Chapter 20: Water to Wine
"Doctor, tell me, what is it?"
The woman frowned at him, he held her arm letting his thumb race over the heart shaped mark on the side of her wrist. If he didn't know any better he'd have said it was a tattoo, but something about it bothered him.
"And you didn't get it tattooed?" Cain asked, eyes glancing up to her. Blonde, wavy hair framed her face before turning to deep brown. She still wore her security outfit, with a gun attached to the belt, a can of pepper spray and a badge hooked to her shirt.
"Mrs. Gunnr,"
"Miss."
Cain shook his head, dropping Bailey's hand with a frown.
"You can call me Bailey," she said, rubbing the mark on her wrist.
"Maybe it's...from the sun," Cain didn't often see things he couldn't explain but a sudden tattoo just...appearing? The heart was red as the slayer's shirt he wore under his white lab coat.
"The sun?" She arched her eyebrow at him, giving a deadpan stare. This caused the doctor to feel a little stupid, which he hated, making him lose his train of thought and just stare at her.
"Ooo-kay," she got to her feet, grabbing the small purse she brought with her "every doctor in New York is an idiot," she huffed, "noted."
Cain was so blind sided by the others' comment he simply watched her leave with his jaw nearly on the floor, Cherm giggled against his ear.
"I like her," he growled, Cain shook his head.
"Shut up, idiot," he hissed out, taking a seat in his small chair.
The tablet in front of him was state of the art, seated on a stand that swung down from the ceiling and moved easily when needed. A keyboard had been plugged into the side, his fingers tracing the keys. Sitting in the small patient room, lifting his feet so his shoes rested on the bed. The white paper under his feet crinkled softly.
Cain Pressed a finger down on the computer screen, bringing the tablet to life. With a few swift movements of his digit he was able to bring up her medical records. Glancing through them quickly, looking for signs of mental illness. His eyes flashed to only a few years ago, having been in a Psychiatric hospital for suicidal tendencies and delusions, drug addiction and self harm.
Humming softly to himself, sitting back in the small chair causing the back to let out a soft squeak. Something about this mark bothered him, he glanced over her name once more and suddenly it hit him. He had heard the demons talking about her. At least, her name. But why her? Did the heart mean something? Was Obizuth behind this?
He picked up the cordless phone next to the desk, holding it to his ear.
"Debra? Cancel the rest of my rounds today," he said simply, placing the phone down without waiting for an answer. He didn't care if she did or not, that'd be bad news for whoever made the drive to the hospital to see him but it didn't matter to Cain.
Why was this woman special? Why had she been given this mark? He scanned her files, pulling them up one after the other. Going deep into her history with narrowed hazel eyes, yet he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary up until her children passed away. He pulled up the name of the ward she stayed at, using his personal phone and dialing the number. After a few rings a woman answered, stating the name of the ward, asking for the reason to call.
"Miss?"
"Cheryl,"
"Miss Cheryl, my name's Cain Granjero. I'm Mrs. Bailey Gunnr's primary doctor, I'm calling due to a recent appointment she had with me," his voice coming out sweet, almost playful as he spoke. He hated talking like this, but it was something his father had pushed for as a child. Thankful he didn't have to directly lie to the woman's face since he often had issues with that. Giving her his doctor's medical number and the hospital he worked for.
The woman hummed, he could hear her clicking on the keys to an old computer, "ah yes, Mrs. Gunnr," she said with a smile in her voice, "is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm her primary doctor," he said again, feeling his voice waver for a heartbeat, clicking a few buttons on the computer. Switching her from her usual doctor to him, she'd get the notification but he'd find an excuse somehow.
"Oh, let me see, I just need to verify,"
Cain clicked on his own computer quickly, pulling up her medical number, last four of her social security, and cell number.
"Alright Mr. Granjero," the woman said, he read over the information she needed easily, making himself act as if he needed to search for something here and there. Grinning to himself with how easy it all was to gain any information he needed, how easy people trusted.
