Monarch Of Darkness, Arsene

I'd always wondered how strong a being from arcadia was, but as I sank deeper into this Abyss of madness, I began to understand the complexity of this chaos. Vita… She didn't seem to sense my daughter, or at least she chose to ignore it.

"Lily, how much stronger is Iza than Vita?'

"Are you high on the fumes? Vita would fuck Iza up. No challenge at all. Even this version of her… Most people don't realize that all super beings like Vita or Lucifer don't stop training. They train each day, every second. It's like worship to them. Earlier, we saw vita kowtowing to the Heart of the Abyss, but that was truly training. If you think they are not getting stronger. Then you're wrong."

My heart dipped, but I also understood what she said made sense. Belphegor had mentioned this fact. Where is he, by the way? He's been quiet… that's not good.

Finding myself where stardust and light didn't seem to exist, my eyes stared glued to the infinite mass of darkness… to a being resting on a throne. She had long black hair, bleeding nodes of… darkness. Her lashes were long and dark, with pink and red lips that seemed to arc. Her cheeks seemed as defined as her perfection, ensuring she'd get a few cheek pokes.

'Tenebrae."

Her tender lashes trembled, and with a warm smile filled with something that made my heart tickle, she opened them. " Arsene… What… what are you doing here?"

'…'

"You know my daughter?"

She flinched and nodded. " We've met throughout time and space. Although I didn't know she was yours. But you are not here for her, are you? You here for what I hold."

"Who are you?" I couldn't help but ask.

Tenebrae rose, revealing a slender black dress that was as beautiful as she was, defining her figure that hid nothing from me.

"I am the oldest Guardian… the Heart of the Abyss is not truly a Heart but rather a Gate. A Gate, a gate that leads to the First World."

"Eden?"

"That was the first Mortal World," She explained, stepping to me with a warm smile. "How I'd love it if your hair were black. As my Monarch, it would mean so much more."

"You and I are no longer connected."

She nodded and ran her hands through my hair. " The Myriad Holds many secrets… my child. Many. As well as lies, but the Abyss is where truth is found. It's where Monolith of Ends is constructed and where Gods come to die."

Come to die? What are Monoliths of End?

"What do you mean?" I softly said, oddly feeling comfortable by her touch.

"The Heart of the Abyss, the Great Rift, scarred by beings whose power would sever beings like Izavith down as though they were children. Behind me, Arsene, you will find a rift they created to hide this world."

I shook my head, and her hands fell to my shoulder, " I don't see anything. "

"Because you are not strong enough. Don't feel bad. The only one who can see behind this rift is Zariel and the Twins, and you at your peak." She patted my shoulders and stepped back with a smile of melancholy, and returned to her throne. "So might be the Fate of you, Snow's."

"A Heavenly World, huh." I mused, a little unsure how I could feel… then what is the Myriad Heaven if not a Mortal domain?

"What's in there?"

"Nothing… everything in there is dead. The first world died long… long ago. Come sit with me. You've got a Throne, right?"

I nodded, and with a thought, a black throne found its way behind me.

"Lovely." She said, smiling. "It's our first time truly talking, isn't it? It's our first time looking into each other eyes. I used to hate you, you know. Your brother had threatened me. Going as far as to wage war against me. That little shit. But do you know why I truly helped you?"

"Mephisto?"

"No… That little one wasn't the reason. Although, he did try to persuade me. No. I helped you because I was curious about how far one, with my help, could rise. I've lived longer than you can imagine; watching some defeat the odds was a hobby. And you became my first. And the day your body was smited to ash, I had a thought."

"Marriage?" I excitingly said, watching her lips rise even higher.

"Darling, you can barely handle your wife… don't think I'll be defeated."

… Tenebrae, wife number two. Daughter, son, I'm about to give y'all another mommy.

"Then shall we have a test run?" I mused, shooting her a wink.

"You lack a body."

"And I'm sure you can help with that.

"For a price."

"A child, perhaps?"

"Arsene…"

"Tene"

Cheeks turning nodes of pink, she sighed," Come on, get serious. I'm willing to assist you, but I need your help."

Losing my smile, I nodded. " And what's that?"

"I foresee war and death… much, much death. I want you to be my acolyte, my direct chosen."

"I'd assume the abyss chose me first."

Tenebrae smiled, lifting her fingers as the sigil of the Black Suns swirled into view just above the tip of her slender fingers. "You are her chosen, but you are not an Abyssal Fiend. What you can do is dictated by your existence. You have much authority as the bridge between the Myriad Heavens and The Abyss. But your Son and Daughter will soon rise to be King or Queen."

"You think they'll steal my power?"

"Steal? You'll give your children anything they ask for." She said with a knowing smile. "Don't act tough with me. You'll give them a trial, and if they pass., which they will, you'll give it to them."

My lips grew pursed, knowing she was right. The Abyss was never really mine. It was Liliths… the Night is my power.

"... Become mine… and my Kingdome will become yours."

"Eh?"

Tenebrae nodded. " You become mine, and I'll give you all of it. All I have, all I am will be yours."

"... Surely your joking… this sounds like—"

"Marriage? You people live by such a word, right?" She shook her head. " If you so choose… you'll no longer be Arsene Snow. At least in public, you'll no longer be a Snow. You'll be Night, a being whose existence surpasses even the angels.

"You'll be Tenebrous."