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Chapter Text

Helltaker Takes the Multiverse

Discount Fan fics

Chapter 1

The lab was cold. Lucifer, was finally able to kick off her boots and enjoy a solid 4 hours to relax before having to serve that tyrant Loremaster. Thankfully Justice had made some apple pie and there was a nice wine bottle waiting to be consumed. Perhaps she would have a nice rest thinking about the man who changed the devil's fate leaving her alone for that bitch fly. Now it was time to sit back an-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

***

*Knock-knock-knock*

“Wha-”

*The door slides open.*

“LUCY WAKE UP! IT'S TIME FOR SCIENCE!”

“Ugh” Said the devil

***

“What in the nine circles of hell is this”

“I have no idea! But it's blue! Lucy record the color please, I'm going to throw my pen in it then I'm going to get Subject-67 to poke it!”

***

The pen was thrown and the die was cast. It went to a place where magic did not originate, where magic was never crafted, where demons, angels, gods, or whatever else did not show itself physically. Until today that is.

***

“Jesus fucking Christ what the hell is this!”

“Oh hello there.” the big man with a very nice body said.

“What the fuck man those figures cost me a fortune not to mention my computer and desk! Aw fuck!” vocalized the small being.

“Oh human please calm down it was just plastic, I am in your debt after assisting us with leaving the abyss. You now have a deal with a demon at your fingertips surely that would outweigh the value of those… things.” spoke the red and white attractive giantess.

Suddenly the smallest being in the room realized something. Her heart was racing. She had no idea what was going on. The world was spinning, some tentacles surrounded her, vision dulling, panic was spilling out and then darkness.

***

Waking up from bed she smelled something nice. The phone read 8:30P.M. The sounds of frying down stairs. The smell of bacon and pancakes was a welcomed surprise, surely nothing strange was happening. Unfortunately when she arrived downstairs THEY were there.

“Pancakes?” questioned the big man

“Uh um, er uh.”

“Don’t like pancakes? I have eggs and bacon prepared as well.”

“Oh human, do sit down, I don't want another incident happening.” the demon recommended

“Ok”

Sitting across from her with a full plate of pancakes,eggs, and bacon were two people. One massive, thick, heavy and far too rough. Indeed it was like a heap of raw man. His clothes were a collared shirt red as wine(or blood), white jacket, sunglasses and white dress pants with belt, and smoothed black hair with a boppin pair of shades. The other, horns white as heaven, fly based accessories, deep red eyes accompanied by a full dress suit and short white hair with a little red and some height to boot . And then me, PJs involving white sweats and an oversized blue shirt, messy brown hair, green eyes, and glasses.

After a couple minutes of enjoying my “breakfast” with them and potentially drinking my last soda the “Fly” began to speak.

“So as per agreement in your dream you have one favor from me, Beelzebub, I can do many things like give you immortality, infinite wealth, or even recovery of those plastic “dolls” you value. I assume you will want time to think but unfortunately we don’t have that luxury so I recommend you come to a decision relatively quickly.”

“Wait, you're actually a devil? Like the Satan kind? The kind that will get me sent to hell to suffer for all of eternity for even talking to you?”

“Yes.” said the fly

“Oh no. What have I done, oh god.” said the girl

“Gods, actually.” said the fly again

“...Ok I have made my decision.” said the girl

“That was quick.” the duo said.

“Just give me like a billion usd in my basement, in legal tender to the United States of America produced in the year 2020.”

“Very well mortal, with our handshake you will have completed the transaction! Congrats you are now one billion richer. Your money will arrive in one to three business days.”

“Really?” the questioning human stated

THUNK

“Nope it’s all down there feel free to check it all just make sure you watch your step, there is quite a mess down there. Now if you excuse us human we will be making a portal to our universe which should only take an hour at most.”

***

“WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING? IS THERE SOMETHING MISSING? MUST MORE BLOOD BE SHED!”

“Hey Beel we just got here, perhaps we should try winding down for a bit. I know leaving the abyss must be tiring for you perhaps we should participate in some… other form of “relaxation”.

“Sweetie you're right, perhaps I am pushing myself. I just want to go and gloat to that old ha-I mean Lucifer and not to tear out her hair.” a tear slowly rolls down her face, uncertainty, anger and fear clouding her thoughts.

Helltaker wrapping his arms around the poor Beel sweetly said
“Hey you’re going through a lot right now and I appreciate you willing to try to forgive the members of the harem. We will work on it together. I promise you will end up happy just like everyone else.”

Beelizbub could never detect a lie coming from the Helltaker. After all, he did come to the abyss just to be with her. And if all that cost was her forgiving those devils she might just pull it off. Fortunately that wasn't the only thing she would be pulling off.

The fact that she could feel so much more in this world was a big adjustment for Beelzebub. Those moments with Helltaker outside the void was so, SO MIND MELTING. Every action, every breath, every grunt was so full of pleasure. And she wanted MORE. Now more than ever she was able to feel this after YEARS. His movements, the way she was held,the sweat, the satisfaction reached with every movement. He knew what he did to her and she held on even tighter with every push deep into her until the time had come. It was bliss. Pure bliss.

Afterwards during the post the fly thought. “Why wasn't it working?” nothing added up until she realized the one thing they were missing. The human. she needed blood not her’s not the Helltaker’s but the human’s and she would have it. And speak of the devil.

*Knock-knock-knock*

Opening the door the human was surprised, shocked even, not because they were in bed together but the fact that the temperature of the room had increased, and they were naked seemingly relaxing after committing such a grave sin.

“You guys did not just fuck in my room.”

“We were. Sorry.” said Helltaker, covering himself and Beels body in the blanket that belonged to the bed owner.

“Ugh, I guess I can afford new sheets and a house, and a new zip code. But why are you guys still here anyway I thought that you would be done in an hour, it's now 12 a.m. and i’m not drunk enough to deal with y’all havin sex IN MY ROOM.”

“Oh hu-sweetie I need a little favor, perhaps another favor from yours truly as compensation. It appears something is missing for the ritual and I need a “little” more blood. Not only will you receive compensation but we will also be leaving you. So sweetie, Will you give me a little more?”

“...” the human stood there pondering the flys offer, she did have one thing she truly wanted, something that would not be achievable through human means and she bet that the fly knew that.
“I can wish for anything right?”

“Yes sweetie of course.” Beel smiling knowing that her prey fell right into her hands perhaps she could get more out of this deal than anyone could possibly understand.

“I want to be a biological girl.”

The deal was struck, the pact was made, blood was exchanged and the ritual was complete.

***

“Now this will sting a bit. So please lie down. You will awake in about thirty minutes during that time, I will take the blood I need and you will get your wish you will awaken as a “biological girl”. Do sit and relax.” The fly quickly explained what was necessary for the human quickly setting up everything.

“So do I jus-zzzzzzzzzzz”

***

“Honey please support the legs a bit more, perhaps grab a pillow from the spare room. Ugh not being able to create from the abyss can be such a pain sometimes but sacrifices have to be made… Oh you're back.”

“So how exactly does this work? Do you just take the blood that you need and place it around the circle?” questioning the Helltaker

While spreading the blood in intricate patterns, shapes and symbols the fly explained “Oh my yes, it's quite a simple ritual but the issue is that I need someone particular from this universe to offer their blood. Only possible thanks to certain magical ley lines allowing my flies to traverse these other plains. Of course a lot of those ley lines lead to certain death for my babies but as you can see darling it was quite worth it.”

“I see, you were quite lucky with this girl weren't you. When we get back I hope we can get everyone together. Perhaps you and I could have a better time spent in my bed when we get home.”

“Oh darling, I can’t wait.” Beel smirking after the acknowledgement.

***

The human awoke

“Oh god my head huuuuuurts. Why is everything so bluuuuue?”

“Hey kid, nice meeting you, we are going to head out now, get some rest and try not to get out of bed too quickly.” the Helltaker states.

The human responded “Nope, it's too late grabbin some soda to celebrate… altho why is everything so big?”

The human sat up from the bed legs dangling off the side until she decided to stand on her own two legs.

“I changed your form to be more cute, an average 19 -20 year old body that was your age was it not? Hey, wha-! Oh! You scared me, good catch darling!” the fly stated, a little bit of panic in her voice.

“Hey we told you not to get up and you almost fell. Hold on to me till you get back to the bed.” Scolded the Helltaker.

The annoyed human proclaimed “I'm fine, I can walk it off. You can let go of me now please.”

“You got it kiddo.” Helltaker retorted

*Slips*
Wait who put that pen there?

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The floor was cold, my body was hot, it was a match made in heaven. Unfortunately dealing with demons usually means it’s hell.

“A HUMAN!” the science demon and devil exclaimed.

Suddenly another human reveals himself, exiting from the portal.

“HELLTAKER!” both once again joined together.

“Uhhhhh my heaaaaad.” complains the human girl.

“Hello ladies.” the Helltaker enjoying the sight.

The human crippled on the ground seems to finally have enough and rests.The devil and scientist are sharing a moment of silence positively shocked. The Helltaker giving his usual smirk after claiming another harem member. And the portal closing behind him.

Tears falling from Lucifer’s eyes as she approaches the Helltaker. She begins to throw the things closest to her, from her hair to anything lying around. Yelling, panting and rage only a person with a broken heart could bring. Until it stopped. The Helltaker standing still focused on the devil before him. Lucifer pressing her head upon the Helltaker’s chest, tears running down her face. He was finally back. Embracing Lucifer in a hug letting her know he is here for her.

“Kept ya waiting huh?”

“Yes you demon.”

After what seemed like hours of them holding each other a couple someones enter the room smelling of fresh apple pie.

“Blasted woman! What is it this time? I'm in the middle of eating apple p-who are these people!?” Subject 67 throwing the rest of the pie in his maw and throwing the plate on the ground.

“Oh Helltaker! How you doin big guy, long time no see!” The Apple pie demon said, excited about meeting an old friend.

Lucifer and the Helltaker finally notice the other people in the room, the Taker who noticed the unfamiliar demons and Justice in a maid outfit. Lucifer finally realizing this shoved herself off from Taker, a slight blush gracing her face. Meanwhile Loremaster broke out of her shock of seeing this man once again thanks to the scent of apple pie.

“Amazing! How did you escape from the abyss! I must know, this is very valuable research! You must tell me!” the science demon rattles off.

“Sure, wanna join my harem?” Helltaker asks.

“A harem? How appalling. But I'll do anything for my research. Let me get my data pad!”

SUCCESS

“Uuf.”

“Oh whoops didn't see you there you ok?” said the Awesome apple pie demon to the human she kicked.

***

Waking up on a very comfy fluffy bed is a good feeling, the only issue is that I can’t see. “Eh” I think it's a better change of pace compared to the last few times I woke up. The only thing that could make this better is… is that pancakes? OH NO.

“Bah.” grumbled the human as she removed the blindfold.

The dim lights in the room were blocked by the blindfold. How kind. The room was mostly metallic white, a mirror and sink in the corner next to a door. Probably a bathroom. A twin bed placed dead center against the wall with a night table right next to it. Featuring a cup of water and a note. After taking a chug of said water it was time for the note.

Hey kiddo don’t know how long you're going to be out but when you wake we will know, so please try to actually stay in bed this time.
-Helltaker

“You betcha.” planting my head right on the pillow and playing the waiting game for however long.

A minute or two later lo and behold “Helltaker” enters the room.

“Hello there kiddo. I know you might have a couple questions so just take your time and ask away.” Helltaker offers.

After some time the questions and answers are traded.

“Can I get home?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where is the other girl?”

“I… also don’t know”

“Is your name actually Helltaker?”

“Yes.”

“A demon harem? With Lucifer herself?”

“Yes and yes.”

“Can I get food now?”

“I hope you like pancakes.”

Helltaker proceeds to pick up the tiny being.

“ACK, HEY! CONSENTS IMPORTANT YA KNOW!” stated the girl

“Sorry, just carrying you to the dining room.” Said the Girltaker

***

The table was quite a… table. It was rather on the short side, the same white as everything else. However due to my now smaller size, the table is quite ok. Perhaps I could actually eat on my own but that is yet to be seen. There were a couple guests sitting at the table, one was unhealthily pale, long white horns sticking right outta her forehead. I had never seen such an accurate representation of my current headache. The other a giant red mass of a man who was most definitely not human, currently enjoying some apple pie. His size could rival that of Helltaker. Massive horns sticking out the side of his skull and a massive bolt through his neck. But ,for fear of my life, I am definitely not gonna ask him “What he is made from.”. Finally Lucifer herself stared daggers at me. More than likely the last person in existence I would want to enrage and yet here we are.

“Hello human.” said in a tone only the devil herself could make. “You appear to reek the scent of that bitch Beelzebub. Pray you have not made any agreements with her. Especially if it was to free her from the abyss.”

(FUUUUUUUUCK)

Helltaker commented “Lucy you know how Beel is, she is the only reason we can see each other after all. Take it easy on the kid. Besides, I aim to add Beel to the harem.”

“YOU WHAT! Do you understand what she will do now that she is free?! She will try to take the throne, try to kill me or even throw me into the very prison she was kept in! I love you but even you should know how dangerous she is, SHE WILL KILL US!” stated Lucifer.

“Lucy, I talked with her and she is willing to put the past behind her. All I'm asking is for you to give her a chance.” replies Helltaker.

“Big Red” and “White Forehead Horns” are listening attentively. “White Forehead Horns” is squirming slightly and “Big Red” appears indifferent but is eating slower compared to before. Given the conversation and rage coming from Lucifer herself I’m a little sweaty myself, for multiple reasons. Fortunately my savior came in the form of an apple pie maid.

“Hey where is that kid everyone is talking about?” Stated the apple pie maid.

Unfortunately, said maid was looking for me, placing me in the spotlight once more.

“Justice, you can’t see the human?” said satan.

“Oh, she is in this room?” the applepie traitor maid demon named Justice questioned.

“Hi” the whisper exited from her mouth.

With the sudden shift of topic in the room the eyes are all on the girl. Justice walks closer squinting at what appears to be the space around the chair rather than on the girl herself. “White Forehead Horns” and Lucifer herself also starring one more inquisitive and the other might as well shoot daggers at her.

“You know it was kinda hard cleaning you up without some sort of impression. Thankfully Subject 67 was there to assist.” explained Justice

“Wait, you saw me naked?” said the girl.

“Of course, you were a little dirty having been on the floor and all. Do you know how many bodies have piled up there? Like a ton thanks to Loremaster's experiments and all that. Besides you have one rockin scar on your back.” Justice explains giving a thumbs up.

Subject 67 counters placing his sudoku down “God Dammit woman it’s obviously a tattoo this heretic placed on herself to appeal to some devil.”

“Wait a tattoo? I don’t have a tattoo.” states the girl.

“A tattoo! I must know human, show it to me!” the Loremaster exclaims.

“I don’t have anything on my back! besides I'm only wearing this night gown. I'm not taking it off and showing my bare ass.” said the girl.

“Now human I am very curious about this “Tattoo” myself perhaps just show us your back. If you do so now I'll partially forgive you for your interactions with that bitch Beelzebub.” Lucifer threatens.

“Pancakes are done.” the Helltaker responds.

“Thank the gods.” the human states wearily.

The breakfast was very very scary having beings who hate your guts and are stronger, faster, smarter, and far more bloodthirsty staring at you with intentions that are less than savory. Eating with the speed of a sloth and the precision of a doctor during brain surgery, dooms gates were right around the corner. But goddamn those pancakes were so good. When I was finished Justice cleaned up and Lucifer and Loremaster began their assault with the Helltaker as referee.

Helltaker begins the offer “Ok how about this I take- uh what is your name again?”

The human responds “Oh it-”

“Honey, we don't care about seeing the human’s ass, just show us the tattoo.” Lucifer cuts in.

“WELL I DO! IN FACT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE HAS ASKED FOR MY NAME! HUMAN THIS, HUMAN THAT, HUMAN STRIP NAKED. FUCK YOU. BEELZEBUB BE DAMNED I DON’T HAVE A TATTOO YOU WANNA TATTOO I'LL SHOW YOU A GODDAMN TATTOO TAKE A LOOK AT FUCKING THIS.”

tearing off the nightwear and shaking her ass the human had a temporary moment of insanity and pure rage.

“LOOK YOU HAPPY NOW! OH LOOK A TATTOO, HOPE YOU ENJOY THE VIEW! FUCKING EAT IT, NOTHING IS THERE! OF ALL THE ABSURD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED I HOPE YOU ENJOY BEFORE I GET FLAYED AND MURDERED, THE NAME IS JESS EAT SHIT AND DIE.’’

Finally the human ran out of breath, energy, and lack of shame, the newly claimed Jess leaning against the chair huffing and puffing slowly dragging the nightwear over her body. After sitting back down she saw the face of everyone unimpressed.

“What?”

“Human, did you sell your soul recently?” Lucifer asked.

“Huh? No, why?”

“It seems your soul was implanted into an object. Good luck dying.” scowling Lucifer.

“WHAT.”

“If you don’t know human, this is a crest which marks the wearer essentially immortal by binding their soul to an object. You can mark yourself to multiple objects with extra resources. The issue with this method is the price. Unfortunately it appears you won't be dying anytime soon. Truly a shame. But it appears Beelzebub marked you herself which creates some… problems. Did you happen to be unconscious during your time with her?” says Lucifer.

Loremaster loses interest in another immortal human running around. Even less so it was a misguided human who assumed it could think it was immortal with such a fragile seal. Helltaker was sweating a little knowing he left her body alone with Beel on multiple occasions. And Jess was in a panic after hearing the news of nonconsensual immortality.

“Yea.” says the exhausted Jess.

“Great, now we have a goal. To track that bitch Beel down throw her into the abyss and I guess find your seal and break it. Tormenting you in hell will be a special pleasure.” Lucifer taking the last bite of those sweet sweet Helltaker pancakes.

“And don’t even think of grinding your body into a pulp, you will just reform slowly, extremely painful I hear.” butts in Loremaster matter-of-factly.

After hearing the terrible no good news Jess went back to her room, this time carried by Justice at the request of Helltaker. A twisting occuring in her stomach with each step. Justice having reached the door it opens while walking in *Thunk*

“Ah fuck my head.”

“Sorry kiddo.” Justice exclaims with a big smile on her face.

After placing the kid on the bed Justice takes a seat at the edge of the bed.

“So kid, how did you help Beel escape from the abyss?” inquires the demon.

“A dream appeared one night detailing a circle that could grant a human's wildest wishes. Sure it wasn't a giant wish granting a monolith but it’ll do.”

“So you actually followed the instructions of the dream?”

“Yah. There was a thing or two I wanted.”

“Can’t blame you, I would want to see again.”

“Wait, you can’t see? How do you know where everyone else is?” inquired the human.

“I can see their souls, quite useful. Not everyone can do it like I do of course. Helps to be the one who judges those in hell.” smiles Justice.

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t worry about it. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to see Lucifers cute butt.” Justice says while smirking.

“Ugh.”

“But seriously you know we will want to know this ritual and you want to go home, help us find her and we will help you become mortal again. Deal?”

“Sure, I don’t exactly want to witness the heat death of the universe anytime soon.” says Jess.

“Yah! That’s the spirit!” Justice gives a thumbs up with a big smile.

“Need anything to help you rest kiddo.”

“Just some water and tylenol for this headache.” Jess requests.

“You got it.”

Justice gets up and out the door to fulfill the request while Jess does her best to rest. At least for a little bit.

***

On screen Loremaster, having received Jess notes on the ritual to the abyss, waits tapping her chin while Subject 67, Helltaker, and Jess in a testing chamber actively drawing the circle and preparing the sacrifices to start the ritual. Lucifer is enjoying her seat in the corner of the test chamber sipping on some wine and enjoying some pie.

“So according to your notes the circle should lead to the abyss. However a couple issues such as portal sustainability and what designates specific location are yet to be seen. Thanks to Helltaker we have a rough estimation on what part of the ritual needs to be changed. Fortunately we have a solution. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD!” Loremaster kackles on screen.

“Hey Jess, nice outfit. It suits you.” Compliments the Helltaker.

The outfit featured a red collared shirt with black tie and vest, the lower half has black pants with a belt and boots tied tightly. Honestly it’s quite comfy and thanks to Justice the tie is correctly tied. I gotta ask how she did it later.

“Thanks, Justice got it for me. Unfortunately I don't have many options on selecting my own clothes for now. But dressing like this is a refreshing change of pace for me.”

After a little more time and sweat starting to form on my forehead it was time for the final addition, blood.

“Hey Loremaster I'm going to need some blood, you got an iv bag or two?” asks Jess.

“What do you need? Human, goat, pig, whale, chi-”

“Just human.” interrupts Jess

“Ok! A-,A+,B+-”

“Just whatever is most common. Please” interrupts Jess again.

“You got it!”

A tube drops right next to Lucifer bringing two blood bags labeled O+. Lucifer seemingly annoyed that something is interrupting her drink.

“Hey Lucy, can you bring that over here?” asks the Helltaker.

“I am no longer the employee of Loremaster or anyone here. I am once again the queen of hell, do assume I won’t participate in the toils of those lower than me.” Lucifer responds.

“Damn woman, fine I’ll get the blood, cease being so stingy.” responds Subject 67

“Watch your tongue mongrel otherwise your apple pie privilege will be taken away.” counters Lucifer.

Subject 67 silently strides over to the blood bags and brings the blood bags to me. After emptying the bags into the buckets and taking my paint brush I craft the symbols over from memory onto the floor. The movements were hypnotic, filled with intent and precision, quickly filling in the spots that were missing and after topping it off, stepping back, and… nothing.

“...”

“...”

“Well?” Lucifer breaking the silence.

“I don’t know.” Jess responds

Helltaker recalls the deal Beel made with Jess and realizes why the deal was made.

“Uh Jess, I think it needs your blood.”

“What why? That shit hurts.” Jess states with painful experience.

Lucifer gets up from her chair with a smile only the devil can make and walks over to her new victim.

“Hey come on Lucifer don’t make that face while walking towards me. Hahaha that’s not concerning at all. HEY HEY WAIT ACH.”

Lucifer grabs Jess’ hair and begins to slowly and steadily move her hand towards her neck, nails seemingly growing sharper as they drew closer. Suddenly the Helltaker leaps in and holds back her arm to the best of his ability while 67 takes a more direct approach kicking Lucifer making her drop Jess and forcing Helltaker to take a different stance catching Lucifer.

“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING SUBJECT 67!” Lucifer responds

“There are better, more efficient ways to obtain blood without your needless bloodshed that could ruin all of our work.” 67 responds matter of factly.

“Lucy please.” Helltaker butts in.

“GAH! FINE DO IT THE SLOW WAY! LET THAT BITCH GET HER FOOTING.” Lucifer stomps her way back to her chair, downing wine straight from the bottle.

Jess shakes a lot, realizing she is the weakest in the room once again. Silence fills the room until a needle, rubber tube, and a few empty blood bags drop from the chute. The Helltaker retrieves the items avoiding the gaze of Lucifer. He will be hearing about this later tonight. Helltaker placed the shaking Jess in his lap and offered a moment for her to calm down. Which she gladly took.

Finally getting some blood. The drained Jess took a rest on the wall And Helltaker and Subject 67 cleaned and redid the inscription according to the notes. After about half a minute it finally opened. Loremaster spoke up.

“Well. Get to it.”

Suddenly after that statement big purple tentacles popped out attacking anything it could, whipping and lashing out everywhere. Lucifer watched on by steely-eyed. Helltaker and Subject 67 beating them back with tenacity and rage. The seemingly never ending horde raging on. Jess yelped out. Grabbed by one of the intruders, dragged into the portal kicking and screaming. Unfortunately she was no Helltaker or Subject 67. Lucifer watching on finally jumped off her throne and rushed towards the human a little too late. Thrusting herself into the abyss.

***
Nightmares.Pain. Numbness. Regret. Nothing matters in the abyss. Time is long and short. Sanity torn asunder. Truely a torment fit for greater beings than she. Memories filled her brain not of her own. Feelings of rage, helplessness, Dread. During this endless barrage a soft mutter can be heard almost comforting. The voices linger and vanish before coming back louder only to be Interrupted by memories and feelings belonging to someone else. This repeated…

“H….e…l…”

“Hey listen…focus don’t…”

“W…a…”

Suddenly a blue light appeared then darkness.

***

Startled from the bed with another glass of water and a note left just like last time. Chugging half of the water and coughing up the rest, Jess then leaves the bed and gets dressed abandoning the vest and tie.

***

“Which one should we try next?” asks Helltaker.

“Ugh, we are out of blood, we'll have to get more from Jess.” says Lucifer.

“Miss Jess will need rest especially after losing that much blood she will need at least 16 hours to recuperate.” Loremaster states.

*Door opens*

“Jus-Jess? What are you doing out of bed?” Helltaker responds

“Doing my job, where are we with the portal situation?” Jess asks.

“No, your job right now is to rest. Get back to bed.” Helltaker demands.

“I can’t die, who cares. Let's just fix the problem. What have you found so far? I have a couple of places I want to try.” Jess states.

“Ah well, Jess we are out of blood. To continue you’ll need at least 24 hours to recover. I can record the data and send it to you while you remain in bed.” Loremaster tries to bargain.

Jess proceeds to walk to the outline missing only her blood to activate. She bites her finger hard enough to draw blood and begins her craft. The rest of the room is silent, Subject 67 uncaring, Helltaker upset, Lucifer silent, and Loremaster scared and slightly aroused at someone's maddening pursuit for science rivaling her own. After some careful strokes and more blood drawn the human has created a new portal blue in all its glory.

“Ok, I’m checking real quick.” Jess responds dryly.

“Jess, you wait this goddamn minute-DON’T YOU DARE YOUNG LADY!” Lucifer shouts.

Seemingly indifferent Jess proceeds into the portal.

Everyone couldn't believe what she had done. Entering an unknown area with unknown threats.It was a risk no one could afford to take.

“I’m going.” Helltaker states.

“SHIT! Honey, do be careful! And please get her back.” Lucifer asks.

“Will do, be right back Lucy.” Helltaker gives one final smile before stepping into the unknown.

***

Helltaker steps into a decrepit room seemingly abandoned for years. “Hmm where did she go?” he ponders. After checking the rest of the room he ventures out of the apartment dorm room into the hall. Lined with many doors in varying degrees of decomposition and a massive opening covered in tiles on the left and a little farther down the hall, a staircase. Carefully walking down the hall he notices a large kitchen, multiple stoves, sinks, and ruined kitchen appliances. observing the window he spots her on the street yelling at a…Amazoness?

“Hey, have you seen anyone yay high, white horns, has a fly aesthetic!” demands the human.

“Hmmm, Nope. But I do have a question for you. How did a little human like you make it out here all alone?” asks the tall almost albino woman.

“Oh I used noneya.”

“Noneya?” asks the tall albino woman.

“None ya beezwax.”

“Oh my! You are either very brave, or very stupid. I'm going to enjoy torturing you.” unsheathing one of her blades she begins her attack only to be stopped by a stray bullet.

Suddenly the battlefield erupts into chaos. The human standing still, unfazed. The amazoness dodged left and right until eventually grabbing the human unceremoniously and booking off. Helltaker makes a mad dash down the old stairs outside the kitchen. Unfortunately he is intercepted by two almost naked girls wearing purple, one wielding a shield and a gun with a knife. The other dual wielding two guns behind her. Kicking with full force forward he sends the shield bearer tumbling backwards, hitting the other off balance. Helltaker then proceeds to kick the dual wielder outside the front of the building only for her to get mowed down not even inches from the door frame. Not spending too much time on the chaotic sight he slams his boot down on the skull of the shieldbearer. leaving a mess of electronics and oils.

A door slams open from the left and right of the hallway Helltaker on instinct running back up the stairs to help cover himself from the line of sight of the enemy. Not having a firearm himself he would need the cqc advantage. Unfortunately while halfway up the stairwell he could hear glass breaking following footsteps upstairs. He was surrounded. Grabbing the railing and tearing a pipe off he arms himself for the following confrontation with the enemy. Silence. Helltaker slows himself, he is tough enough to go through hell but not a warzone with unknown enemies weaponless. The silence dragged on until a muzzle brake peaked in the corner. The Helltaker took his chance throwing his makeshift blunt object and ran up the stairs after it. The enemy had wide glowing pink eyes stunned at the fact the object hit her gun head on. Choosing to drop it instead of relying on a damaged weapon she brought up her fists ready for a fight. Helltaker liked this one.

Trading blows one after another, grunting in both pain and rage with each blow traded. This opponent knew what to do, stalling for time waiting for her teammates to reach him. Continuing forward, the Helltaker waited for the opportunity and kicked the pink eyed boxer further down the hall, immediately turning right and diving through the ceramic entryway into the kitchen right when a wall of bullets began to rain from the stairwell behind him. Back against the wall Helltaker ran to the window expecting to jump out, unfortunately the pink eyed boxer cut him off with inhuman speed sending a jab straight to his side then the jaw knocking out the Helltaker with a clean swift blow.

***

After being taken by the amazoness Jess did nothing, she did not care. Being dropped off to a couple of strange girls with a purple theme. led by gunpoint to a train Jess was led to a seat near the front. Forcefully setting her down in a booth with the other two standing by. Soon the train took off taking Jess with it farther away from Helltaker. Soon after she was joined by the amazoness, placing herself facing Jess on a seat across from her taking a laid back posture.

“So human you are going to answer a few questions for me without the sass this time.”

“Sure” Jess, giving a quick response.

“How did you get to this decrepit city without any protection or weapons?”

“A portal.”

“Now you do know what I said right?”

“...” Jess is silent.

“Give me your hand. Either will do.”

Offering her left hand and waiting for what is to come the amazoness continues her questions.

“Your hand is awfully frail is it not?”

“I have not had a lot of time to look recently.”

“I see, what is your name?” the amazoness asks.

“Jess, mind if I have yours?”

“Alchemist. Do you have brown hair?” Alchemist asks.

“Yes.”

“Good. Did you enter the city through a portal?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm how odd. Are you associated with those who attacked me?”

“No.”

“You are very dull aren’t you?” she asks.

“I’m not your entertainment, Alchemist.” spit Jess.

“Yes you are.” Alchemist smiles proceeding to break the pinky and ring finger.

“FUCK, GAH YOU BITCH.”

Laughing Alchemist gets up and walks to the front of the train cart.

“Be a good little pet and be still for me won’t you. We will be arriving within half a day to your new home, please enjoy your stay.”

Chapter Text

The Helltaker wakes up tied to a chair in a concrete room. The chair was bolted down preventing movement. Unable to fully look behind himself, all he can do is look forward and wait. Suddenly the door squealed open. A pink light filtering the room. He would not be waiting long.

“Hello there! I have some questions for you!”

“Hm.” grunts the Helltaker facing the wall.

“So Mr.Terminator what were you doing out there? Hopefully not trying to kidnap strange girls.” the smug girl states

“She is someone I was going to send back home.” Replies Helltaker.

“Oh a kidnapper? Very interesting.”

“Not a kidnapper.”

“Well how I see it you both came out of nowhere and ruined our mission. Not only that but you both were in an abandoned city untouched by anyone human, I highly doubt you were there doing anything legal or ethical.”

“Just looking for someone with her.”

“Looking for someone in an abandoned city? do tell.”

“A demon girl named Beelzebub. Have you seen her?”

“A… demon?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to let you stew for a bit. Be back when you feel like talking.”

“Wait, don-”

The door slams shut leaving the Helltaker alone once more.

***

The smug girl arrives in the main room of the abandoned police station.Closing her eyes she then places herself in a rolling chair and pushes herself towards the others in the room ready to deliver the bad news.

“Hmmm Angie, that man is incredibly strange. I could only sense him telling the truth. What a weirdo.” AK-12 states.

“What, how? He is speaking about demons.” Angelia states.

“I do hear humans can have issues with the stability of their mind; perhaps he was crazy.”
RPK-16 suggests.

“Could he be? He almost beat AK-15 in a fight. I doubt someone with a body like that could be crazy.” AK-12 suggests.

AK-15 leaning on a desk glares at AK-12 feeling a slight bit of anger that the human did indeed put up more of a fight than she thought.

AK-12 continues her harassment “We could put them both in the room and see who comes out on top. I have money on the human! How about you AN-94?”

Angelia, trying to avoid the potential fight, tries to change the topic. “We need to figure out why Sangvis was here. Surely it was not for the one girl. Then again our “guest” is also after her.”

“Can we convince him to help?” AN-94 suggests.

“That could work. But how do we keep him in check?” Angelia rubs her chin.

“We could just threaten him, bullets are quite good at making humans obey orders.” RPK-16 adds.

“Very well let's give him a shot.” says Angelia.

***

The Helltaker thinking about how to leave without risking death has his thoughts interrupted by the sound of the squeaky door opening.

“Hello my name is Angelia. I'm aware that girl is important to you. Will you help us out in exchange for assisting you in her rescue?”

“Yes.”

“That was a little too quick of a response. Do you even know what you are getting into? It's going to be hell you know.”

“I wouldn't worry about that, I'm quite…experienced. Just let me know what I should expect. Also, call me Helltaker.”

“Oh is that your legal name?” butts in RPK-16.

“Yes.”

“RPK please untie him, I'm going to get things ready.” Angelia walks outside the room passing AK-15.

RPK-16 begins the process of untying The Helltaker.

“Wow you are very well built. You get ladies all hot and bothered often?”

Helltaker giving a slight smirk in response.

“Why do you want to join my harem?”

“I would but I’m a little too busy, ask again later.” RPK-16 gives her own little smirk.

BAD END?

RPK-16 proceeds to leave the room with the Helltaker in tow. They walk down the hall to the main office of the police station. The building, as old as it is, still stands strong. Meeting up with the rest of the group Helltaker takes a seat in one of the chairs.

Ange begins to speak to Helltaker. “ Unfortunately your friend is going to have to wait. The plan for now is to reach the nearest resupply point and fill up. Reports from AK-12 and AN-94 say they saw a train take off from the nearest station. At these supply points we will meet up with the PMC G&K and receive information regarding Sangvis ringleader Alchemist and general AO. Any questions Helltaker.”

“How long have I been out?”

“About twelve-ish hours it's already the next day. Do you need anything else?”

“Just some food for now.”

“Perfect, let's head out.”

The vehicle used in transportation is a silver truck of an unknown manufacturer. The road is in disrepair for who knows how long, making the trip very uncomfortable with all the sudden bumps and turns. AK-12 and AN-94 sitting in the back with Helltaker, both look comfortable despite all the bumps Angelia is hitting. Eventually they reach a checkpoint manned by multiple girls wearing a “uniform” and some men with more ordinary wear for a PMC. After Angelia passes a paper and it’s inspectected the truck gets waved through.

About ten more minutes of driving down a dirt road they finally reach the “resupply point”. It is a fortress armed to the teeth with turrets, concrete walls, and people. Driving up to the front door a short girl with an equally short shotgun walks out of her booth and speaks to the driver.

“Papers, please.”

Angelia passes the paper and waits until the short one is finished nodded her head and passed the papers back to its owner.

“One moment please.”

Walking back to her booth while adjusting her police hat she re-enters her post. Shortly after the gate into the base was opened. The machinery pushing the doors open with a loud grind and soon the compound was revealed. It was massive having an airport, dorms, and an HQ. Multiple depots littered the compound along with what seems to be a cafe. Helltaker took a very close look at said cafe. Parking outside the HQ everyone starts to unpack.

“Our room is going to be right outside HQ. We have been set up with some nice accommodations. I recommend we all rest for the day. Girls go visit the repair bay.”

“Da” They state in a chorus.

“Helltaker, can you help me carry everything?”

“Sure.” states the Helltaker.

They move into the first floor and enter dorm room 120-4. Helltaker carries a majority of the items while Angie supports with one hand full and one free. After a couple runs the truck was unpacked. Angie decided to stay in the room while Helltaker thought of going for a walk outside. The night air felt cool on his skin. The events of the day weighing on him and thoughts of trying to get Jess back remained. He more than likely could not just barge in and rescue her without help especially if the enemy was killer robots. Unfortunately even he had his limits. Feeling hungry, Helltaker decided to visit that cafe he saw on his way in.

It was very busy. Many people were there drinking, playing games, and watching the news. The screens described something about protests revolving around robots. “How strange” the Helltaker thought. Arriving at the bar he meets a girl with brown hair, green eyes and a gorgeous smile.

“How can I help you?” she says with a smile.

“Whisky on the rocks, please.”

“You got it sweetie.” replies the waitress with a wink.

After making the drink and sliding it to Helltaker he takes a sip. It is a familiar and welcomed flavor. While back home in Lormaster’s domain he only really had wine and while it was nice drinking after all that time it never hit the spot like a cool whisky. After taking a couple sips and ordering some food a chair is moved to the right side of him. A girl carrying a M16A1 sits next to him. She has brown hair with orange highlights, an eyepatch partially covering a scar. Her outfit was the strangest thing about her. Wearing a pleated skirt on the battlefield while bearing a rifle was… strange.

“Hey, are you interested in something big guy?” she spoke.

“Oh sorry, just admiring the piece.”

“Which one?”

“I’ll let you decide that one.”

The girl with the eye patch smirks while a whole bottle of Jack Daniels is dropped in front of her.

She picks up her bottle and gets up heading elsewhere “See yah later big guy.”

Her seat gets replaced by AK-12 followed by AN-94 standing behind her.

“I’ll have a glass of vodka please. And Annie what would you like?” says AK-12

“Oh,um. I'll have…the same as 12.” Annie says.

“You got it sweetie.” Says the waitress.

After fixing their drinks another waitress comes out of the back door of the bar. Who looks exactly the same as the current waitress but with a plate with fries and a burger in hand. Helltaker sees the second waitress then the first and repeats it one more time.

“You have a twin?.” he asks the waitress.

“Hmm? Oh no this is my dummy link.” replies the waitress.

The dummy sets the burger and fries in front of Helltaker. As he ponders the current situation. It's a familiar issue. Suddenly he recalls Cerberus.

“Ah I see. Thank you for the food.”

“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else.” She states before attending to the other customers at the bar and her other self retreats into the back room.

“Oh how interesting. You don’t know about T-dolls do you?” AK-12 asks.

“No, unfortunately I did not have a lot of time to adjust.”

“T-dolls are very different from humans, you know. We are androids used to serve the purposes of our creators. We are used in many areas of society like the service industry, security or even war.”

“I’m assuming you are the ladder.”

“Correct. More accurately we are operators who serve under Angie.”

“I see.”

AK-12 enjoys her drink even going for a refill, while AN-94 slowly sips at hers. Suddenly in the background a shout could be heard.

“YOU CHEATING BITCH YOU HAVE MIRRORS ON YOUR SUNGLASSES DON’T YOU” Girl 1 accuses.

“BULLSHIT FUCKING RUSKI I BET YOU HIDE CARDS IN YOUR HAT YOU DEFINATELY CHEATED LAST ROUND!” girl 2 counters.

“Miss BAR I know tensions are high but we sh-”

“QUIET M3 WE NEED TO BEAT THESE SO CALLED RUSSIANS” BAR threatens while picking up a chair.

“Я БЛЯДЬ ЗНАЛ, ЧТО ТЫ БУДЕШЬ СУКОЙ.” The angry Russian states breaking a bottle on a chair.

“AH, Mosin please don't be angry babushka will be furious!” SKS adds.

Suddenly the short gatekeeper slams the door open waving her equally short gun in hand.”DROP YOUR WEAPONS HANDS IN THE AI-AHHHHHHHH!”

One of the T-dolls with an AK-47 picks up the poor shorty and starts waving her around.

“СЛАВА МАТЕРИ РОССИИ,CYKA BLYAT!” Yelling the shorty wielding russian.

Dolls became excited, placing bets and some even throwing their own dishware into the mix hoping the parties would duke it out. Others began to pray they would not get involved, and some simply watched, not giving a care in the world.

Suddenly the door slammed open.
The scream of a demon announced his presence.
Fear was introduced into all who were there.

“WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS HAPPENING HERE!”

“COMMANDER!” Mosin yelled

“I'M SO SORRY!” followed BAR.

“IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN!” AK-47 assured.

“SORRY COMMANDER I COULDN'T STOP THEM!” shorty and M3 tearfully said.

“Super Shorty and M3 you both are not in trouble.” The Commander stated plainly.

“Oh.”

“As for the rest of you, banned from drinking, you must help Springfield with the cleanup and NO COMBAT MISSIONS! UNDERSTAND?”

“YES SIR!” Moisn, Bar, and AK-47 shouted tears of fear coming from their eyes while saluting.

After the public scolding the three T-dolls all started to clean up without a word between them.
The Cafe/bar had calmed down after the introduction of the commander. The commander proceeds to the bar choosing to sit next to the Helltaker. After ordering some coffee the commander looks at his phone typing away the commander thinks for a second before pressing send. Then hits the button, AK-12 stiffins for a moment then replies.

“Hello commander of Sector 08 I’m AK-12 serving under Angelia, this is AN-94 and the very large man sitting next to me is Helltaker. Angelia will be here shortly.”

“Oh! Wow, I did not notice you all. Ha ha must be the lack of coffee. Thanks for informing me I’ll have my adjutant M1911 send me the necessary files on hand. Also is your name really Helltaker?”

“Yes.” the trio state.

“Hmmm interesting.”

Receiving his coffee and Helltaker finishing his food, Angelia with AK-15 and RPK-16 in tow arrive. Everyone waiting for the final girl M1911. Until a small blond girl rushed through the doors.

“Ah! Commander! I'm here!”

“Ah, don’t worry. we won’t be going anywhere for the night anyway. M1911 the files please.”

“You got it.” M1911 said with a smile.

“So Miss Angelia, you are targeting the Sangvis unit SP7C Alchemist. Why should we divert resources to a singular forign squad?”

Angelia responds. “I’m sorry what? You received our message and you accepted the terms of the deal did you not?”

“Oh I did. But I lied. I need something done and I don’t have the manpower for it. Besides I’m certain your friends have seen the mood of the room. Considering their position in your squad.”

Looking around the room everyone was silent. Each girl had their weapons on them ready to fire. AK-12’s eyes were open revealing a pink glare. Angelia sat still wondering why he would do something so stupid. The silence was broken by Springfield.

“Would you like to pay your tab now or order more?” Springfield places a receipt in front of Helltaker.

“Oh I’ll pay now… I don’t have any money, mind if I pay some other way?” Helltaker strongly suggests placing the receipt in his pocket.

“Oh you are quite a bad boy, perhaps we could come to an arrangement.” Springfield replies.

“Oi, Springfield stop fucking around.” the Commander scolds.

“Oops sorry Commander.” she says with her best customer service smile.

“Anyway back on topic, I need someone assassinated. Here is her file. I hope it's not too much for you.” The Commander places a file down containing the information regarding the target and slides it to Angelia.

Angelia takes a look at the file and sees who the target is.

“UMP45? How do you expect me to assassinate her, and why?”

“That is not my problem. You can find her. I know that for sure. I will need pictures of her after the deed is done. You and… Helltaker will remain here until it is completed. You will now be escorted to your rooms. You did have a long trip after all.” The Commander ordered.

Helltaker and Angelia were escorted into the on base prison. After being stripped and searched they were given fresh clothes and Angelia had her arm removed. While the rest of DEFY were escorted to the main barracks. The Helltaker was locked in his own cell. Angelia pacing her own across from her was wondering what to do until she tired herself out leaving DEFY without their pack leader. Surely something could be done but for tonight rest would be the only option.

***

The morning has come along with the rest Helltaker needed. However, his cell neighbor seems to be missing. Helltaker took out the receipt from Springfield and cracked a devious smile.

***

Angelia was given some time sitting in an almost empty room. Eventually three T-dolls rolled in some communication equipment folding out a table and another chair. After setting up, BAR sits on the chair and inserts herself into the communication systems. Probably to keep watch over how Angelia spoke and when to cut her off. The other two kept watch over the one armed pack leader.

“DEFY report in.”

“All here Angelia. Have they been treating you well?” AK-12 sounded concerned for once.

“So far so good. Where is your current location?”

“We have arrived at the meetup on the border of Sector 09 and 08. Angelia we ar-”

The communication gets cut off. And one of the T-dolls speaks up.

“That information is unnecessary. Please proceed with the plan.” Mosin speaks up.

***

“Hello there, beautiful.” the Helltaker responds.

“Hey I see you are all lonely in there. Would you perhaps like to be let out of your cage?” Springfield speaks with a sultry voice.

“Oh don't make me beg.” the Helltaker responds.

Springfield opens the door and begins to trace her finger on Helltaker’s chest.

“Unfortunately this is not the time for this. The Commander needs to be stopped and the girls on base need to be saved. Will you do that for me?”

The Helltaker takes her hands, holding them tightly.

“You sure about this.”

“I believe you can do it.” Springfield says with confidence. “Just don’t hurt the girls.”

“Nice meeting you Springfield.”

“I’ll never meet a man like that will I?” Springfield’s last thought before Helltaker left her sight.

Helltaker begins his assault on the base after promising Springfield no casualties, he intends to keep it. Starting off with the two guards on standby outside the jail compound he swiftly takes them out with a quick collision of their heads together. After dragging the bodies inside he begins his one man assault on the Griffin & Kryuger base. One by one he clears the guards either choosing to knock them out or simply letting them pass. This would not last too long so he had to make every second count.

Reaching the main doors of the command center the Helltaker slipped inside slowly making it to the command center. He found an interesting door. Locked from the outside he took a particular interest in seeing what was behind it. A massive kick launched at the door successfully busting it down. Rushing in he found two dolls ready to trade blows. Helltaker sends another swift kick into Mosin’s leg making a strange sound of metal on metal. The other threw a right hook only to be caught by the helltaker and sent into the wall head first knocking the poor AK-47 out. Helltaker sends a swift punch to Mosin’s skull sending the doll to sleepy time junction.

“What are you doing here!?” said Angelia.

“Springfield left a note on the receipt. So I came.” Helltaker plainly said.

“Ok? Just give me a second.”

Angelia disconnects the lone BAR plugged into the communication machine with Helltaker smacking the poor T-doll just to be sure she was out.

“DEFY This is Angelia open fire, avoid Neural Cloud termination and group up at location A1-6. Will arrive in approximately two days.” Angelia orders.

“Ok let’s go take down the commander I made a promise to Springfield.” says Helltaker.

“Wait, what? This is the time to escape; they will be too preoccupied with losing DEFY. Now is our chance.”

“Nope, sorry.”

Helltaker proceeds to reach the Command center by following the signs. Remarkably he made it without much trouble. When he opened the door he was met with a very angry commander of the base in Sector 08 sitting next to M1911 pistols akimbo right at him.

“Well, well, well. Helltaker you finally made it here. It's a shame about your friend but it seems like you have bigger problems on your hands. I saw how you freed Angelia and she turned on our girls out in the field. I doubt you broke out of your cell on your own. Let me guess, that traitor Springfield? Couldn't take a couple of dolls being sold off huh. Shame really. I thought we could’ve had a great relationship.” The Commander finished gloating when a click could be heard.

“Wow big guy you were right he really did spit it all out.” Angelia said.

“All he was missing was a cat on his lap.” Helltaker responds.

“YOU! M1911 SMOKE EM.”

However M1911 did not smoke em. She was stunned by the Helltaker who held up a particular cube.

“WAIT DON'T!” she pleaded at the Helltaker who held the Neural Cloud of Springfield.

M1911 was stunned, unable to follow the commands of her Commander by sheer force of will.

“M1911 SHOOT NOW THAT’S AN ORDER!”

But she held on.

“M1911 FIRE NOW!”

She understood the order but could not, no, would not follow the order that would endanger her dear friend's life. Suddenly she could not think of anything. The voice inside her head stopped. M1911 could not breathe for the longest time. Fortunately he was there.

“You ok?” The Helltaker asked.

Her Commander lies unconscious on the ground.

“Yes?” she states.

Helltaker pulls up a chair and guides M1911 to sit. After a couple minutes of rest processing the situation Angelia looks up from the headquarters communication console.

“I’ve given G&K the recording of his statement illegally selling T-dolls so don’t worry. He won’t be here much longer.”

“Ah. Here.” Helltaker hands M1911 the Neural Cloud of Springfield.

“Keep her safe ok?” requests the Helltaker.

“I-I will.” M1911 studders.

“Time to go Helltaker. I don't want to be here before they lock things down. We need to grab a car, and my arm.” Angelia leaves Helltaker alone with M1911.

“Stay safe M1911. I need to get out of here.”

“Wait! Please take these.” M1911 places Springfields Neural Cloud on the table and removes her hollisters with her pistols still inside.

“Are those not important?”

“Please, it's very dangerous out there! Besides, Springfield trusted you with her. And I want you to be safe too. Please take them.” M1911 looks at Helltaker with puppy dog eyes.

Eventually Helltaker accepts the gift of her pistols, which share her will and name. Quickly guided by M1911 outside, they meet with Angelia driving the same silver truck with fresh supplies inside.

“Hey, need a lift?” Angelia smirks smacking the side of the vehicle.

Helltaker enters the truck and tells M1911 thank you for the gift. While riding away Helltaker waves slowly while riding off into the distance.

Chapter Text

Jess awoke when the train came to a full stop. The two guards who wore too little stood strong and silent like gargoyles. Alchemist walked into the train car with a wicked smile. Truly terrifying.

“Hello pet, time to wake up.”

“Don’t wanna.” Jess protests.

Alchemist proceeds to disregard Jess’ statement and picks her up by her shirt. Jess struggles to escape but her grip is too strong.

“Wait, I'll walk! I’ll walk!” pleads Jess.

“Oh so you will be a good pet now huh?”

“Yes! Please!”

Alchemist let her grip go of Jess’ shirt. She barely held her footing, stumbling slightly. Alchemist walked on and Jess followed like a good pet. Outside it was cold and Jess was not dressed for it but she could stand it at least for a bit. In the distance was a compound guarded by hundreds of people. After trudging in the snow for a bit Jess found she could not keep up. Breathing heavily she struggled as the wind picked up. suddenly she dropped.

“Hey pet, what is wrong with you?”

“I can’t keep up.” Jess was exhaling heavily trying to keep herself from falling on her face.

Alchemist, unable to wait, carries Jess under her arm. As much as she hates being carried she really could not walk anymore. Suffering from severe starvation and dehydration the last time having eaten being in Loremaster’s domain she really could not do much. Finally they arrived at the massive compound. Stepping in Alchemist kicks off the snow from her feet and places Jess down.

“Hey pet, try not to move around too much. You might lose a limb. You already need a splint for your fingers.”

“...”