"Alright! Sounds good, what do you need to know?" Her voice was more pleasant now as she spoke, guard down. Good.
"Can you tell me what she was given?"
The woman went over a handful of medications that didn't interest Cain, mostly anti psychotics, depression and anxiety. He typed them into his own personal notes regardless, placing the phone on the counter as the woman babbled about something that Cain didn't find interesting.
"Cherm, headphones."
Cherm moved away from him, going to the doctor's bag on the other side of the room and rooting around. He found a pair of bluetooth headphones that sat snug over the man's head, and the doctor clicked them on.
"Alright, can you tell me why she was admitted?" He asked as the woman finally stopped her chatting.
The woman hummed again, typing on the computer. He had hoped he would talk to someone who knew Bailey personally but he'd take what he could get before the woman figured out what he was doing.
"It says here after her sons were murdered in a break in, this caused her to have a mental break. Stating demons were following her. She was admitted and released after two years and a few months,"
Cain nodded a few times as he typed it in, now he knew he had to talk to Obizuth.
"Did she ever describe the demon?"
He could hear her shuffle around some paperwork, "Uh, yes? Is it important?"
Cain froze, it wasn't exactly important but he was curious for whatever reason.
"I-- uh,"
He felt the warmth of Cherm enter his being, letting out a soft gasp as his body went numb. Feeling as if he weren't even inside it anymore, a feeling he was rapidly getting used too as Cherm got stronger.
"Yes," The voice sounded even more charming than before as Cherm spoke, "I'm starting her on some new medicine and want to see if her hallucinations have changed in the years since getting out,"
There was a small pause on the woman's end before speaking, "It says she saw a demon with curly hair that was shaped like a mullet, white, purple wings?"
"Thank you so much," he said, hanging up before the woman could get any sort of suspicion.
"What a twist of fate, we'll have to speak to the only mullet wearing demon we know," Cherm growled, letting himself out of the doctor's body causing Cain to take a few quick breaths to regain his composure. As he returned to his normal state of mine he started to transfer her files to his phone. Checking to make sure it all was sent successfully before scrolling his contacts, hazel eyes danced from his notes to Cherm who had settled beside him now.
"What?" Obizuth snarled into the phone.
"Nice to hear from you too,"
"Cut the crap, what do you want Cain? I'm busy,"
"Busy? Doing what? Failing?"
"What the hell is wrong with you,"
"Meet me in my office. Bring Mammon,"
He hung up the phone, she called again but he hit the red button, getting up and collecting his stuff. The man made his way out of the room and towards his office.
He needed a place with no cameras, and though the room he was in had a broken camera he wasn't sure if anyone was listening.
***
Baal watched as Bailey paced out in front of the hospital, she looked frazzled more than usual. He had been on his way back to the motel when he spotted her in a panic, now he just watched. She paced a few more minutes before leaving the front of the hospital and making her way to her car.
"Something's not right," he murmured to himself, shaking his head and starting up his motorcycle once more. The world raced past the man, his mind swirling with thought as the loud noises of New York surrounded him. His jaw clenched as he pulled up to the motel, a feeling of deep dread burned into his skin as he parked his bike, getting off quickly and making his way into the room. He and Nathan had been hopping from motel to motel attempting to keep themselves from being discovered but finally deciding to wait in this one until Abel and Chamuel made it up to them.
"Nathan, I think somethings going on," Baal said as he pushed into the room, the Slayer hunched over his laptop with a few soda cans tossed around him.
"I think Cham's getting stronger," Nathan said, glancing up at Baal with his eyebrows creased. Baal made his way to the long haired male, glancing at what the Slayer was doing on the screen.
"Why do you say that?" Baal questioned.
