Monarch of Darkness, Arsene



Kicking up my feet within the palanquin alongside Lilith carried by a few Faceless, sighs of relief resounded from Lilith and me. As if all the tensions within our bodies were being melted away, we slouched into our seats, unable to even think.

"This is life. If you weren't pregnant, I'd offer you some wine." I told her, finding myself too weak to keep my eyes open. And yet my arcane senses remained at their peak.

Lilith snickered mischievously and leaned her head over my shoulder, her silvery hair raining over my chest as she spoke out: "I'm hella tired. I haven't had a decent rest in god knows how long."

Peeping my eyes to meet those dazzling amethyst that carried flecks of something sinister within her pupils, I felt something within me still as our gaze met.

"I see you've discovered something new." She continued. "Tell me about it."

Reminiscent of the past, I slowly began to explain all that occurred after the battle over the Mutated Chaos Dew, making sure to leave everything about Altair out of the conversation. It would definitely be an issue if Lilith were to find out about him.

And in turn, she told me all she did over the few cycles that had passed. She told me of the Seven Duchies of the Abyss, the power structure and trade between the Myriad Heavens and the Abyss: Apparently, many renowned alchemists were willing to sign slave contracts over the course of a Two Hundred Dao Cycle period within the Abyss to gain some resources.

"You'd not believe all the rumors I'd heard from my Ladies-in-Wait." Lilith happily sang, an almost childish glow radiating from her eyes as she seemed to discover something new in her life.

Gossiping.

"Apparently, End has been looking for a Mate. He's been brooding over the sight of your uncle and—"

"End? That stiff bastard that barely displays his emotions?" I shouted.

"First off, stoic men are sexy!" Lilith rebutted, surprising me as my eyes narrowed into slits. She smirked. " What? You thought you were the only sexy man?"

"Kinda," I muttered.

She smirked, "You've been to the Abyss, Arsene. Everyone there is extremely attractive. I have yet to find an average man or woman."

Cheeks flaring, I snorted. " You can't call other men sexy."

"... Are… Are you jealous?" She asked as those profound flecks within her eyes shimmered a mysterious light. "Oh my god! You are! Want some peanut butter to go with that jelly!" She teased, chuckling away as she poked at my cheek.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." I whispered, glancing at her stomach that, in a way, reminded me of a kangaroo. "So Ends looking for some booty, eh? Have Ariel look for someone for him. I know she is close to many angels, Mephisto included. I'm sure she has a discerning eye."

"Angels? Why them?"

"You know I had an encounter with Zadkiel and Laila. They changed my perspective on Angels. I think I've only seen a portion of who they truly are as a race. Laila with her venomous tongue, and Zad with his insightful mellow self. They were an experience I never thought I'd have with Angels."

Lilith frown in a deep state of preponderance. "They are enemies, though."

"By that logic, every race that once attacked us is as well. We've been dealing with a small section of angels, at least that's what I think, calling themselves Heavens Gate. But it's only a recommendation, Lilith. I think an Angel would do well for End. But it's quite interesting he'd find interest in anything but his Master."

"True." Lilith agreed. "But it's not just End. Many of the Abyssals are finding other interests ever since the Abyss opened its borders. My citadel is finally starting to look like a home."

"And schemes within your court?"

"From what I've seen, none as of yet. Pure-blood Abyssals are eternally loyal, but Half-Bloods not so much. They seem no different than humans."

"Interesting," I remarked.

"Wait. Your Kind can have Half-bloods?" I'd always thought the Abyssals were like devils. If just a drop of your soul is touched by the blood of a devil or the Hells, you are guaranteed to become a true devil or demon.

When I was a half-blood, it was only a matter of time before I became a true-blooded devil. It's interesting she'd make such a decision. Was it the fertility rate she was worried about? If Abyssals can procreate with other races outside the Abyss, then that could lead to a new type of hierarchy within the Myriad.

Abyssals are, after all, the strongest race so far. To have even a little of that Abyssal Qi within their veins is akin to being born with a golden spoon.

"My race is anything I make of it. I am the Abyss, after all. I changed a few things within our genetic makeup regarding the purity of bloodlines. But there was a bit of a trade-off with this. Abyssals within the Myriad Heavens will struggle to contain their baser instincts. If not trained right, they could go on a killing spree: This is an incentive to keep them within the Abyss."

"That's quite c—"

Startled by the sudden ripple in space, a frown marred my lips. "Stop!" I commanded the Faceless as I looked past our luxurious palanquin forged of diamonds and gold. I stared up at space, sensing a mysterious energy… a radiant breath seeping out.

It felt cold, almost like I was standing on a mountain of ice.

Lilith hummed in recognition. " A boundary."

And my eyes snapped to hers. "What's that supposed to mean?'

She glanced back at me and back towards the Boundary leaking a strange energy. "Heavens End is the Boundary that separates realities. It's the source wall between the Myriad of Heavens. This Boundary is similar. I believe it's called the Boundary of End."

"You're proficient in space laws. Can we break in?"

"Nope. Unlike Heavens End, which can regenerate, Boundaries such as these are fragile and unstable. I'm actually surprised it survived the ascension of the Fourth Heaven. We have to find the pathways first. Which is—"

"Probably within the depths of this Moutain. Damn it. I really don't want to have to deal with anyone."

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