Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"What'd you say!"

"Begg me, Sene." She repeated and spun around me with a little dance. "It's not hard. Lily was the one to ask. I don't like that. I want my husband to ask for help. I want you to look me in the eyes and ask for this queen's help."

My breath went hot with pain, and her smile only went wider. " We always did things your way. But I don't remember you getting on your knees and asking to marry me."

'I'm not a knight. I don't drop to my knees. And the entire arrangement was a scheme to—"

"I was there. But it doesn't matter. I want you to beg me, Sene, for my help. Or your kids will be spending the Chaos Years visiting you."

My soul became burning hot as my gaze burned with a fire that made the Heart of the Abyss attune itself to me.

Lilith…you little bastard. I swear you're going to pay for this. I swear. But how… How will I… Ah, I know.

"If you won't help me, I'll just ask our daughter. Let's see what she thinks, or maybe our son. I'm sure he's listening."

"Sene… I am carrying them. Do you think they'll be ok there father cheating on their mother? Even if Iza loves you more, even if she hates me. Do you honestly think any self-respecting woman will allow the man they love to marry another? We are not in a polymerous relationship. I warned you. Now beg this mama, and she'll give you a nice treat."

"Wait, let me record it to show Aurelia. She got one of Zariel's when he was kicked out of the house. He almost missed his childbirth. Fucking idiot."

"You're pushing it, Lilith."

"You married another woman… I gave my child an irritating name. Those two don't match up. I may have overstepped, but you fucked up."

…

'You did this to yourself.' Lily said, just for me to hear. "Honestly. She's a crazy bitch, and she's dead serious. And crazy. And hormonal. Suck it up. She's your wife… it's not considered begging… maybe."

I know it's nothing to be shamed off; she's my wife… but Lilith is making it seem like I need to beg. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

"Fine! You win… Can I… Can I please have your help, Lilith Snow… My wife."

"Why yes, husband. I'll help you out. Despite you cheating on me, even going as far as to marry some bitch. I, Lilith, shall help you.

"You realize she like your daughter, right?"

"She a piece of clothing I made to keep warm." Said Lilith shamelessly and slowly grew serious. She placed the blood back into her chest and took me into her arms. "Refine me into Sene, Lily; This should yield better results. The little ones will help too."

"BET!!! Let's get this over with before yall start Arguing!"

"Wai—"

…

…

…

I'm back…

Looking around at the darkness smoldering as though it were a pool of lava, I looked on at the castle that had marked my journey to Monarch.

Tall and majestic, it stood still yet lonely.

"Lily?" I called, hearing nothing.

"You won't hear anything, Sene." A voice uttered as Lily materialized beside me, holding onto two small figures that made my heart shutter. They were small, so small I could fit them both in my hand.

Eyes large, one amethyst, the other red. Yet all four were staring at me with googly eyes.

"Is this a Test?"

Lilith smiled, taking a step towards me as she offered me the amethyst eye one. The little girl didn't even have a head of hair yet, but its features made my knees buckle and my throat dry as I took her into my arms.

"It is… but one you can enjoy," she said. " Every day, I experience this when I sleep. Although I will say, this is a change of location."

Lifting the little baby girl without even a blanket on to cover her up, she wiggled her arms towards me, cooing as drool slipped from her lips.

"Daaaa!"

Staring at the innocent little child, I pulled her close, giving the little one all the kisses before turning to my son, whose gaze seemed the slitting image of mine.

Lilith nodded without me even speaking and handed him to me. His gaze seemed still, but a look of utter innocence couldn't help but sink its way into my heart as I smiled.

"I wanted to toss you off a mountain… I might have to wait, though… I'll wait till you can talk, maybe crawl, whichever comes first."

"Daaaa~"

"I'll take that as yes."

"Daaa~!"

"Are those fighting words?"

"Daaa~!!!!!"

"Take this kid away, Lilith. He is not too old to be baptized. I'll hit a kid."

Lilith smiled and took the little one back into her arms, and I swore that little shit actually smirked as he giggled away.

I held little Iza closer, cheek to cheek, and glared. ' Fine. Be like that. I hope you get no hoes when you are born."

"... He's still your son, asshole," said Lilith in a berating tone.

"Oops. But all I need is Iza." I sang, rushing into the castle that opened for me. Putting little Iza on my head as she gripped my hair, I like a good little girl. I gave her a little tour.

Having Lilith and my son… whose name I should really come up with, I toured the Place of Night, a little baffled as to why I was even there. This place felt like my soul, but it also felt foreign for some reason.

Showing the kids the entirety of the palace, it was only after an hour did I realize Iza had fallen fast asleep on top of my head.

Same with my son, resting in his mother's arms.

"They sleep almost eighteen hours a day. Sometimes twenty hours. I usually give their noses a boop to pass the time. They're so fluffy."

A little said. I lifted the little one off my head with gentle care and smiled as her soft snore echoed into my ear.

"You said this was a trial, right?"

"It is." She said. "And all you have to do is think of what you want, and Lily will rebuild your soul, which will, in turn, will affect your body."