Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 40 Resque

OTTILIE VIRSES POV 
 
 
Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko ng bigla na lang lumitaw si Plutus sa kabilang dulo ng chamber. But he looked… different. This was no longer the composed, slightly irritable Plutus I knew. He was in his full demon form with mighty black wings. 
 
He was half-naked with black tattoos hugging his upper body. Mas humaba din ang buhok nito na umabot na ata sa balakang nito. But what really caught my breath was his pair of long, wicked-looking horns that curled from his head. And then there's this massive sword resting in his hand, its edge glinting dangerously.
 
Relief flooded through me, hindi ko tuloy mapigilang mapaluha sa sari-sariling emosyon na nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na ito. 
 
"Yah! Bakit ngayon ka lang!" I cried, the fear in my voice melting away in a rush of relief and frustration.
 
Plutus chuckled softly, his reaction was surprisingly gentle as he met my gaze. "My apologies, evil witch."
 
Then his expression turned serious when his eyes shifted at the demon standing at the stone circle. His brow arched slightly, as if he were merely amused.

"Well, well," Plutus muttered, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "What’s the deposed Duke of Hell doing in this world?" he said, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
 
Napangisi naman itong si Amon sa sinabi ni Plutus. "Foolish witches summoned me, begging for immortality," he said, his voice laced with dark amusement. "In exchange for a little offering." His gaze slid toward me, his finger pointing straight at me as he declared, "Today, I’ll be taking this girl as my bride."
 
The entire chamber shook again, the tremors were coming out from Plutus raged. But despite the chaos, all I saw was his wide, confident grin. My heart pounded so loudly it almost drowned out the crashing sounds around us.
 
Plutus chuckled softly, as if he were talking more to himself. "Why does this infuriate me so much?" Then he cleared his throat and continued, "I’m afraid you’re going to have to return to Hell empty-handed." He leaned in, his grin twisting into something sharper. "You won’t be taking any offerings tonight."
 
Amon’s brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze darting between me and Plutus. "Is this girl… your toy?"
 
Plutus clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes in mock offense. "My toy? Hardly," he scoffed. "But that girl belongs to me."
 
My breath caught at his words, bakit gan'yan ka... Sa ginagawa mong 'yan, mas lalo lang tumitindi ang nararamdaman ko para sa'yo. The way he said it, there was something fierce and possessive in his tone that left me both terrified and… safe. 
 
As I watched, Plutus’ face grew darker, the playful glint replaced by a deadly intensity. And then, Plutus voice dropped, it's now carrying a weight that made even Amon take a step back. 
 
"And..." he muttered. "I hope you know that there are consequences to touching a prince of hell’s possession. I suppose you're prepared to take it all."
 
Fear flickered across Amon’s face as he took in Plutus’ stance. He quickly dropped his haughty expression as he stammered, "I-I didn’t know she-"
 
But Plutus only grinned wider. "Oh, I can’t let this slide that easily." His eyes flicked to me, there's fury in them as he added, "You see, I hate it when she wears that expression." His gaze returned to Amon, but this time his eyes looked more dangerous as he continued. "And yet, you and your pathetic followers dared to make my witch shed tears."
 
Amon’s voice was small now, pleading, "Prince Plutus… I apologize. I-" 
 
Plutus merely lifted his massive sword, the blade gleaming menacingly as he pointed it directly at Amon. "Save it. You want a chance to survive? Then fight." His grin stretched wider, his eyes narrowing with the thrill of a challenge. "If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll make it back to Hell alive."
 
"But if not… I'm afraid you’ll meet your end here." 
 
Ang buong akala ko, magmamakaawa na itong si Amon sa harapan ni Plutus, pero akala ko lang pala iyon. Pagbali-baliktarin man ang mundo, nasa nature na talaga ng mga demonyo ang pagiging mapanglinlang. 
 
Amon’s calm facade finally cracked. He flashed a dark, devilish smirk that made my skin shiver in fear. Then suddenly, a black sword materialized in his hand. He spun it expertly before shifting into a battle stance.
 
But when I glanced at Plutus, he was only grinning wider, as if he had been waiting for this. Wala man lang akong makitang takot kay Plutus sa mga oras na ito, parang siya pa ang nage-enjoy sa sitwasyon namin ngayon. 
 
I held my breath as they circled each other, and then with a clash of steel, they collided. Sparks flew as their swords met, the force sending shockwaves across the chamber. Despite Amon’s quickness and determination, it was clear from the start that he was outmatched. 
 
Plutus barely even broke a sweat, his movements powerful and precise. Each strike seemed to shake the air around them, while Amon, even with all his fierceness, could only block, deflect, and try to counter with desperate speed.
 
"You’re not getting out of here alive, you arrogant bastard!" Amon snarled, throwing himself forward with a reckless swing. "When I defeat you, I’ll take your throne. I’ll be the one to rule your court!"
 
Plutus threw his head back and laughed, a deep, echoing sound that filled the chamber. "There’s no harm in dreaming, Amon," he taunted, blocking the blow with ease before stepping forward and forcing Amon back. "But you were foolish to believe you’d stand a chance."
 
Their clash intensified, the chamber rumbling with each collision, dust and debris raining down from above. I looked up, my heart racing in terror, but I noticed that none of the debris fell close to me or the child. It was then I realized we were inside a protective barrier, and I instinctively knew it was Plutus’ doing. Even in the heat of battle, he was shielding us.
 
