Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Holding my eye over the silver-headed goddess standing with an icy demeanor, I could not help but feel something off. Lilith had just appeared and requested I summoned Aldrich. To say I was not intrigued would be a lie.

Aldrich was currently assisting me in plotting the death of the False God. Although most of his time was spent on Alos, trying to take the pale gate away. He was the first to say that these gates were the key to opening Iluthatht. However, nothing seemed to work, no matter what this Elder God did. Not surprising since it had become tethered to Lilith, unlike the other Gates.

Standing still in silence within the chambers of the deepest reaches of the Hells, I rested lazily in my chair in silence while Lilith did the same.

"Are you really not going to tell me what this is about?" I inquired lazily, snapping my fingers summoning two whisky glasses, pouring my daughter and myself a drink. Lilith took hold of her glass and brought it to her cheery lips.

"It's strong,' she praised.

"Of course. I made it myself. I thought we should have a whisky this time. I wasn't feeling wine." I said, making a bit of conversation as we remained in a bit of silence. Waiting a bit longer, a large virtual screen appeared, revealing the Ruler of the Bed of Chaos.

"What is it?" Snarled Aldrich fiercely, narrowing his silver eyes that said more of his origin than most would understand.

"Can I safely assume Asmodeus has told you about the prophecy?" Said Lilith sharply, wasting no time to make conversation. Cold as an icy goddess, I nodded, indicating I did indeed tell Aldrich of Lilith's Abyssal prophecy. "Good. Then this makes it easy. If you wish to open the Gates of Iluthath, then all of you will be given a single chance."

"Child of the Abyss, what is it, you know?" Aldrich gravely uttered, his tone touched with a bit of desperation I had never seen before.

"We the Abyss will be hosting a Festival, and we are here to invite all of you into the City of Iliah. Aldrich, I am sure you know of this city." Questioned Lilith sharply, carrying a dark smile that didn't hide the mockery.

"Y-Y-You found it?" he meekly uttered, his face turning from a healthy glow to the color of ash.

"Indeed, "Lilith added with a strong voice. Taking a sip of her whiskey, she glanced at me, "In a decade. All Twelve Realms that surrounds Iluthath will be invited to the Abyss to participate in the Festival."

I grew solemn and shot Aldrich a grim stare, but there was a horrid expression over his face. The longer he stared at Lilith. "I cannot go," He regrettably said, casting his head low.

"The Abyss is different than leaving the bed of chaos. It does not break your oath to the lands." I explained, seeing there was something else going on. There was fear in Aldrich's eyes the very moment Lilith brought up the kingdom of Iliah.

"I cannot." Said Aldrich weakly. He shook his head, "I will visit the Abyss, but I will not set foot in that damnable kingdom, and none of you should either. Even you, Lilith. There are things far more terrifying hidden beyond what you see. There was a reason Iliah was banished to the Abyss to be ravaged by your kind."

"It makes it all the more interesting, don't you think?" Lilith noted, lowering her glass. She smiled, carrying great confidence in her voice. "But I suggest you ground your fears. Whatever they may be. The war between the Angel and Devils will begin in the Abyss. Everything from the prophecy leads me to think that this war will start there. There are four horseman gates in each of the Twelve Realms. I need not tell you the chaos about to spread."

"And all of them will die if they should enter the Kingdom of Iliah. The Silver Devil tore that landform its bridges after defiling it beyond recognition with the Power of the Fallens. You are but a newborn to the Abyss. Do you even know what has become of that land? What Chaos Lord lies there, forever locked in hellish torment of that devils and Zero's design! Iliah is the property of The Order of Chaos, and I will not set foot in their land! None were meant to touch upon it. If you think you are the first child of the Abyss to step foot in the Material Realm, then you are wrong. Zariel saw to that."

Taken back and shaken by that name, a chill so cold and dark touched upon me, I felt my very blood freeze with a deadly chill. However, it was not just me that felt that chill, but the very Hells. I could feel its fear.

"Lilith," I hesitantly called, unable to hide the quiver in my tone, "What is going on?"

It was not my intention to feel this fear in my heart, but it's almost like my very blood began to reel at the name as if it knew something my soul did not know or remember.

"Aldrich, I am curious; what was your punishment?" Lilith grimly mentioned, "Gaius Winterblack the so-called traitor was forced to walk the bed of chaos, in endless torment, forced to end his soulmate and child in the most deplorable manner. But you. What was your punishment? You seem so free. You are even now the Lord of the Bed of Chaos, and once Illuthath awakens, you will be its Ruler."

Holding my tongue, star-struck by this information, I could not help but recall Gaius. The man the Arbiters of Fate had commanded I not touch unless he challenged me. I had always been curious about his identity. So it will seem like the cause of all this was the one called Zariel. Such a familiar name. Could he really be the same silver devil from our records?

Lilith stared in silence, but Aldrich did not speak of it. However, his expression could not have been darker.

"it's fine; keep silent." Said Lilith softly shaking her head, "I will leave The Pale Gate on Alos for the Devils and Demons; as for everyone else, I suggest you all take the gates somewhere that is heavily populated. Once these gates open, the Festival will officially commence. I hope to see you there, Aldrich. This could be your only opportunity to get off Zariels shit list. He seems to share Arsene's sadistic nature.. I wonder if that is a coincidence."

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