Octavia's P.O.V

"Alright, let's run through this one more time so that there's no confusion. Via, who will you have with you during the event?" Mom asks for confirmation.

"Y/N" I answer, my legs and arms crossed.

"Correct. He will accompany you while your father and I will be off doing what we're needed to do. But what should you do if you get lost and can't find Y/N?" She asks some more.

"Don't let anyone take me anywhere and come find you or Dad" I reply, trying to keep my patience in check, "Mom, I can handle these things. I'm 19 now. Don't worry."

"I only worry because I care, my little owlette" Mom smiles, "Maybe one day when you have kids, you'll understand what me and your father felt like these past couple decades raising you and watching you grow up."

"Heh, no promises on that yet" I chuckle, smirking.

Mom, Dad, Y/N, and I are all currently in the family limo and on route to this business party or whatever it is that Mom and Dad have to attend. And since it's a pretty formal event, we're all supposed to dress nicely to show some 'proper class' and to be a 'good representation of the Ars Goetia Family' or some shit like that. I was, at first, against the idea of attending with Mom and Dad, since it sounded like the most boring time I'd ever have, but then Mom brought Y/N into the picture as our personal bodyguard, though I think she knows that I like having him around and would use that as a means of getting me to agree to come. I guess it worked since I'm in the car with them, but I still don't like having to dress up like an actual princess to impress some snobs that are only coming for deals and business purposes. Instead of my regular attire of pants, shirt, a jacket, and my beanie, I'm now stuck in a black and grey dress that goes down past my knees, goes up high enough that my chest isn't on display and also has feathered shoulder straps that go over my collarbone along with black heels, golden clasp bracelets, a golden necklace, and my princess crown. Dad's wearing a nice looking suit with golden buttons, his cape, and his top hat while Mom wears a sparkly dark blue dress that goes up and over her shoulders, matching gloves, teardrop earrings, and her crown too. Y/N looks the most cool to me, though, wearing a simple long-sleeved white collar shirt with a diamond-pattered tie, nice dress pants, nice dress shoes, and glasses that are tinted on the outside to look like sunglasses but are actually as visible from the inside as regular glasses. You know, maybe Mom is right and I will have a fun time with Y/N here. At least it gives us more time to talk.

"Hey, Octavia, wanna see something cool?" He asks, tilting his head in my direction.

I nod at him, smiling in excitement. He smiles a little himself, holding his right arm out from his side with his palm facing up. Y/N then flicks his wrist and a small six shot pistol emerges from his shirt sleeve. Since his hand is pointed up, the gun is pointing towards the ceiling of the car and not any of us, which I'm sure he did on purpose so that if it accidentally misfired none of us would get hurt.

"I picked this up earlier just for this occasion" Y/N says, lightly turning from side to side a tiny bit before unbuttoning his shirt sleeve, "It's meant for up close combat and to catch anyone by surprise. And, as you can see, it pops out based on this spring mechanism attached to this wrap-around gauntlet strap further down my wrist."

Y/N then pinches the gun with his thumb and pointer finger of the opposite hand and pushes the gun back down until the spring locks back into place, buttoning his sleeve back up afterwards.

"I'm not expecting us to run into any trouble that can be handled civilly tonight, but this is just a little extra precaution on my part. Both for intimidation purposes and for actual use, if necessary" He explains, folding his arms over each other.

"And, hopefully, it won't come to that" Dad chimes in, trying to be positive before his tone dips, "Though I also hope that Andrealphus won't be there."

"Don't worry about your step-brother, Stolas" Y/N says reassuringly, "He may be a bit of a prick, but he doesn't have the balls to try and start something when surrounded by other royalty and Overlords. It would only make himself look bad and I'm fairly confident that he also knows it."

"...I guess you're right. Thanks, Y/N" Stolas replies, the thought of my uncle clearly making him uneasy.

Lightly tapping my fingers over the window switch, I look out the limo window at the passing city. I think, deep down, I wish I could use my status to help some of the poorer demons suffering out there, but I'm then forced to remember that those same demons will probably try to hold me for ransom and do other...unspeakable things to me that I don't want to imagine. So, I guess I have to remind myself that unlike Y/N, these demons aren't good people and I shouldn't worry/care as much about them since they don't feel the same towards me. In fact, some might be bitter about how I grew up in a palace while they died and came here with nothing, probably sparking some jealousy too. Glancing away from the window, I peer down at the ground for just a moment before looking back at Y/N, wondering what's going through his head at the moment.

