Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

The mischievous nature of this Fallen dissipated as he slid his gaze toward the chasm. He stepped forward, squatted over the ledge, and turned to me.

"How many dead."

"It's an entire kingdom. Millions, I believe, or billions. The city seems quite massive." I reveal but hold my tongue regarding Ves. Some things didn't need to be said. "So? Are you going to explain why the Fel is here?"

"There has only been one instance I've found where a Fel was within the Myriad Heavens. And he was Zariels mortal enemy. It was enlightening because Father had banished them. Tell me, can you recall any of their features?"

"Eh?"

Trying to recall the image of blood that I saw in the city below, my heart trembled as I opened my eyes wide. I couldn't recall. There was nothing there.

"You can't, can you? You're lucky. If you were to have met a Pure Blood the moment your eyes were to leave the Fel, you would lose all memory of them, alongside however long you stared at them." Mephisto said softly. He rose to his feet and grimaced. "That is what made the Fel dangerous. Can you imagine being in a life-and-death battle, and the moment you turn or survey your area, you lose all memory of the fell and your battle?"

"Damn," I muttered.

"When I created the Fel, I wanted them to be the strongest. So I gave them many life-saving measures. Using some of the greatest resources known to the Myriad Heavens."

Another bullshit ability. What's fucking new.

"Can you stop this memory wipe shit?" I questioned, spitting blood from my lips as my organs burned with the Fel Toxins eating me alive from the inside out.

"You technically can if you seal it, but seals are specific tools. You can't just place an encompassing seal on them or anyone. It needs to be almighty to counter the almighty innate ability of the Fel. It's like your adaptation. The only way to stop it is with an Almighty Seal on a specific point. A point that not even you are clear of." Mephisto sighed and positioned his hands behind his back in a poised manner.

"The toxins within you should fade after a Chaos Cycle. "

"The fuck!"

"Kidding." He joked, shooting me a cheap smile.

My teeth gritted together. "How long old man."

"It'll be gone in a few hours. You didn't have a lot of exposure. That said, you don't seem concerned about who killed them." The Fallen arched his lips and narrowed his cold red eyes.

"That's because he already knows." A chilling voice announced as the void trembled around us. Shredding the cold to nothingness, Zero appeared with a bloodlust I found different from what I remembered.

Zero was never one to let his bloodlust get the best of him. He was always poised. Always. No matter the situation. He remained calm. But this bloodlust seemed… more threatening than it did poise.

"Zero!" Mephisto chuckled. " What brings you here, my friend? Care for a drink like old times?"

"I know what you are planning, Mephisto."

"Doubtful," Mephisto smirked. " If you did, you wouldn't be standing as my enemy. You only see what I want you to."

Listening carefully, I glanced at Seraphina standing behind Zero and beckoned her to my side.

"It's because I have an idea of what you are planning that I stand against you. Although, if I were to tell Arsene or Zariel, they'd bitch. And things might get out of control." Zero mentioned and touched his masked; slowly, he pulled it off, revealing a single eye that sparkled an emerald hue. "Shall we discuss… I'm sure we can come to an arrangement."

… Why does this feel like a betrayal of some kind?

Focusing on Mephisto as he frowned. The Fallen nodded. "There might be a deal to be made. But you are wrong.

"I know what you are thinking. Ishar is your rook. The Fel the Pawns, as is the Forsaken, You are the King. Your knight is—"

"Is this chess? Really can't you guys talk like normal people? And Zero, if you're going to screw us over, can you at least not do it in front of me?" I persuaded, shaking my head with a sliver of frustration.

I one hundred percent trusted Zero. But he is a mastermind. And will screw us over to achieve the greater good. That's why we made him our thinker. Sacrifices needed to be made, and Zero was the only one at the time capable of making those plans. Still is, it seems.

"Shall we discuss?" Mephisto mused, vanishing in a wisp of mist alongside Zero.

"He is going to screw you," Seraphina mentioned, rubbing her arms as the cold bit at her smooth skin.

"That's what makes him an honorary Snow member." I casually teased. A little concerned and relieved, Zero could counter a few of Mephisto's moves. Although that does beg the question, what is Mephisto's end game?

Zero mentioned it would anger Zariel and me. Us to so it must concern us personally. The kids, maybe? But he has already shown interest in them. So that's a given. They were going to be bothered by him. That's not what I'm concerned about. At this point, it's a rite of passage for a Snow. So while he must have plans for my kids, I suspect that there is no real damage there. Mephisto isn't bloodthirsty like the other Fallen. That being said, it is curious. What did Zero learn that I'm missing?

Suddenly taking hold of my stomach, an intense pain flared off my being as I vomited a mouthful of blood into the snow that eagerly devoured the red.

"Shit," I muttered. "If these Fel were half-bloods or something less, how is it their toxins are so potent."

"Adaptation isn't going to help you this time," Lily mentioned. "Each Fel have a different toxin within them. Some are more deadly than others, but ultimately, all are deadly."

"I'll be ready next time," I whispered. We'll see how the toxin fare against the darkness. Kuro, prepare the horses to ride. And Sera. Dear Sera, care to tell us what happened with the angels?"

"Not even a hi or hello? No, welcome back, Seraphina. Why were you with Zero? Just right onto business?" Sera berated, folding her arms over her ample chest.

"Oh?" Lifting my bloodstained lips, I chuckled. "If you want to go on a date, just ask me out. Although your paying." I teased. "Or this could be some pillow talk. I don't mind showing you how much it means to me that you returned safely. In fact, it would be my honor to nail you over the—"

"OK~OK! I get it!" She cried with reddening cheeks. "I get it! I'll tell you. Just stop talking."