Nathan scrolled through their twitter, playing the video Abel had just sent to him. Asking him to edit and post almost an hour ago now, Nathan was getting good at chopping the videos apart and putting them together, silently the man was proud of his editing and computer skills he was rapidly learning despite still being new with the up to date technology.
The men watched as Chamuel fought the Jersey Devil mid air, the movements, the power. It sent a shiver through Baal as he watched War fight, the demon gripped the table he'd been leaning on with great force as he watched War rip the creature apart and toss it at Abel. Abel smacking it with a loud clunk with the baseball bat, the demon king sat on the floor. Attempting to steady himself, anxious energy flowing through his veins.
"Are you okay? You...look sick," Nathan asked, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Yeah...just, I'm about to meet...the King of Kings and if the King doesn't like me, trust me, Nathan that angel could turn me to salt." Baal groaned, racing his fingers anxiously through his hair.
"It's Abel," Nathan chuckled, "You two have been texting, right? He'll like you,"
"Nathan, I only know rumors about the King of Kings. At least, only the ones from before,"
"Before?" Nathan gave the other a puzzled look as Baal pulled himself up, sitting down on the bed behind him.
"There has been another, but most of his journey has been lost and forgotten, changed to fit a new narrative,"
"Why are you so worried though? It's...not like Abel will dislike you,"
"Nathan, I don't think you understand," Baal shook his head, letting out a shaken breath, "a demon has never been recorded helping the King of King. Demons, we've been the bad guys for every bible story. Why should a King want my help?"
Nathan seemed to hesitate, Baal could see the man was still trying to make sense of everything as he placed a hand on the demon's shoulder. Pausing the video he got up and sat beside him, "If Abel decides I'm a threat, Nathan, that's it for me,"
"I won't let that happen, you're…" Nathan hesitated, "My friend,"
***
Obizuth leaned against the doctor's desk, fiddling with a pen she had snatched from the other's desk. Her red hair curled, falling against her shoulders in a fashionable manner.
"It's called a devil's mark," She said, the man eyed her as she twirled the pen between her fingers. Mammon nowhere to be seen.
Her cherry red lipstick reminded the man of the many nights he'd spent watching Cherm enjoy a bloody feast.
"It's something only specific demons, like Lucifer himself, can lay on people." She clicked the pen a few times before tossing it back down on the wooden desk. Walking over to his wall, placing a hand on his doctorates.
"You really graduated high school at thirteen?" She turned her attention to him, arching an eyebrow.
"Is there a reason it's a heart?" He asked in response, ignoring her question, "Who is she? Why is she so important? Why did Mammon kill her kids?"
She visibly rolled her eyes, making her way to the other side of the room and opening up a few file cabinets. Cain watched her with an irritated expression growing on his face, Cherm shot from his shadow and slammed into the files causing her to gasp in shock and stumble back.
"Speak to your king," He snapped at her, his eyes narrowed.
She cleared her throat, taking a seat now in the chair settled before his large desk.
"Devil makes it something...not suspicious," She sputtered out, "The actual mark in a few layers of skin below. If it's not removed by a certain time it'll settle on the bone,"
"What does it do?" Cain asked, leaning back now in his chair as she seemed less distracted. Cherm stood beside him, a formless body of pitch blackness with two glowing white eyes and a vivid white smile that stretched from cheek to cheek.
"When someones marked, that means they're being hunted down without their consent. Usually demons need to have some sort of deal made with someone, but Lucifer...he can mark whoever he wants."
"Why her?" He tilted his head, brushing his chin against his hands that sat folded in front of his face, below on the desk.
"Baal's...been seen around her a lot," She said with a shrug,
"The one who saved Nathan Lancaster?"
Obizuth nodded, seeming to relax now as she watched Cherm out of the corner of her eye. The discomfort of the other brought joy to the shadow figure, he squirmed where he stood.
