John’s brows creases not with worry or concern for what Ky had done – for all he tried to do for the man, he wasn’t going to get involved in skirmishes he had with divine contenders – but for the way in which his actions could change the delicate balance of power. He often made it his business to know which demons currently ruled the roost in the Inferno, and the same could be said for upstairs.
“So you mean to tell me you trounced an aesir god with his ownbloody weapon?” That could be…problematic, if the stories he heard about Thor were to be believed. And that was before even considering how the All-Father could react to his son’s defeat.
There were far too many parts in play. This was why he kept his attention focused on the devils he knew better.
“And now you want me to, what? Tell ya ‘good job, old son, ya reallyfucked up this time?” Feeling a headache grip his mind, John shakes his head, loathing every second of this news. “You might want t’ get movin’, Ky. These godly types tend t’ hold a grudge.”
“i was expecting more of an applause.” not really – all ky expected was maybe a grin or something of the sort. his affairs with gods – particularly thor – was part of a complicated business.
he didn’t – originally – intend to start this, but now he had to deal with it. fighting thor was… amusing at times. a reason to why he kept going back to fight him for the challenge. so what if he’d cause a war? he doubted that it would matter in all reality. least of all to him.
“an’ for the record, it wasn’t that hard.” maybe a little, but ky didn’t think the specifics were very important. least of all to john – if he could take down thor, he could just about take down anyone, but he wasn’t going to admit that out-loud. maybe at one point in time, but not now – not when he knew there was no real point in it.
“’sides, i already have beat him,” he gave a shrug, “three – maybe five times already? i’ll be fine.” most likely – just as long as no-one else decided to get involved in their fights. once that happened? well, ky would have to start changing his methods.
“Seems you’ve been busy.” Speaking up for the first time, Constantine makes his presence known to Ky. He hadn’t wanted to say anything, and was fully intent on letting the half-demon pass by on his way, but sense of a consciousness he had left wouldn’t allow him to leave Ky pass on his sight without asking some questions.
He’d heard talk lately of the man’s involvement in matters concerning gods. Some had gone as far as to say he was capable of lifting a certain thunderer’s hammer, but he couldn’t believe it. After all, what were gods but selfish beings of incredible power, who only won the favour of their worshippers for wearing a more appealing guise than that of their devilish counterparts.
“Heard you had a tussle with a norse god. Any particular reason why that happened?”
“we got into a disagreement.” it was more than a simple disagreement though – ky wanted more than anything to rip thor apart. a hard task at any-rate, but he’d beaten thor before, and would do so again, and again.
“he says ‘no’, i say yes, and i throw his hammer at his face.” he then followed with a simple shrug. “the rest is history.” at least to him, but the reality of the situation was entirely different. in truth, it wasn’t simply history; ky would move to strike against thor again and again. at least until he got bored or managed to eliminate the so called god of thunder.
“oh, i’ll be doing much more than that.” ky already had his version of revenge in motion. he wasn’t just going to cause the unworthy pain – no, that much the god could recover from. no, ky was going to make sure thor never forgot what happened. if that even meant taking the gods life? so be it. “i’m going to make sure he doesn’t forget and yes… you can help.”
Absorbed in the text of a new grimoire he had recently acquired, John is too engrossed in studying the spellbook to notice he has a visitor. The apartment he was using had been sealed with wards and protective sigils to keep at bay hell’s legions for at least a little while, affording the mage a place to catch his collective breath from countless tussles waged with non-human entities. Either those same defence mechanisms had started to degrade with time or a powerful enemy had come to pay him a visit in person. In any event he remains oblivious, reciting passages in a foreign tongue and growing frustrated at his own incorrect pronunciation. Open to attack at any given time due to his own complacency.
to say getting through the wards and protections were easy would be an understatement. it took time to get through them all and power them down enough so he could actually enter. not that it mattered too much, he always had a few backup plans if things went south, but for the time being, they had gone exactly to plan ( for once ).
a reason to why he leaned against one of the walls; he could have attacked — shattered every light in the building, attempted to burn the book, or even do a big show. yet, that wouldn’t have done anything more than be a massive show, and ky wasn’t going to spend that much energy on john. well, at least for the moment.
however, that didn’t mean that he couldn’t have just a little bit of fun. he snapped his fingers; causing all the lights in the room to go out ( but not break for once ) as shortly after he begun to speak. “how many souls have you damned since last we spoke, johnny boy? i’ve seemed to have… lost track.”
