The Slayer and Bola came across a decently sized sleek building located on 5th and Wesker (which was in midtown with all the big led screens showing off various advertisements for places in the city. Sweet Cream included.) Above the glass front doors, a pink and white neon sign that read "SWEET CREAM" in a fancy font. Sounds of laughter and cheering could be heard from outside alongside the clinking of glass mugs.
It was then he noticed the neon light painted Bola's skin like a Jackson Pollock painting,He would know as Eris had a ton of them in her personal realm.He shuddered at the memory and pushed it down like he does every other memory that wasn't about his wife or daughter at this point. Bola's arms and the back of her neck was covered in purplish angry blots and there was even more underneath her dress.
Bola realized the Slayer was looking and got embarrassed. She placed her arms behind her back.
"Is that something your people can do?" The Slayer asked gently like a cat gracefully avoiding a landmine. Tact, the first thing he picked up on as a married man and one of the most invaluable skills to have in your life.
"Yeah, my skin is a little different from most others. It saves me having to buy makeup. My boss Cisneros loves my skin because she can-" Bola cut herself off, feeling her skin throb, a reminder of what happens when you don't do what you're told by Cisneros. But all things considered, Bola found herself the lucky one. She remembered what happened to that sweet girl named Poppy, a shy but strong-willed maid who didn't know what she was signing up for. Bola let out a bitter laugh.
The Slayer said nothing. Understanding her fully without her speaking.
"Did any of us know?" Bola thought as the bruises throbbed with each sordid memory. The sounds of Poppy cries as she was taken away from the dressing room by men in sharp black suits with golden masks that had a demon visage still haunting her dreams. She still hates herself for just standing there and not doing anything. But if she had done something, she would had end up being taken right alongside Poppy.
"But at least i would have done something." Bola continues in her downward spiral as she remembered how Poppy's sister Soda was held down by Juri and Kam, their expressions shouting a thousand blood-soaked apologies to the fighting sister as she screamed at Cisneros who just flicked her cigar at her nose with a scoff.
"I'm nothing more than a rotten coward." Bola thought with a stabbing pang in her chest. The Slayer could only give a quick pat on the shoulder, surprising her out of her depressive funk, he opened the door and held it for Bola to enter.
The slightly bizarre duo walked into the admittedly fancy looking eatery that was bathed in warm lighting. The loud trap music bumping and the strobing red lights timed to the beat already gave him a headache. He sighed as his eyes roamed over the inhabitants. Some were enjoying the show so graciously performed for them by the dancers in low cut maid outfits, others were doing a charisma test with the hostesses.
The first thing that stood out to the Slayer was the utter lack of cameras in this place.
"Not that it surprises me, though even if they were cameras, not like those Sentinels would care to check the footage unless this Cisernos misses a payment or she pissed off Mikhali somehow." The Slayer thought to himself. Of course these were just theories but he been around enough to know when a predator is just under the heel of a bigger predator.
"Looks like we came in at a good time. It's Happy Hour." Bola said with a grin as her three eyes saw one of her co-workers Soda tripped and spilled beer over a big and burly patron and the muscular patron smiled and offered help to the clumsy maid. A bulge in his pants evident.
"I'M SO SORRY MISTER! PLEASE ALLOW ME TO CLEAN THIS MESS!" She nervously shouted, looking like she on the verge of a heart attack, the big muscular patron felt his heart flutter in pure joy and his pants tightened.
"No worries Miss Soda, i'm just happy a pretty little thing like you didn't hurt yourself." He said smoothly as she smiled at him gratefully for understanding.
"She really like that too, she is not doing a bit." Bola whispered into The Slayer helm, she had to stand on her tip toes due to the massive height difference but the Slayer could hear her fine.
Some of the maids looked at the warrior with confusion and concern, others simply thought he was another eccentric client. I mean they just had a terrifying clown lady in here last week, bringing the whole mood down dramatically when she talked about the memories that she couldn't make sense of. That was a disturbing Wednesday.
"Can you introduce me to your leader?" The Slayer inquired of Bola who nodded with a grin that tried not to betray the absolute anxiety she felt.
It failed in the vision of the Slayer.
"This pal pretty tough, he might be able to take Cisneros. But i'm worried about her Martial Art, it can basically make her invincible. I'm not too sure how it works, i only ever saw it once when she dealt with the boyfriend of Kam who was angry at how she was treating her. She took a long puff of her cigar and next thing anyone knew he was gone. Kam found him later, what was left of him, his chewed up legs. The Mauvilla gives out no mercy to anyone. Does that smoke of her teleport people?" Bola theorized in her head.
The Slayer absorbed the information. He was so used to bullshit at this point it stagger him how he hasn't taken up drinking to cope.
"Oh right i can't get drunk anymore, how could i be so forgetful." He thought, bitterly amused at the notion of it all.
