Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

It was tantalizing to gaze upon these tainted stairs of souls once more. So many Lords of Power, Beast capable of decimating galaxies to dust with a simple gesture were imbedded beneath my feet.

I slowly made my way up the Stairs of Broken Souls, drawn in by an indescribable force touching upon my soul flame, yet there was something else within me screaming to flee. To run back to my home, to my domain, the Underworld.

Listening to the sweet echoes of my footsteps against the marble stones beneath my feet, I wiped away the blood slipping from my nose the closer I got. My feet were getting heavier with each passing step while the pressure within my heart screamed and bellowed, wishing for me to stop my foolish actions.

"Father," Said Melinoë, gently placing her hands upon my shoulder, "You should stop." she urged, holding me firmly, but I could not. Not now. Not when I was so close. This was always the plan. Wasnt it? Yes, it has to be!

Etching closer, I ignored the screeching ringing sensation as warm blood trickled from my ears. Disregarding it all, be it my daughter, Baphomet, or my knight. I forgot it all. Reaching the top of the stairs, I rushed past the entrance threshold and made my way towards where she would be. They would not understand. They could not. It was all a game, A cruel game molded by The Silver Devil in his foolish quest to do the impossible. He needed us, all of us. Baphomet, Asmodeus, Zues, all of us.

We had all agreed. That Devil had left us no option. None!

Covering my mouth, I vomited a mouthful of blood. Staggering onto the wall, I keened over; as the ringing sensation grew so loud, tears began to rise from my eyes. It was all coming back. There was no such thing as Legacies.

"My Lord," Said the Ebon Knight softly, "you must continue. You must. Her majesty Irina del Morfray commands it."

"Be silent." I weakly muttered, unable to control my soul flame from surging with the power of oblivion.

"What is happening to him?" Baphomet uttered, leaning down to me; he stared me in the eye.

A fool this one was. Then again, the Nine Hells and the Seven Heavens were different. They could genuinely ascend and move on, but we were different. We were locked in an infinite loop of torment, forever repeating the same mistakes.

Running my divinity over my mind and body, I hardened my heart and stood back up. Glaring ahead, I pushed Baphomet out of my way and raced ahead. Ignoring the tormented anguish invading my soul, memories of past events began to replay within my mind.

---

"Are you sure of this Hades? I will not force you. You need not subject yourself to this." Zariel indifferently remarked, shaking his head, his sterling eyes somewhat dim and lifeless. "I already have all the major players. Even the Hells are willing to take part."

"If it were for anyone else, I would say no, but you are different. Irina trust you. She trusts you enough despite your insanity. All that I ask is that you seal Oblivian and let my people be." I grimly requested, shaking my head, resting upon my throne, within my chambers. I sighed, "We will be your batteries to revive your two brothers. But are you sure? You are giving up such an opportunity."

The Silver Devil nodded, but I could still see the hesitation over his stern expression, "She would hate me if she were to find out he is dead. There are times to let the dead be. When I am stronger, and everything is as it should be. I shall revisit the issue. For now, however, only my brothers lives matter to me."

"Seems someone has grown up. Thank the Azure Stars." I mocked, and shook my head, "I will become your battery and assist with your insanity. We already gathered all the greatest minds to remake this Spell."

---

"Do you remember, My Lord?" A softly torn voice asked as I awoke within a majestic throne room.

Lying upon my knees, I gazed up at the silver hair maiden, whose beauty seemed to transcend the stars and skies. Smiling warmly, with her charming azure blue eyes with a hue of silver, my memories of past times filled me.

"Some, but not all," I answered, shaken by this woman in my eye.

"This form doesn't suit you. You are so ruggedly handsome, but I prefer your Royal appearance when you were the Supreme Lord of Oblivian.

"Arsene lives," I faintly muttered as she released a stream of pearly clear tears that cascaded down her dreamy cheeks.

"My sister would be happy to hear so." Irina softly mentioned. Wiping the bitter tears away, she pulled me to my feet. "He died far too young. I, however, cannot wait to ascend. It has been quite a few Chaos Cycles since that day."

"Did he keep his word."

"To this day, no one has dared to enter the Plane of Oblivion. However, that did not stop the Myriad Gods from targeting us using the Arbiters of Fate. It's a shame; once Zero learned of their plot, he personally took action. I heard that most of the Fifth through tenth heaven was destroyed for messing with us. If that wasn't enough, Zariel made his third sin. It seems he will never learn."

Touching my throbbing head, I bitterly laughed, "That bastard really did a number on us. That was a cruel experience." Shaking my head, I turned to Irina, who stood in her royal snow-white garbs."How are the others? Please tell me they moved on?"

"without your permission to dismiss?" She swiftly jeered. " All of your generals are waiting for your permission. None of us were leaving till we knew you were free. Although we did raid your secret wine cellar in the Black Isle of Sellen."

Taken back by what I heard, I could not help but feel a powerful sensation of pride. If there was ever something I did right.. It was garnered such loyalty.