Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Apophis and Damien.

Noting the faint images of shadows flickering behind these two Abyssal Fiends, my eyes shot to Lilith, who was smiling, "They seem ready, don't you think, Sene?"

I didn't answer but glanced at the seven pillars of pure necrotic energy nearing Iliya. My heart hammered against its chest, noting the thickening of the pillar of power.

Asmodeus stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Raziel, and pointed his greatsword towards him. Without mincing words, he spoke.

"Attack"

Piercing Noctem into the earth, a shockwave that sent a tingling wave dancing around my skin trickled past me, turning this already wasteland into dust, following his words.

Levi-chan dashed forward with the Spear of Longinus, stabbing towards Raziel, who parried with ease, batting his wing as Asmodeus cleaved his blade down after covering the distance between them in an instant.

"Slaughter," Said Asmodeus, his words rasp and hard. His aura shifted from a horrid storm into an encompassing phenomenon that surpassed the laws of nature. Bleeding an aura that left a sweet taste in my mouth, the Dao of Slaughter awoke within this King of Hell."

Everything had turned to chaos as Asmodeus batted this False King away like a rag doll, frowning as he snapped his eyes to Levi, who danced to his side, swatting away an archangel like nothing with cold icy indifference.

"What's wrong?" She asked, glancing down at the Demons charging below.

"He's strong but… but it feels like he doesn't have experience." He answered fluently as the demons below battled with the angels.

Flames and war broke out, showering the skies with blinding ash, and the clanks and screams of war began to bellow.

Below these two Paragons, my eyes began to notice the Kings mark extended to all that had the honor of being cut down or whose blade crossed. The King's Mark would sink into their flesh, stretching into their souls.

The winds howled, and from the ash. Flashes of profound light colliding resounded like an endless storm. Wirldwinds pooled, twisting around the world's edge as the earth began to shatter, breaking down till magma overflowed.

Stars, one by one, began to fall from the Abyss and onto the skies as spell after spell would be cast in a seamless fashion. Starships would attempt to combat such spells, but one or two would explode through the cracks, wiping out millions.

And yet both sides held nothing back, rushing toward the other without regard for life.

"This is madness," I uttered, holding still with the help of Noctem, plunged into the ground.

Lilith looked at me and nodded in agreement. " yeah, but necessary. I'll get into position. Be careful."

"Same."

Teleporting away before my very eyes. My eyes turned to the towering castle of House Lazarus that began to bleed a deadly light, sending my mind into an alert state.

"My Lord," Freya whispered. "You should begin."

"No," I said, shaking my head, saying the words I felt I would regret later, but… but this needed to happen. We need power. The Fallen are providing tons, but we have to do our part. The lives of everyone below will be our fuel to light the way to Iluthath.

My heart turned to stone as I sucked in a deep breath, gathering the will of the Abyss. Feeling my Throne of Darkness becoming tainted by the intent of the Abyss, I could feel a power stir in the cosmos. A feeling that stretched out to the Bed of Chaos. A change was coming.

"So this is where you were?" A startling voice said, drawing my attention to my rear. Where a young man with long pointed ears not like an elf, that were sublime and refined, but instead this man's ears seemed thicker and robust like a goblin. His eyes burned with a yellow evil, with two tear-like tattoos streaming down each end of his cheek. The stranger smiled, showing two fangs.

If I didn't know better, I'd think he was a vampire, but the almost ethereal aura he held made me think otherwise.

Draped in a tailormade suit, he cuffed his hands, " Arsene snow, we finally meet."

"You're the Ilthad."

"Guilty as charged, " he confirmed, slightly chuckling, " Did I match your imagination?"

I shook my head. "I thought you'd have tentacles with olive-colored skin."

He nodded. " The more traditional Ilthad do. But those that allowed our bodies to evolve will look like me. We are, after all, a race; you are not the only one who can adapt."

"You here to give me your head?" I teased, but he shook his head.

"Nay. It would be illogical to strike you down now. Not when the Path to Iluthath is being fought for us. I am here as an observer only."

Sensing the power of an Elder God, my brow jumped but weighed itself down, " I want to see when you lose everything."

"You make it sound like I can fail. When I lose, I win." I uttered, snapping my eyes towards Asmodeus, wielding his blazing blade.

"Angels' blood shall fall," Yornen said, drawing my attention not on the Ilthad but instead Raziel. "Surely you've figured it out. Raziel is but a husk that's been dead since he sat upon the throne. He's an empty shell. Even in your battle with him, he was already dead."

"Eh?" I turned to Yornen.

"Hmm. How young you are. At full power, Raziel could kill Levi and Asmodeus without issue." He calmly mentioned, and I couldn't help but think of my little victory against Raziel and frown. "The power you see in him doesn't belong in him but rather the King. Sleeping till the intent lingering inside Raziel fades."

Freya frowned, sending me a soul whisper. " My Lord, all communication is being blocked."

Yornen nodded, somehow hearing what she said. " Afraid that is my doing. For you see, once the gates are open, we need you, Arsene. We need that blood that flows through you."

My heart dipped in unease as I snapped my head up to the skies at the onslaught of war. Teeth clenching, I stared at the bloodied body of Raziel and the perspex expression of Asmo and Levi.

Projecting my will to them, a searing pain struck against my soul, turning my cheeks pale. "What the—"

"No interfering Arsene. Oh, and don't even think of telling your wife. I don't wish to do it, but I'll kill what is in her—"

"My wife is the Abyss's Avatar. She can handle herself."

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