14th Century, Kingdom of Inglis;
Somewhere in the outskirts of the capital, in a residential neighborhood where run-down huts and tile houses are present;
It was almost midnight time of the day when the capital city was experiencing heavy rainfall.
Rain leaked through the cracks in the roof of a hut. Inside, the woman didn't flinch a bit as she sat cross-legged on the cold floor, with a half-burnt candle trembling beside her. The walls of her shack were thin, and the night air seemed colder than death itself.
Her hands shook as she drew the circle. Salt, blood, ash—she didn't care what the book said in her hands, only hoping that it would work.
"Come on…" she whispered, voice hoarse. "Come to me."
The candlelight flickered—and then snuffed out.
A soft chuckle filled the room, responding to her call.
"Desperation is such a lovely scent," said a deep voice. The woman's breath caught. A tall figure materialized within the circle while smoke curled from his coat. There was a smile on his face, too perfect to be human.
"Y-you're…"
"Mephistopheles at your service, Milady," he said with a bow. "Now—what is it you desire?" He asked.
She stared at him. Her eyes were hollow but burning with something fierce. "I want out of this wretched life. I'm done begging the authorities and done starving. Can you help me?"
The demon's smile widened as he replied. "Of course, Milady. Fulfilling the wishes is my duty. But everything has a price. The greater the wish, the greater the price. You can wish for anything, from money to power. Of course, asking for immortality, having powers, and things that go against the laws of nature are forbidden. You can only ask the things that can be achieved by a human as long as they put effort and have lots of luck. Now, think deeply and ask your wish, Milady."
The woman grabbed her chin, in deep thought for a bit, before her eyes turned serious as she said. "If that's the case, then I want it all—power, gold, a crown on my head. I want to rule this kingdom."
The demon smiled even more at the wish. "That's a bold wish, Milady, and I like it." He circled her like a wolf. "Then here is your bargain: I'll make you Queen Regnant of this land. You'll bathe in luxury, dine on jewels, and no one will dare disobey your word until the moment you die."
Her lips trembled with excitement, rather than nervousness. "And the price?"
"As I have said earlier, the greater the dream," he said, staring at her with his scarlet, gleaming eyes, "the greater the debt. Your children's souls will be mine to claim as soon as they are born."
She hesitated—but only for a moment. "Fine," she whispered. "Take them. Just make me Queen."
The circle flared crimson as Mephistopheles laughed. "Your wish will be granted."
Ten Years Later;
Royal Palace of Ignlis;
Inside the Treasury, there was gold everywhere. Coins, jewels, crowns—piled high enough to drown in. The scenery looked as if the entire world's wealth was gathered in that room.
The woman, who is now the Queen, knelt in the middle of it all, trembling i rage.
"Damn you," she hissed in a voice raw "Damn you, Mephisto. You are a cheater… You gave me all the wealth and power but took away my happiness."
Her reflection in a golden goblet stared back, cracked like her crown.
Then, without hesitation, she drove a blade across her throat.
Her body slumped forward. The gold beneath her turned crimson.
Moments later, the air rippled. Two figures stepped into the chamber—Mephistopheles and Lilith.
Mephisto's boots clicked on the marble floor as he sighed. "Too late."
Lilith knelt beside the body, her pale fingers hovering over the Queen's abdomen. Then her eyes widened. "Mephisto… the baby inside her is 7 months yet. The soul has already entered her womb"
There was a brief silence.
The demon's expression shifted from cold amusement to blank. He slowly knelt beside the corpse, brushing a lock of hair from the woman's face.
"What have you done, human…" he murmured. "Not only did you break your promise, but you also committed a sin. Now these riches you acquired will only turn into misfortune for your people."
The gold around them began to dim.
700 Years Later;
Year 2025;
Blackburn City, Republic of Ilys;
The full moon hung low, round and pale like a watching eye in the sky.
And just like every full moon night, regardless of seasons, as if like a celestial phenomenon seen for centuries, heavy rainfall started pouring down in the capital city of Ilys. The roads were mostly empty save for the vehicles, where their owners were too occupied with their work to care about the rainfall.
A cab stopped by the roadside, where a tent-like Diner is seen with its neon lights flickering the name: THE M TABLE.
A short-haired young woman in an office suit was seen stepping out of a cab, carrying an umbrella overhead. Staring at the board, she adjusted her spectacles and smiled, "It's here, again..."
As the cab left, she calmly walked to the diner's entrance and opened the door with a smile. "I'm Home..." She said aloud while stepping inside.
Inside, Inside, the air smelled of coffee, smoke, and something faintly sweet—like burnt sugar and old wine. The place was small. Only three people sat inside.
At the corner booth, a man with an easy smile leaned back in his chair. He was too perfect—sharp jaw, dark eyes, hair that looked like it obeyed him. Looking at her, he waved his hand. "Hey there, Amy."
The woman smiled, "Uncle Mephisto."
Her gaze then shifted.
Across from him sat a woman with beauty so heavy it almost hurt to look at her. She stirred her tea lazily, every motion deliberate. She gave a casual glance at her and spoke in indifference. "This is not your home, Amelia."
Amelia, nevertheless, smiled, "Aunt Lilith, home is where you feel like home."
"Tch… whatever..." The beauty didn't speak much and continued to stir her tea.
Beside them, in the kitchen, a man built like a mountain was cutting cabbage, his arms thick enough to crush anything. He didn't speak to her and just waved his hand.
Amelia smiled again, "What is the special menu tonight, Uncle Goliath?"
"Chop Suey," replied the man, continuing to focus on chopping.
Amelia looked to the side and smiled.
You all might wonder who these are, and why I am here. What relation do I have to these people?
Can you believe that handsome young man sitting in the corner who acted all nice with me actually wants to kill me?
This diner isn't a regular diner as you think. This is the M Table, a special diner that appears only one night for a month, run by two demons and an immortal human warrior of medieval times.
As for their job and goal...
*chuckles*
Well... just read the story and you find out everything that's bothering in your head...
Oh, and by the way...
"Welcome to the M Table."