Phantom's Performance

Chapter 12

Y/n's Pov

The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on my mind as I ascended to Heaven. The fight had been brutal, but we had appeared victorious. Now, I needed a moment of peace, a reprieve from the chaos. Carefully, I navigated the radiant streets of Heaven, avoiding Lute and any other high-ranking angels who might recognize me. My destination was clear: Maria's place, a sanctuary within this celestial realm.

As I approached Maria's humble abode, a sense of calm washed over me. The door opened before I could knock, and there she stood, her warm smile welcoming me in.

"Y/n, my dear! It's been too long," Maria said, pulling me into a comforting embrace.

I hugged her back tightly, feeling the weight of the recent events start to lift. "Maria, I needed to see you," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly.

"Come in, come in. Let's talk inside," she said, leading me into her cozy home. The familiar scent of jambalaya filled the air, instantly making me feel at ease.

As we sat down at the kitchen table, I began to recount everything that had happened. The battle, the deal with Lute, the weight of my responsibilities—it all spilled out. Maria listened patiently, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion.

"Y/n, you've been through so much," she said softly, placing a reassuring hand on mine. "But you're strong, just like your father."

I nodded, grateful for her support. "I just... I needed to see you. To feel like everything is going to be okay."

Maria smiled warmly. "And it will be, my dear. Let's eat first, and then we can talk more."

She served us both bowls of her delicious jambalaya, the rich flavors providing much-needed comfort. As we ate, I felt a sense of normalcy return, the familiar routine grounding me.

After we finished, Maria looked at me thoughtfully. "You know, Y/n, you remind me of my son. It's been a while since I've seen him, and I miss him dearly."

Her words caught my attention. "Your son? Who is he? Maybe I could work something out for you."

Maria's eyes glistened with emotion as she smiled. "His name is Alastor."

I blinked in surprise. "I've searched all over Heaven, but he isn't here."

Confusion swirled within me. Alastor was in Hell, a powerful and feared overlord. Yet here was his mother, speaking of him with such love and longing. "Maria, if there's anything I can do to help, I will."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a super red hair tie, her hands gentle as she stepped closer. "Wear this, Y/n," she said, taking a deep breath. "He will know, or eventually know."

Before I could protest, Maria gathered my hair and deftly tied it up into a neat ponytail with a hair-tie. "There," she said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Now, if you see him, he'll recognize it."

I touched the ponytail, feeling the weight of the hair-tie and its significance. "I promise, Maria. I'll make sure he knows."

Maria's smile was filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Y/n. You're a blessing."

We spent the rest of the time together talking and reminiscing, the bond between us strengthening. As I prepared to leave, Maria hugged me tightly once more.

"Take care, my dear. And remember, you're never alone."

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Maria. For everything."

As I made my way back to Hell, I couldn't help but think about Alastor. I didn't know if Maria would be okay hearing what her son had become, and I wasn't sure how Alastor would react either. It wasn't my place to say anything about it. The hair tie in my hair felt like a heavy reminder of the complicated task ahead.

With the hair tie securely in place, I felt a strange mix of emotions. The warmth of Maria's home and the comfort of her presence made me hesitate about leaving. For the moment, I wasn't ready to return to the chaos of Hell.

Maria, sensing my hesitation, poured us both another cup of tea and motioned for me to sit back down. "Let's not rush things. We have time," she said gently, her eyes filled with understanding.

I took a seat at the table, feeling the need to savor this rare moment of peace. "Maria, how have you been holding up here in Heaven?"

Maria settled into her chair; her expression thoughtful. "It's been quiet. The halls of Heaven can be quite lonely without Alastor. I keep myself busy, but there's a part of me that always feels incomplete without him."

I nodded, understanding her sentiment. "I can imagine. It must be hard not knowing where he is."

"It is," she admitted, her gaze distant. "I know he's out there somewhere, but the search has been long and fruitless. I just hope he's well."

There was a pause, and I took a deep breath. "Maria, I've been through a lot lately. The battle in Hell, the deal with Lute... it's been overwhelming. But talking to you has been a comfort."

Maria reached across the table and took my hand in hers. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Y/n. I see a lot of resilience in you, and that's something to be proud of. Sometimes, even in the darkest of times, we need to hold on to hope and each other."

I squeezed her hand, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you, Maria. Your words mean more to me than you know. It's just... everything feels so complicated right now."

She nodded sympathetically. "Life often is complicated, my dear. But facing those complexities with courage and a kind heart is what truly matters. You have a good heart, Y/n. Don't lose sight of that."

We spent the next hour talking, and sharing stories and memories. Maria spoke of her past, of her life before Heaven, and her hopes for the future. I found solace in her stories and the gentle way she spoke, and I shared some of my own experiences, finding comfort in her empathetic ear.

At one point, Maria excused herself to check on something in the kitchen. As I sat alone, I couldn't help but think about Alastor and the complexities of our intertwined lives. I wasn't sure how to bridge the gap between the worlds we inhabited or how to approach Alastor with the knowledge of his mother's longing for him. It felt like a delicate situation, one that needed careful handling.

When Maria returned, she brought with her a tray of fresh pastries, the scent filling the room. "I thought you might enjoy these," she said with a smile. "A little treat to brighten your day."

I took a pastry and smiled at her. "You're too kind, Maria. This means a lot."

We continued to talk, the conversation drifting from light-hearted topics to deeper reflections. Maria's presence was a balm for my weary soul, and I was grateful for this unexpected reprieve.

As the evening wore on, I began to feel a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time. The troubles of Hell seemed a little less daunting in the comforting company of Maria. Her kindness and wisdom were a reminder that, despite the chaos, there was always a place for compassion and understanding.

When it was finally time to leave, Maria walked me to the door. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, Y/n. And remember, you're not alone in this."

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I promise, Maria. Thank you for everything. I'll do my best to find Alastor and let him know about you." But I knew where to go. The only thing was timing. He doesn't know me that well. Why would he believe anything out of my mouth?

Maria embraced me one last time, her warmth and affection a comforting embrace. "Safe travels, my dear. And remember, even when things seem darkest, there's always a light."

With a final farewell, I stepped out of Maria's home, carrying her words and the red hair tie with me. The path ahead was still uncertain, but I knew I had the strength to face it. As I made my way back to Hell, I felt a renewed sense of hope and determination, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited me.