Awakening to the glimmers of moonlight kissing the tips of my cheek within Nocturne, warmth cascaded over my bare flesh on both sides of my body that rested two ladies. Their expression was rosy, but listening to their snores, I knew they'd be asleep for a while.
Nothing like a good night or a few in bed wakes a man up the next day. I ought to find the time to visit Ezra, Freya, and Zan.
'I really am living my best life.' I whispered the words few get to speak and trailed my fingers through the hair of the two ladies. Honestly, I didn't get Lilith. It was clear she hated Tene. But what she did last night was…
I smiled. It's none of my business. Trying to comprehend Lilith is never going to happen. Giving my body a stretch, I wiggled out of the two ladies' arms, got dressed, and finally made my way to ishar's room within the western towers. I gave a few knocks, opened the door, and smiled, staring at a parchment in her hand.
"Thought you were on vacation?"
She sighed, her arms dropping to the bed. "I was, but that Ranker woke me up." She replied, turning to me with a weary yawn. "He was weak, you know."
"Everyone who fights me usually ends up having their battle prowess cut in half. My forsaken heritage ensures that. Whether its armor or weapons, living or dead, it's all the same."
"So I've heard," Ishar said. " My Master is very interested in your bloodline. He's even created a library about it. For many Chaos Cycles, he's studied your heritage, trying to find any weakness."
A chuckle escaped me. " Mephisto is always looking for a weakness."
"It's not true. While I do admit, Master focuses more on weaknesses. My Master has pushed your bloodline to levels and pressure you can't even fathom merely to see its true potential. He wants to know everything. Even if it means putting his life on the line."
"Ishar," I started, somewhat intrigued. Zariel had mentioned her a few times during our travels, but nothing was conclusive. " Why do you call Mephisto your Master? Your not really his disciple, or is it merely because of your race that seeks fealty in the Sovereign Lords."
A surprising warmth rose over her lips in a smile, charming me where I stood. "Because Master is worthy. Each of the Sovereign Lords is insanely powerful. It would be hard for me to win any battle with them. But that's to be expected of them. They are the pinnacle of dread and fear, but Master… He is a true Lord."
This woman… Did she say it would be 'hard'? Just how powerful is she?
"Schemes and Tricks aside. Lord Mephisto was the first to approach me. And against all that I know now. He bowed, showing respect to a False King of the Eighth Layer when I lived in the Fourth Heaven. I could see there was arrogance in his features. A loathing. But it wasn't for me, but rather where I stood." She smiled. " Come with me, and I shall show you the true Hells. Bael has no right to the Throne in the presence of the Bloodstained Witch, Ishar."
My heart quickened.
Mephisto said that to her in the Fourth Heaven. Just how bloody strong was she? No! Strength shouldn't have mattered. What the Hell did he see that would force Bael to step down? Now that I think about it.
"That man… He's nothing like I thought he'd be." She told me, slowly sitting up. "He's like a big kid, with power that seemed too much for even him to control. So I trained him. I taught him my Blood Laws."
"..."
"What…. WHAT!!!" I yelped, flashing in front of her, and a cheeky grin welcomed me.
'You think he made me a queen of Sylvorlum for no reason?" She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Blood Laws originated with me. And I learned them from the Abyss. There is no one better at it than me. Don't think just because I'm a King, under a sovereign Lord, I'm weak. My power rivals your brother. I've got a fifty-fifty shot at defeating him." A teasing grin soothed over her plump lips, "Boi, I am damn near as powerful as my Master."
A shudder passed and faded over my being as I backed away, both shocked and amazed at the same time. And here I thought I was a monster. But this woman… this woman was just a Devil. Yet she could rival my brother. A God of Order and Chaos? I hope that's Cap; else, that would mean that even with Zariel's weave ability, they are equal.
"You! Oh, never mind. So you taught Mephisto?"
"Everything I could. But there were many things Master couldn't grasp. But in this infinite universe, there are bound to be people you can't comprehend. I just happen to be one."
"And your sister? What of Amara?"
"She'd lose. While I will admit, it would be a good fight. My dear sister has a thirty percent shot at victory. But that could be my arrogance talking. Who knows? We only ever fought once." She said, somewhat bitterly, and rose to her feet. "I'm guessing you want to learn blood laws too? I don't mind, especially since your Master's disciple. But… and Zariel, I know you're there. You better treat me right! I'm hungry!"
"EHHHHHHH!!!!"
Giggling away, far in contrast to her innately cold nature, I foresaw, I froze.
"What? I'm on vacation if you expect me to work. You better pay up."
"It's fine. I expected as much." The voice of Zariel chimed in, garnering my attention as he appeared near the door's threshold, knocking as he entered. "It's been a while, Ishar. How's Sylvorlum?"
"A silent paradise, filled with Order." She replied, falling back to the bed, her crimson eyes poised upon my little brother, who found a thin smile. 'When will you visit."
"You know I hate entering the Hells. It'll be a while." came his reply. " I'm not there yet."
She nodded, her scarlet hair suddenly fluttering as Zariels qi began to rise. " And did you just say it was fifty Fifty? Shall we test that?"
Ishar snapped to her feet, a bloody grin revealing her fangs. " Oh? Do you think just because you defeated Michael with some cheap trick, you can rival this queen? Boi, come at me. Let aunty grant you another lesson."
"No! No! No!" I hastily attested, stepping between these two monsters, unwilling to see the chaos about to reign over Hell and Heaven within my realm. There was already too much chaos.
