The smell of old, rotten buildings was in the air, and the ground was covered in shattered glass and debris. Whatever had happened was long enough in the past that blood and bodies weren't in evidence, but gloom and doom hung heavy like rain clouds. Vanessa felt sure they were being watched, although whoever it was kept a low profile; the only sounds not from ruin were her and her sister's footsteps and the drag of her dress's hem on the rough paved road.
The two had talked at first, but conversation had slowed and stopped as they journeyed deeper into the ruined cityscape. Now she kept her proud bearing straight ahead, while Colbie kept looking around, keeping her eyes on as much as she could. Something creaked inside one of the taller buildings, and her hand flashed a knife at her waist before she shrugged it off.
The two finally stopped in front of a sewer grate marked and daubed with blue paint, like a whirlpool or an eye.
"...Always a knack for making a point." Vanessa sniffed, looking down at it. "We could have just as well done this somewhere more pleasant."
"And miss all this?" Colbie asked, waving her hand around them. Somewhere deeper in, a trash can fell to the ground. "Is he even here?"
"Of course, likely just waiting for the right moment-"
"It doesn't work if you spoil it like that." Said the thing that floated from the suddenly smoking blue manhole. Not from the sewers themselves- the merchant they'd come to see walked much darker roads. He looked at them reproachfully before his face settled into it's normal leer.
"Only the big spenders, but they ARE all my..." Vulgrim, the Demon Merchant paused and beetled his brow, staring at Vanessa over his claws.
"...What are you wearing?"
"Clothes. What are you wearing?" She asked coldly, while Colbie snorted behind her fist.
"The finest Stygian silk, of course, but... What happened to the sensible slacks and blouse? You look like the cover of a bad gothic romance novel."
"I said a bat, myself, but that's a good one!"
"If we could return to the matter at hand-" Vanessa started.
"Did you get dressed in the dark?... Though with all that black, you wouldn't be able to find your outfit at all. It's a little much, is all." Said the jewel adorned, horned eater of souls matter-of-factly. Colbie chortled while Vanessa's cheeks turned red. She took a sack from the pockets of her long train and dropped it on the ground in front of them.
"Do you wish this deal or not?" She snapped. "Dryad hearts and a live kitten... What do you even wish with such things?"
"The hearts because they are tasty, and I wished to see if you were as good as your word. The kitten because they amuse me. I like watching them fall on their backs and paw the air. Can I not have a hobby?" Vulgrim asked, blinking in innocence before darting forward and snatching the wriggling sack, holding it close before peering at it.
"My word is my bond, surprise, surprise. Now tell me what I wish to know." Vanessa said, crossing her arms and staring daggers at Vulgrim. Colbie put her hands in her hips and watched him too, a ghost of a smile on her face. Her relaxed demeanor hid how ready she was to spill his blood if he turned treacherous or reneged his own promises.
"Very well... Have you ever wondered why the forces of Good always have the best toys? Their wishes are simple to grant and easy to manage, but our lot have to be satisfied with Ape paws and lying Djinn. Seems unfair, don't you think?" He asked, taking a still-beating wooden heart from the bag and crunching it between his fangs.
"Very unfair. More and more every day." Vanessa said tiredly.
"Self pity does you no favors. What you seek is on an island of Earth. Kuwahawi, to be exact. The Unholy Grail is there and waiting to be claimed. All you need do is drink blood from it's cup and an unstringed wish is yours. Simplicity itself."
"The Unholy Grail?"
"Ew, blood?"
"Yes to both of you. It waits for a hand to claim it, as it belongs to itself. If you are strong enough, and true enough to your desire, you may even win through the others who seek it. It is your only hope now. Do you regret signing those contracts, I wonder?"
"No. Never." Vanessa said, not unaware of her sister's sidelong glance.
"I expected as much. I will let you travel through my Serpent Holes to reach the islands, but then our bargain will have run it's curse... Unless you would care to make another deal."
"Oh, certainly. They've all worked out so perfectly." Vanessa said icily, finally relaxing a little. Her rainment jingled with it's silver chains and charms as she considered him. "Are you setting up shop on the islands, then? Or only ferrying us?"
"I may tarry for a spell. There are always bargains to be had amongst mortals, especially at that Bar of theirs... Besides, I can't just wave goodbye to my two favorite customers."
His mocking laughter rang throughout the silent city before they all three went into the blue hole in the ground; once they were gone, so was it, as though it had never been.
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