Chapter Text
As the Abnormal Pack basked in the glow of their victory, a ripple of energy swept through the air. The atmosphere shifted subtly, at the arrival of none other than Mindgames King Mephisto, a prominent figure among the New 13 Crowns. His imposing presence cut through the celebratory chatter, drawing the attention of the Abnormal Pack and the beachgoers alike.
Mephisto, adorned in his casual beach attire that undermined his authority, approached the group with a discerning gaze. A smirk played on his lips as he acknowledged the Abnormal Pack for their successful battle against the Kraken.
"Well done, rookies," Mephisto commended, his voice carrying an air of amusement. "Especially you, Iruma. Your precision in targeting the Kraken's vital points was exhilarating to witness. Not bad for a young demon."
Iruma, though surprised by the unexpected praise from a member of the 13 Crowns, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Mephisto had recognized his skills in the heat of battle.
"Thank you, Mephisto," Iruma replied with a humble nod, his blue hair tousled by the sea breeze. "I owe it to my master, Supreme Bow Barbatos Bachiko, for teaching me the art of archery."
The demons surrounding the conversation, those who had been eavesdropping on the interaction, erupted into excited whispers. The mention of the Barbatos Clan, known for their mastery in various demonic arts, sparked a renewed admiration among the onlookers.
"Did you see that shot?" one demon exclaimed to another, excitement evident in their voice. "The Barbatos Clan always delivers!"
"I heard rumors that Bachiko was losing her touch, but clearly, that's not the case," another demon chimed in, their eyes wide with newfound respect. “It is not easy to become an archer, after all.”
"I know, right?!” Another demon replied to the previous one. “I've heard whispers, you know, rumors questioning the strength of Bachiko. But that young demon’s display tonight proves otherwise."
The Abnormal Pack, now surrounded by a buzz of conversation, shared proud glances with each other. Iruma, in particular, felt a deep sense of fulfillment and a surge of joy. Not only had they successfully taken down a Kraken, but his master's reputation was now being restored in the eyes of the Netherlands.
However, the sudden shift in Mephisto's demeanor sent a shiver down Iruma's spine. The celebratory atmosphere around them turned tense as Mephisto, his face now clouded with displeasure, leaned down and whispered a cryptic remark.
"Well, aren't you a bad boy," Mephisto sneered, the words dripping with a mixture of condescension and irritation. “Praising another 13 Crowns member in my territory.”
Before Iruma could comprehend the implications of his words, Mephisto, fueled by his frustration, seized Iruma and effortlessly threw him away. The air whooshed past Iruma as he sailed through the air, and the impact of the beach's water was rough and jarring. Shock resonated in Iruma's eyes as he tried to process what had just transpired. Someone had surpassed the protective barrier of Ali-kun, the enchanted item that shielded Iruma from harm. It was an unprecedented breach of the Head Alpha's invulnerability.
The Abnormal Pack bristled at the blatant attack on their Head Alpha, their protective instincts kicking in. The Abnormal Pack, their expressions ranging from anger to disbelief, closed in on Mephisto, ready to defend their friend and leader. The tension hung in the air, an invisible clash of powers weaving through the atmosphere.
Iruma, soaked and disoriented from the abrupt assault, managed to rise from the water. The shock on his face transformed into a steely resolve. Despite the unexpected turn of events, a fire burned in his eyes. No one had dared to lay a hand on him in such a manner, no one had been able to do that. Especially, since he had evolved into a demi demon. Defiance welled up within him.
Mephisto, unfazed by the brewing tension, turned his attention toward the ocean. As he raised his arms, a horde of Krakens emerged from the depths, their monstrous forms towering over the beach. The waves churned with an eerie energy, a reflection of the turmoil that unfolded on Siren Island.
The Abnormal Pack, momentarily taken aback by the appearance of the Krakens, regrouped with a shared determination. Sabro summoned his Ohma, Alice conjured flames, and the others readied their abilities, ready to face the new threat. The air crackled with tension as the Abnormal Pack faced the looming threat of the Krakens.
In the face of the impending confrontation, Iruma's gaze remained unyielding. The echoes of Mephisto's scornful remark fueled the flames of determination within him. Iruma, his resolve crystallizing into determination, stepped forward. The protective barrier of Ali-kun shimmered around him.
