Break

Lo-Nine

Amy

A demon and Angel enjoyed a tea party in the mysterious domain of the Watchers. Everything was going as planned. Or everything was going as well as could be planned.

Revent was defeated.

"WHAT!?"

Or nothing was going as planned.

She sputtered out her tea at the sudden update and destruction of her beloved new Nephilim. They had been separated shortly after her heavy landing into the land of the Watchers.

"Mm?" Slate inquired tiredly. The demon god sat at the large round table, quietly sipping from her own cup. Her Germanic plate visor was lifted, revealing her eye, nose slits,and mouth.

"Revent got blasted! Who did it- I'll beat them up! I’ll get them- they’ll never sleep again!"

"Could be anyone," Slate replied absently.

"Yeah, but no one beats my minions but me! And even then, how did he bite-it first and not Gup??" Amy slammed her large hand into her palm.

"Don't know," the demon god bit down onto a crunchy cookie.

She could feel Revent's demon stone was regenerating much faster than last time. It would be only minutes before she could summon the big idiot and he could explain why he failed. She huffed and crossed her arms, forgoing her tea. It had been a good adventure so far with Slate. Although suddenly losing all of her demons was concerning. They were so fickle. She was too gracious with them. But alas, that was her cross to bear.

She was a benevolent ruler, after all.

They had just defeated a wave of her own summoned demons, gone mad for unknown reasons. Those big idiots. Didn't they even know who she was? She wouldn't tolerate any dissension.

No sir!

"I'm so mad about this stupid Watcher place, I could just spit!"

"Stop being dramatic," Slate shot back.

Amy's eyes bugged out as she pounded the table.

"Dramatic is all I have! And demons. And magic."

"And Liberal Arts."

"Stooooop it! You promised you wouldn't bring it up!"

"I lied," she casually finished her tea and teacup in a single gulp.

Amy stewed at the table, drinking her tea in a huff.

She felt Revent's charge complete. She rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers, resummoning him.

The nephilim rushed to her side, kneeling down.

Man, this Revent guy is pretty snazzy! Even though he lost.

"My mistress, I have failed. Lictor rebelled.”

Amy’s eyes narrow. Rebelled? Who would ever dare to do that? No one good ever rebelled!

“Explain.”

“Gup and I were separated from you-”

“-I know-”

“And we met with one who claimed to be your ‘bestie’.”

She blinked absently. Who else would be her bestie? Slate was already here.

“Void?”

The Nephilim shook his head.

“Who? No, it was a human named Gideon.”

Slate snorted at him.

“That guy. Hmph.”

Amy darted her eyes back and forth in thought. She pondered back to The Skylon and other misadventures. That was it. It was ‘that guy’. The guy on the ship. The ship where the guy was. Him. That guy.

….

……..

“Who?”

...

She caught Revent looking to Slate, getting no help.

“His name was Gideon-”

“-That doesn’t help! I’ll need to see his face! Besties… huh...”

The Nephilim was at a loss, going silent.

“So Lictor rebelled. Where is he?-”

Lictor was Slain.

Amy winced at the update. She checked his status, seeing the internal resummon clock was blank. Shock branched through in stunned stupidity. Then it gave way to anger and frustration as it ignited inside of her. Her eyes bugged out as she sputtered and stammered. Her fists strained, her body trembled. Lictor had just been exorcised. It would take a long time and many resources to revive him now; if at all. If it was Adonai or someone using his power, Lictor was as good as done. She lept off her chair and danced around, hopping mad.

“You frick-a-frackin-Big idiot- No good- Big fricki dumb- dumb, dumby, dumb- frackin’ lardheaded- Led-footed- Mornic- Log-brained idiot demons!”

Both her mind and tongue lashed out in anger. She stamped and shook in impotent fury. She went quiet as everyone stared at her. Revent averted his gaze as Slate simply blinked at her half-heartedly. Amy calmed down, peering pure annoyance at her nephilim.

“What did you do to him?”

Revent looked away.

“I- he rebelled and attacked others without your orders. He attempted to devour the human who claimed was your ‘bestie’. I fought Lictor and was defeated in the crossfire after I rescued them. I do not know what happened afterwards.”

She shied her face away for a moment.

Man! Even his apologies are cool! Stop it! He’s your minion! You boss him around- not the other way!

She turned back, forcing that look of annoyance. She patted him roughly on the head.

“There there, Revent. I’m sure you did your best. Sit down and grab a cup. We’re just having a break.”

