Cordayl stares at GORR approaching from the bushes. Bottle still in hand, Cordayl just gives him a head nod. "What's up, GORR."
"Hey Cordayl, long time no see." Noticing the gloomy look on Cordayl's face. GORR apologizes for the bad timing. "I'm sorry, it seems I caught you at a bad time."
"Very," Cordayl tells him, taking a swig from the bottle. GORR takes a seat next to him.
"You mind?" GORR ask. Cordayl hands him the bottle. GORR takes a big swig and whips his mouth. "That's smooth. You have a good taste for whiskey."
"It's not my bottle, but I'm sure he would be happy you enjoyed it."
"Would be?" GORR ask.
Cordayl knocks on Esquimo's tombstone. GORR realizes he is leaning on a tombstone and freaks out. "Ohh shit, this is a grave! You are drinking on a grave site. That is some sad and creepy shit!" GORR states, jumping up.
Cordayl ignores him and takes another swig.
"Cordayl, what has happened?" GORR ask.
"I lost a friend. A good one." Cordayl tells him. "I just recently put him to rest and decided to take a break."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Cordayl. As a man who has been alive for ages, I know the pain of losing someone close to you all too well. You would think you would be able to numb that hurt through time and other vices," Gorr takes the bottle from Cordayl, "but no. You just find ways to postpone the pain." GORR says, taking another swig himself.
The two sit in silence for a minute, just grieving their fallen friends. "Where is Prince?" Cordayl finally asks.
"That's actually why I'm here." GORR sighs, standing up.
"Prince started working with Lucy a while ago, and I haven't been able to contact him," GORR tells him.
"That creepy agent guy? How did Prince end up with him?" Cordayl ask.
"I don't know. Prince is his own man, and I trust him fully, but we haven't spoken in almost a year. I went to a few concerts to try to see him, but security would stop me every time. I know my son. Seeing how he looked and played, I know he needs help." GORR explains.
"GORR, you're damn near immortal. Just bust up in there and get the answers you need."
"I'm the God of Rock and Roll, not the god of rock and rolling heads. My combat skills aren't nearly enough for me to go busting down Lucy's front door. He may not look like it in that suit, but he is not one to take lightly. But that's also why I am here. Who else can fight a devil other than the devil? Aye, El Diablo?" GORR teases.
"Please don't call me that," Cordayl says, standing to his feet. Stretching and looking at Esquimo's resting place, Cordayl asks, "And what if Prince doesn't want to come home? What if he is happy with his decision?"
"Then so be it. But I need to hear that from him. Lucy has blocked me from even having a conversation with him." GORR sighs in frustration. "I just want to know if my son is alright. I miss him." GORR says, strumming a sad note on his guitar.
Cordayl takes a moment to think, but when GORR sees him pour the rest of the liquor bottle on his friend's grave, he knows Cordayl has decided to help him.
"Do you know where he is?" Cordayl ask.
"They just finished a 1000 city tour and are resting up at Lucy's headquarters. I'll take you to the city and let you go from there."
"Sounds like a plan. What else can you tell me about Lucy?" Cordayl asks.
"From what the stories tell, he is an entity far older than I am. A demon from hell who left because he loved the music up here so much. And he hates not getting his way. If I were you, I would try my best to avoid him. Any monster that can leave hell because he chooses to is no foe to take lightly." GORR informs him.
"I'll take that into consideration," Cordayl replies.
Cordayl rubs the tombstone. "Goodbye, Esquimo. It seems the next step of my journey is already here. I'll buy a notebook to keep you updated." Cordayl says.
Turning to GORR, he nods, saying he is ready, and the two soar off on GORR's guitar to find Prince.
Reaching a retro city, Cordayl and GORR hop off his guitar and enter a pizza joint.
"You hungry?" GORR asks. Cordayl shrugs, and GORR orders them two large pizzas and takes a seat.
"Is this place famous or something?" Cordayl ask.
"Not really," Gorr answers, sipping his beverage. "But my man on the inside told us to meet him here. Why not eat while we wait."
The inside man finally comes in to see Gorr and Cordayl finishing up their meals. The man steals a slice off of GORR's tray and, without introducing himself, asks how he has been.
