General cw: Demon whump, Immortal whumper, Captivity, Cannibalism, Sadistic/ creepy whumper, Environmental whump, Not much comfort
Timeline: 257-255 years before current AU time
This is the story of Niko, specifically his time held captive by archdemon Reyo.
Niko is a lesser demon that's recently fallen. He fights to survive in the underworld when he meets Reyo, an archdemon he wronged in the past. Reyo imprisions him in a liminal plane, and uses him as someone to toy with.
The prologue is optional and the end can be read at anytime after a certain part I haven't posted yet. (I'll edit this post to make more sense then)
Cw: Demons, Murder, Side character death, Knife, Near coerced murder, Cannibalism, Throat injury, Blood, Fear, Mocking, Sadistic whumper, Death threats, Hopelessness, Gore
Previous: The origin
Pay attention to the content warnings on this one for real, it’s heavy. It involves death of a side character, near coerced murder, graphic murder, cannibalism. DDDE for this maybe
If you'd like to skip it, here's a summary: Reyo graphically kills and eats another demon in front of Niko, so he’ll be afraid of him again.
Red Masterlist here
*****
Niko sat staring at the horizon, it appeared more colorful than normal. Almost breaking from it's muted gray tone.
The air was especially warm today, but there was nothing to do. It was calm without Reyo around. He hadn't bothered to show up in days. Leaving Niko confused by the fuzzy memory of him. He had helped him?
Did I.. dream it? I must have. Why would he ever show me kindness. It must just be another sick game
Reyo appeared before him, ruining his daydream. Niko was tiring of his games, he stayed seated on the ground.
"Not jumping up to greet me like usual?"
Reyo glared as thinly veiled threat. Niko jumped to his feet immediately as Reyo stalked around him.
"Not afraid of me anymore? What? Do you expect me to coddle you? You're nothing but pathetic" Reyo mocked him, tilting his head to examine Niko's defeated look.
It would be stupid to think his kindness meant anything
"Don't run off, I'll be right back." He growled as he disappeared.
Great, he seems to be in a bad mood today
Niko looked to the skyline, it was almost blue today. He missed the way the real sky looked. Missed the wind in his feathers. Missed his wings. No use mourning over that
Reyo returned, holding another demon by the upper arm. They looked annoyed but didn't fight as they were dragged after him. He didn't seem to acknowledge their existence as he analyzed Niko's glare.
As Reyo drew near, he released his hold on the stranger, turning to them with a sour look. They stood facing him, eyes averted down in shame.
What? Who's that?
Reyo took a condescending tone with the stranger as he spoke "I gave you a warning, and you still stole from me. I know you did." He got close in their face as they tried to flinch away. "Normally I wouldn't care about missing food. But, I've been having to feed my captive here, so he doesn't die." He took a step back, inhaling sharply as if to gain control of himself.
He began again, in a low growl, as he stepped back to address both of them. "I'm tired of both of you. I'm tired of starving. I'm tired of no one listening to my threats" he gave Niko the side eye at the last part.
"so, I'm going to solve it!" He exclaimed, almost cheerfully.
The stranger was shaking, as Reyo drew near again. He turned their chin up to look them in the eyes. "Awe, why are you afraid now? You never listened to my warnings before now. It would've been so easy."
He let them go with a chuckle.
"Now.." he paused, turning towards Niko.
"What's your name, angel?"
"N-Niko"
Reyo turned back to the trembling stranger. "Now, Niko here, is somewhat of a murder. Would you kill Niko to avoid punishment?"
A grin spread across his face.
"Yes- whatever you want master" their voice wavered, but the sigh of relief was obvious.
Reyo's expression was pure evil as he met Niko's shocked gaze. He spun around, almost playfully, as he distanced himself from the situation.
Is this how I die? After everything. They didn't even look at me before promising to kill me
Reyo broke out in laughter, "Did you hear that, angel? They wouldn't feel bad about killing you." He got serious as he added "I want you to keep that in mind, as you kill them."
He can't be serious. He couldn’t. The only person Niko had ever killed was Reyo. But he was immortal.
The stranger tried sprinting away, Reyo grabbed them instantly, pining their arm behind them.
"Sorry I don't feel like chasing today." he met Niko's gaze and added, "same goes for you, angel."