Revent got to his feet and grabbed a nearby seat. He nursed his cup of tea, appearing sullen despite his impassive black visor-face. There was nothing to be done. Lictor was thrashed as any demon could be. Served that big idiot right. She did feel an immense power growth before the led-brained fool offed himself.

“So, Slatey, when are we going to head out?”

The armored demon god glanced over at her, eye-lid half open.

“We’re just waiting on a few others.”

She almost drank and spit out her tea.

“The G-g-green guy?”

“Him? No. Just some others. They’re getting close, now.”

“Who?”

She traded looks with Revent.

“You’ll see.”

She could hear tap clacking and loud sniffing, followed by strange fleshy shuffling. She stared off into the darkness, seeing two outlines, one big and one small. The tiny one was baying and howling irreconcilably.

“Who's there!” she shouted into the black.

The small one got close into the light, revealing it was a scrappy corgi.

“Where is Gid? Where did you take him! You are bad guys!” the dog howled.

Wait. She recognized him. The Skylon! The annoying-and-not-adorable-at-all dog.

“Bad guys? We’re the good guys! You! You’re the bad dog!”

“I am not bad I am a good boy! Crow robe and ink girl you are both bad! Gid-e-ooon!” the corgi howled back.

Whoa… He got me there…

Amy glanced to Slate, seeing her disinterested stare.

“These big idiots were the ones?”

“Yup,” she grabbed a cookie and chomped it down.

The dog was baying and stamping his feet before the large thing entered her view. It was a big fleshy worm about four hundred pounds or so. She cringed at it.

“What in the seven layers of hell is that??”

Slate rose to her feet, pushing back the chair as she clattered around the table. The dog stood in between them and the ugly worm.

“You are bad guys so go away! Where is Gid??”

She remembered seeing Slate beat up the dog and then that mangy mutt found its way back to them. She didn’t like petting it at all; no way.

I hate dogs! They’re like babies! I won’t stand for it- no sir!

Amy followed Slate’s actions and stood beside her. She began rubbing her hands together. They hadn’t crushed anything worthwhile since they arrived. This would be fun!

“What do you think, Slate? Magic and might? Slam these fools?”

“Amy,” Slate began with a hint of emotion in her voice.

Amy looked at her, seeing judgment in her eye.

“W-what?”

“That worm is Neon’s child.”

She slowly craned her head to stare hard at the fat, ugly thing.

“C-c-child? H-his?”

She gulped.

The seared memory was still fresh in her mind. The last thing she ever wanted to do was see that emerald jerk ever again. But what Slate stated was impossible. Demons couldn’t have ‘kids’. Demons were like weeds and could only grow from the lowest rung up. And the fact that the worm was a baby made it ten times as gross as before.

“Yup.”

The dog continued to bark and howl over this ‘Gid’ guy before Slate made her way over to the corgi. It bolted away, yapping and barking up a storm.

“You are bad- where is Gid! Ink girl bad!"

"Good Lucy this mutt is annoying!"

As Slate moved to the corgi, the dog scampered away. When she marched back to the table, the dog followed behind, barking all the way.

“Bad bad bad!”

Slate then reached into her armor, pulling free a crackling back of crisp snacks.

The world halted at the orange thing that promised treats.

Is she going too bait and then eat the dumb mutt? Because that wouldn't be sad at all!

She popped the bag open, releasing the sealed flavor within. The corgi's nose twitched, his ears perked up as he stood at attention. Slate made her way over as the dog retreated. She placed a small cheese dusted chip on the ground, leaving a trail as she pulled back to the table. She placed a final chip at her feet and gave the bag a shake.

What is she doing? Baiting the poor fool to his doom?

"Kehehehehe!"

She couldn't help but laugh.

The dog began sniffing the chip, giving it a lick before he chomped it up, licking his lips and trotting to the next one. The ugly worm thing gave a warbling cry as it began scooting behind the corgi.

"Ugh! Go away, worm!"

Both stopped at her cry, but she went silent at Slate's withering look.

"Eep!"

She clamped her mouth shut as the dog continued his trek, scampering to each chip and munching them down. He got close to Slate, spitting the last delicious crisp snack. He nervously danced from side to side.

Slate marched to the growling dog extending her hand. She flashed the bag, squatting down with effort to show it to the dog. The growling ceased as the corgi grumbled, ears perking up. He licked his chops.

“Good doggy,” Slate coaxed.

The corgi took a step forward with conflict in his mood. The air was tense. Amy gripped her robe train, stepping from one foot-nub to the next.

Slate clumsily shuffled forward, clanking and grinding her armor as she did. Baxter tucked his tail, scampering back before prowling forward.

“Come here. Good doggy,” Slate muttered.

