Max slipped into existence in a quiet ripple of shadow, the air folding around him like a curtain being pulled aside. He reappeared on a rooftop high above Pentagram City, boots landing without a sound on cracked tar and old gravel. The Pride Ring stretched endlessly in every direction — neon veins pulsing through the city, smoke drifting lazily upward to stain the already crimson sky.
Vaggie stood at the edge of the roof, silhouetted against the glow. Her spear was strapped to her back, wings tucked tight, arms folded so hard her shoulders looked locked in place. She wasn't watching the city.
She was staring through it.
Below, the chaos of the hotel spilled into the street. Max caught a glimpse of Angel Dust physically dragging Sir Pentious down a staircase while two Egg Bois cheered like it was a sporting event. Pentious hissed something operatic. Angel hit him with a shoe. One egg saluted. The other applauded.
Max blinked slowly.
"…Yep," he murmured. "Everything's normal."
He walked toward Vaggie, footsteps soft. When he placed a hand on her shoulder, she reacted instantly — spinning halfway around, hand flying to her spear.
Her eye focused.
"Oh. It's you." The tension drained, but exhaustion stayed. Her voice wasn't sharp. It was frayed.
"What's got you staring into the void?" Max asked lightly. "You're not thinking of jumping, are ya?"
She gave a humorless breath. "No. Not my style."
The wind tugged at her hair. She looked back out over the skyline.
"I just… keep trying to help Charlie," she said quietly. "Every time we fix something, something else collapses. The hotel's falling apart financially, Heaven's moving the Extermination forward, and we still don't have proof redemption works." Her jaw tightened. "I'm supposed to protect her. That's the one thing I'm good at. And I can't even do that."
Max sat beside her on the ledge, legs dangling over Hell. Far below, sirens wailed and laughter echoed.
"Hey," he said softly. "If it were easy, the hotel would have a waiting list. You're trying to change the system. Hell hates change."
Her eye flicked downward. She noticed his hand.
"…Why did you change the rings?"
Max blinked. "Huh?"
"They don't look the same," she said, sitting beside him. "I thought they were perfect."
"Oh." He lifted his hand. "Had to mask them for the Overlord meeting. Didn't want questions."
He waved his fingers. The rings shimmered and reverted — intricate, personal, glowing faintly with their bond.
Vaggie smirked. "Good. You'd have a riot on your hands otherwise."
"Well, I enjoy living," Max replied.
Her smirk faded. Her fingers dug into the ledge hard enough to splinter stone.
"Tell me how to help her," she said suddenly. "Because I'm running out of ways. I've fought angels. I've killed for her. I'd do it again. But this?" She shook her head. "This is slow failure."
Max leaned back, watching smoke drift across the sky.
"Keep trying," he said. "Hell isn't what humans think it is. It's indulgence, not punishment. People don't change because they're afraid — they change because they want something better. Charlie's selling hope in a place addicted to despair. That's… revolutionary."
Before she could answer, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
He answered.
"Hey Loona, what's up?"
"Max," Loona said, voice shaky. "I almost made a huge mistake."
He sighed softly. "You went topside. Saw Vortex with succubi."
Silence.
"…How did you know?"
"Blitzo was ranting earlier about parking spots and horny demons. I put it together. Relax. I'm not leaving you over Veronica-level succubus magic."
Vaggie raised a brow.
Loona groaned. "How do you know everything?"
"Because you trauma-dumped into my flask after Beelzejuice," he said. "Abandonment issues, fear of needles, birthmark on your—"
"OKAY! STOP TALKING!" Loona snapped. "Just come get me. Please."
He smiled. "On my way."
She hesitated. "Also… Harvest Moon Festival. We're invited."
Max froze. "Oh shit. I mixed the dates. I'll call Stolas — need Satan's approval."
"Good," she muttered, and hung up.
Max slid the phone away and looked at Vaggie.
"You want a ride back?"
She shook her head instantly. "Loona already warned me about teleporting with you."
"One sideways teleport and I'm banned forever," he grumbled.
She stood, brushing dust from her skirt.
"…Thanks," she said quietly. "For listening."
She walked toward the door with a steadier step than before.
Max stayed on the ledge, watching the city breathe.
"Guess it's rescue time," he muttered.
Dark wings unfurled from his back, curling like smoke.
And he vanished.