Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“Lilith… recall Iliana and the rest of your people,” Tenebrae demanded, her golden eyes seemingly unphased but glowed with warning: “Any further action will result in my judgment.”

But Lilith merely shrugged. “Would if I could, but Iliana, unlike the others, doesn’t take orders well. She’s… too unruly. When she gets like this, there is no stopping her. But I’m sure you could… after all, the Father got rid of your limiter. If only temporary.”

“Oh. So that’s how you blocked Uriel with just a palm.” I pointed out. “I was wondering how you did it. And why he didn’t follow up with another blow.”

“Indeed.” Lilith smiled. ” But I wonder… how will you punish my Iliana?”

Tene snorted. “I will seal all her powers and banish her to a foreign realm to live as a mortal for a—”

“Guess you don’t understand how much of a monster Iliana is? But it’s fine. I approved. But I’ll not allow another of my family to be harmed. You get Iliana. No one else.”

“And Hell?” I said. ” Who gets punished?”

“Hmmm. It should be you, but I plan on banishing Mephisto from the Myriad Heavens into Arcadia. Same for those other bastards like Zariel and his crew. They just gave the middle finger to everyone within the Myriad Heavens. Even the tutorial area is all but destroyed.”

I’m dead. Who refers to the thirty-three heavens as a tutorial area?

“But I don’t understand… why Mephisto?”

She looked at me and shook her head. ” I’m not too sure. He just wants the responsibility, it seems. And it beats hurting you.”

“But Arcadia isn’t open yet,” I said.

“True, which is why I’m placing Mephisto alongside all members under arrest. From today forth, the Order of Chaos, Mephisto, and Metaton will be banished to Arcadia for One Hell Cycle: For their corruption, abuse of power, and the sin of the slaughter of a major realm.”

Tenebrae vanished, appearing before Iliana momentarily, her golden eyes swirling with a Heavenly Might; she grinned. ‘ Forgive me, Iliana. But there might be a way to commute your sentence.’ She said, placing her finger on her brow before Iliana could react.

It was as though her palm had moved in slow motion, and yet Iliana could do nothing as the darkness devoured her horrendous aura. And for some reason… I felt what she did. The very display of her skill was a mistake.

A blank look swallowed Iliana, followed by the reddening of her cheeks. She grinned. ” I need to train! I got it!”

“Eh?!” Tenebrae looked at her with bewilderment.

“You son of a B—”

“Retreat Vita,” Lilith shouted. ” Return to the citadel. We completed at least one of our objectives. Although…” she glanced at Uriel. “I’ll be seeing you soon.” And her gaze shifted to Iliana. “Train well. Ilia, we’ll be counting on you.”

“KaY!!!!” Iliana sang, seemingly unfazed by the loss of her power. She smiled. Whirling to Tene. ” Can you show me that move again? It wasn’t merely Teleportation or movement speed, nor was it like Shadow Step. Your speed didn’t jump dimensions, but you were faster than me. Just like Hellmaster. I think I got it… I think I know.”

An unsettling look appeared over Mephisto as I soared over. He stared at Iliana, frowning: “She’s like Zariel… Seems I need to know more about the Abyss. Did my pride get the better of me? It must have. I’ll need to—”

“Hey! You! Lazy eye! Your real body! Show it to me next time! It looks kinda cute!” Iliana sang, pointing at Mephisto with a hungry look. “I’ll not fight a weak clone!”

The trickster froze and then smiled. ” Truly a monster. But as you wish. Upon your return. I shall treat you to a battle. Although…” His smile dissipated, and a warrior’s aura sprang from every fiber of his being, rupturing more of my wounds open. “I don’t like to lose. You better come prepared and not half-baked as you did today.”

“Fine! Vita, you’ll help me, right?”

‘… Don’t get me involved!” Izavith groaned. ” I want nothing to do with your insanity. I’m going to take my win with a smile. And never challenge you again.”

‘She’s angry.’ Lilith Soul Whispered to me with a bright grin. ‘She thought she was stronger having won against Iliana. Seems we won big today. Vita is about to grow even stronger.’

“All Gods under Immortals are free to stay; however, those above are forbidden from any action.” Tenebrae suddenly thundered, “By the will of the Shadow Proclamation! No more shall the Gods actively rule amongst the mortals. No more shall they influence the might of the realm. Gods will face Gods. And mortals will face mortals! No longer shall the higher realms have any right to descend. This is my will: This is my Shadow Proclamation!”

A hazy golden light blanketed the realm, distorting the isolation barrier, healing all that needed to heal, as the aura of the Father… and Abyss flowed through this Heaven. Those that were wounded became healed, and those dead were revived, filling Ilutahth and the Bed of Chaos with life once more.

In the blink of an eye, all the death and chaos that ensued had been reversed by the power of the Father and Abyss: By the One and the All.

“Mine!” Iliana shouted, her eyes glowing, snapping her gaze to Tene. she reached forward, “Show me that again! That used Pri—”

“Iliana… be silent.” Lilith coldly snapped, silencing Iliana in her tracks. The young woman bowed her head, not daring to speak. But the trembling of her shoulders showed her excitement.

She wasn’t going to let what she saw go.

Her power might have been sealed, but dear god. Her perception of Heaven and Earth is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Not even I could gleam what happened, but she did it… sealed. 𝗼𝐯𝐞𝐥．𝐜𝐨𝗺

Tenebrae giggled. ” We’ll have time for all that with your special assignment.”

Iliana looked up with an innocent stare, grinning. ” You’re so much better than Master!”

“Damn, brat!” Lilith spat, chopping Iliana on the forehead. She sighed.

“Meany!’ The little lass muttered.

“Anyway… Mephisto. I’m sure you know what’s expected.” Tenebrae coldly said, getting the conversation back on track. He bowed respectfully.

” But of course Night Mother, but… The Tower of Balor has already been activated. And the moment you used that power, granted by the Father….” He grinned evilly. ” You changed creation…. In my image.”

Mephisto glanced at me, the devilish smile on his face penetrating my soul with coldness. “This Heaven… is now officially the center of the Mryaid Heavens. The moment you open the Path to Arcadia, it’s over. Everyone here will die, and the game officially begins. This realm will implode, and the rules of the Shadow Proclamation shall mold in a new Heaven within the Myriad that shall surpass even the Origin realm. And It will rival that of Arcadia! The Tower of Balor has already trapped some of Father’s and Abyss’s power. It’s only a matter of time.”

“You son of a bitch!” Tenebrae muttered, her face contorting as she looked up as if staring at the thirty-three heavens. She shuttered. ” Its… gone… it’s all gone. The thirty-three heavens. Even the higher realms… what the fuck did you do! The Origin realm! It’s… burning! MEPHISTO! WHAT DID YOU DO!”

“It’ll burn! It’ll burn, HAHAHAHAHA, and I shall issue in a new age.” He howled. And stilled. “Aunty…” HE began again.” Thank you. You were a good pawn.” The devil said, snickering with laughter as he raised his arm. ” Now… banish me. Cast me away. You who carry the word of God have already issued the punishment. So let’s sit back and watch as my grand plan begins… let us watch together as I remold creation using the power of GOD and Abyss.”

“Holy Shit…” I muttered, staring at blood… as blood dripped from the higher realms, cascading over this Heaven. The only thing I heard was Mephisto’s diabolical laughter. And the cries of those above.