Pretending as though he hadn’t heard that claim, John’s face contorted in a wry smile, shared with no-one but himself. It was almost amusing in a way, the constant denials. Renouncing what he wouldn’t be able to overlook when time eventually held him to account.
Wanting no part in the ensuing negotiations, the blond keeps his distance, finding limited distraction in a stray pebble he kicks around with his feet. Meaning what he had said, it was his intention to let Ky smooth over the bumps encountered along the way, wanting to see how the male would fair without his name town into the mix.
For if it was, the tide of this conversation would take a substantially different turn.
“Oi. What’s the hold up back there? Are they letting us walk on or not?”
as much as ky’lar would claim that hell was his home, it wasn’t his world — wasn’t by a long shot. it was, by almost all means, a place where he came when it was needed, but by all means, it wasn’t a place that he knew well. to many, that, in itself, was a contradiction, and a reason to why he kept his lips shut on the mater.
of course, the so called negotiations were short; he couldn’t brag about who he was here —- not with someone else. even more so since he had tried to keep to earth unless needed, but all the same, he ended up turning back around after the creatures took their leave, and hopefully they wouldn’t be spotted again.
❝ it’s nothing. they were just curious. ❞ that much was a lie; anyone could tell that much, but as long as the both of them kept their noses clean, everything would go smoothly. well, he hoped as much at least.
❝ an’ it’s best to keep moving, don’t you think? ❞
“Right. A proper badge of honour…’cept it’s seared into your forehead like a fuckin’ brand.” Not buying Ky’s smarmy tone for a single second, John’s frown worsened beyond known limits – if he tried any more his jaws were sure to lock in a permanent expression of disapproval. It was a dangerous gamble, showing favouritism in the pursuit of knowledge. John could easily see the misfortune that would await the demon should he choose to head down this path…but what reason had he to dissuade him other than being currently deceased?
“Jesus, would you listen to the way you’re carrying on. ‘aven’t got the faintest clue.” Without meaning to, he crushes the tip wedged in his mouth, causing the remainder of his nicotine fix to unravel and fall towards the floor. Such didn’t seem to bother John by this point, however. Faced with the risk of staying dead he found it simple to overlook certain grievances. “Placing an awful lot of faith in th’ First making good on whatever sort of nasty little accord you’ve struck with him, aren’t you?”
Cursing at the air, John cranes his neck towards the man, eyes bulging with rage, covering over slight feelings of dread.“Dunno. Could have something to do with the fact that you’re to blame for why I’m in this bloody state in the first place. But do go ahead. Leave yer old pal John in the lurch – see what fuckin’ happens afterwards!”
❝ what happens afterwards is you stay in this little slice of the inferno for a good long while. i, get to move forward with my plans with out interference, and the first would be forever in my pocket. ❞ it was a bold move, one that would end up spiraling out of control the moment that the time came to a close to when john could be brought back to life.
it would be in that moment that he would lose all the influence he had since john’s soul would have to reside in this place. to some, it would be a minor inconvenience, but to the demon, it would have ruinedeverything.
unfortunately, he didn’t know the consequences of his action, and that was more of a curse than a blessing,
❝ until then, you will stay right where you are, and i can deal with the first. ❞ it was doubtful that ky could do so alone, but at the same, he would at least attempt it, ❝ you can be assured of that. ❞
Unaffected by what protests he knew Ky was capable of mustering, John exerted his influence without haste, rarely shown in so raw a form, so that he could uncover the truth for himself. Or, in lieu of that, for he had known how skilled those of the inferno were at hiding true intentions with subterfuge, he would find an equally reasonable excuse – and react to its airing accordingly.