"Sure thing, I'm sure she would be pleased to meet someone who saved her merchandise." Bola said self-depreachingly with a crooked grin.
"You're not merchandise. You know this." The Slayer responded simply in a way that left no room for argument. Bola stopped for a moment and smiled, it wasn't her usual smile but a softer smile.
Music was bumping throughout the cafe, it was a song that The Slayer's wife would have loved, he could tell because he could see her nodding her head to the music. According to the playlist on the screen of the flat-screen in the corner. it was Bliss Station, Sweet Chocolate by Flamingosis
"You really are a weird one are you? But i'm glad that you on my side." She said to the armored terror as she turned on her heel and went through the back to get her manager. The Slayer watched her as she walked through an entrance made of colorful beads. The warrior looked around, he gathered some strange stares his way. It made sense, but he was surprised that most were ignoring him and focusing on the maids and their various antics. There was one maid that insulted a woman for her shabby dress and the woman was just over the moon at the way the tall maid gave her backhanded compliments that stabbed her soul. In a good way of course.
"Well aren't you a loyal little piggy? You love wasting all your hard earned cash hearing the truth from some random person just because she wearing a cute maid dress?" A taller woman with a sultry and raspy tone sadistically asked an Orc who was shaking in his tight fitting business suit.
"Ye-yes Juri, i love seeing you." The Orc said quietly, his humiliation and shame waging a losing war against his utter arousal.
"That's Good, because you have to have something in your sad life to look forward to. Always Glad to do charity work for the pathetic masses." Juri said with a cruel grin as she sauntered off after handing the Sweating Orc his drink.
And there was another Maid, She has bright blonde hair in bouncing curls and deeply tan skin with light pink eyes. Her maid skirt short and her outfit decorated by accessories you can find in a mid-2000s Spencers. She bounded from table to table with a infectious smile and compliments for every customer.
"Now look at you Miss Vanna, you looking like a delicious ripe melon." She told the older woman with long springy green hair who blushed at this. It always nice to get your low self-confidence boosted every now and then.
"Oh Kam, you're so sweet." She replied with tears in her eyes as the blonde maid known as Kam winked and walked to the table to deliver their drinks.
The Slayer smiled under his helm, his tortured mind being brought back to a simpler time. How his wife would befriend all the tavern wrenches. He chuckled to himself.
But the good times must come to an end eventually.
A tall and serious looking woman came into the room, a hush fell over the once rowdy crowd and hard working maids. Her long burgundy red hair falling across in waves down her back. The eyeshadow complementing her fierce stare. Dressed in a more proper and dignified maid outfit one would find on a woman directing the other less-experienced maids in a castle.
The Slayer could tell that she worked out from the rippling muscles that the maid outfit tried it damndest to hide. Her arms alone strained against the fabric of the short sleeves. Her very presence made men turn their heads and women very concerned. She rubbed a hand through her hair and scoffs at the somewhat weird sight of the armored warrior covered in gore.
"So this is your little knight in...gorey armor?" She spoke, her voice had a deep pitch that speaks to years of experience. The Maids continue to do their routine, trying their best to keep their cool and not show any sign of weakness for their boss to prey on later. Even the patrons got a little anxious and did their best to make sure that the maids don't get punished for any slip up they might make during this stressful moment.
Bola nodded, her eyes down to the floor, The Slayer could practically see the sweat breaking out across Bola's back.
"Yes Ms.Cisneros. If it wasn't for this fella I would have been a goner." Bola responded.
Cisernos sized up the Slayer, she definitely haven't see anyone like this before. Strange as that may sound considering the fractured and surreal realm they all lived in.
Bola didn't say anything else, for fear of retaliati-
A swift backhand almost took her jaw clean off if it wasn't for the armored warrior grabbing Ms.Cisneros's hand, gripping the wrist tightly to the point of almost snapping the bone. Bola three eyes widened at this and fell to her knees, terrified out of her mind. The Maids watched this with shock, that armored man was just near the entrance, How the hell did he get there to block their boss's attack so fast?!
The Patrons was taken aback by Bola almost getting her head taken off. Almost, after all they saw Kam get thrown out a window last week and she was fine. Besides the last person who stood up for the maids were never seen again. Best for them to just drink and pay no mind.
Cisneros shared a look with the Slayer, seemingly impressed with his speed. The Slayer toss her towards the bar with ease. While she was in the air on a collision course with the bottles of spirit, she took another drag off her cigarette and blew through her nose. A smirk formed on her face as the smoke went under her back, maneuvering her swiftly. She rose up into the air and turned around, her feet hitting the walls just above the display showing off the drinks and kicking off, she landed on her feet just outside the bar.
The Armored Warrior raised his eyebrow (not that anyone could see it of course.) at this ability of Cisernos, knowing that fighting this woman would be tricky.
