Jewels.
Dolffie had ruled that all official members of his currently nameless Court, were to be referred to as Jewels.
Because what is a Crown without glamour or sparkle to be envied, but a bland husk?
The Jewels of Dolly B. Dolffie, they were to be true, genuine, pure. And they were going to make him shine, brighter than even the sun itself.
***
Atom T. Bellium, infamously known as Thrago Clan's Warrior of Nothing and Hero of No One, was a powerful and ruthless serial killer who traversed Goisha, all for the single purpose of hunting down and murdering every single member of the Angels Denied Heaven Organisation unfortunate enough to wind up in his path, garnering him the nickname:
The Devil's Left Hand.
This name forever marked him as an unrelenting force shrouded in mystery, a Kinsmen whose origins, despite being so famous, remain in the shadows, veiled by blood.
How exactly the Angels managed to capture him after so long, remains one of the Kinsmen's greatest modern mysteries.
But for Dolly B. Dolffie, it was just what he needed.
From all the way across the ocean, every bone and cell in Dolffie's body had tingled.
Atom T. Bellium.
'Mine,' He had promised.
***
Deep within the Stone Heaven, in his underground confinement, Atom T. Bellium barely flinched when his cell shook and trembled. Nor did he move or turn when he sensed the rot, shadow and death that slowly crept in from far above. He did not question or ponder, in fact, only one chain of thought rung- were chanted in his ears by it- by them:
Dolly B. Dolffie... the Prince of Mayhem.
Dolly B. Dolffie... the Father of Chaos.
Dolly B. Dolffie... the God to a Godless World.
At last, he has arrived!!!
And so, the Warrior awaited his Caller. Waited to see if this Man of Whispers deserved his answering... and loyalty.
***
The stench of rotting death filling the air was accompanied by the piercing sounds of blaring speakers and intercoms, screaming and weeping Angels, and gunshots and explosions: the Heaven was in utter chaos. Resisting the foul pong of decay, there was undoubtedly a tang of 'holy magic', - pure and clean inhuman strength, the complete opposite of Virtues, and considerably powerful for a rather young concept and system.
But of course, try as they might, the Merit users and their holy abilities were no match for the Death Walkers and their ancient Curse as they marched onward, devouring all in their path.
***
The Dolffie Court's plan and role in this grand scheme was fairly simple:
...Before the Horde finished massacring every Angel in sight or got bored and decided to redirect their attention back to them, Dolffie and Carrot had to have rescued Atom T. Bellium.
From what the duo could make out through the darkness and rumbles of the shattered Gate they lurked behind, the Stone Heaven's interior looked to be a major contrast to the exterior.
While the exterior of the prison had a more ancient and elegant feel that blended seamlessly with the forest, the interior was completely different, with towering walls of enchanted steel reenforced with enhanced stone, the place was simple yet classic and futuristic. Two hallways, one to the very left and the other on the very end to the right, with three large, now malfunctioning elevators in-between.
An estimated fifty stories up and matching fifty down, Dolffie guessed.
The Heaven housed over hundreds and thousands of 'criminals', mostly Kinsmen, in tight and compact cells. The first fifty stories above surface contained criminals in a specific order: petty criminals such as pickpockets and burglars at the very top, and spies, embezzlers, corrupt government personal and what not at the very bottom.
Whilst the remaining fifty floors below ground contained those considered to be the worst of the worst: rapists, murderers and even pirates.
The deeper one got into the prison, the fewer people there were in the cells along the floors.
The last and deepest floor had four cells, with only two of them fully occupied.
The first belonged to the Angel Killer and their target, Atom T. Bellium, whilst the second housed the Dolly Clan's notorious Leech, Baby Lee, also known as the infamous Duke of Madness and Bellium's counterpart, the Devil's Right Hand.
Each floor of the prison had a set number of Angels divided between guarding, managing and supervising the prisoners.