"You got it, Doc," She replied with a shrug,
"And what about Mammon? Why did he kill her kids?" Cain asked,
"No clue, he probably got paid to do it. You know Mammon, he ate a hundred marshmallows for twenty bucks. The guys a nut job,"
Cain wasn't satisfied with this answer but she didn't seem to care much about it, after all demons killed people for fun all the time.
"Why didn't he mark Baal? Or Nathan?" Cain asked, his ears pricked to the sound of soft whispers that raced through his mind. He could hear the demons chatting with one another, much like how the angel's communicated with one another.
"Baal was a big deal in hell, even now, he's more powerful than whatever assassins they're going to send after him. So he's going after his other weaknesses. Nathan's with Baal, they'd figure that out way too quickly."
Cain nodded slowly, his eyes traced her features as if he were sizing her up.
"What can kill Baal?" Cain finally asked, clearing his throat causing Cherm to sink into the floor slowly. She watched the shadow melt into Cain's body before turning attention back to the other.
"Faith, love and pixie dust," She huffed, feeling more at ease now that the creature was gone. Causing Cain to clear his throat more aggressively, she rolled her eyes at him once more.
"Angel's grace," She said, "Only two things can kill a demon his size. Angel's grace, like what turned Onoskelis to bone. Fucking asshole." She hissed, recalling the incident. She had been so close to having the necklace, she could almost taste it's divine powers.
"What's the other thing?"
"Archangel Michael's sword,"
Cain suddenly was interested, tilting his head at the sound of the sword. He'd heard tall tales about the sword from his father, Slayers around him even. But this? Coming from the mouth of a demon?
"What happened to it?"
"Not sure, Lancaster's had it last to 'save the world'. Haven't seen it since," She shrugged, Cain nodded slowly as he fell deep into thought. His mind worked quickly as he raced through the images in his head.
"Do you know a Butch?" He asked, pulling his phone out and showing the picture that Nathan had sent to him. Arching an eyebrow at the demon, She tilted her head before nodding slowly.
"Yeah, he's...one of Faith's weird minions or something, why?"
"Find him," Cain said with a sigh, scrolling through his texts back and forth with the Slayer. It was easy to fool him, people were easy to trick into trusting you when you knew the right buttons to press.
"Find him?"
"Help him, do whatever he wants. Get Arphaxad to help,"
"How am I--"
"That'll be all, Obizuth," He finally said, not looking at her. Staring intently at the papers on his desk he still needed to fill out for a patient who had just passed. She hesitated as though she were about to argue but thought better of it.
"Yes, my king," She said this in an almost annoyed tone as she got to her feet.
Before leaving the room she went down to her knees, bowing to him with her head down. The action sent a spark of excitement and fear in him, he knew he'd have to be a proper king like how he saw them on the television. He hesitated before nodding at her. She got to her feet heartbeats later. Turning on her heels and leaving the room, the door closing hard behind her as she stormed away from his office.
"Cherm better take over his body soon, that guy really irritates the hell out of me," She hissed to herself.
***
"My king, welcome home," their voice sweet as Cain stepped into the apartment. Amaryllis bowed their head at him as he walked in, they held a bowl in one arm and a spoon in the other mixing something together.
"Oh my king!!" His mother shouted, leaping up from her spot on the old couch and making her way to Cain. She wrapped her arms around her son in a tight hug, he placed his chin on the top of her head.
"Hello Mom," he murmured, smiling as she hugged him tight. Comfort flooded over his being as he held her to his chest with a warm grin.
"I don't need to bow to the king, mother's never need to," she laughed, pulling away and looking him up and down. Her grey hair falling in her face, Holly green gaze tracing his features.
"Of course you don't, mom," he chuckled, letting her run her fingers through his dark locks.
"I heard the angels again," she whispered, Cain frowned.