“...Lovely. Not this bleedin’ business again.” Gaze hardening, John would give Ky licence to talk for a little while longer. Family matters were something he tried to steer clear of, even with his own kin despite how much he cared about Cheryl. At least that was something more his speed – simple domestic upheavals were nothing that curt words and idle threats couldn’t solve.
But…this dispute was of another kind – one he wasn’t exactly inclined to get tangled up in.
A wave and a snap of fingers would end the trance, restoring to Ky the willpower he had stolen in order to ensure compliance. Without waiting to let the demon recover, John was already off on his way, longing for the embrace of shadowed streets and the bitterly cold night’s air before he’d even consider becoming party to Ky’s schemes.
“Forget what I said earlier. If you’re aimin’ to take the ol’ man, I’m not stickin’ around to see you go arse over tit in failure. Good fuckin’ night, Ky.”
once ky had his own willpower back, there was no doubt in his mind that john was going to get angry. this wasn’t his fight or anyone’s if the demon was being honest. it simply was a way make sure blackheart was out of the way and if it was planned properly it might have worked.
however, the facts were quite different; even if he managed to lock him away or even destroy him, it wouldn’t last. someone would either free blackheart or bring him back —- something that ky’lar dreaded happening, but knew was possible. though, with out even an attempt, it was quite clear that no matter what the demon did, he would always be in his father’s shadow.
it was something that he was slowly, but surely learning,
❝ i didn’t tell you everything since it wasn’timportant. hate me if you want, i don’t care, but i have to do this.❞
Planned or not, he was in no mood to accept excuses. Injustices had been committed, victors and losers decided. The final result couldn’t be changed, so he saw no point in learning about what the original plan was – he simply wanted to know why.
“Now that’s pure bollocks.” Fit to snarl, John forced his teeth together, holding back further expletives that would give an accurate idea as to the type of mood the hoodwinked mage was in- a fact that bore its own slew of hazards.
“Let’s get you talking.”
Extending a hand towards Ky, without warning John’s eyes begin to glow, bright and coldly. Gathering his energies he funnels a portion of it into his outstretched hand, keeping his fingers flat and straight, tips hovering an inch or so away from the demon’s forehead. When he decides to speak again, his tone is imbued with an ethereal quality, resorting to hypnotism in order to receive a proper explanation.
“What are you after, Ky? For what do you go to such grave lengths to try and achieve?”
the cataclysmic acts of the backfire wasn’t what was planned, but it was always an option. one that the demon wouldn’t admit was very real at the time. his excuses could have been numbered as many, but all the same, they were not going to get him anywhere this time around.
if he would have had a warning, maybe ky would have been able to snarl at john — anything to get him to stop the male from digging into his mind, but the problem was it wouldn’t have worked. no matter what he did, no matter he tried, ky’lar wouldn’t be able to get enough time to resist it.
either way,he couldn’t resist responding; not this time around,
❝ you wouldn’t understand. ❞ it was a clear and blunt answer that, if ky’lar had full control of himself, he would have stopped there, but instead, he continued,
❝ i can take him out with this —- i swear it. ❞ though, the truth of the matter was it was doubtful and getting close to the power that was needed to get rid of blackheart was something close to…. impossible. even ky’lar knew that,
❝ i would do anything to get my father out of the picture, to get him removed so i can do what’s needed —- i’m just not there yet. ❞
On the verge of yelping following the feel of Ky’s fingers digging into his flesh, John was thankfully spared from embarrassment as the scenery changed. Greens and greys, the colour palette of nature, gave way to various shades of reds and browns, the screams of the damned, though distance, providing enough background noise to make perfect silence impossible. This was good old hell, all right.