"Is something wrong, Via?" Dad then asks me, "You seem quieter than normal tonight."

"I'm fine, Dad. There's nothing wrong" I reply reassuringly, "Just deep in thought about some things."

"Hey, Octavia. Mind if I come over and sit next to you?" Y/N then asks, surprising me.

"Uh, yeah, sure. I don't mind" I reply, Y/N getting up from his seat and walking over to where I'm sitting, easing himself down on the open spot on my left.

"I won't pretend to know exactly how you're feeling right now, but I know that you're not a fan of these types of things" He says, speaking in a lower, quieter tone while also clasping his hands together in his lap, "But, if it's any consolation, when we get there, we can make this into something a bit more fun, if it'll help."

"I appreciate the offer, but no thanks" I sigh, slouching forward in my seat, "This is just one of those times where I have to do something I don't want to do just because it'll maintain our family image. Making it fun won't detract from the fact that I wish to be anywhere else and will probably just encourage Mom and Dad to bring me along to more of these kinds of things."

"Is it really that? Or do you just feel like you don't have as much independence as you'd like to have at this point in your life?" Y/N guesses, hitting the nail on the head dead-on.

"How did you know?" I ask, not bothering to try and deny it.

"Because I was in a similar situation myself at one point. Sure, you're part of a high class royal family and I wasn't, but the matter of growing up is universal. When I was your age, I felt like my mother and father still treated me like a kid and I wished they wouldn't. The kicker there, though, was proving to them that I could handle living life on my own. And, yeah, while I felt like I didn't want to go out of my way to prove anything to them than just taking charge on my own, family is still family no matter how old you get. But the more confidence you display and the way you speak to them influence how they see you as an adult. Your mom and dad do worry about you, as any good parent would, but if you come off as someone who can take care of themselves without needing to go to them for as much support as you did earlier in life, they can rest more assured and don't have to worry as much. This should also lead to them letting you do more of your own thing than being particular and dictating about what you're allowed to do" Y/N explains in depth.

"So, basically, what you're saying is that if I want to be as independent as I internally desire to be, I need to show it through my words and actions to my parents?" I say, turning my head in his direction.

"Essentially, yes" He nods.

"Ok, then. I'll do that" I reply with confidence, sitting up straighter, "Thanks for the advice, Y/N."

"You bet" Y/N smiles, taking off his shades and holding them in between his fingers, his E/C eyes pointed at me, "I promised your parents years ago that I'd look out for you and help you in ways that they maybe couldn't. And, by the way, even though I'm aware those clothes you're wearing aren't your preferred style, you still look great in them too."

"Oh, stop it!" I jokingly nudge him, though still feeling happy and warm by his compliment, "Now you're just asking for me to say something nice back about you!"

"I admit nothing" Y/N jokingly smiles, his facial expression keeping that teasing smugness going while also being passively content.

The limo then slows down and comes to a stop, Mom and Dad spurring into action as they themselves realize that we've arrived at our destination.

"Alright, we're here!" Mom announces, even though I'm pretty sure Y/N and I already figured that out, "You all know what to do, but most of all, just be careful and try not to get into any trouble. Though the people we're meeting here tonight aren't here to cause problems, I don't want things to get any more violent than necessary. That especially goes for you, Y/N."

"Understood" My best friend responds, putting his shaded glasses back on.

"Then let's go!" Mom says, opening the door and stepping outside, Dad going out behind her as I get up from my seat and go next, Y/N being the last person to leave the limo. 

After everyone's out, the limo driver shuts the door and goes back into the vehicle to wait for our return. The limo itself remains parked, but our group of four begins heading inside this refined skyscraper that supposedly has a penthouse on the top floor, which is where we'll be heading this evening. Once we're through the doors, Y/N sends steely glances and intimidating glares at anyone who might try and look at us suspiciously as we walk right up to the elevator. Dad has to press the button to get it to open, but fortunately, there's nobody inside, letting us all file in one at a time as Y/N is asked by Mom to press the button for the top floor, the doors then closing and the elevator moving up. In the complete and utter silence of the rising elevator, I look around and think about how we'd probably look in the eyes of any other demon that would walk in here and also not know who we are. I know if I was them, I'd think this family is really flamboyant, but also a group of Hellborn that have a visible uniqueness to them while also fitting in well together with everyone else. But, then again, I'm not an average demon. And they'd probably be thinking more along the lines of what they could steal off of us given how expensive our clothes look. But, we have Y/N here, so I should probably stop thinking those kinds of things.

