Letting out a sigh as I watched Dad pull out of the driveway, I glanced at the folder of freshly signed paperwork. Deceiving him like this felt off, but between his hang-ups and own personal issues, it was the best choice. He didn't need worrying about me or self-blame about my powers on top of the stress of keeping the DWA afloat. And it wasn't like I was hiding having joined a gang and gone villain either…
"Ama," I stated with a flex of power. The succubus stepped out of a portal next to me, clad this time in peasant dress instead of a hauberk. It… suited her in a way that the maille didn't, even if the more inhuman additions that came from being a demon were somewhat at odds with the
mundanity of the simple elegance of the clothes.
"Yes, my Sovereign… I mean Lilith?"
Shaking my head with a fond smile, I gave her a pat on the shoulder. "You're getting there Ama. Now, the PRT will have someone by to pick me up in half an hour or so, and I need you to start finding me people who can help me train my skills. Mainly 'magic' and related abilities, as I've gotten bladecraft and smithing training lined up through the PRT."
I paused, pondering that for a moment, and then added "Oh and if there's ways to use my powers in either of those, I'd be interested in learning once I'm solid on the basics."
Ama gave me a nod and flashed a small smile, "I will do so, and will endeavor to track down other knowledge you might find useful. You may also wish to spend at least some time walking Ur-Hekal yourself, so that your subjects may know their Sovereign's presence for themselves. While you are an unholy champion and thus are an embodiment of Urgash's will, discontent will start to rise if you do not act in the role you won off Kha-Beleth. The succubae may back you, but there are many others who would be… less than willing to accept you should you not show yourself as they expect. I recommend wearing your armor for best effect, and as a precaution for if one of the demon lords decides to challenge you."
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind then," I said with a thoughtful hum. "Best not let them get uppity when they might be able to access Earth Bet without issue. This place is bad enough without a no-shit demonic invasion."
A thought rose then. "Well, unless it's one
I am leading at least. Technically that's my whole
job with the PRT…"
The quip drew a laugh from the succubus. "That attitude should buy you a considerable degree of support, I think," she stated, before disappearing through a portal.
If all my demons, or at least enough of them, were like her, I might actually be able to have rather good PR. For an anti-villain at least. Commanding a demonic legion was never going to be
popular with the general public, no matter how
human they might be.
The less said about Beth's claim that I was the anointed champion of some evil god sealed within Sheogh the better.
Pushing
that particular line of thought aside, I wandered back to the kitchen. A good cup of tea would be a nice way to prepare for what was to come.
---
I slammed into the mat with a heavy thud. Laying there for a moment, I let out a low groan, eyes fixed on the cause. Velocity's grin did nothing to make me feel better, nor did his words.
"You're doing alright Lilith. So far, you know how to
dodge, which is better than where your teammates were at when they first started."
"And yet you had me down in five seconds," I groaned, the bruises from my
last fight aching from the impact despite both forms of padding. "I thought you weren't supposed to be able to hit as hard when you used your power."
That got a laugh from the speedster. "Didn't use it kid. That was pure skill, a result of having been military prior to being booted over to the Protectorate. It's also why I'm medical support for the Wards, since I've kept up my certs. Benefits of having been in the PJs and damn good at it."
I blinked. "PJs?"
The older hero gave the back of his head a rueful rub. "Right, sorry. Pararescue jumper, the guys called in when the SPECOPS lunatics need their asses pulled out of the fire. Field medicine, firearms, various kinds of air deployment, and a whole lot more, in a two year training program designed to produce the
best combat medics the Air Force can offer."
"So," I said slowly. "You were a medic whose job was to be a better asskicker than the actual elite asskickers, in order to be able to rescue them if things go badly. I can see why you're on training then."
"And believe me when I say I'm taking it easy on you kids," he replied. "Even
Armsmaster has complained about me being a taskmaster among the Protectorate."
"He's as dedicated to the job as a person as he is for the cameras then?" I asked of the local team leader, whose logo was for reasons still unknown to me, was plastered on girls' underwear. Including, not that I'd
ever mention it to anyone here, what had long been my favorite pair…
Velocity chuckled. "Yeah, actually? I'd say he's worse. Not to say he's a bad person, but he can be hard to work with and sometimes I'd swear he could accidentally talk someone into becoming a villain in the wrong circumstances."
He paused, then offered me a hand. "Don't tell him I said that though please. I'd rather not be stuck on patrol with Assault for a month straight. The guy
always knows when he's being used as a punishment somehow."
Okay then. Note to self, don't annoy Armsmaster.
Taking the older hero's hand I climbed back to my feet with a groan. "Right, another spar then?"
"No, our time's up and frankly, you need a break from hand-to-hand practice," was his reply, as he tossed a sports drink at me. "Don't want to wear you out, and besides, the Director wants to speak with you."
