That's So Wizard

Chapter 79 - Mean Woman Blues

"Taj. Portal them back right away." Whitfield lit up a new cigarette and took a deep inhale. Behind him were an unconscious Eldrian, and a handcuffed Kevin, being ushered through a blue door with a diamond window sitting in the middle of the intersection.

Bandages, or Taj, slammed the door closed and it vanished from sight.

"Victory again. Let's clean up the rest of these clowns," Whitfield commanded. "Who knows how many more wizards there are lurking in the shadows? And demons."

"There, sir. Another."

Down the street flew a fluffy black sphere with bat-like wings. Its lips, however, were painted a vibrant purple. It didn't seem large enough to be a threat, nor was it attacking. It simply continued towards them.

"God damn these things." Whitfield drew the pistol from its holster. "Like pigeons. There's never this many. Clearly something's up, and if we don't get to the bottom of it, we might as well not have come."

"Don't fire," it said.

Its voice didn't match the appearance at all. The voice was feminine and confident. Though he was tempted to place a bullet between its beady eyes, he held back for the moment. The barrel remained aimed towards it, waiting for the chance to fire.

"Why?"

"I've come to speak with somebody in charge. You may want to listen, as it was me behind this attack. I heard you want answers. If you want them, here I am."

"We don't negotiate with no terrorists. It's best you know that now."

"That's not my intention. I think you and those you serve might want to hear me out, as I have a proposition. We may come to a mutual agreement. That is, if you'll have me. I'd like to speak with those in charge as soon as possible."

He took a deep inhale of smoke, and he let it linger within his chest. As he pulled it from his lips, he exhaled a cloud toward the sky, which may have either been a sigh or a stressful grunt. Nobody was certain. A flick of his finger let the cigarette fly to the pavement but he didn't lower his weapon for even a moment.

"They won't hear out some rando."

"They won't need to. Tell them that Anzu, the third daughter of Satan, wishes to do business."

***

It had been a day since the tragic disappearance of both Kevin and Eldrian. None of the crew had an idea how to find them, or save them. They had been taken through a portal across the border, but said portal could have exited on the moon for all they know. Deena called Lucy and told her everything that happened, and though she said she'd look into it, they all knew there was little one could do outside of the association of hunters that work for the United States of America, and they knew none.

Out of costume now, they sat in their lost friends' apartment. Deena insisted that they stay there, day and night, until somebody came. She seemed confident that they would. Though, she may have been desperate. None were sure, but they didn't have a better solution either.

"I shouldn't have ran." Arlandria sat on the sofa twiddling her thumbs, and she hadn't looked up for some time.

Renatta placed her hand over her shoulder. "There was not anything you could have done."

"I feel the same way," added Daveon. "If only I had been watching, I could have helped from afar, and freed them before they were cuffed. Eldrian has disappeared before, but both of them? We're in big trouble now. We bit off more than we could chew."

"Maybe." Renatta hung her head. "I do not know what to do."

Deena then stood, commanding their attention. "Keep it together. They wouldn't want us acting this way. You know that, right? Eldrian would tell us to hang in there, and Kevin would back him up. So bring your heads back up. Somehow we'll get them back."

The doorbell rang immediately afterwards. She swiftly moved over, turned the knob, and opened it to reveal a figure she both entirely despised, yet was overjoyed to see.

Zayna's voluptuous, obsidian body looked to the witch with beady eyes. She was hurried through the door and it was shut behind her. Deena looked cross, and it caused the demon to stand back uncomfortably.

"It's you again," Daveon said from behind.

She turned and make her way in, though rubbed her hand awkwardly up her arm, like a child being scolded in school.

Deena, with arms over her chest behind the demon, tapped her toe impatiently. "This was the one we were waiting for."

"You were waiting for me? I suppose that makes sense. I heard what happened. My lovely, handsome, perfect Eldrian was taken!" Zayna's eyes pooled with water as she loudly bawled much to the other's discomfort.

"And Kevin," Deena added.

"It's terrible. I know. It wasn't supposed to happen this way!"

"And what was supposed to happen, hm? Kill a bunch of people, get out best friends captured, and to what benefit?"

She paused for a long moment. "I'm so sorry, everyone. I just want to live a normal life on Earth. When I was freed, I was told I could, as soon as the plans were finished. Anzu was her name. I'm still not entirely sure what her endgame is, but she needed to get national attention."

"That name sounds familiar. Does anyone know why?"

The rest of them shook their heads.

Zayna shrugged. "It does, kinda. I can't say I know many people, especially famous people. But we need to get my Eldrian back before they do something terrible to him, so I don't care if I get thrown back into Hell, in a cage, for eternity. I don't want to live here if I'm responsible, even partly!"

"I suppose that's enough." Deena shook her head. She walked forward, and gave her stare that caused her to squirm. Though she didn't completely approve of the demon, she saw the truth in her eyes, and even Eldrian trusted her previously. "Then tell us everything that you know."

"Of course." She nodded. "Anzu I haven't seen do anything yet, but she has purple hair and lips. She has a powerful presence, and she's quite good at bossing people around. Rend Devilclaw also serves her."

"We know him," Deena interrupted."

"I see. Well, there's also Ivar. He's able to create and maintain I believe three stone-like creatures. He does it while he hides, since his body is vulnerable. But he was captured during the chaos."

"By us," Daveon interjected. "He should be back in the Demon World by now."

"Well, there was only one other that served under Anzu, though I'm still not entirely sure how loyal he is. His name is Skello. I have no idea what he is. A demon? A wizard? Maybe something else. He's definitely the wild card, though."

Arlandria raised her gaze. "I swear Eldrian mentioned somebody by that name, but I can't remember."

"I'd stay clear of him if possible. I've seen at least one of the things he's capable of, and it's terrifying." She then turned back to Deena, and bowed. "And again, I'm so sorry! You summoned me here the first time, and I never wanted to cross you. Please forgive me."

The witch grumbled. "Perhaps. If you can help us save our friends."

"Yes. I'll do everything in my power. There's no way I'm going back to that cave alone. If you want to see it yourselves, let me know, though I have no idea what she's done now that the attack is over. They might have moved on."

Stay tuned for Chapter Eighty - Dirty Deeds!