Jess couldn't respond not because she didn't want to but she was just that exhausted, It was really getting to her. Alchemist noticed this and instead of waiting picked Jess up again in a bridal style. Jess remained silent as she was carried down in a confusing spiral. Alchemist finally picked a door to enter to carry Jess to her room, it did not seem to be prepared yet. After placing Jess on the bed Alchemist started stripping Jess naked. Jess’ eyes were glaring as hard as they could but in the end she was too tired to do anything. Wrapping her in the blanket, Alchemist stood up and turned around right as the door opened.

“Alchemist, I'm here for your rep-Is that a human?” the stranger asked.

“Yes she is my pet Agent. In my report I will explain how I came across her. Not too terribly interesting unfortunately, but she is quite fun.”

“You do understand that human is sick, right? Do you even know proper care for that thing? Not to mention the cost and how much of a threat it can be. It’s literally trash that serves no purpose.”

“Agent you know full well this human can’t harm me right? Besides knowing what can make a human tick can really improve my combat against them. Also where's the harm?”

Agent unsure of what to do, decides to take it up with someone who is more capable of making the decision. Especially because deciding to do it now would create quite the mess. That she did not want to clean up.

“Fine, we will leave that decision to our master. Do see to it that it does not die, feel free to get some food for it. However, do not do this again. We can't be feeding another human.” Agent proceeds to leave Alchemist and Jess on their own.

Alchemist silently waits for something to happen while Jess adjusts herself in bed to face away from her.

“I hate you.” Jess whispered

“Pet you do know I can hear you. Besides you only have yourself to blame for this. Charging out of the dorms like a dumb animal. If you had only stayed inside and hidden I doubt I would have spent the energy to go after you. But depending on what happens you might be let go soon. Such a shame.”

Interrupting any thought the door opened. A person bearing food arrived. She set the tray of food and cup of water on the table and left. Alchemist grabbing a chair and moving it next to the bed with a trey in hand. Placing herself on on the chair she set the tray in her lap and began her torture.

“Hey roll over now it’s time to eat a little pet.”

Jess could feel the smugness. Reluctantly turning towards Alchemist to try to eat food.

“Come on open up now!”

Her barrage keeps coming.

“You can eat now c'mon!”

She sure knows how to piss off a human.

Eating was a slow and very tiring process for Jess. especially with how little energy she already had. When finished her eyes grew heavy. Fortunately Mr.Sandman would not be uppercutting her this time around.

***

Upon waking up the room spinning a bit, Jess decided to remain in bed this time around to avoid any confrontations. The bed was really warm and it was quite nice. She decided to curl up under the covers more and lucky her there was a heating pad right next to her. Burrowing under the covers to get to the heating pad she decided to spoon it. Perhaps the most comfortable she had been in days. Slumber almost retaking her when she heard a laughter and the heating pad began to move.

The tired Jess began to speak “Uhhh stop”

“You do know where you are touching, yes?”

“Mmm”

“Mmm isn't an answer pet.”

Alchemist decides to ruin everything by sitting up from the bed revealing Jess to the air. She tries to grab the covers but can’t match the strength of Alchemist. Alchemist proceeds to touch her head checking for the fever. Coming in at 37.5 Celsius. It was better but more time would be needed. She places the blanket back over Jess watching it crumple up and gets out of bed herself. Dressing herself in her usual wear. Then proceeds to step out the door letting it close behind her.

Jess tries to wake herself up but fails multiple times. Eventually settling for just getting her head out from under the covers. Trying to look around she sees very few things of actual interest. A table with two chairs, a dresser against the wall facing the bed and two doors. One door was the exit and the other was a complete mystery. But like every human in the world, a choice had to be made in this exact moment, where is the bathroom because I have to go. Reluctantly trying to get out of bed Jess finally removes the covers only to realize she needs clothes. But the bathroom takes priority.

Finally stumbling out of bed she walks towards the unknown door and tries to open it by pressing her hand on the screen. Nothing happens. She tries again. Nothing happens. Stumbling to the front door she tries again with the door’s pad bearing the same results. Starting to panic slightly she knocks on it gently.

“Hello?”

No response.

Knocking even harder now. “Hello!?”

Oh god, she realizes. I'm locked in a room with no access to a bathroom.

***

Alchemist returns from her briefing on her next mission. When she opens the door she sees her pet on the ground curled up naked.

“Pet, why are you on the ground?”

“Bathroom. Please.”

“Oh I forgot humans needed to use those.”

Alchemist proceeds to carry her pet to the extra door on the side unlocking it remotely somehow. A toilet, sink, and standing shower presenting itself in all its glory.

“Oh thank god.” the relieved Jess states.

“Hm? What is it?”

“I thought it was going to be a bucket or something.”

“Oh please we know enough about humans to know they need to use the toilet and shower often. I'm still going to watch you, however.”

“You don’t need to be here, ha ha, I know how to use a toilet.” Jess awkwardly tries to excuse herself from Alchemist’s sight.

“Shame.”

***

After losing another part of herself Jess slowly tries to retake the bed before Alchemist starts trying to ruin anything else.

“Pet considering you are in better shape today we are going to participate in sex.”

“What? Can I opt out?”

“Nope, I'll begin our experiment in about an hour. do try to avoid doing anything till that time.”

“Wait, we can't do that!”

“Yes we can and we will. All I needed was another person, and here you are.”

Anxiously Jess counters “Well you need…to set the mood!”

“The mood?” questions Alchemist.

“Yah! You know! Like a couple of dates. And eventually both parties will say something along the lines of ”Oh I like you a lot want to have sex?” and the other person will say ”absolutely! I would love to participate in sex with you!” That is if both parties accept each other.” Jess tries her best to avoid having sex with Alchemist.

“Why can’t I just have sex right now?” counters Alchemist.

“If you did then it would not be sex.” Jess is really trying to prevent her downfall.

“Hmmm I see. How many “dates” would someone have to go on to be able to have sex?”

“About 4 of them. Should take around a month for two people to decide to have sex.” It’s working!, Jess thought.

After some thought, Alchemist responded. “Fine, we will try that.” Relief filled Jess. “But only one date and after that we will have sex.” Fear was once again upon Jess.

“Hey c'mon now remember what I said. It wouldn't be sex then!”

“You have until tonight. See you then. Pet.” Alchemist proceeds to leave Jess alone in the room.

“Oh god.”

***

The door opened, startling Jess fortunately it was only a meal brought by a guard. After placing the meal down along with a device on the table and swiftly leaving the room, the door closed behind her. Getting up from her bed Jess picks up the strange device and taps the screen a couple times and it springs to life showing a picture of Alchemist.

“Hello Pet, It appears our date will have to wait for now, I have been called to take care of some things. It will be about 3 days. If you need anything contact me through the data pad and I’ll reach you when I reach you. Be a good pet.”

Jess proceeds to be slightly excited. But then is slightly dismayed at the realization that she very much only had 3 days till Alchemist came back with a vengeance. Fortunately the data pad came with a clock which she could put to use. For now it was time to eat. Smells like turkey. After eating the only thing to do was sleep. The nightmares arrived with sleep. Eternal darkness, sounds of the damned and pain. Repeating indefinitely in a never ending nightmare.

***

The next day the only thing to keep track of was when food came. At 10 A.M. food arrived it seems the next time food would come would be at around 6 P.M. that would be the time to strike. After waiting till 5:45 P.M. Jess began her escape. Turning on the shower and leaving the bathroom crouching on the side of the door. Shortly after the bathroom starts to flood, spilling water into the bedroom all at the cost of her blanket. R.I.P.

6 P.M. The door opens and the usual girl who brings food enters the room and sees the flooding. She rushes towards the bathroom door while Jess leaves the bedroom and out to the hall. Quickly dashing and turning left at the next intersection she proceeds to dash forwards running through the maze blind. Only to encounter a certain maid named Agent by colliding into her.

Grabbing Jess by the neck and pushing her against the wall. “Well what do we have here? Think you can escape that easily. I swear you humans are such pests.”

She would not let go, squeezing harder and harder Jess could feel heat coming from her face and panic set in from not being able to breathe. She tried to fight back, unable to deal any damage to the massive threat. Agent, staring at Jess with cold emotionless eyes until darkness took her.

***

Waking up after being choked sucks but waking up after being choked with a neat collar sucks even more. Her neck is sore and in pain and the collar tight but not too tight. She could not sleep comfortably, it was a constant reminder of what happened.

“Gak.” was the first word that came out of Jess’ mouth.

Agent sat in the chair at the table in the room. Hands crossing in front of her stomach eyes as cold as the moment she choked her out.

“You should not speak for now, it will only hurt more. I personally would rather you dropped dead but Alchemist insists you stay alive. From now on whenever that door is opened your collar will tighten until it's closed. Do make everything easy by laying on the bed when it’s feeding time.”

After her speech she gets up and places a rag next to Jess.

“Use water with this to keep the swelling down. It’s better than nothing.”

Agent proceeds to leave the room. When the door opens the collar tightens strangling Jess until it closes a second later giving some time to breathe again. Her neck is in a lot more pain now that that has happened. Jess struggles to get up, takes the rag and slowly hobbles over to the bathroom sink. Dampening the rag and placing it around her neck the best she could before going to the bed and rests till tomorrow comes.

***

Day 2 came and went for Jess the collar doing exactly what Agent said. Tightening and loosening with the opening and closing of that damned door. She swears the girl left the door open for way too long. Both times. Until the next day arrived.

Morning comes of Day 3 Jess awoke being strangled as the food delivery girl comes and goes. Neck still throbbing and unable to do anything Jess painfully gets up from bed and begins to eat. While attempting to eat and choking on the food occasionally she looks at the data pad left by Alchemist. Tapping on it and sending a message to her.

Pet: when will you be here?

Master: I’ll show up around four, do be ready. Ok?

Pet: ok

It’s hopeless. Jess was beginning to cry. As the time ticked closer her anxiety kicked up, unable to do much else but stew in her own despair.

***

“Sis, what do we need from here again?”

“Some data regarding parapluie, apparently it’s become a massive problem.”

“Isn't that the T-doll zombie virus? I don't wanna become a zombie.”

“G-11 you’re not going to become a zombie, all you have to do is keep watch while UMP45 & UMP9 are doing their thing.”

“But 416 I don’t wanna go.”

“G-11 you're going. Stop complaining we are reaching our destination.”

The camper that all of team 404 are in has finally reached its destination, the vehicle stopping and shutting off. The squad of four prepping for the current operation underway and stepping outside, feet crunching in the snow.

“It’s coooold!” G-11 states.

“Oh poor G-11 I guess you should warm up by going for a walk.” Teases UMP9

“Nooooo.” the poor shivering G-11 responds.

“Alright you two stop messing around, we have a job to do.” UMP45 cuts in.

The four T-dolls walk for a while mostly silent aside for G–11 complaining and UMP9 messing with her. The destination was a compound seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The squad grouped up and began infiltration. Slowly moving tree to tree avoiding the line of sight of Sangvis dolls. They eventually make it to the compound sneaking in through one of the windows and begin searching for the information they need.

Sending information between each other while moving door to door eventually they come across something useful.

“Hey 45 I found a map!”

“Good send it to me 9… Hm it’s a bit deeper than I thought, ladies let's proceed.”

Moving between floors while avoiding Sangvis guards they slowly reach their destination about 35 levels downward. Passing many different floors until they finally reach what they are looking for.

“Ahhh finally! Can I rest now?”

“G-11 stand guard.” HK 416 commands.

“Uuuuuu.”

UMP45 pulls a wire out and connects herself to it. UMP9 examines the room and starts pulling out any potentially useful hard drives.

“Got it. Let’s get moving. HK416 take point.” UMP45 commands.

“Jawohl.”

The squad starts to head out reaching the stairway making it up five floors before a door is heard above them. They all stop moving and wait for the sound of heels to leave. Instead it slowly walks down the steps without stopping. UMP45 opens the door for access into floor 29 and motions for everyone to follow. Taking a right they begin to find a room an appropriate distance from the stairwell finding a nondescript room opening the door and the four entering while clearing the room out. Only to find it empty except for some pieces of furniture and a closed door on the side. After about 15 seconds of examining the room they close the door. Only to hear coughing and heavy breathing from the door to the right.

“Fuck!”

The four pointing their guns towards the door containing profanities.

“Alchemist. Please don't. I don't feel good today. I think my fever is back. Can we not do this?”

The voice behind the door starts coughing. Until it opened. The two parties were staring at each other in complete silence. One completely naked with a collar and the others strangers fully clothed and armed to the teeth.

“Um.” said the naked Jess.

“A nudist?” speaks G-11 .

“Stop!” commands the other three.

Raising her hands in the hand Jess says “Wait please don’t!”

UMP45 begins interrogation.

“Step out of the bathroom.” Jess complies. “On your knees.”

“Uh ok.”

“Silence.”

“...”

“You're a human?”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Kidnapped?”

416 cuts in. “Let's just end her and go 45. We aren't going to get anything useful out of her.”

UMP45 agrees and sets her gun to semi-auto. Pointing at the girl on her knees before a message arrives on the data pad on the table. UMP9 picks up the data pad and reads the message sent.

Master: 15

“15 what does that mean?” UMP9 asks.

Master: 14

“OH! SIS WE GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE!”

Master: 13

“What are you talking about 9?”

Master: 12

“It's a countdown. This master person is arriving in 11 seconds!”

Master: 11

“OH NO! TAKE ME WITH YOU PLEASE!” Jess begs while grabbing onto UMP45’s leg.

Master: 10

“Oi get off me!” UMP45 readies the butt of her gun to hit Jess.

Master: 9

“Scheisse, 45 Just get her off.” 416 states.

Master: 8

“Get off or I'll shoot you!” UMP45 threatens.

Master: 7

Jess finally lets go “Please don’t!”

Master: 6

“Where do we go sis!?”

Master: 5

“The bathroom?” G-11 questions.

Master: 4

“Damn it. You rat on us and you die first.” UMP45 threatens Jess again.

Master: 3

“O-OK!”

Master: 2

404 rushes into the bathroom while Jess panics on where to sit.

Master: 1

Attempting to get to the bed gets stopped short by the door opening and her collar tightening.

“GEH!” she tries to yell but gets stopped by the door opening and “Master” reveals herself.

“Hello pet, good to see you again. Oh what is wrong, why won’t you say hi to me?”

Jess is on the ground struggling to breathe. Not even able to make a noise.

“Oh that’s right, the door! Silly me.”

The door closing finally allowed Jess to breathe again. Slightly tearing up Jess tried her best to calm down while wheezing and coughing. Alchemist grabbing the data pad on the table and taking a seat at the edge of the bed. Jess finally catching her breath gets up from the floor and places herself on the bed, wrapping herself in the blanket like a burrito. Alchemist begins her interrogation at once.

“I need a couple of questions answered, pet. Who is this man and why is he looking for you?” Alchemist moves the data pad to face me, on it, an image of the man who changed my life.

“Helltaker… He is after me so he can get his girlfriend.”

“Oh? You sound like you hate him.”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think he can get you?”

“He can. He most certainly will.”

“Oh, so confident in him, surely you underestimate my power.”

“...”

“Well, next question. Why did you run from him?”

“I don’t want to answer.”

“Too bad.”

Jess not wanting to test her, she decided to respond. “ I can’t do it. I can’t help them I don’t want to, it was all wrong I’m scared I have not been able to sleep, I’m having these nightmares I keep having them in this endless abyss I keep drowning in I’m scared it’s all too much I want to escape but I can not I-”

“Pet. calm down, you're incoherent.” Alchemist grabs Jess by the face forcing Alchemist into her sight. “I have not finished my questions. Why do your broken fingers no longer have a splint?”

Jess’ heart drops during her crisis; she forgot to put the splint back on. She can't tell Alchemist about her recently acquired curse. That would have dire consequences.

“I heal very quickly.”

“You better not be-” Alchemist suddenly stops, being as still as possible until she finishes processing something. “I have to go. Stay in bed. I’ll be back later.”

Alchemist proceeds to get up from the bed, opens the door and quickly leaves, closing the door behind her. The only feeling Jess has right now is of her collar tightening for a quick second jarring her out of stupor. After a couple seconds the bathroom door opens reintroducing squad 404. They proceed to check all their gear for a hasty getaway but the one with the UMP45 turns her face towards Jess.

“You are coming with us. I bet you will be worth the hassle.” UMP45 has an almost cruel smile on her face rivaling that of Alchemist.

Jess is silent knowing she can’t fight back. What is she to do? They broke into that facility armed to the teeth in guards and they had guns. Outmatched in all fields all she could do is watch as the one known as UMP9 plucks her right out of the bed in the blanket over her shoulder.

“Oh! Nearly forgot, 9 let me see her.” After presenting her to UMP45 she removed the collar from Jess and placed it in her bag. “I'm holding on to this just to be sure.”

Hearing her threat loud and clear Jess could only watch as she was carried off into the metal maze of the compound. Not that she could change much; everyone else had too much power. These people were carrying her up so many stairs, Jess probably couldn't climb up half of this stairway let alone at the speed these people can. Eventually exiting through the ground floor and carefully snaking their way through the front door. It was darker than when Jess last saw the sky.

Running across the snow, squad 404 trying their best to lay low until an alarm was sounded, Alchemist has spotted them. An alarm was blaring as the crunching of snow grew louder and faster, the squad of ghosts moved faster at impossible speeds. Behind them a blast of snow from the side of one of the buildings followed by a sharp light slowly increasing in speed. Rage followed the squad voiceless in their pursuit of the objective. Until they all take cover and the fireworks begin.

Silent in their communication, each firing off their guns towards the pursuing light getting closer. The light vanishes in exchange for dozens upon dozens of others appearing, trading fire with squad 404. Jess, hating all of this, decides to book it.

“Hey! Get back here!” UMP9 yells

Jess, disregarding her commands, proceeds into the forest beyond. Hoping to avoid the lasers she B lines it deeper into the forest until lasers no longer find their way in her sight giving Jess a moment of respite. Taking that time to get herself in order the adrenaline leaving her body and giving her just that much more clarity. That clarity brought with it cold feet and the realization that she was completely naked aside from the blanket. Not that it would be too much to deal with; she is immortal after all.

After taking stock of what is going on she decided to get moving. Trudging through the forest all she could hear is the wind softly blowing whipping around loose snow. Some of the trees are skeletonized, some featuring pine needles and others reaching massive heights with orange leaves. This mixture of trees introduces some unorganized mess that is oddly hypnotic to walk through. Getting lost was never welcomed but when your destination is unknown it never really mattered.

“HEY!” UMP45 rushes from behind tackling Jess to the ground.

“ACK. GET OFF ME!.” Trying to shove the girl off but failing due to the mechanical grip.

“IDIOT! We have to get out of here and stop struggling!” flipping her over UMP45 reaches into her bag and pulls out the collar.

“WAIT DON’T!” Jess tried her luck but UMP45 was not having it, placing the collar once again on her neck. The tightening is uncomfortable as always.

“You can walk it seems. Follow me.” Orders the one in control, picking her up from the ground afterwards.

Following her new warden Jess marched onwards towards some unknown destination. Eventually reaching some sort of camper. UMP9 outside of it waiting for her sister.

“Sis!” waving at her with a smile on her face.

UMP45 grabbing Jess’ collar and rushing to the camper only to be stopped by a stray shot ricochet off of said collar, destroying UMP45’s left hand eliciting a shout from her and Jess. Alchemist rushing out from the side lifting one of her blades preparing to stab UMP45. Only for Jess to push UMP45 aside as Alchemist’s blade stops an inch away at Jess’ center of mass.

“Wh-” Alchemist gets cut off by a blinding force.

If you’ve never been flashbanged before it’s not a fun experience. Especially if you are right next to it. They blow your eardrums out, blind you with a bright flash damaging the eyes, cause burns, can throw things like rocks at high speeds, and even completely disorent a human by throwing their sense of balance off causing them to hit the ground. It's a lot of fun and highly recommended by 9/10 doctors.

UMP45 drags Jess by her hand into the camper. Driving off and leaving Alchemist behind.

***

“Guh. Eakh. Mawp. Puh.” Jess states laying on one of the booth seats.

“Do you think she can hear us sis?” UMP9 asks.

Not turning from her driver seat, UMP45 gives her input. “Doubtful, that flashbang probably fried her brain. 416 are you covering her eyes with that wet rag?”

“She keeps trying to touch her face. I might have to tie her hands to the table.”

“Eh, she better be worth losing a hand over. If not, I'll have to make her work for it.”

“Sis, what are you implying?”

“Getting my money's worth.”

Chapter Text

The dirt road did not have much vegetation thanks to it being well worn. It will be a familiar sight due to Angelia not wanting to draw any unwanted attention. The two of them were wearing matching outfits, white t-shirts and shorts. After gaining more distance from S 08 Angelia stopped the truck.

“Alright let's change into something warmer. I have clothes in the back I quickly grabbed, I hope you don't mind BDUs.”

“Reminds me of the good ol days.”

“You’re a vet?”

“Army. did a lot of work for the USA. Don’t regret it for a second.”

Angelia and Helltaker left to the back of the truck and put on their newly acquired clothing. The BDU was the VSR-98 Flora camo, which used an older russian design and was replaced around 2008. Not a bad design for the limited options they both had. After dressing Angelia rooted around the back pulling out an AK-74M, a couple magazines, and a couple boxes of ammo. Helltaker assisted after realizing that Angelia needed help. Carrying it all to the front of the truck and getting in. Angelia drove while Helltaker sat shotgun and packed mags.

“You know how to use the AK?”

“You betcha. Had to rely on one for a while and still have the same one in the attic somewhere.”

“Good saves some trouble trying to teach you.”

The drive became silent and the cold night began. Angelia, wanting to stop for the night, pulls over to an abandoned home parking the truck in front of it. Helltaker hops out of the car with his pistols on his hip and AK-74M in hand.

“I’ll take the AK. You can use those nifty pistols you obtained.”

“After all that hard work loading the mags and you get the glory.”

“Ha.” Angelia says dryly. “I just don't want you to die with all the loaded guns. Let's clear the house and set everything up so we don't freeze in the car tonight.”

“You got it.”

Helltaker and Angelia stack up on the door, Angelia knocking on the door no sounds can be heard inside. Helltaker’s eyebrow raised. Angelia tries the door knob but it’s locked. Angelia signals for a breach and Helltaker gladly takes the opportunity to lead.

“Breeching!”

A fierce kick brings the door down revealing… an empty living room. They enter the living room scanning for targets Helltaker moves slowly scanning any possible corner he can with Angelia following behind. Reaching every corner of the house one by one they swiftly clear every room finding the house completely clear of any threat. After triple checking the house they began to set up a temporary residence inside the living room of the abandoned home. Two sleeping bags, a couple lanterns and a few boxes of supplies later it was time to eat and rest for the night.

Helltaker went to grab water inside some empty jugs and Angelia drove the truck behind the house. No tarp was available but it will do. Angelia loading more magazines in the meantime and prepping a couple of rigs. Helltaker arrives with the water, placing the jugs down on the ground and fills up a couple of canteens dropping in some water purification tablets. Angie asks a very important question.

“Salisbury or lasagna?”

“Salisbury.”

Waiting for everything to finish heating up and cooking, Helltaker and Angelia start packing whatever magazines they have left. Angelia decides to ask some questions to pass the time.

“You’re doing an awful lot to get this one girl, what is she to you?”

Helltaker takes a minute to respond. “I don’t know but I need her to get to someone I love.”

“You seem to be using this girl, what will she get out of this?”

“She gets to go home.”

“...This sounds a lot like kidnapping.”

Helltaker nervously responds“It’s a little more complicated than that.”

“We’ve got time.”

***

Helltaker and Angelia spend another day driving, hopefully reaching the safehouse within the day. Stopping a couple times for whatever they needed and even swapping seats so Angelia can eat. While Angelia was eating food and messing with her long range radio the truck hit something stopping immediately after.

“What was that!?”

“I Think I ran someone over.”

In the road behind them was a zombie looking creature grumbling from the hit and getting up but seemingly ok.

“Oh? Zombies?” Asks Helltaker.

“Close but not quite. I would recommend you keep driving.” Helltaker continues onward while Angielia continues her explanation. “Collapse Fluid radiation infects the human body causing ELIDs to be made. They reduce the human mind to its basic instincts and attack anything in their sights. The changes harden the person's skin, blood vessels, muscles and the like. It takes a bit to kill them unfortunately.”

“That seems like a problem.”

“It is.”

After gaining a little more distance the two swap seats again, Angelia taking a small detour by grabbing an AKS-74U from the back. Then planting herself in the driver’s seat. And beginning once again the long drive. Helltaker decided to catch some sleep.

***

“Are you dead?” AK-12 asks.

“I'm not.” says Helltaker.

“Oh look at that.” AK-12 responds.

Helltaker opens his eyes and notices he is in a garage. AK-12 poking her head through the now open window of the passenger seat.

“Appreciate you bringing Angie back to us safely. That situation could have ended with a lot more bodies on the ground.”

“No problem.”

“Come on out of that car, let's get some food. Da?”

“Sounds good.”

AK-12 opens the truck door and motions for Helltaker to step out which he does. Guiding him to a room off the side featuring cots, equipment, a stove top, and a sleeping Angelia surrounded by her T-dolls. Helltaker takes a look at the food situation and witnesses some of the options he has. A smile gracing his face.

The smell of pancakes fills the room finding its way into Angelia’s nostrils rousing her from her sleep. She looks to her left and notices Helltaker surrounded by her T-Dolls, they seem to be fixated on something.

“Oh my god, it’s perfect.” RPK-16 states.

“I don’t know what it’s made of but I want some more.” AK-12 says

“Passion.” replies Helltaker.

“Agreed.” AN-94 agrees.

“Yes” AK-15 affirms.

Angie, waking up from her sleep, decides to cut in.

“What are you guys doing?”

“Oh Angie! You have to try this!”

AK-12 hands Angie a plate of fresh chocolate pancakes. Angie sits up and takes the plate, grabs the fork and cuts off a piece of that pancake and eats it. Angie freezes up chewing slower, absorbing the taste. After swallowing she remains silent.

“Well?” AK-12 asks.

“Oh my god, it’s perfect.”

“I know right?” RPK-16 says.

Everyone enjoys their pancakes.

Meanwhile… With 404.

***

Jess tries to focus for a second. Actually able to, she aims to remove the wet blindfold but can’t move her arms. However she can sit up, so she does. The rag falls off her face revealing a small girl with silver long hair, wrapped in a blanket watching a dvd player placed on the table. Her eyes lazily watched her movie, hitting pause and transferring her sight over to Jess shortly after.

“Uh, hello?” Jess says.

“Hi, wanna watch Ron of the Dead?” She slides her DVD player over showing the frame of a man beating a zombie with a cricket bat.

“Oh, uh, no thank you.”

The silver haired girl slides the DVD player back to herself. Jess takes another minute to stare at her before seeing what happened to her hands. Surprisingly she had a shirt and a skirt on, which was a pleasant surprise aside from the collar now with a black mark of some kind along the link. Her hands were tied up in a knot easy to untie by herself which she gladly did. Things were looking up for Jess. Only to notice being watched by a brown haired twin tailed girl with a scar on her right eye. Wearing a black hoodie with yellow accents and yellow armband on the right arm, white dress shirt with a ribbon around the collar, pleated skirt with black tights and some boots matching the hoodie.

“Hello!” she gladly states.

“Hi.” responds Jess

“I’m UMP9. Nice to meet you!”

“Jess. Nice to meet you as well, wait why are you named after a gun?”

“Oh? I’m a T-Doll.”

“Ok?”

“Wait, do you not know what a T-Doll is? HA! That's a new one. Hey sis! She doesn't know what a T-Doll is!”

Another girl walks in looking very similar to UMP9, a scar gracing her left eye instead of her right and a different hair style featuring a one sided ponytail with slightly darker hair.

“Oh how odd, I thought we were all the rage. Well, finding you is a refreshing twist.”

“What do you mean?” Jess asks.

“Normally we deal with T-Doll trafficking. A little bit ago we messed with the Sector 08 commander and I collected some dirt on him to keep him from trafficking T-Dolls. Fortunately he was stopped recently by someone named Helltaker.”

“Oh fuck. What?”

“Oh? A familiar name I see. You know that the bathroom was not soundproof. So what do you know about him? Is he rich?”

“He’s… interesting. Can’t say he is rich all things considered. And he is just trying to find someone he loves, regardless of my feelings.” Jess mumbles the end of the sentence.

“Oh what a harrowing tale, so romantic” the sarcasm dripped from UMP45’s voice. “ What do you have to do with it?”

“I’m helping him look.” Jess telling a half truth.

“Well that’s disappointing. Are you hungry? 416 is preparing some food.”

“I’d like that.”

“Yayyyy food!” G11 cuts in raising her arms in the air.

UMP45 motions for Jess to move to the side; she does so without issue moving to the left of the booth. UMP45 sits herself down next to Jess and UMP9 chooses to sit in the driver's seat while waiting for food. When it finally comes out being delivered by a girl with blue hair, maroon army beret and a red teardrop under her left eye. Her black on top purple starting from her breast down ending in her pleated skirt, featuring thigh highs and fashionable navy blue with lime green outsole.

“Foods ready.” 416 states.

G11 gets a smile on her face. UMP9 and Jess say thanks and UMP45 remains silent. The food is Beef stew. Jess ate it with joy. And G11 fed by HK416. The group ate in relative silence until Jess took a moment to wipe her face.

“Dummkopf, stop touching your face, you're going to irritate yourself more.” HK416 commands.

“Oh, sorry. It still hurts a bit.”

“Blame UMP9.”

“Hey! That flashbang saved her life.” UMP9 turns towards Jess. “You should be happy I threw that!” UMP9 counters.

“It’s fine, I recover quickly.”

T-Dolls and lone human finish their food and 416 takes the dishes away.

“Alrite time to go get this hand repaired. We aren't too far away from Dier so try not to get too comfortable.”

Jess takes this as an opportunity to get some rest. UMP45 and UMP9 trade seats, starting up the camper and driving onward.

***

Helltaker and company finished eating. And Angelia had an announcement to make.

“Ok that was great, but we need to contact 404 and see what they found. There’s a city nearby that shouldn't be too long of a drive. DEFY let's pack up!”

“And me?” Helltaker asks.

“You can take shotgun in the truck and wait.”

“You got it.”

After everyone is ready and packing themselves in the car Angelia gets in the driver's seat. Pressing a button hanging on the rear view mirror, opening the garage door. Backing up into the world once again. The ride itself was rather dull, after about an hour of this they reached a massive city.

“Where is this?” Helltaker asks.

“Lubin, Poland.” Angelia responds.

“Hmmm.”

The giant walls that now surround the remains of the city with strange machines at the top emit a fog of some kind. A majority of the surrounding area had been left to slowly rot due to the after effects of WWIII. The lack of humans to physically inhabit the land had been killed off during the war leaving many countries with little manpower.

Driving up to the gate a couple guards come up and ask for Id. Angelia reveals her own granting passage to her truck and occupants inside. A short ride later and they gain access to a hotel. After parking the truck everyone gets out and manages everything in the back of the truck to be carried inside. The lady at the front desk is terrified when a group of dirty people enter the hotel. Some bearing russian uniforms and others wearing tactical gear head to toe.

“H-how can I help you?”

“Two rooms please.” requests Angelia

“Under who?”

“Helltaker.”

“O-oh, ok!” The Clerk at the desk tapped away at her computer and after a couple seconds confirmed everything. “Alright, here's your keys. Please enjoy your stay!”

Helltaker and co make it up the elevator up to their room after the door is opened they all walk in single file with all their things. Then finally a sigh of relief.

“Ahhhhh! that ride in the truck was painful!” AK-12 lies back on the couch spreading her arms and legs.

AN-94 sits next to AK-12 hands lying in her lap. AK-15 pulls up a chair facing a desk and flips it around facing the room and takes a seat. RPK-16 leans against the wall while Angelia sits on the bed.

“Helltaker, you shower first.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” all of DEFY respond.

“Ok.”

Helltaker enters the bathroom first taking off his clothes and preparing the shower. Meanwhile Angelia prepares communication with 404.

Helltaker after thirty minutes finally exits the shower freshly cleaned, places on a towel around his waist and reintroduces himself to DEFY.

“Holy shit! He’s Jacked!” RPK-16 comments.

“And the smell is much better.” states AK-15.

“Thanks.” says the Helltaker.

“My turn.” Angelia gets up grabbing spare clothes and walks into the shower after Helltaker and closes the door.

“Hey, how is the search for Jess?” Helltaker asks.

“Ah, we are checking with 404 right now. They will more than likely get back with us about some new information on Alchemist’s location within the day.” AK-12 answers.

“I see. Thank you. One more thing, do we have any clean clothes for me?”

“Nope.” AK-12 also answers.

“I’ll wash them.” RPK-16 offers.

“Sounds good. Thank you.”

Angelia throws her dirty clothes outside the door, closing it afterwards. RPK-16 and AK-15 proceed to leave the room with the dirty clothes that Angelia and Helltaker left. Helltaker takes a seat on the edge of the bed wondering what to do when AK-12 approaches him with a laptop.

“It’s to kill time. Just try to not watch porn.”

“No promises.” says the smiling Helltaker.

Helltaker gladly takes the laptop and moves over to the desk AK-15 was sitting at. He does a few searches, some looking for context into this world, others into Beelezebub. One recent article brings up information about a man who was committed into a medical ward due to a murder. Reading more into the article he was male at the age of 23 and had a job in construction. He had kidnapped a lady and murdered her for her blood. A photo revealed the same circle Jess used to gain access to the abyss, it was completed but no portal. After his arrest he claimed that Beelzebub made him do it. During the trial he became incoherent and was committed shortly after.

“Hm.”

After a few more minutes of searching Angelia comes out of the shower. Not busy questioning Helltaker about the laptop, she lies on the bed to relax while looking at a menu from one of the bedside tables. Angelia is now wearing some Jeans and a blue zip up shirt. The pants folded up her right leg revealing a metal leg and her right arm bearing the same features. AK-12 strips her weapon out on a towel and begins cleaning the internals while AN-94 watches. AK-15 and RPK-16 return bearing gifts of clean clothes and a shopping bag. Pulling out a white tank top and a red and black flannel shirt with blue jeans.

“Here you go, Helltaker. Fresh clothes straight from the thrift store down the road.” RPK-16 announced.

“Appreciate it.”

Helltaker enters the bathroom and AK-12 gets an important call from UMP45. AK-12 proceeds to the computer desk in the corner of the room and opens the software she needs and proceeds with the call. Giving a view of UMP45 sitting in a chair with her left arm slightly out of frame.

“Hello AK-12. Can I get angelia on the line?”

Before AK-12 can respond Angelia appears right behind her.

“Hey UMP45 do you have what I was looking for?”

A smile creeps up on UMP45’s face.

“Oh I have something much more interesting.”

UMP45 slides her camera to the right showing Jess conversing with UMP9 about something pointing at her gun half disassembled.

“Holy shit.” says Angelia.

“We also have the data you requested. I sure hope you will come to pick up this girl at some point otherwise I don’t know what to do with her.” UMP45 slides the camera back to face her, showing her hand being repaired by an unknown individual slightly out of frame.

Angelia sighs. Knowing 404’s rates and the fact they rescued a human of all things they are going to charge a premium for this.

“Ok. great. Just give me a minute. I need to confirm with Helltaker that this is the same person.”

“Very well.”

The two call over their respective people.

“What is it UMP45?” Jess asks.

“Hey look at this.”

UMP45 motions Jess to the screen for her to witness Helltaker himself on the screen.

“Helltaker?!”

“Jess.” he calmly replies.

UMP45 shoos her away immediately after.

“Eh? but-”

“Hey UMP9.”

UMP9 grabbs Jess and calmly walks back to where they were sitting before.

“So, for her we’ll just double my usual rate along with the payment for the original task. And a little extra to cover repairs for my hand. Deal?”

“UMP45 I do-” Angelia was cut off by Helltaker.

“Deal.”

“What the fuck are you saying?” says the angry Angelia.

“I can pay for it.”

“With what!?”

“Back from where you found me, I have a secret stash.”

“What? In Pripyat?”

“Yes.”

Angelia looks like she is about to blow a gasket, while UMP45 looks confused, instead offering an alternative to the impending argument. Her face contorts into a menacing smile.

“Ok, how about this? Let's make a deal. We meet at the trade off and we will hand her over for the cost of half the previous job and repairs for my hand. But if Mr.Helltaker actually has a secret stash of his money we take his offer.”

“Deal.” both state.

“Great, send me the coordinates and time. My squad will meet up at the tradeoff. See you then
Mr.Helltaker and Angie.”

The screen cuts out.

“That girl gives me the creeps.” Helltaker states.

“Agreed.” says Angelia.

***

“Dier how much longer?” UMP45 asks.

“About half an hour. Please refrain from forced bargaining in my workshop from now on.”

“No.”

Jess sitting at an adjacent table in the workshop starts feeling anxious again about meeting Helltaker. She felt guilty for running away from the stress of the situation and she was less excited about meeting Lucifer again. It was the devil herself after all. What would she do, chain her to a wall and poke her with a fork for all of eternity? Throw her in a comically sized pot and let it roll to a boil? Oh gods. The possibilities are endless.

“Hey c'mon put the gun together like I showed you.” UMP9 interjected.

“Oh! Right. Um, I think it goes like this.”

Jess takes the bolt and the guide rod with spring and inserts the rod with spring into the bolt. Then placing the bolt with a guide rod into the folded gun and sliding into place. Closing the folding stock, and rotating the lower receiver into place. Afterwards putting the push pin in the rear of the gun. Checking her work by pulling the charging handle and checking the ejection port. Placing the gun on the table and turning towards UMP9 waiting for her approval.

“Nice work. It’s one of the more simple guns to maintain but it's good you know how to put it together. Especially if one day you use one of the variants of UMP.” UMP9 thankfully gives her approval. “Now take it apart for me and don’t forget to clean it like I told you to do.”

“Sure.”

Looking forward to having her mind taken off of what is to come Jess gladly took the responsibility.

After cleaning it and showing UMP9 her finished work, UMP45 tests her new hand then makes an announcement.

“Arite squad plus one, we are moving out.”

HK416 on the couch pushes off G11.

“Get up. Time to move.”

“Uuuuu I don’t wanna!” G11 cries.

“Steh auf, faule Kartoffel.”

Reluctantly G11 gets off the couch cradling her gun. While HK416 picks up her’s on the side, stoically carrying it to the next destination. UMP9 takes the gun in front of Jess, and bundles up her supplies from the towl it was on and places it in her bag. UMP45 grabs her gun from its position leaning against the table. Jess takes herself and follows. Dier sits back in his seat and sighs knowing he survived another encounter with UMP45.

Everyone gathers on the camper, Jess takes her booth seat again UMP9 on her right with G11 and HK416 sitting across. UMP45 takes the wheel and they head off.

Angelia and crew took a train as close as they could to the location while squad 404 drove their camper. Both groups would meet the next day in one of the residential areas.

***

The two groups had a goal to the long abandoned city of Pripyat in Ukraine. The city left on its own after the meltdown leaving it with plantlife to retake it slowly. However the city harbored life in a most unusual way. Often enough both bandits and ELID fill the streets. One seeking loot and the other food. However, collapse radiation also took part in this harsh environment leaving creatures to be painfully mutated beyond recognition. It was truly an undead city.

***

The ride was the easy part. After exiting the train and receiving their truck the group head out towards Pripyat early in the morning before dawn. When they enter the outer zone of the city, Angelia starts giving orders.

“We are going to walk from here. Make sure you gear up and prepare for the worst. Helltaker you and I will be equipping older weight bearing systems for protection from collapse fluid radiation and anything else lurking. Girls, we will rely on you for eyes and protection from ELID and other threats. Our goal will be to reach Urban Area number five.”

The weight bearing systems featured a closed cycle respiratory system protecting the user from foreign hazards as well as a built in exoskeleton system. Featured in the color Building Gray.

Everyone starts gearing up adding armor, chest rigs, and bags. Filling each with magazines and special equipment, attaching suppressors to boot. Helltaker puts on the suit holstering his handguns in a shoulder holster and takes an AKS-74U. Angelia placed on the very same suit, choosing the AK-74M for her rifle and a Sig Sauer P226 as a secondary. When done setting up everyone chambers a round into their respective guns, Creating a chorus of metal on metal.

“Let’s rock.” Helltaker says.

“Uh, hold on. Helltaker, take this earpiece.” RPK-16 then removed Helltaker’s helmet and put it in his ear.

“Thanks.”

RPK-16 putting his helmet back on with a wink, Angelia gives the ok and the group moves out. Taking a small hike before they finally reach the city, AK-12 signals to stop. She opens her eyes for the first time after Helltaker’s introduction. Giving the rundown through the comms without making a sound.

“We have crowds of ELID gathering around. I recommend AN-94 and I go around this apartment building causing a distraction. We will meet up around the Azure swimming pool.

“Let’s go with that.” Angelia agrees.

AN-94 and AK-12 split off from the group, the rest awaiting their signal. A bang and a crack along with many windows breaking. The remnants of the group move out towards their first destination, the flank of the Jupiter Radiotechnology Factory. Reaching the back of the building Angelia points to the front signaling to move forward down Sportyvna Street. A couple stray ELID lumber around RPK-16 using a magazine with blue tape at the bottom labeled 7U1. The shots are silent and accurate, puncturing the ELID as they come along while moving forward. Shortly after they finally reach the Azure Swimming Pool rushing inside waiting for AK-12 and AN-94 to show up.

“Alright take a moment we have time.” Angelia suggests

Helltaker takes a seat on one of the starting podiums swimmers use AK-15 and RPK-16 keeping watch. AK-12 and AN-94 arrive from the side door. AK-12 bearing a smile with her mask down.

”We have arrived safely!” she announces with confidence.

”AK-12 and I have completed our mission let us proceed.” sounding more robotic.

”Oh come on Annie, sound a bit more excited!”

”sorry I will try to have more enthusiasm from now on.”

“Alright girls, let's get going to Hidroproektovska St, 5. Oh and Helltaker.”

”Rodger.” The girls state.

“Got it.” Helltaker acknowledges.

The group head out to Sportyvna Street weaving through various trees, each girl executing zombies with their guns. AK-15 choosing a more… physical approach. She cracked skulls and decapitated one in passing before they reached the intersection between Serzhanta Lazarieva St and Sportyvna Street; she punched a hole straight through the midsection of one. Helltaker kept that one in his mind slightly scared and very interested.

Arriving at the intersection they find a problem Hidroproektovska St, 5 it’s covered with holes in the ground little cover and ELID filling pits and littering the ground. Angelia points towards the ferris wheel.

“We will have to wrap around to Naberezhna St. I don’t want to deal with that.”

The group nod their heads and visit the famous ferris wheel of the ghost town. They slowly walk their way through some very quiet pops sound off by the girls AK-15 holding the flank. Passing the infected ghost town’s famous ferris wheel. Eventually they get to Naberezhna St. The street was far cleaner than anyone thought. Only covered by dead trees the lack of wind does not help. The street is seemingly more peaceful than the rest of the city. They move swiftly, carefully and with mechanical precision. Turning slightly left at an abandoned barber shop and leaving the road. Finally reaching the residential area they slowly trudge through the greenery until they reach the very apartment complex that was at the beginning of all this.

***

“Hey Jess, wakey wakey.” UMP9 says lightly slapping her face.

“Mmm, I’m awake, stop.” Jess tries to push her hands away. Failing, leading to UMP9 slightly laughing.

“You remind me of G11 right now.”

“Betcha I can sleep longer than her.”

“I’d like to see that. G11 is a master of sleep yah know.”

“It's a date.”

UMP45 interjects. “You should realize by now you won’t be seeing us after today.”

“Don’t be so mean.” says Jess.

All the girls now standing inside the camper prepping everything except for Jess who just sits there wondering what to do while sitting next to UMP9’s bag.. Until UMP45 hands Jess a gas mask and a hazmat suit she unzips it holding the legs part of the suit open.

“Ok get in.” She orders.

Jess follows UMP45’s orders and gets into the suit, turning Jess to face her and zipping up the suit. She helps out with the mask as well placing it on and moving the hood of the suit over said mask. Finally finishing with black gloves.

“What you do from now on is stay silent and follow my orders if you don’t you might die. Do you understand?” UMP45 says.

Jess remains silent.

“Good.”

The girls pile out of the camper carrying bags, knee pads, and gear. Jess looks like a ghost scientist ready to get shot by the nearest bandit. But she has four very efficient bodyguards.

“Alright we are going to a tributary to the pripyat river by crossing an old dirt path along Budivelnykiv Ave, we are walking to avoid getting ELID, so G11, no complaining it could be way worse. Jess you are to remain behind UMP9 at all times. Alright everyone let's go.”

The squad heads out, crossing the dirt road bridge. The bridge is the easiest, safest and quickest way to the tradeoff point. Pripyat was covered in a collage of living and dead plants, the patchy appearance seemingly unnatural. The short walk to the city was uneventful as planned, eventually getting into the apartment. HK416 and UMP45 clear the building shortly after UMP9 pushes in G11, Jess walking behind stepping around the forgotten corpse of a person shot to pieces. In the lobby another person bearing similar colors has her head blown off. By what? Jess does not know but she hopes she never finds out.

“Hey Jess, UMP45 wants you upstairs.” UMP9 says.

Jess nods and proceeds to follow the order climbing the stairs seeing UMP45 at the top alone.

“Show me the room.”

Jess walks about four rooms to the right, picking out room 207. UMP45 enters the room finding absolutely nothing of interest. Looking around and finding nothing of value she gets a little agitated. Jess trying to avoid UMP45’s death glare looks at a wall like it’s the most important thing in the room. She takes a moment to talk to Jess.

“So why did you push me out of the way?”

“What? When?”

“In the forest after my hand was shot off.”

“Oh right. I don’t really know. I just did.”

“Bullshit, what do you want?”

“I don’t understand.”

“You want something right?! That’s why you did that. So what do you want?”

“Can you take the collar off then?”

“It’s been broken the entire time. Trust me, I tried to strangle you multiple times.”

“Oh wow. Ok.”

UMP45 grabs Jess by her hazmat suit and shoves her against the wall.

“No one does things “just because” . It's bullshit. Every human always tries to get something from someone. Is that why you’ve been buddy buddy with UMP9?”

“UMP45 You’re just like everyone else yourself! I'm terrified because everyone has so much more than me, I don’t have shit! The collar, strength. Fucking, my own life! I have nothing I want and you sure as hell can’t fix that! Just accept that someone did something for you just because they could!”

Jess removes the gas mask, the hood falling behind her. UMP45’s grip releases. Jess throws her gas mask on the ground and walks out of the room. Choosing to go downstairs sitting at the base of the stairs she holds her head in her hands while she cries silently.

UMP45 sits stunned for a second before putting on her same cruel smile and exiting the room taking up a position next to HK416 looking out the window and waiting with everyone else.

After a bit, AK-12 comes through the front of the building.

“Hello!” AK-12 introduces herself, eyes closed.

AK-12 is followed by the rest of the group, the last one being Helltaker. He approaches Jess sitting on the steps.

“Hey you ok kiddo?” Helltaker asks.

She remains unresponsive to Helltaker’s questioning. He leans down touching Jess’ shoulder. She jumps a little bit.

“FUCK! Oh god, where did you come from?”

“The front door. Where is your mask?”

“I left it up the stairs.”

“Can you get it?”

“Yah.”

Jess gets up holding on to the rail for support and proceeds up the stairs. Helltaker follows closely behind with Angelia. The rest of DEFY remain in the lobby with G11 and UMP9. UMP45 ignores Jess as she walks towards room 207 giving her attention to the other guests with her “customer service” smile.

“Well hello! I see we have all made it and you both appear to be unscathed.”

“Yes.” says Helltaker.

“So it seems. UMP45 I appreciate you bringing her.” Angelia says.

“However there is one issue. Mr.Helltaker where is the stash you oh so conveniently mentioned.” UMP45 asks.

“It’ll be here in about 15 minutes.” Helltaker states.

“Do you have a convoy?”

“In a way.”

“I will take the girl and go if you try something.”

“Hey Helltaker, what are you even talking about?” Angelia asks.

“Well I-” *BANG* interrupts Helltaker’s explanation.

***

Jess enters room 207 and goes to pick up the mask only to be stopped

“Shhhh.”

Jess says and does nothing as a hand grabs her throat from behind.

“Hey pet, how are you? Did you miss me? You say anything and everyone gets shot, do you understand?” Alchemist whispers.

Jess nods.

“Good Now let's turn you around. I want to see your face.” Alchemist turns Jess around showing her terrified expression. She is able to feel her heartbeat skyrocket through her neck.

“Can I say something?” Jess whispered.

“Just this once.”

“Bang.”

*BANG*

Alchemist had dropped Jess on the ground. Alchemist still standing most of her systems showing errors however she was only stunned for a bit. She started trying to grab at Jess only for her to be squirming on the ground. Jess, attempting to leave through the front door, tried to get up from being prone and ended up slamming into the floor and ground over and over again. After a couple seconds Alchemist recovers seeing Jess collapse on the ground one last time. She grabs her by the collar and lifts her up.

“Pet we’re going now so don’t try anythi-.” Alchemist gets stopped by Helltaker with a swift kick.

“Hey kid did ya miss me?”

“Mwap.” Jess replies

Lasers start shooting off. Jess, prone on the floor, was picked up by Helltaker and rushed out the door. Angelia having taken cover behind a wall, Her AK-74M ready to fire. AK-15 barrels around the corner gun ready.

“What’s happening?” Angelia asks.

“Alchemist is in the room,she tried to get Jess.” Helltaker says.

Alchemist runs around the door pointing one of her blades at the group AK-15 retaliates by sending a volley of rounds at her forcing Alchemist to retreat back into the room. AK-15 pursuing her into the room.

“AK-12 What is going on down there?”

“Sangvis forces have ambushed us! Looks like they deactivated units to mask their location!”

AK-15 launches out of the room slamming into the floor of an adjacent room. Alchemist rounds the corner once again only to have more shots fired and a strait to send her back.

“Helltaker! I'll get Jess into the stairwell. Hold this position and stop Alchemist from pursuing us!”

“You got it.”

HK416 and UMP45 are stuck in the window firing back at the uninvited company. Angelia carries Jess to the stairwell and sees the situation down stairs. G11 carrying her gun passes Angelia upstairs.

“G11 Go to room 203 and start taking shots! 416 ready your nades!”

“Ja!” HK416 grabbing her grenade launcher from her bag while G11 takes position.

UMP45 Starts designating targets for HK416 and G11 several bursts of shots and a *Thunk* and *Boom* can be heard.

Downstairs RPK-16 sending bursts of rounds through the front door with UMP9 assisting. AK-12 and AN-94 covering the sides firing round after round down the hall each one hitting a target.

“Angie! They won’t stop coming!”

“Alchemist is upstairs, AK-15 and Helltaker are handling it! We need to hold on!”

