O, Apple of HIs Eye - Ch9

The owlbear cub and the mongrel are wary of the devil, Mezgal, and don't trust him. Mezgal tries to negotiate with Raphael, but Raphael wants to kill him. Raphael's companion, Tav, gives him a signal to kill Mezgal, but at the last moment, Raphael notices something in Mezgal's eyes and materializes them in a different location. Mezgal reveals he was under contract and by being brought there, he fulfilled it. Raphael kills Mezgal and two warlocks, while Tav tends to the cub and mongrel. Raphael is irritated by Tav's behavior but still thanks the mongrel for helping. Oh, apple of his eye, by a true neutral. Chapter 9 The Cub and the Mongrel Judging by their protective body language and their overall wariness of their surroundings, the owlbear cub and the mongrel didn't trust the devil, Mezgal. They were smart creatures at times, but they were also filthy, malodorous, and an unfortunate bothersome consequence of his partnership with Tav. I was summoned to hear you grovel, and yet I hear none, Raphael said with a sneer and a gesture to the pit fiend. Mezgal had surrendered to his little mouth as soon as she and her four-legged hunting party had found him outside a village, and she aptly called a mortal-appearing archdevil supreme to hear the fiend's final pleas. Might we conduct business within your house of hope, my lord? Mezgal proposed. His large fiendish body bowed, a sign of desperate submission. I'd sooner let that dog step foot in my house than you, but seeing as how eliminating you here would only send you back to the hells, and I desire to end you completely. Raphael looked back to Tav. She gave him a nod and a small smile, and he raised his hand in preparation to snap. It was at the last second, just as friction was applied to thumb and middle finger, that he caught in the leveling glimmer in Mezgal's infernal eyes. Snap. They materialized in the entrance hall, and Raphael shed his mortal visage. Grovel, the archdevil supreme demanded. Mezgal smirked. I was under contract, my lord, he spat, and by bringing me here, I've just fulfilled it. By bringing you here, I've guaranteed your death. Mezgal's face turned mocking as his arms opened wide. I will be a martyr by the time you kill me. Your little pets will be dead from the ambush. Rage boiled, spilling over, and Raphael ascended, to rip and bite and tear the pit fiend as thunder as quickly as possible. When he reappeared, no longer ascended, there was nothing but the scent of bloodshed. The bodies of three warlocks were scattered about with gashes in their clothes, bite marks in their skin, and arrows embedded in limbs. The two remaining enemies were busy throwing panicked spells at the filthy, malodious animals coming for them. Snap, snap, hellfire consumed the warlocks, their screams deafening as they instantly fell to the ground. The two creatures watched, growling and poised offensively as they waited for the last breaths to leave the warlocks. When death came, smelling of burnt flesh and blood, Tav went over to the cub and mongrel. Raphael was somewhat irritated to see how nonplussed she appeared, as if attempts on her life were an amusing everyday occurrence, and she was ignoring their true savior. My two good boys, yes you are, she said, giving them pats and scritches that delighted the animals greatly. Tav then leaned her ear towards the mongrel's head. What's that, Scratch? Why yes, I do think Raphael owes you a thank you. Raphael's irritation increased, and he knew she could not speak to animals. She was grinning at him, and he was weak for loving her smile, so, thank you, keep it out. Tav grabbed the mongrel's muzzle, and the mongrel allowed her to move his jaw as one would a puppet. Rawr, rawr, went the mongrel. You're most welcome, Shire Raphael, said Tav as the mongrel. Yes, filthy, malodorous, and sometimes helpful creatures they were.