Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

I was stirred awake. A force almost ethereal, warm, and resounding brushed across my cheek, pulling me from my trance. My gaze had been clouded at first, but that haze quickly faded, revealing a set of melancholy. Her head was low, and her wings seemed downcast as if broken.

"I'm sorry," Were the first words Seraphina had said to me. To my amazement, she pulled into my time chamber, closed the chamber door behind her, and took a seat. Crossing her legs, she continued mournfully. "You were right."

"I usually seem to be," I played along. Still confused, but the bloody robes near Sera's bosom had revealed quite a bit. "You lost, didn't you." It was the only conclusion I could make. More of her brethren had died.

Sera nodded. Clenching her fist, "It was a trap. Lilith Snow used us." She said, going over the events that had taken place about a few hours ago.

I was not surprised. Screw the Abyss and their broken-ass powers. If I were my brother, I swear I would have banished all those bastards. Lilith included. Cheating bastard. I'm still infuriated that I lost to her.

"So?"

Sera shook her head, peering up with cloudy eyes dampened by confusion. The once sharp resolution was gone. She was lost and was looking for something, in the wrong person. Such a shame she came to the Devil.

Silence blew through my chamber, and Seraphina just stared, holding a bit of hope in her eyes that were a bit bright despite her loss and despair. "What would you do?"

"Excuse me?" I muttered, taken back by her inquiry. "You do know we are not true allies. You basically kidnapped me. I don't even dare try to bring my baby girl Ty or Arkanos, here less you or one of your kind kidnaps them for complacency."

"We would never!" She said at once, snapping her neck straight.

My mind spun, and I stared at Sera as though she was the biggest bimbo I had ever seen. "I know you're, an Elder God and all. But you might be the dumbest woman I have ever met—you're on a mission to wipe out the Bed of Chaos. Children are a part of the Bed of Chaos. What the hell do you think that constitutes? You do realize that, right?"

The Archangel's expression fell, and her pride seemed to waver. "I-I wouldn't," She tried to say, but I shook my head.

"This is meaningless, Sera. Or do you prefer Master Sera? I kinda like that. It has a nice ring to it. It makes you seem smarter." I playfully remarked, and the Archangels expression grew fierce, to my amusement. "Oh, calm down. It's a joke, well, kinda. But I digress. You are but one Angel. Verses, I don't even know how many. Still, I will commend you for coming to me; If you were somehow led astray to your brethren, you would only welcome your destruction. Sera, your brethren, betrayed you. You saw his commitment. You saw how the Devils, how Lilith used that against you."

"And that's why I came to you." She whispered in a way that made my eyes grow wide. "I want your help. I want you to help me destroy Lilith Snow."

Touching my chin, I nodded without hesitation. I was still reeling from my earlier defeat. "Sure, but do you really think that killing her would solve anything? You Kill Lilith. Then you have to deal with an enraged Arsene. Not trying to dick ride, but he killed two of your people, and Lilith just took the life of another Archangel. Plus, like the devils, I don't work for free," I let out, jumping to my feet; I eyed the appetizing doll and drew closer.

Letting my smile do the talking, I laid a trap as she spoke out before I could speak my mind. "You're a pig. I will not sell myself." She screamed.

My eyes widened, "You are so presumptuous!" I cried, taking a step back, "I was just going to ask for your blood. What the Hell! Has that chastity oath you took made you horny or something. Is that what you think? That I want yo booty?" I demanded to know; watching the cheery face angel lower her head, I smiled, unable to help myself, "Well, if you offering. I will bless you with a child of the second coming."

The naive angel trembled, and I crackled in laughter. "But seriously. If you want my help, I want something. I want angels' blood, your blood, and you to speak to an angel. A particular one I know. Without the intent of killing or capturing him, of course."

Sera appeared suspicious, peering up. She stood to her feet, and flame returned to her eyes, blazing with the radiance I first saw her with, "What, you want my blood? And who is this Angel?"

"I thought you wanted the drop on Lilith? Maybe even Arsene. My loyalty is not to him but to my Master, Freya. I protect my allies, Master Sera." I placed my hands behind my back, and my smile slipped away, " I don't abandon allies."

Dear God! How do I come up with this shit! I must truly have the heart of a hero! SHould Asura be a good guy? Is that even possible for me?

"So?" I mused, letting my eyes narrow, and the will of the Dao of Devil Heart whispered their song through my mind. Images faded by radiance flickered back and forth, weaving in and out in a dance.

Sera seemed deep in thought, and the emotions she portrayed versus what she held were monstrously different. On the outside, she seemed normal, a little shaken, but her heart was in chaos.

I had wished to pry to peer deeper in, but I knew when to back off. Sera knew nothing of my Mortal Dao, knew nothing of my power. This gave me an edge, but if I continued to pry, it would not take long for her to figure it out.

"Is this Angel an enemy?" She painfully muttered, and I shrugged.

"I don't know your history or your hierarchy. I want to know if you will continue on like your brethren, like demons, or will you enter a partnership with me carrying an open mind." I said, opening my hand for her to shake.