"So this is the bastard that knocked our oh so innocent benefactor around?" Cisneros questioned out loud as she did some stretches,some of the maids in the cafe looked at the situation with unease as the other maids focused on their jobs of entertaining the patrons and decided to work what was happening into their routines.
"Oh no please don't fight, i hate violence!" Soda said as she made puppy dog eyes at the duo while wiggling her hips at the patrons behind her. her back and frizzy hair still drenched in beer.
"It's ok Soda, just turn your eyes away from those savages!" A big burly man entranced by her wide hips said to her as he gently grabbed her hand and turned her away from the insuring brawl.
"Alright everyone, make sure to eat your meals while you enjoy the show!" Kam said with a cheeky grin that didn't betray the absolute terror she felt.
"Gotta say, i'm not impressed." Cisneros stated as she got into a combat stance, a small smirk forming on her face.
"Once I beat you, you will tell me where Mikhali is and you will take better care of your workers." The Slayer spoke as he took a step forward. Bola was once again surprised at how The Slayer was looking out for people he barely knew and from the shocked looks of the other maids they were also befuddled.
"Wait Bola where the hell did you find this one?" Juri whispered to Bola who was still too stunned to answer.
"I would be more flattered by this stranger's threat if there was a snowball chance in hell of Cisneros actually treating us better." Kam whispered as well to the two.
"A bleeding heart? Well that's a new one, didn't take you for the type to care for others welfare. But let me tell you somethin-"She barely dodged the fist that was thrown her way, The tattered red cape of the Slayer followed like a crimson omen, obscuring her vision. if that had connected....
"My face would have been obliterated." Cisernos thought with a wide grin, adrenaline pumping through her blackened veins. "How long has it been since i had a proper fight?" She thought with unrestrained glee, blood pumping through her veins.
"Very rude to interrupt a maid, but like I was saying, the women under my employ are perfectly fine with how things are. They all knew the rules going into this occupation, they knew the risks that came with this lifestyle. So don't treat them like they are your wayward children." Cisernos scolded The Slayer. She noted how The Slayer tightened his fist at her comment.
"Another nerve struck? So you're a deadbeat as well-" Cisernos barely dodge the next punch that would have destroyed her chest cavity.
Juri who was near the Slayer put her hand on the handle in her belt. Cisneros mouthed no to Juri and Juri nodded quickly, taking a few steps back.
Cisernos wanted the Slayer all to herself.
"He clearly has a white knight complex. No matter, just because Mikhali got sloppy doesn't mean that I would fall prey to him. He must be pretty damn strong, but strength alone is meaningless." She thought as she charged at him.
"I couldn't agree more." The Slayer responded as he charged her as well, he wasn't going to kill her and she knows this. She was also confused at what he was agreeing with.
He threw a kick to her midsection which she dodged with ease. He threw another punch, she blocked it but got blown back by the sheer force, her back almost hitting the bar counter if she hadn't stopped herself, the smoke drifting around her legs. She grinned and wagged her finger at the Slayer.
"Are you married?" She asked suddenly.
The Slayer stood still, the other maids wonder what that had to do with anything. Soda who was now cleaning herself off was actually curious about this.
"Because i bet your wife hates to see you coming, the way you throw your fists so casually at a woman." Cisernos taunted with a sickening grin.
"This is a shot in the dark but i need to see what make you truly tick. I already gather white knight syndrome, so this armored bastard having someone at home to protect would open up a weakness-" Cisernos dodge the chair that would have annihilated her orbital bone but got uppercutted immediately afterwards into the ceiling. Crashing right into the wood and The Slayer wasn't done because he grabbed her foot and slammed her down on the wooden floor harshly. The wood splintering beneath her as the air practically left her charred lungs.
There where of plenty of gasps and sympathetic groans from the patrons watching along with the maids because that must have hurted.
It pissed Cisernos off.
"Can't believe we're getting dinner and a show!" One of the patrons cheered, clearly drunk off three sips of a martini.
Cisernos looked at the Slayer charging her again, she nodded and took another long drag off her cigarette that was still miraculously in her mouth (Never waste a good cigarette.) And then exhales, the Slayer's vision being blinded by a mountain of smoke, the Slayer throws a vicious haymaker and hits nothing. He looked around and the smoke still wasn't fading, he couldn't even hear the patrons anymore.
Bola coughed heavily as one of the other maids helped her up. The fumes from the smoke making her head hurt.
"Bola are you good mate?" The sassy but kind maid with her short and wavy hair asked her.
Bola shakily nodded, tears running down her three eyes.
"Kam, She was going to-" Bola almost vomited but held back through sheer force of will. Plus she didn't feel like cleaning that up and she wasn't about to make her friends clean it up either.
"I know honey, i know." The most popular maid in the history of the cafe named Kam soothed her as she rubbed circles in her back. The patrons wondered where did Cisneros go? What happened to that big armored bastard? The air was still hazy from the smoke. But that didn't bother them none. Kam patted Bola's shoulder as the three eyed maid try to steady her breathing.
