Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“No! No! No!” I hastily attested, stepping between these two monsters, unwilling to see the chaos about to reign over Hell and Heaven within my realm. There was already too much chaos.

“Tsk, it’s but a spar,” Ishar muttered faintly, the crimson of her eyes deepening with seams of power. She grinned.

“Agreed,” Little brother added. “No one will die.”

Damn them! I figured Zariel to be a battle maniac, but Ishar? Is everyone from that damn era different?

“Guys! There is much to discuss.” I said, somewhat annoyed. “I’ve already got one Ranker ten feet buried. I can’t have both of you trying to kill each other.”

“It’s but a spar,” Ishar said, but I could see the clashing of sparks flashing between these two.

I groaned, stepping out of the way. Screw this. I’m going to hang out with my two wives. Hehe, I got two! Could life be better?

I made for the door when my brow arced up, and a Holocube appeared, revealing an image of my disciple alongside the minty hair, Avar, Zariels little monster.

“That was quicker than anticipated. Have you arrived within the Genisis base?” I said, still wondering how long I slept. There had been some clues that it was over a few hundred cycles but nothing conclusive. But I was sure I missed Avar’s deadline.

“Look who’s awakened.” She said without feeling, and somehow the mockery that should be there seemed almost bland. “Twenty Dao cycles. That’s how long it’s been. Why is it you are always going missing?”

“It’s a Talent. But I could do other things if you are interested. I’m sure they’d be enjoyable.” I mused, shooting her a wink.

A glow sparkled in her eye.” Really! Adrian has been teaching me lots. I learned how to swim, how to play hide-and-seek, and the other one! What’s it called? You know the one I like!”

“Russian Roulette,” the boy said with a crying expression, mouthing the words’ help me.’

The tips of my lips twitched. Avar was never really one to be self-aware. I always considered her to be… part machine. And in many ways, she was.

“Is that… Master?” Avar questioned, staring at the two monsters at my rear. Her eyes glowed, quivering with a look of excitement.

“Oh!” Zariel hummed, shifting his gaze to the screen. He approached. “Disciple. How’ve you been? Have you mastered the ‘Celestial Sword Technique?”

“Not yet, Master. But I’m close. In a few more days, I suspect I will reach great mastery.” She replied, her words far warmer than they were in the past. She grinned, and a little fang protruded over the corner of her lips. ” Do you have any tips?”

“The Celestial Sword Technique was forged on the spot against my battle with Aldrich. It was meant to kill him, but it’s one of the Seven Sword Techniques I will be imparting that will form something greater.” He began, “If I had to give advice, I would recommend actual battle. This sword Technique is meant not to be trained in seclusion but rather on the battlefield.”

Avar slowly lost her smile. ” Then I suspect I’ve fallen into the illusion of progress. If it’s as you say, I might need to rework my earlier mastery.”

Zariel merely nodded, but I could tell he was happy. A rare thing from what I could remember. 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝐞𝐥.

“Ok, enough of that. Why did you call?” I chimed in, smirking at the Master-Studen relationship between the duo. “Surely it wasn’t to—”

“I need your help with the Higher Gods joining. I could use the backup. I—”

“I will send two Blood Reavers, one of the top ten Devils subspecies to exist. They ought to be more than capable of slaughtering everyone you need.”

“All blood Reavers, my little bloodhounds, are equipped to slaughter and play the game of politics. It’s ingrained in their blood. And it’s why I only give ten Blood Reavers to each Layer of Hell. They are too much of a danger to give out as though they were candy.”

I looked at Ishar smilingly. Interesting.

“Don’t give me that look. You’re the third poorest layer.” She added, lazily rolling her eyes as she shot me a side glance. ” Dagon, the last Sovereign Lord of Irkalla, held a lot of debt thanks to him. You’ll do well to manage your kingdom’s coin first before wanting to add more of my pets into your home.”

“Whose this?” Avar asked plainly, returning to her usual self: Cold and Poised.

“Oh? Where are my manors? I am the King of the Eighth Layer of Hell, Sylvorlum. You may call me the Maiden of Blood, Ishar.”

“You? A Maiden? I’d always thought that name was too pure for you.” Zariel muttered, turning the other way with a devilish grin shadowing his face. He glanced back, his slivery eyes now scarlet.

This asshole… I’m so proud of him!

“You little shit.” Ishar snapped and sighed soon after. ” You know I didn’t pick it. But whatever. Although being a Vampery, it does make sense to call me maiden.”

“You’re a vampire?” I pointed.

“Me? Not really.” She said, scratching at her cheek. ” Before I entered the Hells, I was an Ilthad slave. ” She pursed her lips, almost triumphantly pressing her fingers against her waist. “My blood mutated there, but I didn’t become a Vampire, but I also didn’t remain an Ilthad. I’m not even a variant. It’s like I’ve become a new race entirely.”

I had heard about Ishar’s story before but didn’t understand what she had become. She was clearly a devil, but the subspecies were never said.

“So I just say Vampery, although it doesn’t matter. Vampire, Ilthad, you decide I don’t care.” she finished. But the content smile on her face never faded.

“You’re… the happiest devil I’ve ever seen,” Adrian said from the holocube, staring at the King of Hell with glowing eyes. “You married?”

Resisting the urge with all my heart to pass my disciple the thumbs up, a droplet of tear fell: Boy, you’ve become a man!

“Her? Psss! The bitch got no chill!’

“FUCK YOU!”

Before I could even react, I saw Ishar’s foot slap against his ribs, and the sounds of cracking entered my ears. And Zariel was gone, his body tearing through a dozen buildings vanishing over the horizon and through the barrier separating Noctem and Iluthath.

“God damn prick.” She spat. “Why am I even best friends with that bastard?”