“Sneaking around at night is one thing,” he said, gesturing to the area they currently stood in. “This is another.” Even Ky knew that it was dangerous to be in this side of town at night. However, the reason he was here was not entirely similar to her own – someone had called for him. As for why? He didn’t know nor did he think that little piece of information was important for the moment. In truth, all it meant for him was it dragged himself out of his hotel room, and that was a good thing… most of the time. “You should get out of here.”
this day has just been one bad thing after another. first my monthly starts, then my mom and my dog almost gets killed by another larger dog outside. i also have massive nightmares, i feel like shit, and everything i say sets my mom off into a panic. plus i need to return my blanket, but i told her just to throw it away as she was so angry. that set her more off… i just i need a break.
Of those that had made strides to humanise the tumultuous youth, Odinson had made several attempts. Contributed his efforts to see if something good could be made of someone so predisposed to villainous, motivated by his own unworthy state. Though he had yet to find success– and would need to recover from his own rut of damaged spirit first before making any significant process in this venture– he remained undeterred. The parading of Thori was but another step towards something beneficial for the both of them, thinking it beneficial if Ky was visited by something that showed all devils were as cruel and terrible as the stories about them foretold.
“As does this one. He has tussled with Toothgrinder far too frequently.” It seemed ridiculous, for a hel-hound and a goat to be found fighting. Fortunately, Toothgrinder was no mere grass muncher; taller than the blond himself and as long as a small car, the legendary caprine could hold his own with many a god when necessary. “Thori is…a unique case. He was named by my brother and stayed with him as a pup before being separated. He deigned to stay by side after I freed him from the Collector’s cells, and hasn’t budged since. Perhaps you might be able to coax him away for a while? I imagine you both will have much to discuss.”
The part of Ky’lar that wanted to ask questions about the Collector and Toothgrinder was silenced as he started to scratch behind the Ears of Thori. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t have asked them, but rather, it was deemed unimportant for the time being. Ky never had much experience around animals. Nor did he attempt to be around them actively. This hel-hound -sentient or otherwise- was the first one he’d ever been around longer than a few short moments.
"Doubtful,” he said, letting a deep sigh escape his lips. “You know better than most how i am around… anything.” Usually, Ky was disastrous, but even he knew this wasn’t the usual sort of animal. No, this was something different, and deep down… he knew he’d be able to get along with hel-hound. All he had to do was convince himself that he was worthy – no, he deserved to be around such a creature. Especially when his record around anyone – beast or otherwise- wasn’t entirely decent.
“However, I will give it an attempt.” It was the least he could do at any rate. To at least try to be better than he usually was.
“Others. Crowley is dead, your princes are dead. Lucifer himself was killed by his own arrogance. Maybe one of you will be able to replace them, but how soon will they fall as well?” Of course, the same could be said for Heaven at the moment, but maybe there was still hope. That wasn’t the sort of optimism he was willing to extend to demons, however. “You aren’t going to find whatever information you’re looking for here. I can assure you of that.”
“The chances of them falling again is actually quite slim. They might be dead, but there are others who have… a right to the throne. Ones, who could – in theory – get things back to the way it was long ago.” Or not, in reality, he didn’t care about hell too much, but he did care about getting things into working order.
“You see, I might not get the information I want, but I can obtain it from other means,” he said bluntly. “So, I think the question you should ask yourself is simple; do you really want this fight?”
“And I still don’t see why I should care.” More importantly, the thought of why Ky needed to care was on his mind, but he didn’t ask that. No, he wasn’t going to waste his breath on something like that.
“This isn’t a good time, Norrin.” Ky’s tone was far sharper than usual; a bite to it that was quite unpleasant to most as he shot a glare at the other. The pervious hour, there had been a fight; not with the usual violence, but with words. No, it wasn’t necessary to invoke that sort of response – not unless Ky did something drastic… like he was planning. “It’s best you left.”
“Thori appears to be found of you.” Remarkably, between all the statements of ‘murder!’ voiced by the sentient hel-hound, it is approval that the blond manages to gleam from his barking and yapping, a talent he developed in the weeks he had spent exploring space. During that time, his companions were the stocky canine that paced before his recognised master, a mystic goat that had been like a friend to him since boyhood, and the immense malaise that piled on his back like unwanted weight. It had seen his attitude towards most things turn, in the most delicate of terms, crabby as a consequence. “I am not surprised. Each of you hail from similar reaches of the inferno. Perhaps you would like to take him for, ah, ‘walkies’ sometime.”
There was an old saying that Kin (no matter where they were from) called to Kin. More so when they were from similar areas. Ky never agreed with the claim he was from hell, but would never deny it either. In his mind, he was born on earth, but slowly… he was starting to accept that it wasn’t the full case of the matter. He had always been more feral than human. More distant than most and less agreeable. For as much as he tried, as much as everyone around him tried, he never was able to ‘conform’ to how most humans acted. He never was really ‘there’ and his focus was scattered. However, over the years he’d managed to figure out what was lacking, and found a balance. Something that worked… on most days. Something that centered him and kept him from being eternally at war with himself. Accepting the fact of where he was from – his more prominent half- was just the start. A reason to why he kneeled down and moved to touch the top of the hel-hound’s head to rub it gently. “Most animals growl, bite, nor run in the other direction. Animals on Earth don’t like me that much.” Neither did most people really, but that wasn’t the point.