"Alright everyone, i hope you enjoyed the show!!! That's our oh so trustworthy boss! Always committed to doing something special for the loyal patrons of our humble maid experience!"Kam shouted with cheer, spinning the whole debacle into part of the experience.
"Sorry about this, but we can't be smashing up the establishment, it comes out of the girl's paychecks." Cisernos said closely behind Slayer as he turned around only for Cisneros to fire off a shotgun at his helm, his head jerked back, the white hot shrapnel that entered his eyes and face tells him this was a modified shotgun. A hissing sound made its way to his ears and he sighed.
Cisneros watched with amusement and satisfaction as the shrapnel exploded, litting up the inside of his helm like a burning christmas tree. A loud encompassing bang could be heard within the restaurant making everyone jump. It was music to her ears and a beautiful sight as well as dark blood poured out of the helm like a soda fountain. She scoffs and takes another drag off her cigarette, burning it to the butt. She watched the armored warrior stand still, not moving an inch. She flick the butt into the helm and was about to wave her hand to leave the dimension of incoming lung cancer.
But to her surprise, she couldn't move her hand, the Slayer was grabbing it tightly.
"Great, so I'm dealing with a damn zombie apparently." She muttered, a hint of fear in her voice as she was slammed on what could be passed for a floor in this realm. It didn't hurt her one bit. Her hand still on her shotgun.
"You feel it don't ya?" She suddenly asked him with smugness dripping off every word as he lifted her by her heel.
The Slayer going strictly by sound now because his eyes haven't reformed yet strangely enough tilted his head at this.
"Now that I think about it, I should have been able to dodge that shotgun blast." The Slayer thought to himself, even if he found himself not being able to see his opponent's actions now he still should have the reflexes to dodge.
A shrill and paradoxically warm laugh wormed it way into his soul.
"I was just thinking, wouldn't it be more exciting if you got your abilities halved? I mean you don't really need the ability to see what the opponent about to do, right? Doesn't this make it more fun?! Now you have to rely on your old keen instincts. (The Slayer narrowed his slowly healing eyes.) Maybe this would help you realize how important i truly am to you the next time you open your mouth to say something hurtful." The Goddess of Discord scolded playfully inside his subconscious.
The Slayer let out a annoyed grunt. Of course this was going to happened. He didn't regret one damn thing.
Cisernos grabbed a black grenade from her belt and tossed it up, The Slayer on instinct let go because he heard the sound of something clicking. He went to step back but found his movement overall slower than usual. The grenade exploded and sent a wave of force that pushed the Slayer back considerably from Cisernos. Giving her some much needed breathing room.
"A concussion grenade? Of course she would have something like that. That's not to mention this new realm or pocket dimension i'm in, must be her Arcadi-Martial-her power." The Slayer thought to himself in annoyance. His eyes slowly regenerated.
With extra time on her side, she changed her ammo in the shotgun from incidenary to cryo, it was expensive as hell to buy but surely the maids under her employ don't mind getting their pay reduced.
"After all, it is for a good cause." She thought with a smirk as she finished reloading and used the smoke to cover the muzzle.
"That armor got to be enchanted, can't afford to risk a close encounter with this bastard so let's get creative." Cisernos thought as she fired off a powerful shot and the smoke carried it, drifting towards the Slayer with the speed of a cheetah.
The Slayer still didn't have his vision fully but he instinctively dodged as he heard the shotgun blast.
"Good reflexes, but ultimately pointless." Cisernos thought as the smoke went into the thin slots between his visor and another satisfying pop came to her ears. The shrapnel tore through his face. Dark blood pouring out of his visor that turned into writhing snakes that roamed the area.
To say Cisneros was disturbed would be the understatement of the century.
The Warrior felt half his face freeze instantly, the sharp icicles tearing through his right eyeball and scraping against his skull and brain.
"So she seems to be in control of this realm. She can also direct her shots (The Slayer dive forward with reckless abandon towards Cisernos as she fire off three more powerful shots, it surprised the hell out of her, she wasn't even able to direct the cyro shots to the inside of his armor and he landed a fierce blow in her stomach sending her flying into the hazy mist. The world around him began to distort slightly. He could feel it.) That's interesting. (The Slayer moves forward and starts sprinting, seeing if he can hit something or somebody or was he truly in a…what did that infernal Goddess call it? A pocket dimension? During this gambit, he heard five more shots, he saw them with his good eye and dodge them and started to bob and weave wildly. But to his surprise the bullets didn't follow him, they just dissipated into the smoke.) She luring me into a false sense of security.(The slugs came flying back, both of them aimed directed at his face. He took his sword and blocked them all. The sparks flying off the sword as the cryo slugs exploded and froze his sword for a brief moment.) This is getting tiring." The Slayer thought as he stayed still.
He could hear her taking another drag off her cigar.
