Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Seven Stars, Eh? A few more, and he’ll be at the peak of the Immortal Realm. Has there been so much war that he’s grown so much? Or had Zariel granted him some divinity? I’m sure being batteries for so many chaos cycles has allowed him some benefits.

I, myself, don’t have any. Such a shame all my energy is going into making that new Path.

Aries’s gaze lingered on Ariel for a while before setting on to me: ” What is it you want with me? We’ve paid the price owed to Zariel.”

“Are we to speak outside like animals?” Lilith began.

Ares’s expression darkened. ” Then follow me, Empress.”

Whirling around, I couldn’t help but smile at the sense of death emanating off the surface of his steps that sprouted into dark roses of death.

Interlocking her arms around mine, Lilith leaned onto me to support her body, her pale cheeks covered in a thin layer of sweat as she took short, rasped breaths.

We made our way into Ares castle, mounted into the stone, seemingly carved by hand by his subjects, and made our way from the main hall into a luxurious annex that was consumed in gold.

It was quite a sight to see… although it wasn’t for me. I never did care much for the value of gold, much less its appearance. 𝚋𝚎𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚎𝚕.𝚗𝚎𝚝

Finding a seat for my wife near a table. Lilith sighed in relief.” Goodness, these children are eating away at my vitality. Ariel, how much longer?”

“Hmmm. A few more years, definitely less than a cycle.” Ariel said, taking her pulse. She patted her wrist, looking up at her. “Would you like some water?”

“Cold, please.”

Watching Ariel take care of Lilith without hesitation, I could only stare, wondering if I should be doing more. I was sure Lilith would like that.

“Well?” Ares said, tapping his fingers against the table.

“Someone is rather impatient.”

“I hate you, Snows.”

“And honestly, I see.” I mused with a chilling half-smile.

He snorted. “I’ve learned that nothing good comes from you, Snows. It’s because of you that Olympus lost all its leaders, lost its everything.”

“Ah! How is Zeus, by the way? I’d enslaved him out of boredom, but Zariel severed my chains over his soul. Lucky him. My demons had said he was quite a fun toy.” I said, amused as Ares’s expression contorted with anger. Clenching his fist, he trembled.

“Father… Father is fine. He has recovered both mentally and physically.”

“Is that so?”

“Quite”

“What is it exactly that you want, Lord Snow,” Caliden said, seated by his Master. The disgust in his stare was quite apparent.

Caught between a chuckle and a snort. I spoke: “There is a Boundary of End here. I’ve come to collect its contents.”

Ares frowned. ‘ Boundary of End? Is that why we can’t sense each other’s presence?’

“Indeed.”

“And If I offer it to you… you’ll leave?”

“Ares, mate! You make it sound like I’m a monster! I’m your guest,” I jested, taking in the twisting of his lips. “I am the King of the Darkness, and here lies the Empress of the Abyss and the Lion of God. This is no way to treat your guest.”

“I…I only bring it up because your wife seems to be in labor.” Ares very hastily said, clenching his fist so tight I could feel his divinity leaking.

“Your point?”

Cheeks beginning to flare with color, Ares gritted his teeth. ” What I mean is… Wouldn’t having her in a more medical environment be better?”

“We have an archangel with us. And we can both teleport. There is no issue.” I graciously said, all most singing with praise at his grotesque expression. “But my oh my! You seem too worried, Ares! Worry not. Lilith will be perfectly fine.”

Caliden tapped his Master’s shoulder, faintly smiling, and stared me down. His arrogance beginning to weigh on my mind.

“Lord Snow, may I ask why we need to hand over this Boundary of End? It is within our territory.” Caliden said as if to gain some type of moral high ground. “Can I ask what you are willing to pay to—”

“Nothing.”

His expression froze. “Nothing? Surely you jest, Lord Snow.”

My gaze drew dark, carrying a hue of the Nine Hells. “Would you like if I bled this entire region in blood, enslaving your woman and children for the next Hell cycle?”

“Arse—”

Raising my palm, silencing Ares, I stared at Caliden,” I’ll hear the boy out. Be silent.”

The Little Prince’s expression dipped, but he was quick to recover,” I merely meant that rather than war, a simple equivalent an exchange would be—”

“equivalent and exchange, you say. It would seem you don’t understand the degree to which our statuses differ. Child… I can only assume you are from a higher rank family. And seeing how Ares has yet to stop your foolishness, I can only assume he is wary of you. But let me tell you this… Even if I kill you, gorge your eyes out, and send them to your mother. All she’ll do is smile and thank me.”

“Most people are not aware of the existence of us Angels, same with the devils, so your name might not have spread as much as you think,” Ariel said calmly, appeasing my wife with a smile. ” Only a few Houses with the Myriad are aware of our existence. But I’m sure he’ll have heard of Heavens Gate.”

Noticing the draining of blood within this child’s expression, I sneered as fear clouded his expression. He shuddered, rising from his chair.

“H-H-Heavens Ga…”

Grabbing his shoulder, Ares sighed, pushing him back down into his chair. He turned to him” “Stop talking… I can’t protect you if you keep courting death. That man… his Family is not to be offended. Not even yours can compare.” He warned grimly, sinking into his chair with a weary expression.” It’s yours, Lord Snow. Take whatever you want… Olympus will give you its full support… just let us live.”

I kind of don’t want to. I feel like killing everyone here… My instincts are just about wailing for me to slaughter them… But why?

And my gaze fell to Lilith, to our children.

Was I weary because of that? No… That wouldn’t make sense. Lilith can protect herself. I’m sure her guards are watching, ready to protect her at a moment’s notice.

Tapping my finger against the table, pondering my next course of action, I turned to Ariel: “What should I do?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“You wanted diplomacy.”

‘Diplomacy ended Arsene. This is one hundred percent tyranny …. Can you not tell the difference?” Ariel lamented. ‘Let them go… Favors for how rude they were should suffice, don’t you think?”