This is probably the part where she eats that dumb mutt!

The dog scooted forward before tentatively nibbling a bit from the last chip. Slate continued to shake the bag at him. The corgi snapped his jaws at the food, but not before Slate began petting him.

“Good, good doggy,” she whispered.

The dog sat, breathing out a sigh.

Slate sat as well, legs spread as both stared hard at one another.

Amy breathed out a sigh of relief. She didn’t like that dog at all. Not one bit.

“Why did you hurt Gid?” the dog spoke.

“I thought he was strong.”

And that was it. No grand apologies or excuses.

The corgi blinked back at her.

“But that was bad!” he chuffed.

“Yeah.”

He sat and sniffed at her.

“Why?”

Slate raised her visor.

“Because strength is the only justice here. Nothing is more fair than that. But you already know this.”

The corgi’s ears drooped.

“You know it’s a fact. You’re strong and that’s why you survived. That’s why you could protect others.”

The dog whined softly. Slate quoted something as if by memory.

“Meekness is weakness. Grace is base. Forgiveness is worthless when you’re slain. You can’t pray your friends to safety. You have to do it yourself.”

The dog’s ears twitched before he responded.

“But those are too many words,” he spoke matter-of-factly.

Slate sniffed at him before rolling her eye.

“I am big. You are big.”

Amy couldn’t help but blurt out, “But he’s small-”

Slate sent her a withering look. She sputtered and went silent.

There was a brief silence as she gestured with her hand for a response. The dog nodded.

“Big things rule. Small things don’t. Better to be alone then to be small.”

He let out a low whine.

"I will be big so Gid won't get lost anymore. Do you have Gid?” he asked.

Is this idiot thick or something?

“I don't know where he is. But as long as he has amazing food, we'll find him.” Slated replied with a bored tone, letting out a yawn as she tried to stand, stuck in her armor. She tried to rock forward with a grunt, shrugging and giving up. She folded her arms with a sigh.

Amy glanced at the worm as it apparently stared back at her. She shivered in disgust. It was an amalgamation of demonic, Proturan, and others, all melded together as a new singular being. And she wanted nothing to do with it since it was the supposed ‘child’ of that Emerald jerk.

Slate was gently patting the dog. He sought to get more head pats, head butting her in the process and knocking her over. She grumbled and strained as she wiggled to stand. She flailed her arms and legs, letting out a metallic racket before giving up. The silly mutt rushed to her side, licking her in the face. The very terrifying demon god let out a giggle at the impertinent pup.

That's not cute at all!

And then Slate gave one big lick on the corgi, causing the dog to stop and pull back, glancing at everyone else with a shocked and awkward look.

"Assist me," Slate demanded with a yawn.

The demon and dog both tousled and wrestled to get Slate to her feet. She gave the dog a good squishy pat on the head before picking him up, wrapping around his upper torso and leaving his hind legs dangling.

"They are coming with us."

"Whaaaat?! They can't! They're the enemy! I mean, at least the dog is! And the worm is bleghcky!"

The large fleshy thing gave a warbling grunt.

"Who wants tea and cookies?" Slate asked before depositing Baxter in Gup's plastic chair. Revent shrugged and took a seat at the far end. The ugly worm knocked a couple of chairs down, plopping its toothy maw on the table and jingling the utensils.

Amy folded her arms taking her seat next to the dog. She gave it her best glare. That would send it packing!

It looked at her, cocking its head before giving her a quick lick. She sputtered a protest, not at all amused by his act. He was giving her really big eyes though. He looked so sorry and lost.

“Do you know where Gid is?” he asked with a hint of sadness.

She balled up her fists, unable to take it anymore.

“Agh! He’s too cute! Come’re!”

She pet him, making sure to squish those ears. The dog sported a dumb grin, content with the attention.

Revent spoke up, interrupting her moment.

"I was there, fighting with the human named Gideon. I know not where they are now."

The dog's ears drooped as he whined.

"Oh Gid…"

"Oh, puppy, it'll be OK now! Let me get some cheese…" Amy stated as she searched her divine inventory.

"Doggy, we'll start our hunt here soon," Slate added.

"What is your name?" Revent asked.

Both Slate and Amy barked out as one

"Doggie."

The corgi blinked before speaking matter-of-factly, "But I am Baxter."

Amy materialized a wedge of cheese, placing it in front of Baxter.

"I liked our name better," she huffed.

The ugly worm thing gave out a grunting cry. Amy blanched at it; it was so hideous inside and out. She grabbed another wedge and tossed it at the thing. It's toothy maw snapped down on the food, making a mess of it.

