Rise of the king

mission

Another month went by. Shea had discovered that Rin was better with two small daggers than a sword. She was still teaching him to use a sword, though. Today she was focused on hand to hand combat. He walked over nervously “Shea can I ask you a question?” “What would you like to know, my young prince?” She responded. “How do demons thank each other? Shea thought for a moment “ Understand one thing about demons, they value strength and power. The strong rule, the weak fallow. People are similar in some ways. You were born to rule, its in your blood. I have yet to see you back down from anything. You have nothing to worry about. ” "You call me a prince, but I don’t know how to be one.” Shea smiled "Demon kings don’t offer to personally teach someone without a good reason.” "Thanks Shea, you're the best.”   
Amiamon approached the two of them. "Rin, come here." He commanded. Looking over at Amaimon, Rin lost focus and Shea hit him hard on his cheek. He went down. "No fair, you cheated." Rin wined. "Never let your guard down. You should know that by now." Shea explained. "I do," Rin grumbled. "what's up Amiamon?" "Your needed in Maphistos office. There sending you on a mission." Amiamon replied.
             Rin arrived at Maphistos office. Yukio and Shura were already there. "Ah, there you are Rin." Maphisto said. "Now as I was explaining the mission is to the north near a small farming town. Five men have been reported missing in the last month. There has only been one witness. "What witness?" Yukio asked. "A seven year old girl. She says her father fell in love with a princess and monsters chased her home." Rin took in a sharp breath. "A child has been tainted?" He asked. "Why would that make a difference?" Maphisto asked. "Because humans are not meant to see demons." Rin responded. Maphisto sighed "maybe so Rin, but these things cannot be changed." Maphisto continued to talk but Rin had stopped listening. Why couldn't the taint of demons be removed? Could it be possible to make someone forget? To make everyone forget? Has anyone ever tried?
            Yukio pulled him from his thoughts. "Rin, why is it impossible for you to pay attention? This is important!" He snapped. "What Yukio?" Rin snapped back. "The order is sending two extra men on this mission. Shura and I are having our loyalty questioned. The order knows what you did for Koneko, they fear you more than ever." Maphisto added "or at least they suspect you did. Either way you should be cautious." "I thought working with Amiamon was to help me get stronger, to control my flames better. To learn more about what I am" "it is,"  Maphisto said. "You will need all your strength for what is coming." Yukio was confused "What's coming?" "War." Maphisto said seriously. "And you expect my brother to help you?" There was venom in Yukio's voice. "What war?" Shura asked. "Lucifers war. I fear without your flames Rin that humanity will fall." Rin took a deep breath "I don't want to see Assiah or Gahanna destroyed. I'm trying to come up with a third option. "Well if you do, I'd love to hear it." Maphisto answered. Two men entered Maphistos office. One was tall,blonde and had sharp features. He introduced himself "names Hayward." The other was short with dark hair. He hard facial features and his Beard was unshaven. His name was Philip. Maphisto handed Yukio a set of keys. "It's time you were on your way." With that they left to go meet up with the rest of their group, Bon, koneko and lzumo.
              They arrived at a small farm. There was a small house and an old barn. It was snowing. Everyone was cold except Rin. His flames warmed him. Yukio, Shura, and the two men were busy talking to the husband and wife who owned the farm when Rin saw a small child. She was looking nervously around a fence. "Hello, what's your name?" Rin asked. "Marie." She answered. "Are you here to help find my daddy?" Rin looked into her hopeful eyes. How do you tell a child her father most likely will never coming home. "Can you tell me what happened to your dad? Rin asked "me and daddy went to go get firewood. But it started to snow really hard. Daddy told me to stay close. "Then Why did you come home alone, what  happened? Rin said gently. "I did, I stayed close, only then we heard a woman singing. Her song was so sad. Then daddy said we have to  find her. He turned and left me." At this point the little girl looked like she would cry. Rin gave her a soft smile. "It's alright sweetheart. Just tell me what happened next." "Nobody believes me, they all think I made it up." Marie said. "I will believe you, it's my job." Rin replied. "I followed him. I didn't want to be left alone. That's when I saw her. She shined in the moonlight. Her hair was silver and her dress was white. Daddy told me he could not leave his love. She stole my daddy. He was supposed to love mom. Then snow bunny's chased me home. Rin put his hand on her cheek. He could feel the demon taint in her. He reached out with his power and burned it away. The child looked confused for a moment. Rin asked "do you remember what happened to your dad?" Marie Searched her memories. "Well it was snowing and we got separated. So I ran home." "OK, thank you little one." Rin said peacefully. It had worked. He had removed the taint of demons from her. It was possible.
