Just Checking Up! Part Sixty-Six: An Elemental of a Day!

Rip:

A fiery thunderous storm raged over my head, Cal and Kaw hanging close to me. The other Sins paced around behind me, anxiety brewing as the Elementals worked alongside Silks to destroy the farm of dragon magic. Orchid hummed while brewing her tea, her slender hands dropping a fair amount of blood into the tea. A mixture of exhaustion and worry haunted her features, her silky violet kimono glinted in the glowing bright orange moonlight. Her brother followed her orders with ease, the others seeming ready to fight. Chewing on my bottom lip, the eerie fog of purgatory crept in. Creepy settings seemed to be a requirement at this point.

“She’ll pull through.” Kaw assured me brightly, Cal agreeing via a nod. “Silks has help this time around. What else is eating you?” Digging at the gray sand, Cal’s kind smirk met my anxiety filled smirk first, his fist clenching a couple of times. Would he be okay after all of this?

“Have you ever wondered what was in those needles and what that bastard put her through for the week?” I uttered darkly, the mood growing dimmer by the second. “Her scars glowed last night before she passed out. What does that even mean?” A lump formed in their throats, Orchid raising her hand. Whipping our heads in her direction, her tail twitched in pure irritation. Her temper flared for a second, my mind seconds from racing.

“Did you ever think that her heat cycle is starting all over again?” She pointed in an irate hiss, an eerie silence washing over us. “The blood I drew from her at our latest appointment read as such in my testing. King Rip, you are due for another change at a most inconvenient time.” Blinking rapidly, another deep sigh drew from her lips as Dollzy flipped next to Phylox. Her dolls swayed next to her, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. Was the timing ever great with our ragtag crew?

“Did I stutter?” She continued briskly, her brow raising several times. “Time isn’t on our hands. Do we even know what is in the center of the pentagr-” Several dragon demons appeared out of nowhere, rags covering their different builds and colored scales. Scanning purgatory with relief laced bewilderment, Orchid waved them over. Offering them a different pot of tea, the color drained from my face. What happened that week, damn it! Everyone else but Cal and Kaw jumped in to aid them, Cal nudged my shoulder. Here comes the pick me up speech, I thought internally.

“If anyone can handle it, you two can.” He whispered only loud enough for me to hear. My dragon friend padded up to me, her icy breeze nipping my cheek as she scurried up my arms. Not sure if I could grip what was being said, Glac would always be sure to make me feel better. Frice hummed in her leather bag, cracks danced along the bottom of the dimension. Waiting with bated breath, Silks would be coming soon.

“Duck!” Phylox shouted urgently, dark angelic arrows raining down. Blocking them via metallic angel feathers, sparks danced in the air. Silks dropped from a gaping hole, the Elementals looking as exhausted as her. Her lips moved a mile a minute, the edges of this part of Hell getting swept into a flurry of crackling fire orange lily petals. Please don't push yourself too far, my dear queen.

 Inky droplets painted my cheeks, a blast of heat throwing me into some sort of building. Creepy gray marble walls towered over the pile of us, medical signs indicated that this was another freaking hospital. Silks groaned dejectedly inches from me, thousands of demonic energies shattering her further. Tugging at her leather burgundy jacket dress, the frills fought back just enough to annoy her. Hoisting herself to the heels of her burgundy boots, a low growl rumbled in her throat. Glac and Frice were nowhere to be seen, her spell probably sending them home.  

“Fuck whoever interfered with my damn spell!” She cursed quite loud, her eyes darting around the space. “Wouldn’t be shocked if this isn’t a friend of the good doctor. Let’s pull off two rescue missions in one day!” Scratching at her neck, stress wore on her features. Jet black drops beaded along the fresh wounds, her eyebrow twitching away. Had memories of that week made a most horrible guest appearance? What does one do? The others stirred awake, that shadow of a damn smile in her eyes returning. Shooting me a defiant but stern warning look, something told me to hold my tongue. Clutching her side, a huge burn threatened to shut that down. Sniffing the air, dragon smoke curled off of her side. Wincing in pain upon every movement, the Elementals pleaded with her to slow down. Falling on deaf ears, obvious overstimulation claimed her head. She definitely wasn't doing okay, concern flashing in my eyes.

“Shut up!” She screamed venomously, a pair of gloved hands snatching her into the shadows. An eerie silence poisoned the air, her flaming weapons dying down along side her energy. Parting my lips to speak several times, initial trauma placed a hand over my mouth. Here she was in an increasingly worse health condition, my dumb ass getting her caught. When would I be able to step up?

“Not to burst any bubbles but if that doctor of a freak pricks one needle in her arm, she is as good as cooked.” Orchid pointed out simply, her slender hands already preparing a makeshift potion brewing station. “Leave the Sins with me and go after her so I am prepared, please.” Who was in charge of who? The Elementals hovered close behind me, something smelling off in the air. Shoving them back, a new plan arose in my head. 

