Neon bleeds into puddles. I walk. Charlie stalks beside me like a crown with legs.
Charlie: I can't believe you let that jerkoff live.
Y/N: He's harmless.
Charlie: Valentino deserved worse. I wanted worse. You don't get to decide mercy in my city.
I keep my pace even. Burden's easier when you don't rush it.
Y/N: What happened to "our" city?
Charlie: Don't get cute with me, Y/N.
She flares. Horns brighter, posture taller, all demon princess posture and tantrum energy. Bossy. Spoiled. Dangerous in the way that thinks consequences are optional. This ain't the Charlie I know.
Y/N: We're wasting our time. Just leave it.
Charlie: No.
We turn a corner. The street narrows, noise drops. A knot of little imps and hellspawn runts circle a figure slumped against a wall. They throw pebbles. Laughter like broken glass.
Kid1: Dance, moth!
Kid2: Cough louder!
The figure looks up. Torn coat. Eyes still mean.
Valentino.
I stop. Charlie stops because I did. The kids don't notice us yet.
Charlie: ...That him?
Y/N: What's left of him.
I step forward.
Y/N: Go home.
They turn. See me. Piss their pants.
Kid1: I-I-I-I-It's—
I take another step. My shadow swallows their game.
Y/N: Now.
They scatter. Shoes slapping. Courage evaporates fast when it isn't fed.
Valentino tries to stand. Fails. Snarls instead.
Valentino: You! You did this!
Y/N: You did this to yourself.
He spits. Misses. Good effort.
Valentino: I'll crawl back. I always do. You can't beat me twice!
Charlie's aura spikes. She takes a step. Princess with an executioner's smile.
Charlie: I can.
I raise a hand.
Y/N: Charlie.
She glares. I meet it. I've met worse.
Y/N: (to Valentino) Haven't I told you to disappear?
Valentino's eyes flicker. Recognition crawls in. Fear follows.
Valentino: You think it's that easy? I've got nothing left to my name! Can't even afford a cab ride...
I crouch to his level. Keep my voice level. The street listens.
Y/N: Then sell your kidney. Or your lung. I don't care what you do, I want you gone.
Silence stretches. Valentino's shoulders sag. Fury leaks out, replaced by survival.
Valentino: You fucking monster. Just slit my throat already. Let me die with dignity!
Charlie watches him like a glass about to shatter.
YOU ARE READING
Madness: DxD
FantasiWe are taught that strength is what keeps us alive. So he became strong. Strong enough to endure the battlefield. Strong enough to command men into hell and lead them back out. Strong enough to win a war that should have destroyed him. They called h...