AK-15 trades blows with Alchemist neither able to get the one up. At one point AK-15 was thrown into a wall and crashed into adjacent room 209. Alchemist readies one of her blades to fire only to be interrupted by Helltaker sending rounds into her side. Alchemist changes her target and begins to fire only to once again be interrupted by AK-15 throwing her knife into Alchemist's shoulder sending her shot towards a wall next to Helltaker. Helltaker and AK-15 rush towards Alchemist, one sending a kick to the stomach and the other a straight at her face full force forward. Sending Alchemist back on her ass. AK-15 places her foot on Alchemist's neck pointing her gun at her head.

“Call them off.” AK-15 demands.

“Fine.” Alchemist reluctantly says.

The shots that were ringing out start to subside slowly progressing to silence. Alchemist on the floor seems to be smiling as if waiting for something. Helltaker takes this moment to reload and points towards Alchemist’s head giving AK-15 a chance as well. Angie can be heard over the comms.

“What’s the situation up there? All sangvis units have stopped.”

“Alchemist has been captured and all sangvis units have deactivated.”

“Good work AK-15. Everyone regroup upstairs.” Angelia says.

The girls from downstairs proceed up the stairs, UMP9 carrying Jess with her. RPK-16 enters the room with AK-15 and Helltaker. Angelia enters the kitchen where UMP45 and HK416 are taking a more relaxed position. G11 walks out of room 203 and leans against the wall mumbling something about watching Heated Copper. UMP9 carries Jess who is groaning. AK-12 with her eyes closed and AN-94 are on standby behind Angelia.

“Whew, that was fun.” says UMP45.

“I don’t want to do that again. Let's wrap up here.” Angelia leans against the wall of the kitchen.

“Oh I hope nothing else goes wrong.” AK-12 adds.

“Please don't say that Miss AK-12, G11 says that’s bad luck.” UMP9 comments.

“Oh it’s fine I don’t thi-” AK-12 is interrupted by gunshots hitting the Kitchen window frame.

“ELID, AND A TON OF THEM!” HK416 yells.

“Shit, they have us surrounded.” notices UMP45.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!” Alchemist yells from the other room.

“That bitch.” Angelia begins to go to Room 207.

AK-12 and AN-94 post up at the stairway waiting for them to come. HK416 loading another round into her grenade launcher. UMP9 leans Jess on the wall in the hallway as ELID begin to flood the first floor. At the doorway to room 207 Helltaker stands and asks a question to Angelia.

“You got the time?”

“What?”

“The time.”

“Oh it’s… 4:58. Wait why.”

“We just have to hold them off for two minutes then.”

“What? Do you have a plan?”

“Yes, just make sure everyone is in 207 at 5.”

“Helltaker, what are you planning?” Angelia mumbles to herself, returning back to the hallway.

“Hey everyone! We need to hold them off for two minutes.”

“Got it.” Everyone replies except for Jess and G11.

UMP45 and HK416 post up at the window marking targets and taking out any that have a ranged advantage with their limited ammo. The ELID start to stack up climbing on top of eachother entering from the second story window at the end of the hall G11 gets prone and starts to blast. UMP9 and Angelia rotate with AK-12 with her eyes open and AN-94 giving everyone time to reload and cover the stairwell while the other two provide suppression of the horde. This works well until ELID start to enter through the many doors of the hallway. RPK-16 slides out of room 207 proning and covering fire on the left side of the hallway. G11, struggling to hold off the horde, has to get assistance from UMP9. Weakening the team covering the stairwell. Angelia is not able to eliminate every ELID barely preventing them from turning the corner.

“Дерьмо, Angie they are starting to overwhelm us!” AK-12 comments.

“Thirty more seconds we need to start piling into 207!”

“Angie you first!” AK-12 announces sweating profusely.

Angelia starts retreating, followed by HK416 and UMP45. The ladder grabbing Jess and dragging her through the hall. G11, UMP9, AK-12 and AN-94 start moving as a unit down the hall going back to back with RPK-16 until the ok is given. The ELID started covering the hall, gunfire striking the crowd down only for it to be replaced shortly after. Ten seconds remain. Helltaker kicking and shooting any ELID that gather at the window sweating. AK-15 getting angrier as Alchemist laughs. Everyone is fighting for their life.

A blue portal opens.

“Everyone In the portal!” Helltaker orders.

No one willing to argue begin to enter UMP45 throwing Jess in and jumps in after. Followed by HK416 then G11 and UMP9. AK-15 holds her ground RPK-16, AK-12 and AN-94 Jump in. Angelia orders AK-15 to stop holding down Alchemist which she reluctantly does and follows in after Angelia. Leaving Helltaker and Alchemist.

“You should go in.”

“Oh an invitation? Don't mind if I do.” Alchemist gladly hops in leaving Helltaker alone.

Helltaker, seeing everyone made it, starts to back up into the portal only to get shot in the side by a stray ELID’s shot. Falling into the portal still firing away he safely makes it to the portal, closing after him.

Chapter Text

Lucifer waits in her corner sipping wine and sitting in her chair staring at the portal. Thinking Helltaker will surely show his face again with that pest in tow but instead only seeing the pest fall to the ground. She begins to scowl when another person shows themself who is also not the Helltaker, they manage to step aside to watch instead of falling over. More and more pop out each addition enraging her beyond belief. Falling over others like a bunch of cyclists who are far too close together. Until finally her dearly beloved comes through and the portal closes by Justice sweeping a small part of it.

“Heya big guy! did ya find a new harem or something?” Justice asks.

The bundle of bodies collectively have different reactions groaning moaning the lone standee answers instead.

“Nope.” UMP45 answers.

The pile of bodies starts to unfurl itself one by one each person taking a breather and licking their wounds. Some chose a more aggressive posture and others relaxed.

AK-12 checks on Angelia.

“You ok?”

“Yes, nothing but a couple of bumps and scratches.”

RPK-16 assists with AK-15 and the others taking particular care for Helltaker. Loremaster is on the screen watching from above writing down notes.

“Ow! Sis! Why do you have to let me fall like that!”

“I was too busy looking. Pff.” UMP45 tries to stifle her laugh.

“It smells like burnt beef.” says Jess.

UMP9 and 45 take a look at Jess on the ground, her eyes open and face slightly scrunched. Her hip is burnt to a crisp revealing her bone. UMP9 rushes towards Jess, her face slightly panicked.

“Um guys, I think I see bone.”

“Oh I have to see this.” RPK-16 says handing off Helltaker to AK-15 who is now leaning on her shoulder.

“Is it bad?” Jess asks.

“Nooooo, You’ll be fine.” UMP9 tries her best to assure her.

“You’re fucked up.” RPK-16 states.

“OH GOD I'M FEELING IT!”

“Good that should serve as punishment for trying to run away.” Lucifer adds.

RPK-16 and UMP9 are too busy holding Jess down to notice the comment while UMP45 and Angelia stare down Lucifer. Helltaker decides to do some diplomacy.

“Hey Lucy we will talk about it later for now let’s get everyone checked up on, ok?”

“Very well.” she snaps her fingers making her seat and cup disappear.

“Who’s the magic demon maid?” G11 asks.

“Ah, That’s Lucifer.” Justice adds.

“Ahhh! Another one!”

“Introductions later I’m taking Jess to her room.” Justice proceeds to pluck Jess from the ground.

“Hey! Don’t move her!” UMP9 was shocked at the sudden liftoff of Jess.

Jess fainting from her wounds finally stopped moving UMP9 and RPK-16 choosing to follow. Lucifer walks up to Helltaker and begins to talk to him only for Lormaster to begin talking.

“HELLO MORTALS!” several of the T-Dolls and Angelia take up a defensive posture. “Welcome to my domain! I am Loremaster and pleased to meet you! Please follow all decontamination procedures and you will all meet with me afterwards! Lucifer will assist you with this, any insubordination will result in termination! Pleasure to meet you!” the screen shuts off.

“Oh, interesting, who knew something like this would happen?” Alchemist says.

“Why is she here?” AK-15 asks.

“I invited her.” Helltaker states.

“Why?” Angelia asks now, carefully watching said threat.

“Oh don't worry human, I'm just here to observe. For now.”

“Everyone stand down.” Angelia takes a more relaxed posture along with the rest of DEFY.

“Whew finally.” the sweating AK-12 responds while closing her eyes.

“G11, 416 you as well but don’t get comfortable.” UMP45 orders.

Everyone takes a more relaxed posture, now pointing their attention to Lucifer who stiffens her shoulders and straightens her back and begins her speech.

“Welcome to Loremaster’s domain I will assist you in getting acquainted. Please refrain from wandering off.”

“Wait, I thought you were once again in charge?” asks Helltaker.

“Unfortunately no. My assassination failed. Again.”

“You’ll get her eventually honey.” Assures Helltaker not wanting his dearly beloved to be dismayed.

***

Jess opened her eyes carefully, feeling exhausted.

“Uuuu, what happened?” asking no one in particular

“Well, let's see. You stole a flash bang from my sister. You flashbanged yourself and it got caught on your hiding spot burning you to the bone. We became overrun by ELID. We went to actual Hell. You went into shock. Also you’re immortal.” UMP45 said, tallying off on her fingers.

“Oh you found out.”

“I'm just upset I didn't charge more for you.”

“Ah.”

Jess takes a moment lying in bed. Slowly and carefully she gets up and examines her body. She finds a night gown and has some bandages wrapped around her waist, the metal collar strangely missing. She sighs and falls back down onto the bed. Turning her head to a lone UMP45.

“Did yah feel bad for me or something?”

“Arschloch.” UMP45 gets up from her seat and walks out the room.

“Oh.”

After a couple of minutes alone Jess gets up at the edge of the bed. Peeling off her bandages she notices the injury has healed up almost entirely leaving a smaller red spot raw to the touch. Reapplying the bandage and standing up she slumps over the bed using it as support from blacking out. Finally she's able to stand up and eventually realizes she is hungry and exits the room to the kitchen.

The kitchen faces the table and chairs where she first “met” a majority of her tormentors. Having a refrigerator and counter space to fit everything you would need to prepare meals. Along with a microwave, stove top oven, toaster and even a few Jess had no idea what they did.

Finding the kitchen empty. Jess walks up to the fridge and opens it to find something in an aluminum pan with a note on it. Heya Jess! Some lasagna is left over, feel free to take some!-Justice, The Apple Pie Demon. Jess also notices another note left on a six pack of bottled coke. Helltaker said you would like some of this as well!-Justice, the Apple Pie Demon. how she knew Jess would read the notes in the right order she would never know.

Jess places a plate into Chef Mic and presses the timer for two minutes, taking a sip of her soda while staring at it. A noise from behind Jess takes her attention. She turns around and sees no one in the room.

“Hello?”

No response. She turns back around leaning on the counter. Suddenly she gets taken from behind letting out a “AH!” only to have her mouth covered as she is dragged over to a chair and tied up.

“We got her!”
“Just as planned!”
“What a fool!”

Three people with dog ears and a demon tail who are also well dressed begin plotting.

“What now?”
“I dunno shall we interrogate her?”
“Let’s steal her food!”

Chef Mic the traitorous bastard begins to beep right on command. The three dog girls open the microwave, take the open bottle of soda and steal the tray of lasagna from the fridge and book it. Jess is left there gagged with tape and tied to the chair. Trying her bonds gets her nowhere but she easily gets the duct tape off of her mouth. Tilting her head back and letting out another sigh leaving herself resigned to her fate. Until Lucifer turns the corner with a smile that could combust the sun.

“Well, well, well. Look who finally woke up. I hope you slept well because we now have something very important to talk about.”

“Let’s save this for later please. I'm starving.”

“No. You need to understand you are just a blood bag. You are not to leave this facility. You will not participate in any activities, you will not be leaving your room. Food will be restricted to three times a day. Under no circumstances will you be given a choice in any matter. Understood?”

“No. Lucifer even with my blood you don’t have any way to find specific keys to other universes. I have it all in my head. Different codes to gain access to specific locations, you’ll just end up jettisoning whatever poor bastard into endless space! You have no power here!”

Lucifer stands up walking over to one of the drawers lining the counter and picks up a knife. Walking over to Jess and sitting on the table in front of her brandishing the knife

“Now darling, I didn’t become queen of Hell by being nice.I guess it’s time to show you your place.”

Jess closes her eyes and prepares for the worst as Lucifer begins to strike with the knife.

“WAIT!”

She drops her arm only to be stopped by a sweaty Helltaker wearing nothing but a towel and a bandage on his torso.

“Lucy…”

“WHAT! SHE TRIED TO RUN! YOU KNOW SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN DO WHAT SHE DOES!”

Lucifer fuming throws the knife to the ground and walks out of the room. Leaving the towel wearing Helltaker and Jess alone.

“Sorry about that…”

Helltaker begins to untie Jess from the chair while Jess tries to calm down from the almost stabbing.

“She really tried to stab me…”

“Yah. She’s a little angry with you. Please be a little patient. We do need to have a conversation about this tomorrow. So don’t think you're out of the woods just yet. Just try to relax for the rest of the night ok?”

“O-ok.” Jess begins to rub her wrists looking down in more ways than one.

Helltaker walks to the fridge and pulls out a sports drink. Taking a couple of large gulps.

“Hey, why are you so sweaty anyway?”

“Oh I was “entertaining” Alchemist and RPK-16.”

Jess shifts her hands to her face, covering her face.

“Of course, how could I be so foolish.” Jess muffled from behind her new mask.

“Heh.” Helltaker proceeds to walk out of the room leaving Jess to stew.

***

The “morning” comes and Jess awakes hungry. The door opens suddenly with Loremaster standing behind it looking at her data pad.

“Finally you’re awake! We need to get to the kitchen. We need to discuss you. So come along.”

Jess gets out of bed and begins to change clothes before she is interrupted by Loremaster grabbing her arm and dragging Jess away.

“No time, we must go. I have a very busy schedule today!”

“But!”

“Nope.”

She continues to drag Jess by the arm right into the kitchen. Everyone is here, surrounding the small table with four seats. Two seats facing each other are empty.

Jess, sounding nervous, says. “Ha ha very funny, someone can take my seat I'll just stand around.”

“Nope.”

“Hey now. I can stand. Hahahaha. Cmon now.”

Loremaster guides her to the execution chair motioning for her to sit. She does. The pressure is relatable to the bottom of the ocean. If only that could kill her at this very moment. Loremaster starts to speak.

“So, let's talk about your employment with us and what is to be expected of you, seeing as we never went over this. We also have vacation days for humans that include medical coverage, sick days, and competitive pay.”

“Wait, you're not going to put me on a pike?”

“Oh please, we don’t have any pikes. We do, however, have lasers.”

“Oh um, what type of position are we talking about here?”

“You will be a “Scientific Advisor” should you choose to accept the role. This will involve exploration of these portal locations and returning as soon as possible with specific information regarding Beelezbub. Your contract will be over upon acquiring said information and the stopping of Beelezbub.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Oh! You’ll be locked in a room and farmed for blood! A little too archaic for me but it’ll do.”

“Ah. I figured. Why is this so lenient? I thought you would’ve been angrier about me running away.”

“Oh! This contract was assisted by Miss UMP45 and Miss Angelia!”

“Wait, UMP45 helped?”

UMP45 motions to cut it out.

“Oh yes! She figured a contract would help out with you feeling more comfortable with engaging with us!”

Said 45 gets her arm bumped by a smug UMP9, her face turns into even more of a scowl.

“Rest assured you will be joined by Helltaker and others. Do try not to cause trouble. Punishment includes grounding and no tv or video games.”

“Uh, ok.”

Lucifer scowls heavily.

“You will need to undergo some training as well, you are much too weak to experience the Infaverse.”

“Infaverses? You mean Multiverse?”

“Oh that name is so much better! Also what is your answer? I’ll also need you to sign this contract!” Loremaster pulls out a pen and paper and slaps them on the table.

Jess looks over the contract written up finding it full of legal terms that only a lawyer could translate. However she gets the thumbs up from Angelia and UMP45 when she looks up. Feeling more confident she looks it over one more time and signs. Helltaker puts his hand on Jess’ shoulder giving a thumbs up prompting a smile from Jess. Everyone seems to slacken their shoulders after the signing. And Justice turns the corner with trays of food.

“Hey time to eat!”

“Wait, I thought this was the kitchen” Jess asks.

“Eh it's more of a breakroom.”

The group begins to dig in. A line forming at the counter, everyone enjoying their meals. Kabobs, varied fruit trays, small sandwiches, burgers, and more. Everyone is enjoying themselves. RPK-16 talking to AK-15 about the night she had and AK-15 looking slightly disgusted. AK-12 and AN-94 talking to each other hanging out behind Angelia speaking to Helltaker and Lucifer. Subject 67 had a full tray of Apple pie delivered to him while he did some sudoku puzzles. Squad 404 relax together. Loremaster and Alchemist talking about humans while drinking some sort of liquid, with Loremaster emoting what is something like a dissection. Cerberus in the corner, the three of them apparently grounded. And Jess relaxes at the table for a minute waiting for the line to die down only to have Justice approach with a plate behind her.

“Hey kiddo! Eat up, just not too much, later we have to do some stuff.”

“Oh ok. Wait, how did you know I was here?”

“It’s very faint but your soul is there.”

Jess smiles a bit taking a bite into the kabob. Acknowledging the savory flavors of veggies and meat cooked together with an audible “Mmm!”

***

Justice and Jess are at the gym. Well it's more of a stadium. Located in Hell. Underground. Don't think about it.

Justice wearing workout clothing consisting of red sport bras and Black shorts with sneakers. And Jess is similar but with a white shirt on instead of only a bra. Helltaker is watching on a lounge chair along with Angelia ,AK-12, AN-94, UMP45,HK416, and Alchemist. Each sporting their own outfit of varying color and wear. Alchemist chose pure white causing her to look naked and UMP45 sporting sunglasses to spice things up.

“Wait, 45 why are you here?”

“I came here to laugh at you.”

“Ok great.”

Justice claps her hands together gaining the attention of Jess.

“Great! Kid, let's get started on laps.”

“Wait, this is like a football field. How am I supposed to do more than two laps.”

“Don’t worry I’ll be here to catch you all you need to do is not stop running. We are here to see where you’re at right now! Get runnin!”

“Oh god, ok.”

Jess and Justice begin to run half way Jess begins to sputter out. Her knees weak, she leans forward and places her hands on her knees.

“Oh fuck. Haaaaaa. Justice. Haa. fuck…. Im… pass out.”

“Oh c'mon kid I may be out of shape but this isn’t that bad.”

Justice pats Jess on the back. She barely can hold on. She leans into her ear and whispers.

“If you don’t continue running, I'll strip you naked right here.”

Suddenly Jess had unleashed her inner sprinter and tried her best to finish the lap. Collapsing in front of the onlookers.

“Ha!”

After resting for a bit and drinking some water supplied by Helltaker. Jess was almost rejuvenated. HK416 started to run laps entering a competition with Alchemist while Angelia was doing stretches. AK-12 squatting next to AN-94 who slowly does push ups. Justice scratching her chin wondering what to do next.

“Ok! Lets try strength. I'm going to grab some weights. Be right back.”

“Oh god does she know how much a human can handle.”

“Well I can bench press 1000 lbs.” says Helltaker.

“What the fuck.”

“What?”

Justice eventually came out with a workout bench and 500 lbs weight.

“This will do it right?”

“Justice, this will kill me.”

“I'm going to side with the kid right now.”

“Hmmm, ok, i'll be back.”

AN-94 places one arm behind her back. Justice arrives with a new weight of 100 lbs.

“Ok how about this one!”

“Much better.” states Helltaker.

“Ok i'll try it. I guess.”

Jess prepares herself on the bench having Justice spot for her. AN-94 now using one finger.

“OK LET’S DO THIS!” Jess says as she takes hold of the weight.

“GEH” the weight falls on Jess’s chest.

“Whoa there! I gotcha!” Justice grabs the weight stopping any more damage.

Jess limps on the bench, heart racing eyes tear up.

“I almost died.”

“Hey now that couldnt do you in.”

“Please don’t remind me.”

AN-94 removes both arms from the pushups somehow.

Jess takes another break while Justice plans for the next activity. Placing a large mat on the ground.

“Ok kiddo time for combat training. Get in here!” Justice slaps the mat a couple times.

“I'll try.”

Jess gets into the ring taking up a “boxing” stance both arms raised in front of her and placing her left foot forward. Justice cracks a smile.

“That's the spirit! Come at me!”

Jess rushes forward, deciding to launch her right fist. Justice catches her arm and flings her outside the mat flying towards UMP45 sitting on the bench.

“AHHHH!” UMP45 and Jess yell as they collide into each other.

“Woops.”

UMP45 and Jess take a recovery break while Justice and Helltaker decide to duke it out in the ring attracting a crowd.

“Hey big guy I swear you’ve gotten stronger!” She says dodging a left, sending her own in return.

“If you fight tentacles everyday for years I imagine you would too!” Helltaker says moving his body so the hit scrapes by.

“Hey Jess, I think we can try something!” Justice says as she sends a kick towards Helltaker.

“FUCK NO!” Jess yells. Helltaker blocks the kick.

Justice finishes it off by twisting around and sending another kick sending Helltaker flying.

“Ugh, Nice kick!”

“Thanks big guy!”

Justice walks over to Helltaker and offers him a hand which he takes pulling him up and planting a kiss on his lips. When the two separate Helltaker and Justice share a smile. HK416 gives a smug grin to her opponent who is seconds away from the imaginary finish line. Angelia, AK-12 and AN-94 begin to work out together. Justice and Helltaker walk up to Jess and UMP45 both laying back on their seats.

“Hey Jess lemme check you real quick.”

“Uh sure?”

Justice walks over to Jess lying on a bench and begins to feel her body. Her muscles twitching underneath. She feels around a bit more until it starts to feel more procedural Jess relaxing a bit more the twitches become more noticeable.

“You need to drink more water. Not to mention the lack of food you have been eating recently. Honestly I think you need to take in more calories than I handed you earlier.”

“Hm, I’ll try. You can let go of me now.”

“Aw but you’re so soft.”

“Jesus christ.”

“Need help walking to your room? I can carry you.” Offers the Helltaker.

“Nah I’ll be fine just have a bruised back.”

Jess stands up a little wobbly and otherwise just fine. Justice and Helltaker give the “OK” and she proceeds to her room to clean herself. Strangely when she enters the room she feels like she is being watched. Taking a moment to examine the room and finding nothing she shrugs.
Removing her clothes in the bedroom and preparing a bath she hangs out on the rim of the bath waiting for it to fill. Nodding off for a minute the bathtub fills with hot water. Stopping the flow and entering she once again gets the feeling of being watched.

“Uh, Hello?”

No response comes from the empty room. Instead she leans back and falls asleep.

***

“Mmm. Don’t. Eh ohh. Mmmm. EH!” Jess wakes up suddenly with a visitor in the bath.

“Oh! Sorry didn’t mean to wake you. Please go back to sleep, I'll take care of you.” the stranger states.

Jess almost falls for it letting her eyes flutter closed for a second. The nice feeling returned back to her. Only to wake up suddenly.

“Wait no! What the hell!” Jess tries to get up.

“Oh! Hey! Stop moving! It's bad for you!”

Jess starts to exit the tub in the struggle only to be grabbed by the unknown force pulling her arm before slipping sending Jess forward into the ground knocking her out.

“A- I'm sorry! Oh no! They are going to be so mad. Should I hide the body?”

***

Jess wakes up from bed to hand on her head and two people arguing.

“- even enter her room?”

“I didn’t see a lock, besides she fell asleep in the tub. Do you know how dangerous that is.”

“That’s not the- oh you're awake.”

“Justice? Why am I seeing hearts above her head”

“You do love me!” The girl covers her mouth.

“Modeus she just suffered a head injury, but yes she does have floating hearts.”

“Why are you holding her so tenderly? Wait, do you love her?” She turns her head towards Jess “You’re cucking me?!”

“What? I’m not cucking anyone. Ugh.”

“See! She does love me!”

“I give up.”

“OH I have a line for this one! I will never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.”

“Ok Modeus let's give Jess some room ok?”

“Oh very well. But I need her and Helltaker to sandwich me between them.”

Justice carefully moves Modeus out of the room

“Ok ok. Jess, I'll see you later.”

“Mmm.”

Jess lays there allowing sleep to take her.

***

“Psst hey kiddo. It’s time again.” Justice pokes Jess’ face.

“Noooo What time is it?”

“5pm.”

“Wait, I only got like four hours of sleep.”

“You heal quickly, remember.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

Jess and Justice spend the rest of the day resting and training and doing it all over again. It was groundhog day if it was a training montage. Working out for two hours straight, getting beaten up, sleeping for four hours, repeat. The day rolled over and Justice knocked Jess down for the fifth time leaning over her.

“You ok kiddo?”

“Can you carry me to the leanie bench?”

“Ha, you got it.”

Justice fireman carries Jess to the “leanie bench” and places her down, choosing to have a seat next to her. Opening an ice box next to her she hands Jess a beer and an ice pack. Jess turns down the beer.

“I wonder if I can get drunk?”

“Wanna find out? You got time.”

“Eh, I’m good. You got any water?”

“Yep.”

While the two sit and enjoy their drinks they are joined by two other people one being Helltaker and the other someone else.

“Oh hey! Judgement hows it goin!”

“I AM FINE, ER, fine. What is going on here?”

“I’m just training this newbie here.”

Judgement looks at Jess, her face full of pity.

“It gets worse.”

“What?”

“Her training. It gets worse.”

Her training did in fact get worse especially when Jess found she had a new opponent. Judgement-The High Prosecutor

“DO YOU WANT ME TO GO EASY MORTAL.”

“Please.”

Justice starts the fight with a drop of her hand. Judgement rushes forward, preparing to launch a punch. Jess avoids the hit grazing her face, unfortunately that's all she could do as Judgement knees Jess in the stomach. A loud crack can be heard and Jess crumples to the ground.

“HUMAN ARE YOU OK!?”

“Woa, that hit pretty hard. Nice move Judgement.” Justice gives a thumbs up in approval.

“I think you hit a lung?” suggests Helltaker.

Jess coughing blood on the ground confirming it. As the group gets Jess sorted out Loremaster enters the arena followed by Lucifer and DEFY.

“I’ve come up with a brilliant idea! As suggested by Miss Angelia, I have created a device that will allow Jess to increase her fighting odds in very little time!”

Justice carrying Jess wherever they need to go AK-12 walking to the side of them.

“Oh? Aren't you excited? We are going to go have a bit of fun together.” AK-12 says.

“I think I'm out of commission for the next hour.”

“Oh don’t worry you won’t even know you’re in pain.”

The group reaches their destination, several examination tables lay side by side. Each one having a giant plug extending from the back into some sort of computer and one having a Helmet of some kind sticking out from the head rest. Justice takes Jess and places her on the table and Loremaster takes the helmet and places it on Jess.

“Are you going to electrocute me or something?”

“Nope!.” Loremaster starts hitting some buttons on the computer. “Although the odds are 50/50!”

“Wait wha-”

For Jess the world darkens until it opens up into some sort of pure white room. She just stands, nothing happens for a bit. Until AK-12 appears before her.

“Hey, how are you doing?”

“Oh uh, i'm fine i guess. Just a little confused.”

“So let me explain the rules. You and the rest of DEFY are going to get you acquainted with multiple forms of CQC, handling firearms, and stealth. It will take about seven to twelve months.”

“Wait, won’t that be a problem.”

“Nope, time works differently here. You'll retain the knowledge and have it in the span of an afternoon.”

The rest of DEFY show up and Jess takes time to train in the simulation. Meanwhile Justice excuses herself from the room. Lucifer and Helltaker pull up seats, and Helltaker decides to fondle Lucifer's tail giving her a frustrated look, her face blushing. Lucifer typing away at her data pad recording Loremaster squirming occasionally. Angelia grabs a chair and places herself next to DEFY and takes a nap.

***

Justice makes her way to the break room seeing Judgment. Cerberus is currently chained on their knees along with UMP9. UMP45 lounging in a chair reading a book with HK416 and G11 sitting across with HK416 feeding G11.

“Hey Judgement, mind if I speak to you in private?”

Judgement nodding before turning to the troublesome ones.

“IF I SEE YOU PAINTING THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AGAIN I'LL SEND YOU TO THE SIN MACHINE!”

The four of them nodd the chains holding them in their place as Judgment leaves the room only relenting when her and Justice turns the corner. The two walk to a secluded room and the door closes behind them.

“It’s about Beelzebub isn't it.”

“I don’t like to admit this but I can no longer compete with her In a one vs. one.”

“How do you know? she had to have lost her strength as well, no?”

“Do you know how long it’s been? I can’t keep up anymore. Especially after Loremaster tore me a new one.”

“You still haven't recovered?”

Justice shakes her head.

“Shit.”

“I know. Perhaps Subject 67 could help, but I’m not quite certain of his thoughts on the whole ordeal.”

“Loremaster’s thoughts?”

“She does not have any urgency, probably because she still thinks she is an angel.”

“That's delusional, even I know I can’t go back. Helltaker however, I doubt she would kill him. Probably will just make him into her toy if anything.”

“He would probably not mind it.”

The two share a small chuckle.

“What are Jess’ odds of escaping if Beelzebub finds her?”

“Slim to none, I haven't even told her much about what she can do. Her only option if she ever encounters her is to run.”

“So the training is for?”

“Everyone else.”

“Ok, well I'll be here on standby then while this is going on. I can’t guarantee Beelzebubs defeat but I can try.”

“Thanks Judgement.”

***

“Are you dead?” AK-12 asks poking Jess’ face.

“I am not.” Jess grumbled.

“AH! Did it work?! What do you remember?” Loremaster waits impatiently with a smile on her face.

“Oh uh, I think I recall some things. Especially CQC. I don't think I can ever forget CQC.”

“You better not.” AK-15 says.

“No mam.”

“Oh, did the little princess learn some manners?” Lucifer mocks.

“Not for you.”

“Why you little- AH!”

Helltaker holding Lucifer’s tail starts to rub the tip harder, a devious smile across his face.

“YOU LIT-AHHH!”

Helltaker slowly makes his way out of the room with Lucifer in tow.

“YOU BI-”

The door closes behind her.

“Well it seems you have retained the information. You will have most of the day off tomorrow so I suggest you get some rest. Oh I will need a report on how you feel later tonight. And don’t forget today is pancake Wednesday~!”

Loremaster leaves the room, her lab coat waving behind her. DEFY begins to leave with Angelia yawning and stretching her limbs. Slowly everyone leaves the room aside from Jess, who sits there for just a bit longer before removing the helmet.

“Whew.”

She zones out for a bit until a purple cat walks in and rubs its head on Jess’ leg.

“WHA-. A cat?”

“Merow.” It responds.

“Oh my god how adorable. Wait, are those tentacles?”

Jess is staring at the cat who is now purring. She cautiously picks up the cat, placing it on the examination table beside her and petting it. The cat responds positively to the petting pushing its face into Jess’ hand. She begins to crack a smile. Its face may have a white plate of steel on its face with a bolt through its neck but the cat is quite cute.

“Hehe this is the most fun i've had in months.”

What Jess did not know is that the cat’s tentacles were slowly wrapping around her getting ready to tighten at a moment's notice. Until the time had come for the cat to pounce.

“AH! HEY BAD CAT!”

The cat swiftly grabbed Jess and wrapped her arms to her body.

“OH FUCK HEY!”

The cat pawed at her right eye unrelenting in its pursuit.

“Mrrrrrr.” The cat said.

“OI LEMMIE GO!”

The cat, unable to go any farther with its claws was ready to bite down until a savior with massive white horns saves the day.

“There you are, cat! Apple pie and pancakes await us! Cease your struggles!”

He picks the cat up carrying Jess with it.

“Let go of the unkillable one! More important things need to be done!”

After grabbing the back of the cat's neck. The tentacles slacken dropping Jess on to the ground.

“Ugh, thanks for the save.” responds Jess.

“I did not come to save you. See to it that you bandage your eye.”

With that Subject 67 leaves the room with his cat.

***

The break room now has two more tables both taller and with reasonable sized chairs.Everyone is enjoying their cliques and their chocolate pancakes. Jess walks into the breakroom in a similar outfit to everyone consisting of black pants and red dress shirt. The only difference being a bandage on her eye and a scowl on her face. Moving up to the counter space she notices a purple cat dash around the corner. Grabbing some pancakes on her plate, they are slightly cold unfortunately. She opens the fridge and sees another six pack of cola and grabs one. When she turns around she finds Alchemist pushing her into the now closed fridge door blocking any exits with her arms.

“Pet, what happened to your face?”

“Isn't it a little rude to ask that. Let me go.”

“Pet, where did that attitude come from.”

“Alchemist I want to go. Please leave.”

Alchemist moves her arm under Jess’ chin lifting it up towards her face.

“Pet.”

Fortunately AK-15 stepped in, grabbing Alchemist by her shirt collar and pulling her back.

“Oh? Ruining the fun I see.”

Before the argument could escalate Jess swiftly weaved her way through the side of the break room and went elsewhere.

“What happened to my pet?”

“Alchemist, we tolerate you, don’t cause any more disturbances.”

“Oh? A little too protective. Did something happen between you both recently?”

Loremaster steps up behind the two. “OH! I can explain that! The T-dolls of DEFY spent eight months, twenty two days, seventeen hours, thirty six minutes, and twenty two seconds training together! Hmmm, perhaps she is suffering from mood swings from the program.” She proceeds to take notes on her data pad.

***

Jess sat alone in her room for hours. The cold drink slowly turned to room temperature. The door to her room opened and Helltaker came through. However Jess seemed to not notice.

“Uh, kid?”

The door had Justice leaning on the frame with her shoulder and Loremaster peeking in, tapping away at her data pad without even glancing at it. Helltaker sat next to Jess waving his arm in front of her. When it does not work he places his hand on her shoulder which Jess jumps at.

“Oh! Ah, Helltaker, didn’t notice you. What's up?”

“Did you not eat anything?”

“Oh I was just resting for a minute. I’m a little tired after the whole eight months thing.”

“It’s been a couple hours…”

“Oh haha, whoops. It’s whatever I don't mind room temp pancakes.”

“Jess, are you ok?”

“...Yes.”

“Jess.”

“Look, I just want to shower and sleep. Do you mind if I have the night?”

“I do mind, you need someone to watch you.”

“But, I-”

“No buts.”

The trio plus Jess made their way to the break room. Helltaker started to prepare some extra food while discussing what to do with Jess' situation while the others took a seat at the center table.

“So who is going to watch the kid?” asks Justice.

“I will gladly volunteer for this job.” says Loremaster.

“Absolutely not. I don't want to end up on an examination table.”

“I don’t believe you have a say in this matter.” Loremaster Chided.

“Wha-”

“I agree with Jess. I'm actually considering myself for this, I do feel a bit guilty.” Helltaker explains.

“Wait, why not DEFY? I have spent the most time with them.”

“They aren’t going to be here forever.” Helltaker says.

“Wait what?”

“Jess, they have to go home eventually.”

“Ah.” Jess says feeling dejected.

Justice pounds her palm with her fist. “Why not Judgement!”

“Wait, the lady who broke my ribs?”

“Yep!” Justice gave a smile with two thumbs up. “She is very nice so try not to be scared.”

“I have already called her over!” Loremaster exclaims.

Right on cue the tall, long horned, well built, dark skinned woman wearing a shirt and shorts walks into the room. Jess’ ribcage experiences a phantom pain.

“Hey girl what’s up!” Justice exclaimed.

“Nothing, I just got a message from Aza-Loremaster… and came here.”

“Perfect! Miss Jess needs a babysitter!” says Loremaster.

“Oi, i'm not a kid.”

“Parental guardian?”

“No.”

“Custodial care?”

“Also no.”

“Regardless! She needs to be looked after! Would you mind keeping an eye on her?”

“VERY WELL I WILL KEEP A CLOSE GUARD ON THIS HUMAN!”

Helltaker turns himself around with two plates of chocolate pancakes. “Judgement, thank you. I appreciate it.” Helltaker hands a plate to Judgement and places one in front of Jess.

“Thanks.” Jess states.

In Between bites Judgement thanks Helltaker for the extra pancakes.

Loremaster claps her hands together “Perfect! Jess tomorrow evening we are going to test your knowledge of what DEFY has taught you! Please enjoy your night!”

After finishing the pancakes Jess was brought to Judgements’ room. Her room was mostly black, the floor covered by a deep red carpet instead of metal. She had a reclining chair in the corner and a large tv against the wall. The rest of the room was filled with shelves that contained books, manga, and anime figures.

“Anime figures?”

“OH! I USE THOSE FOR TARGET PRACTICE, HAHA! PLEASE DO NOT MIND MY TARGETS!” Judgement turns her head away with a slight blush finding its way on her cheeks.

“It’s ok, I know how you feel. Helltaker destroyed mine after all.” A scowl forms on her face.

“Wait really?”

“Yah…”

“Hmm. Sorry to hear that. For now let's get you a bath.”

“Sounds good.”

Judgement motioned for Jess to sit in a very comfortable recliner. Which she gladly took. Leaning back into it, ultimate comfort took over and she closed her eyes. Judgement removed her gauntlets placing them on a rack that jut out of the wall. Judgement walked into the bathroom and the sound of water rushing came from within. A little time passed and Judgement came back out of the bathroom and noticed Jess leaning back into her reclining chair.

“Comfy?”

“Mmm.” Jess confirmed.

Judgement walks over to the chair and holds her hands out.

“Bath time. Come on.”

Jess takes her offer reluctantly. She was lifted off by her arms and shown to the bath. The bath was a japanese style bath large and square mostly made of wood. It also had a wooden stool and showerhead to the side of it. Jess removed her shirt and let it drop to the floor forgetting about her guardian behind her.

“Ah! Shit sorry.” Jess leaned forward only to get stopped by Judgement.

“Don’t worry, I'm joining you. I hope you don’t mind.” Judgement had a relaxed smile.

The two undressed and Jess had a harsh blush across her face, it wasn't her fault she was not used to bathing with people, but she went forward with what was happening regardless. Jess was assisted with entering the bath under the order of Judgement and eventually the two were settled in, sitting facing each other Judgement began talking.

“If the water is too hot let me know. I know my kind has a higher tolerance to the heat.”

“No, I'm good, thank you.” Jess looks away from Judgement staring to her right in hopes not to stare at her naked form.

Judgement noticed this and decided to do a little teasing.

“Ahhh, feels nice after a long day of training, am I right?” She stretches out planting her foot right next to Jess.

“Oh yes it’s quite enjoyable” She shifts her view, staring at Judgement's horns.

Judgement choosing to counter this tilted her head down showing off her chest to Jess.

“Oh wow my neck feels so stiff.” Jess sunk into the tub and tilted her head back resting it on the side.

Judgement chuckles. “Jess why are you so adverse to things of the sexual manner.”

“Oh. I just. Feel bad? Embarrassed? It’s a weird feeling.” Jess adjusts her head facing towards Judgement.

“Is it out of lust?”

“No, I think I just have to get used to it.” Jess takes a second to think “Perhaps I should, considering Modeus is here.” She deadpans.

“Oh, I heard about that. She thinks you're her girlfriend now?”

“I dunno about being her girlfriend. To be honest being in a relationship right now does not seem like a smart move especially with a demon. No offense.”

“None taken. Just let me know if she gets to be too much.”

“If you could, can you stop Lucifer as well? That would be great.”

The two share a small chuckle. Jess relaxes herself to a degree where she slowly slips into the bath only to be stopped by Judgement.

“Hey sit in my lap.”

“Mmm.”

Judgement helps Jess into her lap and Jess slowly slips off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Jess awoke to the sound of anime in the background. She unfurls herself from a body pillow with some anime girl on it. Slowly she stretches out her limbs careful not to disturb her fellow occupant. Jess turns herself on her back and sees Judgement watching the screen leaning on an angled pillow. Jess took a look at what was on the tv screen.

“What show is this?”

“Herupu! Hamusutā ni narimashita.” Judgement answered plainly.

“English?”

“Help! I've turned into a Hamster.”

“Hmm.”

The two lay there in relative silence until the episode was over. Judgement decided to pause the outro and asked a question to the now awoke Jess.

“You feeling ok? You slept for about fourteen hours.”

“I'm fine, Sleeping like this is nothing. You should see what Justice is planning. She was thinking of having me sleep two hours after every session instead of four and extending the hours of training.”

“Reminds me of that one anime.”

“Please don’t compare my torment to an anime.”

“No promises. Do you want to get some food? Helltaker made some stew with Lucifer.”

“Food would be nice.”

Jess got out of bed carefully using it as support while Judgement simply stood up. Judgement gave Jess an eyebrow raise but Jess just shrugged it off. The two walk to the breakroom finding the stew kept warm on the burner. Subject 67 sat on the center table enjoying some apple pie with the purple cat sitting on his lap. And surprisingly 404 was relaxing on one of the newly added tables. Judgement motioned for Jess to take a seat with 404 which she did for better or for worse.

UMP9 motions for Jess to take a seat next to her. “So I hear you had some fun with DEFY. I wanna hear all the good stuff!”

“It’s not too interesting to be honest. Just a bunch of drills, and reaction training.”

“Oh? What kind of reaction training?” UMP9 nudges Jess with her elbow.

“A lot of receiving commands and following them, a ton of stealth training, equipment knowledge, and a ton of CQC and they let me know I probably won't be able to put all I know to work until I get stronger.”

Just as Jess finished up Judgement brought over a bowl of stew and some water for the two of them sitting herself next to G11. UMP9, disappointed in her attempt in getting Jess to spill some gossip rolled her eyes and changed her target to Judgement.

“So what did you two do last night? Hmm?”

“We took a bath then slept together. Troublesome one.”

UMP9 gasps. “You both slept together! How lewd!”

“WHA- NO! NOT THAT! WAIT!”

The rest of Linner went well, no one had any fights, no threats, only casual conversation between UMP9 and Judgement. After finishing Jess brought her bowl to the sink and washed it out placing it into the dishwasher. Walking back to her seat UMP45 made a comment.

“No eyepatch?” UMP45 takes a drink of water.

Jess took a feel of her right eye, the skin smooth. “No.” Her tone sounded disgusted.

“Why would a human be upset about healing so quickly?” asked UMP45

“It’s unnatural. I suppose a T-Doll would have different opinions on bodies recovering that quickly.”

UMP45 responded with a shrug and went back to watching her sister talking to Judgement. Suddenly UMP45 goes stiff and takes a look back at Jess.

“Hey doggie you’re being called to the gym.”

“How would you know that?”

Suddenly RPK-16 turns the corner.

“Hello Miss Jess. It's time for you to test out your knowledge!”

“Oh! I forgot about that.” Judgement responded.

“I’ll need to get dressed first. I don't think a nightgown is proper attire.”

“Oh? I've seen worse attire worn by T-Dolls. Some wear way less, you should see G41.” UMP45 adds.

“I’ll pass.”

The entirety of the table stands up and starts to exit the breakroom Jess and Judgement follow behind only to detour at Jess’ room. RPK-16 sticks with the two. Jess raises an eyebrow but leaves the potential conversation at that. However when they try to follow into the room Jess holds up a hand.

“I can change by myself.”

“Aww I wanted to see your naked body.” RPK-16 comments.

“Ugh, please don’t.”

Jess closes the door behind her leaving her alone for the first time since last night. She sees a navy blue combat shirt, black sports bra, and black flex pants on the bed with some black military boots on the ground. A soft smile shows itself on her face. After dressing she leaves the room and follows RPK-16 to the gym. Unfortunately everyone is there. Loremaster approaches Jess to explain what is going on.

“Ah! Perfect timing! Your gear is here as well! I’ll be on standby watching your movements, how you respond to orders, and assist Miss AK-15 in whatever she needs! Just know it’ll only be you and her communicating when we begin!”

“Gotcha.”

Jess walks over to where the gear is, DEFY standing next to the chair it is carefully placed in. AK-12 hands over a generic looking ballistic plate carrier.

“Feeling nervous? Helltaker brought a crowd, da?”

“Yah, I'm actually surprised he would do something like that. I'm not particularly excited about this. It’s probably going to be a bit boring.” Jess begins to put on the armor

“Just think of it as a father coming to see their kid graduate.”

“Welp. I can’t get that out of my head now.”

“You’ll do fine. Have fun.” AK-12 pats Jess on the back.

Jess places on the thigh strap pistol holster securing it to her person. Then grabbing the Fast FS helmet with comtac II and placing it on she then strapped a radio to her rig strap and connected the comtac to it. She straps on some knee pads and puts on her fingerless gloves along with ballistic glasses. Finally adding in some magazines into their proper pouches. Two pouches hold M45 seven round .45 acp pistol magazines, and the other has six PMAG thirty round 762x39mm magazines. Both mags are fully loaded in FMJ and the other PS respectively.

Jess picks up the AK-15 leaning on the chair fit with a standard muzzle break, two point sling and an XPS2 holographic sight at the midsection of the gun. Resting the gun across her chest she picks up the M45A1 with a thread cover on the end of the pistol and places it into the thigh holster, a click can be heard securing the pistol into the holster. She double checks everything and ensures nothing will fall out by jumping in place a couple times. Jess turns to AK-15.

“I’m ready.”

“Get into position.”

Loremaster taps a couple buttons on her data pad; herself the onlookers and Angelia are separated from the T-Dolls of DEFY by a glass wall. A red mark glows faintly into the ground showing where Jess will stand. After getting into position and facing downrange Jess grabs the pistol grip of the AK-15 with her right hand and the handguard with left signaling to AK-15 she is ready.

AK-15 gives orders to Jess through the headset, ordering her to do repeated motions of loading the gun, unloading and reloading in repetitive motions, each motion smooth and without error finally chambering a round. Jess then drops the AK-15 to her left side pulling out the M45A1 and repeating motions with the pistol; Loading, unloading, reloading and chambering a round.

AK-15 signals to Loremaster causing targets to appear downrange. Some moving, some not, others pop in and out of existence. Jess places the pistol back into its holster picking up the AK-15 again. Placing herself on standby gun at the ready. Suddenly her gun makes two clicks and she begins firing at the targets each shot hitting their target. She reloads, chambering a new round with expert-like movements. Finishing off another magazine and doing the same to another one this time hitting the magazine release with the full mag and kicking out the empty one. Afterwards a single click can be heard.

The gun fires in bursts and new targets begin appearing, some taking more than one shot to be taken down. Jess' posture begins to waver only to correct it again and continue to fire. Reloading the gun again this time without the mag bump, she continues to fire until half way through the magazine she throws the gun to her side and pulls out the pistol. She takes it off safety and begins to fire at the targets, moving between each one in a rhythm until she has to reload once again. The slide catches itself back signaling the gun is empty. Jess grabs a fresh mag out the pouch and drops the empty into the hand with the fresh mag replacing it and sending the empty into the now free mag pouch. The cycle repeats until the pistol is out of ammo and swaps back to the AK-15 to continue firing until all ammo is expended. She removes the magazine and cycles the bolt to ensure the gun is clear and rests it at low ready position.

“Whew.”

AK-15 approaches Jess “You could’ve done without the mag bump, but otherwise good job.”

AK-12 adds in. “72% accuracy. Not bad.”

AN-94 takes Jess’ guns, slinging the AK-15 over the shoulder and taking the pistol in hand.

RPK-16 adds in her critique. “You messed up a bit in the full auto segment. However, you'll improve when you get your strength up.”

The glass wall retracts into the ground Helltaker, Angelia, Loremaster, Justice and Judgement walk towards the T-Dolls of DEFY and Jess. Justice gets the first word in.

“Very cool kid, nice work!”

Jess smiles and gives a very heartfelt “Thank you Justice that means a lot.” she pauses for a second. “Wait, you saw all that?”

“Nope!” she answers.

“Ah, that's right you probably can’t even see the gun.”

“Do you know how often I have bumped into the T-Dolls? I keep kicking G11 when she lies on the ground.”

“стоять по стойке смирно!” AK-12 interrupts.

Jess suddenly stiffens up, hands at her side straight as an arrow. “Mam!”

“Face me!” AK-12 orders.

Jess directs her body towards AK-12. Lucifer starts to drag in a large mat while glaring at Loremaster. After placing it down and dusting herself off she proceeds to walk over to where the spectators sit.

“This is boring!”
“We want blood!”
“And meat!”

Lucifer leans over to the three dogs. “Just you wait this girl will get her ass kicked.” The three dogs smile in joy, tails wagging hard.

AK-12 guides Jess over to the mat. “Take your position. I will start easy then slowly escalate.”

AK-12 and Jess take positions on the opposite sides of the mat from each other.

AK-15 walks to the edge of the mat. “Begin.”

AK-12, with a smug expression on her face and eyes closed, and Jess circle around each other trying to find an opening. AK-12 starts first running up to Jess and throwing a right straight, Jess ducks under the punch bringing her right arm around AK-12’s neck bringing herself closer to her body and sweeping her leg behind AK-12’s, sending her off her feet and into the ground. AK-12 gets up both fighters return to neutral.

Jess begins this time launching out immediately with a right hook only for AK-12 to grab the wrist and forearm and throw her to the ground. Jess rolls away and regains her footing. Deciding to make another move she moves in with a left punch AK-12 grabs the wrist and the bicep pulling in Jess and bending the arm behind Jess. Jess counters by spinning around and nailing AK-12 in the face with her right elbow. AK-12 releases Jess and staggers backwards, Jess decides to pursue and launches a right kick at AK-12 only for AK-12 to grab Jess’ leg and push in to headbutt Jess right in her nose. AK-15 signals to stop.

AK-15 walks up to Jess.“You are bleeding.”

“I feel it. What about AK-12?”

“She’ll be fine.” AK-15 pulls out a pen from her pocket. “Hold still.”

She puts the pen in Jess’ nose then *CRACK*

“OH! Fuck, 15 that fucking hurts.” Jess grabs AK-15’s arm in response to the pain.

AK-15 pulls out the pen, and waits for Jess to remove her hands.

“Aw, no nurse AK-15 to fix my nose and let me hold on to her?” teases AK-12 as she fixes her own nose.

AN-94 brings a towel to AK-12, and RPK-16 takes one to the now blushing Jess. Loremaster jumps for joy on the side.

“AMAZING! You had no combat experience and were able to fight with T-Dolls of all things. I mean, they were taking it easy, but still! Incredible! Perhaps I can train others.” Loremaster starts rambling to herself while typing away on her data pad.

“Does that mean we are done?” Jess says in a nasally voice finally releasing AK-15’s arm.

RPK-16 holds the towel against Jess’ nose and gives a chortle. “So it seems.”

Loremaster starts to leave the room and Cerberus begins playing with some of the holograms. Modeus walks up to Helltaker, her body twitching with each step.

“Helltaker, I need you. Now.”

“Sure.” Helltaker holds out his hand.