The elevator then stops, the doors opening to a much busier setting than downstairs. Many, many upper class demons, easily recognizable by their clothing that is much like ours, are milling about, talking among each other with some having drinks in their hands. All around us is this large square room with slick wooden beams coming down from the ceiling, creating a sort of inner outline of the room itself, a chandelier of silver and glass hanging high overhead, and a large rectangular table in the center that has drink glasses and some variety of food. Oh, and the walls are all glass windows, even this door leading out onto what looks to be a large open air outside area. 

Y/N steps out of the elevator first, ensuring that we'll be safe to exit next before I enter the room with Mom and Dad coming behind me. The four of us stand pretty still at first, nobody noticing our arrival yet, though I'm sure once Mom and Dad start talking with some, they'll get the idea. Mom then looks at me and Y/N, silently telling us that we're on our own now as she then turns around and begins walking off into the event with Dad. That leaves Y/N and I standing there, the two of us quietly watching the other royals stroll about around us.

"Ugh, I've never quite liked these kinds of parties" Y/N says, looking forward but still talking to me, "They're so restrained by formalities, conventional conversations, and bland settings that it's like having a room temperature glass of water while eating a plain slice of bread. Tasteless. My kind of party is more along the lines of a middle school social with more appealing food, drinks, and hardcore music."

I chuckle at his description, putting my hand up to my mouth to stifle the rising sense of wanting to laugh out loud. Though I do happen to like his idea of a party too. I wonder if we could find a way to make that happen sometime. I'm sure it could be a fun thing for us to do together.

"So, what should we do first?" I ask, looking around for something to keep us both occupied.

"Well, I would suggest getting something to drink, but considering that the only thing they probably have here is alcohol, I won't suggest it. The stuff tastes so bitter and is essentially poison anyway, so I really don't know why people actually drink that crap" Y/N comments with a raised eyebrow, watching a small imp servant walk by holding a tray of filled drink glasses, "Nevertheless, you're still underage by living world standards, so it'll reflect pretty poorly on me if I let you go and do it while under my supervision."

"Don't worry, wasn't planning on it" I reply, crossing my arms.

"Either way, though, let's move so that we're not just standing around awkwardly in front of the elevator. We'll be blocking the way in for anyone else coming and will stand out too regardless" Y/N recommends.

"Ok, sure" I shrug, staying by him as we walk away from where we were just standing and begin weaving our way through the other rich demons/Hellborn.

As we pass by the center table, I can't help but feel like Y/N's, despite being funny on the surface, really resonated deeper with me too. It's like he unintentionally, or perhaps intentionally from all the time we've spent together, understands me because from just my own assessment of this place, there's practically nothing of interest for me here. I don't have the desire to talk to anyone here and there's no real entertainment value to be found in anything. But just as I'm thinking about how I should've reconsidered coming and should've insisted that Y/N just keep me company at home, I lightly bump into someone, pausing and casually apologizing with Y/N pausing as well. The taller figure then looks my way and from his white feathers, turquoise eyes, bright blue fur coat, and white long dress, I instantly know who it is.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite little niece, Octavia" Uncle Andrealphus grins, his voice the same shrill and sly mix that it was the last time I saw him many years ago, "How odd that I would find you here of all places. Oh, don't tell me, did your parents make you come along?"

"Yes, Mom and Dad really wanted me to come" I nod.

"And with protection no less, given the lower class sinner right next to you" He casually insults, Y/N clearly resisting the urge to nonchalantly flip my uncle off, "Though it doesn't surprise me, given your father's inability to show some backbone. Stolas has always been a bit of a coward, but he's not completely brain dead either it seems."

Andrealphus then locks his eyes on Y/N, my best friend still wearing his shades, though I know he's glaring right back at my father's brother.

"I hope my idiot step-brother is paying you enough to ensure that my niece here doesn't get preyed upon by the perfume-ridden filth lurking all around us" He says with more firmness in his voice.

"While her parents might insist on my services being paid for, I decline out of my sheer fucking loyalty to this family. So don't you worry. Nothing's going to happen to Octavia when I'm around" Y/N levels with Andrealphus, throwing back the same level of firmness in his voice.

"Very well then" My uncle shrugs, turning his attention back to me, "Could there be anything that might interest you that I could also arrange to have happen this evening? Because even I can sense a sense of disdain and a particular lack of enjoyment coming from you. Trust me, Via, I know. I don't entirely care for these little 'get togethers' either."

"Then why do you come?" I ask, frowning.