"Ew…"

Revent began serving more tea to the loose group. Cookies, crumpets, and scones were served. Amy was not in any mood to roleplay this time. These new enemy ‘guests’ were big idiots and wouldn’t understand her anyways.

She looked back and saw the cheese had vanished in front of Baxter. She handed him another one, looking at Slate exasperated by the whole adventure. She snapped to Baxter, noticing that there was no cheese present, the dog licked his lips at her with those big eyes. She handed him more cheese, watching him intently. He sat there, matching her gaze.

“Do you know Gid?" he chuffed.

Revent was the one to answer.

"I battled alongside him only moments ago. He was the one claiming to be your bestie. Now I understand that he was the one from The Skylon, based on your story, mistress Amy. He fought with both honor and guile."

Who was he, again?

"Ah, yes. Gid… something… Now I remember him!"

Baxter gave her a look of incredulity.

"Where is Gid?!" the corgi demanded.

“I do not know. Somewhere in this labyrinth,” Revent replied with a shrug.

The worm thing let out a shrill cry. That was it for Amy.

“OK! OK! What are we going to do with this dumb worm thing? Anyone? Eh?” she glanced around the table, looking for support.

Baxter spoke up first, “She is Maw and she is my friend now and we were both lost and then we found each other and but she’s not a best friend because that is Gid but she is still a friend and she is coming with us!”

Amy could barely follow the whirlwind of words. She also noticed the dog no longer had any cheese on the table. It kept vanishing for some reason.

“No! I won’t stand for it, no sir! Slate and I are going and you two stay here and just go away!”

Baxter's ears drooped as he looked awkwardly at the others. It was enough to almost melt her heart.

"But we must find Gid!" he protested.

"Gid this! Gid that! Who cares about your stupid Gid??" Amy was becoming furious over this big idiot taking all of the spotlight.

"Uh… I do," Baxter retorted innocently.

The worm barked out in agreement.

Amy grumbled, but went silent as she impatiently drank her tea. They sat in silence for a time, eating and drinking their fill. For the dog, though, it appeared to be bottomless.

"This place is ridiculous…" Amy muttered.

"Aye. Aye, 'tis a dark an' lonely land, canna' see pas' me hand!"

She glanced over to the other as they tipped their bowler.

"Right? This place is dumb. If it weren't for Lucy, I wouldn't even be here!"

"Really, now? How's'tha work?"

Amy shook her head.

"She ordered me to go with Slatey here- which I am telling you now so don't be mad at me! OK?" She pointed a digit to the apathetic demon god.

"Lucifer, eh? Now tha' makes sense- you canna think for yourself, is tha'it?"

"Can't think for myself? Why you…"

It now occurred to her there was another at the table. It was a Hogboon and he was dressed in a simple garb of a white collared shirt, suspenders, slacks and a snazzy bowler; which she assumed was him dressing up for the tea party.

The Fae creature waved his fingers at her. She glanced around the table, seeing Baxter was wiggling his rump, Slate was impassive as ever as she ate, and the dumb ugly worm appeared to recognize him. Of course it'd be faeries. Why wouldn't it be? That's just par for course, facing off against an empathy trickster. Hogboons could get you to spill out your heart or guts, before spilling out your heart or guts.

"Ok! Who in Lucy's name are you?"

He spoke in a gentle sing-song tone etched with a heavy accent.

"Why me wee lass of an angel, one so graceful and unaware- the name's Basil and that one- the toothy one- her name is Maw. She's my charge."

He gave a sharp toothy smile at her that was far too friendly. She shied away at the confidence he exuded.

Who is t-t-this big idiot? And why am I stuttering in my inner monologue?!

Her anger and surprise were doused, shyness left in its place. He held out a hand, focusing all attention on her. She gently gripped the small hand in the pinch of her massive gauntlet fingers.

"C-c-charmed to m-m-meet you."

She winced as her roleplaying came out instinctively.

Calm down! He's just a stupid Hogboon! Oh!

Slate was gazing at her strangely. She couldn't disappoint her bestie!

Be cool!

"HOW'S T-THE W-W-WEATHER?" she shrilly barked at him.

Baxter's ears perked at the noise.

She wanted to die. And in a way, she was. On the inside. He seemingly ignored her faux pas, instead singing a tune. She could tell it was old, based on the spiritual impact of the memory’s tied to the original writer.

“Glen Da Ruadh!”

He paused, wiggling his bowler.

“Hail to him who hath it as’an heritage!”

“Sweet is the cuckoo's voice on bendin’ branch”

“On the peak above”

“Glen Da Ruadh!”

