Masks (A Mephisto Pheles/ Rin Okumura x female reader)

Chapter 23 (Disorder)

In a darkly lit room, a man with vibrant blonde hair laid asleep attached to many iv's and respirators. The machines beeped and buzzed loud enough to awake someone in a deep slumber but the man didn't seem to be even roused. These familiar sounds were almost soothing to the blonde. They were like the sound of ocean waves beating against a sandy beach. It was more of a sleep aide.

The mans chest rose and fell gently as he slept. His face wore a relaxed and peaceful expression. He could finally wind down from the stresses of the day. However, that wouldn't remain the case for long.

Deep in the mans dream of an endless void of peaceful darkness came a sound. It was a sound he hadn't heard in what seemed like eons. Out from the darkness came the beating of a nephilim heart. One who's power couldn't be ignored. It's power surged stronger with every pounding. Such an impressive new power seemed almost familiar to the man. It reminded him of the first time he heard his brother's heart beat.

That was when his realization struck.

Gasping from his dream, the man rose in a sweat. The stresses and anxieties rushed back all at once to his tired body. It was clear a new power had come into being. It was a half human with unimaginable strength. The man could feel it pulsing through the air and through his demon soul. Balling his fists, the blonde knew the cause.

Surely it was his brothers doing. Once again, Samael was scheming against him. He could only helplessly wonder what it was going to be this time. Was he attempting to make more soldiers to fight for him? Perhaps he thought he had already won their war? Either way, Lucifer could only question one thing now and that was why his brother tried so desperately to defy him. He didn't see why this world was worth fighting for.

One thing was for certain. It was time for another meeting between his brothers.

     —————————————————

Deep in the barracks of the Vatican's prison cells, exorcists scrambled to rebuild and repair damaged seals. Each seal and even prison cells were left in shambles. It was clear this was from the work of a demon but such carnage was uncommon. The True Cross Knights had no choice but to call in the big guns. What remained of the famous Todo family was called in to aide in the repairs. The Todo family were experts of barriers and seals and renowned among their fellow exorcists. They had taken the job, not questioning the authority of their superiors. However, today was different.

The family had rarely seen such precise and destructive carnage from a demon before. Some seals were pried apart from the inside out with such a precision that it was almost surgical. Other smaller barriers were simply disintegrated into ashes. The eldest of the family, Waro, stood in awe as he studied the carnage.

He had seen many broken barriers and seals before but this mess was something he had only seen one other time in his waking days.

"What the hell were they keeping here?" He muttered to himself as he begun his work. Demons always seemed to keep him on his toes. As Waro began to repair the broken seal before him, a set of footsteps snapped him from his concentration. Someone was practically running through the hallways. He thought for a second it might be one of his dull minded brothers but he was wrong. Waro had to double take at what he saw. Arthur Auguste Angel, the Paladin, seemed to be running at full speed down the hallway.

"Sir!" He saluted, immediately bowing before his superior. Angel looked to be frazzled as he came into view.

"What happened here, Todo?!" He barked. Waro didn't hesitate with his answer. This was the first time he had met the Paladin in person. He wanted to make a good impression.

"I was told there was an accident with one of the demons held here. We were told that they escaped and we are here to repair the barriers while the recovery team is aiding the wounded, sir." Waro told him. Angel ran his hands through his hair, pacing back and fourth. He didn't know what to do. His day has turned into utter chaos.

Arthur had been thrown in a panic, running from person to person for answers. He would never finding any. He seemed to be the only one who remembered Mephisto's trial. Everyone seemed to have the same 'story', all different from what he recalled. A demon escaped from the barracks and made a mess of things. Nearby exorcists were scrambling to clean it up.

Angel could only focus his mind on the pregnant mystery girl he had apprehended only hours ago. It was like she never was apprehended. It was like she didn't even exist. The Paladin also found himself stuck replaying the demon kings malicious attack in his head. His demonic face and vicious words were etched into his memory. Somehow, no one but him remembered the terrifying encounter. He only knew one thing.

This confusion and disorder among his fellow exorcist had to be Mephisto's doing.

"Damn it!" Arthur shouted, running past Waro. He didn't bother to say goodbye. Time was of the essence. Something was going on and if it involved the demon he knew it was bad. It infuriated him that he was the only one that remembered anything at all. It left him alone in this fight. Even his second in command, Lewin Light, could only laugh and ask if he was feeling alright.

Angel raced down the hallway towards the cell where y/n was held. The clicking of his shoes rang through the large halls. He held onto one last hope that maybe she was still there. Maybe the king was still searching the vast holding cells of the Vatican. That way he could prove his story was true. As he reached the door of the safe, he froze where he stood. He found the door was left wide open and y/n was gone. The exorcists he ordered guard the cell were left unconscious on the ground. His proof was gone without a trace.

"No!" He shouted in frustration. He was to late. He didn't know what to do. He was never one for creating plans. He left that to Lewin. Not having his right hand to help him, he felt lost. He was alone in this. All he knew was that he couldn't let Mephisto get away with his scheme. Not now and not ever.

Moaning in pain, one of the guards roused from their sleep. "What happened?" He mumbled out loud. Arthur rushed to his side. He only prayed that he'd have some kind of answers and proof.

"Are you ok?" He asked. The man nodded, still in a tired haze. Arthur noticed he had what appeared to be a grey hue over some parts of his eyes. He had never seen such a thing before. It left him shaken but he had to keep his composure.

"Do you remember what happened here?" He asked, hopeful. His coworker began to nod off, commenting about how he was sleepy. His head began to hang lifelessly to the side and his eyes began to close. Arthur scrambled to keep his head upright. He needed him awake.

"Stay with me! Do you remember what happened here?" He asked again. The man looked at him now wearing a confused expression on his face. Then his face lit up as if he recalled something important.

"I remember something! I think......." He began. Arthur listened intently. "I think there was a man. W-With weird purple hair. I think he was carrying a girl? No, that must have been a dream I had. We were holding.......... a demon in .....here. Not a ........girl........" The exorcist finished before passing out once again. Arthur knew it was no dream and he knew what he had to do next.

He had to find Mephisto.