Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Over a dinner lunch teaming with all kinds of dishes, filling the room with a divine aroma. I don't know what was going on in this realm, but it had seemed like even Freya was not resistant to the ravages of hunger, nor were Ezra and Zanris, who had souls to sustain them. We were all hungry, and odd thing to say as Gods.

"So," I started off, taking hold of the breadbasket Freya handed me, " I need a map of this world or the region," I said, taking what I needed before passing the basket on to Ezra.

Sorina folded her arms over the dinner table while a maid poured a spicy wine into her chalice. "We have a regional map, but I'm afraid you three," She said, directing her attention to me, Zanris, and Ezra, " are sure to die. At a minimum, you will need to be a Heavenly God or Empyrean to make it out of the ravine up north. It's your only way of leaving, as we live near the coast."

Ezra's tender brow creased, a hint of disbelief visible. "What lies ahead?"

"If we are to head for the Kingdom of Iliah," I added, and the maids all froze; even Rena, who sat near her son, shook. Sorina's expression fell, and her hands gripping her chalice of wine clenched.

"For the Queens Consort, you are quite daring. Has she not told you of the monsters hidden under the bloody skies? The immortal demons that walk the night of the abyss?" She gravely mentioned. "Even when the first generation of our kin walked this land no more than rabid dogs, attacking and killing everything we saw, there existed those Abominations."

"Are they so strong?" I asked, but Sorina shook her head.

"Not in the least, at least not at first. However, these tormented souls seemed to fall so deep into madness with each passing of cycles. It got to a point where that madness took on a physical form." She fearfully said, peering down. "

Surely it's not as bad as the Hells?" Ezra said, the pride in her eyes evident. "In the Hells, we see madness take on—"

"Have you forgotten where you are? Or maybe your soul hasn't quite adjusted yet, to our laws," Rena snapped. "It was through the abyss. The Nine Hells were formed; even a child knows such things. I don't know which monster did this to those bastards in Iliah, but it's a sickening sight."

"She is right," Sorina muttered, releasing a heavy breath, "You can forget about killing them; they are truly immortal. A single touch against your skin, and in rare cases, your clothing, you will go mad, losing your mind.

My god, what the hell did Zariel do to them? I thought he just cast an entire kingdom into the Abyss, and the matter was done. I guess that was the least of what he did. It seemed like it wasn't enough to banish them to the Abyss. He tormented them.

Silence fell, and none of us bothered to speak anymore. After finishing lunch, a sigh left my lips. It had been a long time since I actually ate anything. A bit of a surprise for me, but over the past few years, I had been far too busy to enjoy a simple dinner.

"Take this," Sorina said, and a maid approached, handing me a region map. I immediately scanned it into the Holocube, where various areas began to be filled out with the help of my own soldier's scouting.

"Freya, take Zanris and Ezra on a walk." I swiftly said, staring at the rest of the people that sat at the table. Taking the hint, Sorina asked the others to leave.

"You still don't trust me?" Ezra coldly said. Her gaze darkened.

I smiled and did not bother to reply to her. Waiting for everyone to leave, Sorina and my eyes locked.

"I need an organized army."

"And you think we can help?" She said, narrowing her eyes, " We have a population of a thousand. How do you expect us to help?"

"I don't. I just need you all alive and kicking. Right now, eleven armies are gathering, and the abyssal people will be in the center." I calmly explained, " Lilith expects you all to die to help her people."

"And we are willing to die for our queen." Sorina fearlessly said, rising from the table with solemn confidence.

"A foolish notion. It doesn't have to be like this. You guys are powerful. Walking through this village, I saw newborns born at Star-Lord, a concept many do not have in the bed of chaos."

"Families that have high battle prowess will usually pass onto their child, so it's OK if they are born in the realm of god. It will not dampen their ability in the least." She said, proving my point.

"And that is why I need you all. From what I have seen, your kind is pretty naive. You need me, and I, you. If Lilith simply allows her people to die to prove a point, it defeats the purpose." I said. "Your race is simply too powerful not to be used or weaponized. I propose a treaty, with you at the head, or until you give someone the title."

Having the abyssal people die in the middle of this war that could start any day or hour, I needed to prove that the abyssal Fiends are indeed a threat that is containable like every other race out there. Zariel is not a fool. Even if he is on our side, the little things count, especially if we start adding specific characteristics to their culture.

I want the abyssal people to be neutral and pacifistic when they start entering into Noctem. They are simply too dangerous to be anything else. I needed to mold them to my liking first. Sorry, Lilith.

The cute minx lowered her head and peered up with grim golden eyes that blended into an array of emotions, "I'm not sure of this. We do not like to involve ourselves in the plight of the outsiders."She conveyed, and I couldn't help but smile.

Speaking with the tongue dripped in the Dao of Devil's hearts, I tugged at her fears, " Then that Matriarchy you are so proud of will be nothing more than a plaything for what is coming. Your woman, your soldiers, will be nothing more than breeding cattle. Or are you so naive you don't know what I am saying? Surely, there are a few bad eggs amongst the people of this village."

Sorina turned pale, "You're trying to scare me, aren't you."

"Me?" I jested. " of course, I am only the husband of your god, of your queen. Why would I lie to you when I have to deal with my wife? You may not know this, but she is bat shit crazy. Trust me when I say this. I will not abuse your people. Helping you is the same as helping me."