Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

“Focus!” I coldly said to Ezra, seated in the lotus position covered in sweat. “You’ve had enough time to become acclimated as a Shadowfell. What we need now is to awaken your forsaken lineage.”

Embers of black nodes drizzled over Ezra as her teeth clenched and her veins began to reveal themselves, throbbing as if reaching a limit. Her skin grew red hot, so much so that she mirrored the image of a lobster.

“Master…” Ezra moaned as blood trickled down her nose. “I-I-I can’t.”

“Of course, you can. Freya did it. And you sure as Hell can.” I challenged, seeing no other way to get Ezra pumped. It was embarrassing one of my knights hadn’t awakened as a Forsaken… then again, I don’t even know if Mimir has.

“If you want to make a difference to combat beings far above your level like me, being a Shadowfell is a must. There is a reason I can tank a full-on attack by a Paragon. And it’s due to that lineage. Being immune to every dao is amazing, but there is so much more you can do with the blood of a Forsaken.”

Sensing a change in her intent, growing more focused, a hint of a smile appeared when Lily’s voice suddenly echoed through my mind. “When will you do anything with your forsaken lineage? As far as I know, it doesn’t mix into the Shadowfell.”

‘It doesn’t mix but transfers to those I change and those they change. I’ve got the best defense in existence. There isn’t much to do with it yet, but I’ve got a few theories on implementing it into my fighting style.” I replied, chuckling, ” Oh, who got my Forsaken Linage?”

“Your son. Your daughter… she got your madness. Her fall was nothing pretty.” Lily muttered in a torn voice. “She was so kind too, so innocent. But enough of that. If Ezra awakens the Linage, what does that mean for us now?”

“Means I can send her on her way towards the hells with a legion behind her. I don’t expect her to rule the Nines. But I do expect her to take the first layer. Not to mention I wish to see it.”

“I saw Hell once. Shit is crazy in there.” Lily remarked. “Arcadia is a compilation of everything, and there are pathways that lead to the Nines. We got super unlucky one time. Ended up dining with Lucifer. Cool dude. At least till he found out Crowe and your Son were hitting on some of his concubines… That’s when things got less than ideal.”

I smiled. “So my son has balls. He better. I don’t just let anyone suck on my wife’s tit… In fact. I don’t let anyone, for that matter. Fuck them, kids. Those breasts are….”

“Your such a dummy. Whatever look.”

Picking my eyes towards Ezra as the black nodes began to give off a small repellent aura, my eyes began to glow as I felt natural law begin to be pushed back. Memorized as her once black hair began to shift to a scarlet color, my heart hammered as a wild, forsaken aura flared out of her. I jumped to my feet as her ruby-red eyes opened.

“I did it!” She said, trying to sound cheerful, but the white robes over her body began to be devoured by blood as the light in her eyes went dead.

Catching her before she fell, I frowned. “Did this happen with Freya? No… I don’t think it did. Freya did it naturally, but Ezra had to force it.” Gently wiping the blood pooling from her pores, my frown grew stiff and deepened, “Does that mean that no matter the talent, not just anyone can awaken my lineage?”𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Your daughter didn’t have it. Not everyone can be lucky. The Forsaken Blood can rival angelic bloodlines. Especially yours that render armor and weapons obsolete.” Lily chuckled. “Your race is already immune to everything, which will only grow stronger until you are immune no matter the layer of heaven. You’re no weaker or stronger than the other races out there. Every race has its thing. For example, the Ilthad can dream cast, rendering you useless for a time… and it’s unblockable. And that’s innate.”

‘Dream cast?”

“Oh, I forgot you’re a noob. Dream casting is a form of Illusion that works on all beings with ambition, those with dreams of grandeur or just dreams in general. I’m sure you’ve known how to use it, but never since its—’

“Weak? It requires matching soul level.”

“Yes, but with astral energy, you bypass such restrictions. But it’s so hard for other races to use it that most give up. I don’t even think Zariel can do it. But this one race came along, and at birth, they had mastery over dreamscape.”

Casting a few healing spells to help Ezra out, I couldn’t help but frown.

“Fighting an Ilthad requires pure concentration and schemes. One bad move and you might die… how’d we get on this topic? Tsk. When are we leaving… your arm will not heal for at least a hundred years; let’s go. I’m bored! You’ve not fucked in like gods know how long, and aside from watching you bully people, I’m bored!”

Fucking Lily. Goodness, are all Abyssal Fiends like this mentally? Or is it just the royal family that has a lily within them? Although it is concerning that my daughter suffered from our bloodline madness.

Shaking my head, I sigh, “It’s for the best.

Looking skywards, I sighed and rose to my feet with Ezra in my arms. Lily was right; I need to keep going. With Ezra’s awakening the Forsaken Lineage, I don’t have to worry about her being injured by those atonement blades.

Reforming another dragon out of darkness, I leaped onto its back. “Onwards.”

The shadow dragon growled and flapped its wings taking to the skies in seconds towards the Guiser Planes.

Piercing through the winds of Iluthath at a blinding speed, my surrounding appeared like smeared images and streaking stars as time trickled by.