“You pervert.” Modeus gladly takes his hand “Ohhhh yeah. That's the good stuff.” Modeus’ face lights up red.

The T-Dolls seem to not mind along with all the demons in the room Jess however looks at them with concern.

“Uh, RPK I can handle the towel now.” RPK-16 relents and Lets Jess take the towel, she buries her face in the cleaner parts and wipes up.

Lucifer approaches Jess. “May I take the towel Miss Jess.”

“Oh? Uh sure, thank you.”

Jess wearily hands Lucifer the towel. She takes it and excuses herself leaving the gym, Justice elbows Jess in the arm.

“Hey kiddo i'm going to go. Make sure you rest up.”

“Ok Justice I will.”

Justice follows the path Lucifer took her usual confident smile on her face. Judgement and 404 approach the group. UMP9 gives a sly smile.

“Perhaps we should celebrate your success with drinks and games eh?”

“What do you mean?” Asks Jess.

“One of the rooms has a lot of bean bags, TVs and games. And the kitchen lies unprotected.”

Judgement takes a moment staring down the T-Doll. “I'll allow it.”

“LETS GO! CERBERUS LETS GET GOING!” The excited UMP9 yelled.

“YAH! CHAOS!”
“FREE FOOD!”
“AND GAMES!”

Judgement exhales sharply with a smile on her face. “We should join them.”

***

The game room had a small bed in the corner and a bathroom in the other. Bottles of vodka lie under the bed, well organized and full of its Intoxicating liquid. The room is full of beanbags and computer chairs, TVs, shelves containing game consoles old and new, and many video games organized alphabetically. The guests walked in with snacks and drinks in hand, raided from the kitchen, even Subject 67 joined in with a tray of Apple pie in hand. Everyone joined in groups mixing and chatting and drinking. Each wearing pajamas of different kinds.

The DEFY girls each choose tank tops and shorts. G11 and HK416 wear a matched red flannel notched collar pajama set. Helltaker wearing a red shirt and white sweatpants, Judgement chose similar in all black. UMP45 and UMP9 simply remove their hoodies and ribbons. Subject 67 in the corner playing something on a handheld while wearing sweats. Cerberus wore large red shirts. And Modeus and Jess wearing nightgowns Modeus’ pink and see through and Jess’ blue and not so see through. Alchemist is surprisingly missing.

AK-12 with a cup of vodka in hand offered to the beanbag sitting Jess. “Hey soldier girl, wanna drink?”

“You know what. Yeah sure.” She gladly takes the drink and takes a gulp. She shakes a bit. “Oh wow it’s been a while.”

Helltaker (with Modeus in his lap) is gaming with UMP9, G11, and AN-94, each playing a racing game against each other on one of the big tvs.

“You’re cheating!” Claims UMP9 sitting cross legged on the floor.

“I am not. I am taking the most optimal path.” AN-94 answers sitting straight from her gaming chair.

“It’s called mushroom skip. Get good scrub.” G11 responds while being absorbed by the bean bag chair.

416 smiling at UMP9’s torment while sitting in a computer chair, legs crossed, enjoys a brownie raided from the fridge. UMP45 leaning on the back of the chair with a beer, offering it to HK416 which she swiftly denies.

“Your loss.” UMP45 drinks from the can.

A couple of games were played with a constant rotation, each person taking turns and enjoying each other even Subject 67 participated in gaming. At one point UMP45 and AK-12 went up against each other in tetris, without a controller… Unfortunately the game was stopped when a stumbling RPK-16 knocked over UMP45 sitting in a chair and fell on AK-12, giving AK-12 the accidental win. Jess however had a question for the two.

“Houge yu djoo jat?”

“Cyber warfare module. AK-12 and I specialize in it.” UMP45 answers lying on her back.

“Ohhhh. I neds bathrum.” Jess attempts to get out of the beanbag only to be sucked right back in.

“Let me help you.” AK-15 gets up from her chair and holds out a hand for Jess, which she takes.

AK-15 pulls up Jess holding on to her shoulders to keep her steady.

“Can you walk?”

“Mmm.”

UMP9 shouts. “Somebody is wasted!”

AK-15 picks up Jess and carries her to the bathroom, the door closes behind the two.

Judgement turns to RPK-16 who is lying face down on the ground next to her. “What did you do to Jess to get her like this?”

RPK-16 turns her head facing Judgement “We have grown very attached to her. I suppose working together for eight months would do that to people.”

Angelia cuts in as she rests on the bed. “AK-15 is taking particular care of Jess, but it wouldn't be too surprising if all of DEFY have gotten attached.”

AK-12 decides to add her thoughts to the mix. “She is very interesting. One time during a battle sim she took out AK-15 with an exploding car. Afterwards AK-15 beat her up for two days straight.”

“Not to mention Miss Jess and Miss AK-15 having private lessons that one time.” AN-94 responds with her hand in front of her chin and eyebrows furrowed. “Jess did come out of that room with a red face.”

RPK-16 pushed herself up straight for a second. “Our gorilla has grown emotions for Jess!” Then RPK-16 fell flat on her face again.

“How do you explain the tears then?” Asks AN-94.

A muffled “She cries during.” from the floored RPK-16.

UMP45 picks up her chair and seats herself back in it. “Or cries from getting chewed out.”

Subject 67 looks up from his sudoku puzzle on a dual screen device. “Stockholm syndrome.”

“OH, I bet she was touched by AK-15’s confession!” Modeus buries herself into her sweater. “That DEGENERATE.”

Helltaker shifts a little as Modeus gets up for more drinks. “I approve of this relationship.”

UMP9 rubs her hands together while sitting in her bean bag chair. “Betting pools are now open.”

“9, We are leaving tomorrow. Don’t get too familiar.” UMP45 leans back into her chair, closing her eyes.

“Sis…”

Before any further conversation could continue AK-15 brought out the now sleeping Jess and sat cradling her on a beanbag. Shortly after that the party died down, each individual dropping out and sleeping where they sat. The morning came, the only survivor was G11 sitting in a sleeping HK416’s lap playing on an older console. Suddenly the door opened and a short white haired demon carrying a laptop came in.

“What the fuck.”

G11 confronted the stranger. “Oh hello. Down for a game?”

“Fuck it. Want to play Heroes III?” the stranger demon asked.

***

Jess awoke to the sound of gamers gaming. When she opened her eyes she found herself cuddling AK-15 who was looking at one of the TVs until she noticed Jess finally moving.

“Hey drink this.” AK-15 offering a cup of water to Jess which she gladly takes. “How is your head?”

“Hurts.”

They get interrupted by a new demon girl. “Oi, if you are done sleeping, get out.”

AK-15 starts to get up forcing Jess to struggle. “Hey get up.”

“Mmm, fine.”

AK-15 supports Jess while she stands, eventually Jess is able to stumble out of the room. AK-15 guided Jess to the breakroom and sat her down at a table next to Loremaster. AK-15 walks over to a countertop with a note and a bottle of some sort of drug.

“AH! Jess!”

“Oh god, my ears.” Jess turtles her head against the table.

“Sorry!” Loremaster changes her voice to a whisper. “I hear you had a fun night. I'm going to need you later to open a portal to their world today. Justice accidentally cleared away the circle.”

“Ok. when?” Jess’ turtle turns into a harsh hunch.

“Eat some food and get ready to make a portal. After that you will need to get ready for another one. You will be heading out today with Helltaker and Lucifer.”

“Ok.”

With that Loremaster gets up and walks out of the breakroom tapping away on her data pad. AK-15 comes over with more water and a bottle of pills.

“Take two and drink some water. I'll heat up some food for breakfast.”

“Thanks.”

Jess does as AK-15 says for the last time. She watches with sadness as AK-15 takes out some pancakes and places them in chef mic leaning on the counter afterwards. UMP45 and UMP9 enter the room and walk towards Jess at the table.

“Aww, are you going to miss us?” UMP 9 asks.

“Yah.”

“Oh.” UMP9 was surprised at the straightforward response.

UMP45 cut in. “Well if you ever see us again and you need something from us it’ll only cost five times our usual rate. Just for you.”

“Thanks, I hate it. What will you be doing after this?”

“We are going to do what we normally do. Go around and get money from jobs. Probably get a little revenge while I’m at it.”

“I wish you luck.”

UMP45 and UMP9 walk to the refrigerator and pull out something from the freezer placing it into their bag and walk out. Chef mic beeps AK-15 takes out the plate of pancakes grabs a fork and sits across from Jess pushing the plate across the table.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jess waits a minute drinking water before starting on the pancakes, the two sitting in silence. Jess eventually finishes her food and picks up her plate bringing it to the sink, washing it and placing it in the now full dishwasher, she starts it up. She stares at the machine until AK-15 walks up and taps her shoulder. Jess jumps.

“Sorry, but you need to get ready.”

“Of course. You can go on without me. I'll be getting ready in my room.”

AK-15 nods and leaves the breakroom Jess eventually leaves as well. She enters her room finding something has changed. A shoe rack placed by the door containing the combat boots she used earlier, slippers and boots from her initial outfit. Her clothes rack now holds the same clothes she used for testing. She wears her underwear and socks, black stretch pants, a red dress shirt, and combat boots. Entering the bathroom and checking over herself. Hair is still annoyingly curly, eyes still green and face somewhat familiar. After checking everything over and brushing her teeth she wipes her face off with a damp rag. She was ready.

Jess entered the test chamber most people were there only missing a handful of people. The squad of DEFY and 404 are ready to go back through Pripyat. Helltaker standing next to Lucifer and Justice with a mop and bucket standing next to the ritual circle. AK-15 walks up to Jess holding out a gunbag.

“For you. Do keep it safe.”

“Oh! Thank you. I’m not taking any of your guns am I?”

“No, We would be fine regardless. Goodbye Jess.”

Jess takes the gun bag and sets it against the wall. Jess walks up to the incomplete circle and bites her finger causing blood to flow from her finger. At about a quarter of the way through she bites again, and again until the ritual is complete and the portal opens. She steps back and watches as AK-15 enters first. Eventually a rock gets thrown through the portal and everyone starts to enter.

“Bye bye Jess.” AK-12 jumps through.

“Goodbye Miss Jess.” AN-94 steps through.

RPK-16 enters while blowing a kiss sent towards Helltaker. A smirk appears across his face. Angela waves goodbye and jumps through. Finally 404 each stepped through UMP9 being the last person through waving off to everyone. Loremaster on the monitor screen begins ordering.

“Ok Justice!”

“You got it!” She sweeps away part of the ritual causing the portal to close.

Jess walks over to the gun bag and unzips it. Inside the gift from the DEFY girls.

“Oh yes.”

The gift was a customized AKS-74U. Featuring a PBS-4 suppressor with a XRSU47SU rail system and handguard with a RK-0 handgrip. The stock was… stock, with a GP-25 recoil pad and sling. It also had the very same XPS2 sight on the front rail as the AK-15 she used during the memory test.

Loremaster interrupts the moment. “Ok! Everyone get the next portal ready!”

Lucifer let out a sigh. Handing the data pad she held to Helltaker she walked over to a table full of supplies and grabbed some of the powdered bone and a funnel. Jess walked over to the table and picked up a rag to wipe away the blood. Justice moves her broom into the corner of the room leaving it in the corner then walking over to Helltaker.

“Hey big guy, did you have fun last night?”

“Absolutely, it was odd when Malina showed up in the morning. It was nice to see her again.”

“Apparently she’s a game developer.”

“Oh? Did not know she wanted a job like that.”

“Don’t get it wrong, Loremaster wanted more income to buy all the supplies and stuff. You should check out some of Modius’ movies. They sound totally hot.”

“Oh? I might have to watch them with everyone.”

“Count me out.” says Jess.

“Oh please Jess stop acting so chaste.” Lucifer states.

“I'll stop acting chaste when I can be alone for more than five minutes.” Counters Jess.

Helltaker cuts in. “Were you not alone for hours two nights ago?”

“Oi.”

The ritual was almost complete; all it needed was blood. Jess stood still for a minute lost in thought. Until Subject 67 walked through the door with two backpacks and a messenger bag. Setting them down on the ground.

“I'VE BROUGHT YOUR GEAR SURRENDER THE APPLE PIE.”

Justice responded. “It’s cooling in the kitchen on top of the oven.”

“Perfect.” Subject 67 exits the room.

Jess checks the heavier bag it contains boxes upon boxes of ammunition. The other bag Helltaker hands over to Jess. It contains her chest rig, knee pads, glasses, pistol with holster, and helmet. She starts to equip her gear. Starting out with the chest rig this time having new AK-12 magazines. All filled with ammunition, Jess takes one out and inspects it giving a whistle.

“Holy fuck. 7N39. I'm getting a bit of a hard on.”

Helltaker pulls out a box of ammo labeled 7U1. “Also this.”

“Goddam.”

“Jess, stop getting horny over bullets.” Lucifer says.

“They are cartridges Lucifer! Cartridges!” Jess says in a sarcastic whiny voice.

Lucifer rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

Jess smiles a little bit and finishes up with getting dressed, afterwards slinging the gun on her shoulder and loading it with a magazine pulling back the charging handle loading a round into the chamber. Lucifer snaps her fingers changing from her maid outfit to a more casual one wearing a loose dress shirt and black pants with boots. Her hair drops and she snaps a hair band tying her hair back into a ponytail. Helltaker straightens his white suit jacket and adjusts his sunglasses then places the ammo bag on his back and hands Jess the messenger bag. Jess takes it and finds a note tied to the sling. “Here is a little gift I stole from HK416. It’s a BLAST.”-UMP9

“Oh no.”

Jess opens the messenger bag and double checks it. Jess sighs, zipping up the bag and throwing the messenger bag on her shoulder. Helltaker looks at Jess with a raised eyebrow. Lucifer snatches up the now empty gear bag and throws it over her shoulder.

“Well Jess, get with it.” Demands Lucifer.

Jess rolls up her sleeves and begins to write the proper symbols into the ritual circle. The portal opens.

“Let’s rock.” Helltaker says.

The three enter the portal one at a time Jess then Lucifer then Helltaker. Each one stepping out into a foggy rural town, not even a power line in sight. There was an odd large clock tower standing tall at the end of the road lined with homes and a general goods store with a pharmacy. Upon closer inspection the one road town was covered in blood and various gore. Behind the newcomers the road stretched on into a dense fog blocking any sight from peering too far into it. The unnatural town gives the newly arrived trio a sense of dread and despair.

“This place is giving me the creeps.” Jess said.

“Perhaps it was built on a graveyard.” Helltaker suggested.

“Whatever, let's get to gathering information.” Lucifer begins walking up to a house and knocks on the door. “Excuse me, we are travelers looking for a map, do you have one?”

No response comes from the wooden house.

“HELLO!” Jess calls out skipping any sense of caution.

The silent town does not respond. Lucifer tries the door, it swings open revealing a half eaten corpse.

“Oh that’s recent.”

Jess peers around the corner. The half eaten man in full view.

“Oh fuck.” Jess walks away from the door and to the side of the house letting her stomach purge itself.

Helltaker walks over to Jess patting her back while Lucifer takes a closer look at the corpse tapping her chin.

“Freshly eaten by some large creature. However I doubt this is a bear.”

A sound can be heard from deeper inside clawing away at the floorboard, it comes rushing from the corner of the house prompting a yelp from Lucifer. She slams the front door shut.

“WHAT IN THE NINE CIRCLES IS THAT!?”

Helltaker rushes over, pulling out one of his pistols. “What's wrong?”

“There's a giant ant demon!”

“An ant demon?”

Right on cue the giant ant demon breaches one of the front windows that separate Jess from Helltaker and Lucifer. Helltaker kicks it’s face slamming it into the window frame and placing a couple of shots through its head. Jess immediately pulled her gun and gave the fireselector a click.

Helltaker moves its head with his foot.“Hmm, it's ugly.”

The sound of more of the bugs can be heard screeching around the town and pooling out of the broken windows and doors.

“Shit we have to move!” Yells Jess.

The Trio make their way down the road away from the town. As they run the fog surrounds them eventually blinding their sight entirely. The Trio keep running until they appear back at the town running into the very thing they were fleeing from.

“What the fuck!” Jess begins to open fire at the endless horde of demons.

Helltaker joins in pulling out both pistols and starts to mow them down one by one. Lucifer attempts to command them only for her to be ignored.

“I'M THE GODDAMN QUEEN OF HELL LISTEN TO ME!” She kicks one, sending it flying back only for it to be replaced by another.

More come from the endless fog behind them Jess and Helltaker fire back to back. They begin to overrun the trio. Lucifer getting angrier and angrier, Helltaker quickly runs out of ammo switching to his bare fists and swift kicks, and Jess reloading a fresh magazine into her gun soon to be out of ammo. Eventually they overrun the trio. Jess, unable to hold her own, the bugs start to rip and tear at her only to be stopped by Helltaker who unfortunately has more eating away at his back. Lucifer however lets out a howl trying her best to save the human she cares about. Suddenly the clock tower rings and the world goes dark.

***

“AHHH!” Jess wakes up in a bed.

She checks her gear that is on her, all fresh and untorn. No blood or torn flesh can be seen. Her gun still strapped to her body loaded with the first magazine she loaded in it, a bullet still in its chamber. Her rig is full and her messenger bag still has its surprise. She slides out of bed and double checks everything, readying her gun and setting it in full auto. The smell of coffee gains her attention. She opens her bedroom door with her left hand keeping the gun at ready in her right. She rounds the corner finding a stairway aiming her gun and slowly walking down the stairs quietly and smoothly. Reaching the end and turning herself towards the lone light in the house she finds Lucifer Helltaker and a stranger sitting at a dining table.

The man had brown shaved hair with a full beard, his eyes had dark rings around them looking like he had been through hell and back. His shirt a tan v neck and wearing matching cargo shorts. Jess keeps her gun pointed at him until Helltaker motions for her to stand down which she complies.

“Coffee?” the tired man offers.

“No, thank you.” Jess responds while taking a seat at the last empty chair at the table. “What is going on?”

The man takes the coffee pot and pours his cup full taking a large gulp of the steamy drink. “This town is dead, you will not live here, only suffer forever.”

Lucifer coughs. “It seems this town is cursed. Most of the people here have given up, remaining in their beds only to be eaten by those ants over and over again.”

The man adds to the conversation. “When the mysterious clock tower strikes eight they get irate. At nine they begin to dine. At twelve I don’t have a rhyme but the day resets again. I use this to keep it simple. Unfortunately you are now stuck here.” He takes another drink of the steamy hot coffee. “I have been stuck here for… six years? Seven? It has been so long.”

“They have gotten inside the clocktower finding an elevator. Unfortunately at the bottom lies a… Golem? The people tried to make it through the door but it’s heavy. We will also need to get through the clocktower full of ants. I recommend we use the people here as bait and get going at nine when they all feed.”

Jess gets a disgusted look on her face.“Lucifer, these people are not dead, I won't sacrifice anyone.”

“Jess…” Helltaker sounds almost upset.

“No, don't you “Jess” me.”

Lucifer taps her nail on the table “Very well, I’ll “Jess” you, these people are already dead. Give it up.” Lucifer takes a sip of her drink.

Jess slams her fist on the table. “I’m not leaving them to die!”

“Then do you have a plan? Because I don’t. If you can find a way we will help them.”

Jess took a minute to think, coming up with nothing. “You fucker.”

The tired looking man looks almost sad standing up and grabbing a knife. “Little Miss Jess I will try to hold them back but I won’t be able to stop them.”

“That knife won’t cut it.” Lucifer responds.

“They prefer blood over bodies. I’ll empty my blood into the store's basement. They will follow then I’ll light it aflame.”

“Wait, they prefer blood?” Jess asks with concern.

“Yes.” the man responds.

Lucifer and Helltaker notice the face of Jess filled with fear. She shivers a couple of times, shaking her head back and forth and pounds her knees a couple of times.

“I have a plan, what time is it?”

The trio separate, Helltaker and the worn man assist with moving everyone in the small town to the farthest home from pharmacy and clock tower. While Lucifer and Jess go into the general goods store and pharmacy. It contains many shelves full of goods left untouched and the pharmacy full of pills unused. The basement was packed full of boxes and goods to be sold through the store all on pallets piled as high as they could be. Jess and Lucifer go to the back corner of the basement.

“Jess, remove everything. We don’t want it to be drenched in blood.”

“Ok.” Jess did as she was told and stripped, letting Lucifer pack everything in her bag and take the messenger bag.

“You might want to take this.” Lucifer hands Jess some painkillers and water.

Jess quickly takes them downing about five pills from the bottle leaving the other fifteen for later in hopes of the task being made slightly easier. Lucifer takes the needle and finds the right vein inserting it into her arm guiding the tube into the bucket and watching it slowly fill the large bucket. Lucifer leaves the basement closing the door behind her leaving Jess with only a small electric lamp for light.

Lucifer begins to set up the trap using different flammable oils and liquids spreading it around the store. Taking some lighters, empty bottles, rags, and rubbing alcohol she makes molotov cocktails. she sets up fans that led air from the basement into the store not turning them on quite yet so as to prevent the trap from being set off too quickly. Eventually Helltaker and the worn man get done with their task and go to meet Lucifer in the store only to open the door and having their noses become overwhelmed with the scent of many toxic fumes forcing Lucifer to meet them outside instead.

The worn man coughs “Will your young one be safe?”

“She is fine. She is an adult and can make her own choices.” Lucifer places down a bin full of bottles with rags sticking out of them.

“Lucy…”

“Look, I left her with plenty of painkillers. She will be fine. What about your end?”

“They have been boarded up inside the farthest house.” the worn man confirmed

“Great. Go take your position and don’t miss with the molotovs.”

The worn man nods, grumbling to himself and walking to an adjacent house of the general store carrying the bin full of molotovs. The clock hits 8:45. Lucifer enters the building bringing out a bucket full of flammable liquid and pouring it on the porch of the store. When finished she re-enters the store to go to the basement and finds the person she was looking for. The bucket left with her was tipped over.

Lucifer let out a sigh. “Let's get you up.”

Lucifer removes the needle from Jess and picks her up in a bridal style. Finally getting her out of the building she sets her down on the adjacent home’s porch.

“Honey, can you grab a pot of water?”

“You got it Lucy.”

After waiting for a minute Helltaker walks out of the home with a pot of water and rag in hand. Lucifer wipes down Jess' body. When she picks her up to get her back she notices the deep scars on her back forming the very thing that keeps her alive regardless of punishment. A scowl forms. Finally cleaning up her upper body she works on the lower getting to the legs then feet. After the wash she starts pulling out the clothes choosing only the outerwear and chest rig, pistol holster with gun and finally laying the AK at her side. When she is done ten minutes have passed, the ants start to make a ruckus inside the clock tower.

“Honey, can you wake up Jess. I need to get everything else set up.” Lucifer stands

“You got it.” Helltaker leans over Jess and starts lightly slapping her face. “...es…Jes…Jess.”

“Stoppp.” Jess slaps the hand away.

“It’s time.”

“Hmm.” Jess looked at the Helltaker with tired eyes. Eventually sitting up and slinging her gun over her shoulder.

“You ready?”

“Yah. gimme a minute.” Jess wipes her eyes with her hands.

Helltaker offers his hand and Jess takes it, lifting her off the ground and holding her steady for a minute. The clock slowly ticks. Lucifer opens the front door of the store placing a rock next to it to wedge the door open. Jess holds out her hand towards Lucifer.

“Bag please.”

“Absolutely not, you will probably crumple under the weight of what you are wearing right now. You need to keep up, understand?”

“Ok.”

The clock slowly ticks.

The trio walk over to the home across the street and make their way behind the building waiting for the time to strike. The clock slowly ticks, the clock slowly ticks, the ants quickly hunt. They start to pile out of the clocktower bursting through the doors and windows as they exit and start their pursuit of the people living in the ghost town, they stop and wait waving their heads around. Eventually they choose to enter the trap. As the horde conglomerate into the pharmacy/general goods store the trio sneak their way around into the now bursted open door of the clocktower. They quickly find the elevator located at the center with no resistance in sight. The plan had worked. A large explosion can be heard as they enter a birdcage elevator and make their way into the earth.

When the elevator finally stopped Helltaker unlatched the lock and opened the door. They began walking down the stone stairway lit by torches lining the wall. Shadows danced from the corners of the trio’s vision as they descended into the darkness. Eventually they reach the bottom, an archway gives way into a brightly lit chamber. The expansive chamber had some mining equipment lying about and a massive ornate bronze door with a fly’s head at the wall opposite of them. A scowl comes across Lucifer’s face.

“Well that was simple.” Helltaker claims confidently taking one step forward only to have the earth rumble.

“Honey, did you have to jinx us?”

Rocks fall from the ceiling, each one slowly reforming on the ground eventually forming several limbs that crash together creating something that resembles a giant humanoid creature. It starts to lumber towards the trio and they begin to separate.

“Jess, start firing!” Yells Lucifer.

“Can’t, it will ricochet.” Jess says as the creature jabs with his massive arm inches from behind Jess.

“Well someone do something!” Lucifer yells.

“Don’t you have spells or something? Demon magic?” Jess looks around finding only mining equipment and rocks.

Helltaker picks up a pickaxe laying on the ground and runs up behind the creature swinging it with both arms into the back. It gets stuck inside the creature.

“Huh.” Helltaker says as the creature spins its body around sending him into the wall his sunglasses fly off his face.

“HELLTAKER!” Lucifer screams.

The rock monster begins to lumber its way towards Helltaker getting ready to punch until Jess sends some bullets into its back. The bullets ricochet off the creature but regains the creature’s attention.

“COME ON BIG GUY! WANNA PLAY!” Jess drops the gun again, picking up a rock and getting ready to pitch it again until the creature decides to throw its own. Jess dodges the small boulder it slams against the wall sticking itself halfway inside.

“I'M NOT GOING TO BE SHOWN UP BY A PILE OF ROCKS!” *THUNK* Lucifer uses the grenade launcher in the messenger bag firing it at the monster.

The creature topples over, finally hitting the ground, a large chunk gets taken off and shrapnel gets sent flying in the cavern. Jess gets hit by two pieces one stopped by the chest plate the other in her left arm. Lucifer has her horn clipped and the side of her upper right thigh cut. Helltaker was fortunate enough to have all the shrapnel miss him, however his ears were left ringing.

“Goddammit Lucifer!” Jess yells.

The creature starts to get up again. Lucifer scrambles to get another round but does not know how to reload it. Helltaker stands up leaning against the wall for support.

“That's a familiar feeling.” Helltaker picks up his glasses, dusts them off and puts them back on his face and reaches for a sledge hammer laying on the floor. “This will be a strange way to crack an egg.”

Helltaker rushes up to the back of the creature whose attention is at Lucifer and sends the sledge right into the stuck pickaxe, breaking it further inside and cracking open the monster in three causing it to collapse to the floor.

“Holy shit that worked.” Says Jess.

Helltaker shoulders the sledgehammer with a smile on his face. “Lucy, I think I’ll take up a job in mining, what do you say?”

Lucifer drops the grenade launcher and runs up to Helltaker hugging his waist “Oh my father, I thought you died.”

Helltaker places his hand on the back of Lucifer’s head, rubbing it gently. Jess picks up the discarded grenade launcher and presses the switch in front of the trigger, opening the now emptied cartridge pulling it out and re-closing the barrel. Jess rejoins the two.

“Great, now let's get that door open. Also ,Lucifer, give me the bag.”

“Nope, not until I have confirmed Helltaker is ok.” Lucifer squeezes Helltaker a little bit harder.

“Ooh, Lucy, not too tight. I think I broke a rib.”

“Ah! Sorry.”

Jess decides to reach into the bag on Lucifer while they are still hugging and swapping the emptied shell with a fresh round, opening the barrel, placing in the fresh round, closing the barrel, and placing the launcher on safe. Jess walks over to the door looking at it carefully. No handles can be found where you would expect them to be and no signs that the door has been opened. However there is a handle located at the bottom of the bronze wall. Jess tries to pick it up but not even a budge was given. She kicks it when Helltaker and Lucifer approach from behind.

“I can’t open it.”

Lucifer takes the grenade launcher from Jess. “Let Helltaker try, it can't be too heavy.”

Helltaker surprisingly gets it to budge prompting Lucifer to help. However when it starts to lift so does the creature that was presumably dead.

“Goddammit! Jess get under and go! We will take the golem on!” Helltaker orders.

Jess slips her way under the wall and yells “Clear!” prompting Helltaker and Lucifer to drop the door and face the enemy.

“Honey, it's more of a rock elemental than a golem.” Corrects Lucifer.

“Oh, I see.”

Torches line the abandoned tunnel leading to more darkness, Jess examines her body making sure she is ready to continue. After reloading her gun and checking the rest of her equipment she proceeds forward. She walks for a bit keeping her gun down at the low ready, finding not much else to do. Eventually she sees an exit into another chamber of the cave system. Hopefully that was the end of it. She readies her gun and proceeds forward with her boots crunching as she picks up the pace. Finally she reaches the end and it opens up into what appears to be a sacrifice chamber filled with wall scrawlings, various gore and a stone table in the middle. A familiar circle in front of the table; the shape was all too familiar to Jess. A bald man pops up from behind the stone table wearing glasses and a black cloak raising his arms up with a book in his left hand.

“GREETINGS! I AM A FOLLOWER OF LORD BEELZEBUB, SHE HAS REACHED OUT TO ME AND NOW I MUST GATHER MORE BLOOD TO FREE HER FROM HELL! PLEASE SURRENDER YOURSELF TO-”

Jess fires a burst only for the man to be unharmed.

“DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND! I WI-”

She fires another volly.

“YO-”

Another one.

The irritated man drops his arm behind his back, his book hand still up. “Ok stop, you can’t shoot me. My lord Beelzebub has given me a vision and I will see to it that I meet her! Do you understand! I have practiced my spells and you will surrender yourself to me so I may… Wait. You have been touched by my lord!”

Jess fires, the gun clicks empty.

“Are you done now?” the annoyed cultist asks.

As soon as Jess reaches for a fresh magazine her vision starts to fade and she blacks out standing as still as a statue. The cultist looks and stares at the strange sight wondering what to do. Jess’ body begins to move, dropping the gun down at her side. She examines her body, flexing her arms and moving her legs as if to be sure they are working. Jess’ body smiles.

“Ah, That feels much better took me a bit but I’m finally here.” Jess’ voice takes on a far more sultry tone.

“My lord?”

“Yes.” Beelzebub in Jess’ body answers.

“I thought I would never see the day.” The cultist gets on his knees. “My lord, do you know how long I have strived to meet you.” Tears have started swelling from his eyes.

“I know you have been such a good follower. Let us open that portal shall we.” Beelzebub in Jess' body takes herself to the circle, biting her thumb and drawing intricate patterns around the circle.

When the portal is completed Beelzebub stands back admiring her work, and the portal opens. Jess’ body stiffens her body unmoving. Beelzebub herself reveals herself exiting the portal, and takes a grandiose posture.

“AHHH! Finally! I thought I would be stuck in that droll world!” The actual Beelzebub states.

Shortly after, two men armed to the teeth holding Kriss Vectors bearing a red glow and wearing suits with TV-110 rigs with white shirts underneath, step out of the portal. One carrying a metal box of some kind and the other a massive backpack. The man with the metal box walks up to the frozen Jess and attaches a bracelet on her right arm. The bracelet is connected to the box by a clear tube and metal wire, it locks and a green light comes on followed by blood entering the tube into the metal box. The man stands by setting the metal box down and waiting for whatever comes next.

Beelzebub snaps her fingers and the text around the circle burns away, whipping it clean of any evidence.

“My lord if I may.”

“You may, my loyal follower.”

“Thank you for stopping her, if she had killed me I would’ve never been able to see you in all your glory!”

“Raise yourself my follower we will go out and crack the sky soon, for now we must gather forces. Have you prepared what I have asked of you?”

“Y-yes my lord! The gate to Hell is here, I have found a shard of the Yamato and stored it safely on my person!” The follower of Beelzebub pulls out a piece of crimson cloth wrapped around the shard of said sword. “Please take it.” He holds up the fragment to Beelzebub.

Beelzebub takes the fragment unwrapping it and brings it up to her eyes examining the shard. “Thank you. We shall go now, see to it you have nothing important left behind.”

“I travel light my lord.”

“Very well.” The shard of the Yamato gives off a light blue glow, eventually deepening until it finally unleashes several slashes into the air in front of her taking the shape of a large diamond shaped portal sparking with energy. “Now then Beel One you may enter first then, you, my follower shall go in after. I still need to take care of some things here.”

Beel one steps into the portal weapon at the ready.

“My lord, I thank you.” The Follower of Beelzebub bows then enters the portal.

Beelzebub turns to face the frozen Jess and grabs her hands, holding on to them firmly. “You may now wake.”

“AH! Oh fuck! What?! Where am I?!” Panic returning to Jess along with lightheadedness as she slowly falls to the floor, Beelzebub slowly supports her descent.

“Shhh calm down, I'm here.” Beelzebub coos at Jess.

“Beelzebub?” Jess looks at the person in front of her dumbfounded.

“Yes.”

“Oh hey, we have been looking for you.” The tired and dizzy Jess says.

“I know. Are you ok?” she softly asks with a smile on her face.

“Y-yah. I don’t know.” Jess tries to focus only to come up empty.

“You're safe now, it's ok.” Beelzebub takes Jess’ left hand and places it on her leg. Taking her now free hand and gently rubbing Jess’ head. “Is that better?”

“Mmm.” Jess leans into the touch.

“I need to ask you something. Can you answer my question?”

“Mmm.” Jess’ eyes begin to lose focus and lets herself calm down.

“Do you want to come with me? I'll take good care of you and keep you safe. All I ask in return is your blood.” Beelzebub gives a gentle smile.

“I dunno. I need to do something. I… Feel tired.”

“You can rest, I'll give you time to make your answer. I need to take you with me ok?”

The cuff around Jess’ hand beeps as the light changes from green to red the blood stops pumping. Jess pulls up her wrist and gets caught preventing her from moving her arm any further. “Huh?” Jess takes a second before realizing something is wrong. “Wait! Stop!” Jess starts to panic, pulling at the bracelet only for it to lock up.

Beelzebub quickly grabs Jess’ hand. “Shhh, you are ok.”

“No. NO!” Jess pushes herself out of Beelzebub's grasp. “What did you do to me! When I look in the mirror I see you!”

“I said I made you cuter, did I not? Although I left out the freckles, I'm not sure that was the right choice… But you kept the hair!”

“You also made me immortal!”

“Well I needed to go home with Helltaker. Andtakeoverthemultiverse COUGH.”

“Did you just say cough?”

Beelzebub pulls out a handkerchief and starts rubbing her forehead. “No?”

Jess begins trying to tear her arm off the Handcuff. “I’m not going with you!” It does not work.

Beelzebub stands up in her form towering over Jess. “Well unfortunately you don’t have a choice in the matter.” Beelzebub grabs Jess by her shirt collar. “Come along now.”

“STO-” Jess’ voice gets interrupted by a *THUNK*

An explosion rocked the chamber.

“BEEL YOU BITCH!” Lucifer shouts.

The explosion slammed into the stone table behind Beelzebub , killing Beelzebub’s guard behind her and leaving Beelzebub herself with only holes in her clothes for damage. Jess gets the wind beaten out of her along with slight hearing loss.

“Oh? Did not expect you to be here so soon. Did you enjoy the earth elemental?” Asks Beelzebub.

“Almost as much as that time you did that thing with your tongue.” Replies Helltaker.

“Oh honey, I'm glad you liked it.”

Lucifer tries to reload the gun only to fail miserably. “I’M GOING TO DECIMATE YOU!”

Before she could even get another word out a new face came into view riding a… Rocket arm?

“COMIN THROUGH!”

The man “comin through” Had short white hair, dark blue hooded jacket, well worn dark crimson shirt, black pants and military combat boots. The sword he carried was massive, featuring shades of gray and red accents; it also features a motorcycle handle with breaks for a grip with exhaust ports. His handgun was massive; having two barrels, custom wooden grip, left handed cylinder release and a blue rose carved into the arm of the cylinder crane, truly a piece of art. Finally he carried a belt of assorted prosthetic arms for various purposes.

Nero Jumped into battle with Beelzebub, Jumping with his rocket arm over the two dropping in between Jess and Beelzebub slashing his sword while revving it. Beelzebub dropped Jess to take the opportunity to secure the metal box and release the handcuff before it flew with her giving Nero time to catch Jess in his free arm and throw her at Lucifer and Helltaker. Nero’s rocket arm flew back to him, equipping itself to Nero’s naked arm. Lucifer caught Jess but scowled at Nero.

“Why the frown? Don’t like bein shown up?” Nero turned to Beelzebub. “How about you give up that metal box there and go back where you belong.” Nero takes his sword and spins it around with his left hand landing the tip into the ground

Beelzebub smirks “If I feared any ordinary weapon I wouldn’t consider myself the queen of crimson.”

“Well I have the perfect weapon for yah right here queenie.” Nero revs his sword up twice.

But before any more actions could be taken Beelzebub hopped into the portal, closing shortly afterwards.

“COWARD!” yells Lucifer.

Chapter Text

Lucifer drops Jess onto the ground ignoring the newcomer.

“WHAT DID YOU DO!”

“MAWP.” Replies the prone Jess.

“Lucy, let's give her a minute to recover.”

“FINE, but only a minute.”

Nero stands there wondering what this Demon and Man are arguing about and wonders if this is a fever dream. “Am I missing something?”

Lucifer decided to answer the question. “Yes, this idiot just helped Beelzebub escape from wherever she was and gave her a nice helping of her blood.” Just before she could kick Jess Helltaker gets in between them with arms raised.

“Lucy, let's at least hear Jess out.”

Lucifer rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. “Fine but so help me if she turns traitor I'll throw her in a dark room full of spikes.”

Nero in the meantime looks into the now blown up coffin pulling out a skull with demonic markings scrawled all over it and crushes it in his hand.

“Hey you done arguing or are you ready to get out of here. I’ve already dispelled the curse. I recommend we get some fresh air topside. It reeks here.” Nero begins walking out picking up Jess from the ground along the way carrying her over his shoulder.

Walking out of the cave was simple until you got to the bronze door but fortunately a hole was punched through it. All you had to do was duck a little bit. The rock elemental was destroyed, little bits of metal and small chunks of rock litter the floor as if it was blown to bits. Jess began to shift in Nero’s arms as he climbed the steps.

“Can you put me down please.”

“Do you want to climb up the elevator shaft?”

Nero and Jess approach the now destroyed elevator shaft. Its pieces seemed to have changed and warped into jagged pieces of metal. Jess had turned her head around and quickly ceased all movement.

“No, I'm good, I'll take the free ride.”

“Good choice.” Nero climbed the elevator shaft, jumping and almost floating his way up to the top blue feathers falling from the air around and vanishing before them.

Finally the two reach the surface. Strangely enough, with no clock tower in sight, only a large wooden space where a house once stood. It appeared as if a hurricane blew through. Nero walked outside the land appearing peaceful and green, a cool wind blowing and the sun out. Other places where houses stood have similar damage to the one they came out of each being reclaimed by nature; only a field covered by grass remained strong. Nero sat Jess down leaning her against the side of the destroyed house.

Jess could only utter one word. “Woa.”

“A totally different sight right?” Nero took a seat next to Jess leaning his sword against the wall. “So why don’t you tell me what you remember.”

“Ok. So I got to the end of the tunnel and saw the wizard man fired a couple shots and blacked out.” Jess starts rubbing her right wrist. “When I woke up again Beelzebub was there. I don’t know how she got there.”

“What makes that so odd?”

“Well my blood is used for-” Jess took a second not knowing if she should trust this stranger. “She shouldn't have been there. She tried to convince me to join her but I don’t know if that's a good idea considering what she told me.”

Nero’s posture relaxes, lifting his leg up and resting his left arm on it. “What did she say?”

“Well it’s nothing good. She is looking for more people to join her crusade.”

“How likely do you think that is?”

“Very.”

The two sit and enjoy the view for a bit. Nero pulls out some bubble gum and offers some to Jess which she turns down. She is finally relaxing a bit after the recent trauma. They stare at the green field of destroyed homes.

“What happened here exactly?” Jess asks.

“Seems like a spell was placed on the town a long time ago. The day kept repeating and that cultist gathered more resources all the while. A rather expensive spell to be honest with you.” Nero lets out a sigh.

“What about the people stuck in the loop.”

“They died the day the spell was cast.”

“Oh…”

“Did you three have something to do with everyone in the boarded up house? A ton of people were locked in.”

Jess’ voice filled with sorrow. “Yah. I had a plan and executed it expecting to save people. But I guess it never mattered.”

“You gave them a day free of suffering. I would say that mattered.”

The two sit quietly until the grunts of Helltaker and Lucifer can be heard echoing from the shaft.

Lucifer struggled to get the words out breathing heavily in between. “Did. You have. To. Get the. Gun.”

Helltaker sputtered “Yes.”

When the two finally left the old mine they were drenched in sweat. Lucifer came out of the decrepit building first followed by Helltaker.

Lucifer leans on the side of one of the torn down walls panting heavily. “What the hell is this? What happened?”

Helltaker looks at the sight and gives a smile. “Looks like everything is alright.” Helltaker wipes his forehead with his sleeve brushing dirt and debris.

Helltaker and Lucifer turn facing the two sitting on the ground. Nero stands up, takes his sword and places it on his back and dusts off his hands.

“Well we have things to talk about. First, why are you all here to begin with?”

“That is none of your business!” Lucifer sharply says.

Nero looks unfazed. “So Beelzebub huh? Any reason why you want her dead?”

Lucifer spins her head towards Jess.“You told HIM?!”

“Not everything!” Defends Jess.

“You are terrible with secrets aren't you!” Lucifer squeezes the bridge of her nose. “Look, we are after Beel to throw her back in her cell.”

Helltaker places his hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. “Lucy, we are not throwing Beel back in the abyss.”

The dots connect in Jess’ head. “Wait! WAIT! OH MY GOD! Is this how you treat your exes? Ha! Holy fuck Lucifer you bitch, you hate me because I look like your ex dont you.”

“SO WHAT! IT’S BECAUSE OF YOU WE ARE DEALING WITH THIS!”

“OH! SO IT’S MY FAULT NOW!” Jess stands, her posture taking a more aggressive stance.

“I AM GOING TO TEAR YOUR HAIR OUT!” Lucifer's eyes appear to glow red in rage.

“BRING IT ON YOU GOAT BITCH!” Jess taunts Lucifer.

Nero, having enough of this, decides to smack both with his spectral arms. “ENOUGH!”

Jess groans in pain holding her cheek while Lucifer holds a shocked expression on her face, it slowly turns to rage. Helltaker nervously watches Lucifer lose it until she leaps into action.

Lucifer starts off dropping both her bags then leaping out with her fists sending a punch towards Nero. Nero however simply dodges out the way with a jump. Lucifer then sends a feint prompting Nero to dodge again, Lucifer uses this opportunity to grab Nero by his leg when he leaps dragging him down towards the ground. Unfortunately for her Nero punches the devil with one of his spectral wings stunning her and giving Nero time to roll as he hits the ground. Lucifer, not letting this stop her assault, pushes onwards ignoring all around her to pursue Nero with a mighty leap. Only to be hit by an RV.

The driver grinds the RV to a halt drifting sideways and shoving Lucifer out of the way grinding the vehicle to a halt. “Heya Nero! Who's the tramp?”

Nero shakes his head. “Ahh, that would be Lucifer.”

Nico looks at the now crumpled body of Lucifer on the ground. “Did I just earn a one way ticket to heaven? Sweeeet!” Nico hops out of her van striding up to Lucifer and pulls out a wrench from her pouch poking the body. “You dead? I wanna see what I can make outta you.”

Lucifer can only mumble from the ground. Helltaker approaches his knocked down harem member and flips her on her back. Her eyes squinted heavily, placing her arm over her eyes blocking out as much light as possible.

Jess finally recovered from the slap thankfully not wobbling too much from the hit. She grabs the magazine in her gun and pulls it out, placing it into her chest rig. Then racks the bolt multiple times and places it on safety. She approaches the group of people looking at Lucifer on the ground and joins in looking at her indifferently. Helltaker, after checking Lucifer, stands up and approaches the now relaxed Nero while rolling up his sleeves.

Helltaker sends a swift punch to Nero’s gut sending him back a couple feet, Nero is seemingly indifferent.

Nero tilts his head to the right. “You done?”

“Yes. What are you made out of?”

“Quarter demon. Mostly human.”

“Interesting. I'm Helltaker.”

“Nero.”

The two of them shake hands. Jess decides to make conversation with Nico.

“Hi. I guess. I’m Jess”

“Whoa there soldier girl I surrender.” Nico holds her arms up in faux surrender. “Just kiddin! I’m Nico. Those are some interestin arms. Mind if I take a look?”

“Sure.” Jess hands over the AKS-74U.

Nico takes a look at it, pulling back the bolt and looking at the internals, even pulling off the suppressor and looking down the barrel. She ponders for a second before handing the gun back and motioning for the pistol. Jess reattaches the suppressor then pulls out the pistol, unloads the mag and racks the slide back popping out the 45 acp round and catching it then handing it to Nico.

“Nice piece! Ya know my granny is the .45 Caliber Virtuoso.”

“Uh I don’t know who that is. Sorry.”

“Well you’re gunna learn today shorty. Let's hop into the van. I wanna take a look at this bad boy.”

Jess nervously agrees “Alright.”

Nico guides Jess into the strange RV while Nero and Helltaker get busy talking about the current situation.

“So where are we right now?” Asks Helltaker.

“Well you are nowhere particular in the European union. I came here on a job about some people missing, well we found where everyone disappeared to. Looks like you guys were the lucky ones. So congrats.” Nero waves his hands. “Anyway you need a ride? I don’t think you can get anywhere for a while, unless you want to live in an old mining town.”

“No, I think we will take your offer. We aren't exactly familiar with the area and we have things we still need to do.”

“Alright but you will need to find a place to stay. I'm not keen on letting you stay the night.”

“Fair enough.”

Nero, ignoring Lucifer on the ground, walks into the RV it moves when he first steps in. Helltaker walks over to Lucifer.

“You ok? Need me to pick you up?”

“Might as well.” Lucifer groans while holding up her arms waiting for Helltaker. “I have never felt so pathetic.”

“If you want to get stronger you might want to start training with Justice and Jess.” Recommends Helltaker, he takes Lucifer’s hand and pulls her up.

“Ugh.” was the only response Lucifer gave.

The two made their way into the van Helltaker lay Lucifer down on the couch next to the left of the door upon entry Jess sat across on a bench on one side of a table reading a makeshift book, Helltaker decided to sit opposite of Jess. A jukebox rests behind his seat.

Nero sitting shotgun opens a magazine titled GUNS&AMMO “Hey Nico! Let's get going!”

Nico in the back at a workbench behind the bathroom yells “Don’t get your panties in a twist, almost done!”

“Great, Not like I want Kyrie’s dinner or anything.” Nero mumbles to himself.

Eventually Nico walks up to the front, dropping Jess’ black pistol in front of her and entering the driver's seat.

“Here you go, soldier girl! Barrel ain’t threaded but you could swap it out when you need to go sneaky like.” Nico starts up the car “That barrel is good for killin demon things it is a prototype so be careful.”

“Thanks?”

On the ride Helltaker saw Jess was still reading some sort of notebook. “Hey kid, what are you reading?”

“A notebook on demons and how they work. Check this out it’s called death scissors. If you smack it during its attack it will open up into a vulnerable phase, apparently you can oneshot it.”

“Interesting. You should probably try to get some rest, you look drained.”

“Literally or mentaly.” Jess flips a page ignoring Helltakers recommendation.

“Both, You’ll be fine if you rest a bit.”

Jess closes the book. “Fine.” And leans her head on the wall, closing her eyes.

The rest of the ride was relatively quiet. Helltaker Keeps an eye on Nico and Nero and glances to the side, occasionally seeing Lucifer lying on the couch resting. He can’t help but smile despite all the complications that have come. Helltaker was hopeful of the future. Eventually they arrived at the destination. A building three stories tall made of brick with a concrete base. Large arched windows and some steps leading to a double door lie at the front with a garage door at the side of the building. The RV parked in front of the garage door and Nero steps out. Nico lights a cigarette while waiting for the garage door to open. Helltaker decides to wake everyone.

First Helltaker gently shakes Lucifer awake. “Hey Lucy. Time to get up.”

Lucifer opens her eyes and turns to face Helltaker “No need to wake me Helltaker.”

Helltaker knows better than to aggravate Lucifer anymore today, hopefully she feels better later. Now for Jess he turns around and grabs Jess’ shoulder giving it a gentle shake.

“Hey Jess, we need to get going.”

The drooling Jess shakes awake from her slumber. “Mmm… Fine, let me get up.” Jess wipes up some drool on her face before shaking off the drowsiness. “Gods I stink.”

Lucifer, Jess and Helltaker get up to leave and Nico waves them off. “Audios y'all! try not to get yourselves killed.”

Jess is the only one to acknowledge her with a wave. “Thanks, stay safe.”

As the trio steps off the garage door opens. Showing Nero rubbing the back of his head and a new girl with auburn hair tied in a ponytail wearing boots, a long maroon skirt and white sweater.

Kyrie’s voice was angelic and full of kindness. “Oh? You brought guests? Hello. My name is Kyrie. Will you three need a place to stay?”

“Hey! Kyrie, comeon they don’t need a place to stay, they'll be fine.” Nero pleads to Kyrie.

“Nonsense Nero these people need a place to stay the night. We should be hospitable to those in need.”

“Kyrie…”

Helltaker decided to help out with negotiations. “Ah, I can help with cooking if you don’t mind.”

Kyrie’s voice jumped for joy “Oh! Absolutely that would be wonderful! A helping hand is always appreciated.”

Nero facepalmed and Kyrie continued to ask questions. “Ah nearly forgot, My name is Kyrie what is yours?”

“I’m Helltaker, this is Jess, and that's Lucifer.” Helltaker points at the respective owners.

Kyrie held her head in thought for a minute. “Ah Mr.Taker would you mind avoiding the “Hell” in your name? I don't want any of the kids to learn any foul language.”

Helltaker had a half smile appear on his face. “Of course I'm great with kids so no need to worry.”

“Oh! Wonderful! Nero will show Miss Lucifer and Jess to their room Mr.Taker please come with me to the kitchen.”

Helltaker follows Kyrie up the stairs while Nero shakes his head at the fact he failed to keep the intruders away, Nico pokes her head out the window and laughs at his suffering. Jess and Lucifer look in awe at the fact that they now have free room accommodations and dinner.

Nero motions for the two to follow him. “Alright I guess you two need to be shown around. Just try to be on your best behavior and no swearing.”

Nico yells. “And move your asses I need to park this bad boy!”

