Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Observing the fortress walls built with the bones of demons and devils alike, I smiled, hearing their eternal wails bellow from the stone Ezra had stuffed them in. Devils and Demons were immortals. They’d always reincarnate unless someone is using them for something.

“Like it? Millions of souls power this entire Wall.” She exclaimed, turning my way and giving me a beautiful view despite Hell being Hell. Staring at the forest reaching the skies, the mushrooms the size of mountains releasing a miasma, and the actual mountains, I couldn’t help but smile.

Everything surrounding this forest could potentially kill someone, even me. It kills demons and devils who have a natural resistance to just about everything. Even I’m not exempted from the Hell’s cruelty. Although, in my case, I’ve just about adapted to everything due to my battle with Zantar.

“Well, Master? What’s up? What can Ezra do for you?”

“When can we reignite the flames of war?” I asked, and she shook her head almost instantly.

“We are doing everything in our power to breed. And despite how sick it is, we lowered the age of—”

“What the Hell! Don’t tell me that. That is not something I need to know. Jesus Christ.” I spat, feeling my skin crawl. I was cool with the devils doing whatever they wanted. That’s usually why I don’t ask about Zan’s day. Ever since Mr. Bear, I learned not to find out what devils do in their past time. It’s never good.

“Relax. We lowered it from sixteen to thirteen.” She admitted.

“Is that better?” I questioned, and she shrugged.

“It’s the most optimal age for what we are doing. I didn’t invent biology. But we were thinking of eight, but… that might be too much for their little bodies.”

I like how the cause of death is the only problem she sees. Damn. Well, it’s good to see her doing what she has to do. I sure wasn’t about to do this shit. Seems Hell is not for me. Who the Hell in Noctem is diddling a kid? Or is it kid-on-kid action? YOu know what I don’t want to know, yuck.

“Well, that just left a bad taste in my mouth,” I mentioned shaking my head. “I’m going to the Capital of Avenos. Want to come? I need a number two.”

A foxy grin marred the little temptress’s lips. ” Of course! I’ve been in this hell hole for too long. Want me to lead the way?”

“I know the way. I just need someone who knows who is who. Then again, I might just kill everyone.” I casually said, pushing down the fury deep into my heart.

A shutter ran through Ezra as she grew flush. ” I like it when you… are bloodthirsty.”

“Play your cards right, and I’ll have you bent over a set of corpses.”

Eyes turning brighter, she touched her stomach. “Hey… What… would you think of me getting pregnant?”

Why is everyone so suicidal? Lilith is going to kill you all.

“You do you. Just remember Lilith.” I reminded her.

“Yeah… I know. But she is my sister. It should be my right to bear your child.”

Blinking repeatedly at the dumbest thing to date I’ve heard, I nodded. ” Sure. Sure. Sure. If you believe that… I’ll plant my seed.”

Lilith is going to kill this bitch. Damn. She was such a good knight. I hope nothing happens to my Freya! She’s my favorite.

“You think I’m a fool!” She snapped, narrowing her ruby-red eyes. And without hesitation, I nodded.

“Yup. But I think that comes with the Infernal culture you were bred in. Your greedy.” I mentioned, lifting my lips into a half smile. “Lilith will kill you. And she’ll kill that child should it ever be born. I’m not saying that to scare you. But I’m just saying it as a fact. It will die.”

My palm reached for Ezra’s supple cheeks, cupping them as her expression dimmed like a wilted flower. She leaned into my hand, warm and a little broken. “I hate I didn’t take you when I had the chance. But… I want a child. I want the best of the best.”

“Even if that means she kills you?”

“Yes.”

I closed my eyes for a moment and opened them. “It’s up to you. I merely hope you think about how cruel Lilith is. She has no bottom line.” I warned, rather uninterested in the topic.

I felt something for Iza and Ves… maybe Zaid. But I don’t know why, but I feel absolutely empty regarding the topic of having more. Maybe it’s the prospect of them having my wife’s bloodline, but I don’t give a damn about children with other women.

Is this the limit of my infidelity? Hmmm. Perhaps… it’s my guilt. I do feel bad about cheating, but… Lilith deserves it. That bastard has almost gotten me killed and has literally tortured me.

I smiled. Recalling those days: Good times. Wait! Good god. I’m a masochist!

Pulling Ezra into my arms, feeling her small frame shutter with an indescribable sense of acceptance, the darkness swallowed us, taking us millions of kilometers away. We materialized over a vast ocean of scarlet grass, saturated by ash and blood.

We lifted our eyes towards the towering Wall that looked to be the size of two mature dragons but similar to what Ezra did in her fortress. However, unlike the newly-founded fortress, these walls felt so ancient. I could feel the souls within them had long surpassed any torment we, as monsters, could conceive. The souls locked into this Wall were raw. They were so broken they felt new. Were it not for the ancient aura they released, I’d have thought they were newborns.

Glancing at the seven legions outside the bridge, allowing those of the infernal race to come and go as they, please. My grip around Ezra tightened, and I listened to the sweet moans leaving her lips.

“What’s the… plan?” She whispered, leaning her head back to look up at me.

“There are two. Negotiations, or I burn this city down and leave the rest to you.” I answered, taking a step forward.

“Seems you forgive me.”

“Can’t even remember why I was mad. Water under the bridge when compared to how mad I was before.” Recalling what just happened with the Black Hand. My teeth tightened so hard that by the time I glanced down at Ezra looking up, a craving of shredding her clothes to pieces and having my way with her till nothing of her cognitive mind was left swallowed me.

“That’s good,” she whispered so softly. I thought she might have sensed my desire.

“We’ll see,” I said darkly, releasing her before my anger took the best of me. I stared ahead before heading directly into the lion’s den.