Tale From The Afterlife - a Helluva Boss Fan Story

Chapter 22. Midnight Revelations

After what felt like a pretty short dream of nothingness, Stolas is woken up for unexplained reasons. He wasn't disturbed or anything, though when he looks to his left, he sees his boyfriend sleeping soundly and peacefully. However as he decides to go back to sleep, embracing Blitz, he notices slight whimpering coming from somewhere in the castle. Wondering what is going on, he uses his telekinesis to grab a nearby bathrobe to at least cover himself in something. He also puts on custom-made slippers so that his talons won't be heard tapping on the oak floor. He turns his head 180 degrees to have one more look back at Blitz, mouthing off a "Sleep well Blitzy.~" before getting out of the room.

He slowly walks along the pretty long and richly-decorated halls of the castle, with the decorations ranging anywhere from gold plated ornaments to having the walls lined end-to-end with portraits of Ars Goetia nobility. There doesn't seem to be any portraits of Stolas by himself on the walls, compared to other Goetias, mainly due to the fact that it creeped him out. To him it didn't seem normal to have so many portraits of his face. But that was nothing compared to his wife, queen Stella, who simply couldn't get enough of her swan beauty. And, speaking of the devil, Stolas sneaks past one of the public bathrooms and the door is open. Seeing Stella on the floor, drunk as a skunk, passed out in a pretty casual-looking dress, compared to the extravagant clothing he usually wears. The owl, wanting the others to see the queen swan, just uses his telekinesis to quietly close the door to the bathroom and lock it from the inside via the locking mechanism on the door. Stolas does this, as while he didn't have feelings for her whatsoever, he also didn't want to see her shamed any further, as the gossip she was getting as is, was enough. Plus Stella could easily unlock herself and get out.

As he rounds a corner, he sees that the whimpering is coming from Octavia's room. She was meant to be Stolas' precautionary heir in case he himself bites the dust. The problem however is that it was supposed to be a male heir, yet when the Goetia family found out, the royal avians started pestering Stolas and Stella to have another baby. And this is the kerfuffle that the two are currently in. Stolas is not willing to conceive another child with his wife, while Stella's intentions remain to be seen, as she actively refuses to comment whenever the situation is brought up. And in the middle is Octavia, who is nearing 18 years of age, pretty much secluded from the extended family for one reason or another.

Stolas goes to Octavia's door and lightly knocks on the door. The whimpering stops for a few seconds before Stolas whispers through the door "Via, is everything ok?". When he doesn't get a response, he then tells her "I'm coming in.". But that doesn't gauge a response either. Instead what it gauges was a click from the door, as it was unlocked from the inside. And it wasn't Stolas' doing. As the royal owl goes inside Octavia's pretty dark room, he looks around in the dark and sees Octavia sitting on the bed, with her head in her hands. The owl prince closes the door behind himself and sits next to her on the bed, leaving them both in darkness. That was ok though as they could still see each other perfectly.

Stolas: "Via, I heard you whimpering. Is everything ok, my dear owlette?"

Octavia: "I'm ... fine, dad. Just this ... stupid nightmare that ... won't leave me alone."

Stolas: "You want to talk about it?"

Octavia just looks down and keeps quiet. Stolas puts a hand over her shoulders.

Stolas: "Octavia, you can tell me whatever's on your mind. I want to help."

Octavia replies, but In a more sarcastic tone.

Octavia: "Like how you often help mother scream the fucking house down? Like how you help divide the entire family with your cheating?"

Stolas: "Octavia, the situation between me and your mother is way more complicated than at first glance."

Octavia: "You always say that, yet nothing comes of it. I'm not a kid anymore, I know I can understand."

This time Stolas has a pause in his response. Octavia looks at her dad, wondering if he will just repeat himself again, like every other time, that they will talk about it when she gets older. This time however, Stolas has a different response. Stolas replies in a softer voice.

Stolas: "Octavia, I understand this is difficult for you. Our family situation is... complicated, and it IS my fault it affects you. But I promise, we'll talk about it tomorrow when emotions aren't running so high."

Octavia just shakes her head sideways in disappointment

Octavia: "And what will that change, Dad? You've been saying that for years."

Stolas: "I know my words do not seem like much at the moment, but I want to be honest with you. First thing in the morning, we will sit down and discuss everything, openly and honestly."

Octavia leans slumps back down with her emotions evident on her face. Stolas, wanting to comfort her more, spreads the wings on his back and wraps them around Octavia. The little owlette appreciates the gesture, but doesn't speak a word.

Stolas: "For tonight, let's focus on helping you feel better. What can I do to help you right now?"

Octavia takes a few seconds before finally responding:

Octavia: "I'm alone, everyone is trying to kill me, and you were..."

With the daughter's voice cracking:

Octavia: "you were ... gone."

Stolas: "Oh, my sweet child. You're never alone. Even when I'm gone, even when I'm not physically next to you, my spirit and love will always watch over."

Octavia: "But what if I can't handle it Dad? What if I can't perform my duties? What if..."

Stolas: "My dear, you're stronger than you think. Remember, you aced spells that took me forever to learn on my own."

Octavia: "You're just a good teacher, that's all. It has nothing to do with me."