"Because I love engaging in some verbal tormenting with the diamond wearing excrement who masquerade as royals. And they'll just let me in anyway" Andrealphus answers, his drink glass swishing in his hand, "It gets boring where I live and these outings provide me a chance to...let's say, entertain myself. What better occasion to stir up a little controversy than a place like this? Though if I'm to be honest, what would really spice things up is a good old fashioned fight, perhaps between two gentlemen or two ladies with one of them ultimately getting killed. Of course, it wouldn't ever be me, though. I'm not a fighter by any means."

"That would seem interesting, but I'm not one who enjoys unnecessary violence" I reply.

"So does that mean you're content with necessary violence, Octavia?" He smiles, raising an eyebrow.

"You could say that" I shrug, briefly glancing at Y/N after saying it, "But I was more under the impression that people like us had to portray that we're above senseless aggression and, therefore, on a higher moral high-ground than everyone else."

"And you would be correct" Andrealphus nods slightly, his eyes flickering over the other royalty milling about, "Though too few actually care enough to follow that. Too many care so little about the reputations of not only themselves, but their families as well. They would rather show Hell that they're willing to devolve into simplistic, emotion-raging animals while also using their status to appear as if they're the exact opposite. That's a level of hypocrisy that is both nausea-inducing and utterly embarrassing. Luckily, though, neither you nor I seem to fall into that category."

"Yeah...luckily" I mutter, just saying it because that's what he wants to hear rather than me actually believing it. The conversation, at this point, has taken a turn that I don't really like, but Uncle Andre fortunately doesn't go any further into it.

"Well, I won't take up anymore of your time. I know this is probably starting to bore you, so I'll leave you and your little bodyguard here to explore the rest of the party" He says, beginning to walk away before saying a little more, "Oh, and don't be afraid to step on a few toes here and there, both figuratively and literally-speaking. There are definitely a handful here that will warrant it."

Andrealphus then walks away, inserting himself into a group deep in conversation on the opposite side of the room. And now that he's not here in front of me, Y/N comes closer to see if I'm ok.

"You good, Octavia?" My best friend asks.

"I will be, yeah" I sigh, wringing my hands out in front of me, "But let's head outside and get some fresh air. At least then we'll probably have less people around."

"Agreed" Y/N nods.

With my heels clicking against the slick hard floor, I walk towards the door leading outside, Y/N sticking by me as he's meant to do. But, ironically enough, as Andrealphus predicted, a younger looking snake royal lightly brushes past me on the way and actually stops, his gaze showing a newfound interest. I don't care to ask his name, but the boy certainly does try to make a move on me. I, however, express my disinterest by jamming the back of my heel into his foot, twisting it in and telling him a lower tone of voice that I wasn't interested and that he should move along before I set my bodyguard on him. Y/N then chimes in and casually refers to the guns he's carrying, the snake royal's eyes widening in fear as Y/N goes on to say that if he doesn't leave Octavia alone, he's going to be the reason why this party will get a little bloody. The boy leaves plenty quickly after that, heading off and leaving me to resume my walk towards the door, my hand grabbing the handle and pulling inward, the door now open.

The outside terrace is a bit better environment, consisting of a floor of marble-tiles and hardwood planks, some neatly trimmed plants in cube-shaped pots placed all around the space with some crisp and sharp looking chairs and tables along with an L-shaped couch and coffee table off to the far right, and some nice, smooth black bars as railings going around the very edge of the area. But, I was also right in assuming that there would be less people out here, because while it's not completely empty out here, there is only a small handful lounging around. The couch has nobody sitting on it, though, so I make a beeline for it without making it too noticeable. And once I sit down, having a semi decent view of Imp City over the railing, I feel better. Y/N carefully sits down next to me, obviously not wanting to frighten me since my immediate attention isn't in his direction, and laces his fingers together, going silent as he seemingly is contemplating something in his mind. I would ask him about it, but I don't want to be rude. This party hasn't been all that good so far and we haven't even been here that long, so there's no reason for me to make it any worse for either of us.

"You know, Octavia, I think you should have one of these for now" Y/N then speaks up, lightly removing one of his guns from its holster and placing it on my lap. This attracts my attention rather quickly, my gaze torn away from the city below and down at the weapon.

"But why?" I question, "You have more of a need for it than I do and there's not really any places for me to put this."

"The best assassin uses whatever he has available and doesn't let himself be limited by the weapons he may carry with him" He says, clearly recalling something he heard verbatim, "So, in other words, keep it and use it to defend yourself if I can't. You clearly can, if that situation back there was any example."

