Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Spending the next few hours finding a place hidden away from the Court of Nox, in a somewhat luxurious hotel, as Ezra had stated she refused to be held up on some hell whole, we found ourselves within the northern ward. Within a hotel that overlooked the entire city.

"That's better.' Said Ezra nodding quite firmly.

"How can you afford this?" Cleo remarked, unable to believe her eyes. And the lass pointed towards me.

"I made millions betting off Arsene, and I've been training gladiators for a while. People pay millions because they think I created the great and famous 'I Like Little Boys!

"God, I hate that name. That bastard Loki will pay for his crimes." Passing my hands through my hair, I groaned. "Anyway, you'll be safe now, but Aiza will surely attack again."

Lili was already back in Iliah, but I had this nagging sensation pounding within my skull. Who turned Aiza into a Nephilim? I don't see Zantar and Balar doing it. There'd be no strategic advantage, and surely it requires a lot just to forge a half angel half human. Raziel seems too high and mighty, not to mention I see him on a leash.

I've managed to kill—

Pulling out the soul of Drar, my fingers clenched, digging into his soul flame as he screamed, his voice penetrating my ears, making my blood bubble with anticipation.

"How's your new home?" I asked, waiting for an answer that never came.

Drar's soul was eerily quiet. Flickering like flames of a campfire, his soul trembled. "Drar. Tell me, who is behind all this?"

A hollow silence consumed the room, and my killing intent began to burn. I summed the spear of Noctem, and with a cold icy intent, my will called for the Abyss. Using her attunement alongside the Divinity of Sin, I willed my spear to change, wished for its torment to rival the foulest parts of hell.

Cheeks pailing, I held on, feeling drained, while Noctem began to grow more refined. Its edges began to shine a violet glow, painted with a black I knew all too well. Flames smelted its frame, and from the flames, a horrid feeling swelled within me. Clawing at my mind as an innate fear pooled within me.

Noctem had changed. Abyssal runes shimmered off its edge, and from its crossguard, a sea of abyssal flames sat permanently burning with fire that made hell itself seem small.

"Two Seconds," I said, "In hell, two seconds could last a chaos cycle or a dao cycle. A horrid thing time is. But in this instance, it works in my favor. You will tell me, Drar, or I promise you, I will kill any last hope you hold in your core."

"I-I-I don't know," said the pitch black Soul Flame, finally understanding its place. "The leader was an Ilthad, but how he made Aiza, a Nephilim, was a mystery to me. He made this entire plan."

"The plan to shoot my unborn children? Came from some ilthad, and you listened? You a Prince of Hell?" My voice thickened with sin, pooling from my throat. "You'd better explain better."

"I was commanded to by a King of Hell. Lord Paimon sent a decree, and I could not refuse." Said Drar, his voice losing its mighty undertone.

"Paimon, is in on this? Shit. Surely this is against some rule in hell?"

'Far from it." Drar weakly said. "It's not like that. When Asmodeus first came into power, he was essentially the first Devil, so he had all the power. He cheated the system by enslaving every Devil and demon alike. That's why everyone is so loyal to him. He owns us all. He controlled how high our battle prowess was and what we did in the Nines and out of it. He was the absolute King, but now. Now he has lifted this seal on us. We have back our freedom. Asmodeus may rule the Hells, but he doesn't rule our will anymore. "

"So you guys are free to do whatever you want now?"

"Yes. Except leave the Nines when we feel like it; our movement are still restricted," he whispered.

"Then would you like another chance at life? A life under my boot?" I stated, curious about his response. Honestly, it didn't matter what he said; I was going to turn him and force him into being my knight, although, unlike Freya and Mimir, I was going to place a slave seal on him.

,m "A life of humiliation or an eternity in hell? It's not a choice… Master."

I smiled. "Very good then. That's what I like to hear. Then by my right, as Monarch of Darkness, Progenitor of the Shadowfell, I hereby welcome you into the fold. Welcome to Vaevictis ." I said, dropping a single drop of blood onto his soul flames.

A blinding radiance of evil filled the hotel room, fading as a black stone cocoon formed around Drar's soul.

It had taken Layla only a few minutes to transform, but she was a Paragon, so Drar should take only a few hours, if not less.

"Is he to be my competition now?" Freya murmured beneath her breath.

"Him? Dear god, no. Who could replace my lovely Goddess of Life and Death?" I said, teasing my first knight. "You are irreplaceable unless you know Lilith kills you. I recommend you get on her good side again. She did talk about killing those I copulated with quite recently."

"Master!" She squealed. "You at least defended me, right?"

I coughed. How the hell do I defend sleeping with another woman to my pregnant wife? Who's as insane as she is hot? I've no power over Lilith. She does whatever she wants and lets me do whatever I like. It's the perfect arrangement. I'm definitely not going to talk her out of killing others. The next thing I know, she goes mad and kills every woman my eyes cross.

"Freya, you are an independent woman with a strong drive! I believe in you!"

"Coward." Said, Ezra

Damn right!

"I am only standing up for women! I shamelessly spouted. "I believe you all! Stand up for yourselves! And you know, let's keep this booty arrangement going.

"So he really did dick you down,' Sig said in an unbelievable tone. " I had my doubts but my god. It's true!

Ezra's cheeks turned a tinge of red. " You don't have to say it so crudely.

"I speak how I speak. I'm half a cycle old. I'm not changing my speech pattered. You got dicked up. Take it as a compliment."

Dear god.