Mr. X

Chapter 9

The figure threateningly approached Amy. She held the gun in front of her, trembling, as it came closer, ready to attack. She wouldn't have long, it was a matter of seconds. She didn't want this. She wasn't made to kill. Three shots was all it took. Three bullets, straight through the head. Amy sighed, and lowered the gun.

"Good shots!" Mr. X walked up to the cardboard figure and examined the holes. "Three shots fired, all through the head. Have you ever handled a gun before?" Amy took off her ear muffs. "Nope, this is the first time I've ever even held one," she replied. "Well, color me impressed. We just need to work a bit on that fear thing of yours, and then you'll be good to go with a gun." X put the figure away as he took the gun from Amy. "Come along. If you're going to defend yourself against demons, you better know what you're up against."

The room they entered wasn't that big, but it was overwhelming. Photos of several people were plastered all over. "Rule number one, Amy. No matter what happens, don't be a hero. Leave that up to me, I'm expendable. You're not." Amy looked puzzled. "That's not very nice to say about yourself." X turned around as the door closed behind them. "It's true. Other than Watson and you, there's no one I got in this world. Not to mention that they want me, not you. You want to put a life on the line, make it mine." X turned around, and looked at the photos. "What you see here are photos of several demons that are after us." He pointed at a picture of three girls. "You'll probably recognize these," he said. Amy started at it. "The... Triplets?" she said unsure. "Exactly, the Triplets. Most important power: shape shifting. These bitches can turn in whatever they want, making it very easy for them to fool anyone."

"Most important power," Amy said. "You mean demons have some sort of individual power?" X looked at her. "They do," he said. "Every demon is specialized in some sort of... thing. In the case of the triplets, it's shape shifting. We'll get to the others in a bit. For now, just point at a demon and ask away." Amy stepped forward, and pointed at a photo of Mephisto. "Who's that?" she asked. "That's Mephisto, the Devil's right hand. Funny thing, he's the demon who invaded us yesterday and held Watson hostage," X said. "He's on the team after us, together with the other demons here on the wall." Amy nodded. "Anything I need to watch for?" X frowned. "You ever read Faust?" he asked. Amy shook her head. X sighed. "In Faust there's this guy, Dr. Faust. He makes a deal with a demon to receive all knowledge and pleasure in the world, in exchange for his soul. That demon is Mephisto, full name Mephistopheles. His main power is making deals, and he's good at it. You want something, he'll get it for you, but at the cost of rotting in hell." Amy swallowed.

"He primarily works together with another demon, Lilith." X pointed at a question mark on the wall. "Lilith constantly changes her appearance, taking over the bodies of hot and young women in order to stay just that: hot and young." Amy frowned. "So you're saying she's superficial?" X shrugged. "I think it's a mix of superficiality and strategy. She's the demon of lust, and can seduce anyone. A good body can only aid in that." Amy looked at him. "Should I be afraid?" X chuckled. "Unless you were planning on having hot steamy lesbian frickfrack later on, no. Lilith's powers are powerful, but I have yet to meet a straight girl she was able to seduce. Watson and me, however, that's a different story, which is why we're always on high alert for her."

"And who's that?" Amy pointed at a picture of Lucifer. X's face suddenly went dark, a serious glare taking it over. "That... that is Lucifer. The Devil himself. A creature so evil, God threw him out of his squad of Angels. That man knows no remorse, no good, no pity. He will stop at nothing to attain his goal." Amy suddenly grabbed X's hand. "Hey, shush. He's not here, there's no reason to wind yourself up now." X looked at their intertwined hands, and smiled. "Yeah, you're right. The guy has just done so much damage to me and those I care about, it just maddens me to no end. Someday I will finally end him, even if it's the last thing I'll do." Amy smiled. "Seeing as he took my best friend away from me, I'll be right at your side as you do it." X smiled. "You want a drink?" he asked. "Sure," she replied.