"Tsk, it's but a spar," Ishar muttered faintly, the crimson of her eyes deepening with seams of power. She grinned.
"Agreed," Little brother added. "No one will die."
Damn them! I figured Zariel to be a battle maniac, but Ishar? Is everyone from that damn era different?
"Guys! There is much to discuss." I said, somewhat annoyed. "I've already got one Ranker ten feet buried. I can't have both of you trying to kill each other."
"It's but a spar," Ishar said, but I could see the clashing of sparks flashing between these two.
I groaned, stepping out of the way. Screw this. I'm going to hang out with my two wives. Hehe, I got two! Could life be better?
I made for the door when my brow arced up, and a Holocube appeared, revealing an image of my disciple alongside the minty hair, Avar, Zariels little monster.
"That was quicker than anticipated. Have you arrived within the Genisis base?" I said, still wondering how long I slept. There had been some clues that it was over a few hundred cycles but nothing conclusive. But I was sure I missed Avar's deadline.
"Look who's awakened." She said without feeling, and somehow the mockery that should be there seemed almost bland. "Twenty Dao cycles. That's how long it's been. Why is it you are always going missing?"
"It's a Talent. But I could do other things if you are interested. I'm sure they'd be enjoyable." I mused, shooting her a wink.
A glow sparkled in her eye." Really! Adrian has been teaching me lots. I learned how to swim, how to play hide-and-seek, and the other one! What's it called? You know the one I like!"
"Russian Roulette," the boy said with a crying expression, mouthing the words' help me.'
The tips of my lips twitched. Avar was never really one to be self-aware. I always considered her to be... part machine. And in many ways, she was.
"Is that… Master?" Avar questioned, staring at the two monsters at my rear. Her eyes glowed, quivering with a look of excitement.
"Oh!" Zariel hummed, shifting his gaze to the screen. He approached. "Disciple. How've you been? Have you mastered the 'Celestial Sword Technique?"
"Not yet, Master. But I'm close. In a few more days, I suspect I will reach great mastery." She replied, her words far warmer than they were in the past. She grinned, and a little fang protruded over the corner of her lips. " Do you have any tips?"
"The Celestial Sword Technique was forged on the spot against my battle with Aldrich. It was meant to kill him, but it's one of the Seven Sword Techniques I will be imparting that will form something greater." He began, "If I had to give advice, I would recommend actual battle. This sword Technique is meant not to be trained in seclusion but rather on the battlefield."
Avar slowly lost her smile. " Then I suspect I've fallen into the illusion of progress. If it's as you say, I might need to rework my earlier mastery."
Zariel merely nodded, but I could tell he was happy. A rare thing from what I could remember.
"Ok, enough of that. Why did you call?" I chimed in, smirking at the Master-Studen relationship between the duo. "Surely it wasn't to—"
"I need your help with the Higher Gods joining. I could use the backup. I—"
"I will send two Blood Reavers, one of the top ten Devils subspecies to exist. They ought to be more than capable of slaughtering everyone you need."
"All blood Reavers, my little bloodhounds, are equipped to slaughter and play the game of politics. It's ingrained in their blood. And it's why I only give ten Blood Reavers to each Layer of Hell. They are too much of a danger to give out as though they were candy."
I looked at Ishar smilingly. Interesting.
"Don't give me that look. You're the third poorest layer." She added, lazily rolling her eyes as she shot me a side glance. " Dagon, the last Sovereign Lord of Irkalla, held a lot of debt thanks to him. You'll do well to manage your kingdom's coin first before wanting to add more of my pets into your home."
"Whose this?" Avar asked plainly, returning to her usual self: Cold and Poised.
"Oh? Where are my manors? I am the King of the Eighth Layer of Hell, Sylvorlum. You may call me the Maiden of Blood, Ishar."
"You? A Maiden? I'd always thought that name was too pure for you." Zariel muttered, turning the other way with a devilish grin shadowing his face. He glanced back, his slivery eyes now scarlet.
This asshole… I'm so proud of him!
"You little shit." Ishar snapped and sighed soon after. " You know I didn't pick it. But whatever. Although being a Vampery, it does make sense to call me maiden."
"You're a vampire?" I pointed.
"Me? Not really." She said, scratching at her cheek. " Before I entered the Hells, I was an Ilthad slave. " She pursed her lips, almost triumphantly pressing her fingers against her waist. "My blood mutated there, but I didn't become a Vampire, but I also didn't remain an Ilthad. I'm not even a variant. It's like I've become a new race entirely."
I had heard about Ishar's story before but didn't understand what she had become. She was clearly a devil, but the subspecies were never said.
"So I just say Vampery, although it doesn't matter. Vampire, Ilthad, you decide I don't care." she finished. But the content smile on her face never faded.
"You're… the happiest devil I've ever seen," Adrian said from the holocube, staring at the King of Hell with glowing eyes. "You married?"
Resisting the urge with all my heart to pass my disciple the thumbs up, a droplet of tear fell: Boy, you've become a man!
"Her? Psss! The bitch got no chill!'
"FUCK YOU!"
Before I could even react, I saw Ishar's foot slap against his ribs, and the sounds of cracking entered my ears. And Zariel was gone, his body tearing through a dozen buildings vanishing over the horizon and through the barrier separating Noctem and Iluthath.
"God damn prick." She spat. "Why am I even best friends with that bastard?"
Zariels only real friend outside the Order: Ishar
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