>>5374106Alright, get a goddamn grip and a take a deep breath.
Step one to engaging any kind of unknown hostile is to to get a feel for what makes them tick, and how to dismantle them.
If you had taken the time to peruse your copy of the <span class="mu-i">Grimorium Verum</span>, this’d be a hell of a lot easier.
But that’s spilled milk under the bridge.
Delrio is more than happy to let you run your practiced gaze over him, looking for the signs of demonic possession or influence.
And upon further observation, you make some interesting discoveries.
For starters, Delrio’s posture is all off. For as long as you’ve known him, he’s always been a bit of a slouch in the way he’s carried himself.
But now? He’s stiff as a ramrod and has the body language of an entirely different person.
It’s almost as if he’s being pupated by something else, something with a vague approximation of how human beings are meant to move and behave, but no real experience with the mechanics of how its performed.
And the real smoking gun is trickier to find.
Carved on the right side of Delrio’s neck is some kind of twisted seal, all jagged lines and oddly-shaped crosses.
Surrounding the seal is a name, one that sends a minute shiver down your spine when you recognize its provenance.
<span class="mu-r">BELIAL</span>
Shit, you’re vaguely familiar with the name as one of the bigger demons, but you don’t have much in the way of specifics.
Definitely not a good sign though, especially since Delrio’s produced the ceremonial knife that he ostensibly used to carve the sigil.
It’s still dripping blood, which is an observation that never leads to good things.
You better open things up on the right foot, otherwise this could go places you really don’t want it to.
Good thing you popped by the vaults before heading off to do battle, if you need a demon killed; might as well use the tool crafted for it.
Hopefully, Jack hasn’t already started something critical with the Ace of Winchesters.
Might as well hit him up and make sure.
You activate your comms sigil and broadcast an emergency message.
> “Jack, I need the Ace, now! No time to explain!”