Helluva Family (18+)

Ch. 9: Among Clowns And Royalty

A quiet yet familiar mansion stood tall in the night. Two parents lay in bed fast asleep. A young frightened voice then echoes through the halls.

???: "Mummy! Daddyyyy!"

The husband awakens from his slumber. Its revealed to be the Goetia prince, Stolas. He rubbed his eyes slowly. Stolas turned to the body next to him, being Stella Goetia.

Stolas: "*Mmph* Via's calling us, Stella."

Stella shuffled under the blanket, a frown on her face. Her voice responded very groggy and sleepy.

Stella: "You get up."

Stolas sighed having a feeling she would respond this way. He got up from the bed and began to roam the halls. Stolas stopped in front of a door, opening it a crack. Behind the door is a young Octavia, hiding under her blankets.

Stolas: "Via? What troubles you, my owlet?"

Tears ran down Octavia's cheeks. A slight look of relief started to show on her face.

Octavia (Young): "Daddy! Daddy!"

She quickly climbed down from the bed and ran to her father. Stolas held out his arms which she ran into. He hoisted her up to comfort her.

Octavia (Young): "I had a dream! A really bad dream!"

Stolas yawned, not to show he was bored or annoyed, but to show his fatigue being woken up so late. He wiped away a tear from her face, correcting her.

Stolas: "A nightmare."

Octavia (Young): "I was looking all over the balance, and... I couldn't find you anywhere! You weren't there!"

Stolas rubbed her Octavia's back to comfort her.

Stolas: "There there, Via, it's okay. You're okay."

With a wave of his hand, Stolas summons his grimoire. The book hovered in the air, covered in mystical aura. It floats towards him. Stolas used his telekinesis to flip the pages open.

Stolas: "No matter what happens to me, I will never be far away... from my special little starfire."

He opens a portal above their heads. Octavia looked up in awe at the pretty colors emanating from the magic above her. Stolas began to sing, hoping this would help Octavia feel better.

Stolas: "🎶It always seems quieter... in the dark🎶"

Octavia's gaze softened when she heard her father sing. It was like a safe blanket of comfort for her.

Stolas: "🎶It always feels so stark... how silence grows under the moon🎶"

They float up through the portal. A vast and beautiful cosmos greets them with vast colors. Stolas landed his feet on a barren moon.

Stolas: "🎶 Constellations gone so soon. I used to think I was bold🎶"

With each step, Stolas left his footprints in the dust.