"Your perfect match, Cain, they speak of them. Blonde hair, blue eyes, an angel fit for a king. The ultimate king,"
He caught Amaryllis' eye before nodding to his mother, "I know Mom, you've been telling me that since I was a kid," he chuckled, she nodded to him turning on her heels and going back to the couch. She settled down and watched the old TV set with a smile,
"Mom, me and Amaryllis have to run an errand. Will you be okay for a few hours?" Cain asked, making his way to the couch and leaning down against the back of it. Kissing the top of her head a few times causing her to laugh, grinning up at him.
"Of course, baby!" She sang, "my favorite shows on," nodding to the TV, turning his attention to the screen with a tilt of his head. Lord of the Rings blasted from the speakers, he knew the movie so well he could close his eyes and picture it in his head.
"Someday my Frodo will find his Sam!" She chimed, grinning at him. Cain shook his head with a smile,
"I don't think Frodo and Samwise were lovers, mom"
"That's what they want you to think," she said with a wink before turning attention back to the hobbits on the screen.
Cain wouldn't mind being with a man, but it always rubbed him in the wrong way when his mother insisted upon it. Stating that the "King of Kings" was in love with an angel, since he was the true king of kings did that mean he would be in love with Chamuel?
"Come," he said to Amaryllis who nodded, following Cain as he made his way out of the apartment watching as his mother sat almost completely still on the couch.
"She's been talking to the demons all day, what's happening?" They asked as the two made their way down the steps of the fancy apartment complex and towards the man's car. The demons didn't talk as much as the angels, it was odd to hear them so often. The bigger the darkness grew, the more they talked. It sent a chill of excitement through Cain.
"Doesn't matter," he whispered, "so long as she keeps believing they are angels,"
"She's believed that since we were kids, Cain," they murmured, eyeing the man for a few heartbeats. Cain glanced over to them, his mind flashed to when they were children. Amaryllis always seemed far more interested in Cherm than they were with Cain.
"I saw that video, it's happening, isn't it?" They asked, eyes burning with worry.
"Yes. I've found a way into Abel's inner circle, soon, I'll take my rightful place as king," Cain said with pride flooding his voice, grabbing the handle to the driver's side of his car. Amaryllis' smile took up the whole of their face at the others' words, they didn't reply as they ducked into the car.
***
Baal waited anxiously outside of the church, Nathan had to stop to collect a few holy "weapons" and the demon didn't exactly feel comfortable around anything holy. The last time he had attempted to enter Church grounds he nearly burnt up! Holy ground wasn't a place for the unholy.
His eyes traced the large building, with it's crosses standing out against the cloudy skies above. Stained glass cast it's beautiful lights to the concrete below, the demon shifted uncomfortably on the motorcycle as he waited. Nathan had been inside for a good hour now, which worried the man. What if his friend needed help? No, he's in a church. He's safe. Baal continued to repeat this to himself, pulling out his phone to distract himself.
Spinning the pokestops that surrounded the church on his phone, his monster reacted positively with every spin making the demon smile.
"Cuter than a hellhound," he murmured. The loud squeak of the church doors caused the demon to glance up, squinting his eyes as small rolls of sunlight cascaded from the heavens.
Nathan made his way towards his friend, head down, looking at his phone. A small fanny pack wrapped around the Slayer's waist, Baal could see it was full from where he sat. Nathan raced his fingers through his long hair with a frustrated glint on his features.
"How do these people keep taking our gym?" He huffed out.
"Well, you're low level. Them kids gotcha beat,"
"I'm Level twenty now, you'd assume my Pokemon would be stronger,"
Nathan pulled out a small bottle of sanitizer, using it quickly before getting on the back of the other's bike.
"You're trying to defend a gym with a baby," Baal chuckled as he placed his helmet back on. Rolling the blue sleeves of his hoodie up as the bike roared to life.
"I like them," Nathan murmured, wrapping his arms around Baal as the bike pelted forward. The two drove in silence for a short time, Baal's mind on the upcoming meeting with Abel and Chamuel. Both of which were awake and on their way to the address that the two were given.
