Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"... Your daughter… that devil. She did something to me." He began, twirling the ends of his hair. "All this started with her when I first awoke. That memory fragment you gave me. Revealed something. She was there when my memories faded. She was there at the moment of my birth."

I started for Mephisto. My fist clenched so hard as my vision fell to blood. And yet, before I could knock my fist back, Lilith held me. Quickly taking hold of my palm, she smiled. "So this is about our children?"

"I don't know yet." He replied, his gaze slowly raising to ours. "I've been trying to discover that. But the evidence keeps leading back to them. But the simple fact is… I know they had a hand in many things throughout time. I have a theory. Would you like to hear it?"

I sneered. "You love to change the subject, don't you."

"Would you like to hear it?" He replied, knowing I would fall prey to his words. That bastard.

"Go ahead," Lilith replied for me. Saving me a little face.

"My theory is that the twins were within Heaven the entire time we were. I think they had a hand in the Fall. The evolution of the Highborn and more. Under a different face, they walked the Myriad… if not the Abyss as well. And I know damn well. Tenebrae knew. It's the only face I can't remember. The one who stood by her side. Throughout everything.

This man! How the hell did he even… figure that out? No memory at all, and he can confidently make such claims? Even if it's just a theory… People at our level know when to trust instinct. Fuck. What is going on behind the scenes?

It's utterly frustrating not knowing Mephisto's Grand Scheme. Now, somehow my children are involved. Just who is the enemy? Mephisto? The Seraphim? The Nines? The Myriad? This game everyone is playing… Someone is going to die. I'm sure of it. And I need to make sure it's not from our side.

We are not as big as the Nine Hells or Heaven. We are but a group of ten, maybe twenty. We can't afford to lose anyone. Metatron almost killed my sister. She was caught off guard, and it's not like having extreme power means anything if everyone has it. We need tactics.

"Your theory… Let's put that aside for now." Lilith said in a reserved tone. "This sacrifice. Do we die?"

"I'd never kill any of you. I guess 'never' isn't the right word. But no, to answer your question. I have zero intentions to kill you now or in the future. You know, unless you do something stupid like Metatron and betray a particular level of trust."

I frowned at that.

Mephisto sighed, scratching the back of his head, as he looked up at the azure skies. "What I do is out of greed. But my pride as an Angel is not clouded as a Fallen. I do have a bottom line. At least as long as I'm sane." He replied smilingly like he wasn't even speaking. "Honestly, it worries me… your children… Few people have ever seen my true form. And those that have. Have lost the memory of it due to Black Sabbath. But… my ability doesn't work on those of the Abyss. Maybe it's due to the Hive Mind."

My frown deepened. But the mask of indifference soothed my emotions as nodes of darkness bubbled around my soul, damping the Sin of Wrath. I sucked in a deep heavy breath that seemed to scorch my lungs with anger.

"You will owe the both of us a favor," I told him, and his fiendish smile returned. Twisting in such a way that sent a chill to the deepest part of my soul.

"I could live with that… Fine. But know… Me owing you a favor is always a double-edged sword. When you involve me, expect I will gain something." His gaze slid to Lilith. "And you?"

"If Arsene wishes I do so, I shall notify my House not to kill you in the event of whatever you have planned… And Mephisto…" She paused, her gaze ablaze with a might I'd never seen before. "There are entities in the Abyss. Entities that stand with me. Do not overstep. I am not Arsene. I don't play with my food."

"You—" He shook his head, cuffing his palm. "Your warning, I shall take to heart. Your Majesty, Abyss. And if I may… Father told me something interesting. A story of the Monolith of End."

Sealing all emotion within my heart at that moment, I saw Lilith raise her hand. "We both know such inflammation is privy only to those within the Ranks of Infringement Gods or Fell Gods. But if you don't mind… I'd like to know… this True Form you speak of, what is it?"

His eyes went wide, and laughter sprang out from his lips. "Oh my! I don't mind answering. I'm sure I'll reveal it within Arcadia. But do you think I look like this?" He teased, tugging at his lazy eyes with the bright, child-like grin. "I've got a lot of enemies. The less they know about me, the better. They already have my name. Any more about who I am could lead to me slaughtering nine generations of fools who think themselves superior. Life at the top is hard, you know. But I'm sure you'll find out soon. I suspect there will be a challenger soon."

"A challenger? Me? Like in a match? Hmmm, I don't think I've ever been challenged before. Have I? Hmmm."

Mephisto chuckled. "Yup. Anyway, I'm glad I got your guy's permission. I hate guilt. And as a parting gift, I've got a present for you. A technique created by Zariel and myself during a collaboration we shared once upon a time. Man, how the years pass. Anyway, this is a soul-based technique that will help get you into the Realm of Chaos Lord. Avar is already learning it. That little monster is your brother's rising disciple. She'll be entering the world of Rankers soon. Because the peaceful days like this one is about to end."

Unable to even track when his fingers touched between my brow, a blinding array of light pierced my Soul Flame.

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