Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

You look pale said Lilith stepping to my side and leaning her head onto my shoulder over bent knees. ” What’s wrong?”

“I’ve no idea, but I think we are in more danger than I originally thought. The Ilthad. They are more dangerous than I believe, and the Eternals… I don’t even know what to make of them. Seems my people screwed them over somehow.”

Lilith bounced me a smile. “Which house? There are multiple Forsaken. Which one screwed them over?”

“All of them,” Said Lily. “You can thank Mephisto for that. After their banishment, wiping out all they had done. The Forsaken were so angry and powerful. They set forth on a path of war and unleashed a blood bath so great the Eternals had to step in, only to be defeated by the Divine Might of the Forsaken. Your people, Arsene, were monsters. Especially the Primordials. But even they could not truly kill the Eternals. So House Lazarus took the lead in the war against the Eternal and sealed them.”

“Arcadia was soon broken up into two halves: Myriad and Acadian. Later, with the influence of you and Mephisto, the Twelve Planes became part of Arcadia, dividing the land even more… I hope you two are ready because as soon as you enter Acadia, you are to prepare yourself for endless war that no side will win.”

“How was there even a war? The Eternals lost.” Said, Lilith.

“They did… but they managed to cripple the Forsaken. No side could do much… at least not till the Twins stepped onto Acadia. There’s a lot going on in Arcadia. And I can’t say much, but this should be enough for you.”

Glancing at Lilith, who nodded, I sighed. ” And there you have it. More stress.”

She giggled. ” Like you are one to care about stress. But it seems like the Forsaken are pissed at their banishment. They seem like warmongers.”

“And if Mephisto enters Arcadia, I’m sure the Forsaken will rage.” My eyes slid to the army below the Bridge of the Damned. “One wrong move, and we are dead… I want to talk to Lucifer.”

“You want him to back you instead of his brother?” Said, Lilith

“Yeah. If it is, as Lily said, and the Twelve Planes become part of Arcadia, then we’ve got a bigger issue. Mephisto needs to fail, or for now, we need to halt his action to give the Order of Chaos enough time to get a footing in Arcadia.

“… Lily… what are you ploying?” Lilith suddenly said with an icy undertone.

“I’m only helping certain events along. It’s Fixed, so no matter what you do, it’s going to happen. But I’m also giving you guys a chance. You have knowledge that not even Mephisto has. Do you know how many Ilthads died or have been tortured beyond imagination but never gave up what Yornen just gave you? Mephisto has been trying to break them for god knows how long.”

Summoning the mask of the Order of Chaos and dawning it over my face. My vision cut to black.

Soon after, multiple images began to flare one after the other in my eye before the icy mask of Zero and Zariel was there.

“Bad news?” Spoke Zero

“Enough games in the higher realms. You all need to descend to my Realm. I don’t feel comfortable explaining everything through a connection, but it’s time. The Fallen are all here for a reason… bring your kids too.”

“Confirm.” Said zero. “We’ll set up a base below Yuki’s grave. Head there to be briefed.”

The line was soon cut, and color returned to my eyes.

Returning the mask back into my soul, I glanced at Lilith.” Send your generals there too.”

“Already done.” ．

“That’s my girl.” Glancing out at the world of ash, I sighed. “You think Lucifer will help?”

Silence.

“I’ve no idea, but I’m leaning towards no.”

“Tenebrae must have seen something. That explains the marriage.”

Running her hands through my head, I looked up at Lilith as she glared down, ‘I’ll cut your balls off if you mention that bitch.”

“…”

“Really?’

“As God as my witness.”

“…”

I cleared my throat. ” But you’re my best man… You—”

She leaned down, patting me like a child, and showed me the warmest smile. “Didn’t you say you would cage me if I cheated? If you think I won’t do the same, you’ve got me fucked up. I’ll cage you and torture you till your cock can only get hard for me… You know what? That’s not a bad idea.”

“A child needs a father.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll let Zariel father them. See? problem solve.”

“…”

“I hate you.”

“I love you.” she teased, snatching me up into her arms. “So? What’s the plan now?”

Grimacing at my small stature, I rolled my eyes. ” Balor needs to die. I’ve got a funny feeling I should have killed him back in the Abyss, even if it cost the Abyssal Fiends their freedom. But for now… we are going to kill Zantar. Let’s get that bastard out the way first.”

“You think you can take Zantar?”

“Alone? Hell no, but I got you and the Abyssal Children. ” I smiled. ” We need to kill Zantar before he can find Balor.”

“And if he’s a Teleth?”

“Fuck me… I forgot about that. Well, we’ll figure it out when I run my spear into Zantars black heart. We just need to set a trap. And we are going to use Yornen.”

“Oh?”

“Zantar and Balor appointed him to lead the Court of Nox. He has a particular level of trust. Let’s use that to our advantage.”

Lilith frowned and shook her head. “You’re forgetting the Princes, Archdukes, and the King of Avenos.”

“Did I? You can’t train a devil, my queen. They are made to betray. Even if it’s a Fallen, if a Devil sees an opening, they’ll take it. And just like that, we have a backup plan. ”

“That’s a lot of ifs… When did my Sene make half-ass plans?”

I chuckled. ” Not much I can do. Who knows if he became a Teleth. ” I looked up into Amythest, and my smile widened,” But if my wife can land a clean hit with Laevatein, then Teleth or not, Zantar will fall to his knees.”