"But why do you always talk as if you're going to die?" I say, my emotions bubbling up to the surface a tiny bit more and more, "Is that part of some plan of yours that you won't tell me about?"

"Of course not" He replies, his eyebrows arched, "I don't plan on dying and leaving you without a best friend in all of Hell, but the job does put me in that situation and I have to accept that it might happen every time I go out to do it. I'm under no illusions that my training makes me invincible to anything and everything, Octavia. It's the humbling, but sad reality of what I have to become to make it work. It's mainly why I don't want you to take after me, because I don't want the depravity and the loneliness to derail your entire life."

It hurts a little bit to hear him say that, since I thought that he would be happy at my clearly expressed desire to go into his profession with him some day, but I can't lie and say that he's wrong because he isn't. I don't understand it like he does, since he's actually doing it and I'm not, but it's still sad anyway. I know he's thinking about what is best for me and doesn't want to put me in harm's way even though we both know I'm strong enough to handle it, but I really wanted it and now I don't know if I still want it. But beneath all of that, some part of me is thankful for him telling me this, rather than me finding it out on my own and perhaps feeling completely ruined as a person because I find out that what I thought I could handle is really something I can't.

But I still want something that can keep us close outside of me just being part of the Goetia family.

"I just...don't want to lose you" I slowly admit to him, Y/N nodding to show he understands.

"Then you shouldn't have brought him here with you tonight" A scratchy, rough voice speaks up, the cold metal of a gun barrel pressing against the back of my head.

Y/N turns around and has his gun out on the imp that has me at gunpoint, pointing it directly at the creature's head with the intent to kill on a second's notice.

"Bad move threatening her" Y/N says in a low tone, "Now you've invoked me, her bodyguard."

"Oh, I'm so incredibly scared" The imp says sarcastically, waving with a couple fingers as another imp comes over from leaning on the railing and stands directly to my left, pulling his own gun out and pointing it at Y/N.

"You see, we were hired to strike a little fear into you Goetia's and the pay was too good to pass up on. After all, my six brothers and I are in need of it and if we can get it by sticking it to you uptight bluebloods, then it's one of the best days of our lives" The imp continues while I slowly grab the gun in my lap and turn it around so that it's pointing at him behind me, "Though maybe we should off the girl. That'll shake up the parents, right?"

"For sure" The second imp agrees.

It's then that I pull the trigger, hitting the imp behind me and apparently shooting him in a place that knocks him backwards. His brother is quickly shocked and Y/N acts fast, pointing his gun at the second imp and putting a bullet in his head, the creature dying quickly and slumping to the ground with the body leaning against the railing. Some small bits of gunfire then pelt the couch where we're sitting, Y/N and I going to the floor as the royals around us begin to flee the area in panic. It must be the other brothers that were mentioned, which doesn't bode well for us.

"You have to run, Octavia" Y/N says to me, crawling over and grabbing the dead imp's gun off his corpse, putting it in one of his empty holsters, "Get inside, find your parents, get downstairs, get in the limo, and go home. These imps are my problem now."

"I can help too, Y/N" I insist, some more bullets pelting the couch, "You've taught me how to use a gun before. I can fight with you!"

"And I remember saying to you that I would look out for you, which entails that I don't put you in danger. This situation right here is what I'm here for after all. So, please, go while you still have time" Y/N replies, being firm but caring at the same time.

I feel bad leaving him in this position and I want to argue, say no, and stay here to help him, but I can't lie and say that I'm not scared by this either. Swallowing, I hold tightly onto the gun Y/N gave me and crawl to the edge of the couch closest to the door leading inside. Y/N then nods and I get up, going as fast as I can across the terrace, but not being able to run due to the heels I'm stuck in. I get caught up in the crowd of royals trying to flee, a couple of them getting injured as some of the shots continue after me. But, despite the demons swarming the door, I get it open enough and slink through, getting inside to see that everyone else has already started to evacuate. I don't see Uncle Andrealphus anymore, but I do spot Mom and Dad by one of the beams near the door. They wave and call to me, my pace quickening as more royalty from outside stream into the room bit by bit. I race past the center table, my heart pounding fast as I come up to my parents with the gun still in my hand.

"Via! Thank goodness you're ok! What's going on? And why do you have a gun in your hand?" Dad asks in an understandably stressed tone.

"Some imps caught me and Y/N outside and he told me to run while he would hold them off, the imps evidently being hired to scare us" I say, giving them a brief summary.

"Then let's take advantage of the opportunity Y/N has given us and leave immediately!" Mom urges, Dad and I not arguing one bit as we rush towards the elevator.

