visit

"IM BACK!" a shout erupted as Michael kicks open the door of his residence. The rotting wood of his door and the mossy brick walls greeting his delighted grin.

He clicks open the lights as he chirps, "Oh, right! I'm alone and sad." The chuckle that came after was self deprecating. With such, he enters the door and slams it behind him.

Every step on the wooden floor creaks at his weight.

"Goddammit! I really have to pay for something better." He says to himself, the loud creaks nipping through his ears as he walked, the day almost coming to a close.

He then lies down on his bed, a simple walk away from his door, a satisfied smile on his face. "This might be one of the most exciting day ever." He then curls to himself as he falls asleep.

"How dare thee use a God's name in vain!" A thunderous voice erupted throughout his room. What little furniture he had shaking from the crimson light.

"What?" Michael just looked at the light in confusion.

"Didn't you say Godddammit?" Ahros asks, a bit confused.

"I did. But that was like a few sentences ago." Michael replies, his sleepiness now erased in a fit of confusion, his hands rubbing away whatever was left.

"So can I do it again?" Ahros asks.

"You want me to say that again so you can appear more dramatically? Is that it?" Michael raises his hand with a yawn, his eyes now unto the excited god.

"Yes, that's what I want." Ahros nods, disappearing in an instant.

Michael sighs, "Goddammit."

A few minutes pass, ".... Idiot."

"You dare use my name in vain!? Mortal!?" Ahros appears in a red light, his clothing fluttering behind him as he smirks, arms crossed.

Michael nods, his hand politely clapping, "Perfect timing."

"Excellent!" He then claps excitedly, "Now, get up. The night is still young. Tell me all about your day, yes?" He nudges him off of his bed, his earsplitting grin never leaving his face.

"Fine, fine. I'll go to you. Just don't get yourself into trouble like before."

...

"What did I just say!?" Michael shouts. His face stuck to a wall, men holding his head before he could ever reach the bookstore.

"I have no idea what happened?" Ahros asks, his head pushed down on the pavement as men drag him out from his store, it's light fading along with his exit.

"Why the heck are you asking me? You're the idiot that got dragged out!" Michael shouts back, his hand being tied behind him as he berates the older god.

"I apologize, can you at least forgive me? We all make mistakes. I am, after all, still human." Ahros smirks as Michael fumes at the jest, the men around them, confused.

"You asshole! You knew this would happen!" Michael shouts, his teeth bared as he aims for the god. He struggles against his restraints, his eyes stuck on Ahros' throat.

Ahros merely laughs as he dodges the boy's advances.

The carriage merely opens up, to reveal an exasperated man shouting at his subordinates, "What the hell are you idiots waiting for!? Get them inside!"

The two then get shoved inside the carriage. Their faces smashed against the windows as Ahros laughs harder in amusement, his knees raised in defense against the rabid boy aiming for his throat.

"Now, now. Calm down Michael. We are, after all, still hostages." Ahros says, a self-satisfied grin on his face, his eyes stuck at their new friend.

Michael scoffs at the thought. "Fine." His eyes then turn to the man with them, who looked at them with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. A scar over his eyes

Ahros then speaks up, "Hello there, friend. Can I ask what urged you and your men to give us this irresistible invite? Since I remember making no such arrangements."

The man merely nods, a small light on his finger as he takes out a cigar. "The boss wanted to talk about your hold over the Street of Shade."

Michael scoffs, "Yeah, sure, we'll talk. This is a pretty good invite and—" He looks around the luxurious carriage, his eyes getting stuck at the night sky as it floats.

Michael nods to himself. "Very good carriage. For nothing, but just talk?"

"Well, not nothing. More because my boss wanted you both, and wanted to personally negotiate." The man replies, his cigar lit in fire as the magic in his finger dissipates.

Michael coughs, his hand waving away the smoke pervading through the carriage. "That shit's toxic as hell. You wanna die or something?"

The man chuckles. "Not exactly thrilled to be alive."

Ahros then interjects, "So, which is this gang? The Vinnie Gang? I was sure we had an understanding. Or are you guys new? Maybe the ones that sent those unfortunate souls."