“Hey! Language!” Nero yells.

Nico waves them off as they walk up the stairs into the kitchen where Kyrie and a cleaner Helltaker were working, Then they went outside the kitchen to a large dining room passing it to a large lobby, they eventually make their way to a stair set going up that led to some kids playing in a hallway.

An excited boy ran up to greet Nero. “Nero! You're back! Did you kick demon butt?”

“Yah I did. It was quite messy.” Nero answered to the kid.

The kid hid behind Nero and peaked his head around staring at the dirty Jess and Lucifer. “Who are the stinky people behind you?”

Lucifer took offense to that. “Stinky!? how dare you little-”

Jess quickly interrupted whatever Lucifer was going to say, bending over and talking to the kid. “Ah we are from a ways away and helped Nero out with some demon slaying.”

“OH! YOU ARE DEMON HUNTERS!” Suddenly kids started gathering around, curious about the newcomers.

“Ah in a way, yes.” Jess replied.

A little girl wearing a pink dress jumped up and down. “Me! Me! Why do you have horns?” she points at Lucifer.

“You are looking at the queen of…” Nero eyes her during her speech. “Heck.”

“What's Heck?” another child asks who is wearing overalls.

Lucifer responds. “A place in North Yorkshire, England.”

“Hey alright now everyone I have to show them to their room ok, Dinner will be ready in a bit.” Nero tells the kids.

“Okay!” they respond each one going back to playing around.

Nero looks at Lucifer. “Nice save.”

Lucifer smiles and crosses her arms. “Of course.”

The three get to the end of the hall and Nero turns to his left. “You three will be staying in this room across from us so if you need anything just let Kyrie, Nico or I know. Bathroom and shower is behind the door just ahead.”

With that Nero excused himself to go elsewhere leaving Jess and Lucifer alone. Lucifer drops her backpack on the ground and walks into the bathroom to wash up while leaving Jess to go into the bedroom alone with the bags. The room had two bunk beds; the one on the top bunk to Jess’ right had posters of different machine blueprints and covers of gun magazines with girls in suggestive poses hung up on the wall. A desk was placed against the back wall having a window above it showing the backyard; it had a simple swing set and small playground. Jess sat her bags down and took inventory of their contents. Lucifer’s empty bag now had a Kriss Vector with strange demonic signals on it.

“Great…”

Jess unloaded the mag and ejected a bullet from inside the gun; 45 acp. Seeing that it is clear she placed it down on the bottom bunk on the right side with the unloaded mag. Then she checked Her own guns. Loading her empty mag she placed it inside her chest rig. Removing all her gear and placing it in her bag finding her underwear inside.

“Huh.”

She finally places all her gear in the bag. She takes a moment resting on the bottom bunk of Nico’s bed until Lucifer enters the room wearing only a towel. She drops her towel revealing her clean naked body. It was entirely void of any and all blemishes. She then snapped her fingers and clean clothes appeared from the flame. Her red collared shirt with the top button opened and black dress pants with matching heels.

“Shower is yours. Jess.” Lucifer’s voice dripped with venom.

She takes the offer. After washing away the grime and dried blood with soap she uses shampoo with conditioner and waits for a bit examining her body. The moles that were previously on her body were replaced by smooth clear skin. Hair would not grow on her body and it now lacks any type of imperfection. However her chest was small compared to Beelzebub, she probably thought that would mess with her. It did not. After washing up she grabbed a towel lying on a shelf next to the shower and started to dry up. It felt good to have clean skin after all that time in the mine. She wrapped the towel around her chest and walked out of the shower facing a mirror covered in fog. She wiped off the fog until an unexpected guest came through.

Nico bursted through the door “SHORTY!”.

“AH! FUCK! NICO!”

“Hey no swearin! Haha. Get dressed, dinner is ready! Also nice bod.” Nico ducked behind the door and closed it.

Jess could only shake her head “Nico…”

Jess walked out of the shower and went to her room having to use her dirty clothes again. She wished she had Lucifer's clothes magic. Her hair is still damp but there was not enough time to fix it. So she headed down to the dining room meeting all the kids gathered around the large table in the middle. Nico waved Jess down and motioned to sit in between her and Lucifer. Jess would comply for now. Lucifer and Nico had red on their faces as if trying to stifle a laugh. Then Helltaker, Nero, and Kyrie walk out carrying bowls and plates full of varying foods consisting of Meatballs, spaghetti, Garlic bread and marinara sauce in a pan. The trio expertly set them in specific locations and patterns appealing to each person's specific tastes. Some don’t like the sauce, some prefer the meatballs and others only like one particular thing on the menu. When Kyrie delivered a plate full of everything to Jess she stopped for a second.

“Miss Jess, did you not dry your hair?”

“Ah well I just… I’m a little hungry.”

Kyrie’s expression soured. “Now you need to dry it properly. Mister Taker mind taking these plates for me?”

“Sure.”

“Good, Miss Jess, come with me.” Kyrie demanded.

“Ah, um, ok.” Reluctantly Jess compiled.

Nico snickered and Lucifer barely held on as Jess was dragged out of the room. The kids gave off oohs and ahhs as if Jess was being called into the principal's office until they left the dining room. Kyrie brought Jess to her bedroom.

Kyrie pulled out a chair. “Miss Jess, please take a seat.” Once again Jess could only comply.

Kyrie left the room and came back to the bedroom with a towel and brush, and started drying off Jess’ hair.

“Your hair is too nice to not dry properly you know. You need to take good care of it.” Scolded Kyrie.

“Sorry…”

“Just know you need to take care of yourself, I hear from Mr.Taker you have had a rough time recently.”

Jess had to approach this with caution “He has?”

“Yes, He has told me a couple things about your experiences.”

“Like what?”

“Well you were kidnapped that one time…”

Jess could only avert her eyes to the person in front of her.

“And your recent experience.”

“Which one.”

“The blood.”

Jess started to panic a bit. “I-I messed up. I shouldn't have done that. I just didn’t want to- I.”

“It’s ok.” Kyrie started to rub Jess’ head. “You're safe.”

Jess’ body stiffened. She did not know what to do in this situation. Crying would be appropriate but showing weakness is bad is it not? Especially to a stranger of all things. Besides they would not meet for long and pushing your problems on others was wrong. Right?

Jess’ voice went quiet. “Hey. Kyrie.”

“Are you ok?” Kyrie noticed Jess’ discomfort and felt she probably went too far.

“Can you stop? Please.”

“Ah. Sorry. Let me get you a change of clothes alright?” She did as she said and brought back some sweats and a t-shirt letting Jess change in private. “Do you want your dinner somewhere private? I can get some space in the garage for a bit while you eat. It's a little dirty however.”

“Yah, thank you.” Jess gently replied.

Kyrie guided Jess to the garage through the front door avoiding the dining room entirely. She left the garage door open a bit and excused herself leaving Jess to eat on a workbench with a full plate for dinner. Jess was about half way when the garage door was pulled open revealing a tall man with white swept back hair and pale skin wearing a dark blue coat with neon blue serpentine patterns along the sleeves with black pants, boots, gaiters. He also wielded a katana with black fingerless gloves and a zippered turtleneck; his outfit was the peak of fashion.

Jess dropped her fork on her plate. “Uh, hello.”

“Where is Nero?” The impatient man asked.

Jess thought for a second before answering. “Um, who are you?” Instead of answering he walked past Jess only for her to interrupt his stride. “Oi, I don’t know who you are but you can’t just waltz in here! Go to the front door and knock.”

“I don’t have time to be proper, I need to see him.”

“Fine but you will have to go through me.” Jess took a defensive stance.

“Fool you don’t even have a weapon.”

In response to this Jess flicked off some sauce on her finger at the opponent, smacking him in the eye causing Vergil to recoil back. Jess reaches for his weapon pulling out his sword from the sheath jumping back and readying the blade. Vergil finally wipes the sauce out of his eye.

“What?! You fool give that back!”

“Calling me a fool won't get you anywhere.”

“Child you don’t know what you are doing with that!” Vergil gets ready for the potential combat.

“Oi! I’m like twenty-” The sword launches at Jess only for her to chop it out of the air.

“You absolute buffoon.” Vergil begins his assault and rushes at her.

He sends his sheath at Jess, unable to deflect or block it; she takes the hit to the gut and gets blown into the side of the RV.

“Gah!”

The RV rocks and Jess barely is able to hold her footing. She manages to duck his next swipe with the second hit sending her across the room towards the garage door. When she hits the ground the Yamato grinds against the floor causing Vergil to cringe at the sound. Suddenly a spectral demon comes out beside Vergil and moves with him towards Jess. She groans trying to get up and sees the two approaching her.

“Two against little ol me, How rude.” Jess jests while adjusting to a crouched position.

“You are as annoying as Dante.” Vergil and his duo launch forwards, his doppelganger spinning and slashing towards Jess like a hurricane.

Jess barely manages to block, only to have the weapon fly out of her hands after the first hit. The doppelganger stops attacking while Vergil seemingly teleports to the sword, catching it before it hits the ground. His doppelganger vanishes after obtaining his sword and he turns to Jess.

“Goodbye child.” Vergil adjusts the collar of his shirt.

Only for him to get dropped by a kick from Helltaker, Vergil is sent across the room hitting the ground and rolling to a stop. “Hey kid you ok?”

“Gut hurts.” Jess remains on the ground.

“Hang on.” Helltaker readies himself for a fight despite the katana welding duplicator’s immense power.

Fortunately before it could even start Nero arrives with Nico and Lucifer.

“Hey! What’s going on here? Everyone OK?!” Nero screams, his hand on his sword handle until he notices the man wielding a katana wearing mostly blue. “Dammit, Vergil.”

Vergil on the ground grumbles. “Nero, your friends are annoying.” He stands up, holding his side.

“Vergil, why didn’t you just knock at the front door?”

Virgil steadies himself leaving his blade at his side but not putting it away. “This is of the utmost importance. There is a new demon who’s causing trouble in Hell and I need your help on this one. Have you heard of a demon named Beelzebub?”

Lucifer holds her head in her hand. “Ah, of course, why wouldn’t she be there.”

Vergil readies himself for anything. “Oh? You are an associate of this self proclaimed queen?”

Lucifer could only shake her head. “I wish I wasn't. I would rather you keep your weapon down. I do have a similar goal of stopping that crazy fly.”

“Then we are in agreement, demon.” Vergil transforms the Yamato into a demonic hand and shoves it into the breast pocket of his coat, Nero can’t help but glare at the man.

“Devil, actually.” Lucifer cracks a smile, thinking that this one seemed strong enough to be of use.

Helltaker after finding the tone of the room changed, he decided to go over to the proned Jess on the ground and give her a good ol’ flip just like the pancakes he makes. “You ok?”

Jess groans “Barely, I thought I could hold my own for once… I think my guts were re-arranged.”

Nico joins in the conversation with the newly flipped pancake. “Disappointed you didn’t bring your pistol. I wanted ta see what ya would’ve done to that deadbeat.”

Nero cuts in. “We need to have a meeting about this.”

Lucifer crosses her arms and looks to Jess. “We are leaving her out of it. I don’t want this one to have anything to do with our plan.” Lucifer’s glare is unrelenting in its rage.

Helltaker tried to interject only for Jess to interrupt.

“You know what Lucifer. You’re right.”

Lucifer's face contorts to one of surprise.

“I’m gonna go to sleep in the bedroom.”

“Well it's about time you listen to me!” The smugness radiates from her tone. “Now be a good girl and get ready for bed.” She shoos Jess with a wave of her hands.

Jess, assisted by Helltaker, gets off of the ground, she clutches her injured stomach and slowly walks out of the room. The others waited until they couldn't hear Jess but before they could start the voice of Kyrie interrupted the steps of Jess.

“Jess! Why are you dirty?!”

“Ah! Kyrie, don't be mad please!”

“I just fixed your hair! It was Nico wasn't it!”

“No! Wait please! AH!” The sound of Jess being dragged could be heard, Nero and Nico shudder.

Helltaker Listening with concern. “Is she going to be ok?”

Nero could only shake his head side to side. “She'll be fine. I think. Anyway Vergil, why are you here?”

“Right. Dante has been defeated by Beelzebub and needs to be rescued. I barely got out of there in one piece and I need your assistance.”

“What?! Aren't you and Dante strong enough to take on Hell itself? How did one person defeat both of you?”

Vergil averted his eyes. “Well, you see, when we encountered her we decided to have a little match one versus one. Unfortunately when Dante had to swap out she also demonstrated her great power to me, nearly taking my head off. We were too tired to defeat her together but at that point we had no other choice but to grab you. Dante remains in Hell, hopefully in one piece.”

Even Nero could not comprehend why the brothers would separate willingly “You just left him there? Why?”

Vergil’s tone changed from its usual stoicism to sorrowful “Dante told me he would hold her back to give me time. It was foolish to underestimate our opponent.”

Lucifer scowling at the news decided to add her two cents into the mix. “I can’t believe you didn't kill her when you had the chance! Do you know what she is trying to do!?”

Vergil shook his head. “I know, it was truly an error of our judgement.”

Lucifer balled her fists only for Helltaker to comfort her by taking her hand into his and giving it a gentle squeeze. Lucifer returns the favor and tries to calm herself.

“We will join you then.” Helltaker stated.

Vergil interjected. “Absolutely not. Your soul will be torn asunder in that environment.”

“Believe it or not, I think he’ll be fine.” Lucifer tapped on Helltaker’s bicep with her knuckle. “He has been through Hell and back himself after all.”

Nico perked up. “What?! Is he a robot or somethin?”

“No but I have fought androids before.”

Nico looked at the man with even more interest. “What are you made of?”

“Meat and bone.” was Helltaker’s only response.

“Well I’ll get some things ready. Looks like we are in this together now.” Nero placed his sword down on a nearby work bench, the stand placed on it fits the blade perfectly.

“Very well. But I won’t be babysitting anyone. See to it you get everything situated, We will head out the night of the second day, unfortunately I'll need to rest. Now then, Nero, where shall I be staying?”

“So you get your ass kicked again and you run right back here, now you are looking for a room. Fine, but you have to bunk with the others.”

“I appreciate the room, I’ll try to not be an inconvenience.” Vergil squints as if thinking of another response but chooses to stay silent.

“You can have the top bunk of the bed Taker and I will be sharing. I do need some personal time with him.”

“Ya’ll just don’t be havin sex in there ok. I need my beauty sleep afterall.” asks Nico.

“I promise we will keep it PG-13” confirms Helltaker.

Nero lets out a sigh. “Great, well Vergil if you are hungry im sure Kyrie and Taker made more than enough food. We should move up to the kitchen.”

“Verywell.”

The crew move up to the dining room Helltaker carries the plate of Jess’ unfinished food to the kitchen to clean up and make a new plate for Vergil. At the dinner table Nero watches Vergil carefully with Lucifer sitting a couple seats away drinking wine that she snapped from tin hair. Nico moves into the now shared bedroom for some time to herself. Kids could be heard from upstairs getting ready for bed. Jess sits in the bathroom with a stunned Kyrie looking at her back.

Kyrie covers her mouth with her hand for a second before asking. “Miss Jess, are you ok!? Does it hurt?”

Jess squints hard thinking of what to say. “Kyrie, I really did not want you to see that…”

Kyrie’s voice is filled with worry. “Do you need a doctor? I think I have one I can call. Who did this to you?”

“Kyrie, just go. Please.”

“But-”

“Kyrie!”

“Ok.” Kyrie relents leaving Jess alone in the bathroom.

The “wound” was the scarification tattoo on her back, however it cut far too deeply at multiple points on the width of her back. It left a permanent reminder of what she had been through, fortunately it only left a slightly sensitive back and a painful looking tattoo. Jess sits in the tub for a bit soaking and rubbing off any dirt and grime that accumulated on her body, a bruise begins to form on her stomach, turning purple far faster than any ordinary injury. Eventually Kyrie knocks at the door and Jess invites her in, she places clothes and a towel down on some shelving and silently leaves the room, Jess can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She sits alone in the tub for a while longer until finally she gets up and drains the tub, takes the towel and dries off and dresses herself in the clothes left by Kyrie. A similar white shirt and sweats from earlier.

She enters the bedroom ready to sleep, each bed but one occupied by a resident. Her disassembled AK on the desk against the wall. Helltaker and Lucifer in the bottom bunk on the right with a sleeping Vergil taking the top bunk still wearing his clothes from earlier. Helltaker wears similar clothes to Jess only difference being a red shirt and Lucifer has on a red silk sleeveless nightgown. Nico on the other hand wears shorts with an oversized brown hoodie.

“Hey there shorty! Ready for bed?” Nico asks.

“Yah.” Jess blankly states.

She carries herself into bed and lies down, quickly letting sleep take her. Helltaker and Lucifer on the other hand begin sharing quiet smooches. Lucifer giggles like a teen doing something naughty.

Nico interrupts the session “Oi, I thought ya’ll wouldnt be doin anything freaky tonight?”

Lucifer responds. “It was said we would keep it PG-13. I don’t think a little kissing violates that.”

Nico’s only response was to pull her pillow over her ears and groan. Vergil and Jess remain asleep despite the lip smacking. Eventually everyone fell asleep in sweet silence.

***

Jess awoke to someone poking her face. That someone was a child, one of the kids at the orphanage. He had messy black hair and wore a red shirt with tan cargo shorts.

“Miss Jess! Breakfast is downstairs, Pancakes!” He pokes harder causing Jess to move herself facing the wall.

“Oi.”

“But Jess! Pancakes! They have chocolate in them!” The kid begins jumping up and down, unable to hold in his excitement. “Kyrie says you have clothes ready outside your door! Come on!” The kid runs out the door leaving it wide open to the world.

Jess, annoyed and awake, watched the open door from the bed as sunlight was being let in through hitting her in her face. The sun was probably the universe’s greatest sniper. She sat up and rubbed her face, removing her blanket and standing up from bed. She blacks out for a second sitting back on the bed *THUNK* and hitting her head on the top bunk.

“Fu-! Ah.” Jess rubs the back of her head.

Finally she stands up and looks out the hall and just like the kid says a basket is placed next to the open door with her clothes now cleaned and her boots placed next to it. She gets dressed in her outfit black underwear, flex pants, and combat boots with her red dress shirt. She picks up her pistol and thigh holster, affixing it where it belongs. Finally ready for anything she descends down the stairs into the bustling dining room. Kids are waiting at their seats, each one with smiles spread wide and chatting amongst themselves. Kyrie, Nero, and Vergil sit at one side of the table with three empty seats across from them. Helltaker and Lucifer bring out plates of pancakes, ready to serve. The two of them wear red dress shirts with sleeves rolled up and black smocks, the only differences in wear being Helltakers white pants as opposed to Lucifer's black.

The kids thank the pancake duo as they pass plates with two per kid. Jess takes her seat at the very end of the table facing Vergil. The food gets passed to everyone and with Helltaker and Lucifer taking their seats the table is finally ready to eat. The kids dig in some using the silverware to cut into the panned cake and others grab the thing and shovel it into their mouths. Each expression changes to excitement as their taste buds become overwhelmed. Nero and Kyrie were shocked at the delicious meal.

Vergil showed caution, poking it with his fork before cutting a slice off of it and cautiously placing it into his mouth. “What form of power is this?! It's absolutely delicious.”

“It’s made of love.” Replied Helltaker.

“Ridiculous!”

Lucifer cracked a smile. “It's an expression sweetie.”

Vergil glares at Lucifer as he sticks another slice of the pancake into his mouth. Jess eats the pancake expressionless and Helltaker and Lucifer feed each other slice after slice and complement their work. Nero and Kyrie see this and blush appears on their faces as they look down and focus on their meal pretending not to notice. The kids at the table finish up one after the other, each one slowly realizing that their meal is no more. Despair appears on their faces, each one knowing it's rude to ask for more. One poor soul stood up from his seat and walked up to Helltaker not knowing what punishment would come to him.

“Um, Mr. Taker. Can I have some more?” The poor boy shakes nervously, his fate sealed by his actions.

Kyrie is shocked not knowing if it would be ok for more. For even she herself would want some. Helltaker looked at Kyrie which she gave a nod in response. A great big smile shows itself on his face.

“Absolutely!” He stands up and re-ties his smock.

Each and every kid celebrates and Vergil gives a slight smirk at the chance for more of that addictive substance. Jess however cleans her plate and drinks whatever water is left and leaves the room. Jess returns back to the shared room and notices something strange, her AK is missing. She takes stock of what she has left and lies back in bed. Shortly after napping for a bit she is woken up by Vergil sitting on the chair brought from the desk against the window.

“Jess, I need your advice on something. You are human are you not?”

Jess reluctantly pulls the blanket from her face and looks at Vergil. “I am.”

“Good, I would like to know how to get closer to Nero.”

Jess squints at Vergil. “What?”

“He is my son and I seek his favor. Do you have any advice for me?” Vergil with a straight face asks Jess.

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“I do not know what we would talk about to begin with. Plus I may have… done something “Bad” to him at one point.” Vergil air quotes around the word bad.

“Like what?”

“Well It’s a long story. But I may have taken his arm off at one point.” He says that with a straight face.

“Like a physical arm?” Jess’ eyebrows furrow.

“Yes.”

“What?!” Jess sits up and talks to the man as if he was a psychopath. “Vergil what the fu-nk.”

“Again it's a long story. It did grow back to be fair.”

“I don’t even know where to begin. When was this?”

“A couple months ago? Perhaps half a year. To be fair I did not know he was my son then.”

“Vegil you are making this really hard.” Jess held the bridge of her nose in frustration. “So you just met your son the day you tore off his arm and you didn’t even know he was your son? I don’t know. pay child support or something?”

Vergil rubbed his chin for a second. “I do not have any money so that is out of the question.”

“Anything you can give him? Perhaps some time or do a favor for him? You could watch the kids for him while he and Kyrie have a more personal moment with each other.”

Vergil mulls it over for a second. “That can be done. Thank you for the recommendation. Oh, and sorry for striking you down.” Vergil sits up and leaves the room closing the door behind him, Jess alone once again.

“Thank go-” Helltaker makes his way through the door minus the smock.

“Hey kiddo! You should get up and do some stretching. It will do you good.” Helltaker smiling as if to give some sort of comfort.

“Ugh. I don’t feel well, can you just go?”

“Come on, it will be fun. We can go for a quick jog, enjoy the air. You might even feel better afterwards.”

Jess relents. “Fine.”

“Great!” Helltaker offers his hand to Jess which she takes and he pulls her up.

The two make their way out the front, passing kids to get to the front lobby each one thanking Helltaker for the delicious food. Eventually the two make it out the front door and they begin their walk. The city is in disrepair, however life goes on and people participate in different activities. Some wear business clothing on their way to their job and others enjoy the day. The two casually walk with no particular destination in mind. Jess however catches a few glances towards her gun on her hip by the locals. Helltaker notices the scowl on her face.

“Want me to carry that for you? I can hide it in my waist.”

“No.” is the only response she gives. “Hey, why did you not tell me about me looking like her.”

“I’m surprised you did not pick up on it till now. I just didn't want to worry you anymore than you already were. If it helps I'm sorry for not keeping a closer eye on you.” his shades blocking his eyes but not the worryful expression on his face.

“Mind telling me how you met all the demon girls.”

Helltaker takes up a soft smile. “Well, it all started with a dream…”

***

“Wait, you beat Judgement with compliments?” Jess could not believe what Helltaker had said.

“Yes. It is a very fond memory, although I did die a couple times but in the end it was worth it.”

“You honestly scare me. I can’t believe you went to Hell to get a harem and make it out alive.” Jess’ face scrunched. “Did you even have any hesitation during your harem gathering?”

“Nope.” A big toothy smile appears on his face. “Hey, we're back.”

The duo arrived at the orphanage once again Helltaker took the initiative and opened the door at the top of the steps. “Ladies first.”

Jess could only give a half smile with tired eyes and accepted Helltaker’s offer. “Thanks.”

“Oh and can you do the dishes from breakfast? Living here is a team effort.”

“Oh. So there was a catch? Fortunately for you I'm the greatest dishwasher in all the multiverse.”

“I think you might be the only dishwasher in the multiverse.”

With that Jess excused herself and made her way to the kitchen only to find all the plates and used kitchenware piled up from the morning breakfast. She cracked her hands and started to clean. Halfway through Vergil appeared silently watching Jess from a wall he was leaning against. Eventually the dishes were clean and lay on a couple drying racks to the side. A smirk graces itself across her face. An easy task for one such as her.

“AH! VERGIL!” Jess jumps a bit seeing Vergil leaning against a wall behind her. “You punk.”

“Sorry, I need your help with watching the kids.”

“Why?”

“Shamefully, Nero does not trust me alone with the kids.” Vergil’s tone somehow remains neutral.

“I don't have anything better to do so I'll give it a shot. Not too entirely sure I'm good with kids.” Jess says, slightly concerned.

“Do not worry child Taker and Lucifer have opted to assist. Surely we can watch eleven children.”

“Heh, I doubt you have ever watched after kids. Do you know what they are able to do.”

Vergil furrows his brows. “If they are anything like Dante it won’t be a problem at all.”

Everyone met in the lobby Kyrie announced that her, Nero, and Nico would be going out for a bit. Nero gave Vergil a stare down but Kyrie drew his attention by grabbing his hand and giving him a look that says “It’s ok.” Slightly comforting Nero. After telling the kids to follow the rules of the adults the two leave, approaching a Nico waiting in her RV honks her horn.

“Cmon lovebirds!”

“Coming Nico!” Kyrie yells.

Finally the four are alone with the kids. Jess begins to sweat slightly while Vergil keeps a stoic expression.

Helltaker starts off with a recommendation. “So kids. Want to play hide and seek?”

Several kids perk up each one allowing their nervousness to leave them. The small boy who awoke Jess spoke up.

“But Mr. Vergil will cheat like Nero! He has super hearing!” The boy complains.

Another pipes up this time a small girl. “And Nero is super fast too. One time Miss Kyrie dropped a plate and Nero caught it from all the way across the kitchen. He is too fast!”

The kids start to nod in agreement with each other.

Vergil decides to pipe in. “Foolishness, I don't need to hear you to find you.”

One of the kids blows raspberries towards Vergil.

Jess tries to solve the situation quickly. “I have an idea. How about this I give Vergil my helmet and take out the batteries muffling the sound for him?”

One of the younger kids crosses his arms. “Fine but I wanna hear from it first.”

Lucifer raises an eyebrow. “Oh? A little lawyer I see.”

“I am not a liar!”

One of the older girls corrects the child. “No, not a liar, a Lawyer.”

Another one pipes up. “What's a Lawyer?”

Jess decides to rush to her room and grabs the helmet coming back down the stairs in a hurry. She mutes audio and lets some of the kids try it on each one giving a thumbs up.

Jess after testing it out between everyone hands it to Vergil only for him to look at it pondering something. “Do humans really use such ineffective equipment to fight demons?”

Jess motions for Vergil to pass the hemet back and for him to offer his head. “Trust me it’s not for fighting devils.” After strapping it on she tests it. “Can you hear me?”

“What?” answers Vergil.

“Good.”

Helltaker sets the rules. “We will count to thirty seconds, you will hide in the house so please no going outside the four of us will try to find you. We will face the wall and cover our ears and find you. Everyone got it down?” the kids respond each one shaking their heads up and down ecstatically.

The four begin counting while the children begin to scatter when they finish the four turn only to face the oldest of the kids, a fourteen year old girl with her arms crossed and an angry expression on her face. She wore blue overalls with an orange shirt and had straight dirty blond hair that went to her shoulders.

“I’m not playing!” She stated with her arms crossed.

“That's fine.” said Helltaker. “Would you like to seek with us?”

“No. I don’t want to play because it is boring. I'll be in the dining room or whatever.” The girl walked off hopefully where she said she was going.

“Huh. Well Lucifer and I will take the upstairs, Jess and Vergil mind taking the kitchen and garage?”

“Sure.” the two reply.

The two head off and Jess once again finds herself in the garage, kids probably hidden inside, hopefully. The garage is a lot bigger without the devil may cry mobile. more parts and stuff hidden around and kids nowhere to be seen.

“Hello? Anyone hiding in here?” Jess takes a look around with no kids in sight.

Vergil on the other hand is having a better time with things. The helmet he wore was now off and one kid has their foot sticking out from under the sink. Vergil ponders for a second wondering if he should even say anything. He decides to not pick the child off so soon. He coughed and spoke with a questioning tone.

“I sure do wonder if a child is here.” He opens a shelf and closes it.

“Hehe.” the kid hiding under the sink giggles.

Vergil can’t help but crack a smile at participating in a little foolishness. “Perhaps one is in…HERE!” He shifts a box on the ground and it makes a shuffling sound prompting another giggle from a child hiding behind the fridge.

Another kid's location is revealed hiding behind the refrigerator. Vergil can’t help but crack a smile. He slowly walks past the child hiding under the sink. The child tries to hide himself by curling up as much as possible. Vergil suddenly stood still, memories flooding back into his head. When demons entered his home and killed his mother while he was locked in combat alone against a horde by himself. He scowls heavily at what he is doing right now. “You damn hypocrite.” he thought. Half considering ending the game half wanting to not ruin the fun for the kids despite the bad memories. He pokes his head under the sink.

“Found you.”

“Nooooo! You cheated!” accuses the kid.

Vergil cracks a smile. “You remind me of my little brother.” He changes the topic in hopes of the kid not pushing any further.

“Who is that?” questioned the now standing child.

“...My troublesome brother Dante.” Vergil can only crack a smile.

The girl from behind the fridge poked her head out. “OH! I know Dante! He came by once and brought gifts! I got a fluffy doggie! Oh!” she quickly drew her head back behind the fridge.

“Child. I see you back there.”

“NUH UH. I HAVE AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK.” counters the girl.

The boy from under the sink cut in. “Yah! You still have not found her!”

“I see. It would be harder to find you. Perhaps I should probably take more time. Very well. I will continue my hunt.” Despite Vergil’s worries he continues the game enjoying the time with the kids.

Helltaker and Lucifer however are trying a different approach. One of the kids sits in a chair with Lucifer crouching with a sadistic smile facing the boy while Helltaker watches leaning against the wall.

“I want you to give away the position of the other kids.” Lucifer orders.

The kid sits in the chair and determination pumps through his veins. “Absolutely not! You’ll never get any answers from me!”

“Oh? Really? You know I am quite the interrogator.”

The kids paused for a second. “What is an interrogator? Is that a big lizard?”

Lucifer can’t help but sigh. “No, it means I’m good at getting answers from people.”

“Oh. But I will never betray my friends!”

A cruel smile appears on Lucifer’s face, she snaps her fingers and a teddy bear appears. “Not even for a teddy bear?”

The child looks on with a shocked expression and ponders his next move. “No!” He shakes his head side to side.

“Oh? Then what about this?” Once again Lucifer snaps her fingers, the bear turns into a bar of high quality chocolate.

The boy eyes it with great interest, and unable to break sight with the delectable treat he gives in. “Ok! Fine! My friend Alexander is under the bed in the room on the other side!”

Lucifer hands the now ashamed boy his prize for the betrayal. Alexander’s fate is sealed. Helltaker opens the door on the other side of the hallway. His steps penetrate the silence as he makes his way to the bed and pokes his head under. Alexander’s scream is heard. Lucifer smiles.

Helltaker makes his way back with the child in tow. “Hey, would this not be easier to just search for the kids?”

Lucifer gives a cruel smile. “Of course, but I think the betrayal makes it much more entertaining don’t you think?”

***

Nero and Kyrie are at a very nice Italian restaurant, a candle separates the two as they look at the menu. Nero breaks the silence while placing the menu down.

“Do you think it’s a good idea to leave the kids with Vergil and the rest?”

Kyrie looks up from her menu giving Nero a gentle smile. “I think it will be ok. I have a feeling Vergil is kinder than we think. Plus Mr.Taker is good with kids.”

“I mean… It's just a little odd. Especially since Vergil…You know.” Nero points at his naked arm.

“He is just trying to get along I’m sure, besides we have time to ourselves.”

Kyrie places her hand halfway across the table, Nero accepts the offer and returns the favor holding her hand in his. The two share smiles between them, Kyrie giving Nero assurance like always that everything will be ok.

***

Vergil stands in the dining room nine of the eleven kids have been found, Helltaker and Lucifer have joined them wondering where the last two kids are.

“Have you found them?” asks Helltaker.

Vergil quickly responds. “Perhaps Jess has…”

Speaking of the devil, Jess arrived with news. “Hey, why did no one hide downstairs?”

Helltaker, Vergil, and Lucifer each confused begin to think about any potential spots they have missed until the angry child points out something.

“We aren't allowed downstairs without Nero or Kyrie’s permission. Idiot.” she tells Jess.

Jess tries to not take it personally, with mixed results. “Anyways.” Her voice raised to ensure the room heard it. “I suppose the last two win the game!”.

Two kids poke up from under the table. “WE WIN!” they claim.

Vergil looks at Jess with a questioning glance. “You give up that easily?”

“Well, it was not like we lost anything. Plus they are just kids.”

“Hmm.” Was Vergil’s only response.

Helltaker on the other hand claps his hands together. “Alright now the next thing we can do is snacks and coloring books!”

Lucifer snaps her finger and a cart full of different books. Some are coloring books containing interesting patterns, some games, and others are far more simple coloring books. Crayons and colored pencils are also supplied to the kids. The kids get excited for all the new activities, except for one who sits at the end upset at something. Each one gets the books they are interested in and rush to their seats. Helltaker and Lucifer make their way to the kitchen to cook up something tasty. Vergil and Jess are left alone with the kids to oversee activities.

One of the kids walks up to Jess and holds out a book with tic-tac-toe on the cover. “Wanna play?” he asks.

“Sure.” Jess responds.

Others start to do their own thing or play with each other. The lone girl scoffs and heads upstairs with her book, Vergil not wanting anything to happen to the kid taps Jess on the shoulder and signals he is going to follow the girl not wanting the kid to be alone. Jess nods in response and continues playing tic-tac-toe and keeping an eye on the other ten kids.

The lone girl sits on a bed reading her book, she is unmoving as if she was not even paying attention to it. Vergil knocks on the door and the girl looks up from her book.

“Come in.” She responds. “Not like I have a choice.” the lone girl mudders as she closes her book.

Vergil enters the room. “May I sit?” He asks.

The girl glares at Vergil, unresponsive to his question. Vergil decides to sit across from her at the other bunk bed.

“Child-”

“I'm not Child. I’m Yuki.” Yuki orders.

“Apologies.”

“What do you want?” Yuki orders.

“I was wondering if something was troubling you.” Vergil was blunt in his approach.

Yuki’s face grew red, she bawled her knuckles. “You wouldn't understand!”

Vergil chose his next words carefully. “Perhaps I could try to understand, if you would let me.”

Yuki lowered her anger and took a deep breath, she needed to let this out. “You know what happened in Redgrave? My family and I were there.” Yuki took a moment to breathe.

Vergil could only nod.

Yuki continued her explanation. “My family and I moved there a week before the incident. They were mauled to death by those things…” Her breathing became erratic but she continued on. “They died protecting me. It was my fault.” Tears began forming at the edges of her eyes. “IT WAS ALL MY FAULT!” she began to cry.

Vergil chose to sit up and moved to her side. “It was not your fault. I know how that must feel, my mother was killed trying to protect me as well. My father met a similar fate to the devils.”

Yuki between sobs asks a question. “ Why did they have to die? Will I always feel this way?” Yuki takes his coat sleeve and buries her face in it, Vergil allows this.

“When my mother died she came looking for me at all costs. She would have done anything to insure my safety, even surrender her life. Your parents were very brave, unfortunately you will feel this way for a very long time. But you are not alone now, you have Nero and Kyrie to help, and I think your family would be happy you have found your way here.” Vergil sits still letting Yuki let out her tears into his coat regardless of his feelings.

Vergil can’t help but feel responsible for what this child has been through, because he IS responsible. Tearing off his own son's arm for the yamato was his choice, separating his demon side from his human was his choice, and the consequence was the death of most of Redgrave, that included the death of Yuki’s family. The thought weighs heavily on his shoulders. Eventually Yuki stops crying, turning into a gentle weeping.

The two sit still for a while longer, Yuki eventually finished letting go of Vergil's coat. “S-sorry.”

Vergil looked at his sleeve for a second, it was covered in tears, snot, and drool. “Don’t worry about it. Are you feeling better?”

“Yah.” Yuki nods.

“Will you need anything? Some food? Water?”

“Water please.” Yuki’s voice filled with exhaustion.

Vergil does as she requests swiftly moving to the kitchen where Lucifer and Helltaker are in the middle of making various baked goods and grabs a cup of water and makes his way back up to Yuki’s room. He found her sleeping on the bed tired out from the interaction, Vergil places it down on the nearby desk and makes his way outside and gently closes the door leaving Yuki to sleep.

Jess shows a kid what to look for when it comes to a word search. “So you have the first letter here right?”

“Yah.”

“So you just find the letter and circle around it until you find a similar letter.”

“Yes.”

“Then loop around it searching for the second letter of the word.”

“Ok… is this it?”

“No, but that is ok. Remember the word is penguin. So you’re looking for a P and E.”

The kid points at a letter b. “This?”

Jess can’t help but chuckle a bit. “You can’t just turn the book around. Hang on lemmie look for it.” Jess takes the book and gives it a quick look. “Wait, penguin is not on this one.” She takes the page and notices another word chart is glued to the page she flips it around and finds a note.

Cerberus waz here

“Great.”

The kid looks at Jess. “Who is Cerberus?”

“A dog who can’t keep their hands to herself…s, themselves? Ya know, I don’t actually know.”

“Sounds confusing. Can I have that crayon?” Jess passes the blue crayon to the kid and he writes over the word search.

Vergil makes his way into the dining room Jess immediately turns around. “Hey Vergil do you- your sleeve is a mess, You ok?”

Vergil in his usual stoicism responds cooly. “Yes I’m fine, just give me a minute.” Vergil leaves the room from where he came from closing the door behind him, a demonic pressure comes from behind the closed door and he comes back good as new. “That’s better. How are things on your end?”

“Snacks are almost ready and I have lost at Tic-tac-toe thirty six times.” Jess deadpans. “How is the kid?”

“She is resting.”

“I see.”

Helltaker and Lucifer enter the room carrying trays of cookies, brownies, and Juice boxes. The kids cheer for new foods to try from the baking duo. Jess sits back a bit knowing she no longer has to take care of ten kids alone. The snacks are passed out Lucifer skips Jess and hands a plate to Vergil glaring at Jess all the while. Jess can only shrug in response. After they are all passed out Jess notices that there were only enough sweets for one more person, she takes the plate and one of the last juice boxes, keeping an extra box for herself.

“Hey Vergil, give this to the kid, the sugar will help.”

He nods and leaves the room with the two shares of snacks. With all the kids receiving their treats Jess can finally sit back and sip on the box of grape juice.

“Lucifer must’ve planned out the perfect amount of treats to be short one set. I really hope that doesn't become a trend.” Jess thought.

Everyone enjoyed their sugar filled snacks, some kids wanted to take a nap and others wished to stay here and color. The group split up, Helltaker and Lucifer stay downstairs while Vergil and Jess take upstairs. The younger kids make their way to their respective rooms, while Vergil and Jess sit out in the hall with some chairs pulled from the many desks keeping an eye on the young. Vergil pulled out a book from his coat while Jess dozed off leaning the back of her head on the wall. Helltaker and Lucifer on the other hand enjoy their time with the kids.

Chapter Text

“Hey, you. You're finally awake.” Jess moans. “Shorty wakeup!” Nico pokes Jess in the face.

Jess slowly arose from her slumber with a stiff neck. “Whaaaaat.”

Nico almost jumps for joy. “Shorty I need yah to come with me. Don’tcha wanna try out that new barrel I gotcha?”

Jess massages her neck for a second before responding. “Sure.”

“Yah! That's the spirit! Lemmie grab the demon babe!” Nico rushes off down the stairs.

“Wait what?! Nico!” Jess shoots up and rushes after Nico.

Jess finds Nico and Lucifer hanging around the van parked right outside the orphanage. Lucifer with a fowl aura around her person and Nico grabbing a couple of things from the garage and throwing them in the back of the RV.

“Lucifer.” Jess greets sharply.

“Jess.” Lucifer returns.

Nico slams the back of the RV and rounds the back. “Heya! Let’s get drivin we still have a couple good hours of daylight left!” Before Jess could ask what was going on Nico gets in the driver seat and lights a smoke. “C’mon slowpokes!” She yells out the shotgun side window.

The two reluctantly join the excited mechanic. Jess rides shotgun while Lucifer lies down on the small couch once more. As the ride rockets off into the unknown Jess starts to interrogate Lucifer.

“So, Lucifer, Why are you coming along?”

“Honestly I can’t trust you on your own, plus I was asked to join in by the… Mechanic.”

Nico pipes in from the driverseat. “Ya know, I prefer to be called an artist, after all, my works are grand pieces of art. But! To answer your question shorty, she is needed for the weapon, the rest is a secret.”

Lucifer and Jess could only wait to see what was so important. The ride was rather short, it led them to some ancient dock that was left to decay. Any potential boardwalks were only outlined by wooden posts isolated from each other in the ocean. Nico parked the RV on the concrete dock that had been abandoned to time, and shut off the RV. Nico excitedly rocks her way to the back.

“Ok! Shorty, Demon babe I need you both out! Just throw rocks at the ocean or something if you get bored.” Nico starts messing around in the back with various mechanical sounds following her demands.

The two do as they are told much to the regret of Lucifer who was resting on the couch. The wind outside blows gently, the salt of the sea fills the air, and the seagulls are seagulls. Lucifer stands around with her arms crossed facing the ocean while Jess takes a seat on the ground leaning back against the side of the RV looking at nothing in particular.

Lucifer breaks the silence between the two. “So. Mind telling me what happened between you and Beel while we were taking care of the rock elemental.”

Jess' answer was less than ecstatic.“I blacked out and awoke to her draining my blood. What else do you want to know?”

“Did she offer you anything?”

“Yes.”

“Details, girl.” Lucifer demands.

“No please?” Jess appeals.

Lucifer responds with a glare.

Jess rolled her eyes. “She said something like, “Join me into the dark side or something, and I'll treat you better than that bitch Lucifer. Happy?”

Lucifer refuses to respond, moving her glare towards the ocean instead, lost in thought until Nico kicks open the back of the RV and drops down walking with multiple RC boats shoved into a box to the edge of the docks and drops them in. She pulls out a controller and sends them all, one by one, out in the ocean.

Nico's excitement breaks the silence. “Alright shorty! Get ready to fire some rounds!”

Jess sits up, from her spot and walks to the edge of the dock. She pulls out her pistol and checks the mag. It’s full of hydroshock rounds.

“Hey Nico. got any-” A box of 45. FMJ is brought in front of Jess’ face.

Nico presents the box to her with a smile. “So you don’t blow the good stuff! Thank me later!”

Jess ejects the round in the chamber and locks the slide back. Placing the round and magazine in her pocket. Jess takes the box pulling the insides out each bullet lined on a plastic rack, shiny and untouched by the outside world until now. She loads a round into the gun and sends the slide forward with the release. The many boats downrange float aimlessly in the water without a care or worry. Until now that is. Jess takes aim, steadying the shot, then *BANG* the shot rang out. A red trail of demonic energy throws itself at one of the boats. The ocean implodes, the boat vanishes, Lucifer drops to her knees.

“WHAT THE HELL!” Lucifer and Jess exclaims.

Nico physically jumps for joy. “YAH! IT DIDN’T BLOW UP! SHOOT ANOTHER ONE!”

Jess quickly loads another shot sending it downrange at another helpless boat. The same effect, Lucifer drops to her hands.

“STOP!” she pleads.

Jess does as she begs turning around and seeing Lucifer heavily panting on her knees.

Even Jess couldn’t be heartless. “You ok? What happened?”

“I don’t know!” Lucifer exclaimed.

Nico however pushes up her glasses and begins her explanation. “That barrel takes any demonic energy it can and channels it through the bullet! Cool, right? It doesn't work through walls yet though.”

Jess gets a devious idea, she takes another bullet and shoves it into the now empty chamber loading it and pointing out a sea with her right hand and turns to Lucifer.

“Hey, Lucifer, what will you give me if I don’t shoot?” asks Jess.

“A FUCKING DEATH WISH!” *BANG* Lucifer pones to the ground.

Jess loads another round.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT YOU BIT-” *BANG*

Another one.

“AHHHHHH!” Lucifer screams.

“One wish please!” Jess says with a smile.

“FINE, JUST DON’T FIRE THAT GUN!” Lucifer begs face down in the concrete.

“Aww, but there are more boats to shoot.” complains Nico.

“Sorry Nico.” Jess ejects the round from the chamber and catches it in her hand. “Also, did you say it could have blown up?”

Lucifer is still on the ground exhausted and defeated while Nico nervously tries to dodge the question.

“Ah, well. you see.” She gives up. “When Nero would use the gun it always blew up. I just needed someone with less demonic energy willing to hang around while it shot, and considering not every demon wants to hang around without tearing into someone I thought y’all were the perfect subjects.”

Jess could only look at Nico with bewilderment. “Wow. Ok. Well, now what?”

Nico once again approaches Lucifer, her cowboy boots jingle jangle along the way and pokes Lucifer with her remote controller antenna. “Gunna be honest didn’t expect her to dry out so quickly. Hmm. Fine, let's clean up then.”

Nico and Jess fish out the boats from the dock letting Lucifer rest for a bit to regain her stolen strength, Nico decides to get some information about the trio through Jess.

“So shorty, how’d you meet the other two?”

“Well... Hmm.” Jess furrowed her brow. “Helltaker broke into my home. And next thing I knew I was with Lucifer and him.”

“Any other demon babes?”

“So far I have seen Judgement, Justice- Hangon.” Jess lies down at the edge and picks up a rc boat. “Ah there. Loremaster, Cerberus, and Modeus. Oh and I think Malina.”

Nico changes the signal on the controller to boat three. “Your favorite?”

Jess can’t help but think for a bit. “Subject 67?”

“Who?”

“He is some sort of demonic creation of Lormaster, he keeps to himself.”

“Is he hunky?”

“The hunkiest.” Jess picks up boat numbered three.

“Why not anyone else?”

“I have been assaulted and insulted by the others. Subject 67 is just an angry guy, Although Justice is the most laid back of the group so… My options are limited. Judgement is probably the kindest now that I think of it.”

Nico stops piloting boats for a second to rub her chin. “A kind demon, eh. Think I can get some of their numbers?”

Jess plays with the edge of the water, dragging the tips of her fingers in the water. “Not a chance Nico.”

“Damn. had to try.”

The duo drag in the remaining boats while Lucifer drags herself to the RV. Jess takes shotgun while Nico drives, Lucifer changing spots this time to the table flipping through the same book Jess had read earlier. They finally make their way back to the garage Lucifer takes the initiative and gets off the RV in a hurry.

Nico can’t help but ask. “What's got her panties in a twist?”

“I do get a wish. She is probably mad about that.”

“Well, what are ya gunna wish for?”

Jess puts a finger over her mouth with a grin. “It’s a secret.”

Nico holds her hands up. “Ok, I won't pry. Although I am going to ask for your pistol, I need to check up on it.”

Jess reluctantly hands Nico her pistol. “Fine, thanks for the ride.”

Stepping off the RV Jess makes her way to her room passing kids, Nero and even Vergil reading a newspaper out in the hallway where the two sat earlier. Jess collects her AK, it now resting against the wall fully assembled this time. Shoving it in her backpack and several magazines full of ammo. She slings on her backpack and gets ready to go somewhere. First she needed to find Lucifer. Vergil, the newspaper reader, was the first one to ask for her location.

“Hey Vergil, do you know where Lucifer is?”

Vergil does not even look up from his newspaper. “No.”

“Thanks.” Jess quickly responds and makes her way to Nero.

“Nero, have you seen Lucifer?”

“Check the kitchen. I think Taker is there as well.” He continues helping out a kid with a math problem.

Jess enters the kitchen and finds Lucifer and Helltaker smacking lips. “Hey Lucifer, How do I get money, I wanna go eat.”

Lucifer stops kissing and glares at Jess, Helltaker responds. “We are almost done with dinner, are you not going to eat here?”

“Nah, I want to grab some bar food. So Lucifer, how do I get some money from you?”

Reluctantly Lucifer lets go of Helltaker. “I need to come with you then. Unfortunately.”

Jess frowned. “Fine let’s get going.”

The two share one last kiss, Helltaker slapping her ass while she walks away, she turns her head and gives him a wink and smirk, turning back to Jess with a scowl. The reluctant duo make their way out the front and begin their trip. The short walk is awkward but for the price Jess can't help but make the small sacrifice. They arrive at a bar called ‘The Bull and Beer’ Jess can’t help but smile.

Upon entry, the wooden insides show TVs mounted above the bar, a couple drinkers sitting at said bar, a pool table, and booth seats lining the walls. Jess and Lucifer take a seat and wait for the bartender to make his way towards them.

Lucifer looks at Jess like she is some sort of alien. “Really a bar? You prefer a bar over what we are making in the kitchen. This is quite an insult to our cooking I hope you know.”

“I don’t care. I just want some bar food, and this place is special. It serves american style pizza and I have been craving some pizza.”

Lucifer looks at Jess in disgust. “Pizza? Really?”

The bartender makes his way to the table and hands the duo some menus. His voice is slightly raspy. “What can I get cha to drink?”

Lucifer perks up a bit. “Your finest bottle of red wine.”

“Hmm.” he puts it down on his notepad. “And you kiddo?”

“Soda?”

“Is Pcpsi ok?.”

“It’s fine.”

“You got it.” The bearded man makes his way back to the bar and prepares the drinks.

Lucifer looks back at Jess. “You come to a bar to drink soda? I thought you drank vodka?”

Jess looks at the menu while responding. “Normally I only drink for special occasions, or if I feel safe enough to celebrate by myself.”

“Rather reclusive I see.” Lucifer eyes the menu. “So what is your wish?”

“Just don’t threaten to stab me anymore when you want something.”

Lucifer drops the menu on the table in shock. “What?”

“Just no threats when you need something.” Jess clarifies.

She looks at Jess like she is the dumbest person alive. “You have me, Lucifer, to grant you your wildest wishes, and you want that? I can just stab you without warning, you know that right?”

“Yah.”

The bartender comes back with drinks and sets them in front of the patrons. “So have yall picked out what you want to eat?”

Jess takes this opportunity to answer. “I'll have an eight cut meat lovers with mozzarella sticks, and Lucifer I am not sharing.”

The bartender looks at Lucifer who is still stunned in silence. “Uh mam?”

She eventually gets herself organized. “Just the wine, thank you.”

He retrieves Jess’ menu and makes his way to the kitchen. “HEY DANNY WE GOT-” the door shuts behind the man.

