Chapter Text
Cold winter nights were their least favorite.
Since moving here, finding an empty warehouse for hiding wasn't terribly hard, however, those places were far from comfortable.
The walls cracked, isolation non-existent and roof patchy at best.
It wouldn't have mattered if not for the freezing cold outside. They just got unlucky enough to have a harsh winter this year.
Xornoth was used to this weather, they grew up in the mountains till they were twelve. They're very well adapted to this meek cold.
Joey on the other hand…
“Why does it have to be so cold!”
He… lets just say wasn't made for this weather.
Their companion was covered in five different blankets (all stolen of course) dressed in a pullover and jacket next to a fire rune and was still freezing somehow.
“This is the best I can do right now.”
Anything more would just be lighting a forest on fire or something, but they were in the middle of a city. Lighting buildings on fire was an option but Xornoth didn't feel like they had the energy for that.
“I knooooow, but can you at least give me a cuddle? It always makes me feel better!”
Of course this was all a thinly veiled attempt at a cuddle request but Xornoth didn't object. They just moved closer and hugged their partner.
“Much better.” Joey purred, wrapping his tail around Xornoth.
Though they love their partner very much, their mind was anywhere but here.
They kept thinking about The Winter King.
The hero, though not acknowledged legally as such, but as far as they're concerned, was a mystery and they were desperate to figure it out. They tried collecting information on him after their first encounter to no avail.
What they know is far too little to come to any conclusion.
“Well, first of all, though he's known by us as the Winter King, his official title is Gatekeep. I don't have much info but as it stands he probably got his name from his ability to lock exits.”
Was it information? Sure. Was it particularly useful? Not at all. And they had to pay for this, on a discount but still.
“I think he's the least likely to kill? My friend got into a fight with him one time and they said he always tries to avoid causing heavy injury.”
Well considering their last encounter they're not sure if this was even true. He didn't exactly fight safe in Xornoth's opinion. They were lucky they weren't seriously injured.
“He never works alone, he's always with a team even if he's not next to them.”
Again, not the most trustable statement. From the current information they have, he definitely work behind his colleagues' backs, though they're not sure to what extent.
“He's a deer hybrid who started his operations with the Gs at conception. He has ice powers and uses it to block doors and windows, making it harder to escape.”
Well not only was this intel redundant but also incorrect. He definitely had other powers than ice too but he heavily leaned towards not using them. This also leaves out that he's an elf.
A piece of information that was really why they wanted intel about him in the first place.
This guy knew them. How? Well, they're not sure. Considering he is a deer elf hybrid their best guess is that they used to live in the same mountain and that is not a good thing.
The last thing Xornoth did there was kill almost everyone so if he does know them from there he definitely has a grudge against them.
Sure, that might be contradictory with the fact that he didn't just straight up kill Xornoth upon encounter but that doesn't mean he wasn't planning to.
“He said to say hi to you?” Joey said with a confused tone.
“He did what now?” Xornoth looked slightly baffled. They must have missed hearing something…
“He said he knows you, do you know him?” Joey said, looking at them.
They don't. And that's the problem. They don't know him. But he knows them.
All they could do to try figuring out who he was is to eliminate who he wasn't.
First of all, definitely nobody from that awful correction facility. They knew everyone there and currently all of them were dead and if they weren't, it wouldn't have taken them so long to recognize Xornoth. That's another variable that they need to account for. Whoever this is… it took him a while to recognize them. People who survived the fire and managed to escape would be more adept at reading faces covered in glamour, you needed to be if you wanted to survive.
They don't even want to think about who it could be from the mountain. They made as many enemies there as snowflakes in the winter so the list was endless.
From grieving families to victims of the fire, he could be anyone. Heck, it also could be someone they had bullied in school, but how would they know? They fought every other kid there.
“You are thinking very hard again.” Joey purred leaning more into the hug than before.
“I'm just thinking where I would know that hero from.” They say brushing Joey's hair with their hands. “You don't need to worry your pretty head over it.”
“Why don't you ask one of those underground guys? Like who was it… uhm- the Goblin King, I think? He kinda started this thing anyway.” Joey leaned into the pat.
“I asked. All I got is vague info on him I already knew. Also, don't lie to me darling, I'm pretty sure we started this chase.” Xornoth chuckled.
“He ain't chasing you though. Didn't follow me or anything either… Are you sure you didn't have any friends that fit the description?”
“I didn't have any friends.” Xornoth stated with a blank expression.
“I don't believe you.” Joey reached out with one hand towards Xornoth's face.
“Joey, I literally beat up half of my class at least.“ Xornoth gently stopped Joey's hand and gave him a forehead kiss. “But really, I'll handle it, kitten.”
Ding
(Unknown number)
-U the guy who's looking for info on the Winter guy?
-U might want to come around tonight, I ain't telling from where but heard some big guy is coming.
Keep your eyes on the floor.
“I'll pay a pretty penny for that.”
The underground tunnels weren't unfamiliar grounds for them.
“Money first or I ain't taking no deal with a hostile hybrid.”
They walked through here many times before.
“Hey kid, you're that buck I've been hearing ‘bout?”
Don't interact.
“Don't bother him, ain't worth your trouble. He's a mountain goat at best.”
Keep walking.
“Is it true that the demon is back in business?”
Don't get involved.
“He hadn't been seen since the rise of vigilantes. I always thought he ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Don't draw attention to yourself.
“Hey, Xor was it?”
A hand landed on their shoulder making them flinch and burn it to get it off.
