Startled for the longest, I folded my arms: How could they travel so far back? Just how much force is needed to push these children so far back in time? A better question is, how are they alive?
"A long time after, Father summoned me. And started my mission." Mephisto continued, his body slouching deep into this throne with a look of exhaustion at every point. "Mystery after Mystery I've solved until I found myself before a young Zariel." he stopped and closed his eyes, almost as if reminiscing, yet all I could feel was a sober affliction. "Tell me what you know."
"I still don't know if you are a friend or enemy." I rebutted. I could see this issue was rather important to Mephisto. But my children's safety came first.
He shrugged, opening his eyes. " As with you and Zariel. I didn't know. I could only feel you out."
Annoyed by that bullshit reply, I grimaced, unable to resist the urge to clench my fist. " You are a particular type of bastard; you know that?"
He smiled.
"Did you learn your lesson with me?"
"Excuse me?"
"You were a big part of why I died. Or did you think I wouldn't regain my memory? You give choices with the illusions of different paths when in reality, both would have led to my death. I don't want you to end up using Ves, Iza, or Crowe as you did me."
The frown over Mephistos lips deepened as he sneered. " I am who I am, Arsene. That's not going to change. And as you can see, I already have a relationship with them. Time has already revealed that. The parent's role is to guide their children to make correct decisions. Yours didn't. I hope you're the one who learned: Because nothing has changed. Because while I do regret what happened. I would do it again."
"What the bloody hell are you after?" I spat, watching as a devilish smile rose. A chill danced over my skeleton, sending shivers deep into my soul.
A hollow sensation kissed my lips, leaving me lost within an abyss for a second as I pondered Mephisto's role. For the most part, he is a mentor. Even for Zariel, most of what he did left us stronger or broadened our horizons. But the one thing none of us ever understood was 'why.' What was his end game? Why was he tormenting us? Why was he drinking with us? Why was he here?
"For you're children… I hope you give me some wiggle room, Arsene. The fundamental constant of Time can be changed, young disciple. The moment you retained your memories, time changed. Your children are plotting something. And you'll do your best to reveal it to me because I can either be their saving grace or the devil incarnate. Tell me what I want to know."
"Time…Time may change, but there are events set in stone. And with the Pale Lord at the children's side, I don't think you have as much freedom as you believe."
The devilish smirk at the corner of his lips dripped with madness as he laughed. "I planned the Fall of all the Angels. I molded the ideology of the Devils and Demons, forcing them to kill one another. I was the one who distorted the origin of sin, giving them a deep depth than most will believe. I molded the demonic principalities. Arsene… I have been planning and building both myself and my brethren for this day. I do not fear the Pale Lord or anyone stronger than her. It's through my wisdom I sought powers and relics to defeat the Father and the Abyss. To taper Lord Hellmasters reach or bend Aunty Tenebrae's to my will. Do not test my resolve!"
"You're bloody mad!"
He stormed to his feet, tainting the azure glow to a foreboding black, and approached me with a dark grimace. " I will do anything to achieve my goal. A trait of mine I hope you inherit, disciple. Because even if it means we clash, I will not hesitate to kill you."
Seriously staring at Mephisto like I had when I first gazed upon him, a sense of helplessness and rebellion stormed its way into my heart. Distorting truth from lies. I know Mephisto was serious, and never had he lied, but… He has a way of distorting the truth.
"I want a promise."
"You'll get one."
My brow creased. I knew stopping Mephisto wasn't going to happen. He was too strong and too tricky to outsmart. And I can't stop the other Fallen from messing with them. There are no good choices if I want to raise my children with my ideology. Mephisto is going to be in the mix, as are the Abyss, Angels, Demons, Devils, Fallen, and more. Once the word is out about who they belong to, hell mode is about to start for them.
"Protect them in my stead. The Fallen and Angels, you have a way of controlling them. I know you do. Keep them away from the children until they are ready."
"You take me for GOD? I cannot promise such a thing. But I can ensure they do not outright die at anyone's hand. I'll keep my brethren in check. That's all I can promise. " He rose his hands, awaiting my hand.
Hesitation sprang through my heart, but it was better than nothing, especially since the information regarding the twins was not that revealing. I shook his hand, and a bright, happy-go, lucky grin slipped over his lips. I almost thought he was going to jump in joy.
"I hate you… you know that?"
He nodded smilingly.
"The kids were the ones who planned the event. They used Gabriel as a smoke screen to deliver the messages. I thought Uriel was the one who sent him. When they appeared, they seemed to want this event to continue, but—"
"But an entire war happened. Lilith initiated a war with your 'absence' a hand. I'm sure the Abyssal Princess and Prince had a hand in it. Can you give me the memory of all that happened?"
"So you can peep at my baby girl? Hell no!"
"I'm older than most of the concepts," Mephisto snapped with a long expression. "I've zero interest in women… much less a goddamn Snow. All of you bastards got a mental issue. No sane man wants that."