Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Irkalla… I should step foot into my territory. But… Noctem needs me more. As does Iluthath. Currently, we are at war with the entire twelve realms. I don't have time to worry about the Nine Hells.

I turned, pausing in a shudder of surprise as a stunning redhead stood with her head slightly arced and a trail of drool slipping down her chin.

"... That's Hella creepy," I said, twirling on my heel. I circled her and raised my palm, drawing a Hell Gate from the Nines. Devil Qi gathered, carrying the gruesome scent of brimstone. Ash fluttered through my eyes, congealing into a cyclone that turned into a towering Gate.

"Your leaving!" Ishar's chilling voice said, sending a ripple of unease through my nervous system. I froze. "I swear I was having the best of sleep!" She mused, thereafter, with a mournful grimace. Her eyes moist with sorrow, she staggered a few steps forward.

The corner of my lips twitched as I glanced at Flama for help but got the shrug of 'I don't know either.'

"When was the last time you had a vacation?"

"... Never had one." She answered, "Can you stay five more minutes."

"You're the Maiden of Blood. Just make a Blood Clone, separate from the main soul cognition, so her thoughts aren't yours. And go to sleep." I told her. "If you want, you can come with me. I'm sure Mephisto won't mind. I would also love to learn more about Blood Laws from you, its creator."

Ishar gaze searched mine for a long time, filled with endless hope that brightened with each passing second. They were so bright I thought I was staring at a young girl about to enter the big city: Filled with innocence and promise.

Ishar gave me a fierce nod and, without a second for me to see her make a clone, pushed me into the Hell Gate.

By the time I materialized within my court in Noctem, Ishar's head had rested on my shoulder, passed out completely.

"Sene!" Tene shouted, rising from her throne of darkness; she practically lunged at me. Stopping inches away as Ishar filled her sight.

"Thats… Shar?! My god! Did you!" Tenebrae indicted with a livid expression.

​ A rich smile marred my lips as I slowly undressed Tene with my eyes. " Is that jealousy I see?" I mused, entertained by the redding of her cheeks. "But if you must know, I didn't do anything. She just wanted a break from the Nines. So I offered Noctem as a resort."

Tenebrae studied Ishar for a second and bit her lips as she gently pulled her off my shoulder onto hers. " Ishar always gets like this. Mephisto has even approached me with the idea of creating sleeping devils to help with her insomnia. She rarely sleeps. But when she does, no one tries to wake her, no matter the situation."

Fallen and the entire genus of Devils respect Ishar; it's odd that she can't find anyone to help her sleep. Then again, why does she need sleep? She's a God, possibly at the peak.

"What causes her Insomnia?"

Tenebrae shook her head and trailed towards the threshold. " No idea. But it seems related to the degree of understanding she has towards the Blood Laws. Lucifer once said if anyone could push an apex bloodline to another level, it would be Ishar. From what I hear, her bloodline is damn near close to Fallen already. But that comes at a price. She eats and sleeps like a human. Even ages at times. Although that's temporary."

Taken back by such a revelation, I could not help but stare. "She has pushed her bloodline so high? How is that possible?"

"From what I hear. Ishar was a big reason for the creation of your adaptation. Zariel did something, but her collaboration with Zariel was paramount to you having what you have. Mephisto was so impressed he awarded her his laboratory. Something even I have only seen once, and let me tell you. Within there lie many secrets that are shared between Me, Hellmaster, and the Father only. And now, Shar."

"She's a monster," I said, following Tene into a guest room. She laid her over the bed and began to tuck her in with great care.

"All hard work. Ishar broke the bloodline barrier, rising to a level only one devil before her has risen to."

'Amara?"

"Yeah. But Amara's circumstance is a little different than Ishar's. She's not a full devil, nor demon. She's part Shade, which took an odd turn. To the point, Hellmaster and I had to analyze her. There had been a mutation none of us saw coming with Amara that made her a unique individual. Lord Hellmaster was so intrigued he created a Cultivation Manual for her while I forcefully fused her bloodline into a singular unit."

"She's one of your children," I replied, a little shocked. A devils and shade combination? Devils and Demons were soul races that slowly changed the body's physiology to match the soul. But Shades are different. They are one of the few races that consist of one part Soul and the other part shade. One cannot exist without the other. If not, the Laws of Darkness Tenebrae created would destroy the abomination.

It's a little cruel, but it's a way of ensuring the Shade race is pure. There cannot be a Shade variant. And in Amara's case, she stood on multiple lines that caught Hellmaster and Tenebrae's eye. I wonder what the Former Lilith thought of this?

Playing with my ashen hair, as I stared at Tene helping Ishar out, I suddenly smiled, thinking about my children. I'd never seen myself as a parent. The idea of caring for such a defenseless child had always been something I dreaded. Feeding them and caring for them both mentally and physically was something I hated. I hated helping those that could not help themselves, no matter the circumstance.

But…

"You'd make a wonderful mother," I told her.

Tenebrae looked at me with a glimmer of melancholy. "I am a mother. I've raised many angels, many shades, and heroes and villains."

I smiled. "We'll see if you still think like that after a while."

Tenebrae's pupils shrank as she looked up, taking a few steps back. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're a true immortal. No matter how much you die. You'll return. How about we make a kid? Let's make you a real mother."

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