Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Mephisto…

Turning towards the voice that was the nightmare of most Gods, Demons, and Fallen, I could not resist the urge to stare at the man who taught me so much.

Was I supposed to feel grateful? I don’t. This bastard was using me. If anything… it was unsettling. It felt odd. It felt like the more I used Black Sabbath, the more I owed him.

“Where’s Zariel,” I asked, noticing a missing bastard.

“No, Hi Master? No, how you’ve been, Master? Would you like some tea, Master? Arsene by the Nines! You might need a good ass kicking.” Mephisto uttered, folding his arms with a challenging glint that seemed as childish as the smile on his face.

“Times like this, I wish that guns worked on me.” I seriously said. ” Did you… did you kill Michael?”

“Mephisto folded arms stiffened for a second, and with a sour look, he shook his head. ” I killed him… then brought him back. He’ll be fine.”

“… You killed him and brought him back.” The sheer absurdity was… “I’m sorry you did what again?”

“I killed him and erased the concept of death using various actions of Black Sabbath. Remember this disciple from the moment you use Black Sabbath. You were bound to govern existence. You say what is real and what isn’t. If a lover dies, they will rise from the grave with the beckoning of your finger. Change the fates, and slaughter the concepts that bind them.”

Mephisto chuckled gruelingly and slid his gaze past me to the gob of blood gathering beneath our feet. “As for this Nephilim… allow me to handle them. Seems like the children of the Fallen and Angels are overstepping.”

“O-O-O-Oversteppping!” The blood bubbling beneath my feet thundered as it began to congeal into a solid mass. “YOU DARE SA—-” 𝗯𝐞𝐝𝗻𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝗼𝐦

Thunder crackled through the thirty- Three Heavens as the eyes of Mephisto narrowed like two black heavenly blades, severing concepts and laws apart. His anger materialized like night descending over the Myriad Heavens.

“Arsene Snow, Lord of Shadows, God of Night, code-named, Tenebrous, is my disciple, Boy! You will watch your tone, or I’ll tear you out of whatever scrapyard you hide behind and cast you off the base of the Hells into the deepest chasm in the Styx. I’ll watch as you burn and drown with the endless blood soul like the child you are.”

“He killed—”

“I will kill you should another word escape that wretched mouth of yours. Or have you forgotten who I am?” Mephisto sneered, and his eyes blazed. ” Do you think… I care who your parents are. You will learn your place. Nephilim or Arcadia will be the end of the Eternal Flame.”

The Realm of the Badlands trembled as hundreds of thousands of Myriad Gods. All donned in armor that blazed with almighty power appeared one after the other: They carried the crest of a golden flame lotus on their chest, and a golden aura radiated off their being, blinding me where I stood.

“You are wounded! Uncle!” The Nephilim said, looking up at the bloodstains upon Mephisto.

But Mephisto hadn’t said a word. He was quiet. He was so quiet it seemed like it was some sort of torture.

“I heard of your battle with Lord Michael! All of us know! You are probably running on fumes!” The bloodstained construct of the Nephilim howled and pointed a defiant finger toward the trickster whose poised expression hadn’t even dipped.

“Who’s created this little shit?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Seems like an idiot to me.”

“Most Nephilims are arrogant like him. They are born without restrictions, nurtured by beings so powerful even the strongest of realms struggle to contain their power. It’s understandable—”

“Nothing is understandable, Mephisto. My Mother would have backhanded me seven times by now, broken a leg, and tossed me into the ocean to salt my mouth.” Pointing towards the Nephilim, throwing a tantrum, even going as far as to Challenge Mephisto of all beings, I sneered. ” That little shit needs to be taught a lesson.”

“I agree, and I think… I’m going to take the Monarch of Lightning and Wind from him.” Mephisto mused as he opened his palm.

Suddenly as if the realm froze, even the Myriad Gods behind the Nephilim gathered for combat stiffened as the blood construct began to shutter.

“A gift can be taken away, Boy. By my will, I allow those of power to exist in this Fourth Dimension. It is only through my blessing that I allowed you to carry not one but two Sovereign Elements.” Mephisto paused with a gruesome expression as the body of Draxilore began to break down.

In a single moment, two shimmering balls of Azure and Emerald light glowed before the army of Myriad Gods.

“Here… disciple. Take the Sovereign Element of Lightning. I’m sure you’ll find some use. Perhaps one of your children might be the next Monarch of Lightning. Although, I wonder who you’ll bless it too. The Boy, or the Daughter.”

Taken back by the small light shimmering in my palm, I looked up at Mephisto, carrying a calculating look. He leaned closer to me. “And if you dare destroy this Sovereign Element, I’ll toss you into the Hells.”

“I’ve decided that all beings on the Fourth Heavens will retain their title as Monarchs in Arcadia. Usually, one would lose such a title when they ascend, but with a little manipulation. I’m sure we can bend a few rules in a new realm. My gift to you and your children.”

My eyes narrowed as the words left his mouth. I was now the Lord of Tenebrae’s kingdom… I didn’t need to be the Monarch of Darkness anymore… I was so much more. I could create my own Sovereign Element and pass it on to my children. At least those elements will have properties of Night and Abyss.

… I guess I could turn this Sovereign Element into a weapon of sorts. Well, who knows. I got time to decide.

Raising my eyes towards the ugly grimaces on the Worshipers of the Eternal Flame glaring at Mephisto and me, I smiled.

“And what about them?”

“A punishment is in order…. But you, Tenebrous. In Zariel’s place… I will administer punishment. But so you know… everyone is watching. After all… you are my very first disciple.”

Dismissing Pride and Wrath back into the ether of the Abyss, I whipped the blood ebbing from my nose and chuckled. ” Then… By my authority as your disciple, the Worshipers of the Eternal Flame should have that Arcane matter that binds them torn from their bodies and tossed into the Nines Hells. Force to walk between Arcadia and the Myriad Heavens for all Eternity, much like how the one they worship will burn for all Eternity. A fitting end. Don’t you think? Nephilim?

Raising my head towards the empty lights flashing and dimming through Heaven’s End, I smiled, almost visualizing the ugly grimace of the Half Angel glaring at me.

FLicking him off, I chuckled and turned to Mephisto with a cruel smile. He lifted his palm and nodded. ” As you command. Let this be a reminder to all those that dare to challenge Tenebrous. Touch him and his clan, and I will be the first to reign hellfire overall, you love!”