Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Knowing Tene was masking Eroma's precise location from End, I rushed Eroma inside and turned to Lilith for help. But the little lass could only shake her head.

"End trains by breaking down all mortal flaws." She conveyed with a hint of dread in her voice. "When Eroma became an abyssal Fiend, many of his imperfections, like his bones, organs, soul, and much more, were still not at the level of Abyssal Fiend, which is why we don't like turning people. There usually weaker than the average abyssal fiend."

"I didn't know that," I whispered. Was it the same for my Shadowfell? 99% were assimilated through various races. There wasn't a True Pureblood Shadowfell yet. And there'll not be one unless I create one from scratch, or the Heavens do.

Now that's an interesting study to take into consideration. I ought to experiment.

"End is probably the best hand-to-hand combat fighter I know. He is a monster through and through: All his Artes are almighty, even his basics, if you can believe that." Lilith looked at me and sighed. "I can't help him because it would ruin some of his progress. End is trying to destroy all weakness within Eroma."

"So, in your kind eyes. Anyone who changes into an Abyssal Fiend is considered Halfbloods?" I said, considering what she said.

Lilith pondered for a moment and nodded. "That's one way of putting it. Yes, but Devils do the same. So too, do Demons. And in time, they become whole again. Every devil who stands upon a throne you have seen was born a pure devil. It takes time for a newcomer recently turned to match up.

"What End is doing is forcing that change. And with Abyssal Fiends being so strong and Eroma's previous race being so weak beforehand. He needs extreme tempering. Suppose there was a hierarchy in terms of blood purity. I would put Eroma in Pureblood right now, a high-tier pureblood. And End wants him at the peak."

"Will he even live?" I darkly asked, unsure when I truly started treating Eroma like a true member of the family.

I had not even visited my parents in god knows how long. I liked them. But they weren't Zariel or little Truck-Kun. There weren't my true family. Eroma and Greyson. Those two… They were family. Real Family.

"End knows what he's doing."

I turned to Lilith." I didn't ask that."

Lilith grew silent and shook her head, pinching at my soul. " I don't know. I truly do not know. To wipe out any mortal roots from both the body and soul is a heaven-defying feat. Devils are immortals. But Abyssal Fiends aren't. We can die."

"I've seen devils die."

"Against Angels and Fallen. Some of the most powerful bastards in existence. But for those that are human or any other race. The possibility of destroying a devil's soul is so small it's considered impossible. You are the perfect example. If you die, you go to hell to be reborn. You have a devil's bloodline in you. And that goes for every Shadowfell. Unless the soul is truly destroyed, you'll come back. You have all the benefits of every race but none of the weaknesses. Lucky you."

"But it takes time."

"But you will return. Eroma will not." Lilith stressed. "You devoured most of the passive abilities of devils and demons." She paused and turned to Eroma. " If Lily were to make a chart of all your skills. They'd be endless."

"You sound jealous." I mused jokingly.

"He needs rest," Lilith said softly when a cold voice echoed through the Void.

"My lady, forgive my insolence, but my disciple cannot afford a break."

The Void trembled and twisted as two beings emerged. One by my side and one across from me.

Tene took my hand and pulled me away as she stared with weariness at End's stoic expression.

He fell to one knee. " he is close to being near my purity. One more bath in the Primordial Chaos and he either surpasses me or reaches my level."

"He'll die. He can bearly walk, much less crawl." I coldly said.

"Irrelevant. Power comes at a price. Or has your lesson with Zax already been forgotten?" The stone face End shot back. "You think life is always easy? Do you think you will not have to go through the same thing once you break out of this Heaven? The Silver Devil has already come to us for resources for you."

"Your chances are better than my disciple, but you still have a thirty percent chance of death versus Eroma's ninety."

My heart dipped into shards of ice at his words, and my finger clenched. "What does Eroma need to live?"

"Willpower," he said, hammering at my soul.

"Stop—"

"It's not our choice to decide, Sene." Lilith suddenly said. "Eroma is married. It's Elsa's decision."

Jaw-dropping open, I staggered back. " Eroma… got… married? Horse shit! I'll eat ass before I believe that!"

"Why are you so vulgar!" Both Tene and Lilith muttered with reddened cheeks.

End, however, remained like stone. " Unofficially. But yes. They are married."

"Holy shit. Holy Shit! Wait no! Then where is she?"

"Waiting." Answered End coldly.

"And she allowed this?" I said with disbelief.

No one answered.

"Jesus Christ." massaging my temple, I groaned, noticing the coldness in each of their hearts. It was like mine. It was the same coldness in which I trained Adrian. " Have Zariel monitor Eroma. He has the power to see what you can't."

Sensing relief from End as he rose to his feet. His face was still stoic, but I could feel his genuine gratitude. "Will he assist?"

"You all are family, and I'm married to Lilith. He will help. My little brother is very logical. He would have helped just knowing he'd gain an abyssal ally."

"Take Eroma," Lilith said. " I'll contact Zariel on your behalf."

"Your Majesty! You don't need to—"

"It's fine. Just prepare. As you can see, my husband is quite worried, as am I. Bring him back alive, and I will give you the territory of the Fallen King, Godfrey. The Abyssal King that required three of my Generals to take down."

Cracks of emotion surfaced over End as he trembled. "That's forbidden territory."

"I know. So do not let me down, End."