Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Slowly coming back to myself, I felt an intense heat of flowing water warming my body. Startled by the sudden change, I opened my eyes and almost shouted in surprise, as everything around me was orange-scarlet. A little thicker than water, a deep realization came over me as I shot up from the pool of lava.

That felt like nothing more than a warm bath set at the perfect temperature.

Looking around at the two large wings that looked seraphic yet close to that of a Fallen, I noticed the demonic black scales protruding from my skin, stretching from my feet to my neck. Covered in runes that started to look like Lilith’s symbol on each scale, my brow creased.

“Has my attunement with the Abyss grown so much?” I asked myself, already knowing the answer.

Focusing my mind, I willed my demonic form to vanish, but my soul only quivered as I noticed nothing had changed. Unsure why this wasn’t working, I grew a little panicked despite my experience dealing with the unknown. Pushing away my unease, I tried a little harder this time, only to get the same outcome.

“Fuck me!” I shouted, “Am I going to look like this all the time?”

Glancing at my hands, which looked like weapons meant to sever life away, I couldn’t help but sweat, knowing the only thing short of a transformation circle or an illusion could change my current form.

“This form. I’d not been using it because I prefer my human look. But now I look like a damn demonic fiend.” I sadly remarked, shaking my head. “Think the only time I used this current form was during a booty call with Lilith.”

Sending a long stare to my dark feathery wings, covered in runes, I felt like I had taken a big part of the Angelic power.

According to bael, the wings of an angel were sharper than anything that could exist. It said that the number of wings an Angel has would determine the amount of power they hold. Seven wings, the peak of what an Angel could achieve, mark the beginning of the Seraphim. Having seven, at least in the Old World, meant that you had power that granted you an audience with the Fallen and the Archangels.

“Although I wonder what that means for me? Can I get Seven? Fuck that. I’m not even an angel. I’m a Shadowfell. we’ll just have to see what the hell happens.”

Spreading my wings far and wide, I felt a large smile cover my face as I summoned a Holocube. Pouring over the reports of panic racing around the world as demons and devils began to run wild without end, I knew the outside world was going crazy.

Shutting down the Holocube, I quickly created clothes around my body to fit the new look that was starting to grow on me. It was odd at first, but I had almost a hundred percent control of my scales. I could make them as soft as human skin, completely harmless, or harder than the Spear of Noctem, yet carrying the same soft texture as skin. It was a little weird, but it’ll take a few days to get around this new look.

I guess this was a long time coming. The stronger I got, the stronger my bloodlines became; adding in angels’ blood was just the catalyst for all this.

Cracking my neck, I surveyed my surroundings, which appeared to be an underground cave. Not bothering to take a left and right, I shot up through the stalagmites, piercing through like hot butter; the fiendish glare of the sun whipped over my cheeks.

Flinching at the coming stinging sensation that had never arrived, I opened my eyes and smiled, “oh, this is even better. I’ve adapted to the Abyss. Guess all that’s left is to get rid of my last weakness and become immune to physical attacks. Qi-based attacks aren’t going to happen, as their all different, so I’ll be adapting for no reason. 𝒃𝒆𝒅𝙣𝒐𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝒎

Passing my hands through the hair around my horns, which would take a bit of getting used to, I glanced around at the scorched earth; fields of ash reaching over the horizon filled my eyes as I stood still, taking it all in.

“Just how many died?” I asked despite not really caring; glancing down at the ring of bael, I spoke, “How long was I out?”

“Week and a half, I’d suggest you take it slow. Your body is still adapting to your new power. You are an Empyrean now, and as you know, that comes with a great deal of change. Especially for you.” Zax said, and I frowned, knowing he was right.

As a Low God, the properties of the Qi needed to be changed and developed. But due to the Path of Abyssal Night, I’d never had to worry about such things. But being an Empyrean now, I had no idea what the hell was going to happen.

Adaptation aside would happen to the Laws of Darkness and me as being an Empyeaon was about the body.

“I’ll deal with it somehow. I’ve been stepping into unchartered territory since I entered Baels library. Now, tell me, what do you think my current battle prowess is?”

“Hollowed Arsene could battle a Godking, you might not win, but you’ll not die.” He said, bringing a smile to my face.

“What about my base form?”

“Low Emperor. You’re immune to every dao, and you’ve learned several spells and rituals, and you got Astral force, although still small, it’s said to be more dangerous than Soulforce. Not to mention whatever this demonic form of use does, and need I bring up Demonic Resonance?’ he said, ” If you can master The Hollowing, you’ll be Godking in no time, although I doubt you’ll get to paragon any time soon. The minimum to reach the apex is a chaos cycle unless your Zariel or form the badlands .”

“And I’ll be a Godking if I can incorporate all I’ve learned from Baels archives into my battle form. Right?”

“Correct.”

“I’ve really come a long way; guess all that torment wasn’t bad, huh. Fuck I’m definitely going to make Zariel pay. The nut-shot war shall once again commence! Defend your testicles, brother, for I am coming! I am COMMING! No homo.”

A/N: The Nut-Shot War is a real thing.