Like with the door leading in here, the elevator is being swarmed by people wanting to escape, the pain of having to wait for it to go down and then come back up probably being quite miserable for frightened folks like them. But, luckily, the doors have opened up again and Mom, Dad, and I manage to muscle our way in with a couple other royalty demons, people reaching out their hands to try and get past one another to get inside with us before the aforementioned doors are shut again, blocking them out. The sounds of some gunshots are loud enough for everyone in the elevator to hear, Mom, Dad, and the few others staying silent until a thud directly above us causes them to jump in surprise. I, however, am ready and when the emergency exit hatch above us opens and one of the imp brothers sticks his head inside, I shoot him through said head, the creature falling down into the elevator dead and leaking blood.

"Imp trash" One of the other royals curses, kicking the dead body before looking away, "It's a good thing that your daughter can handle a gun, though, Stolas. You've clearly been teaching her right."

Dad doesn't say anything in response, but I can see in his eyes that he's proud of me.

The elevator then finally stops, the doors opening as we all rush to get out, Mom, Dad, and I exiting first as the two behind us quickly push past and run for the front doors. We're right behind them, pushing through the double doors and racing out onto the circle drive where our limo is still parked. However, another of those imp brothers is holding our driver at gunpoint, the imps apparently having planned to cut us off as we were leaving by stationing one of their own down here with the car. But, I aim and take the shot, not hitting him in the head, since I'm still partially running, but striking his eye and getting him to keel over in pain. The three of us throw the limo door open and pile in one after the other, nearly slamming the door closed as the driver speeds away with Mom, Dad, or I having to say anything.

Now that we're seemingly out of danger, we all try to catch our breath and collect ourselves, Mom and Dad looking over to make sure that I didn't suffer any injuries on the way out. I didn't, which is good, and I assure them as much. They both nod, but are still rattled by what just happened. Sure, we had expected this and had said it enough out loud as to where it would get annoying if it was said any more times, but now that it's actually happened and almost right when we arrived, it's a lot more surreal. But as Mom and Dad try to ask further about what happened, I set the gun down on the seat beside me and turn around to look out the rear window at the skyscraper getting smaller and smaller. What hurts me the most right now is that I know Y/N is still up there, fighting to ensure that we make it out, which we have. Biting my lip, I keep watching as the building begins to disappear from view, my worry only growing.

Please make it out of there, Y/N.

Y/N's P.O.V

I stand there, panting and trying to catch my breath. I had lost track of time from when Octavia left, but I hope by now that she's safe along with her parents. All around me are corpses, many of them the royals that attended the party but either got shot or trampled to death trying to escape the terrace during the initial shoot-out. However, the three imps that were doing the shooting have been dealt with. It involved a lot of back and forth shooting between me and them, moving behind the different bits of furniture scattered across the terrace, and even some up close and personal brutality. Since they were taking cover on the opposite side of the area, I had to work my way around and catch them off guard, though I also got grazed in a couple areas and got smacked around a little bit too because they were going down without a fight either. But one got shot to death, the other got his head smashed against the railing, and the third got his neck broken from me stomping on him repeatedly. But there was still one left, the one that Octavia first wounded.

With my white shirt stained red in multiple areas, I leave the bodies of the imps that were at my feet and keep my focus strong as I walk away and towards the place he last was. For all I know, he could have another gun besides the one I took from him and emptied completely into his brothers, so I need to be careful. Treading lightly over to the couch where Octavia and I sat, I peer behind and see the imp sitting with his back against the back of the couch, holding a clawed hand to his neck since that's, apparently, where Octavia got him. He unfortunately has another gun, but he's too weak from blood loss to land a shot on me when he attempts to aim and fire. He doesn't get anywhere close to hitting me, but I rush forward, kick the gun out of his hand, and punch him from the right, putting him to the ground. I'm not done with him yet, though, so I kneel down beside him and proceed to interrogate him.

"So, clearly you and your brothers aren't actual assassins. Otherwise you wouldn't have spilled the beans on how many of you there were at this party. So, that also means that I don't have to show respective courtesy towards you" I say in a low tone, casually flicking my wrist and letting my sleeve gun spring out, my finger on the trigger as I press the barrel against the imp's head, "But that also means I get to demand this of you and there'll be no repercussions on my end if you choose not to answer. Now, you're gonna tell me exactly who hired you to scare the Goetia's or you'll join your brothers in a Hell much worse than this one."