The Director. This was going to be interesting…
---
"So you're the unholy horror Glenn decided I needed," said the visibly obese blonde seated at the desk in front of me. "At least you manage to
look like you could be someone capable of facing down the gangs. The question is, is the
girl in that armor capable of using what I have been assured is a
very strong power to do so?"
I met Emily Piggot's eyes through my visor and calmly replied "Well, that's what I'm here to learn to do. Assuming your command can before my own servants do."
The woman held my gaze for a long moment, before nodding. "Good. You, at least, have something resembling a good head on you. Keep that, and you'll do fine. Lose it, and I will give it my all to ensure you regret it, Master 10 plus or no."
She had a spine on her it seemed. No wonder she was the one put in charge of the PRT presence in the Bay, even with her physical condition. No basic bureaucrat, cop or no, would have lasted as long as she had here.
Inclining my head, I said "Sensible advice, which I very much intend to keep. No point inviting trouble, and I'd rather see the gangs go down than make a bigger mess than they ever did."
Then, with a grin making its way onto my lips, I added "And besides, I think playing inside the lines here will be far more fun than being just another power-hungry dumb-ass."
Piggot snorted. "Figures you'd be into this. Also, expect PHO to immediately be onto you in that regard, we have an entire program dedicated to running PSYOPS against edgy vigilante types, and enough of those have joined up afterwards that the Internet is convinced we have an archetype branding list or something.
Her lips then twitched. "There's even speculation that Shadow Stalker's in a drama club and doing exactly what you are."
"Oh, that probably grates on her," I chuckled. "Probably keeps random speculators well away from her actual identity though."
"And for some reason, she doesn't appreciate that fact," the director replied with an amused tone in her voice. "Now, any questions for me or shall we both go back to our days?"
"I believe I have a feel for you, or at least enough of one for now," I said, giving her a nod. "So unless there was something else on your end?"
"No, you're dismissed."
I stood at that, and walked out of the office. But as I reached the door, I heard her call out one more thing. "Oh, and feel free to get started on your task, so long as you don't let yourself be seen."
A low chuckle rose in my throat, "Thank you ma'am, I'll be sure to
give them hell…"
---
Waiting until nightfall might have been more thematic, but something about letting loose my servants on the scum of the Bay in broad daylight felt… right. A wide grin formed as I stood atop the PRT building, looking over the city from a carefully concealed spot likely normally used by snipers. For the moment though, it was for me to observe the area. Lifting a tablet computer I'd gotten from a rather nervous PRT agent, I pulled up a map of the gang territories within the city, then glanced back up at the skyline, and then climbed back into the building where I cast Dimension Door.
Stepping out into the palace I'd won yesterday, I then opened another portal before turning to look at the small group of demons who'd assembled in the courtyard. Six succubae stood among an equal number of squat beings with massive arms and prominent horns that were apparently called, rather unimaginatively, horned demons.
"So then," I said, examining each demon in turn. "You are the ones chosen to go out into my world of birth. Tell me, what is it that sets you apart such that you have gained this honor."
A succubus stepped forward and spoke "I am Biara, my Sovereign. A mistress of disguise and illusion, perfect for infiltrating the ranks of your foes."
Nodding, I said to her "Excellent. The city you are being sent to is infested with a group known as the Empire Eighty-Eight who espouse a philosophy of madness that offends me. You are to sow discord among them and begin to bring them down from within. The fools believe themselves a master race chosen by a god whose tenets they do not follow. Show them otherwise."
That said, a second succubus, sporting a smoldering scalp, presented herself with a bow. "My name is Runa, Oh Sovereign. I am skilled in the art of seduction and corruption, well suited to swaying your enemies to your side, or positioning them for betrayal."
"There is a band of malcontents referred to as the Archer's Street Merchants. Not nearly as much of an organization as the Empire, but almost as destructive. They peddle addictive concoctions that destroy the mind and body, weakening my home city's people. They are hedonistic parasites to be rooted out. I care not how you deal with them, only that they be removed from my sight," I told her.
This time, I selected one of the horned demons. "And what of you?"
The bestial demon growled and snorted, before answering "Chorgith will serve well!"
Great, only somewhat intelligent. That could be troublesome.
"Do not concern yourself with them my Sovereign," chimed in a third succubus, this one with deep red skin. "I shall command these lesser beings for you. Samara, a pyromancer and mage of great skill in the art of battle, at your service."
"Well then Samara," I replied, "You shall be providing Biara a distraction and disrupt the Empire's operations. Bring some hell hounds with you, and keep an eye out for a man with a wolf mask, he is a major figure within their group and he is rumored to run dog fighting rings, so show him what it feels like to be on the receiving end."
