Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"How would you like my blessing again, Disciple? I'll even take it upon myself to reteach you, Black Sabbath."

Hearing Mephisto speak, I couldn't say I was surprised, as I knew he would approach me at some point. And I was sure he, too, would understand that I knew he was coming.

I lifted my head off the lake's surface, and my eyes landed upon the devilishly handsome Fallen, whose lazy eyes glowed a red, with a glint of emerald light near the rim, pooling a deep sin. Smiling in his usual manner, draped in a fine tail coat that spoke volumes of the grace I felt as he stood untouched by anything but sin.

"What is it you are after?" I asked, feeling this was the second time I'd ask the same question.

"Disciple, you've always been my second favorite. Your brother was a riot to mess with, but you were different for so many reasons. I'd initially thought Zariel would fulfill my dream, but it turned out it was you. Albeit in a different timeline, a shame, don't you think?" He said, sending my mind into a web of thought, trying to connect the dots.

p "So I'm the chosen one?"

"To me, you are." He said, arching his lips higher while narrowing his eyes" And honestly, you are without a doubt a weak little shit right now that it's embarrassing."

"You're up against a losing battle, and I'd like to change that." He continued walking to the shores of the lake and onto the water. Unsure how he got so close to me, he chuckled, "If you delay longer, you'll die."

"Remember your deal Mephisto," The icy voice of Izavith remarked, "You're too close. Step back."

"It's fine," I said to Izavith as I stood up from the lake's surface, standing at eye level with a being whose power I couldn't even grasp. I'd read many things about Mephisto in the library of Bael, and I could not believe the amount of influence he had. I simply could not understand how his mind worked.

It was like I was staring at an upgraded version of Zero.

"Where is Zariel?"

"He was getting to be an issue, so I sent a few Fallen to slow him down. Although with his cheating ability, I'm sure he'll be back soon. I was sure he would have stopped me if he was here."

I smirked, " You know he wouldn't; I've got a feeling you two are somehow rivals."

A startling look flickered over the Fallens eyes, and he paused, pondering my words, " You may be right. I had many chances to kill the boy, but I allowed him to live, not just for my Master Plan, but because he deserved it. Despite my brethren wanting to end him, I stood by his side. But never mind such an old story, what is your decision? Would you like my blessing or not?"

"I'll take my chances alone." I indifferently remarked.

"I see, then I'll warn you now, my brother Belphegor is not like me. He has been renown for his evil ways. Like Beel, he's willing to do some deplorable things that would make the heavens weep. He's not an enemy you want to make an enemy out off."

"I thought you were trying to help me?" I responded, a little confused about why Belphegor would find fault with me. I've never even met him.

"I am and shall continue to do so, but the Demons Bloodline corrupted Belphegor. And because he's holding a deep hatred for me, I think you will be on the hook. After all, Balor holds a great affinity to him."

"So you're giving me enemies?"

"Part of the Game, I'm afraid," He said smiling, "You're brother made lots of enemies bringing you back, with such an insane body. Or did you think there wasn't a price for such a monstrous body?"

Turning his back to me, Mephisto chuckled, " Till we meet again, Disciple. And you will need my blessing if you think you can battle Balor alone. Belphegor is an unkillable monster."

"I've got Lilith," I said, and his laughter resounded.

"And two little buns are cooking in the oven. You'll need me, boy; it's only a matter of time before you see what real power is."

Blinking out of my perception, I felt my instincts scream in fear as I felt a pair of radiant crimson eyes locked upon my position. My blood shuttered, and my heart felt almost too fearful to continue beating under the icy stare.

Fucking Fallens, but I guess it's just business, huh? Zariel helps me out and crosses people. I wonder how much he had to do to grant me such a powerful body. And how many enemies do I have?

If Mephisto's enemies are my enemies, as are Zariels, and let's be honest, the Order of Chaos is filled with a bunch of assholes, so their enemies as well, just how many people; do I need to kill?

Quickly pushing such thoughts from my mind, I sucked in a deep breath as the laws around me began to recede. Darkness flowed from my pores as I sucked in a heavy breath, as the runes over my skin flared to life, lighting up the dark skies.

Recalling the fourteen General of Lilith, I could not help but understand just how much I would need her in the future. But for now, my concern is no longer just Zantar but the evasive Balor.

"Belphegor, I will accept this challenge," I remarked as thunder crackled over the abyss shaking the void. Feeling my attunement with the abyss evolve, I sucked in a large breath of air, and the Path of Abyssal Night, exploded off my body, splitting the skies.

Devouring the Divinity from the Hells, Abyss, and my subjects in Noctem, the invisible barrier blocking my path into Empyrean shattered into a million pieces.

A tremor pierced through my body as I coughed up a mouth full of blood, staggering over the surface of the lake; a ripple reflecting my image filled my eyes.

Wings black like a fallen covered in abyssal runes, and two jet black horns of a devil protruding from my head, rose from out of my flesh. My blood was boiling, and my heart was hammering within my spear.

Gritting my teeth at the intense pain coursing through my body, I opened my mouth as a Mystic forced thundered.

BOOOOOOM!