"I'll be better once I know my son is alright. So what's this plan to get inside?" GORR asks, wanting to waste no more time.
"Ohh, that's easy." The insider says, now on the crust of the pizza. "Just walk in with this bag and tell them Lucy sent you." The guy says, throwing a bag on the table.
"What's in the bag?" Gorr ask.
"Drugs. Every kind and a lot of em. Lucy says it helps the artist find inspiration and lowers their need to think for themselves. Just walk in with this, and nobody will bat an eye." The insider states, reaching for a slice of Cordayl's pizza.
Cordayl grabs his arm before his fingers can touch his food, holding it while he finishes chewing. Once he has grabbed his last slice, Cordayl releases the man's arm and continues his meal.
The insider holds his wrist and smirks. "Everything in the bag is colored, so as you search for King, you'll probably run into people asking you for shit. Give them the color, take the money, and keep walking." The insider explains.
"Do you know which room he's in?" Cordayl asks, whipping his mouth.
"Impossible to tell. Every room has a different vibe to give artists different feels for whatever mood they are in. Can't predict emotion. If I had to guess, someone of King's stature would be on the higher floors. You know the superstars have this god complex and like to look down on things." The insider says.
Cordayl nods his head and stands to leave. Before he does, the insider tells him one last thing. "If things go wrong in there, which they probably will, you don't know me, and Rest In Peace. Lucy may be a conniving motherfucka, but he doesn't take kindly to thieves." The insider states.
"Aight, I'm going to the gym. Take it easy." The insider says, patting GORR on the back and leaving the bag.
Cordayl takes the bag, "I'm assuming that tall building is where I will find him. Where will I find you after I bring him out?" Cordayl asks Gorr.
"There's an old record store me and Prince used to favor a few blocks from here. He'll know the way. I'll be there whenever you get free."
"Cool," Cordayl says. Throwing his hoodie on, leaving the restaurant.
When Cordayl gets to the building, he sees two pretty receptionists at a nice front desk. They smile and ask what they can do for him, and he holds up the bag. They smile, tell him where the elevator is, and tell him to have a good day.
Cordayl proceeds, and upon reaching the elevator, he sees a big-ass security guard by the door. The guard mean mugs him, but Cordayl holds up the bag. The guard asks him what colors he has in the bag.
Cordayl unzips the bag and says green, gold, silver, and black. "Ahh, the rich drugs. Okay, I can take you up to the 50th floor, but you have to take the stairs up after that. Just keep walking if the door doesn't open after the first knock."
Cordayl nods his understanding. The guard uses a key card to activate the elevator, allowing Cordayl to go up. Cordayl hands the big guy a green bottle as a thank you.
"My man." the guard happily accepts as the door shuts.
Opening up on the 50th floor, Cordayl cooly walks down the hallway, going door to door as he searches for Prince.
Cordayl exchanges the drugs for money repeatedly, and by the time he reaches the top floor, he has to fish through a bag full of money to see what drugs he has left.
Reaching the top floor, Cordayl notices it is locked. Knocking, another guard answers, and Cordayl shows him the bag. Passing him and passing him a bottle as well, Cordayl takes in the large studio apartment with music equipment, home furniture, and women running all around it.
Girls run up to him and ask for all the colors. Cordayl obliges, but when he asks for payment, they tell him King will pay for it.
"And where is he at?" Cordayl asks.
"You don't hear him playing his guitar?" one girl asks, opening her container.
"Sorry, my ears don't seem to be working today," Cordayl says, although he doesn't hear any music.
"He should be right around that corner." The girl points for him.
"Thank you," Cordayl says, walking away.
Turning the corner, Cordayl sees Prince playing a guitar while lying on the sleeping back of an all-black lion. The lion lets out a growl, but when Cordayl stares at the beast, it submits and closes its eyes again.
"What is it beautiful?" Prince asks, not turning around. "Lucy, if that is you, come back tomorrow. I don't have anything new to play you today." Prince states.
Walking until he is in view, Cordayl smiles at Prince until his friend finally recognizes him.
"Cordayl! Ohh, aren't you a sight for high eyes! What are you doing here? Are you the plug now?" Prince asks, reaching for the bag.
