"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
"I had no idea you two were so… close. How'd that happen."
She looked at me. "I have no idea. We just hit it off. And don't get any funny ideas. We're just friends."
An obnoxious grin flashed. "Now, why would you bring that up? Could it be your undying love for my dear little—"
Ishar's palm raced over my lips, sealing my words. She winced. "You're an ass too. Nothing is going on. We are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less." Her arm pulled away, and a weary yawn soared from her lips. "Damn, I'm still tired.
Really nothing like I thought she was. Perhaps her personality was different all those Chaos Cycles ago. How strange usually a King cannot hide that sense of authority, or the regal air, that follows our every step. But nothing of the kind seemed to exist surrounding Ishar.
It's like she was just a normal woman.
Was her control so refined? No. She's called the Maiden of Blood for a reason. I need to see how deep her power lies. I'm sure she's a Fell God, but…."
"Whatcha staring at, boi?" She reached in closer with an obscure wildness about her and a challenging grin. "Something caught your eye?"
Startled, I came back to myself. "Of course. You are quite beautiful. Rare I see such beautiful scarlet hair."
"Keep dreaming. I've no interest in sex."
"Really now." I mused. "Why's that? Surely a being like you—"
"I did say I was a slave, right?" she casually mentioned again, her gaze somewhat distant at the mention of her past. "I was still young then, but I was conditioned in almost every way to please the Lord who was to be my Master. Nothing happened, as I was to remain pure for my Master's during the training. But… But that humiliation I faced, learning those accursed positions I was forced to hold to please the Master Slavers, still way in my mind."
I noticed a smile. A faint one, and the dreadful eyes that slowly began to lose their light. I shook merely out of instinct, sensing an impending catastrophe near this woman.
'I'm surprised. Sounds like a Devil's Heart to me."
A chuckle escaped her, and life returned to her gaze. "Nope. It's a lesson. I know what it feels like to be helpless. And that day is engrained in my mind. It might not be overly cruel, but it's my motivation to continue growing strong. Because just because you're strong doesn't mean there aren't others out there who wouldn't want to do the same thing to me.'
"Then shall our Hells pare up?" I mused aloud. "I know you're on vacation, but think about it. I'm willing to cut you in on trade, which doesn't necessarily come from Nessa, which carries a five percent tariff. Spices and other resources carry a much higher yield. It's the same with Noctem and Tenebrae's Kingdom. I'm prepared to be Sylvorlum's primary provider."
"Abyss, Hell, and Noctem." She muttered, holding her piercing gaze. "Don't you think you are planning too far ahead? You've yet to face my Master's trap."
"Irrelevant," I told her. And it was. I was merely a Sovereign Lord. I give directions: It's my kings, princes, Dukes, and so on that truly run the Hells. Tenebrae has Noctem, and Vita and her generals have the Abyss. Even if I'm killed or go missing: my three homes can survive.
"It'll be fine, Ishar. I'm sure with a bit of investigating. You'll learn all you need. If you haven't already."
Presence suddenly gathered around Ishar, and a kingly might dominated our chamber for but a brief moment as her chillingly regal eyes narrowed and vanished.
Sweat slithered down my cheek, sensing that horrid power she kept at bay…. Just how powerful was she really?'
"I shall consider your deal with a few advisors and Lawyers." She said,
"Lawyer?"
"I forget you're a lazy king." She wryly said, itching for a punch to the face. Not that she was lying. Gods, I hated being king. Sure, it had its perks, but it's so rigid.
"So when can you teach me, i—"
"Sene!" Lilith shouted, slamming open the door, covered by the bed sheets. "The Angels, those fuckers! They are about to begin their invasion of Iluthath. We got to go."
"Why? What's the rush?"
"The Mutated Chaos Drew, the battle of Twelve Realms is about to commence. Let's go! Oh, and I've prepared some Abyssal Armor using Tenebrae and End's blood."
So it's started: And a Mutated Chaos Drew. The highest, Serphim and Fallen, are about to participate in this battle.
I whirled to Ishar. "And what will you do? Will you side with the Nines or—"
"You will have my support for a cut. I don't want much, just a needle worth, to analyze for my Master."
"Alright, then—"
"Sene!" The sweet voice of Tene shouted, sliding into Lilith with a flushed expression, more dressed than my first wife. "I've summoned my generals. Those Serphim bitches are about to launch a premeditated strike against us."
I frowned when my entire realm shuddered. I felt space distort when Tenebrae's almighty aura flared to life, piercing through my palace ceiling, a whirlpool of cosmic energy gathered and twisted the laws set by this king. "I'll handle Noctem. You go with Lilith."
"Wait." I hurriedly said, sensing Tene about to vanish. I summoned Noctem and handed it to her. "Kill them all. I don't care who they are, Tenebrae. Use this weapon, and exterminate the threat."
Noctem was the strongest weapon I had. When Zariel borrowed it, he was able to almost kill Michael. I suspect that if Tenebrae of the Endless Night were to wield that dark spear, its power would be unrivaled within the Myriad Heavens.
Not to mention that merely holding that spear meant that Tene had absolute control over me. That type of power is, without a doubt, terrifying. Even if I did trust her, it was no easy feat allowing another to borrow it.
Exuberance flashed through her obsidian eyes, and she nodded. "Don't die, ok."
Tenebrae vanished.
"You ready?" I asked Lilith, who grabbed my arm.
"Yup!"
Coldness brewed through my mind as a smile appeared over my lips, a delicious plan gathering in my heart.
Today… I shall take the life of an Archangel. There will be no going back.
One today. But I'll release two tomorrow.
This book is almost over, and the last book: Garden of Eden, will be out sometime next week. It should be the shortest of Volumes.
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