Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Unable to be bothered to see what type of ship Adrian had procured, I headed to the captain's chambers and sank into the bed, allowing sweet oblivion to swallow me. By the time I woke some hours later. A comforting warmth tugged at my ear. Echoing with the sound of nibbling.

My heart jumped and calmed all at once as I opened my eyes to Lilith, munching down on the tip of my ear like a little hamster.

She stared at me dead and continued her nibbling. "... what are you doing?"

"Nothing." Came her sweet reply as she stared, her nibbling echoing.

"What's up with the nibbling as of late? Not that I'm complaining."

Lilith amethyst eyes glowed, dimmed, and glowed all at once. "You didn't miss me?" She whispered so low my heart dipped. She bowed her head and sank into the sheets. "Is… Is Lili not needed anymore? It's cause I'm fat! I'm a whale!"

"Whale hoe!!!" I joked, tending to the tears flooding the little lasses' eyes. She trembled and bit her lips. "Oh, come on, Lilith. I'm only kidding. You hungry?"

Her head perked a little, and she shook. "No."

"This isn't a booty call… Right?" I half hoped.

"No."

"So you missed this king! You missed my majesty. My badassery? The bullying."

Nodding against all reason, Lilith teared up again. "It's been so long. Dozens of Chaos Cycles. Lili misses you. Hugs?"

Warmth momentarily consumed my heart as I looked at my seemingly defenseless wife. It was a little weird she would just start nibbling on my ear, but she is Lilith. Reason doesn't make sense when it comes to her.

Running my hands through silvery hair, Lilith leaned into my palm and smiled lovingly. "Want to spend the day in bed? I don't think we ever did that."

"I don't think we ever have. Now that you mentioned it.." Lilith reconfirmed, inching closer to me. My arms reached out, taking hold of her. We spooned as waves of darkness consumed my mind.

I used a lot of energy with Lorell. Too much, honestly.

Finding my palm on the two unborn buns cooking away, I felt the exuberant pulse of life radiating from Lilith's womb. Throbbing with infinite possibilities, I felt a connection between Lilith, Iza, and Ves, all congeal.

"Sene?" Lilith called.

"Hmmm?"

"Aurelia Snow said she needed my help."

"Same," I replied, releasing a weary yawn feeling oddly enough at home. "You going to help her?"

"Yes."

My eyes opened. "I don't see the point in what Aurelia is doing. Do you? Seems like a waste of time. To sit on the Father's throne is suicide."

"The One gave her permission." Lilith conveyed softly. "And hold me tighter."

I smiled, and my grip tightened. "I do believe this was Aurelia's dream even from the beginning. I remember that. The Heavenly Throne is all she ever craved. It was the ultimate treasure. Not that I believed her back then."

"Zariel almost died. Because of Aurelia's greed." Lilith softly mentioned.

"Yet you agreed. Why?"

Lilith turned, snuggling out of my palm. She faced me, with her soft breath kissing against my lips. Her pupils were trembling. "My other self said to do it. To help her."

"Abyss-chan?"

"Why do you call her 'chan' and not me? Lili-chan would sound so cute! Take this!" opening her mouth wide, Lilith snapped down softly over my nose with victory in her eye. "For your betrayal."

"Your so weird." I mused, with an odd smile, unsure why my lower half was bulging at Lilith's weird antics. It had been a while since she had acted like this. I missed it.

She smiled, backing away. "Learned your lesson?"

"Is that a challenge, Lili-chan?" My eyes narrowed. And her's glowed like fire.

"Against my loving king? Heavens no. How could I… challenge you, the Lord of Absolute Darkness." Replied Lilith with a heavy fever. She inched close to me, pressing her lips against mine: Her kiss soft as silk yet wild like a volcano.

I became Ensnared by those enchanting eyes, and my wife giggled as she pulled away. "So? Are you going to help us?"

"Why not? Whatever you want." I teased, and suddenly a large eruption shook the ship startling me as I snapped up and off the bed with Pride in hand. Fear rattled my core as I sensed the aura of a greater being stationed on my ship.

Suddenly, an arm pressed onto my should as Lilith pulled herself up with me as leverage. She smiled. "Relax. It's a friend."

Eyes narrowing, I frowned at that. 'A friend? A male friend?"

"To me, yes. To you, no. He's something more, yet less. There when you need it, but—"

"Damn it, woman, you know I hate puzzles." I moaned, sending Pride back into my soul.

Lilith giggled, hooked her arms over mine, and led the way forward with amusement. "Come on. I haven't seen him in a while, either."

"Family," I finally figured as she rushed forward by her side. My eyes went wide as I gasped. " Fucking Eroma."

"BROOOOOOO!!!!!"

We stormed out of the cabin to the front deck, and my jaw dropped at the bloodied body of eroma planted on my ship. Nothing more than skin and bones, broken every which way. I took a large breath.

"Uncle!" I muttered, taken aback by his frail appearance.

He was nothing more than a skeleton. Walking remains a step into the Reaper's arms.

His rib cage was clearly visible, as was the outline of every bone pressed tightly against his skin. His hair was disheveled, and it appeared like it was about to fall at any moment. Even his eyes looked like they had shrunken deeper into his sockets.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"My Master," Eroma muttered, panting for air. "Lilith dear, can you not tell him where I am? Master will—"

"Ten Rice Balls!" Lilith negotiated with the brightest evil grin.

"..."

"..."

"..."

'..."

'Sure." Eroma said, not even bothering to try. My man just gave up.

Rushing to his side, taking Uncle into my arms, I couldn't help but gasp at the hollowness of his bones. It was as if any little thing could shatter all his bones.

"He's coming." Eroma fearfully yelped. Snapping his gaze to me. " Please… Please…"

"Tene," I called as darkness trembled around us.

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