“Get the other demons out of their rooms.” I ordered a little too calmly, their brows furrowing in protest. “Dragon magic is swirling down that hall and you don’t have a mask. Cal, Dollzy, and Kaw have my back. Please stay alive for Silks. Lord knows how bad she would lose it.” Nodding once, hesitation lingered in their eyes. Sprinting towards the cries for help, my A-Team skidded into the shadows. Solid floors greeted us, that was until several trapdoors opened up. Fuck Hell and their stupid traps. Sliding through a series of metal tunnels, a couple twisted over mine. Crashing onto a pile of rainbow colored ash, dread bubbled in my gut. Dollzy landed on top of me, her dolls clacking away as the boys rolled inches from my trembling palms. Shooting to my heels of my dress boots, this freaking simple black suit felt like a mistake. Cal mumbled a few curse words while getting to his own pair of dusty dress boots, Kaw popping to his own. Scanning the cold steel room swallowing us whole, a flash of silver had us in the fighting position. Dollzy pirouetting up to my side, only to realize that it was Miss Phylox. Leaping into her arms, they spun around a couple of times. 

“I found a way out but it isn’t the greatest.” She choked out awkwardly, her eyes refusing to meet mine. “Sorry for this visual, Miss Silks seemed to be captured on a metal table. Time isn’t on our hands. Shall we go now?” Nodding once, dread formed a lump in my throat. Snatching my hand, Cal and Kaw grabbed onto my ankles the second she took off. Zooming down halls, tiny shadows captured my sharp eyes. What the hell was going on here, damn it! Throwing us in front of a laundry shoot, Silks’ scent slapped me in the face upon our clumsy landing into a pile of dirty white hospital clothes. Poking our heads up one by one, a couple of random demons leapt back. Hoisting myself out, Dollzy’s dolls knocked them out with several kicks. Tossing us the stiff Fifties’ style uniforms, the sleek lines clung to my more muscular frame as I changed into my disguise. A clammy sweat beaded on my brow, a bell ringing granting me little to no time to ponder about it. Sucking in a deep breath, Glowing arrows showed the way to a makeshift lab. Long silky jet black hair floated up, panicked emerald eyes darting over to mine. Dusting off his pristine doctor’s coat, a fuming Silks’ shifted underneath the straps.  

“Did chivalry die with you?” She growled through gritted teeth, a layer of sweat glittering on her forehead. “Fuck this hurts! Are you going to do your torture or what!” Dropping the empty needle on the floor, glass scattered across the black and white diamond marble tiles. Putting his hands up, his tweed suit hugged a slender but muscular build. The Victorian style softened his aura enough for me to let my guard down.  

“Shit, my boss is going to kill me if I don’t subdue you. Maybe a numbing potion will end the agony coursing through your body. Shoot, I might have something in here.” He uttered shakily, Silks rolling her eyes. “Who did this to you?” Cocking her brow, another jolt of pain rattled her body. When would her torture end?

“A stupid doctor, so drop it!” She spat venomously, her claws extending involuntarily. “Let me fix this my-” Heels clicked down the hall, the new demon’s inky lips twitching into a nervous grin. Narrowing her eyes in his direction, any trust melted in seconds. A masked female demon with matching silky hair, chilly emerald eyes whipped in his direction. Shrinking back, claws extended from her inky fingernails. Someone came ready to fight.

“Quit playing with the murderer of my mentor!” She shrieked uncontrollably, her shimmering green snake mask beginning to crack. Silks cleared her throat, her brow cocking. Don't attempt to talk your way out of this, I begged in my head.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.” Silks pointed out sarcastically, a ribbon of blood dripping from the bottom of her mask. “Good doctors heal wounds, not create more. Then again, today might just be your first day.” Clenching her fist, pure hatred tainted the air as the masked monster fumed away. 

“Watch your tongue!” She barked hotly, a needle shimmering in between her fingers. “Maybe I should poke more holes in you!” A stern look told me to hold back, the rest of our team struggling to do so. Loud snaps had her leaping back, Silks jumping to the floor. The assistant hit the floor with a dull thud, a phoenix tattoo glowing brightly on his left palm. Cracking her knuckles, jet black lightning crackled all around her. 

“Seems I took something that belongs to you. He no longer answers your demands. What I present to you is one opportunity to repent for your crimes. Yet that comes with a price.” She sighed with pure exhaustion in her voice, the two of them circling each other. “Your loyalty binds you to deadly consequences should you try to kill anyone close to me or myself.” Raising her claws into the attack position, Silks sank to her knees at the most inopportune moment. Thousands of dolls flooded in from every direction, Silks succumbing to exhaustion. Dollzy spun up to her, Kaw beginning a spell. Too much going on woke up a different level of anxiety, a tuckered out Silks’ stirred awake. Pure black lightning lilies blossomed around her, the bleeding worsening.  

“That’s a no. I belong to no one besides myself!” The idiot hissed venomously, Silks struggling into the sitting position not frightening her in the slightest. An eerie silence washed over the space, determination glittering in Silks’ eyes. Worried about her health, this next move would be sure to destroy her from the inside.

