This time, Daniel's jovial smile turned upside down, his expression darkening with anger. He stood up from his seat, walking toward his trenchcoat to retrieve his trusty large-caliber handgun before heading to the door.
"What the f*ck do you want now?" Daniel snapped, pointing the gun at the door, expecting to see Garret.
Instead, he was greeted by the weathered face of a familiar old man with long white hair tied back in a warrior's knot, reminiscent of a Viking, and muscles hiding under that long winter coat that spoke of strength and experience.
"Whoa! That's dangerous, boy!" the old man exclaimed, stepping back in surprise at the sight of the gun pointed at him.
Envy quickly intervened, rushing to the door upon seeing the old man. She gave Daniel a reproachful look and lightly tapped his shoulder, urging him to lower his weapon. Daniel complied, feeling slightly sheepish. He hadn't expected to see a familiar face after dealing with the arrogant Garret.
"Lord Stenmark! Welcome!" Envy exclaimed, a touch of relief washing over her features as she offered an apologetic smile. Her hand instinctively reached out, landing two light taps on Daniel's shoulder, a silent reminder of his earlier trigger-happy response.
Ragnar, the weathered figure, chuckled softly. "Thank you for inviting me, Lady Envy. as per your request, I've brought Patrick along as well." He gestured towards the road where two figures emerged.
The first, a man with dark hair neatly combed beneath a worn green coat and a thick scarf, approached with a steady gait. His features, though weathered, held a hint of quiet strength and an air of quiet reliability.
Following him was a woman whose blonde hair, streaked with a rebellious splash of pink, seemed to shimmer in the winter light. Her emerald eyes sparkled with an untamed glint, a playful smile dancing on her lips that hinted at a hint of mischief. As her gaze fell upon Daniel, a slow, deliberate lick of her lips sent a shiver down his spine.
Instinctively, Daniel retreated a step, seeking the familiar comfort of Envy's side. The sudden movement drew a confused frown to her brow.
The woman's amusement bubbled over into a melodic giggle. Envy's gaze followed the sound, landing squarely on the woman with the rose-colored highlights. A sigh escaped her lips, a complex mix of apprehension and exasperation swirling in her eyes. This woman was Lust, the Witch of Lust, and she was more than just a troublemaker—she was a homewrecker.
However, despite her tendencies, Lust wasn't inherently evil. As a member of the Magic Harmony Faction, she strived for balance. The only issue was her barely controlled, lustful nature.
Lust had a penchant for enjoying herself with any man who caught her eye. Her favorite targets were often subjected to milking sessions until they dried and grew fearful and fled. Then, Lust would move on to find her next conquest. Currently, her favorite target was James, the werewolf and Daniel's subordinate.
"Tell me, Teacher Envy, is Wrath inside?" Lust inquired, her gaze flitting toward the mansion entrance.
Despite Lust often messing with her films and causing them to flop at the theater, it was Greed who provided financial assistance to help Lust emerge unscathed.
Greed's gaze flickered towards Lust, a hint of exasperation etched on her features. She exhaled a long sigh, the sound heavy with a mixture of resignation and amusement.
"Just... don't cause any trouble under my roof," she rumbled, her voice laced with a warning. "Behave yourself, and perhaps... there might be a slight increase in the support fund for your next film... come new year."
Lust's eyes practically sparkled. A wide grin stretched across her face, splitting it ear to ear. "Yes!" she practically shrieked, her excitement barely contained. In a flash, she was across the room, throwing her arms around Greed in a tight embrace.
Greed's gaze flicked towards Lust, the clingy embrace eliciting a weary sigh. Years of dealing with Lust's exuberant antics had honed Greed's tolerance to an impressive degree. Still, the overly affectionate display couldn't mask the boredom etched on her face.
Meanwhile, a mischievous glint sparkled in Sylvana's eyes as she embarked on a solo expedition in the kitchen. Her loyal companion, Mammon the iguana, perched regally on her head, adding to the air of adventure.
A whimper drew her attention to the back door. A scruffy dog lay sprawled there, its white fur a canvas of dust and mud. Scars and nicks spoke of a long journey. While not purebred, the dog's mismatched features – a splotch of black fur adorning its right eye – held a certain charm for Sylvana. Unlike others who might judge by pedigree, her love for animals transcended such superficialities.
Sylvana's loyal companion, Mammon the iguana, uncharacteristically hopped off her head, its emerald eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity.
With surprising agility, it darted towards the sleeping dog, its claws scrabbling briefly on the animal's back before it shot off like a green blur. Moments later, Mammon found itself perched on Daniel's shoulder, its forked tongue whispering urgently in his ear.
"There's something you need to see in the backyard," Mammon hissed, its voice barely audible. "A dog... one that you might be familiar with."
A hint of unease flickered across Daniel's face. Without a word, he excused himself from the ongoing conversation and made his way towards the back door, his steps quickening with each passing moment.
Reaching the backyard, his gaze fell upon the dog. A strange sense of familiarity washed over him as he studied the animal. His eyes narrowed, a sharp glint replacing their usual warmth.
Focusing his mind into the mindscape, Daniel delved into the creature's essence. A flicker of recognition sent a jolt through him. Nestled within the dog's body, a faint red ember pulsed with a malevolent energy, a dying ember that threatened to extinguish altogether.
The dog... was a vessel holding Satan's weakened soul.