"Hello?" The Slayer spoke out loud.
"What? Are you trying to talk me out of doing my job?" The raspy voice came from all around him.
"Not really. I just need some questions answered." The Slayer told her calmly.
There was a moment of silence that stretched for an uncomfortably long time.
"Sure. Why the hell not? What do you need to know?" She asked calmly as the once billowing smoke became a misty haze that flowed slowly.
"That worked? I highly doubt it, let just see how this goes." The Slayer thought in surprise.
"What is Mikhali's plan?" The Slayer asked firmly.
A sharp laugh reverberated throughout the realm.
"Please he may have put me in charge of this joint but he would rather give himself a vasectomy with rusty pliers than trust someone ever again!" She said with a scoff.
"Ah, so he was most likely betrayed in the past so he keeps his allies at arms length. He seemed like the type from what little i gathered of him during our last fight." The Slayer theorized out loud.
"Wait seriously, you can…just fight someone and know what their whole character and background information just like that?" She asked, clearly baffled. The Slayer heard something shifting, metal by the sound of it.
"Call it an instinct that has been honed by years of dealing with bullshit." The Slayer answered honestly as he closed his eyes. Awaiting what was coming.
"Guess we have that in common at least. I'm also pretty good at sniffing out bullshit as well." Cisernos mentioned as she cracked her knuckles.
"Got another question? I'm feeling pretty generous." Cisernos asked suddenly.
"What does the Titan of Lust have to do with any of this? Why do Sazael worship her? What does he have to gain?" The Slayer asked in rapid succession.
The Slayer didn't get a response at first.
"First of all that three questions which is stepping over the line, which one would you like me to answer?"
The Slayer paused for a moment.
"What do Mikhali gain from worshiping The Titan of Lust?"
Cisernos let out a low chuckle.
"So much to gain, considering the fucked up state he was left in by that dumb emerald bitch who used to work in my establishment. He was promised by following her will, he will gain power and with that power, the ability to never feel weak ever again. I don't too much about his past before he donned the mask as he seemed to take great effort in erasing it, but i do know that he wasn't always the suave over compensating bastard you see in the short battle you had with him. He would do anything to gain more power, it wouldn't be too surprising if he making another deal with Veju to increase his power. She surprisingly kind for a Titan." Cisernos explained, a hint of worry evident in her voice.
"His Martial Art ability already a pain in the ass to deal with, and that just the power he recently got. If Veju managed to upgrade his ability then..." Cisernos didn't think further, she need to focus on the here and now. She will find a way to deal with Mikhali. One way or the other.
"No matter how much he increase his power, he will fall. Even if he becomes a God. He will fall just the same." The Slayer told her with finality.
Cisernos was silent for a moment and just shake her head with a chuckle.
"Damn..out of the bastards i have killed, you're the first one that actually intrigued me. Gonna miss ya." She said, her tone disturbingly light.
The Slayer took a step back as a giant silver missile arose from the hazy mist below him.
He sighed, he thought back to a sunny day he spent with his wife. They were in a different kingdom on a mission to steal back an important artifact from some noble.
"Now remember, this isn't stealing, this is taking a dangerous item and putting it back where it belongs." She said, more to herself than to him. Trying to convince herself no doubt.
"It will be dangerous, we should be very careful and raise any attention to ourselves." He said, his body tensing as this was her first real outing with him as a mercenary, she sense his tension and place her hand on his own.
"Relax honey, i promise everything be fine." She said with that same damn smile that made his heart soar through the skies and into the great unknown.
Cisernos suddenly landed on the ground in front of all the maids, to them it like she teleported from thin air. She motioned Juri to open the door and Juri did so with no hesitation. blew a quick breath, the dark and thick smoke that was in the dining area of Sweet Cream went flying out. She took another drag off her cigar and exhaled the smoke before pointing her finger to the sky with a lazy grin.
"Boom." Was her only word.
She watches from outside the cafe as the night sky is lit up like it was being devoured by the sun itself. The once black void was now painted a brilliant orange and red. The searing heat could be felt on the ground level.
All the maids rushed out, Bola looked up to the skies and had to shield her three eyes, her legs feeling wobbly and she almost collapsed to the ground in anguish if it weren't for juri the maid catching her roughly by the arm.
Cisernos took a look at the gathering crowd and grinned wickedly like a feral cat seeing a can of open tuna. It started to rain.
"What in the world was that?!" The Orc from earlier asked one of the other patrons who was closer to the door. The female patron who was a android had no idea, all she knew that it was a hell of a way to go out.
"Alright everyone, Sorry about the little distraction! For the rest of the night, drinks are half off!" Cisernos told the crowd of patrons who cheered at this new development as the maids didn't have any expression except for Bola who gritted her teeth and stood up.
"I always knew that i shouldn't have hope. But for just one moment, i wanted to dream." Bola thought to herself, fighting the tears that threatened to burst forth by closing her eyes. The patrons begin to pour back into the cafe.