THE IMMEDIATE RATIONALITY MADE HIM presumptuous of the man , usually those who thought little of the said rumors ended up dead . Tate resisted the urge to roll his eyes – as the latter statement caught his attention . brows arching beneath that blond mop of hair , amusement gleamed . this time the eternal youth couldn’t help the joy in his face . the unbelievable bluntness . “Specially in this place.”
AN EYEBROW LIFTED FOR A MOMENT; curiosity was rarely expressed, however even he didn’t know EVERYTHING. Sometimes someone had to go in BLIND enough to see where things went, but not so arrogant enough to know NOTHING of the situation. it was to that reason he was ATTEMPTING to keep an open mind or.. as much of one as POSSIBLE at the moment. “I’ve been in WORSE.” An understatement of sorts, but all the same, one he didn’t think mattered for the moment. “People die, you move on, or you don’t.” he gave a shrug. “A place has nothing to do about it.” Usually.
It was madness.
Steve was aware of what he had done – but regret was not something that pained his mind. The relief of knowing that Bucky would come back was more than enough to make this deal worth it. Whatever price the demon would make him pay, it would be worth it. He just… couldn’t lose Bucky all over again. One time had been enough. To see him disappear before his very eyes after Thanos snapped his fingers and wiped out half of the life in the entire Universe? To set a damn balance? It was absolutely horrifying. How many people had lost their loved ones? Their parents, siblings – a loved one? Thor had lost his brother. Shuri had lost her brother. Everyone had lost someone in this battle and yet… Steve was the one crazy enough to make a deal with a demon to bring Bucky back.
How would they react if they knew? How mad would they be if they became aware of what he had done? There was always another way. There was always some… back door that could help them win. Prevail. But this time? Steve wasn’t so sure. Maybe there was some way to deal with Thanos and defeat the Titan – but he couldn’t do it alone. He would never be able to do it without Bucky. He needed that support. That safe haven that would make him see that everything was alright. Bucky was his best friend. The last tie to a past that seemed a lifetime away. A constant memory of the man he once was… and the man he was now.
“I’m sorry.” Steve sighed and contemplated the sunset inWakanda. Everyone was indoors. They were mourning and devising new ways to track down Thanos and kill the bastard once and for all. Thunders shook the ground. Thor was probably the one who was the most pissed about it and while Steve knew that he should find the Asgardian and seek to share words of wisdom, he simply could not. Instead, he would sit in the woods. In the exact place, he saw Bucky vanish while waiting for either his friend – or the demon to appear.
Madness was one way of putting it. Ky should have asked for more – should have, but didn’t. Truth be told, bringing anyone back was a massive undertaking.
However, as monumental as it was, it was a challenge that Ky never really could pass up. If he did, the consequences of said actions would have had to be quite dire, and for the time being… they were not.
No, he’d go through with this arrangement, and deal with whatever side effects there possibly would be. If it was bad? Well, he’d deal with it, but only on his own terms. And only if it came to that point.
Bringing one man back should have been easy; a simple hop, skip, and jump between realms. He’d done it before countless times, but this was a bit more tricky. Maybe it had been due to the simple fact that trillions had died. Maybe it had just been due to Thanos – either way, it proved difficult to track the one in question down.
He almost has given up when he had found him. It wasn’t where he’d originally thought to look, but sometimes the last place to find someone was the more unexpected route.
More importantly, he had found what was requested, but found it difficult to remove him. Not that it stoped him – Ky knew well enough to play with the strings of fate. He’d done so before and managed to get away with it ( granted someone had to clean up the mess after words).
Just before returning back to Earth, he paused as he thought about how many more people wanted to make deals, but decided against it. No, he wasn’t going to press his luck – nor did he need a visit from the living tribunal ( again ) as one warning was enough. He doubted he’d get another.
“Perfect,” he said, practically dragging Bucky through the portal behind him – a little worse for wear -, but that was mainly due to the fact the both of them traveled what seemed like centuries. Nothing a little fresh air could clear up.
Still, he’d done his duty, and decided to leave Bucky just near the place he was ‘dusted’. He’d not remember the trip (or so Ky hoped he wouldn’t) or anything after the ‘dusting’. All Bucky would remember (if he did things right) was the events right before the ‘dusting’. A simple trick, but one that could prove complicated if someone interfered or poked too much about the subject.
However, for the ‘reunion’ Ky decided to stay hidden for a moment before taking his leave. His work was done and he wasn’t prone on doing something else like this anytime in the near future.
Hellfirebound 