"Oh Hell"

Chapter 3: "Babakazamadoodle"

Ella had heard out Belphegor's explanation, and that was how she found herself allowed to rest and under his protection through guest rites, whatever that was. Her injuries were going to remain until she returned to the mortal world. Were she dead they would likely disappear given enough time in a Hell loop, again, whatever those were. She didn't understand the mechanics of what was going on but she had passed normal a while ago and when she returned to Earth, well, maybe she'd get high off those pain meds after all. According Belphegor, a Demonic Prince's powers were limited by thresholds that, as far as he knew, were there to prevent the beings trying to take the domains of other princes. If they weren't physically restricted like his, they had certain conditions in which they could be used. Belphegor may have been the Demonic prince of judgement, but he was only able to judge those accused of crimes of being guilty or innocent. He had opinions on things and in certain situations he could petition The Devil for those restrictions to be lifted but such times were rare and had to be considered emergencies in order for such a petition to be considered seriously. Ella had been told in no uncertain terms that her being in Hell wasn't likely to be considered an emergency, or at least not a good enough one for Belphegor to make a petition on her behalf. He had said that he would speak with Lucifer and see if he knew anything about her arrival, but for some reason Ella had stopped him from doing so. If someone had brought her here intentionally then logically, they would have had to be very powerful. As such, Belphegor hadn't been able to do much to help, but he had explained what Ella likely needed to do. She had to journey all the way through hell, deal with all its dangers and try not be killed, maimed, burned, torn apart or eaten. She also had to try and avoid everything else in between. Politically, Hell seemed to be in turmoil; factions had been forming and the rumours were there was about to be a civil war. She sighed and sat back, thinking through her next course of action.

Botis looked over what his superior had shown him, and he understood his Lord's annoyance. With the torso of a human and the lower half of a snake, Botis knew he was the least imposing as well as the least powerful of the Five. He had grey skin and was notoriously fast and deadly with his blades. The only ones faster were Lucifer himself, and Ciaran. Despite that, he had more than earned his place among their ranks and he had a head for finding answers, which is why he was much more concerned over these missing shipments than he probably should have been. "You sssssaid that our King hasssss Malphasss looking into the problem?" he asked the leader of the Five. Ciaran nodded, though he could see the forced professionalism in the expression. She didn't hate him and he didn't hate her, if anything they respected each other's skills. The problem with them being assigned to look into this issue together was the fact they both had different world views. Ciaran was powerful but she only ever focused on what she saw. She had a very narrow mind by Demonic standards and believed the evidence she was presented with. Botis was the polar opposite to her. Due to his less than considerable strength, at least by the standards of the five, he had allowed himself to be more willing to look at things differently, to go back and look for things that might have been missed. He wasn't insecure or bothered about his lack of strength. By regular standards he was still extremely powerful. Ciaran had also been blessed by Nyx, the Princess of Pride, granting her new powers whereas he was still wielding the powers he had been created with. He brought his mind back to the conversation. "Lucifer is concerned. That is all the reason we need" the leader of the five explained. Botis waved away the comment not in disagreement but because its not what he wants to hear. "He hassss never ordered the five to look into ssssssssomething sssso routine" he hissed as he studies the list of the shortages. "Malphasssss thinkssssss one of the Sssssseven are involved?" he inquired. The Five Knights who served Lucifer directly had a strange relationship with the princes and princesses of Sin. Part of it was because almost all of them Lilim, the exceptions being Nyx, Megaera and Malphas, two of whom were more primordial in nature, and Malphas was a blood demon. While the relationship between them was cordial and peaceful enough, but they always vied for the King's favour. In truth, while the Seven led the realm politically with Lucifer overseeing things, the Five handles most military matters. Those who ruled the circles had their own armies, as was their right given by Lucifer himself but if there were ever to be a war in heaven, it would be The Five who served as Lucifer's generals. "Kimaris and Belial specifically. Dagon is on the move again" Ciaran said, and Botis hissed in displeasure. "The fool hopessss to garner their aid for another stab at Princcccehood" he hissed, and Ciaran shrugged. "His motivations do not concern me. Azazel is busy with nameless things. Zagreus tests the realm's security, Thanatos is busy serving as the reaper those pre who are so evil that the heaven have them predestined to come here. Belphegor is busy judging those at the gates and malphas is looking into him currently anyway. Absalom has been laying low and Malath has missed her quotas entirely..." Ciaran grumbled, her displeasure at this problem obvious. "And the fifth and Ninth circlesssss?" Botis asked, finally looking up from the records. "We both know Ramiel won't be a problem, and Anamlech has the King watching over him directly, considering he himself resides there" Ciaran shrugged. Botis nodded. While Zagreus tested the security of the underworld it was Dagon left in charge of the Seventh Circle. "What would he have ussss do?" asked Botis. "We are to deal with Belial, Kimaris and Dagon. Unfortunately we are to do discreetly, which means I will have to put out the Hornets" the female Knight replied. Botis nodded in agreement with the decision. "And me?" he asked. Ciaran waved a hand aside, obviously not too bothered. "Do as you wish. The only requirement is that we are discreet" she said. Botis considered his options, not entirely sure of the best way to look into things. "Absssssalom paid everything on time. Perhapssssss he might be willing to sssssshare information?" he suggested. Of all the Princes who ruled the circles, Absalom was the one that Botis thought might be the most willing to give information. He was loyal to Lucifer and only ever schemed against other princes or princesses. Ciaran considered the idea. "You have an informant there?" she asked. Botis nodded. "A ssssssssoldier. He isssss unremarkable but he could be convincccced" he replied, and Ciaran's eyes narrowed. "How do you intend to do that?" she asked. "I am sure that inssssspiration will ssssstrike" Botis said, and he meant it. The soldier in question was skilled, loyal and had been tossed aside due to terrible circumstances. Botis had the power to have him be reassigned, possibly even elevated to Duke if that's what the Demon wanted. The only problem was that he wasn't a spy. He was a soldier first and foremost and believed in Loyalty above all. Botis was going to have to make the offer extremely tempting if he was going to get this information. "Promise only what the information is worth. And be careful. Exposing this demon for the information means you can't watch Absalom's political machinations. Botis shrugged. "I do not care for them. They do not matter to me" he stated simply. Ciaran nodded, obviously agreeing with his opinion. "We have no deadline as of yet but we shouldn't take too long. Depending what Malphas delivers to Lucifer when they meet we might have more work. Let us do this quickly" she said. Botis nodded, and was quickly dismissed. He slithered away to see to his tasks, and Ciaran set about seeing to hers. It was time to unleash the Hornets.