Veiled in Shadows and Brimstone

11

Husk and Angel rushed into Charlie and Alastor's private office, their hearts racing with worry. They found their friend and Queen of Hell, Charlie, sitting at her desk, her expression one of deep concern. "Charlie, we have urgent news," Husk said, his voice grave. "Lily saw Al disappear into thin air in the lobby. It was as if he was summoned away." Charlie's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? Summoned by whom?"Before they could answer, the door swung open, and the former angelic Exorcist leader, Adam, entered with a look of guilt on his face. He knelt before the blonde Queen, his voice full of remorse. "I have betrayed you, my Queen. I was sent here to infiltrate your hotel, gather information, and send it to Roo. I was supposed to destroy the hotel from the inside. "Charlie's anger flared, her eyes flashing with fury.  "How could you deceive me for six months, Adam? How could you betray us like this?"Adam bowed his head, his voice filled with shame. "I was misguided, my Queen. I believed I was doing what was right. But now, I see the error of my ways. I don't want to follow Roo's orders anymore. I want to fight alongside you and help you get my King back" Charlie closed her eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling. "While I am angry that you lied to me and my husband for 6 months, you have shown great progress in your path to redemption, however, lie to me again I don't believe that I will show you this much forgiveness in the future. Do you understand?" Charlie asked her voice hard. "Yes Your Majesty." Nodding, the blonde demoness turned to her two friends. "Angel, Husk. I need you to watch the hotel and my eleven children tell Velvette that I've gone to Cannibal Town and am taking Adam with me, and see if she can't get weapons from Carmilla." Charlie replied. Husk and Angel nodded and left. Hang on my love. I'm coming. She thought as she glanced out of her window in the office before she and Adam left.

🗝️ Roo's cave 🗝️

Alastor, the King of Hell, knelt on the cold stone floor, his once majestic red and black robes now torn and tattered, his wrists bound by chains in a corner of the obsidian cave that Roo had summoned him to. He watched closely as Roo conversed with the former Overlord Valentino, his sharp crimson eyes filled with a mix of anger and fear. Suddenly, a faint voice echoed in his mind, his wife and Queen Charlie's voice saying, "I'm coming my love." Alastor's heart clenched in fear for his beloved wife and eleven children. He growled quietly to himself in frustration, his thoughts racing with worry for their safety. As he prayed to Charlie's grandfather for protection, his growl caught the attention of his captor. Roo's eyes gleamed with malice as she approached Alastor, her crimson lips curled into a wicked smile. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Roo taunted, her voice dripping with venom. "You must be missing your precious blonde bitch and spawn, huh?"Alastor's ears laid flat against his disheveled black-tipped red hair, his sharp teeth bared in a threatening snarl. "Watch your tongue, Roo" he growled, his voice laced with danger. "You have no idea what you're messing with." Roo laughed mockingly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, but I do, Alastor," she said, her tone mocking. "I have your soul in my grasp, remember? You're nothing but a puppet now, at my mercy." Alastor's blood boiled with rage at her words. He may be bound and powerless in this cursed cave, but he refused to let this woman belittle him. With a defiant glare, he spat out, "You may have my soul for now, but mark my words, Roo, I will break free from your clutches. And when I do, you will rue the day you crossed me." Roo's laughter echoed in the cave, the sound grating on Alastor's nerves. "Such bravado from a chained king," she sneered. "But let me remind you, Alastor, I hold the key to your freedom. You are at my mercy, now and forever." Alastor's jaw clenched in frustration. He may be bound by chains and powerless at the moment, but he refused to give up hope. He would find a way to break free from Roo's control and reunite with his beloved wife and children, no matter the cost. As Roo turned to leave, Alastor's eyes burned with determination. He may be trapped in this dark and cursed cave, but he swore to himself that he would not rest until he was reunited with his family. With a silent prayer to Charlie's grandfather for protection, he closed his eyes and focused on his inner strength, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead