Grimm's Reapers: Volume 1-4

by Jack Crosby

  Chapter 7 – …Well, Most of Them

  We found the house pretty easily. Rumors fly when people think a place is haunted. Stories ranged from the deranged ghost of a guy who murdered his family to an old Native American burial ground that’d been desecrated. I enjoyed the imagination of the locals as they tried to reason the weird noises they’d heard.

  The house was right on the outskirts of the city and the front yard was grown up to jungle like proportions. “Should we be worried about a tiger or something attacking us?”

  Neither girl laughed at my joke. I guess it was business time. I looked down at my watch and it read quarter until three. Thankfully we had plenty of time to advert this crisis. Using my scythe, I cut down the tall grasses so we could make our way to the front door without fear of getting ticks or other bugs on us. I don’t like bugs.

  When I stepped on to the first stair leading to the door, my foot went through the rotted wood. “Son of a bitch! Why does this always happen to me?”

  Roxanne grabbed my arm and helped me get free. “What would you do without me my precious little boy?”

  Mustering as much dignity as I could, “Knock it off and watch your step.”

  Everything about this place was warped and rotted. I went to twist the front door knob and it came off in my hand. I heard snickering from behind me, but I just ignored them. Using my shoulder, I got the door open.

  It wasn’t lost on me that there were absolutely no sounds coming from the house. No loud demon moaning, no crazed witch chanting, or what I really expected, the angry cries of a distressed cat. I knew the demon was here, as his brimstoney smell lingered, but that was the only sign. “Anyone else get the feeling something ain’t right?”

  “Why do we not hear the screams of the demon or the cries of the Nyx? We must investigate further.”

  Veronica began to walking further into the house. “Hey wait for us.”

  The first floor held no secrets. I figured somewhere there would be a staircase to the basement, because as we already learned, that’s where witches like to do their thing. What I did notice was a backdoor that led into a small backyard. While the girls searched the rooms off the kitchen, I went outside.

  The backyard was just as bad as the front. Using my mobile lawnmower, I did my best to search around. My search came to a quick end when I hit metal. “Hmmm, what’s this?”

  I felt around the area and found what felt like a door handle. “Hey girls, you might want to come out here.”

  Roxanne stuck her head out the door. “What could you possibly find in this mess?”

  For dramatics, I swung the door open. “I found a way downstairs.”

  When they met up with me, I got out of the way and let Roxanne go first. She smirked, “I’m glad you remember our deal.”

  The stairs were cement and led into a dark and cold cinder block cellar. It was empty, at least this part was. At the far end was another door, probably one that led to under the main house. Roxanne opened the door and I wasn’t ready for this. The first thing I saw was our missing witch. She was on the ground with her head facing the wrong way. Behind her was our Pride demon Jacar, holding the Nyx.

  “Hot damn, I didn’t expect this.”

  He looked up at us, “Oh hello. I am guessing you are here for this one?”

  I tried to form a response, but the scene in front of me was too weird for words. Veronica walked forward, “You will willingly give us the Nyx?”

  He held it out for her to take. “Of course, I was just keeping my friend calm until someone more apt to handle it came along.”

  Veronica took the thing in her hands and rushed back. It was Roxanne’s turn. “Jacar, that is your name correct?”

  The Pride demon had light brown skin, sunken dark eyes and wearing torn black pants. He looked in bad shape but seemed to be in good spirits. This was odd, really odd. “Yes Lady Roxanne of Beelzebub. I am the disgraced General Jacar of Baal.”

  It didn’t slip by me that for as rare as these demons were, I had a way of running into them lately. First there was Darius, and just today I’ve encountered Kyrule and Jacar. This was becoming a pretty piss poor pattern I was falling into.

  “Oh I’m no longer in service of Beelzebub, so you can just call me Roxanne.”

  “Ah, so you are a traitor, as I am.”

  The cat was purring in the background. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “Master Death, what a pleasant surprise!” His personality was pretty nice, which made me suspicious. I didn’t know Pride demons could do that. “The short version is that I have been free for ten years now, hiding here from those who would hunt me. When the witch came with the cat spirit, she stated her intentions and I killed her to save it. No innocent lives should be lost in an attempt to bring Lilith to this realm.”

  Feeling like Leviathan wasn’t needed, I put it away. “Well, thanks, I think.”

  With the Nyx in her hands, Veronica smiled. “You have done a great service to Heaven. For that I will be forever grateful.”

  He sat back down on the floor. “Well if that is all you need, I bid the three of you farewell. Take care of this precious one, as she is most important.”

  “No.” Roxanne moved closer. “What did you do to earn the wrath of Baal? You are marked for death by his agents.”

  He gave that wry smile like he was remembering a good time. “Back when the gates to Earth were much more accessible, he ordered me to take a platoon and raze a village that denied worshiping him. I refused and tried to kill him. I failed, but managed to escape for quite some time, that is until I was captured and brought back. I was tried in a mock trial and found guilty, sentenced to death.”

  “Then you caught a break when the witches tried to summon a demon right?”

  He addressed me with respect. “You are most wise Master Death. Wanting to bring a Pride demon to this realm, I used what was left of my power to redirect the summoning towards me. When I came to this realm, I acted the part of an uncontrollable demon. I allowed them to capture me in the circle, hopefully to be forgotten by my enemies.”

  It seemed like a good plan. “They didn’t forget though. They wanted me to turn you over to them, or at the very least kill you myself. Unfortunately, you’re actually a nice dude, so that puts a wrench in their plans.”

  “I do not mean to cause you any harm. To be felled by you would be an honor.”

  Roxanne and Veronica looked at me, almost as if I was going to do it. “I’m not killing anyone today, except maybe that dipshit Kyrule.”

  “He sent Kyrule the Wise? I guess I am not nearly as forgotten as I planned.”

  “Yeah, that douche bag showed up at my office today. I don’t like him, not one bit.”

  Roxanne leaned back to me. “So you’re not going to kill this one?”

  “Nah, unless he gives me reason to in the future. Anyone who tries to kill an Arch-Demon is good in my book.”

  He seemed surprised by that. “What will you do with me then?”

  A sly smile crossed my face. “How would you like to live with the witches who put you here in the first place?”

  “Are you sure they would accept me, especially after making them fear me?”

  “They’re scared of you, but they’re positively terrified of me. Don’t worry,” I walked over and put my arm around his shoulders, “with my good word, you’ll be good to go and they’ll want to do everything in their power to keep you hidden.”

  Chapter 8 – Back to the Present

  So that’s how we ended up in this predicament. After dropping Jacar off with the witch coven (and scaring the hell out of them again, just for fun really), the three of us brought the cat back to the office. I’m pretty sure I got the shaft in all of this, but Roxanne just loved the animal from the moment she got to hold her.

  After we got back, Veronica said she had some other things to look into. When I questioned her, she didn’t say much and kind of left in a hurry. I tried to tell Roxanne of my c
oncerns, but she was too busy in pet loving mode. At least for the time being, the Nyx was in the other room and out of my hair.

  So far the little cat spirit didn’t feel the need to change forms. It seemed content to wonder around like a cat would do, except when Roxanne felt the need to smoother it with love. Yet for some reason it kept wandering back over to me.

  We got so freaking lucky that the Pride demon turned out the way we did. Shit would’ve hit the fan fast if he would’ve been onboard with their crazy scheme. I didn’t even want to consider the anarchy if Lilith would’ve been raised, in the body of a Nyx no less.

  No need to worry about that thankfully. With the cat in our care now, it was just up to Veronica to figure out what to do from here. I heard a knock on the door and figured maybe that was her coming back. When I opened the door, I was expecting to see the sexy angel strolling in, but unfortunately the dude standing in front of me was far from that. It was my brother, War.

  “You going to let me in or do I have to ask nicely?”

  Letting go my disappointment, “Yeah come on in. I can only imagine what wonderful tidings you bring me.”

  My tall, muscular brother made his way in and tossed his leather jacket on the couch. “Pyrrha perfected his change into a motorcycle. We just took a nice bike ride up from Washington D.C. to see you.”

  “What were you doing in D.C.?” I no longer had fond memories of that city. Plus, depending on the person, urban legend has it a young guy who looked a lot like me helped stage the assassination of our late vice president. Can’t say that bastard John Keen didn’t have it coming. He was a filthy Greed demon after all.

  “I was curious about your encounter with Beelzebub, so I left Eden and went to Washington to look into it. Dark shadows still haunt the soil around the monument that humans built.”

  He’s referring to the Lincoln Memorial. Underneath was a chamber where my greatest battle to date occurred, the victory over Beelzebub. Unfortunately that battle cost me quite a bit too, including the betrayal of my handler Yuri and someone I thought was a close friend. Both were dead, but I had plenty of regrets there. “Don’t come to me with riddles. Obviously you found something…”

  He took a seat on the couch. “Where is your vixen, this involves her too.”

  “I’m right here.” I knew she was close. Nothing got by that girl.

  “Let me go grab a few beers so dampen your ability to piss people off.” I got up and walked towards the kitchen. On my way by Roxanne, I reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. Her other was busy holding the meowing Nyx. Its bright yellow eyes were following my every move, which kinda creeped me out. I would’ve been more annoyed with it, if my brother hadn’t been here.

  I grabbed a six pack of lagers from the fridge and went back into the fire. Neither of them had moved since I left, locked in some sort of immortal stare down/pissing contest. I handed each a bottle and took a seat behind my desk. “Okay, let it on me.”

  He popped the top off the lager and took a long swig. “First, that Nyx you’re holding there got to this part of the country through a portal, probably the one left behind by Beelzebub.”

  I was in the middle of a drink when he said that and I started choking on my own laughter. “You think a cat managed to get through a portal on its own? Brother, I’m no fan of Nyxes, but even I’m not that naive.”

  “It didn’t come through on its own. It was brought here by someone.”

  “Impossible!” Roxanne’s temper was starting to boil. “The Nyx community left Hell eons ago, settling in the mountain stronghold on Shangri-La. You know this, so stop with your fucking lies.”

  I wouldn’t say that’s common knowledge, as honestly I’d forgotten about that myself. For those of you taking diligent notes, Shangri-La is where some of the more peaceful denizens of Hell went to escape the cruel fate awaiting them. The Nyxes were one of the lesser spirits to leave in the mass exodus.

  “I do not lie and I will not be talking to in such a tone by you slut!”

  “Whoa, don’t talk to her like that.”

  He looked at me in disappointment. “At least when you were fornicating with humans it wasn’t such a blight. Even with Michael bestowing the Angel-Friend status to her, she is nothing more than a demon whore.”

  He said it without malice in his voice. It was almost as if he was reciting a fact from an encyclopedia. “Dude, you really need to work on your people skills.”

  “It matters not. The point of my visit is to take the Nyx and deliver it back to its home before the situation gets worse.”

  “No.” Roxanne got up, Nyx in hand. “You will not take this creature from our custody. We saved it and it will be our responsibility to take it home.”

  “This was not a request, but a demand. The creature needs to be returned to its home for safety or else put down before those who brought it here, yet lost it, locate it.”

  I was confused. “So the idiots who brought it over left it? If they needed the creature, why didn’t they keep it?”

  “Because the exiled angel interrupted them and took the Nyx. Did she not tell you that?” He probably could tell immediately based on the looks Roxanne and I were giving each other. “She’d been tasked with eliminating the cat spirit, and refused.”

  Wasn’t this turning out to be one big mess? “Ahh damnit.”

  “Many of the Arch-Demons’ generals are searching for the Nyx. Based on what Khloros told me before I came in, you already met Kyrule. Is it true you handed Jacar over to a coven of witches?”

  “Yeah, call it me doing him a solid in case Baal ever comes for me. It’s good to have a few calling cards.”

  He scratched the whiskers on his chin. “That was a risky play, but one that may serve you well.”

  The Nyx jumped out of Roxanne’s arm and came across the floor, rubbing up against War’s foot. “I think you’ve got a friend.”

  “I do not want a friend. I want this creature returned to its home because the alternative is much worse.”

  “You mean raising Lilith?”

  It was his turn to look surprised. “Lilith? While that would be a giant pile of shit, this creature is to be used for something far worse than the Lust Queen’s return to Earth.”

  “Ummm, so the crazy witches who got a hold of the Nyx were just acting alone? They weren’t part of any plans from Downstairs?”

  His hard grey eyes narrowed further. “I had no idea what the witches planned. I just figured it was part of the debauchery and that the Nyx’s power amplified that.”

  “I think it’s time you tell us what you know.”

  He looked at Roxanne, who stared back before sitting back down. “The two of you stirred up quite a bit of malice in Hell when you took Beelzebub down. It got to the point where Lucifer himself needed to get involved.”

  “Holy shit, he got involved?” Roxanne for the first time sounded afraid.

  “How do you know all this?”

  He took her question before mine. “He ordered everyone to stand down. Suffice to say it was a shock to us all. As for how I know,” he gave me a sly smile, “I have spies of course.”

  He let us sit there for a few moments while he finished his beer. Apparently War had expanded his horizons; I would’ve never guessed he was capable of having spies.

  “That did not go over well with the others and they hatched their own covert plan.”

  Hmmmm. “Let me guess, your spy was able to secure some of the particulars?”

  “Yes, and it cost him his life to get me this information.” He picked up his jacket and pulled out a crumpled up piece of paper with notes on it.

  He handed it to me to read. “Mammon sent minions to steal the maiden Nyx, Astaroth wrote the spell and used Beelzebub’s residual energy to re-open a portal to Earth. If the princess of the Nyxes is bled dry at a particular phase of the moon on Earth, with the enchantment a portal to Tartarus will open and Abaddon will be freed.”

  Chapter 9 – Of War and Pieces


  “This kitten is the Nyx princess?”

  War gave me a dirty look, not liking that I was questioning his information. “If my informant said so, then yes, this is the princess to the Nyx race.”

  The innocent looking cat shined for a second before starting to groom itself. Roxanne rushed over and picked the kitten up off the ground and began to pet its fur with great intensity. “I’m surprised the Nyx Queen isn’t out for blood. To steal a mother’s daughter is no small offense.”

  “I doubt they had the resources to stand up to Mammon’s. It was more than likely a situation of give up the princess quietly or else be wiped out.” He then stepped too far, “You know all about wiping out a race, don’t you?”

  “Do not push me brother! I will not hesitate to beat the fuck out of you once again.”

  The memory of our last fight must’ve been fresh in his mind. “I do not wish for us to be enemies, yet I have a mission to carry out. The cat spirit must either be returned or exterminated. Abaddon cannot be released from Tartarus, as you well know.”

  “Derrick and I will take the princess to Shangri-La. There is nothing more for you here.” Roxanne took her and left the room.

  Knowing it wasn’t that simple, “This is my task brother, one I was assigned for due to my unique abilities to not get emotionally attached. Could you or the girl kill the princess if it came to that?”

  I could, yes. However, I very much doubted Roxanne would or even let me do the task. “You know the answer to that. I have been blessed with feelings and they would compromise the mission.”

  “So you agree that I should take the Nyx?”

  I put my hand up. “I agreed you were suited for the job. I’m coming too, I was dragged into this unwillingly and I will see it all the way through.”

  It was hard to tell if he was pleased or not. “Very well, I expected that. I take it your lady friend will be coming too?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, you go tell her she can’t come. She’ll rip your intestines out your asshole if you aren’t careful.”

  “Very well, the three of us will leave in the morning. Do you mind if I stay the night?”