Niko stood silently, lost in his own racing mind. Time moved slowly as the color left his face.
He's not joking.. I can't do something like that. What will he do if I dont obey?
He looked down, trying not to focus on the struggling creature in Reyo's grip. There was a sharp noise, as Reyo broke a hand that clawed at him, and a scream further froze Niko in fear.
Reyo took a knife out of his pocket, dropping it to the floor and kicking it towards Niko.
"If you make another piss poor attempt at stabbing me, I'll kill you Niko" he threatened, before turning his attention back on the struggling demon. "You're not very good at getting away, huh?"
"Please- Reyo-" they pleaded, before Reyo put his hand over their mouth
"Oh, shut up."
He turned his attention to Niko, who was still standing stunned at the scene "oh, come on angel, too good for murder now?"
"I- can't-"
"Pick up the knife. Now." Reyo interrupted, impatiently tightening his grip on the demon in his arms.
I would never- I won't
"Now!" Reyo glared over the demon’s shoulder at him. "Or else."
Niko bent down reluctantly, to reach for the knife. He was greatful for an excuse to break eye contact with Reyo. The blade was cold in his hands, his reflection blurred in it. Anger boiled over in him.
I'm going to stab Reyo. I don't care what he does about it. I'm doomed to die anyway. Why would I ever kill someone for his entertainment?
"Good, now come here, angel." Reyo mused, his voice was calm again.
Niko took a shaky step forward, closing the distance. Reyo didn't seem to mind his slow pace drawing out the moment.
Maybe I'm just glad it's not the other way around. Eventually it will be..
He didn't want to think about the inevitable.
"Do it, Niko." Reyo threatened.
His neon orange glare burned through Niko, shattering the retaliation before it begun. The blade shook in Niko’s hand before slipping through his fingers.
I can't hurt Reyo. I can't. He's a monster. Unkillable. Things will only be worse.
The echo of the knife on the floor brought a smirk to Reyo's cold expression. "Ahh, think your refusal is a service to them? How stupid."
He tightened his grip around the stranger, his condescending words were hidden under an artificially sweet tone. "Let's show Niko what he's in for, hm?"
Reyo's cruelty surfaced again, as he laughed at their panicked struggles. seemingly unbothered as they managed to bite into his fingers. He kept his hand tightly over their mouth as color ran down his arm.
Niko wanted to run but he was too terrified. Aware of his every heart beat as he watched, completely frozen.
Reyo's claws dug into the demons cheek as he pulled their head back at an unnatural angle. Flashing a toothy grin at Niko before biting down forcefully on their exposed skin.
The stranger's eyes widened as they tried to grasp for air. Reyo's jaw was still tightly clenched around their throat as a sharp ripping motion brought blood to the stranger's mouth.
Niko watched in shocked fear. Unable to form a coherent thought. Wincing at every flinch the dying stranger made.
He's- like a rabid animal
The gruesome scene before him erased any hope he had of survival, red smothering it all, Gasping in the air as though underwater. He was drowning in powerless fear as he hid behind closed eyelids. Overflowing down his face to meet the red below.
Good question- one that I continue to ask myself as I finish these last two sections...
This whole mess started from - can you believe it?- smooch prompts. The first one I got for Billy (it was from you, actually!!) was for a kiss at a party because they missed each other. And I immediately went to the Marine Corp Ball. And it was nice. Buuuut then I said to myself “self, this is Billy Russo we’re talking about. Don’t let it get too nice.” And I was like... oh shit, I’m right. So I started thinking about how I could elaborate on this idea of Billy missing someone. I’d already decided to link two more requests to this one, so i knew it was going to be a longer piece, and I wanted it to be very different from my other Billy series (I See You) and then it hit me: in ISY I let Billy hold on to his memories. So with this, I did the opposite and that’s where I got the idea of dreams vs reality and the rest kind of came from there.
Moving on to Red, my main thought was letting Billy get revenge- another way to differentiate from ISY, where Billy’s plans for revenge gonout the window when he gets his second chance with reader. And I think it’s safe to say that he got that revenge.
With Black, the underlying thought is that at this point, we’re left with bare bones. Just Billy and Frank and all the business that should have been finished on the carousel. And that’s all I can say about that yet. 🤐
Thank you for sending this!! I’m VERY MUCH looking forward to wrapping this bad boy up, and soon.
