Chapter Text
When one of the Overlords called for a meeting, it was not to out of the ordinary.
Monsters they might be but, in its own twisted way Hell was not without organisation and, while everyone at the rank of Overlord would be quite happy to see those in their little "circle" burn on a spit there was something to be said for keeping things somewhat organised and orderly. To ensure that one's power base not only remained stable in the long term but, that nothing unexpected occurred to catch everyone as a whole off guard. Something that would not only threaten an enemy but, everyone has a whole was enough for all to call time on the plotting and backstabbing and come to the table to ensure there was something to fight over in the future.
And the added Extermination was indeed cause for alarm for many.
But, the fact it was Vox of all people who called the meeting that really had eyes being raised.
......
Alastor had not thought of Vincent in a long time.
Truth be told a man does not think to hard about the filth he scrapes off the bottom of his shoe and, honestly said muck looked more appealing than the twitching mess he had left after Vincent's little tantrum. A thought that had Alastor grin has he made his way along the streets to the "Neutral ground" said Media Overlord had chosen for the meeting to discuss the recent developments with the collective yearly problem they all faced. He imagined a fair few Overlords would turn up for this little gathering; not just to talk about how to deal with this issue but, to catch a possible glimpse of the "host" of the meeting.
It was partially the reason Alastor was going; not that he would admit it out loud of course.
After all being "missing" for seven years on a forced sabbatical was one thing but, to attain the rank of Overlord while being a practical ghost was something baffling; especially when this was Vincent we were talking about. The man might have fooled a few people with the humble act in the early days but, Alasator felt a zeppelin would be more subtle than the ego that man had. It was almost a worse flaw than his supposed notion of friendship that had soured things between them all those years ago.
Yet, Vincent or, rather Vox had indeed attained the rank of Overlord; forming a triumvirate with two others no less.
It irked Alastor a bit to see that Vincent's silly little notions had led to this partnership with two others but, even he had to concede that the fact the Vees, has they were collectively called, had raised a decently sized empire and had remained partners in all these years without tearing each other apart was, somewhat impressive. Valentino and Velvette were not much in Alastor's eyes but, they had talents that the illusive third Overlord put to use.
Valentino was a two faced leg breaker; charming one moment and cruel the next. The kind of person that could lure in the prey and business and, ensure they would not even dream of trying to run away even if it was possible. Velvette on the other hand was shrewd and cut-throat where business and trends were concerned, with an eye for detail than ensured the Vees were not only ahead with the new fads but, that competition was merely a word in a book.
And then there was Vox.
For a ghost he had certainly crafted and gained a reputation in Pentagram City; true much of that seemed to be the rumours and gossip spread by the rank and file of the city but, sometimes gossip and fear did a lot of work.
Even if some of it got fanciful.
Some claimed he was more machine than sinner these days; that he had augmented himself with his valued technology to the point calling him a sinner, never mind an Overlord was a stretch. Others whispered that he had eyes and ears everywhere in the city; something that was a little more plausible given that most people who talked out of turn or plotted against him ended up bloody scraps in front of a screen.
Others claimed he held the metaphorical power of Hell in his hands; again something Alastor doubted but, he could not deny the man had a certain talent for electricity back in the day. Elemental powers were not uncommon in sinners but, to raise said power to be able to manipulate a ring wide grid was a large card to hold close to your chest and not put to use at least once.
More factual elements were both odd and vexing for the Radio Demon.
Though he was unseen there were those who spoke of the man as a philanthropist; ushering a new age into Hell with the technology that his company brought to the people of Pentagram City. Personally Alastor would have gathered all those gadgets and gizmos for a bonfire if he could but, again, a little "charity" could win support to an Overlord's cause in the right circumstances. The downtrodden and desperate were more than willing to sell themselves away for a roof and board at the end of the day.
Vox simply offered those treats with a few extra annoying bells and whistles.
Has for his relations with the other Overlords... that seemed to be strictly business that was operated by robotic proxy or left in the hands of his cohorts. Something that some might mistake for arrogance or, in Alastor's case, the belief he might have permantly maimed his old "friend" both physically and mentally that he had become some hermit akin to Howard Hughes but, something in that did not entirely ring true for Alastor.
No, the more he thought on it the more it seemed Vincent was simply watching from afar; sizing his fellow Overlords up from a distance and acting accordingly when he deemed in necessary.
And, now, even Alastor could not deny he was curious to see what sort of creature was going to greet them at this little meeting.
End of Chapter One