"Hey Bola."
Bola opened her blurry vision only to be greeted with Cisernos's terrifying grin as she licked her lips inches from the maid's visage.
"It's time for us to discuss your work performance." She said slowly, watching with glee as the fear and hopelessness truly etched itself on the maid's face with every word she says.
Bola's third eye darted to the right. Juri stood there, a bead of sweat broke across her forehead. Her hands trembling, it was alien to Bola to see the sadistic maid in such a state.
"Don't look at Juri, she isn't going to save you. Now about that client." Cisernos grabbed Bola's wrist, she didn't grab too hard or anything. Why would she? The look on Bola's dumb cute little face tells her that she isn't going to resist.
"Follow me into my office-" Cisneros noticed that Bola's eyes widened and her lip started trembling as she took a wobbly step back, Juri took five steps back, the maids stood as still as a scarecrow.
And that when she felt the scalding hot metal fingers wrapped around her throat. Searing the flesh off her neck.
She was lifted off the ground like a toddler, the now heated metal burning into her throat. Bola fell on her butt as she stared at the raging inferno that was the armored warrior who saved her life.
The Slayer has returned.
Cisneros got slammed face first into the ground, cracks forming as her nose is caved in and lights flung wildly in her vision as she thrown into the window of Sweet Cream.
"OOOOOHHHHHHHHH SHHHHHHHHHHIITTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!" Cisneros screamed as she hit the glass back first, the shattering making all the patrons jump back. Some of the maids winced, not in sympathy, but some of them knew from first hand experience that getting hurled through a glass window hurted. Cisneros had been so kind as to demonstrate that to them whenever they got out of line. Lucky for her that she had access to a repairman that was pretty cheap.
Cisneros felt the long jagged glass shards impale her all over. Luckily none of them hit too deep. The back of her head hit the counter of the bar, knocking over drinks. She blacked out for only a moment, prior experiences had hardened her to quickly snap out of a black out. Another factor that played into her recovering a little more quickly was her martial art. All Martial Art users have a higher tolerance for pain and damage. How much can they take depends from user to user.
"And…thank Veju for me unlocking my Martial Art. But to more important matters…HOW THE FUCK ISN'T THIS BASTARD DEA-" The thought that Cisneros had died in her brain as she saw the towering inferno walking towards her like a warning from the Titans themselves.
Cisernos grabbed her shotgun, her hands shaking, the melted flesh from her throat dripping onto the shotgun. she couldn't afford to make another pocket dimension. It would take a lot of time and energy which she damn sure didn't have right now.
Hell when she got access to that giant napalm bomb courtesy of Reggie she placed it in the pocket dimension because she knew that if she ever had to finally take down that smug bastard Mikhali then that would be an instant win condition.
"I knew he was tough but how the hells did he survive that?! It was a specially designed napalm bomb made in that other realm during a war. That bomb alone could wipe out an entire army! I paid half of Juri's college fund for that bomb!" She thought in a panic (she hated the fact that she of all people was losing her calm in this moment.)
The Patrons scattered with only one female staying to watch what was about to happen. She was obliterated on five beers and three martinis and she never missed a good fight in her life.
"Juri! Soda! Get him!!!" She roared, even if it pained her to do so, luckily her vocal cords weren't damaged too badly.
Both Juri and Soda look at each other, and then at the burning warrior that slowly made his way to their boss. Each step blackening the wooden floor.
Juri's hands tightened over the handle of the farenblade (a lazer sword that can cut through most things, she was not eager to risk her life on this simple fact however.) and she took a step back. The sweet wholesome maid next to her named Soda hovered her hand near her gun holster before thinking better of it.
"You fucking cowards, all of you are good for nothing-" Cisneros cut herself off, now wasn't the time for perfectly justified anger.
Cisneros attempted to fire her shotgun but the Slayer jammed his fingers into the hole and the shotgun exploded, Cisneros's right arm exploded in pain as it became encased in ice. The feeling in her hand was already dead. The sharp ice shards tearing through her veins and muscle tissue. She screamed in agony, and did her best to blink back the tears rapidly making their way to her eyes.
The one woman cheered as the maids gasped in shock and horror. Bola's eyes were as wide as dinner plates as Juri had a small smile at the sight of Cisernos's in pain.
The Slayer grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look him in the eyes. All the patrons and maids watched with bated breath.
"Who else does Mikhali have under him? It can't be just you, give me names." The Slayer told her as he lifted her up in front of everyone, powerless to do much of anything. And she fucking hated that.
Cisernos grunts but figures she still have a shot of getting out of this alive with most of her body intact.
"Mikhali you bastard, you might actually be in trouble." Cisernos thought with a grin.
"Alright, I assume you want to be a hero to the downtrodden so i give you the names and you get the hell out of my establishment. Deal?" Cisnernos asked of the warrior.