Amon’s breaths grew ragged, his movements slower with each swing, while Plutus only seemed more energized. Finally, with one swift motion, Plutus knocked Amon’s sword from his grip, sending it clattering across the stone floor. Amon stumbled, his eyes widening as Plutus closed the distance between them while his sword raised high.
 
"For all your boasting, Amon, this is where you meet your end," Plutus said, his voice cold and merciless as he plunged his blade straight into Amon’s chest.

Amon’s eyes widened, a strangled gasp escaping him as he collapsed backward onto the stone circle, his body crumpling in defeat.
 
Plutus sneered down at him. "Too bad. You won’t be making it back to Hell after all."
 
With that final blow, Amon’s form began to dissolve, his body turning into dark ash that scattered into the air, leaving nothing behind but a whisper of smoke.
 
Natalo ni Plutus si Amon ng walang kahirap-hirap. Buong laban nila, hindi mapanatag ang puso ko, nag-aalala na baka masaktan si Plutus. Pero ngayong tapos na, nakahinga na ako ng maluwag. Nang ibalik ko sa asungot ang paningin ko, nakapamewang na ito habang pinagmamasdan ang kulto na wala pa ding malay hanggang ngayon. 
 
He began shifting back to his usual self, shirtless, hair returning to its normal length, tattoos vanishing, and the sword dissolving from his hand. 
 
"Now is the time for you to bid farewell to the earthly realm and face judgment in the Court of Greed for desiring a life beyond that which the Creator has bestowed upon you."
 
With a simple motion of his hand, they all dissolved into black smoke, vanishing in an instant. Okay, I must admit, ang cool niyang panoorin ngayon. Tss, ayaw ko man aminin pero mukhang nahulog na nga ako sa asungot na 'to. 
 
Saka ko na siguro ipagluluksa ang pride ko na nawala dahil sa pagiging maangas ni Plutus. Sa ngayon gusto ko na makawala sa pagkakatali sa'kin dahil sobrang sakit na ng katawan ko. Peste talaga 'tong altar, bako-bako.
 
Nang ibalik ko ang tingin kay Plutus, papalapit na ito sa'kin ngayon. A smirk tugged at his lips as he closed the distance between us. His eyes lingered over my thin dress, and I couldn’t stop myself from blushing under his gaze. 
 
"So, how was the experience?" he asked with mocking playfulness.
 
"Hindi nakakatuwa," simangot na sagot ko sa kan'ya. 
 
As soon as I was free, I smacked his chest, feeling heat rush to my face. 
 
"Ow," he chuckled softly, caressing the spot where I’d hit him, but his expression softened when he noticed the look in my eyes.
 
For a moment, we just stared at each other in silence, the reality of everything I’d been through crashing over me. Exhaustion came crushing to me as soon as I sat at the stone altar. My feet hang while Plutus is in front of me. 
 
Then Plutus’s gaze grew more intense, his face inches from mine. He broke the silence, his voice low. "You realize, don’t you, that your debt to me just doubled, and I’m planning to collect today."
 
"W-wala pa akong pambayad," my heart thudded as I searched his eyes.
 
His grin widened, but instead of answering, he cupped my face, his hands warm as they tilted my head up. Before I could catch my breath, he claimed my lips and kissed me slowly. I gasped, the warmth of his mouth stirring an unsteady flutter in my stomach. 
 
He deepened the kiss, pressing his lips more firmly to mine, his hands sliding to cradle my face. I let him lead, feeling helpless and lost in the way his lips moved against mine, soft and unyielding, like he’d been waiting for this moment. 
 
When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless, and then Plutus rested his forehead against mine, his hands still cupping my cheeks. 
 
"I’m sorry it took so long to find you. The barrier wasn’t easy to break through," he murmured.
 
I closed my eyes as the horror of what I’d just endured washed over me again, my body beginning to tremble. But Plutus wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a steady embrace, his hand stroking my back gently. 
 
"It’s over now," he whispered. "I told you, I’m not letting anyone touch you."
 
"Thank you," I managed, my voice shaking as I hugged him back, breathing in his scent, which was somehow both dark and sweet, like ripe fruit. It calmed me, easing the panic lodged in my chest.
 
Then a small voice interrupted, "What are you doing?"
 
We jumped apart, looking down to see the boy, awake now, and rubbing his eyes. Plutus chuckled, then helped me down from the altar before he bent down and lifted the child into his arms.
 
"Alright, let’s get you back to your parents," he said, ruffling the boy’s hair.
 
I followed Plutus as we climbed a spiral stone staircase. "Those pathetic occultists practiced their black magic right under the inn. I sensed the dark aura when I went out for a moment. I didn’t know you’d wake up and follow me," he explained.
 
"So the inn is just… a front?" Pag-kompirma ko sa hinala ko kanina.
 
"Exactly. It’s how they lure their victims and offer them to the demon," he said, voice laced with contempt.
 
"Where's my mom and dad?" The kid asked, starting to feel worried.
 
"They’re safe, kiddo," Plutus replied, patting the boy’s back.
 
When we finally reached the top, Plutus pressed a hidden panel, and a section of the wall swung open, revealing the inn’s lobby, just behind the counter. The boy’s parents rushed forward the moment they saw us, clutching him to them as they whispered tearful words of thanks, overwhelmed with relief.
 
"Thank you! Thank you!" The mom and dad tearfully said. 
 
Plutus only grinned, then turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Let’s head back to our room and pack up. Time to leave this place."
 
As we walked up the stairs, I noticed the first light of dawn breaking through the inn’s dusty windows, casting everything in a warm and comforting feeling.
 

To be continued...