Nathan recognized the address almost immediately, "Oh, Mick's place," Nathan had said with a small smile.
"He's one hell of a Slayer, I haven't seen him for ages,"
Though Baal trusted Nathan he wasn't so sure about the other Slayers, especially considering how Butch reacted to see the Chamulet for the first time. An uneasy feeling settled in the demon king's gut as he drove past Cain's car. Eyes glancing towards the doctor in slight surprise at seeing him again, noticing the person beside him. Neither seemed to see Baal or Nathan as they drove past, something was happening. Baal could feel it deep in his gut, and he didn't like that he felt it only now after seeing Cain.
***
Cain stepped into the building with his head held up high, the large, empty looking space was a demon's playground that reached far down into the Earth. He knew there were many of these buildings, but this one was the one where it was all going to happen. He felt a sudden wave of dizziness but brushed it off, he had his usual tea before coming and the stuff always seemed to tire him.
Demons stood in a line on either side of the door, the room was empty of all furniture except a large throne that settled in the middle of the room with a table. The table held a handful of golden cups that surrounded a goblet. The large golden cup shimmered in the false lights above them, a black diamond sat in the center of it. The darkness of the gem was so deep, so dark, it stood out against everything surrounding it as though it was a black hole sucking in colors.
"Our king," Obizuth whispered as Cain walked past his lackies, every demon bowing to him as he stepped into the red tinted room. Turning to look at Amaryllis who was now on their knees as well in front of the doorway. His shoes scuffed the strip of black carpet that raced from the entrance to a stairway that was settled past the throne. The blue light of the outside word died as the door was shut, he felt a mix of anxiety and excitement flood his body.
"If you can do this," Obizuth said, looking up at him with a smile so bright. She stood beside the throne, his right hand. "You are the chosen one,"
Cain nodded, he took the last few steps to the large golden throne. Sitting down on the black, puffy cushion.
The doctor pulled the golden necklace from under his shirt, it shone bright against his palm. He reached forward, picking up the goblet. It was heavy in his hands, fingers traced the golden dragon that had been etched passionately into the cup. Its eyes bright red gems, mouth opened to show rows of sharp, knife-like teeth.
Cherm moved from the man's shadow to stand beside him, smiling as he did so. None of the demons got up from their bowing as Cain swirled the dark liquid in his cup. Standing up he held the goblet to the skies, the demons slowly looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
"With this sip, if I live, I am the true king." He attempted to sound confident, like he assumed a king would but his fear dotted his tone.
"The true king," The demons whispered, their voices filling the air around him sending a wave of excitement buzzing into his mind. He knew it would work, he never expected it not too. From his birth Cain was prepared to be the king of this world, of Heaven, of Hell.
With soft hesitation he brought the cup to his lips, the air turned tense as he took his long sip. The dark liquid raced down his throat, burning his body and turning his blood to fire. It hurt. But the glow from the golden necklace told him that the pain wasn't going to last as a warm feeling replaced the sharp stabbing agony. Slowly, Cain pulled the cup from his lips and placed it on the table.
He felt the darkness in him, he could feel it moving like bugs had gotten trapped in the depths of his veins. They moved. They bit. But with every sharp pain the necklace around his neck seemed to heal it, stop the pain, his smile grew wide. The demons erupted into whispers as Cain looked to Cherm, then to Obizuth who gave him such a bright smile. He knew it, he knew he was meant to be the king. Not Jesus, not God, not an angel, not even Abel. It was Cain. Cain was the king. Sparks of excitement flooded his system as he attempted to keep the giddy feeling from entering his facial features. Keeping his stony demeanor.
Soon, the angels would see it too as he picked up the goblet again.
"Drink," He said to Obizuth, pouring the dark liquid from the cup into one of the smaller ones. The liquid turned from black to red as it flowed out, causing the demon to gasp in joy. Eagerly taking the glass from the table, she downed the wine without a second though.