He paused again at that name.

“Beloved is Draighen over a firm beach!”

“Beloved ’tis water in pure sand!”

“I woul’never have left it, from the east.”

“Ha’I not come with my beloved.”

He finished with a dip of his head.

She blinked absently at his melody, feeling the impact of those, long lost to time. It was old world. She cracked a hint of a smile; he was quite talented.

For a b-b-big… Ugh! big idiot!

She knew just what to say.

"I know p-poetry, too!" She tried to brag and impress him.

"Do you, now?"

She began sipping her tea, giving him a smile. But before she could say anything further, he turned his full attention away from her, like a life giving light directed elsewhere. He stared at Slate.

Ah!

Amy sputtered and withered as his focus abandoned her.

"So, who's the wee demon in the armor? I mus' say- Never di'see one wearing holy plate; tha's new!"

Slate crunch down on a cookie, devouring it completely before she responded.

"I am who I am."

He cocked his head and eyebrow.

"An' tha' woul' be?"

"Right now, I am the intrepid explorer."

"An' what'woul' you be at’the other times?"

She waved away his prying questions, "something else."

He gave a sing-song chuckle.

"Secret's to keep, eh? The cost is steep, eh?"

He turned his attention to the corgi and not to her. She wasn't seeking any attention from the highly charismatic and big idiot Hogboon, though, so that was good.

"Woul’you look at'the little laddie here!"

He pushed away from his seat, sauntering to the pup.

Baxter sported a dumb doggie grin on his face.

"Now, are ye Maw's new frien'? Are ye the one we been lookin' for?"

He gave the dog a gentle pet on the head.

"I am Baxter and I do not know you but I love you.”

The Hogboon gave out a smiling grumble.

“Aw- shesh- look at’this charming dog! Charm'a demon out'a their bloodthirst ye could. Ye have’a long lineage, ye do!”

Amy herself pushed away from the table, frustrated with the lack of attention.

Dumb dog! Dumb Hogboon!

“W-who are you in all of this?” she flailed her hands at this dark land of the Watchers.

You big idiot! Ulgh!

He gathered up the dog under the crook of his arm. Slate, Revent, and Maw backed away from the table, signalling they were all finished with this tea party. Amy stewed; she certainly wasn’t finished yet!

“Well, my wee angel, ‘tis a long tale.”

She awaited the story. He gave her a snide look before wiggling his bowler. He wasn’t going to tell. She caught Revent staring hard at the Hogboon.

She huffed as they all formed up into a circle. She blanched at getting close to the worm so she kept a few paces back. Her nephilim stood by her side, tilting to whisper into her ear.

“I am not fond of this Hogboon.”

She pulled her cowl in front of her mouth, “tell me about it. Fae are always tricky!”

“And of the dog?”

“He’s not cute at all…”

“And of this Maw?”

She shivered at the strange abomination.

“Blughecky!”

“Why are you whispering?” Slate asked.

Amy looked up, seeing all eyes on her. If she could see herself from under her cowl, she would have been crimson red. Her hands shook as her heart lept.

“Ehehe! Nothing! Uh-hah- nothing at all!”

The Hogboon gave her a smug, knowing look. The dog Baxter was just sitting his arms, sporting a dumb vacant grin. Revent was impassive as ever and Slate moreso. The worm named Maw was just… gross.

Basil looked down at the dgo in his arms, placing him down and scratching his ears.

“I feel- before we go- tis a good ol’ idea to introduce ourselves. I’ll begin.”

He cleared his throat as he began, “my name is Basil. I’m a Hogboon and Maw’s charge. I was with some’others- you see- an’now we’re all split up in this land o’the’Watchers.”

He looked down at the dog.

Now o’l Baxter boyo, wha’s your tale? I can feel ‘tis a goodun!”

The dog perked his ears and cocked his head side to side.

“But I do not have a tail…”

“Not a tail- bu’your story, boyo! How di’you go from ol’world to new? Wha’are you, eh?”

The dog sat and yawned before licking his mouth.

“Ah. Yes.”

“Why are we wasting-” Amy glanced to Basil’s frowning look before going silent with a squeak. The Hogboon’s look then softened as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. What could that mean?

Baxter appeared to think for a long time before breathing in one massive breath.

And then Amy discovered what that annoying Fae was up to. Torture. Pure torture.

The corgi began to speak in a hurricane of words.

“Oh. My. GaaaaaAAAAWWWD!” Amy shrieked over the unending din of noise from the most irascible corgi she ever had the misfortune of meeting. She wished animals couldn’t talk.