Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“Have you known a demon to be calm?”

His response did not garner a smile but rather my admiration. A rare thing. Belius, the scorn of the Hell itself. The uncontrollable monster trained by Belphegor and Abbadon as a mere tool benefited the Fallen more than anyone else.

It’s easy to sin, and now that there is no war due to those senate meetings, the fallen are essentially in power without actually being in power. War causes too much death. And with Belius, he took certain events too far in the past. I’m sure his release will bring issues… but I’ve quite an interesting mission for him.

I ought to tap into that fountain of knowledge in the hells more often.

“Your son… or at least an incarnation of your son. He was calm. Calmer than most demons and one of the strongest.”

“But not the strongest,” Belius said, his tone like shards of ice. Cold, as if he was talking to the dead.

“Perhaps. I don’t really know. Devils and Demons aren’t the same. And I’ve never seen Baphomet true form. But he was a fearsome power none dared to question, much less control. And you as his Father. Well. I wonder… are you as mad as people said, oh great demon king Belius?”

“Do not patronize me, my lord.’ The Demon warned, and two pairs of scarlet eyes glowed a transfixed luminous light through the shadows of his hair. Like burning suns that carried the depths of the Abyss to them, they shimmered. He bowed his head. “I heard your wife killed Lilith.”

“What of it?”

“I want her soul. I know it wasn’t destroyed.”

I scuffed. “Are you in the position to bark demands?” I looked ahead to Uriel, and he stared at me. His expression was dark, unlike the light he represented. I found it strange he’d pull back after Zariels and Aurelia’s team up, but… Something doesn’t feel right. I knew we had stronger allies, but the Seven Heavens possess multiple Infringement Artifacts and a countless number of cannon fodder. 𝐞𝗼𝐯𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Plans aside, that bastard is waiting for the Chaos dew to appear before he makes any strategic attacks.

“My Lord!” Bellius started.

“A demon I cannot use isn’t a valuable Demon, now is it,” I told him, lowering my gaze to meet his. “If you think I won’t wipe away your existence, do not mistake me for Dagon. Your value is within your use. Nothing else.” I told him, fighting not to unmask the Chaotic Force gathering within me.

My soul and body were about to shatter, feeling myself on both the verge of Paragon and Chaos Lord. I wasn’t sure why. But every time I fought against Zariel within the Realm of Infringement of Time. I felt my adaptation and the Path of Abyssal Night stir. And not in a good way.

I felt like vomiting. And facing Belius did not relieve that strange sensation within my chest. I was sure I could break through anytime I wanted. I have faced Zariel more times than I can count, getting my ass kicked more times than I can remember. But with each loss…

“… Then just kill me,” Demon King Belius snarled. “If I can’t have my revenge on Lilith or Solomon, then….”

“On them?” I nearly spat and then remembered. “You don’t know, do you?” I asked him, chuckling at the devils who’d watched over his prison. “Soloman and Lilith might have sealed you away. But do you really think Soloman would work with Lilith? The literal Mother of Demons? What a fool you are. Perhaps you need some reeducation. You have been imprisoned for too long. Or maybe your intelligence was never that high, to begin with.” I laughed, amused with myself. “I guess we’ll see in the years to come. It was Metatron, you fool. Your Master within Heavens Gate who screwed you.”

Belius raised his head. “Screwed me? I’ve never followed his teachings. Marriage? Purity? Honor? What the fuck am I to do with that shit? He was but a tool for me to—”

“You were the tool,” I told him, cutting him short. And slowly, I began to explain the various ways how Metatron screwed him over. Honestly, it wasn’t hard. At the time, Belius was a newly formed demon, a powerful one. He could barely contain his Wrath when Abbadon and Belphigor took him in.

And despite Metatron betraying Soloman. He was the very Seraphim who helped Solomon perfect his sealing capabilities. Adding the Mother of Demons into the mix was to ensure Baphomet swore fitly to Lilith. It was a win for both Lilith and Metatron. One got rid of a Demon King. The other gained a new one. A younger one who could be trained.

I’m sure if Belius wasn’t under the protection of Abbadon and Belphigor, Metatron would have descended to slaughter Belius. I would have.

Staring down at the man whose intensity throbbed off his flesh, my gaze slid across the wondering eyes of the other Devils all watching. All were staring at the monster on one knee.

“You are, without a doubt, a Celestial Demon. And you probably still are.” I started again. “A fundamental king amongst your kind back in the day.” My eyes dropped to his. “How’d you like to become something more?”

“More?” He muttered the throbbing heat I’d only felt within the Nine Hells gathered around him. He looked up. ” More?”

A cold grin gathered over my lips. ” Of course, you have been recommended by Ishar: An accomplishment I might have underestimated, given how much of a monster she is, but no more. I can give you power, and I can give you revenge.”

“You didn’t seem interested in my revenge… ” Belius snapped, only to catch himself. ” …my lord.

“The Mother of Demons’ soul is being used and will continue until it shatters,” I told him, not wishing to bring up how her soul lives in slumber within Laeviatin. “She’ll suffer where she is now. You’ve my word on that. As for Solomon… I’ve no interest in the man. You may do as you please with him if you’re capable enough.”

‘And Metatron?”

I smiled. ” Join my Shadowfell, and we will discuss. Metatron quite thoroughly. You have this King’s word.”