บท 1111: Eternal Winter

Galloping through four layers of snow, the numbness eating away at my flesh bore deeper through my nerves, dimming my awareness. It wasn't by much, but for a person with a significant immunity or, I guess, resistance to ice. I felt unease for the coming years.

The law's evolution was a frightening thing. But so, too, was this hellish winter. Without wardings to keep mortals alive, it was safe to assume; they were all dead by now.

"Master." Adrian began with chattering teeth, covered in a thick cloak lined with infernal runes I wrote for him. "Have you decided?"

Half naked upon my mare, I turned to the boy with my bare chest to the cold. "No. This will temper your mind as it's tempering mine. If you cannot continue, have the guts to admit your cowardice."

"I only meant."

"I know what you meant." I turned, no longer interested in what he had to say.

While this snow had made me uneasy, I'll not have my men hide. Especially my shadow fell. We were natural warriors. And while my people didn't have my level of adaption, they adapted far quicker than any race. They will survive even if the snow eats away at their consciousness and bury them for generations. They will wake.

Silently awaiting for Seraphina to emerge once more. I struggled with a problem. I had always been one to not care about my subjects' lives. Despite how much they respected me, I was truly well-loved in Noctem. But… I cannot let Iluthath, much less any other realm, reign over me.

I want Tene to apply this formation to Noctem. I'm sure the Pale Lord will do so to the Plane of Oblivian. But doing so will cripple our reincarnation pool. We would lose a lot of people for a very long time. A Chaos Cycle is quite possible.

'Fuck' I spat under my breath. 'I need to talk to Mephisto.'

"But not before you talk to me." A sharp voice said, startling the mare as it tried to reel out of my control. It neighed and kicked as a beautiful snow-haired woman appeared. Gripping her rounded stomach with great care, her golden eyes narrowed as her devilish smile lifted.

"Hello, Arsene. Good to see you again."

"Aurelia Morningstar," I whispered, regaining control of the reins to my horse. "Aren't you suppose to be on bed rest?"

"Little Crowe will be fine." She said to me, tilting her head to the side toward Adrian and Kuro. " Who are the cuties?"

"Tene and mine disciples."

"Oh? I never really saw the point of disciples. Not when I could raise children and train them up to be stronger than a disciple. They'd, after all, have Zariels and my genes."

"Of course, but… who would be their childhood friend? Who would be their protector? You might have stripped them of something precious."

"Cut the shit oozing from your lips, Arsene. You don't even believe it."

Chuckling as she rolled her eyes, I shrugged. " I did sound like a good guy, though, didn't I." Clearing my throat, I grew somewhat serious. " Well? What can I do for you."

"I've already allied with Lilith, but she said she also needs you to agree to officiate it." She claimed stoically.

"I noticed Zariel wasn't mentioned."

"It has nothing to do with him. It's between you and me.

I nodded. " Then do tell."

"The Throne of God. I want it."

"..."

" I think I missed heard."

'You didn't," She remarked through narrowed eyes filled with greed. "A challenge by me has been issued and accepted by the Father."

"Are you fucking mad!" I snapped, wanting to pass my hands through my hair, but it was frozen like shards of ice. "Did you not see what happened to the Angels when Balor took over?"

"I did. And I'm glad."

My jaw dropped. "Glad?"

"Yup. Now we have the Teleth. A race that is so interesting. I've already kidnapped and experimented on one. My god, they are a phenomenal race. True immortality, extreme resistance, telepathy, even…."

"They are telepaths!"

"Oh? You didn't know? Yup. Telepathic with a direct pool of Astral Essence in their bones. Their Seraphic Qi, however, seemed to have fallen. It is weaker, but it's still in development. After all, they are only first-generation Teleth. There still cooking."

"Your still a greedy one." I coldly mentioned. Recalling Aurelia's one major weakness. If I were pride, Aurelia would be Greed. She is dangerous to everyone around her. Doesn't matter if they are Allies or enemies. Once she got tunnel vision, we all suffered.

"What do I get out of this?"

"Whatever you want. I just want the Throne," she replied as her body faded. " Think about it for a few cycles. We've got time. We've got tons of time. But if you take too long. I'll leave you behind. Needless to say, don't tell Zariel… although I'm sure he already knows." She giggled and vanished.

... This must be a family curse. I heard Mother was wild. Now Aurelia is wilding, and Lilith… well, she is just crazy. Then there's Iza. Why are all the women with our last name… so… My god, is there even a word for that?

"My Lord… She's scary." Kuro muttered with trembling ears and fear in her eyes. Noticing the goosebumps prickling her skin like a rash, I couldn't help but find her reaction odd. Did she sense something I hadn't? Is that even possible?

"Aurelia is—"

"Evil," Kuro said darkly. "She seems worse than the Mr. Bear lady."

"First off, don't call Zanris, Mr. Bear Lady. But it is weird she kept that bear."

"It's beginning to rot, My Lord. It smells. But she still pats it, feeds it, and hugs it. It's fucking creepy."

"..."

"Zanris is a grown woman. She can do as she likes." I said to her. "But I will take what you said to heart. Seems your survival instincts are better than mine."

"You are suicidal, so that is expected." Kuro blankly said.

Curse her tongue. Sighing wearily, I waved. "Yeah. Yeah. Let's continue."

Narrowing my eyes, I nocked the reins turning the winds to glassy shards of ice, stabbing at my flesh, tempering my mind and body as I whipped through the snow. Ignoring all that lay beneath the four layers of snow, I pressed ahead, allowing the icy winds to swallow Kuro, Adrian, and me, whole.