Jess takes a sip of her drink. “So now that that is settled I need to know more about why Beelzebub is even attempting to do what she wants to do.”

“And why should I tell you? All you need to know is that she is the enemy.”

Jess sighed at her excuse. “Wouldn’t stopping her for the right reasons be a good motivator?”

“I suppose, but no, you don’t need to know.”

Jess took a moment to plan something; she mimicked Beelzebub’s tone . “Please Lucy…”

Lucifer was caught off guard, that tone, that face, those sweet sweet memories of them under the covers doing what couples do best. It infuriated her, all because SHE wanted it her way. Oh no, they couldn’t compromise on the issue. It honestly reminded her of her father, Lucifer tried to forget, but falling from heaven hurts. A lot. Not knowing what further consequences would happen if Beelzebub got her way, it absolutely frightened her.

Lucifer responded coldly. “Don’t do that again.”

Jess could only hold up her hands in surrender while drinking through her straw.

The two sit in silence until the bartender comes out with the first of Jess’ food. “DANNY I SWARES YOU DO THAT AGAIN I'LL TAKE YOUR JOB!” He makes his way to the table and drops off the food. “Here ya go will ya need anything else?”

Lucifer holds up her almost empty wine glass. “I’ll just take the whole bottle.”

The bartender takes Jess’ empty cup and makes his way behind the bar quickly filling the cup and grabbing the bottle of wine with expertise and delivering it all to his customers. “Ere yah go, If you need anythin else just lemme know.” when the bartender turns, a splash of sauce is revealed on his back.

He makes his way back to the bar to serve the other patrons. Lucifer steals a stick of the delicious deep fried cheese much to the dismay of Jess. While one torments the other two ladies walk in, one blond with long hair, wearing a black leather corset with a thunderbolt pattern in the middle revealing a ton of bare skin, leather pants, choker, high heeled boots and an arm cuff. The other had black short hair in a rough bob cut, white leather jacket and long sleeved blouse rolled up to the elbow, some black shorts with connected leg warmers, and combat boots, her fingerless gloves showing off her purple fingernails.

Lucifer disregards the two as they make their way to a booth located behind Lucifer, Jess notices the guns on the blond one’s lower back and the two poking out from underneath the black haired girl’s jacket. Jess did not tell Lucifer about the two choosing to unzip her backpack enough to grab her weapon without revealing what lies inside. Jess munches on her mozzarella sticks, dipping them in the marinara sauce when desired. The bartender greets the two and hands them some menus. He makes his way to the bar and brings over a bottle and two cups for the ladies.

Jess had to think for a moment “Perhaps they don’t care about Lucifer? I know devil hunters exist but perhaps they are after only certain demons? Would Lucifer count as a big hunt or a small one?”

A whistle is blown from the bar, an older bald man with a beer belly poking from underneath his shirt and scraggly beard, makes the first move. “Hey sweetheart, why don’t you come over here!” He calls.

Lucifer takes this to heart. “Bug off you old drunk!” She warns.

The old man laughs. “Not you! the blond! You old goat!”

Jess lets a snort out while the blond from the table sits up and makes a short stride over to the belligerent man.

The old man smiles. “Now that’s a good gir-” a kick from the blond sends the man to the ground.

The buddy of the man on the ground decides to cut in. “Tom, I told ya to cut that shite out.” his voice sounded exhausted from his friends' antics. “Apologies ladies.” He stands up and speaks to the barkeeper. “Put it on his tab he’s had enough.” Tom’s friend mumbles. “for fooks sake Tom you wet mitt, you owe me one.” as he drags his friend out the bar.

The bartender lets out a sigh and delivers the drinks to the table occupied by the ladies. “Sorry about that, he usually isn’t that much of a prick.”

The blond strolls back up to her booth with a smile. “All is forgiven if you make this bottle on the house.”

“You got it.” is his only response. “I’ll just put it on Tom’s tab.” he mumbles as he goes to the kitchen.

The blond gives a wink at the staring Jess, Jess avoids looking at her choosing her single mozzarella stick instead.

“Perhaps they are cool with Lucifer?”

The devil herself was chugging wine from the bottle, her face glowing red. “It’s not fair! I have appeal! I mean, look at me!”

Jess awkwardly eats the last mozzarella stick nodding to Lucifer’s statement.

“You’ve seen me right? I’m smoking! Justice thinks so!”

Jess can’t help but try to calm the drunk Lucifer down. “Hey cmon now keep your voice down. There are others here.”

Lucifer takes a big swig of her bottle, her face turning red. “I bet that fat slob won't know a woman if it hit him in the face!”

This awkward pity party was interrupted by the bartender delivering a nice hot and ready pizza on a platter. “Ere’s your pizza. Just lemmie know if you need anything else.”

Lucifer stops the man. “Two more bottles please.”

“Aye.” He rushes to the bar to avoid any more conversations with the weeping devil.

After delivering the bottles and a couple plates he excuses himself from the two ladies. Lucifer decides to partake in the pizza ignoring Jess’ previous demands.

“I can’t believe-Mmm, dat peable ere are sho rue.” Lucifer looks at the slice like it’s her savior and swallows her bite. “This is good stuff.”

Jess stares at Lucifer for a quick second before picking up a slice. “Sure hope it is Lucifer.” Jess enjoys a bite for a quick second when the pizza burns the roof of her mouth. “MMMMM!” Jess quickly sips from her drink to cool down the hot pizza. “Guh, that almost killed me.”

Lucifer lets out a chuckle. “As if you can die.”

“Thanks for the reminder.” Jess deadpans.

The two eventually get to the last slice, unfortunately Lucifer nabbs it much to Jess’ annoyance, with a smug smile she bites into her ill gotten gains. Jess lies back a bit staring beyond Lucifer's white horns and watches the duo behind her chatting away as if there is not a care in the world. Jess could finally relax.

“Hey Lucifer, when are we going?”

Lucifer squints for a second. “I'm only on my… fifth bottle.”

Jess leaned back in disgust. “Jesus.”

“Well I don’t see you drinking any c’mon let loose a little.” Lucifer slid the half drained bottle over. “Don’t be such a wet blanket.”

Jess took a look at the bottle then back to Lucifer who is now face down on the table gently snoring. “Wait. What?!”

The now unconscious Lucifer lay still, her hand just behind the bottle she pushed over to Jess. Jess grabbed her hand and shook it a couple times. No response.

“Hey, Lucifer.” Jess shakes the hand even more. “Don’t screw with me, we still need to pay.”

No response.

Jess sits up from her seat and moves towards Lucifer to shake her awake. “Come on. Wake up you drunk skunk.”

The girls seated behind Lucifer share a laugh. The bartender cleaning a couple glasses looks on with dread knowing something is wrong. Jess is left alone and very sober. She eyes the half empty bottle for a moment thinking it could free her from any responsibilities.

“I could ditch Lucifer.” Jess shakes her head at the thought.

Lucifer awakes, barely, and snaps her fingers a couple hundred euro bills pop out of nowhere crumpled upon the table. She promptly falls back onto the table into dreamland.

“Great. More responsibility.”

Jess makes her way with the cash to the bartender and straightens it out on the way. “How much is the bill?”

The bartender coughs in his hand and starts typing away on the computer monitor. “Bout three forty five.”

Jess hands the bartender four of the hundred euro bills. Thankfully he takes the bills but before he gives the change Jess speaks up.

“Keep the change.” Jess makes her way back to the table and zips up her bag ensuring everything is safe and throws it onto her back.

Jess looks at the slumbering dragon Lucifer and reluctantly pulls her arm over her shoulder in a human crutch position. Lucifer grumbles a bit but eventually she gets the message and the two make their way back home. Along the walk in the night sky, the dimly lit street lamps line the sidewalk offering some reprieve from the darkness. Lucifer’s tail wraps itself along Jess’ leg as if it was holding on for dear life.

Jess had to stop and ask. “Hey Lucifer, mind letting go of my leg?”

Lucifer mumbles incoherently.

“I mean my legs will rub up on your tail and-”

Lucifer pulls Jess down and holds her arms against the ground.

“Wait Lucifer!”

Lucifer’s gaze is fixed onto Jess. “I won’t let go.”

“What?” Jess asked.

Lucifer's voice gets quiet. “Beel, I can’t let you…” Lucifer passes out on top of Jess, her body going limp.

“Yeah… I know.”

“Great get off.” Jess attempts to move her off only to be joined by a familiar sunglasses wearing face.

“Hey kid, having fun?” Helltaker picks up Lucifer carrying her in a one person lift.

Jess sits up. “I did not know Lucifer was such a lightweight.”

“Hmm. That sounds about right.” says Helltaker.

Jess mumbles to herself. “How can a demon be a lightweight?”

“Hmm? What's wrong?”

Jess pushed herself up from the ground. “Nevermind. Let's get going.” along the walk she had to point something out. “Hey don’t make any sudden moves but we are being followed.”

Helltaker’s expression took a more serious look. “You know who?”

“No, but it might be someone from the bar.”

The trio make their way back home after a short walk in the night, fortunately with no issues regarding the follower, whoever they are, they seemed to bail before they made it to the orphanage. Jess opens the door for Helltaker and the passed out Lucifer, Kyrie welcomes them back at the door.

“Oh! Good, I'm happy everyone is alright. Did you two have a good time out?”

“Yah, Lucifer had a little too much to drink tho.” Jess points at Lucifer with her thumb.

Kyrie gave a giggle. “I have laid out some pajamas on your beds. If you need me I’ll be getting ready myself. Have a good night everyone!” With that Kyrie excused herself up stairs.

“Good night!” Helltaker and Jess replied.

“I’m going to take Lucifer and I to bed then. Have a good night Jess.” Helltaker took Lucifer upstairs to bed following Kyrie.

Jess let out a sigh, moving to the kitchen to grab a water only to find Vergil and Nero sitting across each other from the dining room table. The two silently reading, must be some good books. Jess pulled a cup from the cabinet above the sink and filled up a glass, and took a drink. Nico busted open the door leading to the garage.

“Shorty!”

Jess shot out some water and coughed a couple times. “What?” she responded breathlessly.

“Ha, at least most of it got into the sink. Anyway here I took a look at your pistol and made some notes but otherwise it’s unchanged. I got some more work to do so don’t go buggin me. Have a good night shorty!” Nico tossed Jess the pistol, which she barely caught, and ducked back into her workplace.

Jess scowled at the toss but she was happy to be paired back with her dearly beloved, even if it was a ticking time bomb. She chugged her cup and refilled it, making her way out to the dining room and taking a seat a few chairs away from Nero.

“Mind if I get a book.” Asks Jess.

Nero nods and tosses a book to her. The book’s title is No Longer Human, Jess cracks it open and gives the synopsis a read. Immediately she tosses the book back and holds her hand out for another one. Vergil this time slides Jess the book Moby Dick, she accepts it and actually reads it this time instead of passing it back. Eventually Jess falls asleep partway through the book.

Jess awoke in bed to the shuffling of people, mainly Lucifer putting her pants on and Helltaker his. “Wha-” Jess rubs her eyes. “What’s going on?”

Lucifer sighs. “We are going, you will be staying here. No buts. Also I’m taking the grenade launcher.”

Jess shot up from the bed. “Absolutely not! You almost killed me last time!”

Helltaker put a finger up to his mouth.

“Sorry. Anyway, Lucifer, stop. Here.” Jess holds out her hand for the bag, Lucifer reluctantly hands it over while rolling her eyes Jess pulls out one of the rounds used in the launcher. “This blows up at eight feet, stay behind cover, DON’T fire it indoors. Do you understand?”

“Fine.” Lucifer responds.

“You will KILL Taker if used wrong, I need a YES.”

Lucifer stops her aggressive tone. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good. This is safety.” Jess points at the white S. “Red F is fire. The button in front of the trigger opens the tube.” Jess opens said tube. “Bronze side facing you, don’t kill yourself or others, please.” Jess closes up the tube and hands Lucifer the launcher.

Lucifer nods.

“Good, I’m going back to bed.” Jess falls back asleep in an instant when her head hits the pillow.

Helltaker rubs her on the back. “Thanks for not tearing her apart.”

“Mmm.” Is Lucifer’s only response, she appears to be lost in thought for a moment. She snaps her fingers surrounding Jess in flames, coming out clean in all aspects when they die off.

Helltaker packing up everything else he needed. Strapping his pistols to his person he drapes his coat over his shirt covering his guns and rolling up his sleeves. Lucifer motioned for him to bend forward a bit and adjusted his collar. Helltaker in turn gave a smile, the duo were ready to take on Hell itself.

Helltaker and Lucifer met up with Nero, Vergil, Nico, and Kyrie down in the garage.

Kyrie gave Nero a kiss. “Good luck Nero, come back safe.”

Nero’s face turned slightly red. “Thanks, and will do. Let Lady and Trish know I said hi.”

“Will do.”

Nico opened the garage door and hopped in the driver's seat. “Alright loverboy, let's get goin, we got one heck of a drive ahead of us.”

Vergil was uneasy in his response. “Agreed. We should hurry.” Vergil was the second to enter, choosing to sit next to the Jukebox at the table.

Nero rode shotgun while Helltaker sat opposite of Vergil, Lucifer once again sitting on her throne that is the couch. Nero waved off to Kyrie as they drove off to their destination, the old mine the trio were first found. Lucifer was antsy, hoping to get it over with quickly.

“All I have to do is grab that bitch by the hair and drag her back into the Abyss.” is what Lucifer thought.

Vergil thought of this as another Sunday, granted he hated the idea of needing help from anyone but at this point he had no choice. Nero was upset about the situation but felt it was a nice change of pace from the usual go and kill. Helltaker, not only wanting to see Beel again, needed an explanation for her actions, and hoping to make some sort of compromise between the two. Nico was giddy for her next trip, her devil breakers to go under some more stress testing and the new materials to be gathered.

The trip took till mid day, Nico drove past the entrance to the mine much to the dismay of everyone except Nero.

Vergil sat straight. “The entrance to the mine is behind us, fool.”

Nico looked back at Vergil with a smile on her face and slammed the breaks sending Vergil forward and bit. “I know! check this out deadbeat!”

After a second the ground started to shake. Vergil realized this foolishness.

“Oh no.” Vergil readied for the chaos.

“What?” Asks Lucifer.

Helltaker had to ask. “What is about to happen?”

Nico laughed, Lucifer gripped the sofa, Nero buckled up for once, and Helltaker grabbed his chair. The ground collapses, Lucifer and Helltaker slam into the ceiling then quickly slam back onto the ground with the RV.

Nico lights a smoke. “Alright we’re here! Now what?”

Nero unbuckles, casually turns back to see Vergil under Lucifer and Helltaker. “Having fun?”

The groans of the pile answer Nero’s question.

“Great.” Nero stands up and approaches the pile to help.

Unfortunately another tremor occurred dropping the RV another level past the sacrificial chamber where Beelzebub first entered this world. Nero slammed into the ceiling followed by Lucifer Helltaker then Vergil. When the RV slammed into the ground splashing into a pool of blood while the bodies in the back of the van smacked back into the floor. The pool of blood splatters all over the windows and leaks in from the door onto the lower steps.

Nico activates the wipers on the front of the vehicle. “Do you know how hard it is to clean blood off this thing! Come on!” Nico looks back and sees the pile is one bigger. “Didn’t realize yall were so close.”

Eventually everyone in the pile unfurled themselves and got organized. Vergil pulled out his son’s arm, transforming it into the Yamato. Helltaker and Lucifer check over themselves ensuring everything is tidy and on their person. Nero stands up grabbing his sword that was haphazardly thrown onto the ground and places it on his back.

Nero looks at Nico with a tired expression. “Anyways, Vergil is this a good spot?”

Vergil takes a moment. “It is.” Vergil takes the first step into the knee high pool of blood outside the vehicle. “If you wish to turn back now’s the time to do so. Otherwise get ready to proceed.” Vergil slashes the air in front of the van.

Two blue streaks cut through the air opening up into one massive rift into the unknown. Its suffocating aura assaults all in its vicinity. Dark clouds form and die within the rift but never cease. Vergil stands alone outside the RV wondering if this is the right choice.

Nico yells out the window. “Stop bein so dramatic!” And slams the gas sending the crew forward into Hell.

Vergil, unsure of this path, trudges into the known unknown.

The RV plowed its way through the portal skittering to a stop in the dust below. This flat plane is surrounded by what appears to be a blue sky lit by an unknown light source. A giant castle can be seen in the distance, the only landmark in this dust bowl of a dimension. The gray stone castle demands authority to anyone who gazes upon it.

Vergil steps through the portal and allows it to close behind him. “Seems like Beelzebub is right at home.” He says to no one in particular.

Lucifer pokes her head out from the RV door. “This is bullshit! Where is the hellfire!”

Vergil addresses Lucifer’s question. “A strong enough being in Hell can command this warped plain into whatever they please. Your friend seems to like tacky castles in the middle of nowhere.”

Helltaker pokes his head above Lucifer’s. “Reminds me of the Abyss. Hope there are no tentacles…”

Nico yells from inside the RV. “Get in here it's faster to drive!”

Reluctantly Vergil agrees. “Very well.”

Before he could enter Nico demands one more thing. “Please wipe your feet, you're covered in blood.”

Vergil looks down for a second to see his boots and pants absolutely drenched in blood. He scowls for a second. A great amount of demonic energy bursts from Vergil, He transforms, a humanoid dragon takes his place. His sapphire scales replace all of Vergil's human form, each one mounting each other off of him in a uniform manner forming a layered armor like appearance. His tail is long and slender, ending in a barbed tip. Blue energy radiates from his arm mounted blades and hollowed horns, the flames giving off an unrelenting stream of demonic energy. A blue glow surrounds his form. He truly was more demon than man.

Vergil then transitions back into his human form. All blood located on his person vanished in an instant. He steps back into the RV, Lucifer and Helltaker share the same shocked expression.

Vergil can’t help but smirk and think to himself “Behold! true power!”

As the RV takes off towards the castle Lucifer begins to doubt herself. She had been assisting Loremaster for so long after her takeover she lost any power she once had. Granted it was never enough to beat back Beelzebub but still. Vergil's show of his own power ment that Lucifer either had to change or suffer at the hands of Beelzebub.

They pull up to the front gate, surrounded by a moat they needed the drawbridge to drop to let the RV in. before anyone could ask the all important question the bridge drops. A massive three headed dog reveals itself chained into the walls of the bridge.

“WHO DARES TRY TO ENTER HER THRONE!” The frozen beast demands. Its stance changed from laying down to aggressive, truly a guard dog of Beelzebub’s domain. Thick Ice chunks stuck against the sides of the bridge signifying his presence and power. “I WILL STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS MORTALS DO NOT SEEK CONFLICT WITH ME, OTHERWISE YOUR LIFE WILL END HERE!”

Nero smirked, hopping out of the RV sword in hand, spinning it around and planting it directly into the dirt in front of Cerberus. “Wanna bet? You’re probably all bark no bite.” He revs the sword, its flames bursting from the exhaust.

Everyone in the RV observes the oncoming fight. Cerberus roars, Nero draws his sword from the ground, The two start the fight. Nero throws his right arm onto his belt connecting his arm to the devil breaker by the name of Overture.

Nico turns to Helltaker and Lucifer while the battle rages on. “Yeah he's a real pro at smackin' demons around. That's why I built him that well-functioning arm... to kick demon ass.” Nero finds his way into one of the three heads of Cerberus’ mouth, holding it open and sending a few rounds from his revolver into his mouth. “His demon daddy tore off his old one and this new prosthetic comes with a shocking advantage.” Nero ran around Cerberus and before he turned around, jumped on his back and sent a burst of electricity directly on the swell of his back. “Another fun thing is that I was able to make more types of armaments.” Nero dodged many shots of icicles coming from the mouth of the beast and jammed his arm into the mouth of one of them and kicked off the beast and loaded another arm. “The best part is one of the arms-”

He charged up his other arm and unleashed its power slowing time at the cost of breaking his newly equipped devil breaker. Time stood still for everyone but Nero. Turning his head to the RV, noticing Nico explaining things to everyone else and letting out a sigh while loading Tomboy onto his arm. Jamming an air guitar he activates his devil arm, it surrounds his revolver and points it at the frozen Cerberus. A reticle made of holograms appears as it charges. With the charging of the pistol, time slowly ticks on. More layers of rings appear until finally the shot is charged, time resumes.

“-named Ragtime, it literally stops time around him.” *BOOM* A railgun like shot fires out from Nero sending dust and debris out from the path of the shot, striking the roaring Cerberus’ newly placed ticking time bomb. The blast blows out all but one of Cerberus’ heads. Cerberus tips over weakened and defeated. “But Nero grew his arm back eventually.” Nico looks back at the battlefield noticing the fallen guard dog. “Wait, what happened?”

Cerberus attempts to stand only to drop back to the ground. “I acknowledge your ability, take my soul and go forth you have my blessing.” With that Cerberus’ body transformed with a burst of light, it floats towards Nero, turning into a tripartite nunchaku when he takes it.

“Alright.” Nero puts the weapon behind him into the waistband of his pants. “Gates open! Com'on in!” He yells while waving Nico forward.

Nico rolls her eyes while putting the pedal to the metal launching the car forward. Nero looks at the vehicle rocketing towards him, He sidesteps the vehicle grabbing the mirror and launching himself into the passenger seat through the rolled down window. Nero looks at Nico with a look that says Really? only to have Nico step on the breaks at a massive pair of crimson double doors sending Nero forward, smacking his head against the windshield. The occupants hold on to dear life in the back while Nico laughs with a cigarette in her mouth.

“Got a light?” Nico asks Nero who is rubbing his injured head. “Shoulda worn a seatbelt.”

“Nico, watch how you drive.” He reluctantly grabs a lighter and lights the cig in Nico’s mouth. “Beelzebub must be a fan of excessiveness to have doors this large.”

Lucifer pokes her head from behind the duo. “Yes unfortunately she has a flair for the dramatic.” The doors open as if to welcome them. “And there it is.”

A lone man could be seen sitting on a throne in the middle of the grand entrance. He lazily sits in his chair and lets out a yawn Lucifer shivers in his presence. Nero and Vergil exit the vehicle ready to fight and approach the lone man. He notices them approaching and gets a little bit excited.

“Brother! Nephew! How ya doin!?” He takes his arms out from behind his head and extends them outwards inviting them in. “Hey the boss lady said everyone else can continue forward, don’t keep her waiting.” Nero turns back to Nico and nods his head signaling for her to go forward with Helltaker and Lucifer. “Oh yah, almost forgot, Lucifer is it? Beelzebub says she is looking forward to seeing you again.” Lucifer scowls at the man and Nico takes off leaving the heartwarming family reunion.

Dante shifts from his position, slapping his knees and standing up. His throne shattering behind him into large chunks onto the ground. Dante’s hair is a similar white to his brother although it's at the mercy of gravity and a face with a scruffy beard. His red jacket faded due to age, wrapping around his arms to the elbows, and a bronze belt buckle makes itself known contrasting to the dark shirt and pants he wears. The brown boots are well worn with leather straps of questionable use. He gives off a cocky smirk to his relatives.

“Well this is a twist. Normally it’s me on the side of justice. So bro you think you and Nero can take care of this little problem we have?” Dante looks reluctant to spar with his brother for once.

“All you have to do is not fight, what gives?” Asks Nero.

“Unfortunately little Nero, it seems I'm having a Mallet islands type of issue. Honestly it’s a pain in the neck.” Dante shakes his head.

Vergil’s expression turns sour. “I know what must be done. Nero, prepare yourself.” Vergil pulls his sword out, sheath in the off hand.

“Fine by me. Dante, I'm going to kick your ass!” Nero pulls out his sword, sticks it into the ground and revs it up, igniting the blade.

“This party’s getting crazy!” Dante’s sword appears from thin air into his hand, its large and menacing form carries a hardened lava like appearance along the blade ending at the hilt with talons acting as a hand guard, the pommel cradles a red gem.

Dante starts off lunging his body forward towards Nero, his sword ready to skewer his nephew. Nero expertly dodges to Dante’s left and swiftly sends him upwards with an upswing from his sword slamming the blade hard into the ground behind him. Vergil sees the opportunity and stabs Dante with a summoned sword, its blue form sticking into his side. Teleporting to Dante and giving him a slash across his chest, sending him skittering across the ground hitting the base of the throne.

Dante gets up slowly and dusts himself off. “Ya know, getting your ass kicked and not being able to groove like I want to is a pain in the ass.”

Vergil smirks. “I can tell, has resting made you rusty?”

Dante pulls out his pistol Ivory and starts to shoot shots off with one hand. The barrage of bullets making their way towards Nero, prompting Vergil to rush to Nero’s front and start deflecting with his sword.

“Hey! What's the big idea? I can easily avoid those shots!” Nero complains as Vergil continues to deflect the shots.

“I am aware. But now would be the opportunity to make a move.” Vergil continues to deflect the shots.

Nero mumbles under his breath and breaks off his devil breaker, loading a new one. A strange devil arm is equipped, its fingers soft and rubberlike. It starts pumping up and down. “NICO!” Nero with a slight blush on his face yells as he breaks it off and equips Helter Skelter. “Vergil, get ready to move!”

“Understood.”

On cue Nero yells behind Vergil signaling its time. “HELTER SKELTER!” a typhoon from behind Vergil forms. Vergil steps out of the way, the bullets deflecting off the torrent of blades heading towards Dante.

Before Nero could reach Dante an explosion rocked the room. A crimson whirlwind challenged the typhoon relentlessly in its pursuit. Unfortunately Nero’s artificial arm couldn't keep up with the sin stinger and was shredded to pieces sending him flying backwards. Vergil managed to catch his son in the arms of Doppelganger while he kept his eyes on Dante who had finally stopped his assault.

“Dammit.” The demonic creature said in its metallic voice. Dante’s new form is covered in black scales giving way to spikes of metal and solid chunks of demonic stone accented with what could be seen as pure lava. His horns jut out from the back of his head sticking out next to the side of his face and out of his forehead almost twisting up to a fine point. His four wings stretch out and flap for a second before closing around him.

Multiple fireballs aim for father and son. Vergil quickly retaliates by transforming into his own demonic form and begins slashing at the flames, his doppelganger places Nero down giving him a head pat and copying Vergil’s moves covering for Nero.

“Any plans, Vergil?” Nero says while he loads Punchline onto his right arm.

“I may have one. But I’ll need you to hold him down.” Vergil’s tone reflects his focus, cold and calculating. “Ground him and hold his wings.”

“What are you going to do?” Nero asks curiously.

“Something that I have only done once before.” Vergil gets out a smirk before Dante ceases firing.

The now trio began their assault. Vergil and his doppelganger teleport towards Dante and attack while Nero closes the distance. The duo weave through Dante’s slashes Vergil launching summoned swords only to be blocked by Dante’s own crimson blades. Any ranged move was expertly blocked by Doppelganger while Vergil and Dante trade blows, each one giving off intense demonic bursts of energy. Nero rushes and makes his way behind Dante, his arm sparks. With a great leap Nero aligns himself behind Dante, balling his robotic fist in his other hand.

“I'm goin' FULL OUT!” Nero’s Punchline ignites, launching his arm towards the back of Dante’s head slamming him on the ground and exploding shortly afterwards. Nero lands behind Dante and grabs him by the wings, two his human arms and two his own spectral wings forcing Dante upright and struggling to grab Nero behind him. “VERGIL NOW!”

Doppelganger rushes to the front of Dante and holds his arms out. Dante lets out a roar full of anger grabbing the doppelganger by the forearms and digging into it, its form nearly fading. Vergil rushes up behind the doppelganger and with one thrust forces the blade into Doppelganger’s back and into the center of Dante’s chest.

Dante returns back to his usual human-like self, a screeching can be heard coming out of the back of Dante’s neck. Vergil retracts his blade and catches the exhausted Dante while Nero gets a good look at Dante’s new third eye forcing its way out of the back of his neck.

“Shit! It’s lookin right at me!” Nero steps back but the Eye starts to wiggle out of Dante’s neck and hops out of him. “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!” Nero quickly and efficiently slashes it out of the air with Red Queen and performs a max act off of it, the blade now running at full throttle while the eye is now bisected and flopped onto the ground lifeless. “It came right at me!”

Dante carefully stands on his own two feet rubbing the back of his neck while Vergil dusts him off. “Thanks for that. Now that’s done we need to get with the group.”

Vergil remains silent looking at his brother, Nero however asks a question. “What was that thing?”

Dante turns towards his nephew “That my dear Nero was a parasite controlling me that queenie wannabe stuck it in there after she nearly beat the life outta me. Now then let's go kick her ass! It’s time for a little payback.” Dante kept up with his usual chipper tone.

Vergil grabbed Dante’s shoulder. “Wait.”

Dante turned around seeing Vergil’s eyebrows gently scrunched. “Vergil. I'm alright. Thank you for saving me.”

Vergil slowly dropped his hand and gave a slight smile. “Foolishness Dante. Foolishness.”

Nero gave a smile of his own, happy that the brothers reunited. “Alright let's bag this bitch.”

Nero, Dante, and Vergil take off sprinting down the hall past the grand room; the room is lined with boulders pushed aside by an unknown force. It probably prevented the RV from moving forwards until someone moved it. Perhaps Lucifer? There are marks in the rocks that indicate someone with massive shoes had kicked them. What was Lucifer’s shoe size? Regardless, the group head on. Eventually they arrive at a grand archway leading to a sizable pair of double doors, Nico was parked outside reading a magazine.

Nero was the first to ask. “What the hell is going on in there?”

Nico shrugs her shoulders and turns a page in her magazine, turning it sideways and whistles at the image. “Nice.”

Nero shakes his head and pushes onwards towards the door with Vergil and Dante in tow. He kicks the door open finding bullets coming towards him, he quickly dodges to the right hiding behind one of the many fire columns next to Lucifer attempting to load another round into her grenade launcher. Helltaker crouching behind the fire column on the opposite side, carefully observing the situation. At the end of the room a large desk was overturned and a puddle of blood forming underneath the left side. Dante and Vergil stride into the room.

Dante begins his stick. “Well, well, well. What do we have here? Little Queenie decided to board herself behind her throne, where is all that pizazz from earlier?”

Said Queenie shot up from behind her desk with a wicked smile. “I'll have you know I am in full control of the situation.” She snaps her fingers.

Jess pops up from behind the desk spraying her rifle with her left arm. Vergil blocks any shots heading his way while Dante stands with a smug expression as no shots come close to him. Vergil takes particular notice of Jess, as she drops back behind the desk to reload.

Vergil glares at the desk walking forwards. “I need answers, demon. What is Jess doing here?”

Beelzebub lets out a great laugh. “She is a traitor you know. I did get a little worried when Lucifer told her to leave the garage but she got to me just fine, thanks to the shard of the Yamato.”

Jess pops up again sending out another barrage of bullets, Vergil calmly blocks each shot glaring at the gloating Beelzebub. “Very well then child prepare yourself.”

***

A few hours earlier Jess awoke stretching her arms in bed and letting out a big yawn. Her arms lazily rest above her head alone in the shared room. A knock at the door wakes her from her stupor.

“Hmm, What’s up?”

A ladies voice that is unfamiliar to Jess answers. “Breakfast is ready downstairs. Come and eat.”

Jess wonders who it is but is a bit hungry and decides to let the mystery solve itself whenever. Sitting up at the edge of her bed, she sees her clothes remain unchanged from last night, But surprisingly she feels completely clean. Sitting up she finds her hollister strapping it onto her thigh and checks her handgun, Jess made a note to get a knife later, it felt shameful to not have one. She loaded up the gun and grabbed a spare mag of hydroshock. She sat up, stretched, opened the door and made her way to the dining room.

Jess arrived noticing all the kids waiting for food. She took a seat at the end of the table and waited with the kids. A pitcher of water was seated in front of her with a spare cup, she filled it up and took a drink. Kyrie, and the two ladies from the bar make their way from the kitchen carrying platters of food. Jess started to choke on her water and tried to hide it with varying degrees of success. Jess stares wide eyed at the duo who were now assisting with giving the kids plates for their food.

The lady with the blond hair speaks up wearing a smile. “It’s rude to stare, you know.”

Jess quickly adverts her eyes. “I- uh... well… you know… the bar and all that.”

Blond haired lady pulls out the seat next to Jess and takes a seat. “Just messing with you cutie. Names Trish, nice to meet you.”

“Cutie? Nevermind, I’m Jess.” Jess gives a wave.

The other girl with the black hair pulls up a chair from in front of Jess. “I’m Lady.”

“Hi… Lady?” Jess was a little unsure about the name.

Breakfast consisted of biscuits, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. Fairly traditional, but much appreciated, the addition of jams and butter was a nice benefit. After the meal, the kids fled the table full and ready for various activities. Kyrie began cleaning up only to be stopped by Lady, Trish and Jess. Reluctantly she gave up and allowed the trio to clean up for her.

“Thank you again.” Kyrie excused herself.

The trio were silent gathering plates and used napkins. The best part about all these kids was the fact that everything served to them would be eaten readily.

Lady broke the silence. “You two take the dishes and get started on that, I will take care of the wiping down and disposables.”

“You got it!” Trish replied with a gentle smile, carrying a sizable tower of dishes.

Jess follows with a less than impressive pile of her own. Setting the dishes on the side of the sink she turns it on waiting for the water to heat up. Trish in the meantime decides to ask some questions.

“So any plans after Beelzebub is taken care of?”

Jess snapped out of watching the water. “What?!” turning her sight towards Trish.

“You know when the demon is taken care of. When this is all over.”

“I was not prepared for that.” Jess’ brow furrowed. “Sleep. Meet with Josh.”

Trish leaned against the counter top with a smile on her face. “Who is Josh? A boyfriend?”

Jess held up a halt sign with her hand. “A little gross considering he is my adoptive brother.” Jess lets out a sigh. “Just wanted to check up on him.”

“Also, sleep?” questioned Trish.

“I’m just a sleepy person.” Jess clarifies.

Trish giggled for a second and reached into a counter cabinet pulling out a can liner. “Gunna go help out with Lady, your water is hot as well.”

“Oh!” Jess plugged up the sink and let a pool of water form, then turned off the water.

Trish made her way out of the kitchen leaving Jess alone. It’s cleaning time. Jess didn't particularly like washing dishes but it is helping out and that’s not bad. After everything was clean and tidy Jess made her way to the dining room and saw Lady helping a kid with homework. Approaching the duo, Jess had to ask something.

“Hey Lady got a moment?”

“Hmm? Sure what's up?”

“In the kitchen?”

Lady sits for a second thinking of an answer. “Sure.” Sitting up the two make their way to the kitchen Jess closes the door behind her.

“Hey did you and Trish follow us here last night?”

Lady is slightly concerned. “No. Do you know who it was?”

Jess furrowed her brow. “No clue. Kinda hoping it was one of you two.”

“Don’t worry Trish and I will be able to handle whatever happens. Just try to keep an eye out and let us know whenever something happens.” Lady affirms.

“Right I’ll get some gear ready for something.”

Lady lets out a laugh. “You know you don't look very reassuring with the size and all that. Actually I could mistake you for one of the older kids here.”

Jess grips the bridge of her nose. “Right… Well, I'm going now. Have fun with whatever you were doing.”

With a smirk on her face Lady waves Jess off.

Making her way to her room Jess gently closes the door behind her and starts to check her gear. Loading spare magazines, checking gear and examining her weapons until she is satisfied. She leaves a chest rig filled with spare mags and helmet on the bed and hides her body armor under her shirt. Tucking away her AK into the bag and leaning it against the side of the bed she opens her door letting the sound of kids doing kid things in and sitting at the desk staring out the window. The next hour is pleasantly uneventful.

Jess leans back into the chair. “I should invest in a portable game console.” *BANG* *CRASH*

The sound of wood bursting and collapsing from the ceiling could be heard. Jess shot up, grabbing the back of the chair and sending it towards the floor. She reaches into her bag and pulls out her ak, unfolding the stock and pulling the bolt back to send a round into the chamber. Entering the hall the roof reveals the sky through a massive hole. A lizard-like demon smoothly makes his way to the edge of the hole looking in. As it’s opening its mouth letting out a roar Jess sends a round from her AK through its face. The creature quickly drops to the edge, its head limp.

Underneath the roof debris Kyrie is seen covering a child. “Shit! Kyrie!”

Fortunately Kyrie is able to respond, unfortunately her tone is pained. “Don’t worry. Just help me up please.”

Jess picks up some of the boards on top of Kyrie and picks her up with the kid, he starts to cry. “Kyrie, can you get to my room?”

She quickly responds. “I can, but the others in their rooms!”

“I'll get them, Kyrie, go!” She nodded quickly checking on the young boy and carefully making her way to the room Jess bunked in. More appeared from the hole, Jess had to play this carefully. Taking aim once again Jess carefully placed her shots. One, two, three, four. The horde subsided for a quick second, glass could be heard breaking in from one of the rooms. A scream announced its occupancy. She had to hurry, Jess rushed to the door, throwing it open and quickly took aim. Two more shots from her AK punched through the creature's big arm, reaching through the window causing the creature to fall back into the pavement below.

“You ok?” Jess asked quickly to the panicked Yuki, She was unresponsive, her eyes wide, pupils dilated. Jess quickly rushed to the kid picking her up and carrying her, letting her gun flop to the side. “Hey. Look at me.” Yuki cautiously breaks her sight trying to say anything. “You're fine, I got you.” Jess gently picks up the child leaning her against Jess’ body holding her up with one arm allowing for her right hand to wield her pistol. Reluctant to pull the trigger from the noise, but that would need to be sacrificed for safety.

A couple kids cautiously open their doors. Jess points to her room with her gun. “Kids go to the room at the end! Kyrie is in there!” While they rush to the room a demon leaps from the hole blocking some of the kids, Jess shoots instantly. The shot leaves a crimson trail sending the shot directly into the center of the creature. A hole shows itself in the center of the lizard. Jess stops for a second eying the pistol before leading whatever kids are in the hall to her room. “Kyrie, is this all who were up here?” Jess sets the girl down next to Kyrie.

Kyrie takes a look around at the kids taking mental note of the amount and quickly doing the math in her head. “Yes! Downstairs Trish and Lady should be taking care of everyone else!”

Jess quickly puts her helmet on, securing it and her chest rig and lets out some breath that was held. “Ok, I'll keep everyone safe. Please stay here.” the sound of wood submitting to the force of the demons is heard. Jess pulls up her AK and examines the side of the magazine. Twelve bullets left, the mag would need to be changed soon. She pokes her head out the door. Three more demons, Jess took her shots, one down two stunned for a moment. Jess swapped to her pistol, placing shots on the two remaining demons. Two more holes. Brutally efficient.

The roof suddenly thunders from the amount of demons crawling all over it. Jess grabs a spare pistol mag readying it to be loaded into the gun at a moment's notice. Three drop from the roof, three more dead. Jess ejects the empty mag and loads a new one. Even more pour from the hole before Jess can let out a shot her body stiffens. The demons approach Jess and wait as if she is going to give orders. Much to her surprise she does.

“Come along, we have some work to do!~” Jess raises her left hand and spins her finger around. She makes her way to the room at the end demons in tow. “Miss Kyrie, I’m going to need you to come with me.” A blue portal opens from behind Jess. “Apologies for the injuries. If you come with me I assure you everyone here will be safe.”

Kyrie holds tight to one of the crying kids. “You’re not Jess are you?” Her glare penetrates Jess.

“Oh? Seems like you found out far too early. Oh well.” Jess pointed the handgun at Kyrie. “Come with me please.”

“You won’t hurt anyone right?” Kyrie questioned.

“I actually keep my promises. Unlike Lucifer.” she brags.

Kyrie takes a moment to think. “Very well.” Kyrie stands up only to be stopped by Yuki who is still shaking a bit.

“NO!” Yuki says, staring at Jess with eyes full of fear and contempt.

“I lost my patience. Oh well.” Jess pointed the gun at the child and began to pull the trigger.

A shot rang out, a burst of pure energy shot between the demons strike Jess in her gut. Jess’ shot was interrupted, breaking through the window missing everyone.

The demons in the room dropped to the ground for a second, revealing Alchemist standing alone with a wicked smile. “Pet. You seem to be doing something wrong here. Mind if I correct your actions?” Alchemist approaches Jess, executing the demons that are prone with a shot from her gunblades. Some of the demons start to regain their power, and rush towards Alchemist while Jess abandoned the mission and walked into the portal disappointed at the interruption.

The room could only be described as fit for the queen of hell. Red rock formed into a grand hall, lined with columns with flames. Beelzebub herself elbows on her desk leaning on her cupped hands looking at Jess with a smile on her throne. Jess regained control of her head and voice shortly after the portal closed behind her. Her expression contorted to one of pain.

“Did not expect that to happen. Apologies.” Beelzebub sat straight in her chair, her smile still on her face. “Do you need anything?”

“Guhhhhhhhh!” Jess lets out.

“Why don’t we start out with a chair?” Beelzebub snaps her fingers and a chair appears. Jess falls back into it. “You appear to be out of it? Do you need anything? Water? Bandages?”

“Fuck you.” Jess gets out through gritted teeth.

“That can be arranged. But not right now, for now I need to know something. Before we were rudely interrupted by Lucifer, I offered a proposition. Unfortunately you were rather out of it at the time so I'm here to extend my offer one more time. Come with me, and I’ll see to it that you get a nice comfortable room, all the amenities and I will get your blood for more portals. Take your time, ask any questions. I'll be right here.”

Jess laid back her head trying to form a thought. “Why are you doing this?”

Beelzebub’s smile turned into a deep scowl. “Do you know God? That prick left us all down there to suffer. Sending Lucifer down there all because she questioned what she was doing. She thinks that she can get away with everything. The worst part? All contact was cut between Hell and Heaven. Torture for the sake of torture. Any souls getting redeemed? No. So that is where I come in. I take over Heaven and change things for the better.”

Jess sat for a second. “Take over Heaven? How?”

Beelzebub’s smile returned once more, it’s hypnotizing how attractive it is. “The multiverse is a big place, a lot of powerful things that can be harvested from those realms. People, weapons, tools, far too many things to keep track of, and your blood is the key to these places. Heaven is as physical a place as Hell. You should join me and make everything better for everyone. After all you are just another victim of God’s negligence.”

“Geh. Ok. I get it.” Jess took a deep breath, and sat up. “But there is one thing. You tried to get me to shoot a kid just now.”

Beelzebub slammed her fist down causing her desk to crack. “AS IF THAT IS EVEN COMPARABLE TO WHAT GOD HAS DONE!”

Jess swiftly pointed her gun at Beelzebub. She tried to put pressure on the trigger. But she couldn't, much to her frustration. Taking a life was not something she could do.

Beelzebub looked at Jess, her eyes widened and a laugh spilled out. “You can’t even pull the trigger! HAHAHAHAHA!” She holds in her laughter wiping her tears away. “You have more control than God at least.”

Jess’ body moves to the whims of Beelzebub holstering her sidearm while she whines out a “Fuck.”

“I’ll take that as your answer. Come and stand next to me. We have guests coming soon… Is there any way you can stop that bleeding? Don’t want it getting everywhere.” Beelzebub mumbles to herself. “Strange that that is still happening.”

Jess stands next to Beelzebubs throne, pain unrelenting. Helltaker and Lucifer make their way through the doors at the end of the throne room. Helltaker wore his usual stoic expression with a smile and Lucifer scowled at the sight.

“BEELZEBUB! WE ARE SENDING YOU BACK INTO THE ABYSS!” Lucifer declares.

Beelzebub snaps her finger, Jess points her pistol forward aiming at Lucifer and Helltaker, the duo stop in their tracks.

Lucifer rolls her eyes. “Called it. You will NEVER get home following her. You know that don’t you?”

Jess spat back. “As if you would let go back home anyway, you would take any opportunity to kill off Loremaster and take your throne back no matter how many backs you had to stab. Snake.”

Helltaker stops this line of conversation as soon as he can. “Beel. Let's stop this. Please.”

Beelzebub looked at her lover, examining every little bit of him. His slicked back hair. His wonderful muscles that tighten around you with every hug. The way he does that thing with his tongue. It sent shivers down her spine, and filled her head with sweet memories that had to be ignored for now. “I’m sorry. This needs to happen. It’s very tempting to stop everytime I see you. But! Did you enjoy the puzzle to get here?”

Helltaker gives a big smile. “Yes actually! It was a lot of fun! Ow!” Lucifer smacked his arm.

Lucifer stomped her heel. “BEEL! I AM THE RIGHTFUL QUEEN OF HELL! YOU WILL BOW TO MY POWER!”

Beelzebub snapped her fingers, Jess pulled the trigger. *BANG* The gun blows up with Jess’ right arm, vanishing before everyone's eyes. Lucifer pulled out the grenade launcher and fired her round at the stunned Jess. Beelzebub throws the table in front of her and pulls Jess behind the makeshift barrier. The projectile explodes just short of the table, fortunately for Beelzebub the table holds. Jess’ body quickly moves holding her AK with her left hand instead. The piece of steel shakes wildly in her hand while firing as brass strikes her face. Fortunately, Helltaker and Lucifer dive out of the way. The gun runs empty and Jess returns back into cover.

Jess’ body begins to shake, blood pouring out what remains of her arm. “It hurts…” despite the pain Jess is forced to reload her gun and prepare for another volley. Beelzebub is talking to someone. Probably gloating again. Jess’ vision starts to blur, her body moves. Jess peeks out, a blue blur is approaching. She fires at it. Sparks deflect off the body. She hears a familiar voice.

“Very well then child prepare yourself.”

“Oh fuck.”

The fight was over in a split second. Vergil slices Jess’ gun right down the middle. The bullets in the mag spill out, and the gun is dropped breaking into many pieces. Vergil moving at inhuman speeds sheaths his sword and jabs Jess in the chest with his covered blade, sending her back towards Beelzebub. Beelzebub doesn't even bother catching Jess, choosing to dodge out of the way with a simple step.

Beelzebub gives a wicked smile, purple toxin drips from her mouth. “I’m not going to lie, I am VERY EXCITED to fight.”

Vergil walked towards Beelzebub, sword in sheath in his off hand. Within a split second Vergil began slashing at Beelzebub; she expertly avoided each attempt. Vergil summons Doppelganger, the two slowly circle the lone fly. She looks at one then the other with a smile inviting the two to bring it. They oblige. Dashing at her they unsheath their swords aiming at the fly only to strike each other in the middle. Beelzebub leaped in the air landing on the intersecting blades, her arms outstretched.

“You know, I think Justice put up more of a fight than you.” Beelzebub jumps away from the blades before Vergil and Doppelganger sheath the blades.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to talk about your previous partners.” Vergil’s doppelganger vanishes.

Dante strides up shaking his head, hands on his waist. “C’mon Verg are you playing with yourself again?”

Beelzebub adds in. “Oh a surprise threesome! How wonderful. I don’t particularly think adding in another guest is in good taste however. Wouldn't you rather have a more personal experience?”

Dante lets out a laugh. “Sorry babe, I don’t want a repeat of the parasite fratricide anytime soon. How about you just surrender?”

Beelzebub responded by punching him right in the face, launching him into the wall. She blows on her hand as if to cool it off. “I assume you recall that one.”

Vergil lets out a slight chuckle. “I'll take that as your answer.”

Beelzebub changes her target. Vergil quickly unsheathed his sword, slicing across to counter the charging Beelzebub. Beelzebub grabbed the blade with her hand slamming her foot down breaking the ground beneath her, lifting up the ground momentarily, Vergil remained anchored to the plateau. Dante wanted in on this.

Dante yelled out. “Heeeeya!” He lunges forward, Devil Sword Dante aiming to skewer the fly.

Beelzebub stops her punch favoring grabbing Dante’s sword by the tip. Now wedged between the two of them Beelzebub began to feel the stress of taking them both on. She took a Jess-like tone. “Two against little ol me, how rude.” Vergil, caught off guard, gives Beelzebub a moment to fully grab his sword and slams Vergil into his brother.

“Vergil what the hell?” Dante questions shuffling to get up.

Vergil now on one knee stares down the fly. “What is the meaning of this?”

Beelzebub smirks. “Oh please, I built the girl practically by myself, the only thing original about her is the brain. Keep in mind, she asked for it. Granted she only looks and sounds like me to get under Lucifer’s skin.”

While Beelzebub was giving an explanation Lucifer herself tapped Nero on his shoulder. “Boy, I need you to toss me.”

“What?” Nero asks.

“Use those arms of yours to throw me. Now.” Demanded Lucifer.

Nero rolls his eyes, he knelt down cupping his hands flat on the ground. Lucifer stepping on his hands hastily earns a glare from Nero. Helltaker looked slightly worried but Lucifer's glare remained on her target. Nero throws Lucifer with great strength at The Fly. Lucifer traveled far and fast leading with a kick. Beelzebub catches the devil by the ankle, looking her dead in the eye with a wicked smile. Lucifer shivers. Beelzebub lobed Lucifer into Dante and Vergil.

Beelzebub looked at the trio sighing at their attempt. “It’s a shame, if only Dante over there went along with me.” Beelzebub took a step forward, outstretching her hands. “MY DREAM WILL BE ACHI-”

Nero rushed in swiping at her with his sword as flames burst from the blade with its swing. Beelzebub catches yet another blade, its bite leaves a trail of blood trailing down the edge.

“So you want to try to best me?” Taunts Beelzebub.

“YOU BET!” Nero’s arm bursts open, sending bits of metal everywhere, the blast freeing Nero from Beelzebub’s grasp while stunning the demon. Nero shifts to his left, equipping a new devil breaker “Gerbera!” Nero shoves Beelzebub’s face full of his devil breaker, sending a shockwave out, pushing Beelzebub back on to the ground. Nero readies his sword, kicking himself forward spinning wildly, flames dancing and trailing his sword’s path. With each rotation of his attack he announces its oncoming rage. “ONE. TWO. GOODBY-!” Nero struggles to hold his sword back, stopping just short of Jess’ neck.

Jess, held up by Beelzebub by her shirt, pleaded with Nero. “Please. Don’t.” Fortunately for Jess, Nero couldn’t.

“Shit!” Nero clenched his teeth glaring at the Fly.

“Aw, but did she not deserve something like this for hurting Kyrie.” Taunts Beelzebub.

“WHAT!”

Beelzebub taking advantage of the stunned Nero, effortlessly tossed Jess at him prompting Nero to bat Jess away giving Beelzebub some time to gain a bit of distance. Lucifer once again interrupts by sending a punch towards Beelzebubs face. Beelzebub catches her fist. Giving a smirk and using Lucifer's momentum she carries over herself and slams Lucifer into the ground. Lucifer looks on in disbelief as Beelzebub punches her head into the ground breaking the floor below her. Beelzebubs smiles wickedly.

