Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Through waterfalls, orchards, ravines, and droves, we traveled for the next few years. The kids... were not growing. If anything... They felt smaller in my hands despite their increasing power. The Seal we had placed on them was growing with power by the day, and in nearly half a decade of travel... they seemed nearly mortal, though that was a lie. 

Iza was… she was odd. Oddly intelligent. The way her eyes followed her mother whenever I pinned her against the carriage walls. Had disturbed me. They weren't particularly sharp. But it was enough for me to stop having her around when I found myself entering her mother. 

And Hells did I enter her a lot. Every time Lilith fed the kids, I fed her my seed. If they ate five times a day. We'd fuck five times a day. It was a beautiful symmetry, if I don't say so myself. 

Vesyrn, however, was a bit of an issue. The little bastard was too attached to his mother. Although, I can't really blame him. That milk ain't half bad, though I prefer blood. 

Studying my little son as he talked in his baby jabber that somehow made sense to me after a while. I handed him off to his sister with a toy sword I'd carved for him. Honestly, those two were inseparable. They loved sleeping with one another. Two nights ago, when Lilith fell asleep feeding Iza. the little lass crawled down Lilith's chest just to sleep near her brother. Didn't even cry, knowing it would get her nowhere. 

I wonder what Altair will be like. That little bastard is bound to have a hard life if Lilith finds him. It's a shame he can't be a Snow… At least, not until he's a man. And even then. I do want to show him to Lilith, though. Whether she hates him or not is a mystery to me. Shame I can't take that chance. 

"What are you thinking about?" Lilith asked as we moved through another forest littered with pink-colored leaves that smelt of cherry. She had been watching me more than usual lately. 

"Names." I lied, glancing her way with a smile. "And who will be stronger, Iza or Ves." 

"Of course, my little man." Lilith proclaimed, scooping up her little ball of sunshine. And nibbled at his cheeks. "He—" 

Frowning, we turned, sensing a disturbance some distance away. I glanced at the Crystal Breath and back up. "It's this way," I said, getting nodes of a familiar scent. It was the scent of burning gods. 

"Fresh Meat! Fresh Meat!" 

Somewhat taken back, I glanced at Lilith, who too shrugged in confusion as our carriage crossed the forest into a stronghold. There, I saw a tall, gaunt man, haggard like a beggar, with about three teeth in his mouth, screaming. 

"Fresh Meat! Fresh Meat! Get Your Fresh Meat!" 

My gaze slid to the four gods skewed above the fire, roasting for all of Heaven and Hell to see. They were still alive, but they didn't scream, they didn't cry, they merely smiled as if this was an honor of sorts. And for some reason, I could feel Lilith's judgemental eyes on me. 

"I'm good," I told her. 

"You sure?" 

I lowkey wasn't. Damn. I've never eaten someone that willingly wants to be eaten… But that just sounds strange. No. That is strange. What the Hell is going on?

The Vendor crossed eyes with me. "Newly Weds! Care for a bite! Best in the Twelve Realms! You've my word." 

Lilith was staring. 

Sweating bricks, I answered. "I'm good. Truly. I'm just curious when this became acceptable." 

The Vendor looked back at the smiling meat. "They've been lost to Madness, ya see. So they asked me to roast 'em up, and I obliged. Simple as that. Garlic, Rosemary, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Cinnamon, Salt. And I had them boiled in whisky for a month. One of the best dry rubs I've made." 

Not bad. Though, I would have added some infernal ingredients. I say this with the utmost kindness, but nothing can beat the Cooks of Hell. They poke and prod souls for particular memories before infusing that sensation into their meals. I've been spoiled. And now I miss Hell. 

"So they couldn't take it anymore, huh? What was the trigger that made them decide this?" Lilith asked, although she didn't seem that interested. 

"The woman was caring for her child she recently had. Small little thing. Little older than yours, there." He foolishly pointed to Ves. "She was making something in the oven and just snapped. She placed her child in the oven that instant and cooked him alive over the fire. She had been trying for an entire Hell Cycle." he laughed. "Kid was her entire life. When the husband found out, Hahah, she ate em' too." 

Glancing at the woman smiling with tears folding down her eyes, I sighed. 

"…" What type of place is this? A hell Cycle is an insanely long time. 

"Are you here for the Portal?" The haggard man asked. "Most people are. Ya sure you don't want a bite?" 

"...I'm good," I assured him and pulled the carriage past him. We headed for the drawbridge. 

"She lost herself after a Hell Cycle." Lilith mused. "Interestingly enough, that is usually the time most gods begin killing themselves. To escape to the reincarnation pool, hoping to start again." 

"It usually works." 

Lilith made a face. "You've been in the Hells too long. Those that Madness has tainted are forever blackened. So is the curse of immortality. Perhaps if they make it in time. They'll stay the effects, but as time passes, they're fucked just like the rest of us." 

"But what a way to go. Roasted alive." I laughed. "I've never heard of that." 

"Not even in hell?" 

I shook my head. "I'm sure it happened down there. I'm just not involved. That shit is wild. Especially when it happens up here." I glanced at her, grinning. "Let's hope you don't suddenly snap. And attack me." 

Lilith's gaze sharpened. "So long as you don't come home and tell me you got some bitch pregnant, you should be good." 

Shit

"I'm a loyal man." 

"Ezra" 

"Loyal ish"

"Zanris" 

"L—" 

"Tenebrae" 

"..." 

"I'll be good, dear." 

Lilith licked her lips. 'Oh, we'll see, Arsene Snow."