"You've successfully turned the darkness to wine," She grinned.
"You know what that means?" He asked her,
As if on cue, the sludge started to rise from the ground below his feet. Turning to hands as it danced around his being, he grinned wide as he continued to pour into every cup for his followers.
"The darkness and me, we are one," Cain said, holding up his arms in pure joy as the sludge clung to his legs and moved upwards. The glow on the necklace got brighter as the deep, dark muck moved in and out of his skin. The demons stood now, going for the cups, each one taking a drink in their hands and downing the liquid.
"Amaryllis," He said, beckoning them to his side.
"You...I have chosen you, as my Lionheart," He said. They stood now, a hesitation in their eyes before they made their way to Cain. He gestured for them to stand beside Cherm as they picked up one of the glasses, looking into the deep, dark red liquid.
"Yes my king," They said, downing the bitter tasting alcohol with a grimace. Cain sat back down on the throne, pulling out his cellphone with a smile. Only a few hours now until he met Abel, once Abel was dead no one could stop him from restarting the Earth. Giving the human race a better chance. A new world of science, of medicine! He'd save the world as their true king of Kings.
"Soon these fuckin' humans won't know what hit them," Mammon added from where he stood on the left of Cain, swirling the wine in the cup before downing it.
"The war officially starts today,"
***
He had to have it, the Chamulet. He needed it. Butch sat in the empty home, his eyes narrowed against the harsh sunlight that filtered into the broken roof of the abandoned home. Sitting out of the way of the city the home was often seen as haunted, which kept most people away and it was the perfect place for the Slayer to get himself together. He had a plan to get the amulet, his eyes darted from the phone in his hand to the blonde who sat beside him.
The mans red rimmed glasses reminded Butch of his childhood, having to watch other people thrive in their environment through the glass of his own thick set of lenses.
"So," Arphaxad said, looking around him with a smile. The demon had been specially called to help Butch, though he didn't do house calls if it meant getting closer to having Abel's soul he'd do it.
"What can I do?" The blonde asked, the Slayer shuffled. He was awkward, his tattoos were all of the old war. The war the world had never even heard of unless they dug for it. When the world was almost destroyed for something as simple as an angel's grace.
"Ah," Butch started, "I aint sure, I…"
"You want me to turn this place into something...crazy? Chaotic?" He pushed, he didn't have time to play twenty questions. The demon was busy as it was but his voice remained friendly toward the bald man.
"Yeah, I suppose," Butch grumbled, scratching his head at the thought.
"Look," Arphaxad laughed, placing a hand on the others shoulder "I got'cha, Butch. You want something that'll...confuse and frustrate Abel, right?"
The man nodded numbly, "I aint...got nothi' againt 'em but I need that Chamulet,"
"I understand, believe me! I want you to have it too," Arphaxad said with a grin, holding up a hand and snapping his fingers. The sound echoed around them, Butch glanced to and fro, blinking.
"Give it a few minutes," Arph said with a smile, "I know Abel pretty well, this place will turn him upside down. When he's asking for help?" The smile that crept over the demons features sent a chill down Butch's spine. "You take that necklace."
"And...you ain't gonna double cross me? Get it for ya'self?"
"Oh?" Arphaxad raised an eyebrow at the man, "Why would I volunteer to help you if I was going to take the necklace? Abel's like puddy in my hands, if I wanted that, I'd have gotten it ages ago,"
Butch shook his head, looking at the demon with confusion written all over his face.
"Than...what're you gettin' outta this?"
Arphaxad smiled wider, the world under them slowly started to shake as the wood in the home morphed and moved as though it were alive. The loud creaking and cracking of broken metal could be heard from deep in the heart of the place, Butch nearly fell as the earth shook harder.
Arphaxad wrapped his arm around Butch's shoulder, grinning as his breath touched the mans ear.
"What am I getting?" He asked, a giggle in his voice as he whispered, "His soul,"