SHADOW 𖤐 PHANTOM GHOUL

𝔓𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔬𝔪 𖤐 𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢

Midnight rituals were a favorite amongst the congregation for a multitude of reasons. There was always a different ambiance when the ghouls came on stage. Almost as it created a wave of sexual tension within the ministry. Most of the congregation spent a lot of their time afterwards fucking someone in favor of Lucifer. Mina on the other hand spent time curled up in the library where it was quiet. 

There was a buzz of excitement inside the chapel that evening, more so than usual. Once news broke that there would be a new ghoul, most of the congregation were at the edge of their seats. There was always a few siblings that made it their personal goals to fuck a freshly summoned ghoul first. It was like having a shiny new toy that everyone wanted to play with. 

Mina was fortunate enough to have a front seat to the rituals due to her position in the church. Being someone that assisted Sister Imperator or Papa had its perks sometimes. Usually Papa would always begin with a speech praising Lucifer before the ghouls would join him on the stage. 

Dew sent a pointed glare at Mina once taking his usual spot on the right side. Mina rolled her eyes realizing that he didn't agree with her taking a seat on the opposite side of the stage. But his usual 'fanbase' had gathered on that side before Mina had a chance to snag a spot. Mina could feel the unfamiliar set of eyes staring disrupting her attention from Papa. 

Mina felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach as their eyes meet, his seeming to memorize every inch of her body. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, the warmth wrapping around her figure tightly. A rush of excitement fell over the congregation as the familiar tune of Cirice began. Dew's little fanbase leaning forward in their seats memorized by him per usual. Mina attempted to look anywhere but the new ghoul but it seemed impossible to escape. Everywhere she looked, he seemed to follow to capture her attention. His head tilting to the side in curiousity whilst edging towards the stage trying to sway her back to looking at him. 

It caused the hair on the back of her arms to raise as the shiver ran down her spine. He was definitely studying every move that she made. The way she nervously wrung her hands when she wasn't sure where to look to the way her eyes shined with excitement when Papa sang. He was really enjoying how fast her heart beat was when she did look at him. 

And when he got closer to the end of the stage leaning over, she couldn't help but edge closer wanting to reach out just like Dew's little fanbase. The blush on her cheeks getting darker making him smirk, it was obvious that he had some effect on her that she didn't quite understand yet. Mina hadn't realized how much time had passed until a pick bounced off her forehead. 

"What was that for?" Mina pouted rubbing the spot the pick hit. Dew stood in front of her arms crossed blocking the now agitated new ghoul. Most of the congregation slowly trickling out of the chapel, some sticking around to thank Papa or make their attempts in wooing a ghoul into bed. 

"You weren't paying attention to me." Dew hissed. Sure he loved the attention that the siblings gave him. But there was something nice about hearing praises from someone who didn't just want to fuck him. It was more genuine hearing it from Mina plus she always gave him a tough time which he 'secretly' loved to banter. 

"And the obnoxious fan club wasn't enough for you?" Mina patted him on the shoulder, something he often times despised. Which showed in how he angrily stomped whilst flicking her off in the process. Mina's laughter quickly dying out once knowing that Papa was waving her over. 

The chapel mostly empty other than the lingering ghouls on the stage and clergy members collecting their belongings. Mina strolled over to where Papa stood bowing slightly when reaching him. It wasn't unlike him not to converse with her after rituals to go over something that he could use help with. Then Mina could run off to the library in hopes of hiding from the congregations nighttime activities. 

"You never cease to amaze me, Papa." Mina complimented him, her smile genuine as he patted her hand in greeting. He seemed a tad nervous which was surprising after such a flawless performance per usual. 

"You're always too kind, sister. I hope you are feeling well?" Papa had been quite concerned since the summoning ritual. Dew didn't exactly give the best of updates considering he was for a lack of better terms pissed off. It wasn't easy to reassure Dew because he simply refused to listen. 

"Good as new, Papa. Thank you for your concern, was there something you needed assistance for tonight?" Mina could feel herself growing nervous with every step the new ghoul was taking towards them. She knew it was her job to assist the new ghouls but there was something about this one that was very different. 

"Oh yes! As you know, we have a ghoul in need of your wonderful assistance!" Papa turned on his heels to gesture to him to come forward. "Don't worry, she doesn't bite!" His nervous laughter causing her to raise an eyebrow. It seemed like everyone was sort of on edge about this meeting other than Dew, he didn't seem bothered at all. 

"But he does if you want him too, Mina." Dew joked. Her hand instantly hitting his chest for him to quit it. Something that seemed to become an instinct to her around him, he definitely deserved it ninety percent of the time. 

"Always the joker. It's lovely to meet you, I'm Mina. I'll be assisting you in your new role." Mina narrowed her eyes at Dew before reaching her hand out in greeting. His eyes drifting down to her hand, the faint scar of the cut still evident from the ritual. 

"And I don't believe they've given you a name yet, is that correct?" Mina tried keeping her composure as his hand met hers. The warmth spreading like wild fire throughout her body, the blood in her veins tingling. He leaned forward to capture familiarize himself with her scent, one that he knew he wouldn't forget. 

"He was waiting for you to name him." Dew remarked. They had all tried to suggest names for the ghoul but he disregarded them. He had been pretty adamant that he wanted his summoner to name him. 

"Oh are you sure?" Mina was taken quite back by the request. Every ghoul had chosen their name or it was given to them through the congregation. 

"I chose you." His voice seemed so familiar. It reminded her of the frequent dreams she'd been plagued with lately. Her cheeks flushing a bright red causing Dew to snicker, if she could see him maskless she just knew he'd be giving her a 'told you so' look. Mina felt like the ghoul meant a lot more than just him choosing for her to name him. And if she thought she was nervous before, it grew tenfold. 

"Phantom." Mina didn't know why the name rolled right off her tongue but it fit. His presence fitting the phantom that was haunting her dreams as of late. She could've sworn she heard the soft purr coming from him as he drew closer. Her heart pounding in her chest as his hand held her cheek gently. 

"Et in aeternum tenebimur." Phantom whispered as the candles flames in the chapel fluttered. Dew rarely felt nervous since his summoning but in that moment, he could feel it. He wasn't sure if maybe it was a protectiveness for Mina or something else was gnawing at him. But whatever it was, Dew would ignore it because who was he to come between his friend finally getting some attention from someone? He wasn't gonna be that douchebag.  

et in aeternum tenebimur. - And we will be bound for eternity.

I apologize for the delay in getting the chapter done! I was feeling very sick this week so I'm hoping this weekend I can get some out! Thank you as well for reading still! :)