One Helluva Ride

Chapter 21: The Pain Games

          The festival had begun. A wooden stage had been erected and a large crowd of imps huddled around it. "Welcome, I say-a, welcome-a... all to wrath-a ring's-a annual-a harvest-a moon-a.. a-festival! To kick things up, we have the great prince Stolas-a, here to usher the pain games!" Wally Wackford called. Stolas sauntered onto the stage, gingerly taking the microphone from Wally.

          "How kind, Wackford. Greetings, tiny.. wrath ring imps! I hereby welcome you all to another year of celebrating the spoils of your labor that continue to feed the citizens of hell!" Stolas announced happily. The crowd was silent as the Wrath imps glared at the avian prince. "I'm happy to kick off the start of these games that will challenge the toughest imps to show their skill in dominance. Good luck to you all! Especially that sexy little one there.. yoo-hoo! Blitzy!" Stolas waved over at Blitzø. Blitzø rolled his eyes. "Oh, fuck me..." He muttered annoyedly.

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         The games finally ended. On the stage stood Wally Wackford, happy to announce the winners. "I say, I say. For the first year ever, we have a tie for the winner of the Harvest Moon Pain Games!" He shouted. Stolas took the microphone from Wally again. It was clear he was excited. "The winners are Striker and my darling Blitzy!" He announced. Blitzø rolled his eyes, looking down at the ground. "Just say my name right! Fuckin' dick." He muttered as he walked toward the stage.

          Splice frustratedly walked toward the bleachers to join Millie and Moxxie. They had been deemed 'too nice' to win because they had tried to help Moxxie. "Alright, so he has the 'physical advantage.' I'm better at other things! Like singing." Moxxie muttered, trying to comfort himself. Striker leaned close to the microphone, pulling out a guitar. "I'd like to take this opportunity to sing a quick song I wrote just now about me winnin'." He said with a smug grin.

          Moxxie huffed. "Oh, what the fuck?!" He shouted. Blitzø appeared beside the three imps on the bleachers. "Isn't this guy great?" He asked. Moxxie looked over. "False." He spat. Blitzø shrugged, ignoring Moxxie's comment. "It's gonna be nice workin' with him." He said with a smile.

          There was a brief moment of silence. "Working with him..? What?!" Moxxie exclaimed. Blitzø nodded. "Yeah! I asked him if he wants to join I.M.P!" He replied. Moxxie stared over at Blitzø, his heart sinking in his chest. "You asked..? B-but.." He muttered. Millie gently placed her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Mox, I think you've had enough for now. Let's head back to the house and get you clean." She said gently. Moxxie nodded sadly, standing.

          "I'll go too," Splice said as they stood. They were eager to get away from this crowd as fast as possible. "Moxxie, go fuck yourself." Striker's voice sang over the speakers. Moxxie's eyes welled with tears. Splice was quick to draw their crossbow and shoot Striker's guitar with a venomous glare. Millie ushered the two along comfortingly.

          After the group arrived, Millie parted from them. Moxxie and Splice went into the house and upstairs. "Well, that's troubling," Moxxie noted. Splice came up beside him. "What is it?" They asked. Moxxie pointed to a closed door. Behind the door emitted an odd light. "Huh. Weird." Splice muttered, walking towards the door and opening it.

          Moxxie stepped into the room, seeing a briefcase. He popped it open. "Holy shit, that's.." Splice muttered as they watched over Moxxie's shoulder. "Oh my crumbs!" Moxxie exclaimed. Inside the briefcase was an angelic rifle. "This is a genuine Carmine-crafted blessing-tipped rifle! How.. how the fuck did he get this?!" Moxxie asked, holding the rifle gingerly in his hands. Splice gawked at the weapon.

          "Why don't you ask me, little dude?" Striker's voice called from the doorway. Moxxie and Splice whipped around to see Striker standing imposingly before them. "Shit! W-Why do you have this.. mister?! You are aware this kind of weapon can kill-" Moxxie started. "-Demon royalty?" Striker finished for him, grinning.