Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

I was unable to break my gaze away as Arsene and Mephisto engaged in battle. Never before had I seen someone grow so quickly. Mephisto's style of battle was made for Arsene. It was merciless, unfeely, deceptive, and relentless.

It was as if everything Mephisto did was to train Arsene instead of fighting him. All of this… from the moment Mephisto appeared with that look in his eye to this very moment as Arsene's soul billowed with an Almighty signature. It was all to help his disciple awaken.

He was playing with Arsenes ego and interest by igniting a challenge he knew Sene would not back down from.

He played him… he played us.

Glancing at Zero, who stood frozen, I soared towards him. " You figured it out too?"

"I expected this… But I had to be sure." Zero addressed. "It's rare seeing Mephisto like this. I'm sure you can relate, even if this is all a play for Arsene. It's good information for me."

"The Trickster of Heaven," I muttered, unable to hide my smile. "I ever told you I preferred Mephisto as a Fallen than any other Fallen?"

"The last time we spoke face to face. I was leading a battalion of Fell Gods to wipe you out."

Recalling that dark day, I could not stop the bitterness from spilling into my lips, "I lost a lot of children that day."

Zero turned to me slowly and back to the battle-waged millions of Parscs away. "We lost good men too."

"Who knew such children would come such a long way? Mephisto chose right." I mused, staring at Sene baptized by an almighty aura. Even from so far away, I could still feel it.

"Why do you think Mephisto chose Arsene as a disciple?"

"At first? It was to push Zariel to his limit by using his life as bait. Now? I think he quite enjoys training him. Arsene was one of Mephisto's regrets back then. I'm sure he'd agree. That's why he offered so much help to bring Arsene back. Despite being an ass, Mephisto is not as cruel as other Fallen."

"Which is why I prefer him as a Fallen than an Angel. Believe it or not. Mephisto was quite shy. Sneaky but very shy. Most of his time was spent with his Father, learning about creation. It infuriated Metatron, the eldest."

"Metatron? I don't believe we've met him." Zero said. "In fact... I've not heard the name before."

"No surprise. Metatron usually deals with prophets. Usually in dreams. Rarely does he leave Heaven, but up there, he's like a King. You can say he has as much communication with the One as Zariel does."

"You can say it was because of Metatron that Mephisto became who he is. Jealousy is quite something. Whether it's family or not, it's all the same. Metatron was… arrogant and a bully. Especially to Mephisto, who became ostracized because of Metatron. The Father didn't do much in Mephisto's defense, forcing the young trickster to take it all in. Every day he would be pushed around, forsaken by his brethren. Slivers of what he is today sank into his soul during that time."

"And you did nothing?" Zero said, snapping his gaze to me.

"I did. I tried to stop it. But nothing transpired. Metatron and a handful of angels continued to abuse Mephisto. His only defense… Ariel. Who stood like a lion to protect him." I wryly said. "Sometime later, notable changes began to take root. Devilish roots. But only on the day he saw Metatron slap Ariel did he explode."

I paused. "Mephisto took every privilege away, took everything Metatron ever loved. And crushed it. He tore him down so much that the Father had to intervene. I'd never seen anything like it before. Metatron lost everything. His right to a home, to eat, and to sleep. He lost his pride, his everything. All that was left of Metatron was a shell of a man. Thinking about it today as I lay consumed by the sins. I understand the level of torment Mephisto dished out. Angels, unlike a human, are usually born with a purpose. And Metatron was to record the Word of God. One of the highest honors. Can you imagine losing the meaning of your existence? Things got so bad Metatron tried to kill himself."

"It was a dark day that day. Mephisto's name became like the bane of everyone. He was both feared and loved, but there now existed a stigma against him. One that everyone would never forget. His ostracization grew even further, but by then, he'd only cared about a few Angels. Lucifer or, I guess, Samiel at the time flat-out claimed he wanted to learn from Mephisto."

Zero laughed. "Who'd have thought such a relationship would have been born due to… bullying of all things."

"Ridiculous, isn't it?" I agreed, smiling. "But I liked what was born. And while I don't condone what Lucifer and Mephisto planned. The change in character I found in Mephisto was… exuberant."

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it." He said darkly.

Ignoring the dryness in his tone, I giggled. "You two have more in common than you would like to admit." I turned to Arsene and the Fallen's battle. " Mephisto has many enemies. Metatron, being his greatest. The moment Mephisto announced who his disciple was, Arsene became a target. Him and his kids."

"We'll figure it out." Zero calmly said. "We've had enemies for the longest. Nothing has changed."

"Who are you kidding?" I said sharply. " I know enough about you to understand how much of a cautious man you are. So tell me. What plan do you have for Arsene?"

Zero turned to me, and the darkness through his eyes pulsed. "Separation," he told me. "Mephisto, however, is probably planning something along those lines."

"Surely there is more to it than separation," I replied, flinching most curiously at his response.

"The Pale Lord. It's she who made up my mind. The moment I heard she hated us but liked the children, I knew what needed to be done. And I suspect Mephisto agrees as well. A line needs to be drawn, just like what we did when resurrecting Arsene. We can in no part interfere."

"So you're leaving it to fate?"

"Do I look stupid?" Zero mentioned. "The strings of Karma are mine to wield. I will guide the children the best I can. Leaving events up to fate is what stupid mortals do. Gods bend it to their whims. No one is going to harm my godchildren."

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