Chapter 6: Quack-tastic!!!

(Song - Does the Swallow Dream of Flying: Cosmo Sheldrake) I really recommend you listen it's so good.

...

[Location: Hell: The First Ring - Pride - Gloutvile - The Abyss]

Mmmm

Mmmm-mmmm

Mmmm-mmmm

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm🎵

Mmmm

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm🎵

Succubus demons at the back of the blackened stage hummed as they clicked their fingers.

Then a single light shone on the star of the night...Miss Valentina!!!

"Does the swallow dream of flying (Mm, mm-mm)

As it sleeps on the wing (Mm-mm, mm-mm-mm)

Does it long for the summer (Mm, mm-mm-mm)

As it flies home for spring (Mmmm-mmmm)"

She took a breath as she looked at the crowd, who swooned when she glanced in their direction.

"Does daisy feel a sadness (Mm, mm-mm)

At the last rays of sun (Mm-mm, mm-mm-mm)

Does the wind feel a gladness (Mm, mm-mm-mm)

At the work that it's done (Mm-mm-mmmm)"

As she sang the crowd of 1 million Hellborn and Sinners were enthralled.

She truly was the greatest Singer out of all the Sinners in hell, even those watching from home couldn't help but close their eyes as they took in her voice.

Then the chorus came...

"I won't go, Making mountains...Out of molehills...Anymore. I won't go...Chasing windmills, Round in circles...Anymore."

"I won't go, Preaching sermons...To the choir...What's it for?

"I won't go, Through the motions...Anymore."

Does the river ever wonder (Mm, mm-mm)

What will come 'round the bend? (Mm-mm, mm-mm-mm)

As it twists and meanders (Mm, mm-mm-mm)

Down its slow descent (Mmmm-mmmm)

I looked out over London (Mm, mm-mm)

With my last cup of tea (Mm-mm, mm-mm-mm)

My gaze was returned by (Mm, mm-mm-mm)

Grey cloud and steel (Mm-mm-mmmm)

.......

Three months had whisked by like a whirlwind tour through the regions of Pride, and Tucker found himself perched atop The Abyss, the largest stadium in all of Hell.

The venue, capable of holding over a million souls, dwarfed any earthly counterpart in both size and grandeur.

Below him, Miss Valentina concluded her Hell Tour to a resounding ovation, the audience's cheers vibrating through the massive structure.

Throughout the tour, Tucker and Valentina forged a strong bond.

He had become her guardian, shielding her from the ceaseless tide of danger that came with her fame. In return, she offered him a glimpse into a life far removed from his lonely past.

As the crowd quieted at her gesture, Valentina thanked them, her voice echoing through the stadium.

"Merci, mes chéris! This tour has been a whirlwind of emotion, an unforgettable journey truly. But now, I announce a pause in my singing career. Je ne sais pas quand je reviendrai." Her announcement sent ripples of shock through the audience.

"But fear not!" she continued. "During my break, I'll be scouting for new talent. Who knows, perhaps I'll find the next big star of Hell."

The crowd erupted in cheers, their adoration for the sinner singer increasing.

Tucker, observing from his vantage point, vanished with a subtle flicker, leaving the roof just as a comical scene unfolded far below – a pink-haired succubus vehemently chastising and strangling an imp.

Backstage, Valentina was showered with praises and farewell wishes. Once alone, she sighed, dropping her façade of perennial energy.

Tucker, ever the silent bodyguard, appeared in her room. "Great show," he said, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

"Thank you, Tuck," Valentina replied, her voice softer now. "I couldn't have done it without you. Are you sure you won't stay on as my permanent bodyguard?"

He shook his head. "I need to explore more Val, see more. You've given me a taste of this world, but now I need to wander it on my own."

Respecting his decision, Valentina could only nod. She tried her best, but his mind was already made up...

......

Later, at Valentine Tower, Tucker brewed tea as Valentina lounged, her robotic Fizzy providing a much-needed massage.

Tucker then turned on the TV while sipping his tea, a news broadcast recapping the night's event at The Abyss.

"See anyone you might want to mentor?" Tucker asked, handing her a cup of tea.

Valentina, half-dozing, replied, "There are a few prospects. But there's one... Verosika Mayday. A Succubus from the Lust ring. She's got potential, a voice that could rival the sirens."

"Verosika Mayday, huh?" Tucker mused, intrigued. "What's her story?"

"She's ambitious, talented, and has that 'it' factor. But she's also a bit of a wild card. It would be interesting to see where she could go with the right guidance."

Tucker nodded, contemplating this new name on the Hellish horizon. "Sounds like she could be a handful."

Valentina chuckled. "Aren't all artists?"

...

Valentina, lounging comfortably on her sofa, her laughter mixing with the background noise of the TV, was interrupted by the familiar ring of her phone.

Glancing at the caller ID, a mischievous smile played on her lips. She chuckled knowing exactly who it was that was calling.

On their tour, Tucker always had a habit of carving little figurines of people and animals that caught his interest, and two months ago she happened to have joined an auction and decided to give one of those ducky figurines away making up that it was made by a 1000-year-old demon.

She didn't expect anyone to buy it but the next thing she knew, she was being handed 200,000 souls for the sculpture of the duck and a phone number from a high-up noble demon that wanted more of these duck sculptures.

And so that's how Lucy and Tucker got acquainted. Though they've never actually met, they do talk occasionally and the two really hit it off.

"Ah, Mr Lucy," she chuckled, "always a delight."

She then handed the phone to Tucker, who took it with a knowing nod. "Hey Lucy, how's it going?"

Lucy's voice, tinged with a mix of excitement and awkwardness, came through. "Tucker! Man, those ducks you carve are quack-tacular! Seriously, how do you even make them do those things?"

Tucker laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "A ninja never reveals his secrets, Lucy. But I'm glad you like them."

The conversation flowed easily, despite Lucy's occasional awkwardness. "So, I heard you're heading to Pentagram City soon. Maybe we could, you know, meet up? Grab some coffee or something?"

Tucker could almost hear the nervous excitement on the other end. "Yeah, that sounds great, Lucy. I'll be there in a few months. It'll be good to finally meet in person."

There was a brief pause, and then Lucy responded with a mix of enthusiasm and clumsy attempts at being cool. "Totally, totally! It'll be lit! Or, you know, whatever the kids are saying these days."

They then talked for a few more minutes before ending the call.

Handing the phone back to Valentina, Tucker couldn't help but chuckle. "He really is something else."

Valentina, taking her phone back, let out a soft sigh. "You know, you really should get a phone. It's high time."

"I keep meaning to," Tucker admitted. "Just never got around to it."

Without missing a beat, Valentina texted her manager. "Consider it done. You'll have a Hell phone by tomorrow. Consider it an early farewell gift."

"Thanks, Val..." She really was the best.

As they continued watching the TV, Tucker's laughter filling the room, Valentina couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of his impending departure.

She had grown accustomed to his presence. He was the most real thing around her...

"You'd better come back to visit, Tucker," she said, half-jokingly. "Or I'll send a whole army of my fans after you."

Tucker's smile softened. But you could see the cold sweat at the back of his head"You won't have to. I'll be back. This place... it's grown on me."