Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“Well?” Buer spat with clear frustration.

Watching as the contact moved from Lilith to Vita, to End, to Zariel, to Zero, and oddly enough, Mephisto, I rested my eyes, enjoying the unfathomable teether I shared with my wife situated over my lap, resting her head over my shoulder. Her soft ethereal snores billowed gently against my ear as my armies of lawyers argued amongst each other.

I don’t even remember how this happened, but the moment Buer had ratified the contract in my favor, Vita emerged to fat-check Lilith. Soon after, End emerged, then Zariel, Zero, and lastly, Mephisto. And during these two hundred years, which felt more like two hundred cycles, Lilith and I relaxed.

My wounds had all but healed, as did my soul, which blazed brighter than before. It was different. I could feel an abyssal nature within it. Comparable to Lilith, but less in a way I couldn’t describe. It felt immeasurable yet limited.

“I’m giving you fuckers the benefit of the doubt. Don’t make me call the other Fallen to debate this fucking contract we already agreed on. I took this ambush out the ass as a show of restraint for gaining Arsene. Don’t push it.” Buer barked, rising from this chair, alerting both Lilith and myself.

Eyes opening to the Fallen in question. Silence spilled into the room. Mephisto rose, his smile ever present. “How much have you already communicated with Belphegor?”

Buer gave a long smirk over his lion-like expression, his fangs showing as he shrugged. ” I represent him. And we do share the Fifth Layer of Hell, Ekera, together. He knows what I know.”

“Always the dick rider,” Mephisto remarked, his smile only deepening. “Have you sucked him off yet?”

“Now-Now.” Said Zariel metallically. “No need for such facts. It’s obvious Buer is taking it up the ass.”

The air instantly intensified as the three Gods glared at each other with fire in their eyes. At the same time, Vita and End stood as guards for Lilith and me. Thank God. I’m not down for any of this. But I do know when to keep my mouth shut.

‘You not going to say anything?’ Lilith whispered in a gentle giggle.

‘Fuck no. I don’t even qualify to die by their hands,’ I replied, understanding precisely how weak I was. An issue I need to rectify quite quickly. Being a High God isn’t enough. I need resources. And at this stage, I can’t afford to do things naturally.

‘I need a favor.’ I continued.

“Oh? How rare.” Lilith mused, snuggling deeper into my arms. She purred gently as my arms could only tighten, wishing nothing more than to protect what was mine.

“I need resources.”

Lilith peeped her amethyst eyes open, a hint of malice gleaming away. “Why don’t you ask Tenebrae? I’m sure she could—”

“I could ask her. But I’m asking you. My wife.” I said sternly. 𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏｖ𝚎𝚕．𝚌ｏｍ

Of course, I could ask Tenebrae, but I was still a little mad, if not frustrated, by what went down behind the scenes during my death. Not to mention… It doesn’t feel right asking anyone but Lilith for resources. She is the crazy bitch who forced hundreds of bloodlines in me while I lay unconscious.

It’s stupid. But I trust Lilith to take the extra mile to make me stronger. For her… there is no boundary she won’t cross if it’ll help me.

“I need my wife for this.” I softly proclaimed, tracing my fingers through her silvery hair.

An unmistakable glow of joy erupted through the little lass eyes as she sprang up. “You mean it!” She shouted wholeheartedly, smiling from ear to ear.

My heart melted as I nodded and whispered back, “I trust you more to make me stronger than anyone I know.” Partially because your bat shit crazy. You’ll get the job done right.

I trust the Joker to kill people. I trust you to take care of me.

“When did your words begin to drip with honey? Sene is learning how to talk to a woman.” She cheerfully said, drawing a bit of attention. She reached down, giving my cheek a simple peck that made my heart skip a few beats as she nodded. “I got you, Sene. No Limits!”

… I didn’t say that, but sure.

I nodded. “…I’m counting on you.”

Imagining the torment awaiting me in the future. Lilith hopped right off of me with a newfound fire in her crystal-like eyes, glowing with profound light.

“Lilith has a new mission! Let’s go!” She sang, vanishing with End and Vita.

“You’re going to regret that.” Lily chimed in with such a bland voice I could only shrug as I turned my attention to Zariel, Zero, Mephisto, and Buer. The tense atmosphere between these four was still high as they glared at me.

“Ok, can we get this over with? I’m a busy man. A very busy one. And where the hell are the Kings of Hell? I need a clairvoyant.”

“You need an actual teacher to teach you simple tricks,” Zariel said, shooting Mephisot a disdainful glance.

“He literally has THE most powerful cultivation manual. He just needs to think, and he can see. Not to mention if darkness exists, he can see anywhere he wants. Not my fault your elder brother is an idiot.” Mephisto countered.

“Can you two stop it!” Zero joined in. “My God! You two act like damn kids at times.”

“I’m with Zero on this.”

“Shut it. You are the most difunctional psychopath I know. I swear you’re autistic. Hurry over and look at this damn contract. We’re done.” Zero announced, rolling his eyes behind his mask.

Rolling my eyes back, I approached. “Still a dick, I see.” Snatching the contract away, I scanned it. “Looks good to me.”

“You barely even looked it over,” Zariel shouted.

“That’s why I got you,” I replied with a grin I knew would piss him off.

And like clockwork, Zariel’s expression instantly darkened with a deep shade of red. “Your fucking with me, right?”

“Nope. You got me, bro. Me and you.”

Biting the tip of my finger, drawing blood, I stared him dead in the eye, my lips arched. Honestly, the contract was perfect after what Lilith did. The rest of the stuff they added or removed was just formalities.

The contract was far better, but it didn’t matter that much to me. I was gonna do whatever I what anyway.

“You stupid son of a bitch.”

“GG, little bro.”