“Auch! That's no way to treat a partner now is it!” The Goblin King said with a smile.
“You texted me to come.” Stay neutral.
“Was it obvious? I knew I should have made it more vague…” The small man made a guilty expression.
“Nobody else has my number.” Xornoth stated. It was a burner phone, not that they had any other but that's besides the case. Only business partners and Joey had access to it and Xornoth hasn't really gone around taking up any commissions other than that one for Joey.
“How do you know I didn't give it to someone? You know heros tend to give big bucks for villain identities.” The little man grinned to a blank faced Xornoth.
Xornoth wasn't really sure or interested what hybrid he was. They never heard of goblins as a hybrid race but it's not like they're the most educated person around. The Temple mainly taught about Aoer and shit, not actually useful stuff. He did have a huge ear on one side and the other it looked like they used to have one similar but a giant scar covered it.
He was also wearing a green mask furthering his association with goblins but if Xornoth had to guess he would say he's more of a goat mix. The scars on his forehead that were mostly hidden but just barely visible when he moves, were eerily similar to those who had their horns removed. Just thinking about that made them sick to the stomach. They doubt goblins would have that otherwise he surely made some fake replicas. He's just that type of guy.
“What is with this ‘big guy’ anyway.” they asked, trying to move forward the conversation and get their mind off of going down memory lane.
“Oldtimer here. Haven't met him in person myself but word around here is, he's out of this world.” The goblin grinned and held a hand as to signify he was telling secret information.
“By that you mean?”
“The ‘demon’ they call him. He knows every little secret you would want to hide. They say he gets them straight from the Underworld. Rumor has it that he takes odd jobs occasionally down there still but hasn't appeared in years.” The little man said with awe in his voice, he clearly looked up to this guy. Seemed like a real big shot. They doubted any connections to the Underworld but a guy who knows stuff will come handy no matter what.
Maybe if he really is from there, they could ask them about Exor.
“And tonight he just happened to show up?” It was their first time hearing about them. They're half worried about the scummy business man before them just making up the whole story and using it to get their strings detached.
“If you want info on that deer, this is your chance. Though he accepts payment in favors not gold.” The goblin played with a coin as he said it, quite fond of a performance.
“And how much do I owe you for this info.” The question that was inevitable. Xornoth was surprised they even got the chance to ask it before the little guy butted in with their debt.
“Consider it a favor, will you? Two good friends helping each other out.” The goblin winked at them, making the coin disappear from his hand.
“That implies you get something out of this.” Nothing ever comes for free.
“Maybe I do, maybe I don't, what's it to you? Unless you are willing to spare a few gold coins on little old me I'm not telling.” He grinned.
“Forget it. I'll just find this guy on my own.” This clearly won't get them anywhere if they continue.
“Ha, you're funny. You don't even know how he looks.” The goblin grinned like a true business man.
“Well neither do you and I don't need to give you gold to know that.” Xornoth rebutted. As much as he would have wanted to hide it, it was clear. The goblin already told him everything he knew.
They will admit it took them at least half an hour before finding who they were looking for.
He was a big muscular guy, the type you think is hard to miss but blends in perfectly. He had two small horns on his head and wore a simple black shirt, he wasn't flashy and didn't have anything to make him stand out. But Xornoth is sure he's the one. Their suspicions only grew when the guy after noticing Xornoth's gaze, invited them over with a hand gesture. Which is just absurd really… This is the underground. Best conclusion is that either this guy is incredibly dumb or thinks he could take Xornoth on and honestly both would make him stupid.
“You're the Demon.” They walked up to him with a clear voice. Better not to show fear. The guy was slightly taller and definitely in a better shape than them but they gotta make it seem like equal ground.
“Haven't heard that name in a while.” He replied with a smile. Looks like they were right on the money. “And you're that deer looking for information on one of the Gs, aren't you?”
“I might or might not be, what's in it for you?” Xornoth asked, they really wanted to delve into how did this guy know but honestly they were asking around enough that it's not that surprising.
“I just so happened to be looking for a deer hybrid and I have the best intels in this market about them.” The guy smiled, not the con man smile of the goblin but a different smile that sent shivers down their back.
“What’re you selling it for?” Just stay confident in questions.
“Just a tiny little favor.” The smile unnerved Xornoth but this is too great of an opportunity to miss.
“What kind?” They asked, keeping their voice steady and calm.
“My friend is looking for a deer hybrid criminal by the name of Xornoth, I haven't been around for a while so I need someone whom I can use for communication.” The guy explained with hand gestures and movements. “Are you up for it?” He reached out a hand, possibly to shake on it.
This guy was looking for them.
“Is this an assassination?” They quickly asked, do they need to stage their own death?
“Straight forward you are. I simply need to communicate with them, no harm.” The smile didn't even falter for a second.
“What’s the pay?” They could pretend to be messager they suppose, not the weirdest thing they could do.
“Information, personal information on the Winter King.”
Personal information.
This was a high level job.
“Is the payment upfront?” If not, what do they need to do before they can get it?
“I have ways to find you if you don't deliver.” A clear warning but a yes.
Oh, it's on.
“I'll take the job but I won't be able to set up an in-person meeting. I can deliver letters or messages.” They stated, trying to keep their face blank. This was victory of the highest level if he takes the deal.
“That's wonderful!” His grin grew wider. “I have a burner phone that if you could pass on to them would be enough.”
“So what's the info?” Xornoth asked.
“Xornoth is the Winter King's brother.”
…
Fuck.