Kicking up my feet within the palanquin alongside Lilith carried by a few Faceless, sighs of relief resounded from Lilith and me. As if all the tensions within our bodies were being melted away, we slouched into our seats, unable to even think.
"This is life. If you weren't pregnant, I'd offer you some wine." I told her, finding myself too weak to keep my eyes open. And yet my arcane senses remained at their peak.
Lilith snickered mischievously and leaned her head over my shoulder, her silvery hair raining over my chest as she spoke out: "I'm hella tired. I haven't had a decent rest in god knows how long."
Peeping my eyes to meet those dazzling amethyst that carried flecks of something sinister within her pupils, I felt something within me still as our gaze met.
"I see you've discovered something new." She continued. "Tell me about it."
Reminiscent of the past, I slowly began to explain all that occurred after the battle over the Mutated Chaos Dew, making sure to leave everything about Altair out of the conversation. It would definitely be an issue if Lilith were to find out about him.
And in turn, she told me all she did over the few cycles that had passed. She told me of the Seven Duchies of the Abyss, the power structure and trade between the Myriad Heavens and the Abyss: Apparently, many renowned alchemists were willing to sign slave contracts over the course of a Two Hundred Dao Cycle period within the Abyss to gain some resources.
"You'd not believe all the rumors I'd heard from my Ladies-in-Wait." Lilith happily sang, an almost childish glow radiating from her eyes as she seemed to discover something new in her life.
Gossiping.
"Apparently, End has been looking for a Mate. He's been brooding over the sight of your uncle and—"
"End? That stiff bastard that barely displays his emotions?" I shouted.
"First off, stoic men are sexy!" Lilith rebutted, surprising me as my eyes narrowed into slits. She smirked. " What? You thought you were the only sexy man?"
"Kinda," I muttered.
She smirked, "You've been to the Abyss, Arsene. Everyone there is extremely attractive. I have yet to find an average man or woman."
Cheeks flaring, I snorted. " You can't call other men sexy."
"... Are… Are you jealous?" She asked as those profound flecks within her eyes shimmered a mysterious light. "Oh my god! You are! Want some peanut butter to go with that jelly!" She teased, chuckling away as she poked at my cheek.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." I whispered, glancing at her stomach that, in a way, reminded me of a kangaroo. "So Ends looking for some booty, eh? Have Ariel look for someone for him. I know she is close to many angels, Mephisto included. I'm sure she has a discerning eye."
"Angels? Why them?"
"You know I had an encounter with Zadkiel and Laila. They changed my perspective on Angels. I think I've only seen a portion of who they truly are as a race. Laila with her venomous tongue, and Zad with his insightful mellow self. They were an experience I never thought I'd have with Angels."
Lilith frown in a deep state of preponderance. "They are enemies, though."
"By that logic, every race that once attacked us is as well. We've been dealing with a small section of angels, at least that's what I think, calling themselves Heavens Gate. But it's only a recommendation, Lilith. I think an Angel would do well for End. But it's quite interesting he'd find interest in anything but his Master."
"True." Lilith agreed. "But it's not just End. Many of the Abyssals are finding other interests ever since the Abyss opened its borders. My citadel is finally starting to look like a home."
"And schemes within your court?"
"From what I've seen, none as of yet. Pure-blood Abyssals are eternally loyal, but Half-Bloods not so much. They seem no different than humans."
"Interesting," I remarked.
"Wait. Your Kind can have Half-bloods?" I'd always thought the Abyssals were like devils. If just a drop of your soul is touched by the blood of a devil or the Hells, you are guaranteed to become a true devil or demon.
When I was a half-blood, it was only a matter of time before I became a true-blooded devil. It's interesting she'd make such a decision. Was it the fertility rate she was worried about? If Abyssals can procreate with other races outside the Abyss, then that could lead to a new type of hierarchy within the Myriad.
Abyssals are, after all, the strongest race so far. To have even a little of that Abyssal Qi within their veins is akin to being born with a golden spoon.
"My race is anything I make of it. I am the Abyss, after all. I changed a few things within our genetic makeup regarding the purity of bloodlines. But there was a bit of a trade-off with this. Abyssals within the Myriad Heavens will struggle to contain their baser instincts. If not trained right, they could go on a killing spree: This is an incentive to keep them within the Abyss."
"That's quite c—"
Startled by the sudden ripple in space, a frown marred my lips. "Stop!" I commanded the Faceless as I looked past our luxurious palanquin forged of diamonds and gold. I stared up at space, sensing a mysterious energy… a radiant breath seeping out.
It felt cold, almost like I was standing on a mountain of ice.
Lilith hummed in recognition. " A boundary."
And my eyes snapped to hers. "What's that supposed to mean?'
She glanced back at me and back towards the Boundary leaking a strange energy. "Heavens End is the Boundary that separates realities. It's the source wall between the Myriad of Heavens. This Boundary is similar. I believe it's called the Boundary of End."
"You're proficient in space laws. Can we break in?"
"Nope. Unlike Heavens End, which can regenerate, Boundaries such as these are fragile and unstable. I'm actually surprised it survived the ascension of the Fourth Heaven. We have to find the pathways first. Which is—"
"Probably within the depths of this Moutain. Damn it. I really don't want to have to deal with anyone."
Holding out as the hours continued to trickle away to keep myself awake, Lilith and I continued towards via the palanquin. It was quite tempting to devour the breath of another, but for some reason, my instincts warned about such actions. It was as if the very intent of my actions felt like heavenly judgment lingered over the nape of my neck.