The man stiffens at the remark, "They weren't ours. Wouldn't send men for a suicidal mission." He taps the cigar off the carriage. "Though they used to be., but they're not my problem."

Michael chuckles. "Yes, of course. The guilt probably isn't eating you alive, right?"

The man looks away, his mouth spewing out another puff of smoke as he shook his head in amusement, "You know we are holding both of you hostage. Your life now rests in my hands."

"Oh dear," Ahros giggles in his hand, his pink eyes excited as he spoke, "How arrogant."

"Yeah, sure. You got me!" Michael laughs to himself, kicking his feet up as he laughed.

The man the mutters to himself, "God, what the hell did that idiot make me do?" His eyes trained on the two people before him, their relaxed attitude, a terrifying premonition.

Michael, though, sees this and smiles. "What's your name old man?"

"John. John Mackin." The man replies.

"Oh, what a nice name." Ahros interjects. He holds his hand out to him, "The name is Ahros."

John looks at his hand in surprise before taking it in stride. "Ah? yes? I guess it's nice to meet you too. Though I can't say the same for my boss."

Michael holds his nose in disgust, his hands free as well. "How long would this ride take? I don't want to bear the scent of your cigars any more than I've already had."

"Probably a minute." John replies, "You seem so angry about this, angrier than your friend here, at least."

Michael snorts, "Why wouldn't I? You fucked up my perfect day." He pushes his arm out, enjoying the anti air barrier on the luxurious carriage.

Ahros chuckles, his hand over his shoulder as he spoke. "Apologies for my companion's attitude. He seemed to have been left to dry on his date."

"She didn't leave me! Her friend summoned her through a portal!" Michael shouts, offended. He crosses his arms in annoyance. "Even happened at the perfect time. Just when I told her how cute she was."

John nods, his hand patting the boy on his shoulder. "Of course she did, buddy." He gives him a thumbs up and a teary smile. "It happens to the best of us, buddy."

Ahros nods along in synchronization. "We'll get you there one day."

"Both of you are bastards."

...

The smooth ride then comes to an end as the magic circles beneath the carriage vanish in a flash of light. The door opened by a group of men.

Wands on hand. Piercing magic, dripping at the edges. A fact immediately noted by Michael as he walked through the crowd, the tension palpable.

Michael scratches his restraints, something he put back on to avoid any more damage than he has to, his eyes forward as he asks, "Never did ask why your boss wanted to personally talk to us."

John scratches his cheek in embarrassment as he whispered, "To be honest. The Boss just does whatever. I don't really know what the boss will do to you, well, more than negotiate, at least."

Ahros snorts, "It's fine, my good man. We're used to it."

Michael rolls his eyes as he strides forward confidently. "Whatever. Let's get this over with."

...

"Hello there." A man spoke, with a cigar on mouth and a beer on hand. He looked up with a smirk. A smirk that threatened the life of the men around him.

He then stood up, his bulging muscles moved at every action. Power emanated from him as he stood, his presence dominated the room as he lowered his cigarette.

"Well, he's as typical as I thought he'll be." Michael comments as he strides in, watching the men move around him, wands on hand, and postures, battle ready.

"Oh my, how delightful." Ahros remarks, the shady room, one illuminated by a single swinging light. An effect of terrifying anyone as the men glared in their direction.

It all culminated in a picture that would intimidate anyone. Michael grins at the thought. After all, it would intimidate anyone, anyone but him.

Michae sits down with a slam, "Hey, what's up y-"

"YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!" John roars with anger, the surrounding men, jolting in shock as his rage continued on, "I told you stupid fucks to clear out this damn table! and open the fucking light!"

He crosses his arms, his eyes glaring at his supposed leader, "Hey you fucking idiot! What kind of fucking grunt work did you make me do!? Ordered your stupid shits wrong!?"

The intimidating man turned red in embarrassment as he rubbed his bald head. "I'm really sorry, John. I had a winning streak going on, you see? Didn't really think of they'll do it."

John massages the bridge of his nose. "Just get the boss, idiot."

Michael raises his hand.

"Uhm, wait. What's happening?"