Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Toes curling, Tene rested between my legs, finishing our session, having determined no winner. Sliding up and down, I clenched her head with both hands as she stared up so hard it felt like she was staring into my soul. A heavy groan tugged at the back of my throat as I came, unable to resist Tene's sweet touch.

"Your gaze will kill me before my body does," I told her, falling onto my back and gasping for air. Tene slithered over me, placing her head against my chest as the wetness between her leg slithered over my knee. She smiled hungrily, kissing my chest.

"I'm not pregnant yet." She told me.

"I seem to remember you wanted to slow down due to the slightest touch making you cum." I reminded the little lass as she shyly smiled.

"I… don't recall." She muttered, glancing the other way. She suddenly shot her eye at me and lunged at my neck, nibbling like a little vampire over the nape of my neck.

I warmly smiled, stroking her silky smooth hair. "I might have to make a schedule just for us. Who knew the Night Mother was such a succubus."

"I like when you call me that."

"What?" I probed, a little intrigued.

"Mother."

"Oh? Ahhh! I see. Do you want me to call you mommy while I fuck you?"

"Sene!" Tenebrae screamed, hitting my chest with her small fist as I burst into laughter. She buried her head into my chest, mouthing off a few words I didn't quite catch. "Your sick… bully." snorting cutely against my chest, Tene peeped up. 'How do you feel? Has the amassing energy faded?"

"Oh! I almost forgot. Let's see… " Scanning my cultivation with my Divine Sense, I discovered seven strange runes imprinted over my two ankles, wrist, heart, waist, and brain. Written in a language that was neither Abyssal, Infernal, or Enochian, I looked down at Tene. "Can you see this?"

"See what?"

Startled, for a long while, I frowned. " The runes on my body."

Tenebrae lifted herself towards my eyes level and tilted her head, giving me a once-over. she shook her head." There's nothing there." She told me. "What do you see?"

I wanted to explain, but aside from calling them runes, I had no words. They just seemed to exist. And describing them didn't make Sense. It was like they were altering themselves every time I stared at them for a singular period of time.

"Devils know every language within the Myriad Heavens. If you do see any runes or sigils you can't read, they might be from the Abyssal Side. But I speak and read the majority of Abyssal Script and its various variations." She explained, humming with a curious smile filled with interest.

"Hello? Lady Tenebrae?" A sharp effeminate voice echoed through our chambers as we turned to the door.

"What is it, Velenere?" Tenebrae answered, somewhat annoyed as she reached up only to fall back into my arms. A look of shock plastered over her delicate features."I-I-I can't feel my legs."

"Your welcome," I proudly proclaimed, basking in all my riches. "It's a right of passage. I'm sure there is still a throbbing ache between her legs." She nodded. "Enjoy that too. You're a woman now… and a mother soon."

"Nessa has begun to wither. Our spies are all dead, as are hundreds of Devils that once occupied the area." Velenere said. "Seems a powerful miasma has taken root within its depths. It's Abyssal."

"Shit." Tenebrae hissed. "Pull out of Nessa. And contact whoever is in charge. Why the fuck weren't we notified by the Abyss!"

Pulling Tenebrae back down as she attempted to rise, I shook my head. " Easy now. Let's wait."

Tenebrae's brow furrowed. "Those are my—"

"Children? Relax and think strategically. Why were your men in Nessa?"

"It's the perfect stronghold: whether it's location, the abundance of Qi, Celestial Veins, and more. Nessa is a haven for any superpower." Tenebrae explained, growing angrier the longer she remained curled in my arms. "The number of resources there with the recent change to the realm could breed a powerful immortal. And with time, we might see a Fell God if we were lucky."

"We aided Lilith in her conquest of Nessa. We are owed our dues."

I thought about it for a moment and released Tene. It really wasn't my place to tell her not to fight Lilith. War is a game, after all. And in any game, there are sacrifices. Lilith was probably marking the line: Letting them know we might be allies, but ultimately, we each have our own goals.

I'd have done the same. No major loss transpired, but….

My heart quickened for some inexplicable reason. I fixed my eyes over the horizon sensing the call from the Hells.

Someone was summoning me.

"What is it?" Tenebrae inquired, noticing my crestfallen expression as she got herself cleaned up. Her knees buckled the longer she stood, so much so that she held onto the end of the bed.

"I'm being summoned. It ought to be some Fallens calling me to bitch about Lilith's betrayal. Shit. Just my luck. Sex, and now I got to go to the Hells." I lamented, tilting my head over the bedding to Tene, dressing in a feathery black dress that reminded me of a phoenix feather. I ogled her hourglass figure, filling out that dress in every right way, and cursed my luck. "Visit me in hell if this takes too long?"

"From what I hear, two women are there to warm your bed. What do you need me for?" She mocked with an elegant smile that felt colder than a blade against my neck.

"And how could they compare to my Wife?" I assured her, shaking my head. I forced myself up, grunting with each action as I clothed myself. I glanced at her… "You really couldn't see those strange runes?"

"I swear I couldn't." She said, "Try asking Zariel… he sees everything."

Concern about the change, I figured it had to do with the Path of Abyssal Night. All that energy within me had to go somewhere. A lot of it went to me, but the majority…

"I'll come to visit as soon as I get an answer from Lilith." She promised, shooting me a wink as she exited my chambers. Her expression became regal the moment she left.

"Guess it's time for me to get to work," I muttered, summoning a Hell Gate. I stepped in, welcoming the overwhelming blaze dancing over my flesh as I emerged within a chamber surrounded by flames capable of felling even the strongest of Elder Gods. I eyed the Nine Throne and the seven already filled out.

I did not bother to greet the various Fallen gathered but stepped to my Throne, taking a seat upon the Throne forged of Brimstone. I surveyed the area, marking the familiar and unfamiliar faces.

"Let me guess; This is about Nessa?"