               Yukio had finished talking to the Marie's parents and brought his attention back to the group "Allright everyone one we know the demon is north from here. We're going to split up in teams of two. We will be able to cover more ground that way." Rin spoke up "I know where the demon is. "How could you possibly know that?" Hayward asked "I can smell it in the wind. Feel it in my body. It feels troubled, sad even." Rin explained. "You really are learning a lot from Amiamon, aren't you." Bon commented. "In truth, my senses have been getting better for a while. It was a bit intense at first, but I've gotten used to it. Amiamon has been helping me focus on one scent at a time, understand what I am feeling" Rin explained. "And you expect us to trust you? Philip questioned. Rin was getting annoyed "Look, you can walk around in the snow all night or you can fallow me" Rin stated. "Fine, the order said you were a demon. I suppose it makes sense that you could find one." Hayward reasoned. Rin grit his teeth. "It's this way."
              The group headed north following Rin. After walking for over an hour, and dark had set in, Rin motioned them to stop. "Listen" he said. Even over the wind they could hear someone singing. It was so soft, so sad. They couldn't understand the words. They moved closer slowly. At the edge of a clearing, standing on a mound of snow, they saw a woman.  She seemed to shine in the moonlight. Her hair was silver, with small horns on her head. She wore a long white dress. It fit her perfectly. Her song filled there minds. Bon began to walk forward. "She is so beautiful" he said quietly. Rin grabbed his arm. "Stay here! It's her voice, she's enchanting you." Yukio stated. Bon fought to break free of Rins grip. Knoko, Philip, and Hayward started to move forward as well. Yukio and Izumo was the only not affected. Things were getting out of hand. Rin let go of Bon and entered the clearing.
              As Rin approached the woman she stopped singing. The men froze. Rin let a bit of his flames flicker across his skin. She saw his flames and dropped to her knees. "My prince." Philip asked "what dose it mean by prince? Rin ignored him. Why are you here?" He asked. "I was summoned by my love. I am bond to this spot. He stayed with me. But I could not warm him. He died softly. All my other loves died the same way." She motioned to the snow around her. There were five mounds of snow. Yukio had pulled his gun out. "Rin get out of the way." He demanded. "No" Rin growled. Hayward had come back to his senses. "Move demon or I'll Shoot you too." Yukio turned his gun towrds Hayward " don't threaten my brother." A wall of blue flames shot up between them. Rin turned. "Both of you put your guns away and let me do my job." They lowered their guns. The flames dissipated. "The order will here about this." Hayward Threatened. "I really don't care," rin responded. He turned back to the woman. "Stand up." Rin said. She did. "What is your name?" He asked. "Serenity."  "I will send you home, Serenity," Rin assured her. "Thank you my prince." She said gracefully. He melted the snow at her feet. Symbols had been carved into the ground. Rin pulled one of his daggers and scraped it across the symbols, breaking the circle. She faded away. Back to Gehenna where she belongs.
          Rin walked back to the group. " mission  complete, can we go home now? Rin asked Hayward looked pissed. "That demon deserved to die." Philip asked again "why did that demon call you a prince." Yukio spoke up first. He looked directly at Hayward " "the demon has been taken care, were done here." "Fine don't answer me. I'm putting all of this in my report." Philip said. Izumo finally spoke up. "You would all be dead if Rin wasn't here. You would have fallen asleep in the snow. Just like the others." Rin put a hand on her shoulder. Yukio took a deep breath. "Everyone just stop. We need to go back and tell the police we found the missing men. So let's go." No one argued. Rin hurried to Yukio. He said quietly " thank you." "For what?' Yukio asked just as quietly. "For protecting me." Rin said with a smile