Nero leaps in once again slamming his sword down on top of the Fly from above. Beelzebub, distracted from her moment of glory, takes a hit, the blade cutting through her suit leaving a gash in her right shoulder. Beelzebub ignores any pain, jabbing into Nero’s chest, launching him back against the wall. Beelzebub adjusts her suit and strides towards Jess’ body. Lucifer is left groaning as Beelzebub picks up Jess’ body dragging her away. A portal opens in front of Beelzebub. Similar to Jess’ very own. But before she steps into it, Helltaker rushes up stopping just behind her and gently places his hand on Beelzebub’s shoulder.

“Beel! Wait!” The Fly stops dead in her tracks. “Let's talk about this. I don’t want you to go. Please.” Helltaker pleads.

The Fly glances at The Helltaker, her eyes filled with regret. Beelzebub whispers. “I can’t.” Pushing Helltaker’s hand gently off her shoulder shoving him across the room as carefully as she could. Beelzebub enters the portal, Jess’ body is half way through when Vergil executes his move.

Vergil launches a summoned sword at Jess’ leg, teleporting to the limp limb. Vergil estimates where Beelzebub’s arm is and slashes with his sword through the portal. The grip on Jess' body goes slack as Vergil pulls the rest of Jess out. The portal closes and the room falls silent.

Chapter Text

“Hahahaha.” Dante laughs while lying on his back. “Vergil! Never thought you had it in ya to do something so devious.”

Vergil lets out a deep sigh, shaking his head while sitting on the ground. Jess’ body lay motionless beside him.

Lucifer groggily sat up, the right side of her face leaking blood from her closed eye as it began to swell. “Where is that girl?!”

Helltaker rushed to Lucifer’s side. “She’s here. Not doing too good right now, but shes here” Helltaker holds and steadies Lucifer.

“Good, I need answers.” Lucifer lets Helltaker hold her as she leans into him.

“Nero, are you ok?” asks Vergil.

“I’ve been through worse.” Nero walks towards the unconscious Jess stopping for a second noticing she is not breathing. “SHIT. Hey! She’s dying!” Nero gets on his knees and starts to check for a pulse that is not there. “I'm gonna start trying to resuscitate her!” Before Nero could start trying to get Jess to breathe Lucifer cut in.

“Don’t bother. She’ll be fine. Unfortunately.”

“What!?” Nero disregards Lucifer's advice, doing his best to kickstart Jess’ heart. "I thought you were friends?”

Lucifer was aggravated at his pointless attempt. “HA! Please. She is just a tool. A bad one unfortunately.”

Helltaker can't help but dislike what she said. “Lucy…”

Dante sits up pulling off his belt. “Well I wanna stop that bleeding. It’s a pain to get out of clothes.” Wrapping the belt around Jess’ freshly lost arm and tightening it in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Lucifer rubs her temples. “Oh for the love of- THE GIRL CAN’T DIE. Just grab her and let’s get out of here.”

The descendants of Sparta looked at Lucifer like she was an alien. Immortality was something only a foolish being would seek.

Vergil glared at Lucifer. “Explain.”

Lucifer answered sharply. “Later.”

Nero picks up the unconscious Jess quickly making his way to Nico’s van. Helltaker follows closely behind with Lucifer in tow. Dante and Vergil remain behind eyeing each other. Dante replies with a smirk, revving an invisible motorcycle.

Vergil smirks. “I'll humor you just this once.”

Dante pumps his arm as motorcycle appears beside him. Massive and heavy blades stick out from the front, willing to penetrate any that get in its way. Dante lifts his leg over the massive silver bike and takes a seat. “Whenever you're ready!”

Vergil calmly observes the surrounding spotting Jess’ gun that he chopped in half. He picks up the remains and stashes the parts in his coat.

“Hey Vergil, that rifle is kinda busted. Don’t think that one will be good for a beginner to be honest.”

Vergil looks at Dante with a neutral expression. “I know what it means to be without your weapon.” Vergil hops on the back of the bike as Dante looks back with a smile at Vergil. “What are you-” Dante rockets forward with a laugh, Vergil looking unamused glaring at his brother.

The RV is quickly reached at the bridge, Dante, wearing a pair of goggles, rides beside the RV and waves at Nico. Nico gets a bit excited and waves back. “Where we goin!?” yells Dante. Nico puts her hand up to her ear. “WHERE ARE WE-” Dante is interrupted by Vergil leaping off the bike and on top of the RV. “NOW I GET IT!” Dante pulled the bike behind the RV.

Vergil pulls out the Yamato preparing to unsheathe it for a fraction of a second. The RV under him and the motorcycle behind it kick up dust on the flat plains behind them. Quickly he slices a rift between worlds. The RV rockets through followed by Dante on his bike.

In the human world a small rabbit is enjoying itself munching on grass. Another rabbit hops up sniffing its new friend. The two rabbits rub on each other, snuggling up under the sun, the gentle breeze carrying cool air past their fur. The massive hole in the ground gives off a gentle blue glow, the rabbits not noticing the change until it was too late. A massive steel creature breached from the hole followed by what could only be its child. The bunnies are stunned in fear as it lands on top of them.

The RV door is kicked open by Nero, a couple of rabbits rush out from underneath the RV into the grassy field beyond Nero’s sight. Dante hops off of the bike as it dissipates into the air. Vergil steps off the RV and waits for what to do next.

“Hey I need to hurry up and check on Kyrie and the kids! I need a portal!” Nero demands.

Vergil wordlessly nods and quickly makes one more portal. He would need a break after this one. Opening not one but two portals between Hell and the Human world took a bit out of him. Nero returns the nod as he runs through the portal, it closes quickly behind him. Vergil stares at the empty space that was once an opened gash before Dante pats his shoulder.

“C'mon bro we got other things to attend to.”

The duo walk into the van watching Nico and Helltaker tend to Jess’ wounds.

“This ain’t good! Her pulse is fadin!” Nico panics a bit, while wrapping up a hole in Jess’ leg.

Helltaker tries his best to assure Nico of Jess’ safety. “She’ll be fine. Just cover the wounds and stop the bleeding.”

“Sure would be great if she wasn't a fountain of this stuff!” Nico complains.

Lucifer watches on, laying her head on the table while Dante picks up Jess’ body over his shoulder and walks out the RV.

“HEY WE ARE WORKING ON HER!” Nico yells.

“Don’t worry about it, she will be fine. I think.” Dante says as he carries Jess’ body out of the RV and gently rolls her on the grass. “That’ll keep blood outta that RV of yours. Besides, that blood smell will take weeks to get out of that couch.”

Nico follows Dante, pulls a wrench out of her tool belt and winds up only to be stopped by Helltaker grabbing her arm. “Hey! She’s gonna die if we move her! Why are you-?!”

Helltaker shakes his head for a second. “Jess is immortal.”

Nico stopped for a second. Processing the information before calmly withdrawing her weapon back into her belt. Vergil, Dante, Helltaker and Nico look at the beaten body. Thankfully Jess was unconscious.

Jess awoke half a day later, her body unmoving as her eyes opened carefully. She looked around the dimly lit room, not able to find much, before attempting to sit up only to be stopped by Vergil.

“Don’t try it.” Vergil demands while sitting on a wooden chair next to the red couch.

Jess stared at Vergil for a moment before silently disobeying his order by sitting up and leaning into the couch’s back. Jess silently observed the room. A decorated carpet underneath a wooden desk in the center of the room. The wooden planks on the floor look as if they creek with every step. To the right of Jess next to the red couch is a small white fridge behind an old Jukebox that quietly plays music. The song is unknown but the calm rift that played is fit for a bar. Speaking of a bar, right behind the fridge is a small wooden bar stocked with all sorts of alcohol. A stairway on the opposite side of the store leads to a balcony inside of the store. The stairway also hides speakers of various sizes underneath.

“Can you get me some wine?” requests Jess.

Vergil raises an eyebrow at the request but sits up making his way to the small bar grabbing a wine glass and filling it up with the liquor. Despite her shakiness she accepts the drink into her left hand and inhales as much as she could before resting the cup beside her. Jess lifts up her right arm, a wound that is no longer bleeding and a smooth stump stopping just beyond the elbow. She drops her broken arm to her side and goes for another drink. Vergil watches carefully from his seat.

“I have recovered your weapon.”

Jess finishes her sip. “Thank you.” she says, staring at the glass while swirling it.

Vergil examines Jess’ expression, it was completely neutral. “Dante told me it’s called an SMG.” Vergil lied.

Jess took a moment to think about this while squinting her eyes. “I…” Pausing for a moment Jess wonders how to respond. “I can't think too well right now.”

“Then you should rest.” Vergil suggested.

“I don’t want to right now, but thanks for the offer.” Jess responded.

Vergil reaches into his coat ready to pull out the Yamato. “You are not-” *SLAM*

Dante munches on a mouthful of strawberry sundae while holding a full cup of it. “-llin you this place has the best pizza!”

Helltaker carries several boxes of pizza and pokes his head behind the stack. “I dunno. It's kinda hard to top Hellepizza. Although it has been a while since I had some. Lucy, is it still open?”

Lucifer, covering her face with a half melted ice pack answered. “Believe it or not, after several world wars, it still stands.”

Trish and Lady stride in. Trish hands Lady a 50, Lady decides to gloat with a smirk on her face stretching out the bill. “Told you he would eat the sundae first.”

Trish could only roll her eyes with a smile.

Helltaker sat the pizzas down on the desk and began searching for his pie.

Dante swallowed another bite, sitting next to Jess while crossing his legs. “Wow, already awake and drinkin some of the good stuff! How about you try some of this eh?” Dante takes a spoon full of his sundae with a strawberry slice and lazily offers the spoonful to Jess.

Jess smirks a bit and takes a bite of the delicious treat. “Mmmm OH! Too good!” She takes a moment absorbing the taste before swallowing. “It’s been far too long since I have had strawberries!”

Lucifer stares at Vergil, he had chosen to stay behind and watch over the slumbering Jess and to gather information about what happened should she awake. Vergil’s own glance verified Lucifer’s concerns.

Lucifer glared at Jess and crossed her arms in annoyance. “So Beel. How did you do this?”

Jess tilted her head. “What are you talking about Lucifer?~” a smile graces her face.

“Beel.” is Lucifer's only response.

“Pfff. Ok you got me!” Beelzebub raises her stumped arm and takes a sip of her wine. “Ugh, my body is feeling stiff.”

“That is not your body.” Vergil corrects.

Beelzebub smirks. “Oh? let me correct myself. The body I control is feeling stiff.”

Vergil stands up from the chair pushing it to the ground behind him and pulls out the Yamato holding it up to the smug Beelzebub’s borrowed face.

“Now now~ She can feel everything you know~ Don’t be too rough~” Beelzebub was really getting under Vergil’s skin. “I must know how you found out it was me.”

Lucifer obliged. Snapping her fingers, a tablet appeared, Lucifer tapped away at it and pulled up a bunch of information regarding Jess.

Lucifer coughed in her hand and took a deep breath. “File is… [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] known alias: Jess, kid, kiddo. Born 1992 November 23rd. Specifically under dislikes is strawberries. Not the flavor itself. Surprisingly enough she seems quite picky about it.”

Helltaker takes a glance at his lover. “When did you get all this information? Last time I checked you and Jess couldn't stand in the same room together.”

Lucifer stares at Jess’ body possessed by Beelzebub. “Judgement sees all…”

Jess’ body collapses on the back of the couch, Dante with great speed catches the drink that was in her hand.

Jess let out with great effort. “Fuuuuuuck.”

Lucifer rolls her eyes. “Great, she's awake.”

“Youuuuuu.” The insult was directed to the general audience with great effort on Jess’ part.

Beelzebub once again took control of the body sitting up straight and holding her hand out for the wine Dante took. Only for him to have chugged the whole glass in front of her.

Dante gave Beelzebub a smile. “Sorry babe, only good little demons get a drink.”

“How about you refill that glass for me in exchange for some useful information?” Offers Beelzebub.

Helltaker speaks carefully. “Beel I don’t know what you are going through but if you come back we can figure this out together without harming anyone else. Please.”

Beelzebub looks at all of Helltaker. Her expression softens as her shoulders lax. Looking at him in the eyes fills her with sorrow that she can’t embrace all of him as she did that day. As much as she wants peace, it would have to wait. Steeling herself, Beelzebub answered her lover.

“I can’t. Not yet.”

Vergil, impatient with this lovers quarrel, interrupted the train of thought. “Divulge the information Beelzebub.”

Beelzebubs tone was once again playful. “Very well. I figured out why Jess can’t heal quickly.”

Lucifer stopped for a second curious about the answer herself. “Spit it out. Fly.”

Beelzebubs smile grew. “What are the usual types of people who make themselves immortal?”

Dante lazily lifted his hand in the air. “Oh! Oh! Egomaniacs!” Beelzebub nods.

Trish rubbed her chin. “Power hungry freaks who never run out of energy?” Beelzebub once again nods.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “We get it. Overachieving brats that think they can rule Heaven and Hell.”

Disregarding Lucifer’s response, Beelzebub answers the immortality problem. “Ding ding ding! The main issue is Jess has a certain condition that is the exact opposite of the first two answers. It’s-”

Jess' body stiffens before she supports herself holding on to the side of the seat. “Beelzebub! Don’t fucking say it!”

Beelzebub ignores Jess, regaining control of the body sitting back up with a smile. “Depression!”

Jess recedes into herself.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence before Beelzebub spoke again. “So, can I get that drink now?”

Lucifer drops her ice pack onto the ground revealing her black eye and cracks her knuckles. “I'm going to beat the shit out of you.”

Beelzebub raised her arms in the air. “But you’ll hurt Jess! Oh no!~”

Lucifer rolls up her sleeves with a dangerous look in her eyes. “Two for one special.”

Helltaker grabs Lucifer’s shoulder, dragging her from her rage. “I don’t want Jess to get hurt anymore than she already has.”

Lucifer turns towards Helltaker, staring daggers into him as she speaks through gritted teeth. “She can take it, she's a big girl after all.”

Beelzebub lets out a sigh. “You know, I still can’t believe you are being so cruel to her. She was soooooo looking forward to killing me you know. You had her go through a lot of pain. She held her gun up and was all like ”You had me almost kill a kid!” she almost shot me! But she couldn’t, truely a far greater respect for life than you.” Beelzebub snickered “Sending others to take care of your dirty laundry has been a bit of a running gag I suppose. You never had the guts to do it yourself. Reminds me of-.”

Lucifer stiffened up. “DON’T UTTER ANOTHER WORD.” the fallen queen of Hell ordered.

“Poor Justice…”

“AAAAAAAAA!”

Lucifer pushes through Helltaker’s grasp lunging out towards the smug Beelzubub occupying Jess’ body. Vergil steps in quickly snuffing out any attempt, holding the Yamato to Lucifer’s throat. The two stood still until Jess fell limp on the couch angrily sputtering out a few more words.

“Get. Her. Out.”

Vergil responded. “Very well.”

Vergil turned around facing Jess, her eyebrows furrowed in rage against Beelzebub’s grasp. Taking the Yamato, Vergil drove his blade straight through her chest. Punching his energy straight through her very person. A loud squealing could be heard from her right eye. The creature, screaming out in agony, bursted from the socket onto the floor. Vergil withdrew his blade from Jess’ body ready to stab the creature until he was stopped by Dante placing the empty wine cup over it and holding it down with his foot.

“Damn that’s ugly!” Dante says.

“Agreed.” Affirms Vergil.

Lady looks at the girl on the couch now with a fresh stab wound in her chest and spitting out blood. “Hey idiots!” Lady rushes for a medkit underneath the bar.

Vergil observes Jess. Killing was something he was used to. But this felt rather cruel to him, even if it was to Jess’ benefit. He had stabbed through the center of the chest puncturing her heart, esophagus, and spine, a sure kill. Helltaker brushed past him, picking up Jess and laid her on the ground. The look of shock on Jess’ face persisted. Lucifer stared at Jess with a look of disdain. Lady arrives with the medkit, giving it to Helltaker and swearing as she rushes to get towels. Jess falls unconscious after a moment. Stopping the bleeding and wrapping up what could be wrapped, Lady offered to carry Jess up to one of the rooms upstairs but instead Vergil silently scooped up the freshly bandaged Jess carefully and carried her to one of the rooms.

Vergil never came back down.

It was awkward after what happened. The room was quiet for a while, not even Dante spoke a word. He placed a book over the wine glass containing the parasite and grabbed some whisky along with a slice of pizza that had everything on it, unfortunately it also had black olives. Helltaker, after helping clean the blood with Lady and Trish, took a seat on the chair by the couch. Lady and Trish sat next to Dante on the freshly cleaned couch silently eating while Lucifer sat upon Helltaker’s leg leaning back into him while holding a freshly filled ice pack on her face.

A while later, Jess awoke in a dark room, the only light came from behind some curtains. A figure sitting next to her overlooked her slumber. She carefully turned her head towards the mysterious figure and noticed slicked back white hair. It was a somewhat relaxing sight, despite what that slicked back demon did to her a while ago but it was not the strangest thing to happen. Jess tried to speak only to start coughing uncontrollably, it tasted of dried blood.

“Don’t try to speak, you’ll only irritate your wounds.” responded Vergil.

Jess nodded. Her body was heavy. She gave up on moving around, choosing to focus on breathing. She was already tired and felt at her lowest, this feeling only outmatched once before. No doubt Beelzebub found her diary and now that people knew about this disease that eats you from the inside, they would inevitably think differently about her. She started to spiral down into this thought until Vergil broke her train of thought.

“Do you want something to drink? I have some water.” Vergil held a cup of said liquid out.

Jess nodded.

Despite the drink being room temperature, it felt cool going down. Jess took a moment to carefully gulp each sip, thankfully Vergil did not mind taking it slow as he helped Jess. After drinking about one third of the cup Jess shook her head and laid back onto the comforting pillow, she closed her eye.

Jess' voice cracked. “What happened afterwards?”

Vergil took a moment to respond. “A parasite was in your eye. It’s out now.”

Jess felt around for her right hand, it’s halfway up the arm. “How long has it been?”

“Ten hours.”

Her eye socket feels empty still. “Where is Helltaker and Lucifer?”

Vergil sounded a bit agitated. “Do you still plan on traveling with them?”

Jess’ stomach pain is completely gone from when she was shot by Alchemist. “I have nowhere else to go. And I still want to… well.” the pain in her chest persisted.

“You don’t have to say it.”

Jess hummed in acknowledgement.

“You can stay here if you want.” offered Vergil.

Jess opened her eye and looked at the silhouette of Vergil with a frown. He knew her answer was no. The two sat in silence for a while until Jess had fallen asleep once more, Vergil decided to exit the room for some air. As he descended the steps into the lobby Vergil noticed only Lady and Trish hanging around munching on pizza, Leftovers more than likely.

Lady gives a little wave. “Hey there Vergil, long time no see, I think. We have some pizza left.”

“Not right now. Where are the others?”

Trish finishes her bite. “Outside. Nico and Nero just got back with some albino girl.”

Vergil contemplates for a moment. “I see.” Vergil opens the front door to the shop, finding familiar faces surrounding the RV.

The RV with a neon Devil May Cry sign is parked in front of the shop. Several people are standing around it. Nero and Nico lean against the vehicle, the ladder is smoking a cigarette. Helltaker and a scowling Lucifer stand next to them conversing about one thing or another. The albino guest who had helped in killing demons stands silently with an eyepatch on her right eye, a black skin tight suit, and a white hoodie watches carefully with one yellow eye as he approaches.

Nero talking to Lucifer, Helltaker and Alchemist with tired eyes. “Again thank you for the money for the orphanage. I don’t think we could’ve repaired it or house all the kids this quickly without it.”

“You did house us and the situation was our fault to an extent. Plus I can always make more.” Lucifer explains.

Nero looks at Lucifer questioningly “This is legal right?”

Lucifer shrugs.

Nero sees his father and waves him over. “So how is Jess holding up?”

Vergil ignores Nero and approaches Lucifer and Helltaker. “Do you truly seek to stop Beelzebub?”

“Of course we need to stop her. I don't want her hurting anyone else.” Helltaker answers.

Vergil responds coldly. “She will keep on hurting those you wish to help unless she is put down. Surely you know this.”

Helltaker stiffened a bit. “We aren't killing Beelzebub, she just needs help.”

Vergil smirks. “He who loves his enemies betrays his friends.”

Helltaker’s eyebrows furrow. “Wha-”

“And besides. Your companion thinks differently. However I doubt she can be of much use.” Taunts Vergil.

Lucifer, now angry with her black eye no longer swollen, takes offense to this. “Oh you little shit.”

Vergil draws Nero’s old demonic arm from his cloak turning it into the Yamato. “I'll even let your lover make the first move. If you beat me you can even take Jess back with you.”

Lucifer is taken aback. “What use do you think you can get out of her?”

Vergil’s face blocks any attempt at reading his motives. “Having access to other worlds will surely grant me more power. Will you submit or will you fight?”

“You're on.” Replies Helltaker.

Helltaker readies his kick and launches it full force forward at Vergil. Much to everyone’s surprise it launches Vergil back a great distance, slamming him into the doors of Devil May Cry busting them down, shocking Trish and Lady.

“HEY ASSHOLE WHO’S GONNA PAY FOR THAT!” Yells Lady waving her fist with half a slice of pizza in the other.

Vergil stands and dusts himself off silently approaching Helltaker, who returns the gesture approaching Vergil with a smirk.

Vergil adjusts his collar. “You’re approaching me?”

Helltaker adjusts his sleeves. “I can’t beat the shit out of you without getting closer.”

Helltaker launches a fist at Vergil, he coolly dodges to the side stabbing him with his sheathed blade. “Too slow.” The hit causes Helltaker to stagger back a step and a crack can be heard coming from his ribcage.

Nero yells out from the background. “HEY VERGIL WHAT THE HELL!”

“Stay out of this child.” warns Vergil as Helltaker readies another punch.

Vergil grabs Helltaker’s fist and twists it, dislocating his arm. “Afraid to use your weapon?”

“Just waiting for the right moment.” A gunshot can be heard from a blindspot behind Helltaker.

Vergil seemingly teleports out of the way completely avoiding the bullet. “Your tricks won’t work on me.”

Helltaker smiles. “Mine won’t. But Lucy’s will.”

Lucifer launched herself at Vergil, her fist coming down. Vergil swipes at her fist with his sheathed sword colliding and pushing her back. Lucifer lands on two feet and shakes her hand in an attempt to mitigate the pain. It fails. Helltaker puts his gun back into his hollister under his jacket and rams his dislocated arm into the side of the RV, shaking it but popping it back in its socket.

Lucifer throws yet another mighty punch while Helltaker gives suppressing fire. Vergil dodges the punch expertly while tripping Lucifer, wasting no time to draw his blade blocking all bullets with a twirl, lining the bullets perfectly at his feet. He smirks as he re-lives an old memory. Helltaker starts to reload while Lucifer attempts another attack. Vergil, with his sheath smacks Lucifer hard launching her through one of the windows of Devil May Cry and throws it cleanly at Helltaker who was in the middle of reloading. Helltaker drops both firearms as the sheath smacks both of his hands. Vergil wastes no time teleporting to his sheath, grabbing Helltaker by the arm and effortlessly throwing him through the other unbroken window. Casually picking up his sheath from the ground Vergil covers his sword and waits for them to approach once more.

“Shit Lucy, this isn’t good. If you have any spells to help us out that would be great.”

Holding her side Lucifer turns towards Helltaker. “Unfortunately it’s been far too long since I have done anything offensive wise. Loremaster likes to keep things locked up.”

Trish and Lady approach the entrance. Trish pulls out a rather large sword with a dragon eating the blade and wings acting as a guard. And Lady takes out a rather large rocket launcher with a massive bayonet attached at the end.

“Enough of this.” Says Lady.

“Agreed they’re ruining the shop.” Trish says as her blade starts to spark aggressively.

As the duo exit the store a motorcycle can be heard in the distance approaching quickly, it’s Dante on cavalier stopping in front of Devil May Cry with a tray of strawberry sundaes secured in his hand, gawking at the damage that has been done. “What the hell is this!”

Vergil turns towards his brother. “Dante I have issues with those three going after the demon Beelzebub. They are not prepared to deal with such a threat.”

Dante got off his bike as he cradled his delicious bounty. “Vergil we have done all we could. Besides, if you have gone bad again there seems to be one person you forgot to beat up.” Dante casually points towards the entrance to his store.

Jess is seen leaning on the doorframe covered in bandages, looking similar to a mummy, only gray sweatpants and loosely fitting white shirt differentiating her from the classic corpse. “I’m trying to get some sleep!” Jess lets out a deep sigh before sliding down the door frame. “Shit, my head is swimming.”

Lady retreats back crouching low to support Jess as Vergil quickly walks up. “You shouldn't be here.”

“I shouldn’t be in a lot of places, and yet here I am.” Jess vaguely gestures to all of her accidentally bumping Lady. “Sorry. Anyway, Vergil, what are you doing?”

“You three are unprepared for the troubles ahead, I am simply pointing this out.” Vergil says matter of factly.

“By beating them up.” Jess raises her eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“You want to fight Beelzebub again. Don’t you?” Jess assumes.

“...Yes.”

“Jackpot!” Dante yells from the background while consuming a sundae.

Vergil scoffs while giving Dante the side eye. “Really Brother?”

“I figured you would want a rematch after getting your ass handed to you. Again.” Dante points out.

Jess got tired of the bickering. “Vergil you are not coming.”

“You’d be foolish not to have me.”

“Not. Coming.” Jess reaffirms.

Lucifer gets up wobbling a bit seething in anger, she removes a glass shard from her side and strides menacingly to the door. “Little Miss Jess. We are accepting any offers.”

Jess couldn't let Lucifer do this. “Absolutely not!”

“You don't have any choice in the matter.”

“It’s bad enough Alchemist is here! I don’t want anyone else to be dragged into this!” Jess started to get teary eyed, her face reddening.

“We don’t have the leisure to be choosy! This is it! Beel is out!” Lucifer’s anger radiates through each word.

“I don’t want to be responsible for anyone's death!”

“Too late for that girl! Beelzebub escaping is your fault! Just like how everything she does now is your responsibility! Your feelings don’t exempt you from your actions!”

Jess was in tears now, she wanted to hurt Lucifer the only way she knew how. “Like how Justice was your responsibility!”

Helltaker quickly leapt up as Lucifer was preparing to absolutely destroy Jess. He wouldn't make it in time, closing that distance was inhuman, let alone stopping the blow but he had to try. Lucifer raised her arm in the air ready to smack the shit out of her.

“DON’T SPEAK OF WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!” Screeching out in pure rage Lucifer sends her hand down.

It was blocked by Alchemist.

Lucifer’s red face demanded to know why. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!”

Alchemist’s smug smile annoyed Lucifer. “You told me my job was to keep an eye on and protect or retrieve my pet if needed.” Alchemist’s grip on Lucifer’s wrist lightened. “She was in danger and I was needed.”

“YOU-!” Lucifer sharply withdrew her hand, and quickly crossed her arms.

Lucifer passed Helltaker and sat on the couch glaring at Jess with a seemingly unending rage. Jess wanted to say something but started coughing up blood. Her wound from Vergil had not fully healed. Lady rubbing Jess back attempting to sooth Jess, who eventually passed out. Helltaker stood alone knowing he would have to listen to Lucifer complain about this situation, and having to check up on Jess after.

Dante, Nero and Nico walked up to Vergil, Dante putting his sundae arm over Vergil shoulders. “Damn Vergil you really messed up.”

“Shut it Dante.” was Vergil's response.

Dante handed out his spare sundae haul to everyone but Vergil and Lucifer claiming bad demons don’t get sundaes. Obviously he just wanted to eat more sundaes. Jess was brought to the spare room once again to be laid down. Lady walked out of the room and watched as Helltaker and Vergil helped sweep up the store. Smiling, Lady descended the stairs stealing the chair at the desk and waving her hand at the disgruntled Dante.

“That’s my seat yah know.” Dante said as he handed Lady a sundae.

“Actually it’s Morrison’s. Come here with a deed and I'll move.” she let out a giggle as Dante sat on the side of the desk.

Dante noticed a photo set up on the desk had his mother on it. “Kept it up huh.” He picked it up. “Hey Vergil, come over here for a second.”

“What is it?” Vergil stopped sweeping and checked what Dante wanted to show him.

“An old photo.”

Vergil observed the photo carefully, taking in every detail of Eva’s face. The photo of his mother filled his head with old memories he’d thought he forgot. Like that time Dante put a frog in his bath, or when his mother made them two cakes for their birthday. Vergil was lost in his memories smiling all the while. He set the photo back down onto the desk.

“Thank you Dante.” Vergil walked back to his task of sweeping only to find out Helltaker had already completed the task. “What?”

Helltaker gave a smile of his own. “Experience.” was all he uttered as he picked up his sundae on the table by the sofa and ate a scoop. “Mmm! Nothin beats a sundae after some hard work!”

Trish let out a laugh. “Should’ve let Vergil do all the work!”

Trish looked too similar to Eva. It was odd but there was one distinct difference. Eva was the human mother of Dante and Vergil. Trish was one hundred percent Demon.

Helltaker approached Trish and had to ask a question. “Wanna Join my harem?”

Dante and Vergil’s jaw dropped. Lady had a mad smile of disbelief. Alchemist carefully observed him, Lucifer was disinterested. Nero and Nico stuck with quizzical disbelief on their faces waiting for an explanation.

Trish smiled. “If you take care of this Beelzebub situation I will.”

Helltaker nodded. “Will do.”

SUCCESS?

Later that day the group separated, Helltaker was given a slip of paper that had Devil May Cry’s phone number. Anytime the four would need to contact them when they were in the area, they would answer. Nico came with the backpacks left at the destroyed orphanage, one bag containing countless ammo and another the Kriss Vector Helltaker stole, and the last bag having the grenade launcher and loose bits of gear Jess couldn’t put on in time. Before Helltaker left, Nero handed him the weapon Cerberus. A little farewell gift despite how much trouble had been caused because of them. They would probably need it, it was cold to the touch.

Vergil opened a portal. Vergil, Lucifer, Helltaker carrying Jess, and Alchemist proceed to walk through. On the other side of the portal a grassy field with destroyed houses. A large pit is seen in the distance.

“How long till you leave?” asks Vergil.

Helltaker answers. “Five minutes. Not coming with us?”

Vergil squints his eyes looking at one of the decayed houses. “... that depends.”

“I see.”

Lucifer scowled glaring at her tablet. “Just come. We need help with this problem.”

Vergil remained silent.

Eventually Jess awoke from her sleep groaning as she opened her eyes. Looking around she saw the area where this all started and let out a great sigh.

“Are we leaving?” her voice is far too tired.

Helltaker looked at Lucifer's tablet from behind her. “ Yah, just a couple minutes.”

“Vergil. What are you doing here?”

“I am asking if you want me to come with you. It is your choice alone.”

“No.” Jess answered quickly.

Lucifer swares under her breath.

“Very well.” Vergil turned ready to make another portal to leave until he was stopped by Lucifer.

“Hold for one minute.” Lucifer requested.

Lucifer snapped her finger and a flame engulfed her free palm. A small hand sized silver metallic capsule. Lucifer stood in front of Helltaker who smiled a bit.

“Looking for a kiss?”

Lucifer placed the capsule over Jess’ thigh. “Lucifer. What are you doing?” A sharp pain sent up her leg. “WHA- FUCK!” Jess held on to her now bleeding thigh.

Lucifer quickly retracted the capsule and handed it to Vergil. “If you ever need to get to us, place this device in the center of town, twist the device, and stand back a couple feet.” Lucifer gave a cruel smile as she watched Jess hold her leg.

“I see.” with that Vergil turned around with Yamato and capsule in hand and sliced a portal out of thin air. “Farewell.” Vergil stopped for a second. “Ah wait a minute.” Vergil poked through his coat again pulling out a sack full of Jess’ Destroyed gun. “Jess, I was not lying about gathering parts of your weapon.” He places the black bag atop Jess awkwardly.

“Ah.” Jess looked at the black pack. “Thank you.” Her voice was tired and pained but genuine.

“Be well.” As Vergil walked through his portal another one appeared.

Jess laid back into Helltaker. “Great.” Her eyes started to water.

Alchemist let out a laugh. “Ha ha ha! Another job well done! How about a drink, Helltaker?”

“I'm good for one! How about you Lucy?”

“Yes. A drink would be preferable.”

“Jess?” Helltaker offered.

“No.” Her response was dreary as they walked through the portal.

Jess staggered her way to her room. She did not open the door for three days. Of the many knocks on the door some people had things to say.

*Knock* *Knock* “Hey I hear from Helltaker you are good at video games! Wanna play some?” No response. “I got Vodka? ... Fine! I'll just do it myself!” Malina walks off without Jess.

*Knock* *Knock* “Hey Kiddo! Wanna work out? I got these new weights. No? That’s cool. Always available to talk if you need me!” Justice walks away.

*Knock* *Knock* “Hey Jess! I've brought food!” the sound of Helltaker placing the tray on the ground could be heard. “I'll leave it out in the hall!” The food would remain there until Cerberus ate it.

“Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow.” Truly the most tragic guest to visit the door that did not open for three days.

*Knock* *Knock* “Pet. It’s Alchemist, want to go on that date?” Alchemist whispers to Modeus next to her. “It’s not working.”

“Sexily! remember?” Modeus recommends.

Alchemist clears her throat, her tone is sensual as opposed to her usual demanding personality. “Pet. It’s me. Wanna come and enjoy a platter on top of me?”

“Oh fuck.” Modeus wipes some drool off her face. “That's hot!”

The two leave after multiple failed attempts to goad Jess out with various ways to enjoy food and pleasure.

After day three, a particular person knocked. Not because she couldn’t open the door but because she was being respectful of Jess’ personal space. When Jess didn’t open the door, the door opened anyway.

Loremaster with one arm behind her back and the other extending outwards to not only flick the light on the wall but also to raise it high in the air. “Hello! I’m both respecting your privacy by knocking but asserting my authority by coming in anyway! Rise and shine Miss Jess! I have things to do!”

What could only be described as a ball of linen on the bed started to shuffle, Jess pokes her head out. “I’m sleeeeeeeeping.” she lets out.

Loremaster places both hands behind her back, her tone slightly more serious. “You’ve been sleeping for three days. Time to get up! We need to do a checkup!”

“Don't need one. Goodnight.” Jess once again curls up into a ball.

“Don’t make me get you.” Loremaster threatens.

Jess remains still. Loremaster’s face extends into a large cruel smile. She walks over to the side of the bed grabbing part of the sheets with her mechanical arms.

“HYUP!”

Loremaster lifts the sheets off the bed with great force. Jess is launched onto the floor. Completely unraveled and wearing only her blue nightgown. Before she has a moment to complain, Loremaster peaks out from behind the bed and slowly approaches Jess. Her fingers move with clicking sounds.

“Wait! WAIT! NO! NOOOOOO!” Jess is dragged off into the unknown.

The unknown is a relatively simple doctor’s office. A fresh piece of paper is pulled over the examination table Jess sits on. Loremaster washes her hands and approaches pulling her stethoscope out.

“Wait? What's the point in the checkup if I’m immortal?”

Loremaster stops and pulls out her tablet. “Your form of immortality just keeps your body in the same state as it was during the initial ritual physically, however your brain also affects parts of your body so who’s to know how that will affect the rest of your body!”

“So working out with Justice was for nothing?”

“Correct! So anyways! What I’m doing right now is taking a baseline. So if you come back sick or some other issue arises, I can fix it. After experimenting a bit...”

Shivers were sent down Jess’ spine.

The checkup proceeds as normal, Loremaster uses many tools examining Jess’ reactions and her body's condition. One of them involved a rather large needle inserted into Jess’ spine. That had to be the worst one and it left Jess not able to feel her legs for a hot minute. Finally Loremaster pulls out a tiny flashlight and points it at Jess’ eye.

“We will start with the left eye! So Keep your eye on the light.” Loremaster ignites the torch and moves it left then right then up and then down. “Mmm. Ok, the other eye.”

Jess pauses for a moment before lifting up the bandages covering her face and opening the eye. “Eh?” She sees nothing.

Loremaster looks at the hole that once had Jess’ eye. “Oh? That’s… odd.” Loremaster ponders for a moment.

Jess closes her eyes. “I thought it would grow back! My hand grew back! It’s not fair!”

Loremaster pulls out her tablet, swiping through it quickly. “Did you have both eyes before the ritual?”

“Yes!” Jess panics answering Loremaster’s question.

“Mmm. A parasite was found where your right eye was, I did examine it extensively. It was great for controlling people!”

“Eh!?”

Loremaster had a genuine smile on her face while explaining the parasite. “In its larval stage it consumes the flesh of the host then rapidly grows until it reaches adulthood! It makes a sudo eye and can control the host! It’s totally exciting!”

“But where is my eye…” Jess asks.

“It’s gone!” Loremaster exclaims gleefully.

Jess leans forward and holds her head in her hands. “I-I can’t aim right.” Jess started to spiral once more.

Loremaster shrugs. “Well that concludes the checkup. Everything is normal! Oh! Also, here!” Loremaster reaches into her coat pulling out yet another tablet. “For you! Also it’s blue!” It is, as she said, a similar looking tablet to Loremaster’s but a light blue with Loremaster's silver seal on the back.

Jess accepts the tablet with shaky hands and looks at the mysterious machine. “What do I use this for?”

“You can use this to buy gear for the next operation! Or other things.” That last part sounded a bit dejected. “So have fun with it. Also you don’t need to worry about money! Just know that I need to approve it before anything gets through! I pride myself on being quick to approve any orders! Just don’t buy any elephants. Justice went a little too far with that one… Anyway! Farewell Jess! You are expected to head out in a couple days!” Loremaster quickly walked out of the room waving goodbye.

Jess was left alone with only her night gown and a tablet. Not wanting to be seen in a nightgown again, especially after not showering, Jess made an attempt to sneak back to her room to test out her new toy and have a hot shower. The halls were empty and Jess had to struggle to peek around corners but thankfully it was just Justice. Jess let out a sigh and walked down the hall catching Justice’s attention. Hopefully she wouldn’t try to touch Jess or get close.

“Yo kiddo! Long time no see!” Justice let a snicker out at her own joke.

Jess hadn’t recalled seeing Justice in her maid outfit too often but it was probably just one of those days. “Ah, hey Justice.”

“Down to go with Helltaker later topside?” asks Justice.

“Topside?”

Justice gave a big grin. “Where all the humans live. They have this mall that is absolutely massive. Full of everything. Bars, sex shops, candle stores, hell they even have a full sized airport.”

“An airport?”

“Yah, on top of the building. One of my favorite places is the beach they have outside. You can’t even see the mall from the beach. Or so I'm told. Still don’t trust them.”

“Who?”

“Cerberus.”

Jess nodded in agreement.

“So you comin?” Justice gave a toothy smile.

“I don’t know, probably?” Jess lied.

Justice frowned, knowing exactly why. “Bullshit.”

Jess tried to remain neutral in tone. “What?”

Justice’s serious tone shook Jess. “Judgement told me, and Lucifer accidentally told me of your personal file. Just a heads up a majority of it was censored for Lucifer. Only Judgment and Loremaster know of its full contents.”

“Great now what?” Jess was far too tired to hide her frown.

Justice let out a sigh. “Lighten up a bit. You should go out with us to the mall.”

“You really are just telling a depressed person to lighten up. Thanks doc I'm cured.”

It was time for Justice to shake her head. “Think of it as an opportunity to get to know the others. Welp see ya later!” Justice waved off Jess walking to who knows where.

Jess proceeds to her room and pulls out the tablet Loremaster handed her. Placing her finger on the tablet it boots to life. Welcoming Jess into its systems.

“Huh. time to do some shopping I guess.”

After taking a shower and putting on a white shirt, a black pair of pants and sneakers there is a knock on the door, Jess opens it. “Hel-” Jess is stopped by the person in front of her.

She wore a crimson cloak around her person. She was tall, at least six foot six, and wrapped in a crimson cloak that gave complete coverage except for her pale, well manicured hands that held a tablet out that asked for a signature. The cloak blocks all light from her face casting it in a shroud of darkness. However the cloak could not hide her chest. They were big.

“Uhhhhhhhhh ummmmmmm aaaaahhhhh.” Jess broke down for a hot minute staring at the void where the tall ladies face. “Am I dead?”

The cloaked lady let out a sigh. “Oh for the love of-” She shook her head, accidentally uncovering her face revealing a skull. “Oh shit!”

Jess stared at her now revealed face. Mesmerized by each and every contour. Her teeth are a beautiful white. Where the eyes were supposed to be were perfectly shaped rectangular holes that demanded the person viewing them to listen. The burning flames inside them could light any path. skull was beautiful.

The cloaked lady covered her face. “Sorry… That really shouldn’t have happened.” Jess swore she could see her blushing.

Jess coughed a couple of times into her fist looking at the wall to her left. “Sorry I got lost in your…”

The cloaked lady dropped all shyness instantly. “Breasts? Really? Fucking perv.”

“Your eyes.” Jess said softly.

“Oh! OH!”

Now both turned their heads holding their mouths. Jess blushed heavily while the cloaked lady was upset that she accused Jess of being a pervert.

Jess nervously broke the silence. “Um, what is your name?”

“OH! Uh, right. My name is Charon. I work as a courier for Hell.”

“I thought you guided people across the river Styx?”

Charon went stiff for a second and a sense of sadness could be felt in the air. “I do miss my boat. But it was destroyed a while back during the war for Hell.”

Jess pondered for a moment. “Couldn’t you just build a new one?”

Charon shook her head. “The materials have been lost to time. The trees it was made from have gone extinct. There are stories of groves of the specific tree but those are just that. Stories.” Charon's silence spoke of her sadness, but she quickly sprang back up. “But! I do have this cool elevator!” Charon snapped her finger and an elevator door appeared, opening up in the wall in the hall. “It appears wherever I desire with just the snap of my fingers! It also acts as my house and it has infinite space within!”

Surely enough it opened up showing a violet couch with a nice wooden coffee table and a painted picture of Charon squatting with peace signs in front of her boat. Charon snaps again, the door closes and opens again into an infinite warehouse. It can only be described as a hoarder's wet dream.

Charon interrupted Jess’ gaze into the infinite. “So anyways! I Just need your signature. Oh and also Loremaster will contact you shortly about some of the items you requested. She says she can make better alternatives to what you are requesting.”

Jess gave a thumbs up. “Ok.”

Charon held out the tablet and Jess signed. She ushered Jess to clear the door as she carried in object after object. A wooden wardrobe placed on the back corner, a workshop desk, many tools for gun maintenance, some clothing packed in cardboard boxes, a portable game console with games, Crates full of glass bottles of unknown liquid, a rolled up sapphire colored carpet and a ton of new gear. One item in particular came in a pure black box. Jess quickly took it and stashed it underneath her bed.

When Charon was done moving she turned to Jess. “Oh! Thank you for the compliment earlier, far too many of the dead are afraid of my eyes.” A blush could not be seen but felt coming from Charon. “If you need anything else just message me or order it from the tablet. goodbye!”

Jess waved goodbye to Charon as she closed the door. That was the first time in a while she had a normal-ish interaction. Jess gave a slight smile staring at nothing in particular. But there was work to be done, Jess took inventory and began cleaning up a bit. Shoes placed in the bottom of the wardrobe, shirts and pants hung up, and the gear goes underneath her workbench. Tired of doing more work Jess took a look at the tablet. As it turns out Jess was added to a chat room full of an untold amount of messages. Jess scrolled up a bit and found one around the time Helltaker and Jess found themselves in the lab.

Loremaster: Great news! Mr. Helltaker is back!

Modeus: WHAT!!!???? SEND NUDES!!!!

Malina: About damn time! This backlog is fucking annoying!

Judgement: What?! HOW!?!?!?

Subject 67: We Get It Where Is The Apple Pie

Cerberus: THE HEAD PATTING MORTAL IS BACK!

Cerberus: WE REQUIRE HIS HAND!

Cerberus: AND PANCAKES!

Modeus: SEND NUDES!!!!

Zadara: yo i can proly use him to get all these simps off my back

Pandemonica: Finally, someone who can make a decent cup of coffee.

The next three days of the chat log are full of Modeus sending variations of Send nudes with no replies. Jess scrolled through a bit finding one message about the “new bitch”.

Malina: Yo this new bitch may play games but holy fuck she wiped out half my drink stash. Asshole.

Lucifer: You have a stash?

Malina: …

Lucifer: Young lady! Do you have a stash?!

Zadara: hey lucifer i think the only stash down there is the one on your face

Lucifer: I WILL COME UP THERE AND TEAR YOU APART!

Lucifer: YOU WILL SUFFER FOR EONS TO COME! I WILL ENSURE YOU WILL HOPE FOR DEATH ONLY FOR IT TO NEVER ARRIVE!

[USER Lucifer HAS BEEN MUTED FOR 12 HOURS]

Zadara: hot

Loremaster: Please do not clutter the chat. I already had to mute Lucifer temporarily.

Jess sighed as she closed the tablet. Time to pay the piper. Jess lifts up one of the crates struggling a bit but she gets it. To open the door she bumps into it with her shoulder. It opens. Jess makes her way to Malina’s room carrying the wooden box. On her way to the room a figure in the background shifted in the hall towards Jess’ room sneaking into the room before the door closed.

Jess finally made her way to Malina’s room knocking on it with her foot. A scuffling could be heard along with someone falling on the ground. A game over announcement was also heard with a swear immediately afterwards. Eventually the door is opened. Malina appears sweaty and naked. Like most demons she has black horns sticking out of her head through her white hair. Red eyes, a tail, and a large frown. Her bob cut was even messier than when Jess last saw her. Jess could probably assume why.

Jess’ mouth flattened as she stared up at Malina’s face, trying to avoid her rather large chest. “Hi.” “Why the fuck do all demons have massive honkers! Arrrrgh damn you Beelzebub!”

Malina sounded a bit sour, just as Helltaker had described to Jess. “What do you want, short and flat.”

“I drank a bit. Here is something to restock. Goodbye.” Jess handed Malina the box of vodka, but before she could escape a specific person had something to say.

Helltaker from the darkness of Malina’s room called out. “Jess?” Helltaker fumbled his way through the dark room using a pillow to cover himself when he got to the door. “Are you coming to the mall later?”

Jess felt hot, trying to avoid any eye contact as she stared at the ceiling. “Not today! sorry Helltaker! Bye!” Jess turned around and rocketed off down the hall back to her room.

Jess quickly closed the door behind her. Her heart raced, her poor bisexual heart nearly exploded. After not seeing anyone for three days then seeing multiple people who are very attractive, some of them very naked, she decided she needed a breather. Looking on her bed she noticed something very odd. The black box was opened. The tool she purchased was placed on the bed, its peculiar shape similar to a tube with a ball on the end of it. The wire connecting the device to the wall to give it power was cut. Any pleasure it could have potentially given was snuffed out in an instant.

Jess fell to her knees and pounded the ground. “NOOOOOOOOO!” she screamed in agony to no one in particular in a room full of smoke and disappointment.

A while later in Malina’s room, Helltaker and Malina finished their game, Malina lay on top of Helltaker, taking a swig of her new vodka bottle. Sweating, Malina checked her tablet and let out a sigh. “Dammit we gotta get going in thirty if we want to go to the mall with everyone.”

Helltaker peeks from behind. “Better get in the shower then. I don't want to miss dinner and a movie with everyone.” Helltaker clapped his hands together turning on the lights in the room, the two occupants squinting at the sudden brightness.

“Ugh.” Malina lets out one last groan before getting up from the bean bag.

The two enjoy a quick shower together before drying off and getting their clothes on. Helltaker his red button up shirt, white pants and black shoes. He rolled up his sleeves watching Malina put on her shirt. She struggled to put on her old uniform’s buttons

“Shit! Fucking button!” She finally buttoned up her shirt and turned to get her vest placed on her bed. The button popped off, shattering against the wall. “Goddammit!”

“An old shirt?” Questioned the Helltaker.

Malina looked down disappointed at the shirt. “Yah from when I first met you.”

Helltaker let out a small huff of air.

Malina turned her head to Helltaker. “Got somethin to say punk?”

Helltaker coughed into his fist holding a laugh. “Nope.”

Malina pulls out a part of the wall, it slides open across the room with racks of clothing hanging from the supports inside, and pulls a shirt with a floral pattern and a pair of cargo shorts. She pushes the wall back into place with a small shove, It retracts with great speed. Putting on some white sneakers and sunglasses, her outfit is complete.

“Comfortable?”

Malina nods. “When I'm off work, I'm going to do absolutely nothing for as long as possible.”

“Fair enough. Let's get to the breakroom.”

As the two walked Malina couldn’t help but ask about where Helltaker went that day long ago. “Hey what was it like in the abyss?”

Helltaker’s eyebrow raised from behind his sunglasses. “At first it was confusing. But because Beel was there I recovered quickly.”

Malina squinted through her sunglasses. “Confusing?”

“It’s hard to explain.” Helltaker rubs his chin. “Eldritch horror?”

“I see…” Malina doesn't get it at all.

Looking to get off of this question Helltaker asks another question. “So what are you doing these days?”

“Game dev.” Malina responds sourly.

“Don’t like it? I figured you would especially from all the games you own and play.”

Malina explodes. “IT’S NOT FAIR!” Malina pulls at her hair. “ALL I DO EVERYDAY IS FIX BUGS! OF COURSE I'M THE BEST AT IT BUT FUCK MAN GIVE ME A BETTER PROJECT DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE WAITED TO RELEASE A HEROES 3 REMAKE ITS BULLSHIT! THEY ALWAYS SAY OH MALINA THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC THREE WHY WOULD WE MAKE A THIRD GAME OF A SERIES THAT DOES NOT EXIST! FUCKING AHHHHHH JUST GIVE ME THE FUNDS AND ILL MAKE THE BEST GAME EVER BUT THEY THINK IT’S TOOOOO RISKY!” Malina seemingly deflates. “It’s hell, hours and hours of work. And for what? To release a fucked up game with no content, only to be patched later? No one gives a damn but me.”

Helltaker rubs the apparently PTSD stricken Malina’s back. “Oh look we’re here.”

The two finally make it, seeing a room with multiple demons, each one sitting or standing around waiting for everyone to arrive. Helltaker approached Lucifer, placing a kiss on her head. She looks at him embarrassed in her maid outfit.

“I told you not while I’m working.”

Helltaker smirks. “When do you get off the job?”

“When we get on the elevator.” Lucifer admits.

“I'll have to give you more then.” Helltaker gives a gentle smile.

Justice turns from her game of cards with Subject 67 and Judgement. “Hey big guy! Wanna join?” Justice wore a relaxed black t-shirt and shoes with blue jeans. Her hair tied back with a red ribbon and sunglasses cover her eyes.