"You don't need any of this crap," Cordayl states, smacking his hands away. "Good to see you, though, Prince. So you're working with Lucy now?" Cordayl ask.
"Apparently so. He asked for a parlay one day, and before you know it, I'm on the road with him, performing non-stop and partying even longer. It isn't as bad as I thought." Prince says, strumming his guitar again.
"Well, as fun as it may be, it isn't you. I didn't even notice you were playing your guitar when I walked in. Your music has lost a lot of its sound." Cordayl tells him.
"It's what the fans of today are into. As low as it is, this quality of music has them filling in by the millions to see me perform. I'm just glad I am on stage. These concerts get pretty wild." Prince chuckles.
"The prince I knew hated to see his fans rage and hurt each other during his performances," Cordayl states.
"Well, the Cordayl I knew wasn't The Diablo, but you don't see me here judging your downfall." Prince retorts.
"Touché," Cordayl responds. With silence now created, Cordayl breaks it by asking, "When was the last time you saw Gorr?"
"Probably the last time you saw him," Prince says, tuning his instrument.
"So you saw him today? No, that can't be. I've been with him all day and don't remember ever seeing you." Cordayl plays.
"Is he here!? Well, where is the lazy giant? I miss him like crazy, and he doesn't even reply to my messages." Prince says.
"That's because Lucy has been blocking him from you. He's tried to come see you at multiple shows, but Lucy always blocks him." Cordayl informs him.
"That possessive little bitch. I knew it was strange that I hadn't heard from the old man in so long. Where is he at now?" Prince ask.
"At some record store. He said it was one of your favorites, and you would know how to get there." Cordayl responds.
"Ohh, Pinky's!! I haven't been there in ages. Yeah, let's go. Just let me change real quick." Prince says.
Clapping his hands, his lion yawns, showing its all-silver teeth before getting up and taking Prince into his bedroom.
A few moments later, Prince comes out in a new fit and his old guitar. "Didn't like the other one?" Cordayl asks him.
"It was a nice instrument, but I make better music on this one," Prince says, strumming the dust off the cords.
For the first time since he's been in the room, Cordayl hears Prince's music. "I agree. Let's get out of here."
"After you." Prince smiles as they walk towards the door.
Prince feels a tug on his sleeve. Looking back, he sees his lion tugging for him to stay.
"Don't worry, beautiful. I'll be back soon." Prince says, rubbing the lion's dark mane.
Prince turns to leave again, and the lion tugs even harder, growling this time.
"Uhm Cordayl, I think someone is insisting I stay," he whispers, trying not to agitate the big ass lion.
"I think you are right," Cordayl states, as now five big-ass guards are standing between them and the exit. "You handle the kitten, and I'll handle the boys," Cordayl tells Prince.
Prince shows a nervous smirk as he is now engaged in a tug-of-war with the lion.
Cordayl stares at the five guards as they start to circle around him. He takes a deep breath and patiently waits for the first one to dive in.
Fighting these men, Cordayl feels relief, getting a chance to physically vent his pain.
Prince's shirt sleeve finally rips off, and letting out a sigh of satisfaction, it quickly turns to disdain when he hears the lion growling. Getting up, Prince runs around the apartment, dodging and swinging his guitar to avoid the clutches of the lion's grill.
Cordayl knocks out all the guards and swoops in to land a knockout gut punch on the lion right when it is about to pounce on Prince, propelling it into the marble ceilings and back onto the floor.
"I see the drugs have improved your combat skills." Cordayl teases.
"And being a wanted man has honed yours," Prince jokes.
As he approaches the exit, Cordayl turns around as he hears the guards starting to stand up.
Seeing them pop open the same elixir Abram took during their fight, Cordayl tells Prince that they should run before the drug kicks in.
Sprinting down the steps, Cordayl and Prince burst through the doors with five enraged superguards in hot pursuit.
Running for their lives, Cordayl and Prince bust through the doors of the next stairwell when they run into Lucy and a few other executives.
Lucy is shocked to see Prince with Cordayl, but the two do not stop as they jump over the railing and descend to the 50th floor fast.