The Slayer nodded.
"Alright, fuck…(Cisernos coughed up some blood.) Tal Valencia, He runs the largest fashion shop in Hodia. You may had seen it, it called the Velvet Vault, located about two blocks away from the Crimson Siren Nightclub. All in all pretty convenient if you didn't have any fancy clubbing clothes, expensive as fuck but it worth it. Then there are two more after him. probably more powerful and bullshit Martial Arts to deal with. You can take them down in whatever order you prefer. But trust me, news will reach that masked dick about what has transpired here." She told him seriously.
"Who are the other two? Where are they?" The Slayer asked slowly, noticing that Cisneros's breathing had changed. The Maids around them started to do some of their regular duties like sweeping the broken glass and clearing plates to alleviate the heavy tension.
"There a man who the captain of the sentinel force here, most of the sentinels that patrol the streets are in the pocket of Black Damiana Inc. This company funded their weapons, their cars, and their generous paycheck. I forgot his name, but he a big guy with a eyepatch and just like you a bleeding heart (The Slayer tilted his head at her.) Yeah i know the first question that popped into that undead head of yours is why is he working with Mikhali? Well you have to ask him yourself. and don't bother asking me what his martial art is, we are encouraged by Veju herself to not show each other our Martial Arts. To prevent us from trying to find weaknesses in the other and knocking them off for higher positions. Well that how Tal justify it, Good plan i guess. If you want to find this captain then you can go to the Public Sentinel security building. You can't really miss it, it is a fricken tall building with a big glaring tacky ass star on it. (She paused for a moment.) Then there that sick fuck who runs the Midnight Express, Mistress Dasana." Cisernos coughed up some blood and spit out a glob on the floor that was instantly cleaned up by Soda.
"You thought i was bad? (she gave a short rough laugh.) You have no freaking idea what in store, Even our dear sweet Leader Mikhali doesn't like dealing with her if he can help it, sending various unfortunate stooges in his place when it comes to meetings."
The Slayer asborded the information like a hardened sponge coming into contact with water.
"This hive of scum dies tonight. Now if i leave you alive, will you treat these workers with respect and fairness?" The Slayer asked slowly of her.
Cisernos laughed hard, the hardest she ever laugh in her whole entire life. It made Bola want to vomit. Juri scoffs and rolls her eyes. Kam look away as she could sense what was about to happen.
"You must be on some type of crack-"Were her last words before The Slayer punched a hole through her lungs, The Matriarch of Sweet Cream slowly look down at his fist impaling her chest, her breath getting shorter with each passing second. The screams and gasps from the maids around her muffled by the beating of her heart pounding in her eardrums. Her left hand started to shake, she reached out to the Slayer's helm. She punched it repeatedly, knowing it was futile but she wasn't going to go down without a fight. She is stronger than that. She had to be stronger than that.
He sighed, she had a strong will, if nothing else redeemable.
The Slayer ripped out part of her lung and let her collapse to the ground. She was bleeding out on the floor. Her eyes dilated as she look at the Slayer with shock, her eyes roaming across the maids surrounding her. Those maids that once were under her steel-toed heel now look down on her.
She sighed internally, she knew what was about to happen next-
Bola ran up and kicked her in the face like a pro soccer player, she kept repeatedly doing this. Tears ran down her face as each kick was itself a tribute to her fallen co-workers.
"Bol..aa…you..fucking…yellow-soul bitc-" Cisneros's insult got interrupted as she was stabbed in the throat by Juri, a sadistic smile painted on her face, Soon the rest of the maids join in on the bloody payback. Soda pulled out her gun and fired six times into Cisernos's abdomen.
"THIS IS FOR POPPY!" Soda roared in a guttural rage as she stomped on the new wounds she so painstakingly crafted.
The rage surprised even Juri, she never thought she would see this side of the maid she always thought of as a big bimbo with no real thoughts in her head.
"Never judge a girl by her sweet talk." Juri thought with just a hint of fear as she saw Soda unloading on their damn near dead boss.
"AND THIS IS FOR EATING MY SANDWICH YESTERDAY YOU JERK!!!" Kam roared as she kicked Cisneros in the crotch. A gurgled cry rip out from Cisneros's bleeding mouth. And then for good measure stomped on Cisneros's throat.
The other maids look at her with a healthy dose of skepticism. And Kam had the grace to look sheepish.
"and also killing my boyfriend as well. But the Sandwich was more recent. What?! It still Valid!" Kam argued, folding her arms.
Juri scoffs, Bola nodded with a smile, Soda just started to laugh through her tears.
The Slayer watched this with something resembling pride and comfort. He knew these girls would be ok. He thought back to his daughter and felt a sharp pang of regret for not being there for her in the way he wanted.
Cisneros laid there, her chest no longer rising. Her eyes unmoving, she was still as a broken statue. But to the disturbance of everyone sans the Slayer, her body began to disintegrate into ash on the spot and then blown away by a unseen wind out the door.