The tension on the beach reached a crescendo as the horde of Krakens menacingly approached, their monstrous forms casting ominous shadows on the sand. The Abnormal Pack, ready to face the impending threat, found themselves in a moment of bewildered disbelief as the Krakens were obliterated without warning.
The remnants of the sea creatures scattered across the beach, leaving the Abnormal Pack in shock. Alice-kun, ever observant, pointed out Mephisto's actions, noting that he had aimed as if preparing to shoot, yet nothing had seemingly come out. Clara, who observed the aftermath of the Krakens, exclaimed, "Something must have come out, or else those holes wouldn't be there!"
Iruma, still recovering from the surprise attack, pieced together the puzzle with a murmured revelation. "Mindgames King Mephisto... he must have an ability to manipulate our perception of reality, space, or time. Something beyond our understanding. I didn't even feel him coming after me.”
The gravity of Iruma's words hung in the air, and the Abnormal Pack turned toward their Head Alpha with a collective sense of astonishment. Not feeling an incoming threat was an unprecedented occurrence, not even Lied’s ability to take away Iruma’s senses was able to mess with his sixth sense for danger. What kind of demon was this Mephisto? No wonder, he was chosen as part of the New 13 Crowns.
Sabro, his expression stern, broke the uneasy silence. "That's a dangerous foe we're dealing with. If he can manipulate our senses and slip through our defenses undetected, we need to be on high alert."
Jazz, usually composed, couldn't conceal a flicker of concern in his eyes. "We underestimated him. We can't afford to do that again."
Iruma, regaining his composure, nodded in agreement. "We need to be cautious. Mephisto's abilities go beyond the norm, and we can't let our guard down."
As Mephisto landed gracefully before them, his mysterious smile sent a shiver down Iruma's spine. The atmosphere grew taut, and an uneasy tension lingered as the Mindgames King reveled in the aftermath of his peculiar display. Iruma couldn't shake the feeling that they were dealing with a foe whose cunning ran deep.
Meanwhile, Mephisto's enigmatic satisfaction was evident in the gleam of his eyes. He found a certain delight in the presence of Iruma, a demon whose charismatic qualities had dazzled even the esteemed members of the 13 Crowns during. Mephisto had a penchant for demons with that protagonist quality, and Iruma's impact had not gone unnoticed.
Iruma, nervously gulping under Mephisto's scrutinizing gaze, sensed the weight of the situation. The Mindgames King, a master of manipulation, didn't need to utter a single word for Iruma to realize that he had drawn the attention of a troubling, whose motives remained shrouded in mystery.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Opera, sensing the unease among the Abnormal Pack, stepped forward with gratitude. They thanked Mephisto for aiding them against the Krakens, deflecting the attention away from the lingering discomfort. Mephisto, in response, waved away the thanks with an air of nonchalance.
Before disappearing into the shadows, Mephisto leaned in close to Iruma and whispered, "Don't worry, I am your ally."
The cryptic assurance left Iruma rattled, his mind swirling with questions. Ally, for what? Did Mephisto know about Iruma being a demi demon? The uncertainty lingered even as they returned home, the enigmatic Mindgames King casting a shadow over their thoughts.
As they walked back towards the bus, the Abnormal Pack exchanged glances laden with uncertainty. Kalego, usually the voice of reason, couldn't conceal the furrow on his brow. "Be cautious," he advised, his eyes reflecting the weight of the situation. "Mephisto is not one to be taken lightly."
Iruma nodded, his thoughts still preoccupied with the cryptic words whispered in his ear. Iruma's mind buzzed with contemplation. Mephisto's words were like an unsolved puzzle, each piece raising more questions than answers. The prospect of having an ally in the Mindgames King was both intriguing and unnerving.
As the Abnormal Pack navigated the aftermath of Siren Island, one thing became abundantly clear – Mindgames King Mephisto was a force to be reckoned with. The events that unfolded that night, with echoes of Krakens and whispers of alliances, marked the beginning of a chapter in their demonic journey that held the promise of twists, turns, and the unpredictable machinations of one of the 13 Crowns.