"Fine, I'll talk! But I don't fucking know his name" The imp grunts, gritting his pointed teeth, "We didn't ask and he didn't volunteer it. All he was willing to reveal about himself after hooking all of us in with the job was that he was a hitman. He was clearly an imp like us, but his clothes made him look like he originated from a different Ring than this one. That's all."

"Then I thank you for your cooperation, provided that you've told me the truth and not just something that will get me to not shoot you right here right now at this very moment" I muse, standing up and peering down at the Hellborn creature, "But I don't think you're that stupid."

I actually believe that and am saying it to get a rise out of him so that I have even more of an excuse to kill him. And it works too. As I turn around and begin to walk away from the imp, I hear him slowly get to his feet and rush towards me. But, in a nice swift motion, I turn around and shoot him through the head, the imp skidding to a halt and falling on its back dead. I briefly stare at him, my gun remaining trained on him before I draw my lips to a thin line and reset the spring mechanism on my sleeve gun, pushing the gun back up into my sleeve. My hand then reaches inside my pocket for my phone, pulling it out and calling Octavia's number. Just to ensure that they made it and, if they did, that I'll be coming over to report on what happened. It rings only twice before Octavia answers.

"Octavia? Are you and your parents safe?" I ask.

"Y/N?! Oh, thank Lucifer you're alright" Octavia replies, sounding quite relieved.

"Yes, we're fine, Y/N" Stolas also answers, Octavia apparently having her phone on speaker.

"What about you, though?" Stella asks, "Where are you?".

"Me? I'm still at the party. Or what's left of it, anyway. Quite a few dead bodies up on this roof, but you'll be happy to know that our assailants are among those deceased" I respond, lightly kicking the body of the imp I just killed before casually walking in the opposite direction, "I also happened to learn a few things about why you three were being targeted tonight, but I think it's best I stop by and tell you in person rather than just saying it over the phone."

"Yes, please, come right over. We'll be waiting" Stella says.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you for your help tonight, my dear boy" Stolas adds with clear appreciation in his tone, "Though please do come by soon. I'd very much like to know who was behind this whole debacle."

"Well, though I don't find him to be a person of suspicion, I think it's worth mentioning that Octavia and I did run into your step-brother before the chaos began" I inform him, stopping in place and patiently waiting for Stolas's reply.

"He's right, we did" Octavia confirms.

"Oh, great" Stolas sighs, sounding displeased, "And what did he have to say?"

"A lot of holier than thou talk, really" Octavia answers for me, "But it's a bit suspicious that he talked about having a fight be a good idea to spice up the party and then this happens. It kind of makes me wonder if he had a hand in it."

"Oh, yeah, he did say that. Thanks for remembering that, Octavia. I had forgotten" I tell her appreciatively, "But, I'll finish up here and be right over. Sound good?"

"Yes, we'll see you soon" Stella concludes for now, leaving me to hang up.

What I have yet to tell them is that I already have a lead I'd like to pursue, given the encounter I had the previous night, but I'll tell them that when I'm finished here. Speaking of which, I should probably document what happened here just to show the Goetia's and the people I'm going to see tomorrow morning. Still holding my phone, I walk around and take pictures of the sprawled out bodies of the dead royals, the imps, and the party as a whole. Once I feel like I have enough, I put my phone away, head inside, and go towards the elevator, deciding to leave the mess for someone else to clean up. And, luckily, the elevator still works, making it easy for me to reach the ground floor and exit the building, which was as quiet and empty as any small-scale massacre would be.

And as luck would have it, some of the royal's cars are still around due to them....you know not being alive anymore to flee from the scene. The drivers were still in the cars, though, so I just pick one and ask to be taken to the Goetia mansion. Upon being asked why and why he should, I have to tell him that whoever he's waiting for isn't coming. Apparently, though, the driver takes that as a threat and reaches for a gun, but then falls dead since I shoot him before they can grab it. I didn't want to, and would've much rather preferred to have him just take me there, but I'm already wounded and in need of a way to get back that doesn't involve me walking. Sighing, I pull the door open and force the body into the passenger's seat before closing the door, starting up the car, and driving away from the building. It feels good to be driving again, reminding me of the times when my friends and I would go out and drive back when I was...not dead and in Hell. But, on the other plus side, it only takes a little time to work my way through the city, down all the blocks and past all the streets, until I come up to the mansion that makes me sigh in relief.