Slowly exhaling a breath he didn’t realised he had held, the brit tries to relax, keeling over somewhat as his shoulders deflate. His eyes carefully scan the various craggy features dotting the hellscape around them, land that appeared to stretch on forever in all directions.
“Here we are at last, eh...” Laying a hand upon the same shoulder Ky’lar had pinched earlier, he steps forward, taking in the local atmosphere, stating aloud, without yet realising it, the same concerns that the other man shared. “Hmm. Think we’ve been noticed.” Suddenly irritable, John had no reason to turn around and greet their hosts – the loud beating of chiropteran wings provided enough of a hint for him to guess who was there.
“Well? Don’t be shy, Ky’lar. This is your world, innit? So, be a good sport and make with the introductions, yeah?”
as much as ky’lar hoped to avoid any confrontation, there was a major chance that it would happen, and his fears had just been confirmed. it should have been thought as usual that someone would find him, but not this soon.
it was a reason that the demon went entirely still : this wasn’t something he had planned and what could he say anyways? that he was willingly helping john constantine? most wouldn’t believe it and even if they did… it was something that he wanted to avoid explaining.
❝ —- this isn’t my world. ❞ his voice was just above a whisper as his eyes closed tightly — it never would be his world as long as he kept clinging to what he enjoyed on earth. even then, he doubted it would be as he wasn’t created there — not entirely at least.
shortly after he spoke, a slight grunt escaped his lips as he turned around,
❝ —– this isn’t what it looks like. ❞ it was bold words — even more so since ky’lar didn’t even know what to say…. at least to get them to leave,
The immediate quiet that followed proved unsettling, too eerie in its composition to offer any comfort. Thankful for this small mercy, John wipes the sweat from his brow, back turned slick with the sheen of cold perspiration. With his shirt clinging to his skin and limbs trembling ever so slightly, he suddenly desired a shower, the chance to scrub up, wring the worst of the days events from his bloodied hands–
Then again, wasn’t the worst behind them? Perhaps, but, in threading through uncharted territory, his fears returned, growing in their intensity. The hitching of the man’s breath only added to his rising concerns, a hastily cast spell providing him with enough information to declare that the throb of life still resided within the recovering male, though he did not draw close to him to confirm this face.
He wasn’t convinced it was safe.
Clasping a hand around his mouth, the blond thought quickly, his mind sifting through over a dozen or options to take next before landing on one idea in protection. Soon after coming to a decision, he soon sat to work, taking chalk in hand to etch out a new series of symbols on the floor, this time centred around his feet. When he finished, John would be standing in a protection circle shielded from harm.
Sliding the ritual dagger into a sheath slung from his waist, John turned his gaze back towards a supine Ky’lar. Hoping, after everything, he would not have to take further measures against him.
“C’mon you bastard…Open your eyes for a few seconds. Give us a sign that you’re all right…”
it wasn’t safe and more than likely wouldn’t be safe : for all that ky’lar was, he couldn’t control himself with more primal instincts kicked in. before, he could at least keep himself under control if he absolutely needed to, but this was different.
any humanity that he had held onto for years had evaporated and all that was left was a void that hungered for something he couldn’t quite put his hands on. it was a new feeling —- instead of the constant holding onto threads of humanity, there was just a void.
maybe it was for the best; to be able to fully focus instead of grasping onto reaming threads that were on fire to begin with. whatever was left of his soul — if he ever had one — was twisted to the point of no return. not now, he could never go back, and there was no want to either —- john had assured of that.
however, the sign that he was alright came slowly; he didn’t open his eyes at first, but rather both of his hands clenched into tight fists as his breathing starting going back to normal. as it was, his body, by all accounts was healing, and much faster than it had before. a perk of his humanity being destroyed no doubt.
a few moments later, a few deep coughs escaped his lips as he finally spoke; his eyes opening slowly as he did so,
❝ —– the moment i get the energy to get up, you’re getting torn to… shreds.❞ his voice was still weak as he tried to move, but he still couldn’t — not yet at least.
Hellfirebound 