Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Dear god, I'm going to get fat." I moaned, releasing a massive belch that shook the trees. I groaned, patting my pregnant stomach. I rolled to the side, grumbling. " I should have been a lord of gluttony. Shit. I'm about to die from overeating. At least it's a more respectable death than dying on the toilet."

Rolling back onto my back, I smiled as the fire near me crackled with the bones of the templars. I stared at the starless skies, to the chaos surrounding this world. Death was reigning over our heads every day. Battle after battle was being engaged, and it was beautiful.

"This is far better than star gazing. All I'm missing is wine." Smiling a little at the small pleasure in life, I stretched out my arms. " I should return to Noctem… But… I kinda want a vacation. God knows I need it. I don't think I'm ready for people to try to kill me again."

Embellishing in the vibrance from above for a few hours, I closed my eyes as sleep dipped into my consciousness when the Path of Abyssal Night suddenly stirred me awake. As if my body was burning up, sweat slithered down my brow in folds.

Unsure of what was happening, I allowed the Path to run wild, knowing my limited perception held me back more times than I could count.

I closed my eyes and sealed my perception of the outside world as the images of the Path of Abyssal Night appeared in my mind: Only to dissipate into a mist of mystery as I rejected the idea of understanding something that surpassed my wildest dreams.

How can one stand to reason with a God if you are but a mortal?

If I am to comprehend the Language of God and the Abyss, I need to learn Primordial. But to do so, I need to grasp the illogical sensation the Path brings.

Breathing in the elements of Iluthath, an unfathomable omnipotent aura wiggled through my veins, tracing over my muscles and nerves a sensation of being complete, of being one with the Abyss, and the Myriad fell into place. Balanced formed as Night appeared, and Abyss congealed. They spun in polar opposites, pushing my spirit deeper into its esoteric depths.

By the time I returned to myself, I had noticed the fire beside me had withered and died as webs of vines gathered around me, ensnaring me within with its touch.

My Divinity bled out, disintegrating the vines around me, as a Sovereign aura billowed from my body, signifying the jump in cultivation.

"High God, Sovereign," I whispered, a little terrified by how quickly I broke through.

"Congrats, Lord Snow. But do you think it's wise to sleep in the open? Especially for the past few hundred years?" A slippery voice said, jolting me to my feet as I scanned the area. "No need to fear. It's only I, the Great Tricksters of the Deep, Lord, Loki!"

Leaping down from the canopies above, he landed in an eccentric manner. Smiling from ear to ear, he bowed, " How have you been? Missed me? Of course, you have. Your life couldn't have been better without me fucking with you."

My brow twitched. "Last time… didn't you sell me into slavery?"

Loki nodded with the utmost pride, taking a couple of steps back. " Of course. Why?" he said, smiling while he inched away.

"... You better hope I don't catch you. What the hell am I doing here?" I grimly asked him, unable to help my face from growing darker.

"Well…" Loki scratched the back of his head. " After you fainted, Lord Mephisto returned with an angry expression. And demanded Lilith tell her where her kids were hiding. But your wife didn't know what he was talking about, so he stole you away. Tried to search your soul, got mad, and tossed you away. And told me to come get you."

My jaw dropped. " Why do I feel like you're leaving out a lot of shit."

"And why do I feel like you're always fainting." He pointed out, his swords stabbing quite deep. I lowkey do faint a lot. "Don't kill the messenger. But he's still mad and is looking for you for answers."

"He… searched my soul?" I asked, somewhat guarded. Feeling a little too exposed.

"Tried to. But failed quite miserably. You should have seen how angry Master was. Anyway, I'm to bring you to him. So you ready?" Loki asked, circling me with a pensive look.

"I'm actually quite busy," I told him, waving him off. "How about you go in my stead? I've no interest in explaining anything to Mephisto. Especially after learning he tried to soul-rape me. "

Loki's juvenile expression grew solemn. "Arsene, Master wants answers. His attitude is quite grim. You don't have a choice."

I shrugged, not finding a single fuck to give." Not interested."

"I see." He said softly, shooting me a look of sorrow. He took a step back. " Then I'll leave you deal with him, my Lady."

A wholesome storm swarmed my flesh in a web of despair as every nerve within me screamed. Dread slithered through my soul like a serpent as a red-haired maiden appeared. Her eyes were beautiful jewels of silver that complemented the magnificent features she carried. And yet, as I stared her way, fear was the only response I could retain.

"Arsene Snow," She said, her voice cold as primordial ice, yet a hint of a playful smile could be seen over her beckoning lips.

I frowned and, without hesitation, summoned Wrath and Noctem.

"There'd be no need for that." She said, " I am Ishar, King of the Eight Layer of Hell, First hand to the Fallen Lord of the Eighth and the First Maiden of Blood. Lower your weapons, lest you risk humiliating yourself."

"You married?" I teased.

The playfulness dipped into something sinister as she shook her head. "I'd heard of that legendary tongue of yours. But if I were you, I'd keep it shut." She warned, with promising eyes. "Lord Mephisto would like a word."

Dismissing my weapons, knowing I stood no chance, the frown over my lips deepened." So he sent the big gun. Why you?"

"Resist and find out," she said, snapping her fingers as a Hell Gate emerged, bringing with it the scent of Brimstone. "Shall we?"