“No thanks but how do you know what cards you have?”

Justice forces Helltaker into the card game by handing him two cards from the deck. “Cool cards if I do say so myself.”

Helltaker reluctantly took the cards in hand, finding little divots in two corners of each card. “Braille? Nice. What are we betting?”

Judgement lounges back in her chair, her gauntlets still on despite what clothes she wears. Her long white hair tied in a ponytail looped through the back of her black ball cap, her large black segmented horns with smaller spikes sticking through the hat. A black tank top and sweatpants clash with white sneakers. “Now that you are back, we are betting on vacation time.”

Subject 67 sighed, reaching in between his feet from his seat pulling out a bunch of chips and setting them upon the table in front of Helltaker.

“Thanks.” Helltaker says to Subject 67.

All Helltaker gets is a nod in response. The four now gamble for a bit of free time from their duties. Modeus, Alchemist, and Pandemonica enter in the middle of the game. Modeus wore a sundress with a flower print and light pink flats, her tiny horns matching her cuteness. Modeus rushes over to Helltaker, who is focusing on the game, and hugs him from behind. Her chest pressed to the back of his head as her arms wrapped around his neck.

“Modeus.” Helltaker says as he throws in some chips with a smirk on his face.

Modeus pouts. “Not fair I want you to focus on me for a sec-”

Helltaker takes her hand and plants a kiss across its back.

Modeus quickly pulls back and holds her now kissed hand. “Ohhhhhh~” She falls back into Alchemist, who catches her. Modeus sputters out multiple incoherent sounds while entering a trance.

Pandemonica walks over to a coffee machine and pours herself another cup. She, well dressed as always with her sheep-like hair tied back and her business attire, had on her usual tired expression behind her glasses. Pandemonica was all business all the time, until it involved her bedroom. “Who is winning?”

Helltaker answered Pandemonica’s question. “It’s only been three rounds and it seems Justice is winning.”

Right on cue Justice revealed her hand. “Full house read'em and weep.”

Various groans from the table come out.

“Surely you must be cheating Apple Pie Demon!” Subject 67 accused Justice.

Judgement observed her teacher carefully before huffing and laying back into her seat. “She’s clean.” She said disappointingly.

Helltaker gave a thumbs up. “Good work.”

Justice stuck her tongue out between her toothy grin. “Now someone slide all the chips towards my pile. I wanna start the next round.”

The next hand is dealt out, Pandemonica observes Helltaker’s hand. A seven of hearts and two of spades. Helltaker holds onto his cards choosing to stay in the game. Pandemonica tapped his shoulder but Helltaker smiled back at her. Surely with his luck he could pull this off. The first three cards are revealed by Justice. A king of spades, an eight of diamonds, and a jack of clubs. Justice put in a significant amount of chips. Judgement observed Justice choosing to fold. Helltaker and Subject 67 called placing a portion of their pile into the center.

Justice pulls out the next card. A two of hearts. Justice thinks for a second before adding in a portion of chips that would knock both Helltaker and Subject 67 out without risking her own loss. Subject 67 folded instantly, scoffing at the cards in his hand.

Helltaker called throwing all the chips he had into the center. “All in.”

Justice whistled. “Damn can you afford this?”

Helltaker smirked. “I think the right question to ask is, can you win this?”

Justice had a mad grin. “How about I go all in, and in exchange, you serve me for an entire day if you lose?”

Helltaker cooly slicked back his hair. “You’re on.”

Justice did as she said and put it all in. Their fate now sealed as she flipped the last card. Two of diamonds.

Justice revealing her hand. “Two pairs of a King and Jack.”

Helltaker with a smirk put his hand down. “Three of a kind. Two’s.”

Justice leaned forwards. “Holy hell! Good work.” Justice let out a laugh placing her cards on the table in front of her. “Oh well.”

Helltaker let out a deep sigh. “I suppose the only issue is that I don't work here.”

Judgement’s jaw dropped. Subject 67 stood up to get to the oven pulling out a hot tray of apple pie grabbing a plate and getting a still boiling hot slice of apple pie from the tray. Subject 67 took a fork and angrily munched on a slice.

“Absurd, absolutely absurd.” Subject 67 took another bite from the molten pie.

Loremaster looked up from her tablet, her face full of dread. “Oh no she is coming.”

Everyone stood still. Helltaker had to ask. “Who?”

Right on cue a deep cloud of smoke broke out in the hall blocking the entryway into the break room. A slender figure stepped through the cloud letting out a laugh. “Hey suckers! I hear we are goin out together for once!” Zdrada in all black boots, leather pants, and a nice leather jacket stepped out from the smoke.

Lucifer stepped up with a vicious look on her face and tore the cigarette out of Zdrada’s mouth. “No smoking in the lab!”

Zdrada shook her head. “Fine.” When Lucifer turned around to toss out the now unlit cig, Zdrada lit another using a flame from her thumb.

Lucifer silently turned around grabbing Zdrada slamming her face first on a table.

Zdrada with a laugh, fake struggled, as Lucifer’s grip tightened around her wrists held behind her. “Hey~ Don’t grip too tightly I might wet my pants~”

Lucifer fished around Zdrada’s pockets before pulling out the remaining cigs and snapped the box away. She steps back allowing Zdrada to stand up with her one cigarette.

“Yah missed one!”

Lucifer snatched it out of her mouth, crushing yet another one. Zdrada blows out the smoke in her lungs in Lucifer’s face. Once again Lucifer made her way to the trash can, throwing out the two crushed cigarettes.

“Hey can you toss me that pack back I just got that one.” asks Zdrada.

Malina smacks Zdrada in the back of the head. “Idiot.”

“Aww little Malinka is mad at me again~”

Malina smacks again. Zdrada, about to annoy Malina, is interrupted by the last people to enter the fray. Jess walks in with an eye patch over her right eye, a black zip up loose hoodie, pants, and sneakers. While Cerberus annoys Jess by asking her questions. Each one wearing red low cut shirts and black jeans and flats.

“Do you think the eye patch makes you look cool?”
“I bet she is wearing it to cover a wart.”
“She’s in her edgy phase!”

Helltaker was the first to greet Jess. “Jess? I thought you were sitting out?”

Jess looked at Helltaker with a tired eye and a shrug. “Things change.”

Jess sat at one of the new tables waiting for something to happen. While Cerberus quickly raided the fridge. Lucifer, really wanting to get out of her maid uniform, tapped away at the tablet signaling to their “cab driver”. An elevator door opened at the back of the room.

Charon introduced herself. “Hello I’m here to pick you up.”

Loremaster gave a big smile. “Yes! Let us go and have a little fun! As a treat!”

Lucifer, one of the last three to get into the elevator, snapped her fingers and her clothes erupted into flames turning into a button up red shirt, black pants, and flats. As if she had been holding in her breath she finally took a deep breath and exhaled. She was free. At least for now. Jess walked in with tired eyes waiting for the day to be over, and Helltaker couldn’t help but observe Charon. He stopped just short of the elevator door and had to ask a particular question.

“Wanna join my harem?” He asked earnestly.

Charon held up her hands. “Ah, sorry. I’m gay.”

BAD END?

“Fair enough.” Content with her response, Helltaker went deeper into the room and planted a kiss on Lucifer’s forehead.

“Ah! I told you not when I'm working!” Lucifer’s face is full of blush.

“And you ended work when you got on the elevator.” Helltaker smiled while Lucifer pinched his cheek.

“Cheeky bugger.” Lucifer gave an approving smirk.

Loremaster called out to Subject 67 who was still in the break room sitting at the table. “Last chance, my precious experiment!”

The only response was a hand lifted in the air, giving a silent goodbye.

Loremaster could only shrug as the doors closed and the elevator ascended. On the ride Alchemist and Modeus stare at Jess who is trying to ignore them by staring at a specific spot in the room. It was surprisingly empty. Just a white room that was large enough to fit everyone inside with plenty of room left over. As suddenly as it ascended it stopped.

*Ding*

A door opened next to Charon. A hallway of some kind revealed itself beyond the opened door. Lucifer guided Helltaker out into the new space with hands interlocked. Jess looked on in silence not knowing whether to trust the door and waited for the others to react. Malina slouched through the doorway followed by Zdrada. Loremaster silently tapped away at her tablet followed by Modeus and Alchemist scheming something following closely behind. Judgement and Justice walk side by side, Judgement guided by the three dogs attached to her chains that appear at will. Pandemonica fell asleep standing only to be shaken awake by Charon, she stepped off tapping away at a tablet that has not left her hand for what could only be assumed to be forever ago.

Jess took a deep breath but was stopped at the door by Charon. “Hey Jess, can you do me a favor?”

Jess, like a deer in headlights, took a second to respond. “Sure?”

“Pick me up something sweet. I don’t really mind what.” Behind her dark hood Jess could feel a smile. “It has been a while since I’ve had something like that.”

Jess nodded. “Sure. I'll see what I can find.”

With that Charon waved Jess off into the strange hallway as the doors closed behind her. One side of the hallway led to double doors into an unknown area, while the other side was crowded full of people. Jess hoped the double doors were the way to go. Unfortunately Jess could see the demonic group hanging around the groups of people. She had to push forward.

The mall was massive, if one were to look at the map they would see a massive cubed grid. The many junctions interconnected into a straightforward pattern. Escalators spiraled downwards between each cube, elevators that move back and forth up and down and side to side. It appeared as if daylight penetrated through glass from above but considering their location near the center of the cube that would be impossible. Each digital map kiosk was placed in front of an elevator that would guide those who imputed a location on the map to their destination. It can safely be assumed that at least a thousand different shops were located in this complex.

Jess started to sweat as fear radiated through her voice. “It’s like a super massive rubix cube.”

Lucifer smugly laughed. “Oh? Afraid are we? Want me to hold your hand?”

Jess shivered at the amount of people. She took a deep breath. “No.” Stabilizing herself was the only option. “We are getting food, right?” Jess' stomach was way past empty.

Malina answered the question. “Absolutely not, this mall has everything! It would be a waste to not do a little shopping first!”

Pandemonica drank what was left of her coffee and looked at the empty ceramic mug disappointedly. “And get more coffee I hope.” she tossed it into the nearest trash can.

Before anyone could make a move a strange voice could be heard yelling out from the crowd. “OH MY GOD IT’S ZAZA-CHAN!” Bursting through the terrified crowd of people is a girl with pink hair, cat ears and a sailor uniform. She was followed by a camera floating around the pink cat girl. Her bubble gum pink appearance could blind the weak. “OMG! Chat! It's the famous ZAZA!”

DRPXP:Holy shit!
CHdd:ZDRADA!!!! PLS BULLY ME!
Altmid:HO BOI! MODS BONK!
Poimachine:thislivestremetookaturnfortheawesome
whalegoi:POG
pssydtroyr:HURT ME MOMMY

The messages spiral into degeneracy, multiple chat members get banned instantly.

The bubblegum girl chastises chat. “Ohhh come on guys! Don’t be like that!” She gives a devilish smile as multiple donations go through. “Anyways! Zdrada what are you doing here?”

“Yo… Who are you?” Zdrada tries to pretend that she doesn’t know the bubblegum girl; her nervousness fails in keeping her secret.

“Oh don't be that way Zaza! WE have collaborated far too many times on stream for that!”

“Ha ha ha. I don’t know who you are hahaha.” For once Zdrada was nervous.

Pandemonica made a few taps on her tablet and showed a video to Helltaker of a game collaboration between Zdrada and a person under the tag Bubble Gum Neko.

Helltaker raised his eyebrow at the video shown to him. “Huh, did not know you can make a career out of playing games. Seems like a good deal right Malina?”

Malina looks dead on the inside as she thinks about her current job. “Yah…”

“How about a surprise collaboration stream, Zaza?” Bubblegum Neko asks.

Before Zdrada could say no Pandemonica elbowed her in the side whispering into her ear. “You need to do this for the money.”

Zdrada looked in horror as Loremaster stood right behind Pandemonica looking expectedly. Zdrada let out a sigh. “Fine.”

An ear piercing screech came from Bubblegum Neko. “YES! ZAZA GET!” Bubblegum Neko notices another demon girl in the group and instantly places a hand over her mouth, a frail voice breaks through her silence. “Oh my god. Famous movie star Modeus!”

Modeus nods her head while holding Helltaker’s arm. “Yes. That's me.”

“I’m a huge fan! Can I have an autograph on my camera?”

“Sure!” Modeus proudly answers. “Uh, do you have a pen?”

Everyone stops for a second realizing that no one has a pen.

Boncalv has donated 100 borons: “Wow.”

Chapter Text

Jess sat in her room rummaging through her gear after her shower. A majority of her weapons were destroyed leaving her alone with nothing but a ASEK survival knife she bought. She sighs as she attaches it to her belt. A gun would be preferable especially due to her small size, any close quarter combat would be extraordinarily risky. For now she would need to wait till Loremaster gives a reason for not getting the requested arms. Sitting on her bed she waited quietly, still mourning her missing right eye.

*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*

A torrent of knocks on the door startled Jess for a second.

*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*knock*

“OK! HANG ON I'M COMING!”

Jess opens the door to find Cerberus the three dog girls, who are taller than Jess, surrounding the door. Hopefully Cerberus would not try to tie down Jess, again.

“wassup?” Jess asked cautiously.

“We hear you are interested in our dark arts.” Cerberus holds a sacrificial dagger. Its twists and turns seem pointless.

“Especially because your virgin blood works well with tons of recipes.” The second Cerberus holds up a book with a dried out face on it. Probably the Necronomicon. The virgin comment irritates Jess a bit.

“And we have plenty of painkillers and drinks! It’s got electrolytes! The stuff plants crave!” a bottle of painkillers and a six pack of energy drinks is held up by the last Cerberus.

Jess looks at them blankly before reaching for the door’s control.

“WAIT!”
“PLEASE LET US SEE YOUR ABILITY!”
“WE WANT A WORLD OF TREATS AND BLOOD!”

The three Cerberus tackle Jess to the ground begging to go somewhere else. Jess watches blankly as they hold her down.

“We will teach you blood rituals!”
“And we just want to have fun!”
“Also we think you’re cool and not a virgin!”

Jess, annoyed, tries to reason with them. “I'm not taking you into the multiverse, it's far too dangerous, Also I don't even do blood ritu-” Jess lays with wide eyes in a sudden realization. “Oh my gods.”

Cerberus tries once more to beg.

“Please!”
“We will teach you more”
“And we will owe you one!”

Jess trapped by Cerberus thinks for a second. Being owed one by a demon is no small matter surely. And Cerberus is guardian of Hell’s gates, they would be prepared for almost anything that the multiverse could throw at them.

Jess let out a sigh. “Fine.”

The three dogs jumped for joy off of Jess, jumping around and cheering.

“Chaos!”
“And joy!”
“And treats!”

“Just let me get changed first.”

The four of them arrive at the testing chamber that Jess has done many rituals once before. Taking a jar of bone dust and starting to make a base pattern on the ground required for the ritual. A simple pentagram surrounded by rings. The rings and parts in the middle of the circle require specific symbols made out of Jess’ blood, also known as the painful part. Jess cuts her finger with her newly acquired knife. It’s a clean cut that will recover much faster than any ordinary human due to her forced immortality. She starts to write with her blood on the ground, taking care not to mess up the ritualistic circle with spilt blood. After finishing all but one symbol on the outside of the ring Jess steps back.

“I still don’t know where these go, so are you sure you want to go?”

“Yes!”
“I want to have fun!”
“And spill some guts!”

Jess looks at the dogs almost worried for what lies beyond the breach. Sighing, Jess places down the last symbol and a blue portal opens. Cerberus jumps right in, Jess follows in shortly after. In the test chamber a small machine creeps out of the wall. Sensing dirtiness on the ground it begins cleaning up.

Cerberus walks around on the rocky blue surface of an unknown land and kicks a rock. While one crouches and stares at a lone plant of an unknown species. The last one looks up at the purple sky. Jess steps out from her portal and looks around seeing nothing in particular, choosing to stand around and watch the area carefully.

“So. yah.” The portal closes behind her. “WAIT WHAT!?”

The three dogs turn back towards Jess.

“Where’s the treats!”
“And the blood!”
“You lied!”

Jess returns her attention to Cerberus Slightly panicked. “First thing, I still don’t know where all these portals go! Second, the portal closed!”

Cerberus crossed their arms. And waited for something to happen while Jess looked around seeing nothing but rock and stone sitting around. Cerberus’ ears twitch for a minute.

“Blood?”
“War?”
“Emperor?! Jess! You did bring us blood and gore!”

Looking back at the dogs Jess looked worried. “What?”

The three girls disregarding Jess run off over a hill leaving Jess to run after them.

“WAIT!” Jess yells to the excited dogs.

What was found was a war zone of soldiers of an unknown faction fighting off an army of giant bugs. Red streaks of light, massive shells launching devastating rounds that explode on contact, and strange biological globs shot across the field. The creatures skitter across the land, many fall only to be quickly replaced by many more. Cerberus slides down the hill to join the slaughter, Jess could only hope she would fight with the good guys.

A couple hours later the bugs were dealt with. The human faction had won. Not without devastating losses of course. Bodies torn and ripped apart lay on the ground an ocean of blood trailing down the landscape into an unknown basin of liquid. Jess lies prone on top of the hill waiting and watching out for Cerberus concerned about their fate. Hopefully her black hoodie and pants were enough to keep her hidden against the dark rock. Scanning the battlefield Jess finally found the small silhouette of the three lying on the ground facing the sky. Her heart dropped.

Jess stood up not wasting a moment rushing towards the three. They were at least half a mile out. Several members of the human faction could be seen watching Jess rocket down the hill towards the inactive warzone. Watching carefully one of the members stands up and points at Jess yelling something. His black overcoat and cap signify some sort of commander position over the many troops. His green troops begin to make their way to Jess when she hits the bottom of the hill Cerberus had once gone down.

Weaving her way through the corpses of many humans and bugs Jess efficiently makes her way to Cerberus. They lay there in a circle on their backs moaning and groaning but otherwise look unscathed. Jess slides to one of their bodies and starts to check for their pulse.

“Cerberus! You ok?!”

Cerberus turns her head.
“Come closer.”
“Please.”

Jess holds up one of Cerberus' heads. “I'm sorry Cerberus. I'm so sorry.” Jess begins to tear up as she gets closer to her face.

Cerberus leans into Jess’ ear and begins to whisper.
“Thank you for everything.”
“It was the best day ever.”

The last Cerberus closest to Jess' ear let out a short and painful sounding breath of air.

“I’m full.” And burped right into Jess’ ear.

Jess blank faced, dropped Cerberus on the ground and stood up as the trio slumbered. Jess looked at them with disdain. hearing multiple people coming and not wanting them to find Cerberus Jess did the only thing she could think of. She took off towards the soldiers and turned herself in to hopefully avoid Cerberus being found.

“BY THE ORDER OF THE GUARD FREEZE!” One of the soldiers ordered.

Jess did and waited.

“Reach for the sky scav!” another one yelled.

Jess followed the order raising her hands in the air in a half assed way. The Imperial guardsman walked Jess to the camp just outside the perimeter. Their guns long and slim gave off an odd vibe to Jess but they were still guns, regardless of how toyish they look. One of the guards kicked Jess in the back of the leg bringing her to a kneel in the muddy terrain. Their officer who ordered the guardsmen to capture Jess walked up to her. His black cape flowed with each practiced stride. His arms held behind him until he reached Jess then choosing to rest one hand on a massive pistol on his hip. Jess wouldn’t lie he was kinda hot.

“So, we have a scavenger rushing out in plain sight. You have to be the worst scav I have ever seen. What was your goal?”

Jess really didn’t know what to say so she just lied, to a degree. “I got lost.”

“Not only are you a terrible scav you are also a terrible liar I will ask this one more time. What was your goal?” This time he grabbed his massive sidearm and pointed directly at Jess’ head.

Jess told the whole truth. She took a deep breath. “So, a demon tricked me into making a portal for her and her boyfriend and made me immortal then I met Lucifer herself and a lab full of demons and so far we have gone to two universes where both times I have been brutally traumatized and I don't think any of it is going to get better. Also this is the third time and it's more of a field trip than an opportunity to do anything useful.”

Before he could pull the trigger some strange lady walked up wearing a weird pilgrim hat and long black cloak tied off around the neck with a strange “I” looking symbol.

“Stand down Commissar Sardin. I have seen something strange in this battle against those xenos and I wish to interrogate this so-called scavenger.”

Sardin dropped his pistol back into its holster. “Very well, Inquisitor Soliem. Guards escort the captive to wherever the Inquisitor wants this scav.” With that the guards salute Sardin and aggressively stab Jess’ back with their guns until she stands up.

The walk was brief to the Interrogation tent. Inside lay a table and two chairs fairly simple but Jess was warned about what could happen in rooms such as this. The guards guided Jess to the chair facing the exit. The Inquisitor took the seat in front of Jess. As Soliem spoke she kept her hand on the table, finger tapping endlessly. Another person walked in adorned with robes covered in golden armor. Tubes stick out of the metal plating in their head and wrap around the lumbering man. His staff seemed ineffective but intimidating. Inquisitor Soliem begins her Interrogation.

“So scav, I saw something very strange out on the battlefield, something very strange indeed. About three humanoid persons running through and tearing up many of the xenos out on the battlefield. Are you perhaps an agent of Chaos?”

Jess leaned back into her chair, the inquisitor and lumbering man behind her are still. The only thought running through her head is “What is an agent of Chaos?” She eventually decides to answer. “No.”

They don’t react as the Inquisitor asks another question. “Is your story from earlier real?”

“yes, duh.” “no.”

The large man taps his staff onto the ground. Jess now knows something is up but can’t form any thoughts when a searing pain is sent down her spine, she can’t even yell out in pain as it unendingly tears up her insides. It feels as if her skin is boiling and she can feel every bubble that erupts from her skin. When it stops Jess is left sliding down her chair sweating and gasping for air.

The Inquisitor stops tapping on the table. “As you are now aware, that is what happens when you lie. While it is odd you have no discernible accent however it can be assumed you are still human. What were those people doing attacking the Tyranids?”

Jess sucked in some breath. “The bugs? Right, they were-”

Before Jess could finish the sentence the tent flaps open. Three individuals strut in front of the big man and prompt the Inquisitor to turn her head and glare at the intruders. The three of them stand side by side with one of the girls wearing the commissar’s hat and cloak. The other two side by side of the commissar with green flack armor and matching helmet. The only issue with the disguises is the red button up shirts, and black vest, pants and dress shoes underneath.

The one in the middle whips her long white hair back and forth before grabbing the brim of the black cap and sliding her hand across it, holding her hand in place at the end of the brim.

“I hereby order you to release this girl!”

The two at her side pipe in brandishing their lasguns like a guitar slightly behind her.

“She is clear of all charges, officer!”
“Innocent! Innocent! innocent!”

Jess’ jaw drops, the Inquisitor shares the motion while her bulking friend stands silent.

Inquisitor Soliem starts to laugh. “DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO! I AM THE GODDAM-” Soliem the goddam gets bonked by comissar Cerberus’s pistol while the tall man gets punched in the face by the guardsman Cerberus. Both are out cold.

The three of them dust off their hands.

“Aren't I great!”
“Impeccable work!”
“I couldn’t have done it better myself!”

Jess gives a small tired laugh. “Good job Cerberus.”

“Now lets kick this bicycle stand!”
“I thought it was ditch this bicycle stand?”
“I swear it was eat this ice cream stand?”

Jess let out a sigh. “How about we get out of here first? Did you grab any bones?”

“Nope.” one of the three states.

“On our way out let's grab some. Stay behind me and try not to make too much noise.”

The three motion zipping up their mouths and silently trail Jess as she weaves through the guardsman. Eventually they pass the commissar, who was left in the middle of camp, used as an ashtray while wearing nothing but heart print boxers. Jess let out a small laugh at the lack of care of his condition before continuing on. Sneaking through the corpses of tyranids Jess and Cerberus pick up various limbs as they make their way around the hill to where they first entered through the portal. The four drop the limbs onto the ground. Jess pulled out her knife and was going to start shaving the meat off before being stopped by Cerberus.

“I got this!”
“I would look away if I were you!”
“You have been warned!”

Jess did as they told and turned around hearing various sounds from behind her. An odd blending, weird chewing, and crunching could be heard coming from behind. But Jess really did not want to watch this. So fifteen minutes later Jess got the OK to turn around.

“Holy shit.” Jess looked at a pile of fresh bone dust as the three Cerberus sat down with full stomachs once again. “This should be more than enough to hop universes.”

“Thank you for the meal.”
“Come again.”
“Good bye.”

Jess started to like the three but was a little worried about how they did their thing. Regardless, she began the ritual. By the time Jess finished up until the last symbol it was almost time to go home. Letting out a sigh Jess alerted Cerberus.

“Hey, let's blow this popsicle stand.”

The three dogs became immediately excited. “OHHHHHH!” it seems they found out the phrase they were trying to remember.

“I really wish I did not need to use my blood to go to another universe.”

When Jess put in the final requirement the portal home opened. But before anyone could enter, a giant metal skeleton shot the circle with a strange energy weapon, closing the portal instantly and erasing all of Jess’ and Cerberus’ hard work. Another two popped out from the cliff edge, all three jumped down.

The largest of the three had a large flowing metallic cape behind him that flowed over his crooked back. He rubbed his chin staring down at the human who had made the circle. “Very interesting child. So it’s because of you that portal was made.”

Jess responded instantly by flipping him the bird. Cerberus pointed their lasrifles at the giant skeleton men and instantly fired. Unfortunately each and every shot ricochets off their metallic forms. Jess turned quickly to run towards Cerberus but was instantly grabbed in her midsection and was lifted off the ground by the caped skeleton. In the caped skeleton’s other hand were two guardsmen frozen in poses of aiming a gun that were not there, they looked like toy soldiers. Jess, not wanting to end up like them, reached for her knife and attempted to stab the caped skeleton’s arm. The knife broke in half.

“FUCK!”

The cape skeleton laughed. “Fear not, child, for you are gazing upon I, Trayzn the Infinite, you will forever be immortalized into my collection. And perhaps you will be my gateway to far greater additions.” Before Trayzn could slink off with Jess in tow, the Imperial Guard crested the top of the hill in front of them.

Sardin in a fresh shirt and pants gave the order. “FIRE!”

A large amount of lasrifle fire blotted out the view. Trayzen turns around allowing the shots to be deflected by his cape before he and his two other allies teleport away. When the guard eventually stopped firing, the area was left completely decimated.

One of the guards shouted out. “DID WE GET EM?”

Another one slaps the guardsmen in the head. “That’s a death flag, idiot.”

Commissar Sardin slides down the hill with his troops as they carefully watch Cerberus. Inquisitor Soliem and the tall man behind her join in staring down Cerberus. The three began to panic.

“She’s gone!”
“Offworld so soon?!”
“The bone boys got her!”

Commissar Sardin once more placed his hands behind his back and barked out orders. “YOU ARE HEREBY DETAINED BY THE ORDER OF THE GUARD!”

Ignoring the yelling man’s orders Cerberus started to panic while they stared at the crater left by the explosion that interrupted the ritual.

“Door stuck!”
“Please!”
“We’re dead!”

The large man stood still watching Sardin’s attempt to control the situation. Observing nothing was getting better he decided to try to control the situation. He slammed his staff down, the air went instantly still. Cerberus stopped in her tracks. Sardin stood still. Everyone felt a chill go down their spine.

Inquisitor Soliem had only one question to ask. “You know where that Necron scum went?”

Cerberus shared a look and huddled together.

“Do we trust her?”
“I dunno she kinda stinks.”
“I think she has a stick up her ass.”

Soliem chose to wait instead of shouting orders. It was very unlike her. Cerberus however came up with a bargain.

Commissar Cerberus crossed her arms and stepped out from the huddle. “What do you have to offer stinky sticks!”

Soliem stepped forward and held out her hand to Commissar Cerberus. “Lead us where they went and I offer you the opportunity to rescue your comrade!”

Commissar Cerberus held out her hand and shook. “Include snacks!” The two behind her cheered.

Inquisitor Soliem “requested” Commissar Sardin and whatever men left to accompany her. The main ship could hold at least three thousand troops and a navigator to lead them. Soliem waits in the bridge as Sardin watches over Cerberus as they enjoy some snacks and wash up before they lead them to the location of the potential Necron tomb world. A while later Inquisitor Soliem was left tapping lazily on the 3d map console in the center of the room. Clacking of keyboards filled the room with ambiance as a servo-skull hovered over to Soliem.

The servo-skull’s voice crinkled to life. “REQUEST FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO INQUISITOR SOLIUM FROM COMMISSAR SARDIN. DO YOU ACCEPT?”

Soliem waves her hand in front of the skull. Its eye blinks before a static sound comes through the speaker.

“Hey! Put that down! Don’t push that button!”

Cerberus could be heard yelling in joy splashing and crashing things around them.

Soliem, wanting to get this over with, tried to get Sardin’s attention. “Commissar, what is it?”

“Sorry. We are almost ready, they appear to be- HEY! Take that out of your mouth! Sorry, these three are a handful. Anyways, apparently they can smell her from here or something. Must be a xenos of some kind, their clothing is beyond odd. They even have dog ears and weird tails. It’s crazy.”

Soliem nodded her head. Suddenly a scuffle is heard from the other side of the Servo-skull. Soliem raises an eyebrow.

“Does this skull have wifi?”
“Can I eat it?”
“Does it do tricks?”

“One, What is wifi? Two, No don't eat it. Three, it does no tricks! Just stop-” The connection cuts out.

Soliem remains in her seat and looks towards the endless expanse in space wondering where they will go. After about fifteen minutes Cerberus strides in with an exhausted Sardin. Sardin’s face is covered in scratches and casting a five o'clock shadow. However Sardin does have his cloak and hat back causing Soliem to raise her eyebrow at the sight. The three Cerberus now back in their normal clothes, if you could call it normal, they start to look around the room poking everything that can be pressed.

Soliem hits a button showing a map of the galaxy projected from the main console. “Now then where in the galaxy is your ally?”

Cerberus stares at the map. Two of them take a few steps back from the console. One starts to point in random directions, the other puts her finger in her mouth and sticks it in the air. The last one rubs her chin staring at the map. They all start nodding while sniffing the air.

“I got it!” all three exclaim.

Cerberus at the console points at a location in the bottom right of the Ultima Segmentum. The map zooms in on a lone planet.

“How do you know where she is?” Soliem asks the dogs.

“Don’t worry about it!”
“We are one twenty fifths bloodhound!”
“Punch it, navigator!”

“What!?” both Soliem and Sardin exclaim as the ship lurches forwards into the warp.

Everyone holds on for their lives as they enter the warp. Inquisitor Soliem calls the navigator of the ship with her Servo-skull.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THERE!?”

Only screaming could be heard from the navigator.

Soliem turns towards Cerberus. “WHAT DID YOU DO!”

“DRUGS!”
“DRUGS!”
“AND MORE DRUGS!”

Right after Cerberus’ explanation they reached their destination. Everyone on board lurched forward and wondered what the hell had happened. The ship took off on its own and disobeyed all known logic. For the ship to have traveled 30,000 lightyears in a moment was beyond the norm. Even for warp travel.

Soliem got back to the navigator. “Are you still there navigator?”

Another voice comes up. “Sorry ma’am, the navigator is reduced to ashes!”

“To ashes?!”

“To ashes!”

Cerberus turns on the engine, sending the ship forwards towards the planet in their sight. The three of them smile as they chant.

“To ashes!”
“To ashes!”
“We all fall down!”

Everyone is screaming at this point as the massive ship rockets towards the planet.

Jess is awoken with a thud on the ground. She felt like vomiting, its hard and cold surface reminded her of Loremaster’s lab. She lay on the floor until someone announced themselves. With a deep sigh Jess angles her head towards the giant boney, metal robot, Trazyn. Laying back on his throne, splaying his legs out and resting his head on his fist. He taps on his armrest as if he was waiting for something.

Jess, losing patience, spoke first and sharply. “What?”

His guards beside him stayed still, unmoving as Trazyn on the throne spoke with supreme regalness. “Forgive me for your sudden awakening, it appears I have miscalculated how complex your simple ritual of blood and bone is. I am requesting your assistance in taming your abilities. I am willing to offer you privileges while you work for me.”

It was something of a bad time for Jess. No person should have access to the multiverse, but what could she do? One person trying to hold themself together in face of an infinite amount of greater beings who each wished to abuse her and her ”gift”, let alone the torture of her rotten corpse. Everytime she caught herself in her reflection she looked in disgust, a doll whose creation was made to be abused easily with no regard to the soul inside.

Jess bit her lip lightly to try to snap herself back to reality, the venom in her voice while under the threat of the unknown showed her reluctance. “Fine.”

Trazyn laughed. “A pleasure. Please allow me to show you to your workstation.”

Two guards stepped from behind Jess and offered their hand. Jess ignored the offer and carefully picked herself off the ground. Unsteady in her walk she was guided to a tram car, Trazyn somehow found his way to it before them. As the tram moved, many strange things passed them on the short tour.

Trazyn pointed out a few with great joy poorly hidden in his voice. “One of my personal favorites is the last Lord Castellan of Cadia, Ursarkar E. Creed, before he could pass I retrieved him. I couldn’t possibly give away any part of him but the cloak is currently on loan. I have a feeling giving the relic away to his daughter will lead to even greater value for my collection.”

Jess watched with a sense of dread as this bony metal psychopath explained his collection. Passing by a few more relics until finally making it to their stop. A large metal room connected to another door, the sides of the room filled with gentle green lines darting around the dark gray surface. In the middle of the room an incomplete ritual circle lies, in its corner, a table containing various containers filled with unknown concoctions. The circle in the center just needs a little blood.

Trazyn pointed to the other door. “That will be your chambers, it has everything you will need to care for yourself. Now, open a portal.”

Jess took a moment to stare at the circle. She wondered where she should make them go. Of all the places she knows only one could guarantee her safety, although it could also subject her to eternal pain, but either way, she will hate it.

Jess walked over to Trazyn. “I need a way to draw blood.”

Trazyn waved his hand. “In the corner, your blood has already been drawn in the round container. Do use it, for your needless pain serves no purpose.”

Jess stared at the corner, as it was said, a pot was in the corner filled with her blood. It was still warm to the touch. A brush was placed next to it, Jess gladly took it, thankful for not having to finger paint again. Jess got on her knees and worked, not too long later Jess let out a sigh and turned towards her new ruler.

“Ready?”

Trazyn nodded. Jess placed the final symbol down, her blue portal torn open and hid what was inside from its observers like always. Trazyn approached the portal and marveled at its presence as Jess backed away.

“Incredible. Absolutely amazing, the taint of the warp is not present. Any piece of technology for once cannot even compete, let alone-” A tide of purple tentacles shot out wrapping Trazyn’s body and pulling him inside.

Trazyn’s guards rushed forwards shooting into the portal as more tentacles reached out grabbing the two guards and pulling them inside as well.

Jess rushed forwards and kicked over the blood vase, tainting the portal’s ritual and closing it off from the abyss. Jess held out two middle fingers. “Fuck you bud!” she said to a now empty room.

Realizing she now had time to herself she rushed to the tram and realized there were no control panels. Jess stood alone, realizing she probably just trapped herself. “Welp.” The tram activates and rides on while Jess gets a review of all of Trazyn’s horde. She gazes at it expecting to become one of the exhibits. The tram stops and two guards armed with giant cannons guide her back to Trazyns throne.

Trazyn sits staring at Jess, not in anger but disappointment. “Ah, such a shame. However it was quite interesting to see that done by someone with experience. Perhaps one day you can see what I mean. But I doubt you will ever know what-”

The planet quakes. Trazyn and his guards stand unmoving while Jess is launched to the ground. Trazyn’s guards immediately move out, during the eruption. It is seemingly ceaseless and unending. When the planet finally stops erupting, Trazyn stands up and makes his way outside. The door closes behind him leaving Jess on the ground covering her ears.

Outside was a total clusterfuck of fighting. The ship that crash landed left Trazyn’s gallery of history in shambles, while Trazyn was left with anger. War broke out on his planet, his captured collection fighting not only eachother but also his guards and the newly arrived ship’s inhabitants.

Jess while alone tried to kick the door. Nothing. She tried to pry it open, but couldn't even get her finger in the door crack. Jess sat upon the throne to try to find something, but nothing was to be seen. So she sat waiting for anything to happen. The throne was far too big for her. Trazyn’s fat metal bony ass was far too grand for her feeble little body. She sighed and waited for anything. And just like that something happened. Yet another explosion rocked the building. Jess struggled holding on to the throne. Two Necrons teleported in front of her watching the door to the throne. It blasted open revealing a lone man bear chested with green pants, a bright red bandana tied to his shaved head and two hotshot lasrifles held akimbo blast the unwelcomed Necrons back to where they came.

Jess sat on the throne in fear stammering out a question. “Wh-who are you?”

The man ushered Jess to follow, saying only one line. “Come with me if you want to live.”

“Ok.” Jess did not know if what was happening was simply a dream but she went with him regardless.

Outside smoke, gunshots, and explosions filled the area. A Necron stood in their path shooting at people and things down below. The rather large man pulled out a rather large knife, jumped up and stabbed the Necron in the head causing its body to go limp and dropping to the ground, it vanished shortly after in a green light like the others. The man motioned for Jess to follow to a rope attached to a pillar erected on the side of the tram platform.

“Do you know how to rappel?” The man asked.

Jess nodded before asking the man a question. “What is your name?”

As the man dropped he spoke his name clearly before descending into the battlefield. “Sly Marbo.”

Jess followed the stray shots surrounding her during her descent. Marbo hit the ground first and returned fire. One, two, three shots. Each one finding a target and killing them. Sly Marbo held out his arms beckoning for Jess to drop. She did. The landing was oddly comfortable. The two sprinted for cover as he pulled out a radio of some kind.

“Commissar Cerberus I have the package, making way to your destination.”

Static could be heard, then an audible pop.

“Affirmative!”
“Good going big man!”
“Keep on tearing!”

Sly Marbo turned off the radio. Jess asked a question. “So how long have you been in stasis?”

Sly Marbo responded quickly. “ I was never in stasis. About two solar weeks ago the ship I was on was shot down near the planetside. Everyone died but me. Went killing once every week to prevent hunger.”

Jess started to sweat. “You mean hunting?”

“No. I went killing.” His answer was far too serious. “Let's head out.”

Sly guided Jess through the warzone, successfully avoiding all conflict. Sly Marbo noticed this and gave a nod of approval to the stealthiness presented by Jess, to which she only raised an eyebrow in question due to the lack of information given from the singular nod. Reaching Commissar Cerberus was far too easy. She was seen pointing and shouting at the remaining troops around her. Each one was scared for their lives, but shooting regardless. They saw Sly Marbo and Jess and started to wag their tails in excitement.

“My precious human!”
“You’re back!”
“Good work Sly!”

Jess turned to where Cerberus pointed to Sly Marbo. He vanished. Jess turned to Cerberus to point out the missing Sly Marbo only for them to focus on other things.

“Hold position!”
“Jess! Do the thing!”
“Here is a spare knife!”

One of the Guard Cerberus threw a knife and vase of bone dust towards Jess, she barely caught them. Jess stares at the knife in hand questioning its viability. “How do I use this? It looks fragile.”

Commissar Cerberus shrugs. While a familiar face pops up with a glaring scowl and an I shaped necklace. Inquisitor Soliem yelled at Jess.

“IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING I RECOMMEND YOU STOP GAWKING AND DO IT!”

Jess rushed making a circle, when she got to the knife she observed it for a second before making a wound. The blade barely makes a cut, but any blood was blood that could be used. Rushing to complete the ritual a portal opened, Jess sheathed her knife in her holster. Commissar Cerberus leaped in first with a wicked smile on their face. Commissar Sardin once again down to his underwear ordered the troops inside. As each guard member falls back into the unknown of the portal the gunfire from enemy forces increases from the lack of suppressing fire. A couple of other people jumped in who Jess did not know from her experiences. Multiple ladies wearing black armor with white cloths and golden insignias fell back, and large bodies in green armor with a lizard head painted on the side of their massive pauldrons.

Inquisitor Soliem and a few guardsmen were left with Jess. The Necron forces have paved a path to where they were holed up. Jess called them over. “HEY LETS GO!”

The rather large man with a staff pointed his staff forward and uttered a phrase. A Necron exploded. He silently nodded as he rushed into the portal.

Jess picked up a lasgun from a corpse pulling the trigger and shooting at several Necron weapons causing some to explode. Her accuracy is slightly off but enough shots hit their targets. A few more guardsmen fell back into the portal, with the last guardsman jumping through the portal all that remained was Jess, Soliem, and Sordin.

Soliem ordered for Sordin and Jess to jump through to the other side. “GET IN THERE!”

Sordin nods and rushes into the portal leaving Soliem and Jess. the Necron forces notice, and sprint madly at the only two remaining. Soliem yells at Jess.

“GET OUT OF HERE!”

“GOTTA CLOSE IT! NEED EXPLOSIVES!” Jess loads another magazine taken from a corpse.

Before she could shoot Soliem removes the magazine and shoves Jess into the portal. Jess floats in dead space while she stares at the portal in surprise, Soliem remains behind. Suddenly, Soliem joined in pointing her pistol at the portal and pulling the trigger. Silently the gun shoots out a flash and the portal closes. The lack of air catches up to Jess before she passes out.

Jess inhales a large gulp of air. The sudden realization that she is awake surprises her. She looks up noticing a familiar long red cloaked woman.

“Charion?”

“Hi.” she waves to Jess from above. “Seems like you passed out from the spacewalk.”

The pillow underneath Jess’ head was rather comfortable. She buried herself deeper into the pillow and closed her eye. “I need a vacation.”

Charion let out a small laugh. “You could go to the mall with everyone. I hear it will be fun.”

“Ugh.” Jess snuggled deeper into the pillow. “By the way, this pillow is really soft. What is it?”

Charion remained silent. Jess remained silent. They silently agreed to never mention this again.

The remaining guard members Circle around Cerberus each one taking turns petting and thanking the dogs.

“Thank you Commissar Cerberus.”

“Thanks Commissar Cerberus.”

“You have my respect, Commissar Cerberus.”

Meanwhile Commissar Sardin watches from a lone chair wondering where everything went wrong. However he did get some shorts and a purple shirt.

Sardin was approached by Inquisitor Soliem who pulled out a cup of recaf and offered the extra steamy mug to him. “Well commissar, looks like we both are in the unknown.”

Sardin quickly stands up from his chair and stiffens his posture. “Ma’am! Thank you but there's no need to-”

“At ease, we have been through far too much today that lies outside of our norm. At this point it’s all up to the will of those three.” Soliem points her mug at Cerberus. “Besides, apparently my psyker no longer has access to the warp in this place.” Soliem sips her mug.

Sardin takes the mug from Soliem. “Thank you, Soliem.”

Soliem smirks. “Know your place Sardin. Do not address me by my last name. Call me Maya.”

Sardin smiled and took a drink from his mug, he pulled it from his face in amazement. “Is this recaf?”

Maya finishes her sip. “The bag it was in says coffee. But if it looks like recaf, tastes like good recaf, it’s recaf.” The two idly standby and take a moment with each other.

Jess opens her left eye and takes in the area around her. About three hundred people occupy the room, many small and others large. Cerberus after being praised, lies collapsed on a pulled out cot. The three of them huddled together underneath the Commissar's cloak. Unfortunately any peace for Jess is interrupted by Sardin and Soliem approaching quickly.

Soliem stood above Jess and began barking out orders. “Now that everything is settled, I demand we be taken back to… wherever we came from.”

Jess glared at the Inquisitor. “Depends, are you going to try to kidnap and torture me again, or am I going to have to run away? If there is one thing I hate the most, it’s pain.”

The Inquisitor bites her tongue. “I swear by the Emperor I will do no harm to you or attempt to take you.”

“Great. Anyone have food?”

A soldier shouts out raising his hand in the air. “I got some! Never leave home without extra!” He smugly claims making his way through the crowd presenting a can of mystery meat to the prone Jess.

Jess sits up and accepts the can of meat and cranks it open, she takes a whiff before recoiling back a bit. “What is this?”

The guard's friend walks up behind grabbing his friend's shoulder and rubs his chin with his finger. “Sorry, Mark is from Necromunda. Just try not to think about what is in the can too hard.”

Cerberus awoken by the can smell lingers in the background weaving through the crowd, her eyes seemingly glowing a deep crimson red leering from the shadows.

“May I consume the flesh?”
“The flesh, can I have it?”
“I must have the-”

Jess tosses the can to Cerberus. Like piranha eating a chunk of flesh, the whole can was consumed in an instant.

Jess dropped her head, let out a sigh and stood up. “Ok, so Charion can you take us to the test chamber please?”

Charon tilts her head to the side. “Which one?”

“A-.” Jess rubbed her chin. “The portal one? I think?”

“A bit more specific.” Charon asks.

Jess dropped her arms to her side as she looked dead on the inside.“Oh gods.”

Charon raised her hands in surrender. “Just kidding! We’re already here.”

As she said a door opened behind her, it was much larger to accommodate some of the larger soldiers of the strange dimension. What was behind the door was a terrifying creature slowly lurking around the lit room.

vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Jess rushed towards the creature and kicked it over, spitting on it for extra measure. “I don’t usually hate machines, but I'll make an exception for you.” Jess had conquered the small robot.

Letting out a tired sigh Jess began to clean up on her own, watched by the many people inside the magic elevator. Bone dust littered the ground, dried blood needed a wet rag or two to clean it up and more needed to be gathered. Jess went at it alone, tired and drained. Mark the guardsman from Necromunda walked out from the elevator with a mop and bucket of water in hand.

“Rest up portal maker! I need more corps-starch!” Mark declared.

Jess watched as more and more people joined in. A couple Guardsman, two salamanders burn the ground to sterilize it, Even Commissar Sordin and Inquisitor Soliem joined in.

A couple of strange armored nuns approached Jess holding an IV bag and needle. “You might want to sit down for this.”

A little while later a pale Jess lay in the corner drained of blood. Charon brought an actual pillow over and fanned Jess while the two Brides of the Emperor observed the now full IV bag. The floor once cleaned had Cerberus laying down the bone part of the circle she saw before entering the portal for her first time. Jess sat up holding her head before standing up with the support of Charon.

Jess leans her head against Charon. “Ok so we just need to-” The door to the lab opens, everyone turns their head staring at the guest.

Justice stands there with a smile on her face. “Yo!” Justice raises one of her hands. “Loremaster is probably gunna want to hear about this.”

Jess panics for a moment. “AH! UH! HEY! JUSTICE!” Cerberus slowly backs into Charon’s elevator while Jess coughs into her hand. “So, uh what are you talking about?”

“I may be blind but I’m not totally unaware. Look at all these souls!” Justice vaguely gestures to the room.

Jess is sweating a bit more. “Must be age? I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

Justice laughs. “That’s not how my sight works. I may not be able to judge anyone’s soul anymore but I can still see them. Anyway, what are you willing to give me to keep my lips sealed?”

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-”

Interrupted by Justice she made an offer. “How about you come to the mall with us and I will keep my mouth shut?”

“Deal.” Jess said instantly, she really did not want to see what Loremaster would do for goofing off in her lab.

“Oh and try to flip the roomba back, it sets off alarms if it can’t do its job.” With that final statement Justices leaves with a wave.

The room falls silent as they stare at Jess. Despite the deal made with Jess, the instincts of most in the room are to kill the daemons. Inquisitor Soliem pulls out her pistol and strides to the door. Jess stands in the way.

Soliem pushes Jess to the side.“I just want to talk!”

Jess tried pushing her back. “No. no! Bad!”

“I swear it's just a small-”

The staff wielding big man grabbed Soliem’s shoulder. Soliem turned to face the person who dared try to stop her only to realize it’s the sanctioned psyker she calls an ally. He shakes his head solemnly. Soliem aggressively holsters her pistol and steps away from the door. Jess relaxes for a bit, sliding down the door.

“Hey Cerberus.”

The three dogs poke their heads around the corner.

“Yep!”
“Here!”
“Nice save!”

“Can you please complete the circle?”

Commissar Cerberus steps out. “It will count as your favor!”

Two guardsmen Cerberus holding their lasguns at ease step out side by side with Commissar Cerberus.

“Fine.”

The three salute Jess.

“Ma’am yes ma’am!”
“Ma’am yes ma’am!”
“Ma’am yes ma’am!”

They get to work nabbing the blood bag from the Brides of the Emperor and quickly forming all the symbols required for the ritual. The portal opens. One by one each saved person enters into the now known. Soliem and Sordin enter together leaving one last person, Soliem’s staff wielding ally is the only one left in the room. He turns towards Jess.

“I must warn you fractured one, if you were to return to our realm you will be pursued by a force wanting to occupy the remainder of your nearly empty shell.The Emperor protects.”

Jess looked up at the man standing in front of her. Her exhausted nod was the only response he would receive. With that he entered the portal, it being closed by the roomba that was once again sucking up the bonedust that formed the circle. Cerberus moped up the blood and cleaned the room thoroughly much to Charon and Jess’ surprise. Charon excused herself, Cerberus and Jess said goodbye as the two were left alone listening to the ambient sound of the roomba.

Jess tried to stand up only for Cerberus to scoop her up with a smile. “Uh. Cerberus I can walk.”

“Nope.”
“Not happening.”
“Too bad.”

Jess, tired, allowed Cerberus to carry her off to her room. Cerberus sets Jess on the floor while the three of them get on the bed. Cuddling each other in Jess’ bed.. Jess sits up and picks through one of the unopened clothing boxes, a black leather eyepatch sits in its box. She opens it up and straps it on. Jess feels around and adjusts it making sure it's comfortable. Jess turns towards Cerberus for a moment.

“Can I get a pillow at least?”

Cerberus tosses the pillow hitting Jess in the face. She lets out a sigh and finally gets some rest. For about two hours, but it was the best two hours of sleep Jess had in a couple of days.

Cerberus gets up first running around the room wildly. They now wear low cut red shirts black jeans and flats.

“GET UP GET UP!”
“IT'S TIME C'MON SLEEPY HEAD!”
“I WANNA LAUGH AT THE PETS IN THE PET STORE!”

Cerberus picking up Jess’ legs dragged her off to wherever they were supposed to meet everyone. Turning a corner sharply Jess slams against it before Cerberus drops her legs back to the ground.

“Sorry.”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry.”

Letting out a groan Jess carefully gets up rubbing her side. “I’m fine…Bleh.”

Walking into the breakroom Cerberus asks an odd question about her eyepatch.

“Do you think the eyepatch makes you look cool?”
“I bet she is wearing it to cover a wart.”
“She’s in her edgy phase!”