Again, a succubus stepped forwards, this time one who looked almost human for some reason. "I am Xana, former personal servant of Khe-Beleth and one-time companion of the Demon Messiah. Give me the word, and I can have your enemies at each other's throats for want of me."
An interesting proposition there… "Certainly a useful skillset Xana. One I think would be well suited to rooting out the criminal known as Coil. Crippling his operation by turning his mercenaries against themselves would be a great help. He's an elusive one however, so don't take it as a failure if you can't bring him down."
As Xana bowed in response, the fifth succubus spoke. "You may call me Nymus, and I offer you instruction in the art of physical combat. With your permission, I will assist in your bladecraft training and ensure your eventual mastery in the art."
"That would be much appreciated," I replied, even as some unknown sense told me that I would
not be enjoying the experience. "While unsure of how much I plan on using a sword, it is a skill that I feel will be good to have."
That got me a smirk as the final succubus approached. Resembling nothing less than a redheaded elf, she bore an air about her that I couldn't quite place. "Daeva is my name, and I have volunteered to educate you in the magical arts. And other things… should you wish…"
"I think magic will be all for a while Daeva," I said with an eyebrow rising under my helmet at her last words. "Your offer to provide instruction in other fields is… appreciated though, even if I must decline."
The look on her face was all I needed to know
exactly what she was talking about. Teenager I might be, but I sure as hell –
heh – wasn't getting involved like that with any of my subordinates, no matter the reason. That only led to trouble.
Firmly shoving that entire thought line aside, I surveyed the assembled demons again with a calculating gaze. "Now, unless any of you have questions regarding the nature of your tasks, I shall dispatch you all to the relevant locations. Those assigned to target the gangs will find the information you need gathered for your perusal in labeled stacks on the desk in the room I will be sending you to momentarily. Nymus and Daeva will accompany me to coordinate with my mortal instructors and gain a feel for the location we will be conducting at least some of the training. Once your preparations are complete, I will dispatch Biara, Runa, Samara, and Xana to their missions."
Focusing specifically on those four, I continued "Take your time, and position yourselves for maximum damage, I don't want them remaining standing if at all possible. And ideally bring them down in a way that will discourage others from taking their places, the last time a city was cleared of such gangs, new ones formed or moved in in a conflict known as the Boston Games. I would much rather make a lesson out of the scum I've pointed you at than wage war to prevent other such brigands. Far less clean up."
Before I could dismiss the assembled demons however, I heard the rustling of feathered wings as something dropped down behind me. Turning on the spot, I found a woman clad in gleaming golden armor floating there. The presence of great black wings shrouded in flame and fiery corona instead of hair told me exactly what I was looking at.
"I did not realize there were fallen angels among my forces," I said, doing my best not to show my surprise any more than I already had.
"I am the archangel Sarah, and I am the only one of my kind here," she replied, the blazing embers of her eyes studying me. "So, you're the one who toppled Kha-Beleth then. Not a demon, yet also not truly human or elf… Something about you reminds me of my old student Kiril… Curious."
On impulse, I pulled off my helmet and met her burning gaze. "Did you come here to sate your curiosity, or did you wish to speak to me as well?"
"Both, honestly," replied the angel with an impassive expression. "The order here has held for centuries and for it to change is of interest. And when that change comes in the form of an unknown, who favors the succubae, it becomes all the more so. You are a mystery, and I have heard it claimed that you are a champion of Urgash, called from a new world."
Her lips then twitched slightly, and she continued "You are a sterling example of your form of humanity I would say, though how well you might succeed at quelling the more brutal aspects of demonkind will only be seen in time."
"So, now what is it that you wish to talk about Sarah, or have you done what you wanted?" I asked, trying to process just what she meant.
A proper smile formed on her face at that. "I would like to aid you in your works, Queen of Sheogh. My three millennia of experience will do you well in both your pursuit of the bandits and brigands in your city, and in establishing a new order here. There are also magics that I know that you would be unable to learn from demons, such as various forms of healing and curing spells that would be of great assistance to you."
That got a raised eyebrow. "Well then, it sounds like you've got a place in my plans then. Anything else, such as specific tasks and missions you'd do well in?"
"While I have some skill in magic, physical combat is my strong suit. Bring me into the field when you have need of more
precise power than offered by a pit fiend or devil, or when you require a mediating influence. I can also offer you support in combat, and advice outside of it."
I considered that for a few moments, before replying. "So, public appearances, heavy combat, and fights in areas where collateral damage is more of a concern then. Yes, I do believe I know
exactly how to properly utilize you…"
With that, I replaced my helmet, covering the wide grin I'd just gained, and turned back to the assembled succubae. "Alright then! Let's get moving girls, we've got work to do."