The possibility of there being an Arch Angel or higher ranked Angel was also quite unlikely, though they had to take the weak security into question- was it overconfidence in their deal with the Death Walkers or credible belief in their ranks?
There were many likely and unpleasant variables the duo had to consider, no matter if the odds looked to be with or against them so far.
The rescue had to go perfectly- every agonising detail mattered.
Dolffie had indeed taken Carrot's earlier concern into deep consideration; with the severity of Bellium's crimes and his undeniable strength, his security was bound to be one of the Angels' best. As for that...
'Hmm...'
Dolffie halted his thinking, his eyes going wide as he turned to face Carrot. His associate stood beside him, leisurely leaning against the rumble and appearing as though he were also lost in his own deep thoughts. It made Dolffie wonder what he was pondering... but it didn't matter… because in the end, their association was temporary. To Dolffie, he was just a convenient tool to be discarded after its work was done. A pawn and... pleasant stranger. Nothing more. They all were. Nothing... more.
"Snow," he whispered, leaning in.
Carrot flinched as he abruptly snapped from his thoughts before he turned and merely arched a brow at Dolffie in question.
"Tell me," Dolffie asked, "do you know if the cliffs the Prison is built into... are connected to a volcano?'
Carrot seemed a little taken aback by the question but nonetheless gave it some thought before answering, "I'm not sure. I'm not- I don't think anyone is well-versed in the geography of Dead Forest to honestly tell, but the odd colouring of the rocks could be considered a valid indication."
"Alright," Dolffie pondered for a moment then further questioned, "Is it possible for a structure to be built directly into the side of a dormant, maybe even somewhat active volcano?"
Carrot's eyes widened as his pupils shifted to the Prison, whose alarms continued blaring non-stop.
"I've been wondering how they've been powering such a massive structure; the forest doesn't nearly receive enough light for them to be able to fully utilize sunlight as a primary power source. So, through... some form of technology or... magic, they are using heat to power the Heaven- heat and fire from-"
"The volcano." Dolffie finished as he turned to face the cliffs.
They were so massive, so imposing and looming.
"Merits," Dolffie suddenly stated as he looked back at Carrot, "It's said to be the Angels' holy version of Virtues. That means if we have Virtue Gifts that give a Kinsman the ability to convert a simple open flame into a continuous stream of electricity, then there's a high possibility the Angels have their own man who can do the same- if not better."
Carrot's eyes shown in disbelief, "I thought Merits were just a rumour. How- how could they replicate the Virtues? A magical system that has existed for centuries."
"Because..." Dolffie remained calmed as he explained, "Let's not forget that though it's been centuries, little is actually known about the Virtues and their exact origins, and why or how we are able to wield them. Merits could be an undiscovered or forgotten branch, even an unknown counterpart of Virtues."
"I... get what you mean. So do you think a Merit user- or users- are guarding Sir Bellium," Carrot now appeared a little anxious. After all, Merits, out of all the possible variables, that was one he had least expected and considered. But the same couldn't be said for Dolffie, who coolly responded, "Highly likely. He's no ordinary Kinsmen after all."
"What shall we- you do now?" Carrot asked with unease.
It seemed Dolly B. Dolffie had agonised over every possibility and outcome of their mission, no matter how unlikely, and had devised a plan that was bound to succeed in spite of them. He remained unperturbed as he answered, "Continue. This possible discovery is unpleasant... but not unexpected. So, nothing changes."
"Do you know where you must go?" Carrot looked at him, a bit more relaxed.
"Hmm," Dolffie cracked his neck and stretched his arms, "I have an idea of where the Angels are keeping my Demon."
"Then as promised..." Carrot joined him, flexing his legs beside the rubble, "I will follow you... into Heaven."
"Thank you... Chief Advisor," Dolffie spoke as he stood straight.
Carrot chuckled and mockingly curtsied, "Of course, Mi Lord."
Dolffie smiled as he said, "The path should be clear enough now. Your beloved dead won't be distracted for long."
"Hmm." Carrot nodded.