“Fry! Fucking fry!” She wheezed between coughing fits, a whack to the flowers releasing a wave of black lightning petals. “No one mistreats my family or me!” Gone was her proud smirk, horror twisting her features as petals cut into her skin. Curling into a ball, bright lights prevented us from witnessing her demise. The screams of utter agony were another tale, the light dying down to reveal a blizzard of neon green ash. Kaw ended his spell, Dollzy rescinding her little army. Broken sobs shattered my soul, Silks seeming to reach her limit. Scooping her up, the welcome sight of Orchid perked me right up. A vial of Bless' blood shimmered in her palm, popping it off the cork in one graceful twirl. Ripping off her mask, the sheer impact shattered it. Terror rounded my eyes, shadowy darkness dyed the veins around her lips. Pouring the golden liquid down her barely parted lips, that slender hand snatched Orchid’s wrist. The shattering of our souls could be felt across the room.

“Make this endless pain stop.” She pleaded through sniffles, the corner of her lips shaking in response to something beyond my comprehension. “Why hasn’t it stopped hurting, damn it!” Sorrow bit my soul harder, a jolt through my body threatened to break my composure. What was happening to me now! 

“Forgive me for pointing this out but perhaps Bless restarted that damn cycle.” Orchid informed me stiffly, the back of her hand dripping with Silks’ sweat. “How about your health, Rip? Both sides tend to be affected. Granted this is your first time, after all. Also, who is this young fellow in the lab coat? He might be of aid for my medical services. Wake up, please!” Laying her back down on the table, her fists clenched repeatedly in a way to shut down a bit of raw pain. Skin pulled itself into an angry scar, the bleeding slowing to a tortured halt. No longer did the shadows haunt her veins, her quaking hand cupping my cheek. Wondering if she was on the brink of death that one time, consequences were bound to present themselves on a silver platter. Scooping up our new team member, Orchid lingered close to my side.  

“Hope you don’t mind but I am heading to our hideaway.” I informed her as the door to home creaked into place, our door to our beach clicking into place. “We will be home in a few hours.” Opening the door for her , the door disappeared behind Dollzy. Soaking in the serenity of our privacy, Silks clung onto me like her life depended on it. Snuggling into my chest, quivers claimed her muscles. Ripping open the one way into our beach, a couple of steps over the threshold landed us in our little slice of paradise. Laying her down on the closest big rock, her body curled into a ball. How do I fix this?

“Rip, I feel like I screwed up.” She whispered brokenly into the rock, her claws digging into the rock. “Sorry for failing you as of late.” Rolling onto her back, exhaustion darkened the bags underneath her eyes. Attempting to gather the right words to say, her eyes darted over to the crashing waves. Serenity showed in her eyes, her fingers reaching for it.

“Such beauty lies in those waves.” She whispered under her breath, her claws shrinking back down. “Do you think you could help me out?” Crouching down her level, a pair of wet eyes met my loving gaze. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, her lips parted several times. Sliding her onto my lap, my hand guided her fangs to the nape of my neck. Piercing my skin gingerly, every gulp had me squirming with bliss. Sinking into a dreamy state, every stolen breath shortened. Releasing me from her spell, a bit of color flushed her cheeks. Falling back onto the sand, her dainty features stole my breath away. Fuck, her beauty knew no bounds. Hovering her lips over mine, our hearts threatened to beat once more. Clutching her close to chest, her scent subdued the symptoms for the time being. Sliding her palms into mine, our fingers intertwined. Listening to the waves for a few seconds, her humming pleased my ears. The soft tone reminded me our nights together after work, fresh coffee always coming along. Pausing abruptly, a tired grin met mine. 

“Do you remember those days in your apartment? God, I miss those movies.” She gushed adorably, sweet love twinkling in her eyes. “Those nights really saved my broken heart.” Gripping her hands tighter, the movies didn’t flash in my memory. Her stunning smile and laughter played out like a movie, not the odd story lines. 

“To be truthful, my attention kind of was on you.” I confessed playfully, a small laugh slipping off of her tongue. “How could I not admire your beauty?” Rolling onto her side, her body tucked into mine just right. Silks had always been my missing puzzle piece, fate stealing what we could have had. Ignoring the small pinch of grief, a peck to my chain tore me from my train of doomed thoughts. 

“Definitely noticed. How could I not, my king?” She teased while walking her fingers on my chest. “Such things brightened my day. I figured that someone had to find me attractive.” Shooting me a goofy grin, her flirting moments were ones to be cherished as embarrassment painted my features. Climbing on top of me, waves crashed down to form a curtain around her face. How could she be so breathtaking without even trying? 

“There is one way out of this. Desires must be succumbed to.” She suggested softly, a bright golden yellow brightened her aura. Considering our current situation, the timing wasn’t ideal. Yet together we could handle anything. Rolling her underneath me, the night had yet to begin.