Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“This will be our final goodbye to them,” I whispered to her, running my fingers over the crystal casing, my eyes transfixed on the faint smile of contentment. She was so happy back then. So joyous about all that occurred, even in her final moments surrounded by us all. 𝗯𝐞𝗱𝐧𝗼𝐯𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“So this is where you hid.” A startling voice echoed, sending a jolt of surprise as well as bitterness through me.

“Leave this place,” I said, peering up at the moon reflecting over the crystallized veins stretching like an endless web through this tomb, spreading moonlight throughout. “You are not welcomed.”

No one but ‘them’ is welcomed. Only they are allowed to see us.

“You kept such a large secret.” Mother said, ready to step in, only to pause as my gaze snapped to her. And an unmistakable amount of bloodlust bled through my eyes.

“Leave!”

“So you can die?” Tenebrae said, stepping through the threshold towards me. Her gaze was wet with bitter tears. “You silly child: You dummy. Why did you never tell me?”

“Mom… Please leave.” I whispered as the tang of sorrow came like an ever-ending burn on the back of my throat. I willed my eyes closed, unable to meet her gaze. Unable to hold back the sensation of embarrassment that came with what I was about to do.

“You silly thing. Did you forget who raised you? Who taught you everything she knew?” She whispered, wrapping her arms around me. She kissed my blood-stained cheeks and sighed. “You really are something, my sweet moon. I’ll not ask you to stop what you are doing… People always say suicide is a selfish thing, but… I always disagreed.” she told me, her hands running through my hair as though I was still the child she cared endlessly for.

“Luna of the Moon, do you remember the day you came into this world?” I could feel her smile as I recalled that day.

“I cried. I cried for a long time within the Endless Darkness and the Blazing Light. One was too lonely, the other too bright and warm.”

“You always felt out of place, always.” Mother said. “But it would seem you found a companion of your own. Are you going to give up now? You know Father loves his test. It might seem cruel, but you know there is always meaning behind it. I’ll not stop you from making this decision, but… you’ll not truly be joining her. You will exist for all eternity as the moon, and one day you will resume this mortal form once more.”

“I don’t care… I’ve tried for so long. Begged until my eyes bled and my knees tore under the skies of the silver city. I was even banished… torn from the one place we primordials can call a true home.”

“You sound like a Fallen. Luna-chan.” Mother said lightly, and my eyes opened to her warm obsidian eyes transfixed onto me.

I felt so warm. So… cozy to be in the warm embrace of the night.

“Luna, what if I told you there might be a way to revive Yuki?”

“Stop it,” I said softly, turning to the crystal coffin. I shook my head.

“You might not be able to do it. I might not be able to do it. Zariel might not be able to do it, not even Arsene. But… what if there was another who could?”

“Stop it…”

“What if there was a new chosen? One who could rival Zariel? Or Adam and Eve?”

“STOP IT…” I cried. “Just stop it. Stop. I… mother…” Unable to resist the bloody tears from flowing once more, I shuddered endlessly, biting at my lips as the stabbing pain only deepened. “It hurts Mom… Don’t give me hope. Ok? Don’t give me hope… I don’t know if I can take anymore.”

A cry of silence swelled through the tomb as I lay still, curled in a ball next to my lover… my dear sweet wife.

“You will never understand, Mother. This pain… its something that keeps breaking me…. Let me just….”

Let me just die. Let me dream endlessly in her embrace.

“Luna… what was her name? Her true name.” Mother asked me, and my gaze snapped open, and I whirled towards her, taking in every microexpression Mother held.

“I can’t tell you that… No, I won’t.”

She smiled, her obsidian eyes narrowing as she stood up. “Moloch has already sensed it. He felt a disturbance so great he, who rarely cares for anything but his research and Mephisto’s schemes he calls interesting games, appeared before me in the middle of a war. Something new is about to shake this realm. Something that will have the power to rival the twins themselves.”

My pupils shrunk, and a bitter laugh sounded. “What does that matter? The Shadowfell holds the potential to break the balance. The Nephilim already breaks the balance, and so do a few others. Don’t even make me mention the Angels and Fallen. Or, god forbid, the Abyss. What—”

“You have a point… But how many of them are chosen? It was only Zariel in the recent Eternity Cycle. Solomon already lost his right. Adam and Eve… those two are irregular entities I’d rather not get involved with. The others are all in Heaven living their best life, not bothered by things within the Myriad.”

“Mother… what are you…’ My heart began to heat up, and as I climbed to my feet, the endless red tears finally slowed as I stared at Mother for the first time. Pass the veil of darkness she used to hide her secrets from others that hold the ability of omniscience.

“I’m pregnant! Hehe!”

My jaw dropped as the halting tears began to flow again, blinding my vision as I fell to my knees. ” Momma… You didn’t… How?”

“Arsene… is a rule breaker. Honestly, I don’t know. That’s why I needed the chaos dew. It’s why I invoked the Shadow Proclamation. It’s why I stole Iliana away from Lilith. My baby boy… will one day rise. And by his side will be all of us.” she told me with an expression unbecoming of the darkness. It was so bright I could feel my eyes burning simply by staring at her proud expression.

“So I ask… What was Yuki’s real name? For it shall be the name of my child.”

“Her name… His name shall be….” I smiled, glancing down at her smiling face.

“Altair”