Parking the car along the side of the road, I get out, not bothering to look back at the body of the driver, and shut the door, walking toward the gates with guards outside the mansion. Like always, they let me pass with no question, despite the fact that I have blood on me, and I walk up to the door, knocking and announcing that it's me. I'd imagine that they'd be more on edge and hesitant about just answering the door after what just happened. The door opens a smidge and Stella peeks out before opening the door more and ushering me inside. I quickly enter and she shuts the door in a hurry before securely locking it. She's still in her party attire, which stands to reason that Octavia and Stolas are too.

"Let's head to the dining room. Via and my husband are waiting for us there" Stella says, looking relieved to see me but not wanting to keep her family waiting either.

Nodding, I walk beside her as the two of us pass by the stairs and walk through the door into the dining room. Like she said, Octavia and her father are sitting in two of the many chairs surrounding the table, both of them hearing the door open and looking over to see us coming inside. Octavia appears to be restraining herself from jumping up and rushing over to hug me, but once her mother and I walk over to where her and her father are sitting, she gets up and does it. And despite the pain in my sides from the kicks and punches I received from those imps, I hug back.

"So what happened after we left?" Stolas asks me, Octavia letting go and sitting down, her mother joining her.

"A lot of shooting and fighting, as evidenced by the blood" I say, pointing to the red spots on my shirt, Stella and Octavia grimacing seeing it after I pointed it out, "But the one you shot, Octavia, was still breathing, so I decided that I should see what he knew before I ultimately killed him. And I should count myself lucky that he and his brothers weren't actual assassins because then I'd have to stick to professionalisms."

"That's a thing?" Stella asks.

"Yes. As assassins, we're not supposed to reveal who has hired us for a job, but we're getting off topic here" I say, course-correcting back to the point, "The imp that was still alive said that he and his brothers were hired by an assassin, them describing him as an imp like themselves but wearing clothes that placed his origins in a Ring of Hell that wasn't this one. I'm not sure what he meant by that second bit, but the imp didn't know the assassin's name since the assassin didn't volunteer it. I then killed the imp and called you guys, the rest being me stealing a car and driving here."

"Stealing a car, huh? Didn't take you for a thief" Octavia smiles, obviously joking.

"You do what you gotta do and the royal that it belonged to was dead already, so they're not gonna miss it" I shrug casually.

"But how does Uncle Andrealphus fit into this?" Octavia then asks no one in particular.

"Well, if the imps were telling the truth, then it wasn't him who hired them" Stolas rationalizes out loud, "Though his apparent desire for violence does irk me the wrong way since I haven't heard him speak like that before when I've talked with him."

"Should we still consider him a suspect?" I ask.

"Yes, we should" Stolas confirms, Stella nodding in agreement.

"But in the meantime, this assassin's identity needs to be ascertained. Even though their intentions weren't fatal, this can't simply be swept aside or tossed under the rug, especially with how many at the party ended up dead. That many royals killed won't go unnoticed and the news will surely be all over it sooner than we think" Stella explains.

"I agree and I'll also work to find the identity of this assassin for you guys" I say, crossing my arms, "Until I find out who it is, though, I'd suggest beefing up your security around here. I don't want to alarm you, but the assassin could very well change his intentions. And given that this place isn't exactly a safehouse that's 'under the radar', he might not have much trouble finding it."

"Would you be able to help with any of that? As in, protecting Octavia if we're ever out?" Stolas asks.

"I could, but then who will be protecting you?" I inquire, Stolas frowning as he had realized that, "If you want my suggestion, bring the trainer you got for me down here and have them instruct Octavia on how to use a weapon. That way she can defend herself just as well as I would be able to."

".....I suppose that's something we could do" Stella hesitantly agrees, Octavia giving me a thumbs up in thanks, "But are you still able to help keep her safe if we need to ask for your help?"

"Yes, but I still need to do my job to keep up with payments" I say, trying to stress the other important factors of my life without being too rude about it.

"Well, how about this? If you agree to come over and watch Octavia for when Stolas and I need to go out, we'll compensate you however much money that you need to cover your payments. Or, if things get much worse, you can always just stay here. We have plenty of rooms, after all" Stella offers generously.

"A very kind offer, Stella, but that still begs the questions of if I'm here, then who will be guarding you?" I remind her.

"We'll figure that out when the time comes" Stolas waves off. I sigh.

"I'll consider the offer, but I'm still going to begin looking around for ways to obtain the name of the assassin" I reply.

"And how will you start, if I may ask?" Stella politely inquires, Octavia leaning forward in interest.

"I met an imp yesterday called Moxxie, who claimed to be an assassin within a company of fellow assassins called I.M.P." I reveal to them, keeping my arms crossed, "I'll start with them first."