It was the first time I felt both strong and weak at the same time. My body was strong, but my soul felt weak as if it would dwindle to nothing in a matter of seconds.
"You look like shit Arsene." My wife remarked, resting her palm over my head. She frowned. "You have a fever."
"Nonsense." I dismissed. " What type of god has a—"
"It's quite common. In fact, there are so many diseases as a god. You might think they are mortal." Lilith said. "And if you haven't noticed, your adaptation comes from this so call 'Breath,' by the way, find a new name. It's confusing. And right now, that ability you're so fond of is out of commission."
I grimaced at her words but couldn't rebuke them.
"So… This is how it feels to be sick. I'd almost forgotten."
"How's it feel? I've never been sick like that." Lilith inquired, leaning her forehead against mine. Her amethyst gaze softened as if she wished to transfer my sickness onto her.
"I just feel weak and sleepy… Let's take… a nap."
Falling into slumber as the passage of time ravaged my mind, by the time I opened my eyes, I could feel a strange energy fluttering greatly the further we descended. But I still couldn't sense a single lifeform.
Was the Boundary of End perhaps masking nearby lifeforms?
Becoming more alert of my surroundings, chatter within my palanquin caught my ears.
"Breathing, you say?" Came the soft voice of a woman filled with happiness.
"Yeah. he experimented with it, and it backfired. You are the best doctor I know." Lilith said.
"Hehe! Lili always says the nicest things to me! Let me—Oh, he's awake!"
Slowly opening my eyes to the large doe eyes bearing down at me a little too close for comfort, I couldn't help but sigh, recognizing those golden eyes, silvery hair, and round-like features that made her out to be a doll at times.
"Ariel." I weakly said.
"Hiya Sene! How ya been? Ya missed me! I missed ya! I've taken good care of Lilith in your place!" She happily said and suddenly pouted. "It's just she won't fall for me! Can you give me some tips?!"
Finding the energy to glare at the foolishness this angel was spouting, her pearly laughter resonated through the air.
"I jest! I'm only interested in men… big handsome men, with abs, I could grind…." Drooling away, Ariel coughed into her palm. " Sorry. Any way you look like crap!"
She's weird.
"Yeah… I keep hearing that." I hesitantly responded, glancing at Lilith, who immediately turned away as if not to meet my gaze.
"Well, it seems you touched upon Heavens Breath. Well, it's a good thing you didn't steal any." Ariel said, losing her smile. "There are limits to Father's mercy. Had you stolen any, I suspect you'd have reincarnated by now."
I gulped. "Your…kidding, right?"
She shook her head. "Nope. I'm quite serious. Heavens Breath was formulated to give life to the soul." And she paused, tilting her head. "Stealing from God is a death sentence or a one-way trip to Hell. Heavens Breath can only be given, never stolen."
"Never?"
'Never." Ariel gravely emphasized. "No one but Zariel has true control over one's breath, so it's not highly researched, but it would be dangerous to believe you could control other people's 'Breath.' In a way, ones 'Breath' represents not just their life but their freedom."
Interesting… But aside from stealing someone's breath' I found I could manipulate it in other ways.
"If you need Heavens Breath, you should find a non-sentient lifeform like a flower or perhaps a broken spirit corrupted by madness.
'O, and don't worry about Tenebrae and little Art! I already checked up on them!' Ariel's soul whispered over. "When you transferred over some of your Breath, you strengthened both the Mother and Sons Breath. The pregnancy ought to have been a seventy percent death rate, but now it's down forty percent.'
Eyes widening, I felt my weakness cast into the shadow realm as I jerked up, startling Ariel as she backed away.
"What's up with you? Wanna fight Ariel? Hmph!" She squealed in shock, putting up her small fist that I was sure couldn't even hurt a fly.
"What's Lilith's survival rate?"
"Her's? Hmmm. It's about sixty percent. I helped her out quite a bit, feeling her Seraphic essence. But if you could give her some Breath, then you could raise that sixty percent into a hundred." she said, lowering her fist, seeing I had no intention of fighting her. "But you shouldn't worry. There is a familiar aura I felt here. It reminds me of Eden. I should Tell Mephisto. He always loved Eden."
Did he? Wait, that's not what's important.
"Please don't I—" Coughing into my palm, a shroud of weariness swelled within my mind, twisting my reality as I collapsed back into my seat.
"Easy, Sene." Lilith voiced, shooting Ariel a glare. " I thought we agreed not to tell him about my survival rate? You know how possessive he is."
"Seeing is believing plus…." Ariel said with a bittersweet smile I'd never thought she could possess. It was weak and graceful, yet there was a warmness no one could mistake for anything else but true compassion.
"He'll be fine. You, on the other hand. I'd like for Arsene to give you some of his breath." Ariel continued without batting an eye.
"Are you crazy!" Lilith shouted, her voice dripping with a sinister undertone.
"Arsene?" Ariel said, looking towards me.
"I'm fine with that." Glancing at my wife, whose expression paled with anger, I reached up, patting her head to calm the anger. "Relax… There is a reason Ariel mentioned that aura from Eden."
She nodded. "Yes… Eden is the birth Place of Life. It's where good and evil started, where sin sank into the bones of all other lifeforms, it's the place of purity, and it is filled with Father's Breath. The very Breath he delivered to Adam, Eve, and Lilith."
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