Everyone was silent.
"Huh." Was the only thing Bola could say.
The Slayer watched as the ashes was carried away into the pouring rain. He didn't know if this was a act of her Martial Art or if it was just a normal way people died in this strange realm. He turned to the group of Maids, all of them having different expressions. Juri was smugly grinning like she just won the lottery. Bola stared wide eyed, completely dumbfounded by the fact that her pain and suffering might be over.
Long wailing sirens pierce through the peaceful moment. All the maids put away their weapons, Juri did so with expert precision. Soda fumbled with her pistol before throwing it over the bar and knocking over a bottle of wine. Kam try her best to look nonchalant by wiping down tables. Bola grabbed a broom and awkwardly swept the floor.
The Two Sentinels came in, one was clearly the senior of the group, he was impeccably handsome, he had dirty blonde hair and a strong jaw, his body was honed by years working the beat of these deceptively clean streets and a good gym regime.
The Second one was clearly the newbie of the group, he was sent to work with Kaz to improve his anxiety, everyone could tell he was fidgeting even as he kept his hands in his pockets. The haunting memories of seeing something he shouldn't have seen stomped around in his mental space.
"We came to investigate the big explosion over the sky, our cameras tracked it nearby location to here. Are you all alright-" The older Sentinel's question died out when he saw the walking hell that was the Slayer. The fire on his armor burning brighter like the futures of these maids.
"By the horns of Veju!!!" One of the Sentinels exclaimed in shock. He was a newer higher so he wasn't used to sights like this. But the older Sentinel just glared at the burning inferno. Clearly piecing things together.
The Maids look toward the Slayer. All of them wondering how the hell did they miss that? Most of them felt pretty foolish except for Soda who tried to put out the flames with a cup of water to no avail.
The Slayer crossed his arms.
"This is just my condition. I'm usually on fire." The Slayer responded.
"Does-does it hurt?" The inexperienced officer asked hesitantly.
"I don't think you can just ask that, right?" Soda asked, whispering to Juri who just shrugged.
"I'm not up to date on what politically correct anymore." Juri responded as she poured herself a beer.
Bola stepped forward, her practiced expression one of cuteness and worry. "Yes, we don't know what happened, all the customers ran out when they saw the explosion." She explained as her twiddle her fingers. Putting on maximum charm for the officiers.
It was working like liquid cherry flavored meth on the inexperienced officier. The older and more sophisticated officer stepped forward and got a good look at the burning warrior in front of him. He remembered what his captain told him.
"This armored individual is highly dangerous, if he was able to damage Mikhali then this monster is not to be taken lightly. (He pressed a button on the remote and replayed footage that showed a new angle of Mikhali getting smashed through a wall from the outside.) If you see this entity. Do not engage." The Sentinel Captain Tal, his tall and imposing presence looming over the constables.
"Should we apprehend the two women along with that boat captain for questioning?" He asked of his Captain.
"No, just the armored warrior. Mikhali says he will handle the two women and that boat captain. And i trust his judgement." He said slowly. Although there was a hint of doubt in his voice, it was smothered by conviction.
"If you don't mind me asking. Can you come downtown for some quick questioning?" The senior officer asked gently, knowing that tone and respect was of upmost importance when dealing with someone who can just rip your head off if his analysis of the footage was correct.
"Not only that, He was the one who slaughter the Mauvilla singlehandedly, he did what our best Maritime officers could only dream to do." The Senior Officer thought as sweat broke out across his back. There was no way he was winning a fight against this...monster. Of course they hid the information about what really happened from the public as much as it pained the captain to do so.
The Slayer nodded and turned to the girls.
"I leave this establishment in your capable hands, remember this. Because it a quote from the woman i love. You are more than your past, do not let it blind you from seeing what you can truly become." He told them seriously.
Bola choked up at this. Soda with tears in her eyes saluted the Slayer. Juri rolled her eyes but the smile on her face betrayed her emotions. Kam could only nod in appreciation.
The Slayer saw his wife standing there with the girls, smiling that damn smile that lit up his days when coming back from grueling work.
Both of the Sentinels was surprised he agreed without so much as a question.
The Slayer waved goodbye to the girls who closed up shop and decided to celebrate with booze and snacks like proper ladies. The fires dissipated from his armor as the rain pour down on the trio. The rookie opened the backdoor for The Slayer.
"Hey shouldn't we put him in specialized cuffs?" The young rookie asked of his senior officier quietly as they watched the Slayer slowly get into the backseat, the car shaking with each movement he made.
"You think it would make a difference? Let just be grateful he willing to comply peacefully and not push our luck." He responded as he got in the front seat and open the door for the rookie so that he can get in.
They drove off into the bleeding night, the tears of Veju herself raining down on them. She was laughing at the whole situation like it was a divine comedy put on just for her.